“Don’t stay away too long, you two!”

“Be sure to bring Princess Caitlin by more often, Jamie! She’s a treat!”

Jamie waved as Malcot trekked off the farm and back into the surrounding forest. While seeing the O’Doererys again was nice, Jamie was more than happy to be on the road again. After they nearly spilled the jar of oatcakes about his crush on Caitlin, nothing in the wild intimidated him. With deadly mercenaries, you knew just what to do. If the Princess discovered his true feelings for her, there was no telling what might happen.

But he couldn’t let the hypothetical ruin his composure. Jamie adjusted Malcot’s reins as his trusted companion continued through the forest beyond the O’Doerery home. He needed to focus on anything else, like the glow of the early morning sun. The birds serenaded their journey with a lovely song, and a landscape of orange, red and yellow leaves painted with a tinge of sunlight spread before them. If nothing else, Jamie was pleased nature was an ally rather than an impediment.

“So,” Caitlin said behind him. “The O’Doererys are quite spectacular, aren’t they?”

Jamie’s stomach dropped. “They’re very special to me. Sometimes they say things that aren’t totally true. In fact, they often say things that are totally ridiculous.”

“Mmmhmm,” he could tell she was smiling like a sadistic predator preparing to finish off its wounded prey. “Correct me if I’m mistaken, but I believe they mentioned something about you being in love with a terribly unlucky young lady.”

“Please, please, please don’t let her know the truth.” “As I said, you can never fully trust the O’Doererys. Even when they say things that sound reasonable. If they said the sun’s yellow and the sea’s blue, you’d have to go outside to make sure.”

“Mmmhmm,” she repeated. “So, how long have you been in love with the mystery woman?”

Caitlin had him and they both knew it. “For the past five years.”

“Do I know her?”

“Uh, well, Caitlin,” Jamie’s voice wasn’t nearly as steady as he hoped. “I don’t think that’s any of your business. Her identity is private and you have no right to know any of my personal matters.”

“That is correct, Sir Christiansen. You are under no obligation to tell me anything,” she said. “Does she live in Amorado?”

A brief pause. “Yes,” Arakhum on High, he hated how much of a pushover he was, especially around Caitlin.

“Where specifically?”

“Skystead.”

“Oh my goodness. Near the royal castle?”

“Yes.”

The questions ceased for the moment, but the anxiety was unrelenting. She was going to piece it together, murder him, and travel alone to the Imanese Mountain. He was certain of it.

“How old is she?”

Offending the Princess yet again was a terrifying prospect, but being a spineless coward wasn’t working. He needed to change tactics. Maybe he could try to use her own strategy against her. “Why are you so curious?”

“Watching you squirm is endlessly entertaining. Her being mentioned is enough to turn you into a lovestruck teenager and I’m curious to know what type of woman has the ability to inspire such longing in you. What’s she like?”

Jamie felt like he was walking on a tightrope suspended above a pool of fire, razors, and salt. He needed to choose his answer very, very carefully.

“That’s a very broad question. I wouldn’t even know how to answer that,” There weren’t enough words in the language or hours in the day to describe how much he liked Caitlin, her love of making him squirm notwithstanding.

“Is she funny? Gorgeous? Charming? When you look upon her beauty, does a cascade of butterflies invade your stomach? Do you dream of holding hands with your darling lady love on a walk under the stars after a romantic dinner?”

Her dreamy tone made him wince. She really enjoyed tormenting him, but Jamie felt blessed she couldn’t see his face burn a bright crimson. “Yes to the first four. As for that last part, I’m not going to say,” he never could lie on the spot, and trying to get anything past Caitlin was pointless. Hopefully she wouldn’t demand he expound on his dreams. “But how do you know I’m not already with her?”

Caitlin cleared her throat. “A kinder lad never did exist in all the lands, I promise ya' that. Even as a youngster, sweet as chocolate cake. A little shy, ‘specially around pretty girls, but a real sweetheart once you get him to open up,” she cleared her throat again. “It’s like you always said; the boy’s always been a bit shy, specially’ around pretty girls. And he’s been smitten with-er. You-know-who ever since they was kids. He’s always been terrified of talking to her!”

It was a startlingly accurate replication of the O’Doererys’ voices, but he felt a surge of joy hearing their words. Caitlin seemed a lot more receptive to conversation this morning, and the O’Doererys probably had a lot to do with that. It made up somewhat for almost letting things slip. “I admit I was a bit reserved when I was younger, but I’m a knight. You’ve seen me hold my own in combat and I put my life at risk to protect the people of Amorado. Compared to that, how is talking to an attractive woman scary? How does that make sense?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping you’d explain that to me.”

