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Day 1
At a quarter after five, Arabella pretended to leave for work. She left a note for her parents on her bed. She had a small knapsack with a change of clothes, handkerchiefs, a few toiletries, a compass, a small knife and some chocolate chip cookies (of course!). She’d also packed a loaf of bread, some fruit, and a granola mix. She had a canteen full of water. She walked down the path to the barn.
Gus neighed softly when he saw Arabella. “Hi, boy,” she said, petting his nose. She quickly saddled him up. She’d already put a blanket and pillow in her saddle bag earlier.
Braylen was waiting for her at the end of her road. “Are you ready?”
Arabella felt a stir of excitement. This was it. She was really leaving. She had never been farther from home than Norwood, the next town over. It would be over a month before she saw her family again. “Yes,” she answered.
They rode in silence, lost in their own thoughts, until they reached the road into town. Arabella sent Braylen into the Moose to tell Mr. Gabrielson, the owner, she was sick. When he returned, they continued on. A slight breeze came in off the sea as they rode through Everwood. Arabella breathed in deeply, trying to calm her nerves. She felt electrified. It felt strange to leave her home behind, but exhilarating too. They eventually reached the other side of town, and the road stretched before them, full of possibilities as it wound through the Whimsical Woods.
After a little while, the woods opened into a meadow. Instead of another boring night at The Moose, Arabella could ride under the stars with her best friend. She’d never felt so free before.
“Why are you smiling?” Braylen asked.
“Because this is exciting!” Arabella said eagerly. “I’ve never been further than Norwood, and now we’re going all the way to the Golden City!”
A grin spread across Braylen’s face. “It feels good to be away from my father.”
Arabella urged Gus to go faster. She whipped past Braylen. He sped up, but together, Arabella and Gus were like the wind. Arabella laughed. She felt like she was flying. She wished she could go on like this forever.
***
They’d been riding for hours. Arabella guessed it was after one in the morning. Her legs ached, and she was starting to fall asleep. Her earlier excitement had evaporated. She just wanted to sleep now.
“Why don’t we stop here?” Arabella suggested when they reached a clearing.
“Sounds good,” Braylen agreed. “I’m exhausted.”
Arabella rubbed her eyes and slid down off her horse. They took care of Gus and Wendell, and then laid out their bedrolls. Braylen had brought one for each of them. Arabella pulled her blanket and a small pillow from her saddlebag. She put the pillow at the head of her bedroll and pulled her blanket over her. It felt heavenly to lie down. She was asleep almost the moment she closed her eyes.
***
Day 2
Whatever Arabella was sleeping on was hard. Since when was her bed this uncomfortable? Bright sunlight assaulted her eyes. She groaned and pulled her blanket over her head. Wait a minute. She pushed her blanket down. Braylen was sleeping on a bedroll a few feet away from her.
A surge of excitement swept through her. She and Braylen were on their way to the Golden City. Arabella wondered how her parents had felt when they found her note. She hoped they weren’t too worried. Also, today was the weekly farmer’s market. Corinna would have to run the stand by herself.
Braylen woke up about fifteen minutes later. They had a breakfast of apples and a granola mix. Arabella fed Gus and Wendell oats, then she and Braylen rolled up their bedrolls and saddled the horses back up. Soon they were on their way. Arabella’s muscles were still stiff from sleeping on the ground, but after riding awhile, she felt better.
In the late afternoon, Arabella’s stomach growled loudly. “I’m ready for a break if you are,” she said. They’d only stopped once at a stream to refill their canteens and to give the horses a drink.
“I’m definitely ready,” Braylen concurred. They stopped for a quick snack. “We’ll be in Foxwood in a few hours,” he said as they got back on their way. “We can get a real meal there.”
Around seven that evening, they saw lights ahead. “That’s Foxwood,” Braylen told her as they headed down the road into town. “They have the best lasagna. I haven’t had it since the last time I came here with my father.”
Arabella’s stomach rumbled. “That sounds delicious.”
***
A few minutes later, they came to the town’s inn and tavern, The Snooty Fox. Arabella and Braylen led their horses around to the stable, where a stablehand took them. They walked back around to the front. Arabella was starving. Her mouth was already watering in anticipation of pasta. Braylen reserved some rooms for them at the inn before heading through the door to the tavern.
