Relia knew this was highly unladylike. She wasn't supposed to be outside alone, let alone at midnight.
She wasn't supposed to be outside at all during the festival, especially since nobles didn't attend these kinds of affairs. The market was a little event organized by the villagers—nothing grand enough to be called a ball or a high-society gathering.
But she'd heard so many stories of witches, fairies, monsters, and beasts roaming the market during the festival, and she couldn't resist. Curiosity beckoned her, and once she was outside, she couldn't help herself.
The sky was beautiful in Fredadale. A million stars lit up the sky, so bright it was as if it wasn't dark at all. Constellations danced in the mist of the night, and she traced them with her fingers as she walked.
She couldn't ride. She'd never ridden a horse alone, but this was the only way to get to the village.
So, she snuck into the stables, choosing the gentlest horse—the white pony Father had gifted Rosalinda for her sixteenth birthday. A smile lit her face as she led the pony outside.
Climbing onto the pony's back, she made sure not to disturb the stable boy, but the ride was far slower than she anticipated. If she kept going at this pace, she'd never make it to the festival in time—and she'd surely be in trouble.
"Oh, come on, Arthur!" she pleaded with the pony, her voice soft but filled with urgency. "Please, charge!"
The night felt colder now, the sound of owls and crickets surrounding her, making her shiver. Her only comfort came from the fireflies that danced around her, lighting the way.
"What's a little princess doing all by herself in these dangerous woods?" a deep voice suddenly chimed, causing her to stiffen.
Relia froze, looking around but seeing no one. "Who? Who are you?" she stammered.
Then, without warning, someone landed behind her on the pony, and she stiffened in fear.
"Me?" His voice was dark, close to her ear.
"No one really. May I borrow your horse?" he asked.
Relia struggled to keep calm. "You're already on it!"
He chuckled. "Thanks."
"What happened to yours?" she asked, a knot forming in her stomach.
"It met its unfortunate demise," he said casually, his gloved hands taking control of the reins.
"Well, a lady and a man can't share a horse," she replied, her spine stiffening in discomfort at his unsettling claim.
"A lady shouldn't be outside alone either," he pointed out, his presence overwhelming.
Relia shifted forward on the pony's back, not wanting to rest against him. "If you don't get off, I'll scream. I know there's a house nearby, and people will hear."
He laughed, deep and dark. "Do you even know where you are going, little girl?"
She dared a look at him, narrowing her eyes. "I'm not a little girl! I'm going to be introduced to society in a week..." she trailed off, her gaze falling to the moon reflecting off his hard face.
She swallowed nervously as the dark forest brightened a little with the lights of the village ahead.
"Did I scare you, princess?" he teased.
Her hands trembled, but she didn't dare speak. "Not really. Your kind doesn't scare me."
His voice became amused. "My kind?"
"Yes. I despise your kind for acts just like these." She spat, her voice full of defiance, just as the festival lights flickered ahead.
The village market grew closer, and her heart raced. How had he known she wanted to go? Maybe he was heading the same way.
"In all the timelines I've ever lived in, never has a woman said that to me," he said, his tone laced with mockery. "And never one so beautiful."
Her stomach did a flip at his words, and her cheeks flushed with warmth as the pony finally came to a halt in the middle of the busy market.
Without waiting for her to dismount, he lifted her from the saddle as if she weighed nothing. She landed lightly on the ground, feet steady, but her thoughts dizzy.
"I'm not thanking you. You invaded my privacy," she snapped, trying to regain her composure.
He only smiled, his height looming over her. "I knew a little girl like yourself couldn't make it to the market alone. Be thankful I found you, my lady."
Relia had to strain her neck to look up at him, the startling handsomeness of his face striking her once more.
But before she could say anything else, he turned and melted into the crowd of festival-goers, leaving her standing there, feeling strangely unsettled.
How hauntingly handsome.