The Sleeping Princess: Twisted Tales: Crown of Roses Book One by D.L. Boyles

Author:D.L. Boyles [Boyles, D.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-04T22:00:00+00:00

Princess Audora met him exactly where he’d told her to be and the two made their way through the shadows to the stables. As he expected, no one was awake, and no one noticed. Those who would, he’d paid a gravi—or ten—to look the other way and pretend they did not see him take the princess away from the stables. The gold coins were a large sum to pay but it was worth it.

The princess was young and foolish, but she was sweet and equally wild. To his surprise, he found that he liked her, enjoyed her spirit, and admired the way she loosened the reins and raced her horse across the barely lit meadow. When he feared the horses needed a break, he forced them both to slow down before allowing them to graze near the Injabi River.

“This is beautiful.” She gazed out across the river with an awe that made him look at the water with a new perspective. “We have a small stream where I am from. It’s never even been named. I enjoyed going there with…” Her words trailed off, a hint of sorrow in her voice, a slight sadness creeping across her features. “I named it,” she said, turning to look at him, that bright smile on her face once more, “Lonely River.”

“That sounds…well, it sounds lonely.” She laughed softly and the sound of it made him smile, though, in truth, he felt even more guilty. He knew who she was thinking of…or suspected.

“This is much bigger,” she told him, waving her hand towards the rushing water. “This is the Injabi River?”

“Yes.”

He must have sounded surprised by her knowledge for she shrugged and said, “I read about your history and studied your geography before we came. My mother said it would be rude not to know something of your kingdom if we were to be your guests.”

He nodded, beginning to feel increasingly guilty for luring her here. He wanted to find his brother, but at what cost?

They returned to the horses and he decided to show her some of that geography she’d studied. They rode along the sandy dunes that sprawled along the east coast and she surprised him by removing her shoes and sinking her perfect little toes in the sand, laughing endlessly when she ventured too close to the water and a wave would splash against her ankles.

The ocean was amazing, and Philip always enjoyed it, but watching Princess Audora take it all in with such pure delight made him love it even more.

In the distance, he caught sight of Galancix, the hooded cloak billowing in the sea breeze. If Audora noticed him she didn’t say anything, but he wondered what she must be thinking. There was no doubt she’d seen the guards at the ball the night before; Queen Isadora had studied them closely.

Certain there would be mass panic at the princess’s absence, he urged her back to the palace and they boldly walked in through the front doors. And, of course, they were greeted with endless questions, irritated mothers, and shocked stares from other guests.

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