Faefalling (working title)

2-Okay, so maybe I'm not big on the whole authority figure thing...

Reaghan snatched my attention away as she shoved me towards the front steps of the Golden Palace. I answered her nudge with a smirk meant to set her nerves aflame. Though she retained firm control of her features, her fist clenched the fabric of her silver silk dress. Reward enough.

I turned to the entrance. The afternoon light emboldened the castle's beauty. Its golden roof, hence the name, had glory enough to bring sight to the blind. Nearly rivalling the princess's glow. I sauntered through the front doors, which hung ajar during the day, and Reaghan joined me, followed by Scathe.

"Caedmon, how many times must this happen before you finally agree to move back in?" she groaned.

"No offence, princess, but I'd rather take my chances out there than stifle in your gilded cage."

"Oh, really? First, an earthquake. Then, a tornado. And now, three fires. All in one month," she listed. "At some point it turns from taking your chances to suicide. You can't believe all of that is coincidence."

Not this again. "What's the other case scenario, Rea? People are out to get me? Who? The woodland spirits? The boogieman? Sure, the fires aren't an accident, but I'm not being scared away from my home by a couple of sleazy bandits," I said. "Besides, here's something even more concerning. Apparently, I have a stalker. So, what, have you been sitting outside my house with a telescope, watching me survive earthquakes and fires? Or perhaps you were hoping to catch a glimpse of something more? What would your mother think about you being such a peeping --"

Reaghan slapped me before I could finish

"Shut up. You should go change," she added, regaining her formal tone, "be ready by two o'clock sharp. We should be gathered by then."

She turned and strutted away down the hall. I watched her go for a moment, my hand lingering where hers had touched me. Gods know I tried to shove down the way it made me feel.

"Come on then, Scathe," I mumbled, "Let's go see how Oslac's doing."

I wound my way to the prince's chambers, stride all but silent atop the polished marble floors. To my relief, the castle was fairly vacant, a refreshing change. The few hours spent in Timpearl's streets had been more than my fill for a good many moons.

Reaghan plagued my mind with every step. I should've hit myself for it, for the stupid daydream that would surely bring me nothing but pain. But that burgundy hair and those mulberry eyes... intoxicating. Damn them.

The most desirable courtee in the land. Kings and queens, princes and princesses from the five thrones vied for her hand. And why shouldn't they? She was a candidate to succeed Scathliath's throne, if not the sure choice. Even the forest folk had begun to whisper. Some claimed her reign would deliver us from the war. If there ever was anyone better suited to be ruler, I hadn't had the chance to meet them.

She was shrewd, gracious and, most importantly, well respected by both the courts and people. Impressive for a fae so far from passing into her four hundredth season. I certainly counted myself lucky to have been amongst those born in her age.

Lost in my thoughts, I nearly walked right into a young domestic. Her back to me, I watched as she waved a hand over the glass of a window. There was no keeping the awe from my face. The sunlight shimmered and focused into the image of a galloping horse.

"Magnificent," I breathed.

The beour shrieked and jumped back. The stack of books in her other hand clattered to the floor with what seemed to be the most racket I'd ever heard from bits of paper. The girl wasted no time falling to her knees. Her eyes shone with the beginning of tears.