Solenne's body eventually adjusted to the cold river. A satisfied smile spread across her face as she let the soft stream flow through the gaps of her slender fingers. Her smile, however, gradually faded as she turned her head toward where Callista would be waiting.
'Should I try convincing her more?' she wondered. 'Now that I think about it, would the people in the North even allow me to ride a horse?'
The difference in practices and traditions between the Kingdom of Aethera and the North — especially regarding gender roles — worried Solenne. In all three lifetimes she had spent in the North, she had never enjoyed much freedom. Learning to ride a horse could be a problem, even if Callista were willing.
At the end of the day, Callista's role was to protect her, even if her life depended on it. Beyond that, she had no power.
'Power…'
Solenne slowly raised her brows as realization dawned. Her eyes scanned the woods surrounding the river, and she bit her lip.
'Is he watching?' She wondered, reminded of her earlier conversation with Callista. 'Wolves have sharp senses—smell, sight, speed. He doesn't need to be near me to watch me.'
She lowered her head slightly, raising her arm across her chest.
'How could it slip my mind? None of his men will peek at me despite their sharp vision—but he could. Because… he is my soon-to-be groom.'
Solenne pursed her lips, thinking back over the journey so far. She knew Damien was among the delegation, though she hadn't seen him for a while. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and her eyes lit up slightly.
'Power… Callista and I had none of that the second we left Aethera.'
But Damien held power even the empire wouldn't take lightly. For someone like him, a request as simple as learning to ride a horse would barely require thought. But if it was Solenne asking, complications could arise—being a princess and the unwanted duchess of the North made everything more delicate.
'The journey to the North is long,' she thought, glancing at the waters and rocks around her. 'And I cannot afford to waste it.'
She had already begun changing the course of her life the second she opened her eyes in this lifetime. This journey couldn't halt that progress if she truly wanted to survive. With that in mind, she nodded to herself.
Determination flickered in her eyes. She bit her lip as her heart thudded against her chest with a plan forming in her head. It was risky, she knew. But if he was truly watching from afar, there was nothing to fear.
Solenne slowly rose, the water flowing past her knees. The stream remained calm and steady, safe enough to bathe, but the rocks were coated in clear algae. One misstep, and she could slip, hit her head, and die.
She clasped her damp skirt and stepped carefully across the rocks, hopping as though playing in the river. Her body shuddered faintly each time, but no one came out to stop her or warn her of the danger. If that person were watching, though, he would know how risky it was.
After a while, her eyes landed on a larger rock she had mentally marked as slippery. She took a quiet, deep breath and, as she exhaled, jumped toward it. The moment her foot landed, it slipped.
"Kyah!"
Solenne's breath hitched, eyes widening. She reached out instinctively, though there was nothing to grab to stop her fall. Her chest clenched as time seemed to slow, and pain loomed at her expected landing.
She shut her eyes, bracing herself. 'I'm going to crash —'
But then, a hand gripped her wrist. Instead of falling, she halted mid-fall, held by an unseen force.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
There, standing over the rocks, legs spread, feet planted firmly, was a figure cloaked in shadow. The hood hid his features, but from her angle, she could see the grim set of his jaw.
Damien.
Solenne's heart raced, her chest rising and falling quickly.
'So… he's watching,' she thought, relief washing through her. 'All this time… he was watching me.'
"Your Highness?!"
Callista's voice rang out suddenly from behind the trees. Both Solenne and Damien turned toward the source, accompanied by the faint rustle of leaves.
Seeing Callista's shadow behind the first tree line, Solenne called out.
"I'm alright!" she panted, lips quivering. "I'm… I'm alright, Callista! Don't come!"
Callista knit her brows. "But Your Highness, I just heard you scream! Are you truly alright?"
"Yes!" Solenne bit her tongue, shaking her head. "I'm alright! I was just… I was just surprised… because a frog almost jumped on me."
The moment she said "frog," her eyes instinctively drifted to her savior. Damien furrowed his brow.
'Frog?' he repeated in his head. 'Me? A toad?'
"Are you certain, Your Highness?"
"Yes!" she shouted, then huffed. "Don't worry about me. I am… alright."
Callista hesitated but eventually nodded. She didn't press further, only instructing the princess to call her once she finished. Solenne didn't respond; her gaze remained fixed on her savior, who carefully helped her to her feet.
"Thank you," she said softly, eyes locked on Damien.
But then she noticed him glance down her body. Her damp white dress clung to her skin, leaving little to hide beneath.
"Don't you feel fear?" she asked, covering her chest with her arm. "I am grateful for your help, but this is not something you should be staring at."
Damien met her eyes. "And why is that?"
"Don't forget your place." She pressed her hand against his chest. "I may be human, but I am your Alpha's human. Do not get the wrong idea."
Damien watched her attempt to cover herself, though her frail arms could do little. Yet, a small smile curved his lips.
"The Alpha's human, huh?" he breathed. "Then you should be careful next time, Princess. I do not think he will be very pleased to welcome a dead human."
He stepped back, about to leave before he could "accidentally" tear the delicate fabric on her, when she spoke.
"I don't see you around."
Damien paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"Are you truly part of the delegation?" she asked.
He met her gaze, noting the doubt in her eyes, but said nothing. Instead, he resumed walking before quietly adding,
"I'll get myself transferred to guard your carriage tomorrow."
With that, he strode off, disappearing into the thick mist of the woods. Solenne exhaled deeply, keeping her focus on the spot where he had vanished.
Then, slowly, the corner of her mouth curled into a smile.
'Good work, Solenne.'