A cart passing outside her window woke Adi from a comfortable, dreamless sleep. She sat up and stretched, squinting against the sunlight that filtered between two shops and into her room. 

A loud squawk sounded from outside, then another. She stood up and peered out the window. Was that cart carrying chickens? Oh, it actually was. She smiled to herself and quickly got ready for the day; they’d be leaving Spallock in the next few hours. 

She re-packed her bag and stowed it by the foot of her bed; she’d get it when they were ready to leave. As she straightened, the necklace on her nightstand caught her eye. 

She slipped it over her head on her way out.

Seth was just returning from feeding the horses when she went downstairs. “Good morning,” he said with a grin. “Sleep okay?”

She nodded. “How are you feeling?”

“Great.” He glanced out the window. “Hungry, though.” 

The tavern was just across the street from the inn. The little bell rang as they entered, and Adalynn led the way to an empty table off to the side. They each ordered eggs and bacon, and the server hurried off to the kitchen.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Adi stared intently at the table.

“You’re wearing the necklace,” Seth said finally. 

She smiled. “Of course I am. Thank you, by the way; it’s beautiful. I love it.” She glanced up at him. “You didn’t have to-”

“I know,” he said. “I’m glad you like it.” He fidgeted with his napkin. Was she imagining it, or was he blushing?  He cleared his throat. “It wasn’t weird, was it?”

She hesitated. Was it? 

“Here you are,” the server said as she set down a tray with two plates. “I’ll be right back with some coffee if you’d like.”

Adalynn nodded, grateful for a distraction. “That would be great, thank you.”

“Cream or sugar?”

“Both, please.”

Seth chuckled as the server left. “I still don’t get why you add all that stuff.”

“Black coffee’s too bitter for me,” she said. 

“If you say so…” 

They each took a plate, the momentary awkwardness forgotten. The server returned with a pot of coffee, Adalynn’s cream and sugar, and two mugs. “So,” Seth said as they ate. “We’re heading for Summerbalt, right? You said your family lives in the capital.”

She blinked, then remembered her plan. “Oh. Right. Yes.”

He frowned slightly, but nodded. “Okay, so we just need to get a map or directions of some sort, then we should be ready to go.”

She nodded. “Mm-hm…” 

After a few more seconds of silence, they began eating. Adalynn’s mind wandered. She wondered why he was so trusting. He’d dropped everything to help a total stranger, expecting nothing in return. He hadn’t even seemed to suspect that most of what he knew about her was a lie. Despite the thought, and her guilt, she couldn’t help but smile as she fidgeted with the necklace. She got lucky when he agreed to help her. He was kind, and brave, and funny, and-

She stopped herself. Oh no.

“Are you okay?” Seth asked. 

She realized she’d been staring at her empty fork for a good thirty seconds. She blinked. “Oh. I’m-” She took a deep breath. “I’m fine.”

She forced herself to take a bite of bacon. She was not fine, but there was no way she could explain it to him without making a fool of herself. When did this happen? And more importantly: how did I let this happen?

“Adi, are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, setting down his fork. “What’s wrong?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, if only for a second, and cursed her own carelessness. This was not part of the plan, and it was not good. At that moment, it became obvious what she had to do, both for his sake and her own; she had to come clean. Tell him her real identity. Now that she thought about it, she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t told him sooner. The idea of it made her cringe. He probably won’t ever trust me again.

But it was necessary. 

She’d do it soon, but now wasn’t the right time, not when they were surrounded by people. She forced a smile. “I’m okay, Seth. Really.”

He still looked skeptical, but he didn’t push the matter. They lapsed into silence while they finished breakfast.

Seth followed her to the bar where she paid. She was about to leave when he stopped her. 

“Would you be able to tell us the best way to get to Summerbalt?” he asked the bartender. 

“That depends on what you mean by ‘best’, son,” the man said, drying a mug. “There’s a road that leads directly to the capital. It’s the most direct route, but it’s long and dangerous.”

Adalynn swallowed. “Or…?”

“The safest way is to go through Newart, lass,” he said. “Adds some travel time but there aren’t as many incidents that way.”

Seth glanced at her. “How do we get to Newart?” he asked, knowing what she was thinking. She took a breath.

