Chapter 1
Princess Meena snaked through the small tunnel of underbrush. Her stomach twisted in the uncomfortable feeling which had become too familiar since Erich’s return. She skillfully managed to keep her purple skirt wrapped around one arm as she shuffled through the mossy dirt on her knees and elbows. Fresh leaves tugged at her hair, pulling it free from her loose braid. She didn’t mind the physical discomforts, but it was harder to ignore the swirling thoughts that threatened to cloud her mind.
This was supposed to be a lighthearted distraction.
The bushes around Meena gave way to a small hollow. Sitting up on her knees, she made room for her companion to join her.
Emerging from the tunnel, a much younger girl took in their surroundings as she too sat up on her knees. Celesta’s eyes sparkled conspiratorially as they met Meena’s.
Holding a finger to her lips, Meena gestured ahead to an opening in the leaves at the front of the hollow.
Celesta lifted her small shoulders to her ears and awkwardly tiptoed forward as quietly as she could while still hunched over.
Meena quickly covered the smile that flitted to her lips. As Celesta was exceptionally good at picking up on facial expressions, Meena did not want her young friend to think she was laughing at her.
As the only girl in her family, Meena had spent many hours crawling through these same tunnels to keep up with her four older brothers. Her fondest memories included sneaking across the Iseldis castle grounds and wandering through the nearby forests and hills in search of an adventure.
Huddling forward, she looked over Celesta’s shoulder at the meadow down the hill below them. A short distance away, her brother Erich sat on a blanket with a basket of food.
Celesta shifted her weight. A stick cracked below her feet.
Meena jumped with a small start, glancing back at Erich. Fortunately, her brother hadn’t noticed the sound, as his attention was entirely focused on the woman sitting next to him. Her red hair sparkled like fire in the dappled sunlight that broke through the leafy tree above them.
With a bright smile, Celesta looked up at Meena, excitement clearly painted her face. She adored her older sister, Aizel. Meena had only known Aizel for a few days, but she was fairly certain she adored the brave magic-wielder as well.
But they were not here to admire the newly married couple. Meena reached inside a pocket tied to her waist and pulled out a small drawstring bag.
Celesta watched with wide eyes, her shoulders shaking in glee.
Meena quietly opened the bag, slipping a handful of acorns onto the mossy ground.
Celesta reached out a finger to touch them, then suddenly pulled it back. She looked up at Meena with concern on her face.
Meena’s heart melted. The young girl was both precocious and timid. With a reassuring smile, Meena guided Celesta’s hand back to the acorns and encouraged her to pick one up.
Meena did the same and pinched the small kernel between two fingers, holding it out between them as she wordlessly communicated the next part of their plan. Opening her hand flat, she set the acorn in the center of her palm.
Celesta copied her movements exactly, pinching her lips. Meena couldn’t tell if it was in concentration or excitement.
Looking back to her own palm, Meena positioned the pointer finger and thumb of her other hand.
Carefully taking aim, she flicked the acorn out of her palm. It flew with deadly precision out of the opening in the bushes and down the hill toward Erich and Aizel. Meena smirked in satisfaction as it hit the tree behind Erich with a satisfying thud.
Erich literally jumped in fright, propelling himself away from the tree and nearly landing on top of Aizel.
Meena and Celesta covered their faces as they silently snickered in laughter.
“What was that?” Erich straightened up, trying to regain his composure. “I mean, it was probably just a squirrel or woodfox, you know, not the dangerous type.”
Aizel tilted her head. “I thought squirrels chatter and throw things when they are angry.” Her eyes darted around the secluded clearing, looking up into the branches as though she was trying to find the offending woodland animal. “I didn’t hear any chattering.”
Using her shoulder, Meena nudged Celesta.
Rounding her small fingers, Celesta tried to gauge the aim of her projectile before she flicked it off her waiting hand.
The acorn flew out of the bush, but landed a short distance ahead of them in the soft grass.
“I could provide some chattering, if that’s what you are looking for.” Erich was talking to Aizel and had not seemed to notice Celesta’s acorn at all.
