Chapter 7

After Serena had a good meal the next morning, she thanked Old Theus and stood up to go.

" oh, Serena!" Cassandra moaned." I do not want you to leave..my heart wouldn't heal if you do!".

Serena stared at her in tears.

" But I didn't say goodbye to my old friend."

" Come, let us do that together." she clasped Serena's hands and gazed at her.

" But how?".

" I'm willing to go with you. together we can come back and work in the palace as we talked about!".

Serena sighed. She had come to love Cassandra like a sister.

" Very well then". She replied and smiled.

Cassandra hugged her with joy.

" Come quickly, we don't want to be back late"

Together after Theus's approval, they went.

After staying till evening with Matilda and her family and saying goodbye afterward, The two went on their way.

" Why don't we go to the tavern?"Cassandra suggested as they walked.

" Tavern? I heard the proper ladies don't go to the tavern".

" Who told you that tale?"Cassandra laughed and stopped walking" Those are old tales! Come, let me show you something.".

When they entered the tavern it was late in the evening.

It was quite crowded.

They saw men drinking and playing musical instruments, women seducing men, and drunkards going about playing table contests.it was also getting dark.

" Cassandra" Serena whispered." Do you think this place is safe? Your father will have our heads!"

" He's your father too Serena, I'm sure he'll have our heads together" Cassandra joked.

As they found their way into the crowd, a tall man spoke up in the crowd.

"Lot of coins for drinking this ale!"

Cassandra smiled and turned to Serena." You have to do this"

" Oh! You know that's impossible. We need to go!"

" You need these coins!"

Serena sighed." Very well then, but I say we leave when there's trouble".After Cassandra agreed, she walked slowly to the tall man.

" I dare".

The crowd laughed.

" Such a beauty" the man observed and smiled." You sure you can win?" he asked with mockery looking around."

The crowd laughed.

" I came alone, and I win alone," she said using her tough voice.

Quickly she drank the first, second, and third cup of ale.

When she glanced at Cassandra, she was not there.

The crowd cheered.

She drank on and on till her visions became blurry.

She hated what she was feeling at that moment. she felt vulnerable. helpless.

The coins!.

She opened her eyes slowly and stared at the tall man." "Where...are..the... coins?" her visions felt unsettled.

The man scrutinized her with surprise and handled the coins to her.

She walked slowly outdoor.

The cool wind caressed her visions. she walked slowly holding a wall for support.

" Why are you out here and like this?" Someone asked coming towards her.

Serena blinked her blurry vision and turned.

Prince Philip stood before her frowning.

" Oh..it's you," she said and smiled

. " tell me why you are here alone?." he asked. she could hear the concern in his voice.

" It's none of your business your lordship." She snapped " I should ask you why you the Prince of Isle, are roaming about! "

She liked the way the ale made her feel.

Philip went closer to her and grabbed her hand.

" It's time to leave. Youre not safe here".

She smiled up at him in the dark. her lips curled seductively. She wanted desperately to do what she was feeling at the moment. To kiss him, touch him, and make him feel whole.

" What are you doing?" He asked gazing at her in shock.

" I want to kiss you".She said holding his cloak.

" You're not yourself, I need to get you to Theus," Philip said feeling his mouth go dry. if only she could say that in the daylight.

As he scoops her in his arms, Serena kissed his upturned lips with all the passion she felt for him. For a moment he accepted her kisses without moving. then he made a sound like a gasp. he quickly ended the kiss and stared at her." I know you to be a decent young lady, not vulgar." he said breathing intensely.

She stared at him and slowly closed her eyes.