The bartender set the mug aside and grabbed another, wiping it down with his rag. “Let’s see now, Newart’s west-northwest of here. Bout two days’ ride, maybe. You’ll want to take the main road out of town and take the left when you reach the trail fork. Can’t miss it, it’s mostly fields and meadows that way.”

Seth nodded. “Thank you.” He nudged Adalynn’s arm. “Are you ready?”

She felt herself redden slightly at the action and hoped he didn’t notice. “I just need to get my things,” she said, subtly taking a step back. “Thank you,” she said to the bartender as she left the tavern.

She didn’t wait for Seth as she crossed the street and returned to her room. She grabbed her packs and quickly paid the innkeeper before heading to the stable in the back. 

Seth was saddling Ranger when she arrived. He glanced her way as she began securing her things to Daisy’s pack saddle. 

“What’s going on, Adalynn?” he asked, frowning slightly. 

“Nothing,” she replied without looking up.

“It doesn’t seem like nothing; did something happen?”

She shook her head, trying and failing to ignore the genuine concern in his voice. “I just want to get moving, that's all.”

She glanced sidelong at him. He didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he didn’t push the matter.

She held back a sigh as she moved over to Millie. She knew she had to tell him her real identity, but how? Looking back on it, she regretted keeping the secret for so long. She’d trusted him for weeks; she could have told him multiple times. She should have. Maybe if she had, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

She knew it was probably a little selfish, but she didn’t want to lose his friendship. Travelling was… a bit lonely. It was nice to have a friend. She didn’t want it to end, but she knew that she didn’t have a choice. Once she told him the truth, he probably wouldn’t trust her anymore. 

It was probably for the best. 

She’d tell him when they made camp for the night. At least it gave her some time to figure out what she would say.

“Are we ready?” Seth asked, leading Ranger from his pen.

Adi blinked, then nodded. She took a deep breath. “West-northwest, right?”

“That’s what he said.”

She mounted Millie. “Lead on, then.”

✦✦✦

Seth glanced over at Adalynn again as they rode. She’d been quiet for most of the morning, even before leaving town. Something was obviously bothering her, but she wouldn’t tell him. 

He tried not to fidget with the reins. Did he do something wrong? He racked his brain, trying to think of what could be bothering her. 

Yesterday had been fun; she’d said so herself. Sure, he’d had that reaction, but other than that, it was a good day. 

He’d enjoyed himself, too. It had been nice to just spend time with her without having to worry about travelling or being followed. It had been nice to see her laugh. 

No, it couldn’t be the fair. He thought back to that morning. They’d had breakfast at the inn, and… 

The necklace! She thanked him for it, but after that was when she started acting strange. He glanced at her again. She was still wearing it, seemingly lost in thought as she rode. Was that it? 

He mentally kicked himself, suddenly worried that he’d made her uncomfortable. He hadn’t meant to. Should he not have gotten it for her?

He glanced up at the sky; it was right around noon, by the looks of it. He took a deep breath. “Adalynn?”

She sat up a little straighter. “Hm?”

He cleared his throat. “Should we take a break soon?” 

She glanced sidelong at him and shrugged. “If you want to.”

“You’re not worried about stopping?”

She shook her head, still facing forward. “I don’t think they would have followed me across the strait. We should be safe enough if you want to stop.”

So she wasn’t scared of being attacked. Was it really him? 

He paused, listening. He could hear the quiet sound of running water. “I think there’s a stream nearby; we should let the horses drink.”

She shrugged, but didn’t object.

He dismounted and handed the reins to her. “I’ll be right back,” he said before leaving the road in search of the stream. 

He found it quickly, running parallel to the road, and called Adalynn over. She led the horses off the road and to the water. 

Seth stretched while the horses drank. Adalynn sat on a boulder. She wouldn’t look at him. 

“What?” he asked finally. He cringed at the tone, slightly sharper than he’d intended. 

“What do you mean, ‘what’?”

“You’ve been acting strange since breakfast.”

She shook her head. “No, I-” She sighed. “It’s nothing.”

He frowned slightly. “I don’t believe you.” 

She didn’t say anything.

He felt terrible for pushing her, but he needed to know if her change of mood was his fault. “Was it the necklace?” he asked quietly.

She shook her head, her hand going to the pendant around her neck. “What? No, I love it. I mean, it was unexpected, sure, but-” she paused, taking a breath. She seemed to come to some sort of decision, and her face fell slightly. “It’s not that.”

