She ran.

As fast as she dared without turning the heads of the guards that were lowered outside the watchtower’s wooden doors. They were discussing the latest attack on Darinsbough, she could tell, and caught a glimpse of the sword flashing in the light of the moon. The guard Ridero was carefully stabbing at the ground, then drew his fist that was clenching the hilt across his throat in a jerking motion, staggering backwards.

Alenyth knew exactly what he was depicting to the other guard. She stopped running momentarily and felt she couldn’t breathe, as if the insides of her stomach were trying to crawl their way out through her throat.

She turned away immediately and fled to the creaky stable door, slipping out the rusty key and clenching it so hard with her fist, her hand stained with orange. She carefully worked it into the iron lock and twisted until she heard a small “click”. Removing the lock gently, she held her breath and listened for any sign that someone might have heard her. Satisfied, Alenyth swung the door open as quickly as she could to give the old hinges less time to protest.

She didn’t waist a moment, slipping inside and closing the door quickly but not letting it bang shut.

She waited five minutes then spoke softly.

“Jaques?”

“My lady” came the strong Eastern accent from a dark corner in the stable.

Alenyth’s heart beat faster than it had on her way to the stables. She saw a stirring in the dark corner as the even darker man stepped into the moonlight coming through a barred window on the side.

He strode towards her, tall shoulders squared back, black boots striding on the stone floor, and his cloak dragging the scattered straw that the stable hand had left behind.

There wasn’t much moonlight, but Alenyth could easily see the white teeth shining like polished pearls against his black face. Alenyth could feel before she could see his hand holding her pale one. “Alenyth,” he whispered, “have you made up your mind?”

Alenyth blew out her breath which made her curls bounce away from her face. “Yes,” she said firmly, even though her lips quivered.

Again the white smile flash in the low light. He bent down and planted a kiss on the top of her hair. “Let’s go home then.”

“Wait,” she said slowly, “I can’t go back to your king.”

Jaques seemed to stiffen, but he waited for her to continue.

“They will hold me for ransom.”

“They’ve never seen you before. And you will have a new name, my love.”

“And if they find out…” she waited for him to finish, but he shuffled uncomfortably. “If they find out, you win the war.”

“No,” he protested. “I will keep you safe.”

“I’ve been safe here for 25 years.”

The smile disappeared from view, and she was afraid she had offended him.

“I want to be with you,” she said desperately. “I just think we should head South and start a new life there at the edge of the Wood.”

The silence that followed was deafening. She swallowed back tears, as he released her hand. “It is impossible then isn’t it?” His voice suddenly seemed small, instead of deep and strong. “For if we go to the edge of the Wood, the Beasts will devour us.”

She nodded, hoping he could see her.

Jaques suddenly straightened his back and clasped both her shoulders, leaning his face towards hers. “I shall return home and create a plan that both you and I will feel comfortable with. Do you trust me?”

Alenyth could see his glinting dark eyes searching hers for any sign of hope. She steadied herself and resolved to hide her emotions, shoving her feelings for him back to the dark parts of her heart. She loved her kingdom, her father, her brother, her people. She would die for them.

Alenyth checked herself. Her feelings for Jaques resurfaced and seemed to burst out.

“I trust you, Jaques. With my life.”

His entire being seemed to sigh with relief at her long awaited words, and he left her standing there in the stables fighting with thoughts of the war at hand, and the war in her heart.