I packed my few clothes, the necklace was sticking to my skin, refusing to let go. It melted into my skin, leaving no scars but the amulet sticking out of my chest. It wouldn’t let go till I died or all of the substance in it had drained into me. No witch had ever gotten to that point though, getting hanged or burned for witchcraft. Hopefully I could be the first to know what this stuff does.

My grandmothers smoldering face flashes in my mind, the vile back then had one drop left. My grandma would have been the first but…

I shake my head, passing the thought away as I fold my dresses to fit the small bag I had. I closed the bag and looked around my humble cabin. The fire now smoked up the small chimney. The place I had called home for a short time was now going to be left behind again to be offered to a lost traveler. I couldn’t have met the Prince without this cottage, without this mysterious village. I picked up my bag and strapped it over my shoulders, I closed the door behind me locking it.

Arms wrapped around my waist, and a chin rests on my shoulder. He hums contently, his arrogant personality starting to leak back into his actions.

“Well let's go shall we?”

He lets go of me and starts walking back to the bakery. I follow, minding my dress. The necklace infused in my body buzzed whenever I touched it. Saying to backoff and let it do its job, it can handle this. The streets were drury, seemingly sad to see me go. I won’t have a chance to say goodbye to the people I've come to know. As happy as I was, it still unnerved me we had to leave immediately...

We continued down the empty streets, no soul daring to enter the Prince's site.

Did I make the right choice…? I’m just leaving everyone behind...

“Umm…”

“Yeah Lina?”

“Can I just stop by one house here…”

“Sure make it quick.”

He kept walking and I slowed down and made a turn down the road, coming to Ms. Lix’s house. I knocked and I heard heavy footsteps come to the door. Mr. Lix slowly opened it, he gave a dirty glance but it softened.

“It’s Lina.”

“Oh thank goodness!!!”

Ms.Lix shoved him aside, a small grin was plastered to his face. He looked at her and brushed back her hair and braided it.

“Oh Lina! Thank goodness you are safe! Why are you out and about though…”

She looked at me suspiciously, her eyes narrowed.

“Well I was hoping you could pass on a message for me…”

“Of course dear what is it?”

She grabs my hands and holds them in hers, leaning in to make sure she caught every word.

“Well, if someone wonders where I have gone just let them know i’m safe and that i’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I give a small smile as her’s falters, a concerned look now stuck on her face.

“Lina...where are you going.”

“Well uhh, let's just say in time you will know. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more.”

She lets go of my hands and turns around, marching into her house. Banging and crashing can be heard. I look to Mr. Lix for an explanation but he shrugs, with a neutral look once again.

“You come to the village, live here, then all the sudden you say you are leaving right when the prince is in town! God what am I to say to all of the people that love you as family and say you were swept up by that goddamn Prince…”

The banging stopped after the end of her rant, she stomped back up to the door with a basket covered with a cloth. She shoves it in her husband's arms and tackles me into a hug.

“I’m sorry…”

“I-I understand Lina, our little village can’t really protest considering we don’t even have a name for this place…I hope the prince at least accologizes that you aren’t- you know…”

“He has...he knew about my past that led him to me…”

“Well, as Alex or Lina you will still be welcomed here my dear.”

“Thank you Ms. Lix…”

“Next time you come back though i’m still calling you Lina, fuck tradition.”

I giggle a bit and so does she. We both know that she would get in big trouble for calling me that once I am married to a royal family member.

“Uhh.”

Mr. Lix speaks up, we both turn to look at him. Ms. Lix lets go of me and takes the basket from his hands.

“I’m sorry I don’t talk much. Thank you for taking care of Lily…”

His hands clasp together, using my name for the first and last time. He looks at me with a small smile, his eyes shining with appreciation. I nod, tears well up a bit as Ms. Lix hands me the wicker basket covered with a blue cloth.

“Have a good trip and happy marriage Lina...Make sure to come back.”

“I will, bye…”

I smile and start my way back down the street, I look back and they were waving at me. I wave back as a tear slithers down my face. The warmth of their smiles compelled me forward, down the streets to my fate. A trip to the capital, with my now fiance. The fact that the Prince still wanted to marry me after he found out...It was strange but heartwarming.

Before I knew it I was back at the small bakery, horses were tied together. A few look over to me and one lets out a huff. It’s black mane hid its neck, but it's sandal was sleek and embroidered with gold. It caught my gaze and lowered its head, showing its riders crest shaved in its fur. I walk up to it and it huffs, lifting itself to its maximum height. I lifted my free hand up to its snout, it snorted again and lowered its head to my hand, looking at it.

