I was evil. Were my mother around she would tear into me about just how evil I was in such thoughts. A handsome smile, a snarky tongue, all put together in a package at which I should not even be looking. He was not that attractive, was he? But I was married and I was if nothing else a good girl. Court writers would be delighted by telling this, the lovely princess sitting all by herself in the middle of the woods while her husband's cousin did nothing more than exist.

And that was I, though I doubt any court writer would mention how sick to my stomach such a princess would be. I had never been good with nausea, but neither man looked at me while we waited for supplies. When supplies came, dutifully delivered by David's servants, they continued to ignore me. No doubt it was for the best. My face burned and I could hardly stand to glance at either of them. So David and Jesser just chatted away as they flung about travel necessities while I sat there. What good was it to be pretty if no would look at me? If Jesser wouldn't look at me.

I pushed that thought away. Jesser had looked at me once. So what if he were handsome… I shook my head.

"Moriah?"

My inward dilemma was interrupted by David, who must have repeated my name several times. My head jerked up, and for a moment we just stared at each other. My face must have been ridiculously red. "Yes?"

He did not seem concerned about anything spinning through my head. "Your horse. Jesser wants to set out."

Of course he did. Survivalist. I stood up and stared at a white horse being held by a servant.

"Your things, your dresses, are ready," David continued. He held out his hand, and I took it. He led me over to the horse and helped me up.

"Thank-you."

He just smiled. His cute little smile. "Moriah, are you sure about this?"

"Very sure. I just keep thinking how my sister would love the story of me doing this."

"And thus shall she be rescued!" Jesser shouted. He was already on horseback, his steed trotting around, probably desperate to leave.

My heart flipped in my chest. I didn't not know if it were from the sudden terror of just what I was doing or… Jesser. Ugh, I was evil! "Yes. Yes, we will."

Neither of them heard the panic in my voice that was so loud and clear to me.

But I could control my thoughts and feelings, apparently. It was a lovely day, now that I was in a place that did not seem to terrify Jesser or David, and soon I could put away the thought that there was anything even remotely pleasing about Jesser's face. He had kidnapped me, the jerk. I wanted nothing to do with him. So, I told myself that, and the next few hours became a rather happy stream of the gentle trot of the horse and the scent of the breeze. And that was that. I must say, adventures were boring.

My thoughts eventually turned to Lydia. I could not help but be amazed that she had been captured. By anyone. Lydia was fierce and beautiful and nothing could stop her. Which meant it must have been terrible. Could Jesser do anything about whatever horrible person/monster/dragon had captured Lydia?

The sun had began to dip down for afternoon when Jesser finally spoke. "I think it's another witch." His voice was little more than hiss, a message meant just for David.

I had to admit I did panic. Quite panicked. I just had a bad run-in with a witch hours before, and so a scream was not necessarily out of the question. And so it was that I had my husband, his cousin, and a hideous old hag turned to start at me.

It was not the same witch. This one was skinny and elfish with hair that was positively green. I had to admit, grudgingly, she looked much kinder.

"Hello, Prince David, Prince Jesser," said the witch in a voice that might as well belong to a little girl of Willow's age. "How are you this fine day?"

"Fine, thank-you," David said with perfect sincerity. Such diplomacy to a clear witch.

"How kind," she replied as she twisted at her cane. "Much kinder than the other prince."

Jesser frowned.

"Now, obviously you are on some sort of journey," she continued, "so I think it would be wise that you ask me for my blessing."

"You threw my wife into quicksand," David said.

I wondered if I should say something, but I did not dare interrupt him.

The witch looked at me as if considering me for modeling a dress she had made. I decided this witch was much kinder than the other. "Not that one. Did I, dearie?"

"No, you did not, ma'am." I tried not to look at David.

"I guess we made a mistake then." David certainly looked at me.

"It was a different witch!" I blurted out.

"Well, that explains a lot. My apologies, madame."

She just laughed and waved her hand. "No, that's fine, young prince. I have many sisters in this part of the world, and some are crankier than others. You don't look much worse for the wear, Princess Moriah."

"Well, can we have your blessing, then?" asked Jesser.

The witch laughed again. "Are you sure you will humble yourself enough for it?"

"Are you a real witch?"

Another laugh.

The woman was nuts.

"All right, then, if you are sure, Prince Jesser. You have my blessing."

It was rather dull, a witch giving a blessing.

"Thank-you," said David, ever the diplomat. "Now we must be on our way. Any gold for your trouble?"

It was humiliating watching my husband give out gold to a woman who was probably wise enough to get by without it. I had at least learned that much from my parents. But she took it, peaceably enough, and let us pass.

My horse had just barely come past her when she said my name. I stopped.

"Princess, I have something for you." She handed me three walnuts.

"Food?" I asked, confused.

"No."

"What, then?"

"You'll see, dearie."

I slid the walnuts into my bag. "Thank-you."