Aurelia (17 page)

Fingertips brushed like feathers across her cheek, and a thread wound up within her at his touch. "I would be honored," he said.

Epilogue

HORIZON DID NOT seem TO CARE FOR THE CHAOS IN the courtyard prior to departure. He snorted and stamped his hooves, powdered dust billowing up in a fresh wave.

Aurelia felt the dust enter her lungs. she coughed and pulled away from robert's side. "Can't you convince him to stop?" she said, struggling to see her expedition guide through the brown fog.

"He would relax if everyone else would," robert argued.

Half a dozen guards milled behind them, clapping friends on the back and shouting good-byes. Family members bearing last-minute keepsakes rushed up to the guards. Horses shuffled, sensing the excitement in the air. servants swarmed out of the palace, shuttling bundles to wagons and mounts, and men shouted from the tops of the wagons that they had no more room; but the bundles kept coming, and the men kept rearranging and piling on things.

"This is ridiculous," robert complained. "each person should bring enough for him or herself, and that's it. We can restock later if necessary. The rest of the kingdom is not entirely uncivilized."

drew chuckled. "Lad, you'd best get used to it. A royal expedition is twenty percent loading and unloading."

robert groaned. "Not if I have anything to say about it." He handed the horseman Horizon's reins and swung down to the ground.

"Hey!" drew protested. "Where are you going? you're not leaving me with this dust maker."

"I'm doing what needs to be done to stop Horizon from making dust." robert marched off toward the wagons.

drew arched an eyebrow at Aurelia. "do you think he'll return to us in one piece?"

"Not if the kitchen maids get hold of him." she laughed and patted bianca, then looked up to see drew disappear in another brown cloud.

"I wish you were coming the entire journey with us," she said.

"Ha! I'm starting to wonder if I'll even make it to the next town. don't be surprised if you wake up tomorrow morning and find I've lit out."

"No," she protested. "you promised to stay with us at least a week."

"I am not spending a week watching over this horse."

Aurelia drew close and snatched the stallion's reins from the horseman. "I don't know why not. you're traveling to the edge of the kingdom in hopes of seeing more like him."

"And you're not?"

"I intend to see people as well as horses."

He snorted. "Waste of time."

she craned her neck to look for robert. He stood on top of a heaping wagon and gestured with dramatic hand movements. Whatever he had said thus far, the frantic movement of servants and supplies had ceased.

"drew," she said, returning her attention to the man at her side. "your name wouldn't be short for Andrew, would it?"

He flinched. "Now how did you find that out?"

"I heard an interesting story the other day that reminded me of you."

"About a great horseman, was it?"

"No, the storyteller implied that when you see a person with extraordinary height, that person is from the Outer realms. Is it true? Are you from the Outer realms?"

drew winked. "Well, now, your Highness, if you want to know about the Outer realms, maybe you should make that your next expedition."

"What are you saying, Fielding?" robert stood at Aurelia's feet. "don't start her on another trip. We haven't gotten this one going yet." A hand stretched up. "my reins, your Highness."

she glared at him.

"Aurelia," he corrected.

"giving up so soon?" she said, handing over the reins. "I thought you were going to get us under way."

"I am," he replied. "We're leaving."

Her head whipped around. The servants stood in two neat rows beside the doorway. The six guards had mounted all six horses and faced ahead. both supply wagons sat secured with drivers holding the reins. And up in the balcony, her father, her stepmother, and her sister waited to pose for the moment of departure. ready.

"underrated him again," drew muttered.

Aurelia turned back to robert. "What are we waiting for, then?"

He touched the tip of his fingers to his forehead and motioned toward her. "Why, for you to give the command, my lady." she took a breath and announced in a strong, powerful voice, "move out."

boots dug in. Calls sounded. Horses swung into action. Wagon wheels squealed as they lurched into rotation, and good-byes and good wishes poured from windows and doorways. reins and bridles and saddles jangled with movement as bianca fell into step beside Horizon.

Aurelia swept her head around, taking in one last view of the palace. Then she focused on the landscape beyond the arch of the palace gate. she urged her horse into the lead and felt the chain around her ankle break free.