Kidnapping Two: The Thrilling Sequel (4)

The huge tree right underneath the Princess' window was not exactly an intelligent choice on the gardener's part. Especially with it's sturdy structure and branches practically made for climbing. In no time Adrielle was almost at the top of the tree, the branches extending gently to the window with a slight coax of magic. The window was left open for her, Zara holding out a hand to her whilst leaning way too far over the windowsill.

"Come on!" Zara whisper-shouted, pulling Adrielle after her. The room was huge! It was easily the size of a peasant house, with a bed large enough to comfortably fit five people.

Would the Princess be able to handle a life of camping out beside dirt roads and staying in musty taverns?

Adrielle sat awkwardly on the bed, almost falling from how much the material sank under her weight. "Take only what you really need."

Surprisingly Zara finished packing in moments, bringing an enchanted bag and dressed rather like a peasant. Simple brown pants were paired with a cloth shirt and finished with a thick coat. Her hair was also tucked rather expertly into a cap, completing a rather convincing disguise.

"Is this alright?" The princess spun quickly, eyes scanning over Adrielle's face in search of approval.

"That's more than alright Highness. It needs just one final touch though." Adrielle smirked, stalking over to the fireplace and grabbing a handful of soot.

Laughter bubbled up in her throat when Zara gasped indignantly, spluttering on the soot blown in her face.

"You looked too clean." Adrielle grabbed Zara's bag, slinging it over her other shoulder and being careful of the cat. He seemed to like being snuggled up against Adrielle's neck, sleeping the majority of the time they'd traveled together. Zara had also made sure to give Adrielle a waterskin filled with milk to feed him when needed. "Are you ready to leave Highness?"

Zara, in a seemingly thoughtless action, grabbed Adrielle's hand. "Please do just call me Zara. And yes… I'm ready."

Then wind was rushing past them. Short strands of hair whipped at Adrielle's face as they plummeted three storeys to the ground. Zara, impressively, didn't make a sound as she fell. Panic bloomed in her eyes, spreading over her features, yet she didn't even squeak.

Hand flying out behind her, Adrielle sent a gust of wind downwards to cushion their fall.

Two small thumps signalled the end of their descent.

Zara's eyes were wide, pupils blown with adrenaline. Her breath came out in short puffs. And yet a bright smile captured her lips, endearing in how free her expression was.

"It's a lot faster than climbing down a tree, and surprisingly less noticeable. Now let's go." Adrielle said, brushing off her clothes and checking the cat. He was fine. In fact he hadn't even woken up. Zara once again gripped Adrielle's hand, something she realised she'd probably just have to get used to, and ran instep with her.

Or as much as possible, considering she was at least a head shorter than Adrielle.

They managed to get to the outskirts of the inner city when the toll of the bell alerted everyone to a threat. "Shit. Hurry." Adrielle gently prompted Zara, kicking off her shoes and allowing her bare feet to meet the ground.

The contact tapped into the magic around them, seeping into the ground and searching desperately. The darkening sky stole her vision, so she had to rely only on her other senses. Waves of magic bounced off everything around them, alerting Adrielle to a cave nearby. Nothing resided inside, and it was small enough that she could use surface-level magic to hide them.

Zara slumped against the rocky wall the second they were out of sight, desperate to catch her breath. Immediately a shimmery dark wall of magic blocked the entrance.

"We'll camp here for the night. It's expected that we continue to run, most likely in the direction of your Father. So we stay here tonight so they're far away by morning." Adrielle went to leave the barrier. The second Zara tried to follow she was gently pushed back down. "You stay, I'm just getting firewood. I wont be long, promise." Adrielle waved before rushing away, glad when Zara doesn't follow.

The second Adrielle was out of sight she sank to her knees with her head between her hands.

What was she thinking!?

She'd just made herself a wanted fugitive, a kidnapper and would likely have a substantial bounty on her head.

And all for a rather gorgeous princess.

Adrielle decided she must have, at some point, lost her mind.

And not to mention she now had a cat…

The iron claws of panic settled over her heart for the second time that day, constricting the more she overthought the situation. The crackle of her nerves sent waves of static electricity through her veins, dispersing back into her mind and heart. She felt drums in her ears, generating the rhythm to which the static marched. She had to calm down, now.

Logic finally cleared the fog of panic from her mind.

She wouldn't get arrested, or even killed. No all she had to do was get away with it.

And that couldn't be too hard, now, could it?

Her legs propelled her back upright, jumping slightly with the force. She'd be fine. All she had to do was evade the Queen's, and likely the King's, armies, as well as any miscellaneous heroes or bounty hunters drawn in with reward money. Adrielle could fight, something she was very confident in.

But first, firewood and… socialising…

That's one thing Adrielle didn't take into account: her very poor people-skills.

