Long, dark curls framed my face as I stared out the window in my room. Luckily, I had a single window in my chambers which allowed me to gaze out at the pasture and the stables. All that was on my mind was Daniel.

Mother had kept me on a tight leash since her return from her mystery trips. I wasn't allowed out of her sight until my head hit the pillow on my bed at night. The few riding lessons I'd been allowed to have since her return were supervised by both her and Daddy. This meant Daniel and I were able to stray very little, let alone talk at all.

I found myself missing all the little conversations we usually had, the sweet softness of his voice. Even my smiles at the few words he'd slipped in away from Mother had to be carefully hidden.

Daniel's comforting presence was another thing I quickly began to miss. After a few long afternoons together, I hadn't imagined how much I could miss having a friendly face so close, always there. Trapped inside the castle walls there was no one. Other than Mother, who was the clear opposite of Daniel's friendly face, and Daddy who coward away from being friendly now that Mother was on high patrol of my behavior.

Mother had changed since she returned from her trips. Something I hadn't quite figured out yet. At times her sickly sweetness would bring a smile upon her lips, while other times she used her magic without so much as a trigger. She was on my case all the time, always demanding that I be the proper lady she had raised.

During one of the lessons, she had scolded Daniel for getting too close to me.

"How dare you, boy." Her dark glowing hands had risen in the air, magic ready to pounce on the stableboy who was nearly shivering in his boots.

"Mother, please, he didn't-" My own please was cut off as a choking feeling overwhelmed me.

Once Mother had lowered both of her hands, she'd demanded that I correct Daniel's actions.

So, terrified of the consequence to come if I didn't do as she said, I turned to Daniel. His eyes, sad blue eyes, only starred at me as I was forced to reprimand him. "Yes, Miss Mills," He had said, and with that the lesson was over.

There was so much more I missed about the stableboy. My heart ached for the feelings it felt when around him, the way it skipped a beat every time we locked eyes, the butterflies in my stomach produced every time his strong arms wrapped around my tiny frame.

But most of all I missed the feel of his hand in my own. The way he'd laced his fingers through mine. The way he had accepted me. Daniel had shown me a kindness I had never received before. Every time I looked into his eyes, I knew that his acceptance of me never changed. The gleam in his ocean blue eyes never changed. A gift, which was so, so rare in my lifetime.

I found myself dreaming of the places he had spoken of. Imagining his soothing voice speak of each one as I pictured them. I was constantly being scolded for day dreaming, something Mother couldn't stand.

I sighed, watching the lights in the stables dim from my window.

Another day. Another night. Without seeing Daniel. I was tired of it. What had I done to deserve the constant control my Mother had over me? Why couldn't I just see him? I crawled back under the sheets of my bed, trying to close my eyes.

All I wanted was to feel his built arms wrap around my body again. To feel his rough, calloused hands hold mine. To be next to him would be enough. Just to hear his voice in the crisp night air. Anything would be better than this never ending longing.

But with Mother by my side every moment of the day, I would never again be able to feel the freedom of being with him. I would never get to hear more of his stories, and feel the comfort of his companionship. The stables would never feel the same with Mother and Daddy constantly tagging along.

I couldn't understand what I was feeling as I laid, curled up in the bundle of sheets. My heart seemed to be pacing the room, as I lie perfectly still.

Why did I long for the stableboy? The boy I'd only known for a short month.

Why did my stomach fill with nerves and butterflies around him? In the few short times I'd been able to spend with him.

Why had my heart raced when our hands touched for the first time? The only time they'd ever touched.

And why, why could this sweet boy bring an ease to my mind that no one else could?

I couldn't answer any of my own questions. The only thing I really knew, as my eyelids grew heavier, was that I was going to find a way to see him again. No matter what measures I had to take.