When the carriage pulled up to the inn, I was shown to a comfortable room. Unable to believe what was happening, I watched King Geoffrey's servants unload a small bag of supplies and disappear into the darkness. The king's word had been kept: His servants had seen me safely to the border. I was now on the coast of my own dear France.

The events of the following day were up to me. I would have to find a way to reach Adam's castle. If anyone recognized me as the king's relative, my life would be in great danger.

What would my parents say? Surely they already knew where I was and why I had left! I knew they would never approve. They would never even understand. How long had King Geoffrey been able to disguise the true purpose of my absence?

I settled onto the bed, if such an object merits the name. It was little more than a glorified pallet. The carriage had been more comfortable than what I now used to rest.

Supper had been simple fare, a sort of pottage. However, I knew I would need my strength. I had no way of knowing when or where I would get my next meal. For all I knew, I had many long walks ahead of me.

There was a knock at the door, and the innkeeper's voice on the other side announced that my husband had arrived. He opened the door, and to my surprise, Louis entered the room.

"What were you thinking?!" he demanded, pulling me into an embrace. "You were safe! The rebellion would never have reached England!"

"But now I'm with you!" I argued. "Let us die together rather than live apart!"

"It is not fitting that the Fairest in the Land should throw herself to the wolves this way!"

"I'm no damsel in distress!"

"Je sais." He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I just can't bear the thought of you being in danger."

"I won't be," I assured him. "I know we can bring peace before the revolution gets out of hand."

Louis sighed. "What am I to do with such a stubborn, spirited woman?"

"Kiss me!"

Our kiss was tender, for we had stolen many through our forbidden courtship.

"I'm sorry I had to say I was your husband," Louis began. "The rooms are all full. The innkeeper wouldn't let me speak with you unless he thought we were related, and we don't look enough alike to pass as siblings."

I laughed, for we looked nothing alike at all. My hair was flaxen, and my eyes were blue, whereas my dear Louis had dark hair and amber eyes.

"I'll leave before anyone finds out I'm here," he stated. "I know your hand in marriage is promised to any man who saves the royals and restores peace to France, and I wouldn't want to create a scandal by having your betrothed get the impression that you aren't a maiden."

"Stay!" I caught his wrist. "I didn't publicly announce my arrival. No one knows I'm here, so no one needs to know you're here. Please stay and talk for a few minutes before you go."
Louis seated himself on the bed.

"How did you know I was here?" I queried.

He looked away sheepishly. "I've had to steal glances at you through your cousin's magic mirror. I can hardly bear the thought that soon you will marry another man, and I will disappear from your life forever. When I'm with you, I feel ill. My stomach churns, and my heart races, and I can barely breathe, and I sweat, despite the chills that course through my body." He sighed. "Yet when I am without you, the pain grows worse, and I tire of living."

I sat beside him. "I notice you've brushed and tied back your hair. Looks like you even trimmed it a little." I reached up to touch his face. "And clean-shaven as well! Who are you, and what have you done with my Louis?!"

He wrapped an arm around me. "I am the Duke of Schwarzwald and Forêtnoire, and I wanted to impress my lady!"

I rested my head on his shoulder. "You're succeeding."

For nearly a full minute, we simply lost ourselves in each other's loving gaze.

"Are you actually going to sleep on this pallet?" Louis queried. "The ground is more comfortable!"

I tilted my head. "Got any better ideas?"

He got to work flipping the mattress and fluffing the pillow, folding the blanket to give a little extra support.

"It is more comfortable!" I agreed. "It just seems a little cold."

Louis removed his coat and placed it over me. I remembered how he always claimed nothing was warmer than wolf fur, which was also waterproof.

"You must be exhausted. I'll leave you to your sleep."

"No kiss goodnight?" I teased.

Like a fairytale prince, he leaned down and gently kissed my lips before he turned to go.

"Wait!"

He turned back to me. "How may I serve my lady?"

"Before I'm forced to marry another, I want to know what it's like to fall asleep in the arms of the man I love."

"Fairest one, think of your reputation…"

"No one knows I'm here," I reminded him. "Besides, my virtue and fidelity will be proven to my husband the night we wed."

He lay down beside me and took me into his arms. "Is this more to your liking?"

"Much!" I snuggled up close to him. "Is it to yours?"

Louis kissed the top of my head, and we slept in each other's embrace.