Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguié Read Free Book Online Page B

horse’s nose toward the hill in the distance. The rain had eased, and she could actually see the castle perched there in the pale sunlight that filtered through the clouds.
    Violet felt a thrill of excitement exiting the village. When she reached the castle, she would be farther from home than she could ever remember traveling. Though, if what her parents had said was true, she had been far from home all along.
    A blast of cold wind presaged the arrival of more rain. Violet urged Bessie into a trot just as the skies opened again and water cascaded down on them. The mare tossed her head, and Violet put a steadying hand on her neck. “Easy, girl, we have to keep going.”
    The intensity of the storm doubled, and a fiercewind began to blow as if seeking to force them to turn back. Fear began to overtake her. Maybe she was making a mistake; maybe she should return home. Her parents needed her. What about Richard? a voice in her head whispered.
    Maybe he doesn’t care for me like I think he does. What if it was all a mistake, and he rejects me? Maybe his parents have already chosen a princess for him, and I’ll have to watch him marry someone else. Who am I, after all, but just a farm girl who helped him? He may have been grateful, but perhaps gratitude was all that he felt. She thought about the kiss they had shared. Could he have kissed her like that if he felt nothing for her? The wind stung her cheeks and blew wet locks of hair into her eyes. Violet gritted her teeth, crouched low on Bessie’s back, and urged the mare forward.
    It was not long before the castle loomed ahead of Violet in the darkness, the rain bouncing and sliding off its massive stones. She rode into a courtyard and then slid off Bessie’s back, panting with exhaustion and shivering with the cold.
    “Milady, let me assist you,” a guard said, running up to her. Another man appeared and began to lead Bessie away.
    “I’ve come to see the king and queen,” Violet said, shocked at her own audacity. Still, it was too late to turn back.
    “Then you must come in out of the rain.”
    She set her jaw, stilling the fluttering in her heart, and strode forward into the castle.
    “Perhaps my lady would like to refresh herself,” the guard suggested.
    Another servant scurried forward to take charge of her, and the guard bowed and returned to his duties. The man looked her up and down with a disapproving look on his face. Even though he was a servant, his clothes were finer than any Violet had ever seen in the village.
    She looked around and could see the sheer size of the castle sprawling beyond the room in which she stood. The stone floors were lined with fresh rushes, and the air was warm and perfumed. She could see a massive hearth in the room beyond with a fire crackling in it.
    “I’m a princess, and I’m here to see the king and queen,” she said, returning her attention to the servant.
    “Very good, milady. We shall just make you comfortable, and I will arrange an audience for you later.”
    Violet shook her head. If she didn’t speak to them now, she might never find the courage to confront Richard’s parents. “I will see them now,” she said, hoping that her voice held an air of authority to it.
    The conviction in her voice must have been clear, because the man bowed and gestured for her to follow. A minute later Violet paused outside a large room where she could see many people milling about within. Just below the ceiling dozens of flags hung; she recognized the flag of Cambria and then the one of Lore. She bristled in anger when she saw it and then forcedherself to take a deep breath as she realized that the flags were probably representative of every royal family in attendance at the castle for the competition.
    “Milady, how shall I announce you?” the man asked, turning to her with lifted brow.
    She hesitated for a moment, wondering what she should say. “Violet,” she said at last.
    For a moment she thought she saw the man smirk,