Nadine

46. Walk

"Mary that was exhausting. I was in there for hours learning to use money. Then they all took turns quizzing me to make sure I understood. Tre and Gunner showed up and quizzed me too. It was horrible."

"At least you understand money now."

"Do you know how it works?"

"Yes little miss."

"I should have took you with me." We both laugh. "Let's get my other dress on and go shopping." I make an excited squeal and she laughs some more.

"We can't tonight, princess. Your mom is making the dining room all fancy. You are all going to have dinner in there in 2 hours."

"2 hours is enough time. We'll just shop a little."

"Ok let's change you fast miss."

We get to the market in record time. "We can shop around for 1 hour. Oh Mary, they have music playing. Do you want to go listen?"

"I can't believe this worked. No one knows who you are."

"Yea, I've done it a couple of times. Not many. It's the dress that really helps."

"You look like a servant."

We both laugh and go over to the music.

"I love music, Mary."

"It is beautiful."

I see Gunner and Tre out of the corner of my eye. Gunner looks at me but I put my head down quickly. "Mary don't look. It's Gunner and Tre. Let's go this way slow. I don't think he recognized me."

Mary takes a quick glance. "They are coming this way."

"What do we do?" I feel a hand touch my arm. I turn and it's Tre. "Hello Advisor Tre, what brings you to the market?"

He rubs his eyes and Gunner is standing behind him laughing.

Tre seems mad. Then he starts to smile. "I wanted to ask a pretty girl to dance with me."

"Oh do you do that often?"

Gunner and Mary both bust out laughing.

"No, I just meant..."

"Yea, I heard what you said. Look around, plenty of pretty girls here to dance with. Let's go get ready for dinner, Mary."

I have to pull Mary away while she's still laughing. Not sure why that was funny.

An hour later, I enter the dining room. Everyone is here. All the advisors and my parents. I can sit by Thora and the baby, Dipak, Tre, or Gunner. Gunner it is.

I sit down and he laughs. He's trying not to but he is. He's got his elbow on the table and he's rubbing his eyes trying not to laugh.

My mom glances between me and Tre a couple of times. "Are we having some issues?"

Gunner and Mary, who is standing behind me both bust out laughing again. I cross my arms and glare at my plate.

"Excuse me ma'am." Mary leaves, trying to be quiet. "Sorry ma'am."

"What happened?" My mother motions for Gunner.

Gunner tries to stop laughing and tell her but he starts laughing again. Eventually, he slows down. "Ma'am, Tre does not know how to talk to girls." Then he laughs some more. That's really about all he gets out.

My dad laughs. "Well, we've all been there a time or 2."

Then everyone starts laughing and nodding.

Tre gets up and comes down to me. He takes my hand and moves me down the chair beside him. Fine, but we're not talking. I'm going to eat in silence.

The longer I sit in silence, the more I wonder why I even care who he dances with. He can dance with all the girls if he wants. We are under a bonding contract but we're not bonded now. He can still dance with whoever he wants. But mom said it's supposed to be us together at events and public stuff. If he's spending time with other women in town, why can't I spend time with other boys in the same town?

"Momma I have a question."

Every single person stops eating.

"It can wait though."

Everyone laughs.

Daddy looks at me. "Tre's working on fishing with you tomorrow princess. Be ready after breakfast."

Gunner and Dipak both start laughing at that. Tre sighs and rubs his eyes. "Pretty sure I can figure out how to bait a hook daddy." I get up and leave.

Mary is right with me. Like 2 steps behind me. "I'm only going to the barn, Mary. I want to take a ride."

"Yes little miss."

I get Butter. I don't even think Zacier is here. Must be out doing something else.

"Well Butter, It's me, you , and this ball gown. How do you fancy a late stroll?"

He neighs at me. I guess he agrees.

We walk over to the river and I let him get a drink. Then we follow the water for a little bit and I come to the spot where you cross to go to the cave. I sit there staring at it. I wonder if those chains and shackles I saw myself in are still in there. No doubt they cleaned up the body and stuff. But the chains might have been bolted in. I could see them. Maybe they are not scary anymore. It's been a long time. I can make a fire and get the light myself. I throw my leg over and hop off butter.

"What are you doing, princess?"

Dipak is leaning against a tree. Guess I'm not going there tonight. "Giving my horse a drink Advisor Dipak. Why are you out here?"

He smiles. "I felt like taking a walk, princess."

I remember the last time we were here together. The night we fell asleep by the fire. How warm he was. How his arms felt around me. I remember that day in my office. Feeling his skin. NO I can't think that. My eyes will go dark. "It is a nice night for a walk."

"Yep. It seems to be getting chilly out here. You heading back soon?"

"Yes right after Butter gets a drink."

He picks a couple berries off a bush. "You want some berries?"

"No, I should go back. It is cooling down quickly. Enjoy your night, Advisor Dipak."

"You too princess."

I ride away from him and back to the castle. I'll have to go back another time. Maybe one day in the morning. Light seems to be the best then. I can't do it tomorrow though. Advisor Tre is being forced into spending more time with me. Maybe the day after.