Page 77 of Once Upon a Crown
As Bessie and I made our way back to the palace, I contemplated using the good weather for some archery practice. There was no range, but surely I could have a servant set up a target of some sort, and there had to be a bow and arrow lying around somewhere.
I wished I’d thought of it sooner, but it was only recently that I had been able to stand on both legs. After all this time that had passed since we’d left Norrandale, I was sure to be out of practice. But it was something to do, to make the time go by.
As the stables came into view, it was impossible to miss the horse galloping towards us, much less its rider and his raven-black hair.
What the hell was Lance doing out here on horseback? He was the last person I’d wanted to talk to, and I figured he knew as much since we had hardly seen anything of each other in the past few days. I still felt mortified after that conversation and my confession to him. Why had I stupidly blurted out something so humiliating to the Prince of Everness?
Cai had better send news fast, because the sooner I could leave, the better.
“Lady Gwen.” He sounded out of breath and even his horse let out a huff.
Prince Lance looked dishevelled, his hair windblown and his cape wrapped around him awkwardly. But his riding breechesclung to his strong thighs, which I’d never noticed until now, or the way his dark jacket fitted him so perfectly.
“Your Highness.” I dipped my head in greeting.
“Are you certain you are well enough to be out riding like this? Have you consulted the physician?”
Though the doctor hadn’t directly said I could be riding again, he did say I should slowly increase the use of my ankle, exercising it little by little.
“Quite certain, Your Highness. I’m hardly using it at all.” I moved my ankle, where it dangled next to the stirrup, as if to prove my point.
“Well, I’m sure Bess is happy to be out and about again.” Initially I was uncertain about taking her out now that I knew she was his horse. But she was the only horse in the stable I’d grown accustomed to riding and I didn’t want to risk another injury by getting on a different mare or stallion that might be unpredictable.
“I’m glad her hoof is in better condition.”
There was a moment of silence between us, Bess having ducked her head to sniff around for any green blades of grass that she could find.
“Are you also out enjoying the weather, Your Highness?” If he said yes, then I could bid him a good morning and be on my way back again. But something in his expression told me I was not going to hear what I wanted to.
“No, I was looking for you, actually.”
“How can I be of service, Your Highness?” My grip tightened on the reins.
“Please don’t call me that. I think we’re well enough acquainted by now that you can call me by my first name.”
“You were the one who insisted upon using titles,” and then I added, “Your Highness.”
“I was just trying to tease you that day. You came into the library and looked so upset upon seeing me that I couldn’t help myself.” That seemed to be a recurring problem with him, but I didn’t say it out loud.
“Is that what you came all this way to tell me, that I should call you by your birth name?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then pray tell, Your Highness, what is the reason you have graced me with your presence?” I would not give him the satisfaction of getting what he wanted.
“Enough, Gwen,” he said, louder than I’d expected. “It cannot go on like this.”
“I see no reason why not.” I lifted Bess’s head and urged her to start walking again, passing Lance and his horse.
“I’m sorry, all right. Is that what you want from me, an apology?” his voice came from behind.
“No,” I called over my shoulder.
“I’m sorry I misread the situation and that you never heard from me again.”
“You pressured me for an answer, and I gave you one. That’s all. It’s in the past now.” It was in the past. I had no reason to hold the grudge all these years. In fact, I had pretty much forgotten about him until we arrived in Everness and he’d taken to taunting me so often. If he’d only stayed out of my way, then none of this would have happened.
Lance and his horse had almost caught up to us despite our brisk pace.