He shifted his weight. “What is it then?”

She grimaced. “Well…” 

He waited patiently, not dropping his gaze.

“I was hoping to have the rest of the day to figure this out. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Just try.”

She took a deep breath. “Well, uh… you see, I-” She cleared her throat. “I’m not actually the daughter of a Castor lord.”

He frowned, but stayed quiet.

“And my last name isn’t Bailey. I mean, it was my birth name, but it’s not my name now.”

He cocked his head. “What’s your last name now?”

She hesitated. “Kendrick.”

He frowned again and shut his eyes for a second, thinking. “Kendrick,” he muttered. “ Adalynn Kendrick-” His eyes shot open and he turned to her as she stood up, guilt crossing her features. He held her gaze for what felt like forever, searching for any sign that she was joking. Her eyes held an apology, and some emotion he couldn’t place, but one thing was certain. She was serious. 

“Your Majesty.” It wasn’t a question. 

She grimaced, forcing a nod. “Yeah.”

He didn’t say anything, his thoughts spinning. 

“Seth, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I just- something went wrong at my coronation and I thought it would be safer to-”

 “It’s okay, you don’t have to explain,” he said quietly. 

Adalynn paused, watching him for a moment. “You’re not mad?”

He hesitated before shaking his head. “I get it. If you didn’t tell me, there must have been a reason.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Besides, if you’re the Queen, you’re not obligated to or anything. I understand. Um… excuse me.”

Before she could say anything, he turned and walked off. He needed to clear his head. 

✦✦✦

He walked around a small hill until he was out of sight and earshot from Adi and sat on a rock. “Stupid,” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. He felt so stupid. It made sense now; how she’d dodge personal questions or hesitate before answering. It explained the regal air about her, why she was so jumpy and on-edge all the time- and her name! Had she not thought to come up with an alias beyond changing her last name? Then again, it couldn’t have been that careless if it’d fooled him.

Seth clenched his teeth, shutting his eyes tight. He’d told her the truth; he wasn’t mad, not at her anyway, and he understood why she didn’t tell him. He really did. He’d seen the danger she was in firsthand when they encountered those soldiers. He may not know the full story, but he did know it was safer for her to travel incognito. He could believe that. 

What he couldn’t believe was how he hadn’t realized it sooner. Hindsight was screaming at him that he should have. That he was an idiot for not. 

He had even started to like her. More than he knew he should. But that didn’t matter anymore. He knew before that he never had a shot, but now? She was royalty.

He stood up and paced aimlessly. She couldn’t find out, then. If she knew how he’d begun to feel about her, it wouldn’t end well for either of them. 

He sighed. He would just have to deal with it. 

✦✦✦

Adalynn was checking Millie’s saddle when he got back. She turned and immediately straightened when she saw him coming. 

He didn’t say anything as he tightened Ranger’s girth straps.

“Are you sure you’re not mad?” Adalynn asked finally, her voice quiet.

He nodded. “I’m not mad. Honestly.” He paused. “Not at you anyway.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her frown, but she didn’t comment on it. “I just don’t want everything to change, you know?”

He mounted Ranger and glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m not even Queen at the moment, not anymore, so…” She took a deep breath and swung into her saddle. “Even if I was, it’s safer for me to travel as a commoner. So nothing needs to change.”

“You mean you don’t want formalities.”

She nodded confirmation and followed him back onto the road.  

“I can understand that.” He glanced at her sidelong. “Consider nothing changed.”

He felt guilty for the lie. 

They rode in silence for a while until he couldn’t take it. “What did you mean when you said you’re not Queen anymore? What happened at the coronation?”

She grimaced. “There was a usurpation.”

“Someone tried to take the throne?” 

“Tried and succeeded, I think.” She shook her head and forced a humorless laugh. “Some lords. They outwardly hate me, so…” She took a shaky breath.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “What about your supporters?”

“Some dead, the rest imprisoned. I don’t know who survived.” She glanced at him, her eyes red and tear-rimmed. “They told me that my uncle died. Before I escaped. They said to me ‘your uncle has fallen, and so have your guards.’” She shook her head. “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my uncle and two of my closest friends, so I never dwelt on it. I can’t, not if I want to set all this right.”