“Well, it doesn’t,” he almost snapped. “I speak very often with-uh, the mystery woman, as you call her. We often speak and I strongly believe she likes me very much.”

“It’s just us here, Christiansen, so I’m not sure who you’re attempting to deceive. You’re as timid as a newborn fawn around women. There’s no reason to be ashamed about who you are.”

“Really?” Jamie immediately felt stupid for falling into her trap.

“Yes. It simply means you’re going to need guidance from someone who isn’t miserably awful with women.”

“And I assume that someone is you.”

“Correct.”

It was comforting that she appeared to have no knowledge of the mystery woman’s identity, but if he wasn’t careful, Caitlin was going to realize she was talking about herself. “And what makes you think your talking to her will somehow make her fall for me?” He asked.

“Without wishing to sound too egotistical, my family is well liked among the people. I imagine a few good words from me about your heroism and courage in this endeavor would go some ways. She might even forgive your chronic shyness which needlessly kept you apart for so long.” Caitlin suggested.

“It’s not that simple, Caitlin. I can’t just walk up to her and scoop her into my arms.”

“I'm not saying you should, but let me ask you, Christiansen: what are you expecting in terms of reciprocation?”

“What does that mean?”

“What’s the worst that might happen?”

He almost groaned upon hearing that piece of wisdom yet again. Jamie understood most women probably weren’t going to try and kill him if he asked them out. If Claire was to be believed, there were plenty who’d be more than happy to take him up on the offer. Trouble was, in the same way Caitlin was no ordinary woman, the consequences for overstepping her boundaries were unique. The fears stuck to him at childhood and remained paralyzing ever since. What if she demanded his family be banished from Amorado for dishonoring the Faraday name? What if she made some of her servants burn his house down? What if she murdered him right on the spot? When he was younger, even Jamie thought that last outcome was a little ridiculous, but considering the events of the past twenty four hours, it wasn’t too far-fetched.

Ultimately, the fact of the matter was that Caitlin was an intelligent, spunky, gorgeous princess and Jamie was a shy, cowardly commoner without a drop of noble blood in his body. Being a knight gave him some social capital, but he was nothing compared to her magnificence. He may as well have been an ant attempting to extinguish the sun.

Malcot was coming up to a stream, so Jamie slowed her down by its edge. “Do you mind if we stop to get some water?” he made sure to ask Caitlin.

“As you wish.”

He wasn’t particularly thirsty, but Jamie needed a brief respite from the interrogation. He also wanted to make sure Malcot was hydrated; neither rejected an opportunity for food or drink. Jamie knelt down beside the stream and took handfuls of water to his mouth. The water was almost bitingly cold, but he felt purified. He closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath.

With his mind cleared, Jamie tried to make an objective assessment of the situation. Caitlin’s increasingly personal questions were frustrating, but something must’ve happened between last night and today to improve her mood. Sure, she seemed intent on tormenting him, but she was far more open to conversation. More importantly, she hadn’t made an attempt to steal Malcot and abandon him. Taking everything into consideration, things weren’t that bad.

He opened his eyes and nearly fell over when he saw Caitlin was sitting beside him.

“Bye-uh, I didn’t see you there,” Jamie stammered, trying to maintain his balance. Caitlin grinned and silence returned. While she was transfixed by the gorgeous weather, Jamie once again found himself staring at Caitlin. He thought about their first meeting, five years ago. When they were just children, when she was everything to him. When idly envisioning her in his mind during work was enough to set his heart aflame. How seeing her from a distance conversing with a visiting royal family made him feel lighter than a flower drifting through the summer breeze.

Caitlin had only grown more beautiful, and he was eternally grateful for their time together. She matured into a funny, fearless, charming, gorgeous woman. When the first hints of morning light peered down and shone upon her short, hazel she almost looked angelic. He recalled the image of her asleep last night; when her head rested against his chest, and a small sliver of drool fell from the corner of her mouth. She was so peaceful, so utterly irresistible and sweet.

Even if it meant following her seemingly aimless adventures through the forest, enduring a never ending barrage of snarky insults and put-downs, Jamie would be eternally grateful for their time together.. Even if she was royalty and he was her sworn protector. Even if he’d soon enough find himself dismissed from her service, unlikely to ever see her again. Even if it went against every instinct developed during years of training to desire more. Just for the moment, Jamie allowed himself to meld into the present. He was getting to know Caitlin more and more, and that was enough.

