Messenger in the Mist. Aubrie Dionne

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СКАЧАТЬ prince relented. “Rightly so. I heard you found the animal in the moors, outside the strong keep.”

      “Yes.”

      “And it was alone.”

      “Yes.”

      “Was there anything alongside it, any clue as to who put it there?”

      “No, Your Highness. It huddled in the middle of the moors with no food, no shelter and no one to look after it.”

      “What type of cruel person would steal such an innocent, inconsequential creature and toss it to certain death? You’d think if they had a tiff with the royal family, they would come directly to me or my father. But instead they insist on terrorizing the pet of a little girl.”

      “Prince Valen, I don’t believe anyone stole your sister’s pet.”

      The prince crinkled his brow. “Then how do you suppose it got there?”

      Star chose her words carefully. “Forgive me, sir, for my boldness, but have you considered the possibility your fortress has a breach?”

      “A breach? What do you mean?”

      “A hole in the wall. Wide enough, at least, for a bunnyfly. Maybe bigger.”

      Valen looked like he’d seen an Elyndra fly right out of the sky. The color drained from his face. “Impossible. This fortress is as sturdy as the mountain itself. Nothing can enter or leave without the king’s permission.”

      “I understand your faith and your pride, but what if I am right? The castle may be in danger. The tunnel must stem from the inner rooms itself, leading into hostile territory.” Star felt guilty delivering such dire tidings. It seemed to be her lot in life. “Look, I may be wrong. In fact, let us hope I am. But what if I’m not?”

      “Yes, yes.” The prince massaged his chin with his fingers.

      “I would check on it.”

      He looked back at her with a glint in his dark eyes. “I don’t suppose you will be staying long? I need a rider swift enough to scout the outside perimeter.”

      Star weighed the amount of money an assignment at Ravencliff would provide against her message carrying. Although it would probably be worth three or four runs, it was only one assignment, and her carrier job was insured indeterminably. It would put years of steady work in jeopardy. Despite the fact that her heart desired it, her brain reasoned not. “No, I must get back to Evenspark. My job depends on it.”

      “Of course.” Valen nodded as if he understood, although his eyes fell momentarily to the knotted reins in his strong hands.

      Star wondered why he seemed so disappointed by her refusal. She searched for anything she could do to help him. Her word was the only assurance she could give. “This information is safe with me.”

      The prince smiled oddly, as if fate teased him. “Somehow I know I can trust you. It’s almost as if…”

      “As if what?” Star had to know.

      Valen shook off his last words as if they were meaningless. “Where did you say you grew up?”

      The change in conversation startled Star. “I didn’t.”

      “That’s right. Forgive my digression.”

      “That’s all right.” Star had nothing to hide, although her origins were meager. “I live in Evenspark in the outer districts, on the border of the outskirts.”

      “How unfortunate.” Valen seemed surprised. “But look how much you’ve accomplished. You’re a rider of Evenspark, in fact, the head rider of the Interkingdom Carriers. I do read up on Evenspark’s current events, you know.”

      Star blushed despite her poise. “My advancements took a lot of hard work.”

      “And talent, I presume.”

      She beamed from the inside out. It was one of those precious moments when someone recognized her for who she truly was and all she had achieved in her life above her job of delivering letters. And it wasn’t just anyone—it was Prince Valen.

      Star shifted in her saddle, a bit restless. She didn’t know where this conversation was going, but she didn’t want it to end. Unfortunately, she could think of nothing further to say.

      Valen beat her to the next words. “Thank you again.”

      “You’re most welcome.”

      “I’m sure you must be on your way, with all those letters to deliver.”

      Star knew enough to let things be and urged Windracer to start moving. “Yes, I should.”

      But the prince moved with her, steering his own stallion to match Windracer’s gait. “You will be coming back, I presume.”

      “Most definitely.”

      “Then I look forward to our next conversation.” The prince bowed in his saddle. “Until next time, Miss Star Nightengale.”

      “I bid you farewell, Prince Valen.”

      The prince rode off in a swift flurry of flowers and leaves, leaving Star to reflect on the odd conversation. She watched his scarlet cape flutter in the wake of his black stallion, turning over their words. Each sentiment was a luscious morsel, still lingering on the tip of her tongue.

      Chapter 4

      Father’s Shadow

      The rest of the day whizzed by in a blur of letters, a surge of pleased recipients and a slew of strategically planned destinations. Star made up time by scavenging cheap merchant food stands in between stops and hastily stuffing her mouth as she rode to the next delivery. Thank goodness she’d placed each letter in order the previous night, thus was able to accomplish more than one delivery at a single stop. She caught up with her deliveries when the moon reigned in the sky and the lanterns blazed like giant fireflies, one by one.

      As she approached the Overflow Tavern, Star reached down to skim the bottom of her carrier’s bag. She had a nagging doubt she’d overlooked a letter in the rush. Her fingers brushed wads of crumpled receipts and the crust of the bread she’d nibbled for lunch. Digging deeper, Star felt a fold in the leather where her arm had clutched the bag too tight, crinkling the corner. The weight of the letters had wedged a small piece of paper underneath the crease.

      When Star brought it out into the light, her stomach pitched. Not only was it another letter, but it was the exact one Zetta had so carefully entrusted to her safekeeping. She’d been catching up all day and the outskirts were not part of her ordinary circuit. In all the commotion, she’d overlooked the most important correspondence of her job.

      If she waited until morning, Star would have to delay her ride home by another day. Zetta would fume when she returned, her cheeks red as the Devil and her mouth full of questions. Star would be forced to explain the matter of the bunnyfly and why the most important letter arrived late.

      She bit her lower lip. She could already СКАЧАТЬ