It didn't take long before she was hopelessly lost. The massive oak trees towered over the princess, making her feel small and insignificant—a new feeling for her. As the princess, she never had a big ego, but Adelaide knew she was important. In the castle, she had ladies-in-waiting beside her day and night. But out in the depths of the Southern Forest, she was alone. She was no longer a princess. And she would have it no other way.
Days of walking and nights of sleeping on tree roots were taking a toll on Adelaide's body. Her muscles were sore—their dull ache spreading through her with every half-hearted step. A low growl sounded from her stomach and was followed by a sharp pain. She silently cursed herself for not thinking to bring food with her. Thanks to a light rain from the night before, she was able to stay hydrated enough to carry on. But without food, she was growing weaker and weaker.
When her eyes began to glaze over, she rested. Leaning against the nearest tree with her eyes tightly closed, she breathed deeply. The sweet smell of honey filled her nose. Her stomach groaned in pleasure. She followed the scent blindly, using her outstretched hands to prevent herself from bumping into anything. Her palms tickled and she opened her eyes.
Creamy white honeysuckles greeted her. The two-lipped flowers covered the trunk of the large oak tree. Their vines twined up and around the tree. The princess tipped her head back, following the blooms as they spread over the branches and reached for the neighboring trees. She stepped closer, her fingertips brushing against the velvety petals. She inhaled deeply, her eyes closing and a small moan escaping her lips.
Her memory reminded her that honeysuckles produced delectable and edible nectar. She snapped her eyes open and plucked a flower from the vine. Holding it in one hand, she pinched the green bud at the base and pulled carefully. A small bubbled of nectar gathered at the end of the stem. Adelaide smiled and held the flower to her lips, tasting the sweetness. Her taste buds exploded and she groaned. It wasn't a five course meal, but it would suffice. Tossing the empty flower aside, she plucked dozens more and stuffed them into her tunic pockets.
A snag of a twig made her halt. Another snap made her hold her breath. When the third snap sounded, Adelaide thought her heart would stop. She was hearing footsteps. She pressed her back into the tree and covered her mouth to quiet her breathing. The footsteps were faint and slow—their owner clearly not in a hurry. The princess's dark eyes scanned every tree, looking for a figure. Movement to the left caught her attention.
The figure was closer than she thought—only a few yards away. Adelaide crouched down. Her palms began to sweat and her cut started to sting. She clenched her teeth and watched the figure get closer and closer.
They wore a black cloak with the hood pulled low over their eyes. Their dark leather boots were covered in mud and looked worn. Black pants and a black tunic made the figure look menacing as it stalked through the trees. Their stride was long and powerful—and heading straight for Adelaide. Her heart raced. She glanced around quickly for a better hiding spot. If the figure lifted their eyes from the forest floor, they would see her—if they hadn't already. She held her breath and began sliding her way around the tree and away from the dark figure. The honeysuckles brushed against her face, their delicate petals smelling wonderful. She kept her back against the tree, moving slowly and as quietly as she could. Breathe and step. Step, slide, and repeat.
She was halfway around the tree when a cold, sharp, blade pressed against her throat. She froze.
"Take another step and I'll spill your blood on the ground." The voice was surprisingly elegant and feminine.
Adelaide swallowed, the pressure of the blade changing with the movement. Her knees were trembling and she felt nauseous. "Please," her voice cracked. "Don't kill me."
The figure held their ground. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The princess glanced at the figure. Her heart raced even faster—but it wasn't from the dagger pressed to her skin. The face that stared back at Adelaide was beautiful. High cheekbones, a strong jawline, soft mouth, and stunning green eyes belonged to the figure. Adelaide felt her jaw slack open in awe.
The stranger glared at the princess. Her expression was cold and unwelcoming. Her warm beige skin radiated in contrast to her eyes. The vibrant color of her irises matched the dense forest around them. The shades of green ranged from emerald to olive. Adelaide knew she was gawking but she couldn't bring herself to look away. Even with her life on the line.
"Are you deaf? Answer my question." The blade pressed harder onto Adelaide's throat and the princess blinked.
"I'm lost." She finally blurted out.
The beautiful stranger scoffed. "That doesn't answer my question. Who are you?"
Adelaide opened her mouth and quickly shut it. If she gave her true name, then she would be turned in to her father. She searched her brain for a false name and blurted the first one that came up. "Alys, they call me Alys."
"And what are you doing in my woods, Alys?" the stranger said the name as if it were poison.
"Your woods," Adelaide almost laughed. "The Southern Forest belongs to—
"It belongs to the creatures that dwell within its darkest corners." The stranger growled. "And I am one of them."
Adelaide bit her tongue. She had a knife to her throat—this was no time for talking back. "My deepest apologies, I meant no offense. To answer your question; I ran away."
"What fool runs away to the Southern Forest?"
Adelaide shrugged her one shoulder and smiled sheepishly as she pointed to herself. She hoped the innocent look would save her life. The stranger's eyes narrowed but she stepped back and lowered the dagger. Adelaide let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"I suggest you reconsider your place of refuge." The stranger turned away and sheathed her dagger. She glanced over her shoulder. "And leave. Now,"
Adelaide watched the beautiful girl walk away. Her steps were graceful and carefully placed to avoid tripping. The princess shoved herself off the tree and followed—a little less gracefully.
"Well, you see, the thing is," the princess's words were choppy—her attention on the roots and stones on the ground. "I would love nothing more than to leave this forest."
"Good." The stranger answered sharply. Her pace quickened.
"But I can't."
The stranger stopped and whirled around. Adelaide was too busy trying not to fall on her face to notice, and she collided with the girl's shoulder. She was roughly shoved backwards. "Watch it," the girl snarled.
Adelaide quickly regained her footing. She raised her chin. "Do not speak to me that way! It was an accident. You have no idea what I've been through in the past—I don't know how many days. I've been sleeping on tree roots and cold dirt. The only thing I've eaten is a honeysuckle and my entire body hurts. For reasons I will not discuss, I cannot go home. But I do not know my way through this gods-damned forest. And instead of helping me, all you've done is hold a knife to my throat and threaten me."
Adelaide was nearly in tears by the time she stopped yelling. Her throat was tight and she felt light-headed. Her fingertips tingled as the world around her started to tip sideways. The stranger's eyes widened and Adelaide thought she saw the girl reach for her. The princess's legs collapsed and everything went dark.