Chapter One
The cobblestones were cold under my fingertips. It was a familiar and welcomed feeling. One that I have experienced many nights just as this.
While I enjoyed the frigid air cooling the world from a long day of sun and the exhaustion of my muscles. The best part by far was the anticipation.
The anticipation for what was surely awaiting me just over the ledge.
As I climbed, the vision of what awaited at the top was enough to make the tiredness of my mind and body jump to life once more.
I navigated the wall with silenced and practiced movements knowing what fate would befall me should I be caught.
I knew that my long trek along the moss covered wall was complete when my outreaching hand was entrapped into something softer and far less biting than the chill of the stones.
No sooner did I meet the top was I swiftly hauled into warm and familiar arms. Momentarily weightless much to my body’s relief.
“How you always manage that clime, I’ll never know,” is whispered to me with both his hands holding onto the sides of my face.
“How you always manage to sneak away? I’ll never know,” I try to keep my breathing under control.
Everything, the exhaustion, the dark, the secrecy all fades away once his lips meet mine.
It is a familiar and practiced feeling that I am so well acquainted with.
“You know that we can choose someplace else to indulge in liberties,” he says pulling away.
I reach up to the back of his neck. “No, anywhere else has too many sentries patrolling.”
Honestly if I’m being truthful, these nightly excursions send a thrill down my spine, even if so exhausting.
I was always faster than the other children but my abilities didn’t make me any stronger.
My particular talents were attributed to my ancient heritage along with the gruelling training that my father ensured I received.
“How long do we have?” I whisper.
It seems not long because he leans back and let’s out a small sigh.
“Things won’t be like this for much longer,” he assured.
“That is what you always say,” I try to tease but I fear that some other emotion that I’d prefer to ignore seeps through my voice.
If he noticed any other meaning, he gives no acknowledgement.
But the interaction was all too brief because in a thought, a whisper, and a breath, I was soon adjusting my bodice before slowly making my descent back to the ground. Climbing back down to reality.
As much as I wished to stay for longer, I knew both by the position of the moon and the flickering of his gaze that it was time to go.
Time to wake up.
I may love the Empress’s son, but that love did not absolve me of the cardinal sin of existing.
