Amory’s heart fluttered wildly as she and Obsidian galloped wildly through the forest. Even though she knew that Lucas was now safe behind her at his father’s manor, her adrenaline caused ever inch of her body to quiver in excitement; that and the fact that she must make it back to the palace before the sun peaked over the East Mountains. If her mother or father realized she had snuck out after explicit instructions to remain in the palace that night, she knew she may not see the light of day for a very long time.

 After delivering Obsidian back to the stables, Amory quickly located the secret passage way that led to the main keep of her father’s palace. She then snuck up the spiral staircase that led to her private rooms, being careful to silently creep by each of her sisters’ rooms, taking special care to be silent when passing Amaryllis’s nursery, for her nurse had the most sensitive hearing in the entire kingdom. After one more flight of stairs, Amory made her way into her bedchambers, undressed quickly and fell into bed exhausted.

            The next morning came sooner than she would have liked. Amory wiped her eyes groggily, and sent for one of her servants to help her dress. Her youngest maid, Liliana, and Drima were sent in place of Greta, who was on her birthing bed since the previous evening.

            “Your mother has requested you wear a gown of the latest fashion, m’lady.” Liliana said, producing heavy silk gown and a new article of underclothes that Amory had never seen.

            “Liliana, what is that?” Amory asked, not entirely sure if she would enjoy wearing such a thing.

            “A new whalebone corset. Your new gown will not fit properly without it.” Drima answered.

            Amory knew right away that she absolutely hated the whalebone corset. With each tightening of the stays, more air was forced out of her lungs, and every inch of her femininity was constricted tightly against her ribcage.  When Amory thought that she would surely die from lack of air, Liliana and Drima tied off the last of the stays, each wiping trickling of perspiration from their foreheads. Lacing the gown took twice as long, because the front and back of the bodice required lacing.

            “I curse womanhood.” Amory gasped as she tried to walk down the stairs leading to the dining hall. Her mother, father and sisters were already seated around the table when she took her place at her father’s left hand side.

            “What a vision you are my dear!” Her father proclaimed.

            “I didn’t know the latest fashion was asphyxiation.” Amory snidely remarked. “Tell me why exactly this style is popular? I should think that women would choose something a bit more comfortable where it concerns everyday wear.”

            “You must remember to keep your sardonic remarks to yourself when Prince David arrives.” Her mother snapped.

            “Why is Prince David coming?” Amory asked. Prince David was the neighboring city’s crown prince.

            “Did you not turn 16 nigh but a week ago, my dear?” Her father asked.

            Amory nodded.

            “And you know what the customary age of wedding is, being the bright child you are.”

            “Seventeen.” Amory answered.

            “Right my flower. With a small ounce of luck, we could have you wed by your next birthday.”

            “Is Amory going to be wed father?” Amaryllis asked. “Is she?”

            “Quite possibly so my dear.”

            Just then, one of Amory’s father’s menservants stepped through the gilded doors of the dining hall, announcing the arrival of Prince David. Amory rolled her eyes and begrudgingly stood up as the prince walked to her father.

            “Good morning David. Did you have a safe journey?” Amory’s mother asked as Prince David bowed and kissed her hand.

            “Yes, it was satisfactory. Especially to lay my eyes on a beautiful sight such as your daughter.” Prince David replied. Amory fought back the urge to vomit. Prince David was as supercilious as a man could come. His vanity was inconceivable, and what he owned in handsomeness he lacked in humility, kindness and honor. Several rumors floated around court on occasion about his less than favorable affairs over the holidays with country wenches or at local taverns.

            “How nice it is to see you too, Prince.” Amory felt herself say. She knew that her father had just put her under an obedience spell, as parents had the right to do to their underage children. The Prince smiled and kissed the back of Amory’s hand. He then pulled out her chair, and she felt herself lower into the seat.

            Breakfast was the closest thing to murder that Amory had ever witnessed or experienced while her father had her under the spell. When the horrendous affair was finally over, she felt the curse lift and she was free to leave, an opportunity that she reveled in. She made her way back upstairs and dismissed the servants who were straightening up her already immaculate room, and then sent for Liliana and Drima.

            “Yes your Highness?” Liliana answered as she stepped in the door, but gasped when she found her mistress passed out on the bed. “Oh my! Drima come quickly!”

            The two servants quickly tore open the stays on both Amory’s gown and corset, and instantly Amory gasped for air. Liliana sent Drima to fetch a glass of water from the kitchen. When Drima returned, she also had a sheet of folded parchment with her.

            “Highness, a strange boy handed this to me. He said it was from a friend from out of country.” Drima handed her mistress the note. Amory dressed quickly and dismissed her servants in order to read the note in private. She unfolded the sheet anxiously, her eyes fluttering excitedly down the page. However the excitement turned to  worry as she read further on. The note said:

Amory-

I am safe with my father for now, but I have to warn you. People are about to enter your life that are out to get not only you but your throne and your very life. My mother was Keeper of the Prophecies when she was alive, and father revealed to me the last prophecy she ever predicted. Great change lies ahead in our future, our races depend upon you and I. I sense war, a long and bloody one. Get out of that kingdom now. I will meet you at dawn upon Crow’s Hollow.

Lucas.