30 there is a girl

It was now the day to leave again for Ashford. The team set out earlier than they had done before and this time the Prince was with them.

Prince Zaccai disguised in the humble attire of a soldier, had joined his team to go to Ashford. He had riden in the carriage until they drew close before he came out and got on his horse. The only other person who knew of his whereabouts was Sir Adin. His parents couldn't know yet for he knew they wouldn't support it.

They drew close to Ashford as the sun shone brightly in the sky. The carriage finally reached the entrance of Ashford and he let his eyes travel. So this was Ashford. The difference between their world's was really big. He didn't see any tall buildings, or halls, neither was there a gate to the city's entrance like he had suspected from what he knew about it. It was all simple, small homes as far as his eyes could see.

"Such mundane life." He said under his breath. As long as the sun shone, he wasn't a threat to anyone, but he couldn't be here when the moon rises lest he may be tempted to shift into his other form. So whatever had to be done, must be done in haste.

People gasped when they saw him, a few followed closely. The people surrounding him were oblivious to his true identity, but they couldn't help but admire the aura that emanated from him. Dun was a horse of unmatched beauty and strength and only made him look even more intimidating. His entire face was hidden behind the sallet and bevor he wore, with long feathers that matched his hair colour sticking out from the top.

He had informed Hawthorne to pretend he wasn't there and be free to do whatever he saw fit.

They stopped at the house of Dayton and everyone got down to announce their arrival. The Dayton's sat outside their home and was focused on a chore when they arrived. Zaccai remained on his horse, listening and watching.

He saw his bride to be and approved of her. Dara Dayton was a beautiful young girl and only just turned twenty, she was quite tall, thin, with jet black hair, high cheekbones and olive skin. The only girl born to the house of Dayton with three elder brothers and a younger brother. Like her brothers, she was a kind, gentle and friendly person and had simply accepted the news of her intended marriage to a werewolf.

Hawthorne and Elara were the ones who stepped forward and spoke, they delivered the goods they carried and were able to convince the family that the first time they were going to be meeting the Prince was on the day of the wedding.

Hawthorne doubted they would agree but in the end they did.

So the rites began as it should.

"Wow, I can't believe Dara will be marrying a werewolf." A lady gossiped with her friend out of the increasing crowd that now gathered outside the Dayton home.

"I agree. Maybe she sees sitting on the throne in Tahu a fair price to win." Her friend admitted.

"I mean I can't blame her. I don't mind belonging to royalty. And I hear the prince is especially good looking."

"One can only imagine!" Her friend replied on a laugh.

Zaccai remained emotionless as he listened in on the conversation amongst others.

"Oh look, another bride to be in a few weeks." The girls pointed at someone he couldn't see because he had his back to them.

"I hear she's marrying Darius, quite fitting. But I can't help but feel sorry for her."

Her friend gasped "Why do you say that?"

"Crown is nothing but trouble and stubborn, and Darius is the only man willing to marry her in all of Ashford. While he might seem like a catch, he's well—"

Crown? She's here, she's close? Zaccai frowned. He would turn around to look at her but it would be too obvious, so he sat still listening to what the girls continued to say.

"She doesn't look like trouble to me. What about her husband to be?" The second girl asked.

"There's rumors that all he does really is spend nights frolicking around with the ladies in Mora not to mention he doesn't intend on stopping even after their marriage."

"Oh no. That is sad."

"Yes. The ladies at Mora may have questionable morals but they do not lie. He doesn't love her, nor will he ever respect her."

"If you ask me, neither—"

Zaccai's horse neighed distracting everyone. It seemed that his horse could sense his unease and was trying to let it known. The stallion's ears flicked back and forth as he eyed the crowd with an increasing restlessness as people backed away from it.

Dun whinnied and shifted his weight, clearly signaling his distress too. Zaccai took a moment to pat his horse's neck reassuringly. He knew Dun had a keen intuition and could sense how he felt. Phina, Vax and Lucia were beside him, trying to figure out what could be wrong, ready to protect or provide solution.

"Get Hawthorne now," Zaccai said. His voice low, his heart was racing as he was about to do something awfully foolish. He couldn't believe his luck, he had fought to keep Crown out of his mind and failed. He had told himself over and over that he didn't care about her existence and that had been a lie. He looked around and saw that she was nowhere in sight anymore but he could smell her presence that had been around.

He got down finally, rubbing Dun to calm down. Hawthorne came out with a questioning look on his face and the two of them walked to the carriage and entered.

"Sir, is something wrong?" Hawthorne asked once they had seated.

"No Hawthorne. I've changed my mind."

"Sir?"

"I will not be marrying Miss Dara anymore."

"Sir the rites are underway already."

"I do not care for the rites. I'm not her husband yet am I? This is merely an introduction and I have simply changed my mind."

"So you won't be marrying a human anymore?" Hawthorne questioned.

"Oh I will. Just not Dara. There is a girl, her name..." He paused like he was trying to stop himself from going further.

"Sir? Her name?" Hawthorne asked.

"Crown. Her name is Crown, and she will be the one I'll marry. She must be." He kept his voice steady and even lower.

"Crown sir?"

"Crown, Hawthorne. Crown."

"Peculiar name. How do we find her?"

"Ask. Do whatever you have to. She's the one I will marry."

"At your service sir."