II

I couldn't stop thinking about princess Suhana. She was so enchanting and beautiful. I had to see her again, so I planned to go to the palace that night. I decided to send a message to her first. I sent Arnie my pet eagle. It was early morning when I sent the message telling her I would visit that night.

I headed to the market. I was meeting someone there. I stood at the meeting spot waiting for him. Finally someone approached me. He was wearing a turban completely covering his face. But I could tell he was human by his sent. He'd tried to cover it but he couldn't fool my nose. He said "Andrey? Ivan's son?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Good here's the letter."

"Great." He was cautiously glancing around as if he was afraid of watchful eyes. He was right to be afraid. This letter was extremely important, and must reach it's destination safely. He quickly hurried away. Glancing behind him to make sure he wasn't followed.

There was one more person to meet before I was done in this city. The meeting time was sunset, the place was on the other side of the city. I began to head in that direction. I couldn't afford to miss this meeting, better to be early rather than late. I went over the rooftops, it's quicker for me. Arnie returned when I was almost there. He'd brought a reply from the princess, it said simply.

I can't wait.

There was a little drawn smiley face underneath it. I smiled, I couldn't wait either.

The other meeting went smoothly. That night I went to the palace. I climbed the wall, and threw a rock at her window. I waited only a few seconds before she opened it. "Andrey!" She whispered excitedly. I climbed onto her balcony. "Miss me?"

"Very much."

"I'm flattered." We talked quietly so as not to wake her maid. She had cookies and milk on the table. "I love cookies, and there chocolate mmm my favorite. How did you know?" I said as I put one in my mouth. "Lucky guess." She said as she dipped one in the milk. "So, what are you doing in my city so far from home?"

"I'm on a mission for my father."

"Really? What kind of mission?"

"Family stuff."

"So it's private?"

"Weeell ya kinda." She nodded and went over to her bed and sat down. She patted the space next to her. "So what's it like? Seeing the world?" She asked me. "Well it's normal to me, I travel a lot."

I replied. She probably dreamed of leaving the palace. "Wow, I'm so jealous." She said. She looked mystified thinking about what it would be like in my shoes. She was so beautiful, her deep blue eyes sparkled like stars. "Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are?" She looked a little surprised at my compliment. "W…well no, not really." She blushed a pretty pink. Her voice was like songbirds singing at dawn. Her fur was as soft as silk. I took her hand and said "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." She really bushed then, her whole face turned pink. I felt like there was a definite connection between us. It was the red string of fate I was sure of it.

"I must go now…" I said after several hours of just talking with Suhana. "Do you have to…?"

"Yes, it's almost dawn. And I need to head to the next city."

I turned to leave, but she said "Wait….take me with you…" I turned around with a puzzled look. "But you're a princess, what would your parents say?"

"I don't care what they think. I'm tired of sitting around in the palace. And I'm engaged to a man I don't want to marry. I don't want to be like my mother, who can't think for herself. I want to be free…to fly…". Two halves of me were conflicting. One wanted to take her on the adventure of her life. The other was trying to be logical, saying this could jeopardize the mission or get me in big trouble with her father. But as love goes the emotional side won over the logical side. "Well if you want an adventure so badly…pack lightly we have no room for useless stuff." She squealed with delight then covered her mouth hoping she didn't wake her maid. She quickly packed some things into a shoulder bag. Then she changed into a simple dress easier for traveling. She took off her crown and put it next to a note she had written. For when her family did find out she was gone. "Ready." she said.

"Well alrighty then. This isn't a good idea but I can't refuse you princess." I picked her up and jumped off the balcony.