Chapter One (Pt.2)

The wind surging past Leah snatched at her breath; she narrowed her eyes in an effort to stop them watering. As her horse increased his speed, she leant closer against his neck, feeling the pull of her cloak streaming behind her.

Glancing back, she caught glimpses of riders through her fluttering cloak. They too were clad in shadow-black cloaks like hers, their forms similarly covered by white tabards. But while her head was uncovered, they wore round helmets, which added to their anonymity and similarity. They maintained a steady pace, with one riding slightly ahead of them.

Although she couldn’t tell the riders apart, yet Leah knew that particular one to be Eurik, her personal guard, always ready to fly to her side if needed... even though in the three years since his appointment, she’d never had need to call on him.

Reluctantly, Leah pulled on the reins to slow her horse; he resisted as she knew he would. Deciding against a tussle, she eased him to the left in a wide arc, giving him little choice but to check his speed. Warmed through after her fast ride, Leah’s breath coalesced visibly as it came into contact with the chilly, late winter air. Now that her horse had settled into a steady canter, she removed her left glove, still keeping hold of the reins with her right hand, and rubbed at her damp nose. Brushing her fingers through her hair, she momentarily laced inky strands through the distinctive bone-white swathe that cut through the left side, the only visible reminder of her encounter with a demon lord... the unwanted, permanent reminder from three years ago.

As she neared the warrior escort, they parted slightly to allow a rider in a powder-blue cloak to ride ahead. By the time Leah reached her mother, she’d slowed her horse down to a sedate walk. The escort took up position, behind their queen and princess, and maintained a respectful distance.

“Is that better?” said Maeve with a smile, her hood back to reveal spun-gold tresses.

“Much.” Leah rubbed her horse’s neck. “Funny how he only expects a fast run like that when it’s him and me, but not when I’m out on patrol.”

“Clever boy...”

“Shh. It’ll only go to his head.”

They laughed.

“I am so glad you found time for this ride, Leah.”

“Me too. I’m proud being a warrior but sometimes...” She tilted her head from side to side. “I mind that it takes up so much of my time.”

“Especially since your promotion?”

She pursed her lips. “There is a lot more paperwork, but on the other hand, being an assistant commander does have its perks.”

“Like...” Maeve’s smile widened. “The ability to delegate?”

Leah mirrored her mother’s gleeful expression. “Especially the ability to delegate.”

“From what I’ve heard, you’re handling the responsibility well.”

“There are times I forget, but it is getting easier, giving orders instead of only taking them. I don’t know if being the king’s daughter is making my duties easier; no one’s given me any trouble... yet.”

“You’ll never know that for certain, Leah. But don’t fear using that to your advantage and the advantage of your warriors.”

She nodded and they lapsed into silence. Making their way home to Orenheart, Leah could feel her mother’s gaze on her and, somehow, knew the upcoming topic would be one she dreaded.

“Have you seen your father lately?”

She nodded quickly. “Of course. I see him all the time.”

“I mean, have you spent time with him, as father and daughter?”

“I’m busy, Mother, and so is he.”

“He would make time for you, you know that.” When she didn’t reply, Maeve continued. “He thinks... has he done something to upset you?”

Leah gritted her teeth as her mind screamed, Yes. He betrayed us all. But instead, she laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “No. What makes you think that?”

“It’s what he thinks and I can’t blame him. For the last three years, ever since you defeated that creature, you’ve seemed different with him.”

That’s because I know what he did. Because of his affair with your maid, with Ana, we almost lost Evalan. Because he abandoned her, she lost her mind, and Shalyer blamed us all for his mother’s suffering... But Leah knew she would never voice those thoughts, not to her father and, most definitely, not to her mother. “Nothing’s wrong,” she said as she looked away, fussing with the reins. “It’s like I said, I’m busy. It’s only been four months since my promotion...”

“Alright then, if you say so.”

Maeve fell silent, but Leah could sense what was on her mind. She silently prayed Maeve would not voice those particular thoughts.

“So, you are happy then... in your new role?” Maeve’s overly loud tone belied the innocence of her question.

“Yes, Mother, I am happy.” Leah hoped her firm reply would allay any further questions. She hoped in vain.

“What about the other part of your life?”

Her gaze pleaded with her mother to leave well enough alone. but Maeve seemed not to notice. Neither did her silence deter the older woman.

“Your personal life, are you happy? All your friends are either married or in relationships–”

“Not all of them,” she countered, wincing at the pitiful nature of her words.

Her lips drawn out in a straight line, Maeve said, “Well... there’s Jess... she’s no longer a warrior. She’s happily married with a new baby–”

“But I don’t want to give up being a warrior. It’s what makes me happy.”

Maeve’s brow crumpled. “You do want to start a family, don’t you?”

Leah breathed deeply. “One day, yes... but not anytime soon. I haven’t met anyone I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Yet.”

“Yet. Yes, Mother... I haven’t met anyone yet. Only please believe me when I say that I am happy. At this moment in my life, all that matters to me is that I prove myself as an assistant commander.”

Maeve continued to frown. “But, Leah, time will not wait–”

“Twenty isn’t that old.” Her attempt at levity fell flat. Reaching over, she laid her hand on her mother’s. “There’s nothing to worry about. Can we simply enjoy our time together? Please?”

“Alright, my dear. I know I go on, but all I want is for you to be happy.”

“I promise you, I am happy with my life.”

They continued with their ride, spurring their horses into a gallop, but Leah knew her mother would continue to worry even if she never mentioned the subject again. Yet she would not... could not allow any man into her life, for the memory still haunted her of what she’d almost done to Conor, of how she’d come so close to changing him with her magic.