Princess Noxx's Arc

Chapter 2 of 2

The guards did not follow her past the gate. Noxx walked into the cold with nothing, her father's words still in her ears. She had no home now, no plan, only the mortals hiding in the marsh and a king who meant to find them. She turned toward the stable. If she was leaving, she would not leave on foot. Inside, the black shire horse waited in its stall. It stood taller than her, broad and calm, its coat glossy in the low light. She had raised it from a foal. It pressed its warm nose against her shoulder, and for one breath she let herself lean on it. Then she reached for the bridle. "Taking Father's horse now, too?" Noxx froze. Lusine leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, a smile on her lips. Her red gown caught the lantern light. This was the half-sister who had smiled while their father cast Noxx out. The one who had spoken Noxx's secret aloud before Noxx could. "The horse is mine," Noxx said. "I raised him." "Nothing here is yours anymore." Lusine pushed off the frame and stepped closer. "He'll send riders after your little marsh at dawn. You know that." Noxx tightened the girth strap. "Then I'll ride faster." Lusine tilted her head. "You won't reach them in time. Not the way you're going." She paused. "There's a marsh path the hunters don't use. Cuts a full day off." Noxx stopped. She studied her sister's face and found no warmth there, only that same amusement. "Why would you help me?" "Who says I'm helping you?" Lusine shrugged. "Maybe I want to see if you actually save them. Or maybe I want Father to owe me nothing." She smiled wider. "Take it or don't." Noxx did not trust her. Lusine had already sold her once. But every hour mattered now, and a day was a day. She swung up onto the horse's broad back. "Tell me the path," Noxx said. Lusine told her. A dry ridge behind the reed banks, then a fork left at the dead willow. Noxx repeated it back until she had it. The horse shifted under her, eager. "One more thing," Lusine said, stepping aside to let her pass. "When Father finds your mortals, and he will, don't come crying to me." "I won't come to you for anything again, you have always been jealous I am sorry you have no powers I truly am but it doesn’t mean you need to be cold." Noxx pressed her heels down and left her last words to her half sister to sting like the cold of winter. The horse carried her out of the stable and into the dark. Cold air stung her face. She did not look back at the castle or her sister. She had a direction now, and a mount strong enough to keep it. But the path was Lusine's gift, and Noxx knew what her sister's gifts were worth. She could be riding toward her haven, or into a trap her father had already set. Either way, the reeds were a day closer, and dawn was coming for them all.