RELEASE DATE: 01 June 2021
Leg bleeding, out of breath, stripped of wand and magic—oh, and hanging from the edge of the castle’s upper ramparts.
A vaguely-familiar princess arrives, someone he recognizes from magic classes but never paid attention to.
He regrets that now: rather than helping him up, she wants his backstory.
Better start talking—and fast.
A sweet meet-cute for everyone who loves to see the underdog win.
Princess in Time
His feet dangled over the abyss. Somewhere far below was the path down to the village. Heavy spring fog hid the trees and the gargoyles that guarded the ancient castle. His fingers squeaked against stone as he slipped.
Only a matter of time: leg bleeding, out of breath, stripped of wand and magic… Yes, he was going to die. It didn’t matter that he’d beaten the nightmare beast. In the end—
“That looks terribly uncomfortable.”
He looked up through the mist to see an unfamiliar face. Not wholly unfamiliar; he’d seen her in classes and wandering the halls. Princess Something-That-Sounded-Like-A-Bird; he’d never learned her name. He assumed she was one of the shy, retiring girls who saw magical training as a good way to meet a potential husband. Since he wasn’t shopping for a ball-and-chain, he’d avoided her. “Help?”
“However did you get in this predicament?” she asked, not even bothering to reach for him.
“Long story.” His fingers burned as he slipped another centimeter toward death.
She shrugged. “Go on and tell me, then. I have nothing better to do this evening.”
Blasted chit! Was that a subtle dig at the fact that nearly everyone else was at his best friend’s party? “Pull me up!”
“I think not.” She stepped away and he slipped, felt gravity pulling him down, saw death coming for him… And fell on the battlements at the feet of the girl. The modest green dresses she favored in class had been replaced by a wider skirt and a much more revealing bodice. And from this angle, he could see she was barefoot. Not exactly what he’d expected from one of the meek-and-mild types.
He pushed himself up. “So. Thank you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Story?”