Hidden Kingdom

⊱Chapter 9 🗡Courting Secrecy⊰

WOOT!!!! A triple update! This chapter was also part of the previous two chapters but has obviously been split up. Please Continue on and hopefully enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Swinging myself into the saddle I let one of my rare grins show, "Yes." We then took off into the woods, a place I considered a second home "So where are we going?"

He smiled with mischief lighting up his eyes, "It is a surprise, but we are almost there. Just have patience."

I glance to the trees noticing the length of the shadows growing longer. "It will be dark soon, Dax." I pointed out.

"Exactly, but thank you for that observation Captain Obvious." I sent a cold glare his way but kept my mouth shut the rest of the trip. "We are here!" Dax suddenly announced. We stopped in a fairly large clearing with a hill that overlooked the lands. "Also we made it just in time."

Dax had dismounted and was spreading a blanket out on the ground. "In time for what?" Dismounting from the saddle I walk over to Dax.

"Why in time for a sunset picnic of course."

"Awe, this is so sweet of you." I gushed.

"A million times better than your outing with Bao?"

"A million times better." I agree.

"I'm glad." He pulled out a picnic basket and set it between us just as the horizon began to change into a golden hue. My stomach growled loudly, laughing I opened up the basket to take out a sandwich and a pear. Yum! "Say whatever happened on your outing with him anyway?"

"The sorry excuse for an apprentice left me to fend for myself after abandoning me when we finished with a dance. Luckily Prince Nissim was there and gave me a ride home." I growled.

Dax shook his head in disbelief, "That jerk! I'll never know why the King also chose him to court you."

Shrugging my shoulders I lick off the juice the pear left on my fingers. "Could be because deep down they are exactly alike." I think out loud.

"Possibly. Avian, I want to confess something." Dax looked away from my eyes with embarrassment, with a hint of color upon his cheeks. "Back home I was planning on marrying a girl from my village until I was told I might be marrying you. Now it seems that she has obtained a job here in the Kingdom and is on her way. I have no doubt the real reason for her coming is to try to get me back."

"Oh, I won't hold that against you Dax. It is only natural you have someone you care for, even though you are being pushed into this ridiculous situation."

"You don't hate me?" His voice shaking with fear.

"Of course not." His shoulders visibly relax at my words.

"Well that's a relief." I hummed in agreement with him. We sat in silence as we continued to eat the delicious picnic and watched the golden rays of the sun fade away, giving way to a starry night. Laying back on the blanket we pointed out different constellations that we knew. "Look, a shooting star! Make a wish, quickly." Dax pointed with his arm extended out.

Closing my eyes I wished for the one thing that seemed impossible. I wished to be free. Free to let my heart love who I wanted without being tied down or shackled. To truly love.

"Come on, it is getting late. Time to head home." Sitting up we easily packed everything with efficiency. The ride home seemed shorter than when we first rode over to the clearing. When we got the horses settled in for the night I invited Dax over for tea, I didn't want to be alone yet and Dax was great company.