Seth was quiet. He wanted to comfort her. Yesterday, he would have, but now he had no idea if that would be overstepping boundaries. “What can I do to help?” he asked. 

She gave a tiny laugh and swiped at her eyes. “Seth, I don’t expect you to keep helping me. I mean, this has gotten so much bigger than I ever thought, and you never signed up for something like this. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I can’t ask you to-”

He reigned in his horse slightly in front of hers. “I may not have signed up to assist a Royal in reclaiming the throne, but I did sign up to help. And that’s what I intend to do.” He allowed himself a small grin, even as he was mentally kicking himself for his words, true as they may be. “And besides, it’d be a little hard to go home now.”

She hesitated, her gaze never leaving his. Finally, the ghost of a smile appeared on her face, and she nodded. “Thank you.”

✦✦✦

Her cover blown, Adalynn didn’t see any point in keeping her plan a secret any longer. 

“The Chasanian Princess is a good friend of mine,” she said as they rode. “Her name is Susannah. I haven’t seen her in years, but we write to each other often. Her father and King Rupert were good friends as well.”

Seth nodded for her to continue. 

“I think if I explain my situation to them, they will help me. That’s why we’re going to Summerbalt.”

“To ask for aid,” he said thoughtfully.

She felt her mouth twitch in a smile of sorts, even as she scolded herself. His willingness to help her even after she admitted her lie was annoyingly noble, and not at all helping her current dilemma. 

“We should reach the capital in a few days,” Seth said, turning back to the road. “I asked that bartender how long it takes to get from Newart to Summerbalt, and he said no more than three days at the most. We’ll be there by the end of the week.” 

She nodded. “Good. The sooner we get home, the better.”

They rode in silence until the sun was just reaching the horizon, keeping their horses at an easy walk.

Adalynn couldn’t stop herself from glancing at Seth from time to time. Something had changed. She wasn’t surprised, but she’d be kidding herself if she said she wasn’t a little saddened by it. She couldn’t quite place what it was yet, but she knew that coming clean had affected him a little more than he was letting on. 

“We should probably make camp soon,” Seth said, squinting towards the setting sun. He glanced at Adalynn, looking almost worried. “Or if you want to keep going-”

She shook her head, trying not to grimace. “No, I agree. No point in setting up in the dark.” 

They found a nice, grassy patch off the road among the scrubby bushes and ground cover. Adalynn untied their tents from the packsaddle while Seth figured out the best way to tether the horses. 

She stowed the tent rolls off to the side and set herself to building a firepit. She cleared away some dead grass and debris, then glanced at Seth. 

“Do you think we could get a fire here? There’s not much wood to burn.”

He looked around, keeping his grip on Daisy’s reins. He hummed thoughtfully. “I’m not sure,” he said finally. “Those bushes might burn. Think it’s worth a shot?”

She considered it. “I think so,”  she said. 

He nodded in agreement, a little quickly, she noticed. “I’ll see what I can find.”

She just nodded as she finished the firepit and unrolled her tent. 

Within a few minutes, the two tents were pitched and the horses settled in.

Adalynn was quiet as she ate some jerky. The evening was peaceful, the sounds of the stream and crickets carrying on the breeze. The sounds of nature helped to ease their awkward silence, but not by much.

Neither of them spoke until the sun had completely set and night began, not even while Seth built the small fire they could manage. Normally, he would be joking around, or they would be having some sort of conversation. It hadn’t been like this in over a month, not since their first few nights of travel. 

She missed how it had been already. 

She stared at the fire, lost in thought. Telling Seth about the takeover earlier brought back the memories she tried so hard to suppress, and she began to wonder. How were things back home? How many people had Arthur and Gideon killed? 

Was Lester really dead? Were Jasper and Andrew? Had Ivy survived?

She shook her head, forcing herself once again not to dwell on it. She couldn’t afford a breakdown. 

Seth glanced at her from across the fire. “We’ll get your home back, Adalynn,” he said quietly.

She smiled slightly at his words. She cleared her throat and yawned. “I hope so.”

“I’ll take the first watch,” he offered. 

“But you took the first one last time-”

“I know,” he said. “It’s alright, I don’t mind.”

“Oh,” she said quietly. “Um… okay then. Thanks.” She pushed herself to her feet. “Well… goodnight, then.”