Her bruised feet that wore silver anklets embellished with many tiny bells, started moving as she slowly got up, trying to maintain her balance.

I didn't know whether I should assist her, greatly worried about the possibility of her taking offence to my unpermitted touch. Therefore, I just chose to calmly stand there, somehow trying to demonstrate that I didn't mean any harm through my expressions.

I hoped she'd understood that it was all an unforeseen accident, that I didn't mean to lose control of the reins. And I really hoped, that even if she did feel anger towards me, she wouldn't take it as far as bringing it to the kingdom to pose a complaint against me. I would be completely shamed and I don't even want to imagine what Aaliyah would say-

"I'm fine."

I didn't realise I was looking at the ground, stupidly dissolved in my concerns to pay attention to the exact moment she spoke.

She smiled again, every trace of the crinkles the movement of her eyes and lips created on her face looking absolutely note-worthy.

"You don't need to look so distressed. It's just a little bit of blood and a mark, that's not going to take much time to leave." I couldn't figure out whether she was actually speaking in a slow rhythm, or if it was just her voice that spoke in melody.

It was interfering with my ability to think. I could almost guarantee this wasn't a product of temporary lust towards a beautiful face.

"Are you sure? The bruise on your feet doesn't look like it could heal by itself, the damage was caused by a horse after all. I can take you to the healer's quarters back at the palace-"

"Prince Elijah." A whisper. A caress that never ceased to exist. But it was said.

That was it for me. That was enough to cause the termination of my thoughts and words.

"I'm truly fine. I assure you, I can take care of myself. To be honest, it was my fault. I shouldn't have travelled in such a hurry, I should have left for the palace earlier,"

"The palace?" I questioned, still in a befuddled daze.

"Yes, I was actually called to be present for an investigation at the Hall of Thrones? I do apologise, I didn't realise the time was here." Her eyes slowly caved in, a sign of her guilt that I was mercilessly thankful for.

"That isn't a forgivable excuse, is it now? Royal matters, that especially involve the citizens, should make you aware of its significance,"

She sighed, as if she refused to spend her energy on an argument that didn't guarantee her winning.

Then, she stepped towards my horse, ruffling its mane with her fingers delicately.

"Go on, tell your majesty to pardon me this one time. Tell him that I can make it up to him. If your feet can do some damage, I'm sure you can change his mind as well." A disapproving giggle left her mouth, as she flicked his head playfully, her nose coming to rest on his face.

He started neighing, his form of a greeting to her as if he was actually processing her words and trying to respond with a solution.

I shook my head and joined their space, placing my fingers near hers, on the hard mane of the horse.

"You said something about making it up to me. Will you be prepared if I said we could perhaps continue the investigation?"

She immediately straightened, as much as she could anyway, her feet still restricting her from making certain movements.

"I will be at the palace earlier than the guards, Prince Elijah. You can take my word for it." Her eyes brightened, seemingly trying to liken the tiny specks of brown light it contained with not only the stars, but also the Sun itself.

They marked their own territory of light, needing no other source for reflection.

"Not at the palace. I have other duties to complete and I can't afford to carry out the same process there again. We will have to complete it today, and now."

"Oh, for sure. What do you suggest?" She blinked in confusion, trying to fully understand my order.

I realised that I liked testing her, wanting to see how she would respond in different ways. "I must say, you contain quite the audacity to let the Prince of Yandestine, carry out a one-to-one investigation with you, in the middle of a forest, where there isn't even a comfortable place to sit."

It happened again. The slight raise of her eyebrows that could easily go unnoticed, the action that nearly spoke as much as her eyes.

"If it is an invitation you require for a sitting place at my home, all you had to do was ask, Prince Elijah." The humoured words were uttered slowly, tauntingly, to let me know that she clearly understood the playfulness in my voice.

"Can I take that as an invitation?"

The ends of her lips cheekily extended to the sides, forming an amused smile, as she turned around to start walking in the direction to what must have been the way to her house.

"If you must."

I grinned when her back was facing me, patting my horse as a signal for him to start walking with me.

"Wait for a second," I stopped her, making her slightly turn her body around to look at me, only her face fully positioned in my direction.

"Yes?"

"You have a way of addressing me in conversations. If we're going to have a thorough investigation, I am going to have to know your name."

To my surprise, she fully turned around to look at me, stepping towards me, keeping a distance that wasn't too close but at the same time, could have been mistaken for an interaction between close ones.

"Tell me, Prince Elijah. What is exactly stopping you from asking me what you want directly? I'm right here, aren't I?" Her words sounded completely respectful but her eyes symbolised the straight opposite, almost challenging me.

I responded to her question within seconds. "I did though, didn't I?"

"No, you didn't. If you don't already know, women are good at reading emotions that sometimes men think might be considered 'too feminine' to express. Pardon me, but I feel as though you're restricting yourself from something. Try to let go." The syllables of her words were held between a fluttering whisper and a curious statement.

I smiled and stepped back from her, restoring the safe distance she was at, minutes before.

"Alright then. Let me do this the way we would both feel happy with." I brought my hand forward, opening my palm, waiting for her to grasp it.

She seemed satisfied as she brought her hand to forward as well to shake mine.

The soft palm of a female hadn't ever felt this pure to come into contact with. The meteoric seconds of one touch genuinely left me more appeased than any night of the crashing of another female body against mine could level up to.

Her hand stayed within mine for longer than what could be considered a quick greeting of a handshake, and I couldn't complain at all. "Will you tell me now? What is your name?"

"Zyanna. Zyanna Samaria Karas."

~~~

I don't know why but I found this chapter REALLY HARD TO WRITE. I WAS SO SCARED I WAS GOING TO FALL INTO THE DREADED WRITER'S BLOCK, OH MY GOD. But then I was ok after listening to this song called 'Beautiful' by Bazzi and Camila Cabello. A great song, would definitely recommend! Especially for that stupid writer's block.

For anyone who might have been curious about exactly how the anklets Elijah describes in multiple chapters looks like, there's a picture above! I'm sorry if I couldn't describe it correctly.

Anyway, I hope you liked that chapter, I tried, lol.

Stay blessed,

OceanaCamerons 🌹🌹🌹