I kept counting the miles as if they were seconds I had left to live. Depite the sun settling down beneath the horizon and the particularly annoying man whining next to me, I can’t help but keep moving.

The motion seems more than my exit ticket.

It seems like a lifeline.

“Can we stop?” The Prince complained. He’d given up his pitful demands long ago. I couldn’t help but mock him in my head.

_‘I, son of King Edith, demand you stop right here, or suffer you will.’ _How stupid, like any person out here with enough sense would care about any of the kings threats. We’d give anything for leverage against his highness, even eternity rotting in his rows of cells.

Rows and rows of cells.

Metal bars so rusted they don’t gleam, grimy floors with your head resting right next to a cockroach. I couldn’t help but shiver at the thought.

Kids stories, are what our parents called them growing up, but as I grow older those tales seem to be becoming true.

But I supposed that sacrifice would be worth it if we could somehow overthrow Edith, though, that doesn’t seem like it could happen anytime soon, considering his son was stranded alongside me.

We have to walk at least 50 miles to the nearest village, from there, hopefully the Prince can use some of his royal leverage to summon us a ride, that is, if he doesn’t betray me on sight.

“No,” I deadpan, focusing on footstep after footstep. The red dirt must be so deterring for his highness. I bet he only lets himself walk on fresh green grass rooted in a certain shade of brown soil.

Privileged bastard.

He let out a sigh. I silently pleaded he’d give up. I wasn’t exactly eager to become friends with the man whos father I wished death upon periodically. Unless he had daddy issues, in that case, I’m sure we would get along great.

But clearly I was stuck with daddy’s bestest boy instead. He growled in frustration and kicked some dust out of his shoe.

“Does this place ever have any grass? Or pavement?”

“Nope. Only fresh, southern dirt.” I kicked up and cloud of dust with my shoes and he coughed, as if it was toxin to his lungs.

I smirked. “Sorry.”

“I suppose that apology was not sincere?”

“I’ll let you decide.”

For a moment, we had sweet silence. A moment that tasted like honeydew and strawberries, but of course, I guess the prince doesn’t like that sweet feeling. Maybe he liked roasted chicken better.

“I feel as though I should get to know you more, considering I’m practically your captive.”

“Feel free to leave any time, buddy.” I muttered.

“Yes, well, the only thing that would do would be putting us alone.”

“Sound nice.” I countered.

The prince rolled his eyes at me. “It would do us no good. Perhaps we should start easier, something that doesn’t pervoke banter. Favorite animal?”

I hesitated. “Cats.”

The prince let out a soft snicker. I glared at him and his face straighted up, “Cats are… lovely.”

“They are.”

“Favorite food?”

“Sweet potatoes.”

“I like them better mashed.”

I nodded. Of course he does.

“Favorite color?”

I stared into the horizen, the sun setting beneath the fine line with whisps of golden and orange. Yellow swirls and pink explosions in the distance. How could I choose?”

“Gold,” I said. “Like the sunset.”

“Me too.”

I looked at the prince, “Really?”

“Gold is a lovely color. Very reflective and gorgeous.”

“It is.” I agreed, a soft smile running across my face.

“Gold, like jewels.”

I groaned and slapped myself internally.

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.