***
Graham was enjoying a juicy steak at The Snooty Fox that night and trying to relax. He’d left Everwood early yesterday morning and had been making good time until his horse had thrown a shoe today. The delay was distressing. Every day counted for his grandmother.
He was in a back corner of the tavern, but he still had an unobstructed view of the entrance. He almost choked on a piece of filet when a beautiful brunette walked through the door from the inn. Arabella. What the hell was she doing here? Her hair was mussed around her face, and her cheeks were pink. She looked lovely. Beside her was a tall, skinny, well-dressed man. He’d been at the Moose, too. What was his name? Braymiller?
Maybe I should go apologize to her. Graham still didn’t know what had come over him. He’d never hit someone without provocation before. He’d really clocked that guy Noah good in the face. He watched as they sat down. I’ll go over in a few minutes, he decided.
***
Arabella and Braylen settled down at an empty table. A young barmaid with curly brown hair came over. “Hi, I’m Rya. What can I get you to drink?” she asked in a bored tone.
Arabella’s mouth flexed for a moment, before she clamped her teeth together. No, she couldn’t talk, not even to this waitress; in case any men could hear her.
Braylen looked at Arabella. “Rum?”
She nodded.
“Rum for her and a gin fizz for me, please.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be right back with your drinks,” Rya said before she slowly sauntered off.
“I’ll be right back, Bray,” Arabella whispered as she picked up her knapsack. “I’m going to the ladies’ room.” She found the restroom in the back of the tavern. She washed her hands and face and combed her hair. She applied a splash of rosewater to her neck and wrists. There. Arabella felt better already. She headed back to the table.
Her drink was waiting for her when she arrived. She sipped it, the rum warming her up. Her muscles began to relax. It was so warm and comfortable in here. Her eyelids were getting heavy. As soon as dinner was over, she could go upstairs and sleep in the room Braylen had rented her. He had rented a second room for himself next door. Sleep in a real bed, instead of on the ground. Arabella’s pleasant thoughts were interrupted suddenly.
“Pardon me,” a deep voice said politely.
Arabella started. That voice was awfully familiar. She looked up to see King Graham standing next to the table, looking as handsome as ever. Her eyes widened and her heart began to beat faster. What was he doing here?
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other night. I don’t know what came over me. I’d like to pay for your dinner to make it up to you.” Graham looked expectantly at Arabella.
Unable to answer, she smiled and nodded.
Braylen cleared his throat. “That’s very kind of you, King Graham. Arabella has a sore throat, so I’m afraid she’s unable talk right now.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Graham said, his velvety voice giving Arabella the chills. It felt like she was the one under a siren spell. “Honey whiskey always makes me feel better when I’m ill. Would you like a glass?”
Arabella nodded, smiling at Graham.
“Would you like anything?” he asked Braylen.
“No, thank you,” Braylen declined politely.
“May I join you?”
Arabella nodded. Across the table, Braylen was wide-eyed, as if he couldn’t believe this was happening.
Graham signaled to the barmaid. “Would you kindly bring me my plate from that table over there?” He gestured to his abandoned table.
“Sure,” Rya said brightly, her eyes widening slightly as she looked Graham over. She retrieved Graham’s plate and set it in front of him, her arm lightly brushing his as she did so.
“Thank you,” Graham said politely.
“My pleasure,” Rya said sweetly. “Can I get you anything else?”
“I’ll have a lager,” he responded. “And a honey whiskey for this lady here, please.” Graham smiled at Arabella. She smiled in return.
The barmaid didn’t even glance at Arabella. She lightly touched Graham’s shoulder. “I’ll get that right out to you,” she said, smiling flirtatiously at Graham, who appeared oblivious. Arabella looked at Bray and he smirked. Apparently, Arabella wasn’t the only one who found Graham attractive.
***
After the barmaid left, the table fell silent, and Graham realized the awkward situation he’d gotten himself into. He couldn’t have a conversation with Arabella, because she couldn’t speak. There was no going back now. “So, you’re both from Everwood?” he asked politely.
“Yes,” Braylen said.
Arabella nodded.
“How do you like it there?”
“It’s nice,” Braylen said. “But I’d like to live somewhere else someday.”
