He lets out a low chuckle. “I’m well aware,staellara. I’ll show you how.”
“Oh, really?” I hope he can feel the sarcasm dripping from my words. “And when exactly are you supposed to do that if you’re not allowed into the place?”
“Not to worry, I have my ways,” he simply says with a wink.
“Fine, keep your secrets.” I roll my eyes at him, which grants me another low rumbling chuckle from him.
He gives Puck a swift nudge, carrying us the rest of the way to the gates where two guards stand sentry.
“Halt!” the first guard—clearly the older of the two—calls as the two of them drop their halberds to cross in front of the gate, blocking access. My heart stutters. I don’t know why I didn’t anticipate armed guards, but they catch me off guard. Bastian tugs on the reins, pulling us to an abrupt stop.
“What business do you have with the palace?” the second, younger guard asks, chin raised, somehow looking down his nose at us while being below us.
“I’m returning the lost princess to her home,” Bastian states, blandly, sounding bored.
The second guard furrows his brows in confusion, but the first guard goes wide-eyed at the statement.
“There is no such thing—” the second guard starts, before the first cuts him off.
“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” the guard asks, eyeing us warily.
I clear my throat. “Well, I don’t really know how to prove it to you since I’ve only recently found out myself. The best way I suppose would be to pass my request for access along to the King and Queen. You can let them know their daughter Olivia has come home.” I try to infuse my voice with as much confidence and authority as I can muster, even if it is all false bravado. The wordhomefeeling weird on my tongue in reference to this place. It’s not my home. Or I suppose it hasn’t been. Willowbrook is home. Maybe it could start to feel like somewhere I can plant my roots, but for now I feel completely lost in this new place. Bastian’s presence at my back helps to soothe the tension I’m fighting off.
If it’s even possible, the first guard’s eyes go even wider than before. He quickly drops to a knee and places his right fist over his heart, bowing his head. “Your Highness, my sincerest apologies.” My breath stills in my chest. I didn’t expect this kind of welcome and it makes me a little uncomfortable if I’m being completely honest.
The second guard looks between me and his kneeling comrade with a panicked look on his face. “Wait. There’s actually a lost princess?”
“Leo, you idiot.Kneel,” the first guard hisses at the other.
A now equally wide-eyed Leo quickly drops to a knee and matches the first guard’s pose. “Your Highness,” he says with reverence.
This is a rather strange feeling. I don’tfeellike royalty. I knew Bastian was serious when he said he should call meYour Highness, but that was all in jest. It’s different to actually have someone treat me as such. I certainly don’t think I deserve this kind of treatment.
“Um, please get up, that’s not necessary,” I rush out, flustered at the gesture.
The first guard rises, nudging Leo to do the same on the way to his feet. “Leo, go inform the King and Queen about their guest and get permission to let her in.”
“Yes, sir,” Leo says with a curt nod before turning and racing off towards the main palace.
“The name’s Samuel, Your Highness,” the first guard, Samuel, says, stepping forward towards where Bastian and I are still mounted on Puck.
I start to dismount but Bastian’s hands on my waist stay my movements. “Allow me,Your Highness,” he whispers in my ear with an emphasis onyour highnessthat sends a shiver down my spine. He jumps down from the horse before reaching up tograsp my waist again and assist me in climbing down from the horse, nodding in silent thanks.
I turn and walk towards Samuel, Bastian close on my heels.
“It’s nice to meet you Samuel,” I say with a polite bow of my head. “I appreciate you sending Leo to speak with my parents.”
“Of course, Your Highness. They’ll be thrilled to know you’ve returned.”
Returned.He says that as if I previously spent any time of my life here before going off on a short trip, as opposed to being hidden away and raised for two decades in the human realm. My anger starts to flare, heat rising in me. Bastian’s hand lays a gentle touch at the small of my back, instantly flushing the anger away.
Samuel’s eyes flick over my shoulder to Bastian and I can see that this is the first time he’s truly taken in his features based on the narrowing of his eyes and flare in his nostrils. “I—uh, unfortunately, your… companion won’t be permitted entry to the palace.Unseeliearen’t welcome here.” The disgust lacing his words have my hackles rising, that red hot anger returning. It doesn’t cool and ebb until Bastian rubs small circles on my back. I didn’t even realize he had let his glamour fall away. Or can they see through it? Is that possible?
Bastian offers an understanding nod to Samuel, not daring to look at me. “It is not an issue. We merely crossed paths, and I was simply escorting the young princess to the palace. Once she’s in good hands here, I’ll carry on.”
Samuel eyes Bastian warily but offers a curt nod of acceptance.
After several more moments of tense silence where Samuel refuses to pull his focus from Bastian and vice versa, Leo appears, racing back down to the gate.
