*POV* Lula Sparks Franklin
Iceis led her horse over to where I stood, she gave me a smile and swung into the saddle. I hesitated, horse riding was not my favorite
activity as Zander well knew.
"Maybe I should stay here." I stalled, "Do you need a leg up Princess?" I glanced at Zander as he walked up. I was about to shake my head
when the ground I was standing on rose up to about the top of my horse's legs.
Grimacing I carefully mounted, the mount the stable hands have picked out for me this time was classified as a horse gentle enough for
children to ride. But even so I tensed when the horse shifted.
I braved a look at Zander as he took the reins of a black mare, she had a white rectangle on her face. I recognized her, the mare's name
was mischief. She tossed her head a little but instantly settled when Zander swung up into the saddle.
I frowned as Iceis prompted us forward, my horse pranced down the paved path and when we reached the gates, she bolted past the guards and lunged forward into a run.
I clamped my mouth shut silently cursing every servant in Elesor. I pulled the horse's face to the left as hard as I could, but she only
slowed down a little.
"Come on!" I yelled, my blood racing. "Lula, you need to relax!" Iceis shouted as she passed me. I grimaced, I thought for a second to just jump from the beast's back but thought against it, at the sight of the sharp rocks lining the road.
All of a sudden Zander was riding in pace with me. "Take a breath and then try again, she is scared because you are." I stared at him,
"What! I am not scared!" I yelled.
He didn't react like I thought he would, laughing or shrugging but he instead held out a hand. "Here, Berry." For one stupid second
I thought he was talking to me, but it was the horse.
She tossed her head, Zander pushed his horse to come closer until our legs were pretty much touching. "Hold on." He told me as he grabbed ahold of Berry's rein and slowed Mischief.
When we came to a stop I slid from the saddle and took a breath. "Are you doing, okay?" He asked from Mischief's back. I glared at him
saying nothing even though I wanted to curse him out and took off back towards the castle and started walking.
For all the training with horses Father had done with me, I was the worst horse rider in the whole world. I stormed down the road, the back road leading to the castle was empty with wheat fields on both sides of the road.
I heard the horse hooves coming closer behind me, but I ignored them, soon I could feel the horses' presence and Zander, a top
Mischief. "If you say anything I will burn these wheat fields!" I grumbled not looking behind me.
"I was going to say, it's okay to-." I lit my flame and turned to give him a look of challenge. His mouth clamped close. "Well, if you are heading back, you should take Berry with you."
I stopped and the horses came up short. I walked over to grab the reins from his outstretched hand, but to my horror he pulled them away just as my fingers brushed the leather.
I glared and felt a moving sensation beneath me as the ground rose up, so I was almost as tall as Zander, he smiled. "You really should stop and take a breath Princess." He said quietly.
My cheeks flamed and I sputtered, "You're- You- You're an idiot!" I yelled as I tore the reins from his hand. However, his other hand
came down on my head and ruffled my hair.
As I tried to fight him off, I was lowered to ground level and all I could do was wack at his leg. Mischief turned, I smoldered as Zander
rode off. Berry pushed her nose into my back, and I grimaced as I smoothed down my ruffled hair.
"Zander Arch, when I see you again, I will beat you into the ground!" I huffed as I started walking again.
"How did she treat you, Highness?" The stable hand asked as I handed him the reins. "I wish to have a horse brought from Hilldren." I told
him, he inclined his head, his brown hair swishing in the breeze.
I stopped up the stairs to my room, no matter where I turned, I saw that idiot's hair, or at least people who reminded me of him. In my room
I bathed before I wandered the halls until I found Mirin.
She was standing beside the first front door with another male guard. "What's up Lu." She greeted me, I leaned against the wall beside
her and sighed heavily.
"That bad?" Even though I couldn't see her face I could hear her smile. "You could say that!" I boiled. "His stuffiness is getting on my
nerves." She looked over her shoulder. "Who?" I realized my mistake.
Zander wasn't public knowledge even in his own kingdom. "No one." I huffed, she straightened at her post as some people walked past.
"I have noticed that you have been a little angrier of late. You sure it's no one?" I pushed off the wall the conversation, not making me
feel any better. "Yeah."
Just then Iceis and the young guard from before came walking up the steps. Iceis almost didn't notice me until she stopped and looked around poor Mirin, who was becoming alarmed.
"Oh Lula, there you are. I was told you were not feeling well, maybe you should be resting." I grimaced but hid my frown as I walked from behind Mirin.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry I didn't warn you." She shook her head. "Oh, don't worry, if you want we could go play a game of chess if you
would like?" I shook my head partly because I didn't want to socialize and partly because I didn't know how to play.
Iceis smiled however and nodded to the guard. "Okay, will I see you at dinner?"
"Maybe." I wasn't sure if I would go or not. She smiled before they walked away. "I can't believe you have Queen Iceis looking after
you." Mirin squeaked quietly. I sighed and waved to her before I walked off.