“Where would you go?” Graham inquired.
“I’m not sure yet,” Braylen admitted. “I’ve traveled quite a bit with my father on business, but so far no place has really called to me. So, what brings you to Alacarcany?”
“I’m traveling to the Golden City,”
“So are we,” Braylen said, gesturing to Arabella.
“Oh, are you married?” Graham asked.
Arabella smirked and Braylen laughed. “No, we’re friends. We’ve known each other our whole lives.”
Graham was surprised at the relief he felt that they weren’t married. But...he supposed she could be married to someone else. But that was unlikely, given that she was on a long journey with Braylen.
Graham finished his steak and chatted with Braylen for a few more minutes before he said he was retiring to his rented room.
***
Braylen turned to Arabella once Graham was out of earshot. “I can’t believe he’s traveling to the Golden City, too. I hope this doesn’t cause problems. At least he doesn’t seem to realize he was under a spell the other day.”
Arabella nodded, as if she agreed with Braylen, but secretly, she was thrilled to have run into the handsome young king again.
***
Day 3
The next morning Arabella woke feeling well-rested. Last night, before she’d fallen into bed, she’d washed her dress and undergarments and hung them up to dry. She put on a blue dress and packed her freshly washed dress. She took the time to carefully line her eyes with gold liner, and to darken her lashes.
A knock came at her door. Arabella opened it to find Braylen. He hurried in. “It’s going to make it difficult if King Graham is traveling to the Golden City, too,” Braylen said, reiterating his worry from the night before. “We’re just going to keep running into him.”
Arabella’s heart fluttered excitedly at his words. She did want to see Graham again, but she saw Braylen’s point. She couldn’t pretend she had a sore throat for the next two weeks. Graham would get suspicious. “Well, we’ll worry about that when it happens,” Arabella said. “Let’s get breakfast. I’m starving.” Two long days of riding had done a lot for her appetite.
Graham was already in the dining room when Arabella and Braylen walked in. He raised a hand in greeting to them. “Here we go again,” Braylen said under his breath. He led the way over to the table. Graham smiled broadly when he saw Arabella. She couldn’t help but smile back.
“Would you join me for breakfast?” Graham asked.
“Certainly. Thank you,” Braylen said.
Arabella nodded, smiling.
“How are you feeling this morning, Arabella?” Graham asked. She touched her throat and shook her head regretfully.
“That’s too bad,” Graham said sympathetically. His eyes held hers. He stood and pulled out a chair for her. She smiled in thanks as she sat down. Braylen reluctantly sat down next to her. He worries too much, Arabella thought. As long as she didn’t speak, everything would be fine.
Braylen ordered strawberry-topped pancakes for Arabella. He and Graham both got bacon and eggs. They ate mostly in silence, except for Graham’s occasional questions.
At the end of the meal, they all stood up to leave. Graham shook Braylen’s hand. “It was nice dining with you, Braylen. And you too, Arabella,” he said, his eyes piercing into her as he took her hand and kissed it. Her hand tingled when his lips brushed against her skin. Even if she could have spoken, Arabella would have been at a loss for words.
At that moment, someone crashed into Arabella from behind. “Oh!” Arabella uttered as she was pushed into Graham. She bit her lip, cursing silently. The sound had just slipped out. She turned to see a red-faced barmaid righting herself.
“I’m so sorry, miss,” she apologized. “I tripped over a chair.”
“Are you all right, Arabella?” Graham asked. He looked down at her in concern.
She nodded. To her surprise, Graham continued to hold on to her. She cast a sideways look at Braylen.
“Your hair is lovely,” Graham remarked, tucking a strand behind Arabella’s ear. A pleasant shiver traveled down her spine. She looked up at him, as if drawn by a magnet. His gray-blue eyes were even more beautiful up close. She felt like she could get lost in them. So much for leaving the Snooty Fox without incident.
“It was nice to see you again, King Graham, but we really have to get back on the road,” Braylen said, interrupting the moment.
“Why don’t we travel together?” Graham suggested, his eyes never leaving Arabella’s face. “We’re all going to the Golden City, after all.”
Arabella tore her eyes away from Graham and looked at Braylen. He shrugged, as if to say, “What other choice do we have?”
Arabella smiled at Graham. “We’d love to.”