Chapter 11
Loveday finally fell asleep after 3 hours of silence, but I on the other hand got a total of 1 hour worth of sleep. When I awoke I found Loveday still asleep. I stood up and looked outside as the sun was just settling. Quietly I walked out of Loveday's room and up to mine to change and pack a few things. I looked around the room after squeezing through the door and noticed that Marmaduke Scarlet didn't bring me any gingerbread cookies and milk. It dawned on me, whether he was as distraught about Uncle Benjamin being kidnapped as Loveday and I. I brushed it off and walked to my wardrobe grabbing a purple velvet dress that Loveday had secretly given me one of the first days I was here. I figured it be best because it doesn't have a tail like most of the dresses Loveday gave me.
Once done packing a small bag I grabbed it and headed for the door. Everyone in the house was sleeping so now was the best time to leave the Manor. I ran quietly to Uncle's study and wrote Loveday and everyone a letter. I told them that Robin was going to help me take my mind off of things and that I'd be out for most of the day. Yes, this was a lie, but they would never approve of me going out to find Uncle Benjamin with four strangers and a bird boy if I actually told them. I had to lie. I had a feeling about this, the same feeling I had that led me in the direction of the pearls. I knew this would work, it had to.
I place the letter on the dining table and ran to the stables to ready Periwinkle. "We are going somewhere Periwinkle, and you're not going to like me for it, but we have to do this. We have to find him." I said stroking her mane. She neighed and rubbed her head on my arm. I smiled slightly taking her head and rubbing her snout. "Let's go." I said jumping on her back and riding off in the direction of the De Noir territory.
Unfortunately through poor planning we never set a specific place to meet. But I knew Robin so I figured we'd meet up the same place we did yesterday, Loveday's old cave. When I got there no one was there but I knew Robin would be here. I assumed I was just early. I slid off of Periwinkle and told her to stay put as I found a tree and sat down. I laid my head back on the tree and closed my eyes in hope of getting some more rest.
What felt like a half an hour went by before I heard a twig snap. My eyes flashed open though I stayed quiet. Robin's head poked out of the woods and not long later followed Zane, Ryder, Peirce, and Styles. I lifted my head from the tree and looked over at them.
Robin walked over to me but Zane and Ryder brushed past him. "Good morning Princess, how lovely to see you again." Zane said and as if one queue both boys held out their hands for me to take. "Good morning to you as well boys." I said taking their hands and standing up. "Good morning Princess Maria." Both Peirce and Styles said in unison. "Good morning everyone."
Robin walked over to Periwinkle and pets her snout. "You knew to come here huh?" He asked and I nodded. "I simply figured since we didn't actually arrange a place to meet." Robing scoffed, "Oh so terribly true. But you brought your horse? You don't think she'll be easily spooked?" I gave him a questioning look, "No, Periwinkle is a feisty steed she could do just as fine as a De Noir horse could do out there anyway." Periwinkle whinnied and I smirked.
"A right steed huh? Whatever you say princess." I rolled my eyes and Robin continued. "Our real steeds are just outside of the forest, west," He pointed, "That way." I raised my eyebrows at him, "Yes Robin I do know where west is." He glared at me annoyed, "Good." I could hear snickering behind me and Peirce had his hand over his mouth.
"Is something funny?" Robin asked Peirce and he quickly stiffened up. "No Robin," He said with a hint of laughter and Styles looked as if he was going to burst. I smirked and so did Ryder and Zane. "She's the female reincarnation of Robin!" Styles blabbed and held his hand over his stomach, doubling over laughing. Peirce busted out laughing as well and leaned on his brother. Zane and Ryder laughed as well, not as badly as the twins but even I laughed at their laughter. Robin was not amused. I looked at him intently and when he looked away I did notice a grin appear on his face. He was back, no need to worry. "Let's go boys." I said taking Periwinkle's reins and walking her through the west of the forest.
Zane and Ryder walked along side me while Robin and the twins walked along Periwinkle's side. We made it to their all black horses and they mounted them. I felt bad for Periwinkle and I. We stuck out like sore thumbs next to these monstrous horses. Sure Periwinkle was small, and a light gray but she was a tough steed and she'd prove it one day.
I pulled out the book the lady gave me yesterday and flipped through it. I've never seen any of these parts of the forest. Robin noticed my frustration and asked for the book. I handed it to him and he flipped through it. Even he seemed troubled with the bloody book. "I think I've seen this place before but I'm not certain," Robin said pacing the book to Zane. He studied the book and for the first time I saw some seriousness in his face.
He nodded and said, "Yes I've seen this place before but the old hag was right, it is far west." "Then we better get going," I said motioning for the book and putting it back in my bag. "Lead the way Zane." I said ready to ride. He shrugged and made a clicking sound with his mouth and the horse began to run. We all followed him west deep into the valley.