The sound of her own gentle footsteps is all she could hear as Adrielle gathered firewood. While she was almost completely sure her plan had worked, it was never a bad idea to be careful. She didn't sense any disturbances in the magical flow either, which reassured her enough. This was, however, excluding the careless wanderings of the native fauna. She could feel it, pulsing through her veins, like she was the earth and the roots of great trees. The thumps of deer hooves, the scuttling of squirrels, the scratchy tunnelling of a rabbit trying to escape the sly prowling of a nearby fox.

After muttering a silent prayer, woven with a delicate apology, Adrielle threw a knife into a rather large rabbit.

The poor creature died instantly.

Adrielle reminded herself she had no choice. She needed to eat, Zara too.

The princess hadn't moved from the spot Adrielle had left her. There was a nervous glint to her eyes, legs tucked beneath her and arms folded across her chest. She couldn't see, which Adrielle didn't take into account, and had just been silently waiting in the darkness for her return.

Adrielle cast a small light spell for her.

"Do you still wish to stay here, your Highness? If not I can take you home?" Adrielle began setting up the campfire, avoiding eye contact. She wouldn't have blamed Zara for leaving. Adrielle knew she wasn't exactly the best in terms of company. The magic faded the second Adrielle got the fire to spark.

"Oh don't be silly, I'm happy to see the world. That is, I mean, unless you don't want to kidnap me anymore?" Zara relaxed slowly. Adrielle couldn't help but notice how the shadows of the fledgling fire danced over the curves and shadows of Zara's body. From the feminine curve of her waist to her delicate shoulders, looking a lot more comfortable in her current clothes, rather than the nightdress she'd been wearing. The kitten was curled up beside the wall, comfortably asleep.

Adrielle hastily glanced away, going back to coaxing the fire's growing glow.

It was once Adrielle had cooked the rabbit and given Zara her share that she seemed to finally relax completely into Adrielle's company. Her eyes sparkled in a whole new way, their own elegant cosmos.

That and she was just… staring at Adrielle intently.

Adrielle sighed, meeting Zara's eyes impatiently. "Look, Highness, if you have something to say, just say it."

"Oh no, did I make you uncomfortable?" Zara froze in embarrassment, rose red blooming over her cheeks. "I was just wondering about where exactly you're from? It's just, I've never seen anyone quite like your before." Zara gestured at Adrielle's hands, to the obsidian lightning bolts that shot from her fingertips up her arms.

"Quite frankly, Highness, it doesn't matter where I'm from." Adrielle brushed the question off. Yet, even though she was looking at the flickering flames, Adrielle noticed the slight pout that overcame Zara's lips.

"I see, Miss mysterious. And please just call me Zara." Zara grimaced. "My kidnapper shouldn't be so formal, don't you think?"

Adrielle felt a small tug at her lips, pushing down the urge to smile. "Good point… Zara."

"Thank you." Zara grinned. "So if I can't know where you're from, can I know your favourite colour?"

"No."

Adrielle watched as Zara's pout deepened, finding her curiosity amusing.

"Favourite animal?"

"No."

"What about… favourite food?"

"No way, that's far too personal."

"Must you toy with my curiosity?" Zara gave Adrielle an unamused glare, made infinitely less effective by the grin fighting it's way onto her lips. "Fine, what can I know about my gallant kidnapper? Anything?"

"I'm 26 Summers old." Adrielle relented, finding this small defeat was infinitely worth it when Zara's face glowed like the sun on the first day of spring. Bright and rejuvenated with new life.

"Really!? I'm only 23." Zara said. She'd shifted closer to Adrielle now, but not close enough to make her uncomfortable.

Adrielle let out a small laugh. "Child."

"I am not a child!"

"Alright… kiddo." Adrielle couldn't hold back her smile anymore, especially not when faced with Zara's indignant expression.

"I just cannot win with you and your nicknames, can I?" Zara sighed, sending Adrielle a nervous glance. Adrielle could practically feel the waves of tension radiating from Zara, all saying one thing only.

'Please don't let me mess this up'.

"No, I don't think you can kiddo." Voice soothing, Adrielle silently assured Zara it was alright, that Adrielle didn't exactly hate her so far. In fact it was rather the opposite.

She found herself hopeful in Zara's presence, like maybe this experience wouldn't be the worst decision she'd ever made.

A small yawn slipped from Zara's lips, almost compelling Adrielle to follow suit.

"Sleep, I'll keep watch." Adrielle leaned against the wall beside the kitten, twirling a knife between her fingers. It wasn't long before the princess was asleep, soot-stained face soft under the slowly fading light of the dying fire. Clearly Zara knew better than to argue with Adrielle already.

"Oh kitty, just what have I gotten myself into..?" Adrielle sighed, gently petting his fur as she drifted off into thought.