“He won’t let you touch him unless you have an apple.”

I look back and the Prince has his arms folded as he looks at the stubborn stallion. I lower my hand to my side and the horse looks back at the Prince and huffs.

“Anyway, you have your bag?”

“Yes, also a gift if that's okay…”

“Yeah, you’ll just have to hold it.”

“Okay.”

“Anyway get some lunch here as well, you’ll need the energy. I’ll pay for it so tie up your bag to Rufus.”

“Rufus…?”

“The dumbass horse.”

Rufus pounded his hoofs and neighed at the arrogant prick. thoroughly offended. But still cooperated with the kind and gentle witch. At least she had manners! Lina tied up her small sack filled with coins and bread, she didn’t have anything else.

I switched the basket to my other arm and peeked inside it. An assortment of bread, meat, cheese and fruit greeted her. The smell wafted up and almost begged for me to take a grape or apple. I grabbed one of the three apples and offered it to the horse. He looked down and slowly lowered his head, gently taking the apple from my hand and started chewing it into a juicy paste. I stroked his neck, feeling the strong muscles underneath. Rufus snorted, but seemed to enjoy the gentle strokes.

“I am going back to base! I’m sorry my Prince but I must report this!”

The commander pushes past me and Rufus, I almost fall to the ground but another horse catches me. The mare snorts and helps me stabilize, but nuzzles into the basket expecting a reward. I peek into the basket and grab a couple of grapes. The mare snorts happily and takes the grapes into her mouth with it’s puckering lips.

The rude woman mounts one of the beaten up mares and rides off out of the village. The Prince walks back out and licks the crumbs off the fingers as he watches her go. He turns to me, the horses all now nuzzling me. Rufus looks away but looks back over to me once in a while. The Prince chuckles, walking over to me and the horses.

“What? You fell for the witch to bud?”

The horse’s nostrils flare up angrily, he puffs out a bit.

“Yeah yeah I get it, there's a few brats in the village as well. Lina if you got your stuff all packed come in here and get food already, Mr. Reed says he has something for you.”

He walks back inside and I dash in right behind him. The smell of freshly baked desserts hits my nose, all the guards licking their fingers.

“There's a sink back here!”

Mr. Reed calls to the front, predicting what the guards wanted to do. I follow a few of the guards to the back. Mr. Reed finished boxing up a pastry and looked up at me.

“Lina, I have a few things for you here. Your pay in advance and your favorite, coffee cake.”

He pushed a small pouch of money in my hands, it had gold clasps and was made from a sturdy red fabric. Then a small box containing a raspberry coffee cake.

“This-this is too much!”

I pushed the small pouch back in his hand, he placed it on top of the box. I attempted to again give it back but he put his hands behind his back.

“No, you’ve worked hard, just take it as an early wedding gift.”

I felt my eyes tear up again, I start to cry a bit and Mr. Reed takes the box from my hands and sets it down. He gives me a hug and pushes my tear stained face into his shoulder.

Everyone is just so supportive, how am I going to leave! How can I leave all these caring people…

I let myself cry, the guards quickly exited and chattering quieted down in the shop area. A hand came to rest on my shoulder behind me and Mr. Reed let me go slowly. He pinched my cheeks and kissed my forehead. The Prince then hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“I know this is hard...I promise to bring you back once we are married though.”

I nod silently, trusting that he was telling the truth. Mr. Reed gave me one last nod and headed back to the shop area. The noise went back up to a normal level, now sure everything was fine.

“I’m sorry for making this so sudden. I have to get back to the capital with my wife as soon as I can to make sure no one tries anything to hurt you.”

“Hurt me?”

“Yeah, some towns don’t like the wife the royal family chooses. One year my great grandfather chose a servant girl who came to his ball. He had the proof it was her but she got killed by her sisters. So he had to choose a different girl. He wasn’t as happy of a person after that.”

“Oh, that girl named Cinder…”

“Yeah, so the royal family started doing that to prevent mobs.”

“That makes sense…well I better eat here. I have some stuff to snack on the way as well.”

I lifted the fabric and showed the fresh basket of food to him, his mouth was watering. He quickly shut his mouth and caught the drool that slipped out.

“Are you a foodie or something?”

“No…”

He looked off innocently, but that told me enough.

“You can have some while we travel…”

He looked over at the basket and his mouth started to water again. I giggled as I made my way to the front, with a puffed up Prince behind me.

Maybe this trip won’t be as bad as I thought!