“If I can be perfectly honest with you, Christiansen,” Caitlin shook him back to life. I’m amazed you’re capable of talking to me, given how miserable you seem to be with women.”

“I have my partner Claire Donovan to thank for that. She claimed that me talking to women around Skystead would help them feel safer,” Images of Claire quietly snickering as he tripped over his words flashed in his mind’s eye. “I think you and Claire would get along very well." They had a lot in common: a kind heart, a fierce spirit, and a love of making him wince.

“Perhaps I’ll pay her a visit as well,” Caitlin said with a hint of mischief in her voice. “Does this mean you can actually speak with your mystery woman without fainting?”

“I’m not exactly Francis of Draughnton, but I have my ways,” Jamie felt a genuine feeling of pride bubbling up within him. He wasn’t sure how he was doing this, but he wanted to keep it going as long as possible.

“I wonder if I was wrong to be skeptical of you, Christiansen. You’re marginally less pathetic and weak than I initially thought,” Caitlin said with a wink.

Just as quickly, his spirit deflated. Jamie could do little more than look down at his boots. “I’m sorry, Caitlin. I’m sure I’m nowhere near as skilled or experienced as the knights that serve the King’s court.”

“What are you talking about, Christiansen?”

“You’re right, I’m not the best knight for this type of outing.”

“How is that relevant?”

“You just said I was pathetic and weak.”

She shook her head and laughed. “For the love of Arakhum, Christiansen, that was a joke. Did you notice how I winked at you at the conclusion of the sentence?”

Jamie’s only reply was to mumble incoherently.

“I can’t believe I have to teach you this, but when someone winks at you, that means they’re being sarcastic. Does that make sense?”

“Absolutely,” he nodded rapidly. “Yes, perfectly clear.”

“Good, because the next time I have to clarify a joke, I’m going to put an arrow between your eyes,” she said with a wink.

Jamie allowed himself to laugh. “I suppose it’d be easier for if I simply kept those questions inside.”

“Very true,” Caitlin said. “When my sister was a girl, she was deathly afraid of talking to boys her age.”

“Princess Lilith was shy?”

She nodded. “More so than you are now. Whenever some rich prince was visiting, she’d lock herself in her room and absolutely nothing could get her out. She always told us she was too terrified of embarrassing herself or our family to talk to them.”

“Did she overcome it?”

“After a lot of encouragement, my mother, father and I were able to convince her that having a conversation with a young man she found appealing would dispel her fears. Lilith eventually recognized those she found attractive were just as afraid of embarrassment as she was.”

Jamie paused to reflect as Caitlin cupped her hands beneath the stream and brought water to her mouth. “That’s strange for her to feel that way.”

“How so?”

“Princess Lilith is beautiful, has a lot of money and is the daughter of the King and Queen. I can’t imagine her feeling insecure about anything.”

She eyed him skeptically. “You think my sister is beautiful?”

Jamie’s eyes went wide as Caitlin’s icy stare dug through him. “Uh, well, of course I think so. In the same way that the stars are beautiful or flowers are beautiful. It’s like a fact of life. Or nature.”

“So you’d compare my sister to the stars of the night sky?”

Adrift in a desert of ‘ums’ and ‘uhs’, Jamie tried to focus on the sound of the stream and the distant clicks of wildlife as he gazed at Caitlin.

A few more painful seconds passed before the Princess burst out laughing. A brilliant, beaming eruption. “I’m only teasing, Christiansen. Can you please lighten up?”

Jamie lit up in kind, but he had no idea if it was attributed to relief or the sight and sound of Caitlin’s laughter. It was filled with an infectious, joyous energy that lit up the forest, and her smile made his stomach somersault pleasantly. He tried to hide a bashful grin as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Forgive me, Catlin. With you, I can never tell if you’re joking around or trying to manufacture a reason to kill me.”

“I don’t bite, Christiansen, but just to assuage your doubts, I reiterate that I’m not trying to justify killing you. Anyone who knows me knows humor is simply how I express myself to those whose company I appreciate.”

Another surge of joy shot through him. “So,” he said. “Does that mean you appreciate my company?”

A new expression crossed Caitlin’s face. Was it uncertainty? Surprise? Seeing Caitlin express anything other than unflappable confidence was so unusual that he immediately take note. “Uh, no. Don’t get the wrong idea. You’re still an oaf, and I tolerate you as much as you’re useful to me,” she said, standing and returning to Malcot. “Let’s keep moving in case you say something else that’s ridiculous and stupid.”