“Take Klyn withyou.”
I started to roll my eyes but caught myself as I remembered that I was in the public eye rightthen.
“Seriously, Father. I will be fine and just right outside,” I gave my father’s forearm a pat before I sidestepped him and headed toward the side door that I had seen some castle hands gothrough.
Once outside I let my posture relax. I walked toward the railing that separated Town Square and the forest. Despite the thickness in the air, I attempted to take a deep breath. I looked around, expecting to see couples either in the nearest part of the forest, or running towards the cover of darkness. There was no one around on the mezzanine. I frowned and walked around the perimeter of the mezzanine as quietly as possible while I squinted into the forest. Not only had I not seen anyone, but I had not heard anyoneeither.
Where waseveryone?
Since it was deathly quiet, I jumped when I heard footsteps on the mezzanine. Startled, I turned on my heels to see Klyn as he came to a stop under a lantern that hung from thebuilding.
“Dammit, Klyn!” I put my hand over my chest to still my pounding heart. “You scaredme!”
Klyn walked over with a smile on his face and when he came to a stop beside me, I slapped his arm and then playfully punched his upperarm.
“My apologies, Princess Octavia,” Klyn laughedlightly.
“You scared the fuck out ofme!”
I calmed down and turned back around to face the forest. Klyn faced the forest with me and rested his hands on therailing.
“Is that what you came out here for?” Klyn delved, “To get a glimpseof—”
“People fucking?” I countered with a raised eyebrow, daring him to call it somethingelse.
Klyn’s face broke out with a smile as he looked at me. He really was good looking with that handsome smile…in an older guy sort of way. Suddenly, I was very interested with who Klyn was fucking at the castle. I would try to drag that out of himeventually.
“I would not have said that so crudely,” headded.
“No?” I took a few steps to the left and continued to let my eyes roam the forest. “What would you have called it, Klyn? Makinglove?” I prompted and turned to facehim.
“Perhaps.”
I laughed and looked back out to theforest.
“Princess,” Klyn paused and looked out into the woods, “Octavia, do not be in a big hurry to go out to the woods,” Klynoffered.
It felt like a parental wisdom speech that he had started. Since it was Klyn though, I showed him respect as he spoke. I nodded at him as Macauley stepped out onto the mezzanine. Klyn looked over his shoulder and acknowledged Macauley before he turned to look at meagain.
“Do not rush,” Klynmurmured.
Another familiar castle hand appeared in thedoorframe.
“Klyn, King Quintas would like a word withyou.”
Klyn nodded at him and returned his gaze to me. I could see his warning reminder in his eyes about not going into the forest with Macauley. I did not promise Klyn that I wouldnot.
“The King said it is urgent, Klyn,” the castle handannounced.
“You better go, Klyn,” Iteased.
As soon as Klyn disappeared inside with the castle hand, Macauley slowlyapproached.
“Out for a stroll, Macauley?” Iinquired.
He smiled, which, I will admit, melted me and made my stomach drop. Macauley leaned against the railing and then looked out into theforest.
“Quiet night out there it seems,” hecommented.
