“Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise, dear Everest! Just watch your step!”

The elusive couple swept through the halls and doors of the castle, evading anyone and everyone who forbade for the heir to leave.

Lloyd knew his way well by now, just by sneaking through the empty corridors time and time again to sweep Everest off her feet and out from the castle walls. It was a cycle that he had planned well in advance every time. It was a surprise each and every time that he sprung in on Everest, heavy in the deliberation that was her royal duties.

“Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise, dear Everest! Just watch your step!”

The elusive couple swept through the halls and doors of the castle, evading anyone and everyone who forbade for the heir to leave.

Lloyd knew his way well by now, just by sneaking through the empty corridors time and time again to sweep Everest off of her feet and out from the castle walls. It was a cycle that he had planned well in advance every time. It was a surprise that he sprung on Everest, each time she was always so heavy in the deliberation that was her royal duties.

How contrasting it was, the excited and free Lloyd having captured the cooped and dutiful Everest for hours, maybe even a day at a time. Everest could do nothing but follow, but be led. She had all the power to say no, to say no the countless times as she had in their youth, but they had grown as people, grown as individuals with lives to lead. Lloyd still fell for her and was less-than-asking when he took every opportunity to sweep her away from her stuffy lifestyle, and she was at last compelled to follow, not just for the want to be free from a vulturing king and queen and servants at her beck and call, but out of the compassion she found in Lloyd, for whisking her away as if nothing had ever changed between them.

He was such an adamant and relentless soul with no time to spare today, apparently. It was so late in the evening when he had decided to make his way into the castle. The guards were already on a sleepy patrol. Nothing ever happened around the castle. Nothing ever really put the royals in danger, but guards were hired to patrol and protect: a job that they were never quite perfect at doing. If Lloyd could sneak in, then the greatest assassins in the world could probably make quick with the royal family, sneak in a nap in the guards’ very own barracks, and make out like bandits. What a morbid thought, anyone could think, but then Lloyd, much like the rest of his clan, was already in service to the royal family anyway. A great assassin wouldn’t make it ten feet to Everest’s room before he was slung around like a chew toy by Lloyd, much less in and out of the castle with a princess in tow.

Everest, for the evening, was Lloyd’s captive, willing yet unwilling. She was dragged, hand-in-hand, to the outskirts of the castle walls before she was simply led along. Lloyd was still keeping their destination a well-guarded secret, which Everest wasn’t much enjoying. She just held onto Lloyd, dodging through a pair of alleys as the sun crept below the horizon.

Everest’s patience wore thin with each corner they cut across and every crevice Lloyd felt Everest needed to duck into. It was like they were kids again, dodging responsibilities in the most complicated hide-and-seek way, but Everest was tired from a day’s work, almost insistent that she return to work harder, especially if there was nothing to be had or to be done. If Lloyd was just going to lead her in cir—

“Here, princess.”

The chaos of running and hiding broke into calm abruptly. Lloyd had stopped her in the middle of a busy street. It was a privilege that no one recognized her as royalty. She had the full minute to spare, staring at what Lloyd just handed her. Her brow furrowed.

“Is this…”

“A candy bracelet? Yes, it is!” Lloyd proudly exclaimed.

They had arrived on a busy street, that was for sure, but now Everest was getting a clear idea of their surroundings. She was stunned. Lanterns hung around the street corners. Barkers were calling from every other booth, stand, and cart. The sting of the cool autumn night air finally swept over her.

“Harvest festival,” she murmured, looking at Lloyd, who was wearing a proud, proud grin.

“A night of revelry to mark the end of the season! My treat.”

“No, no, you aren’t going to—” Even as she tried to reach for a small coin purse, Lloyd held a hand out to her, holding her hands against her pouch.

“I deny you, fair lady. I saved for the occasion.” Lloyd held up a pouch of his own. It was a humble amount for living but an egregious amount for festivities. Everest held her hand against her lips, stifling her protests. Lloyd took the candy bracelet from her hand, stretching it to slide over her wrist, which she knew to offer.

He was leaning in a little close to just put on a bracelet, however. It didn’t strike her until it was too late that Lloyd had also leaned in and planted a kiss right on her forehead while she was dazed from his display of selflessness. Lloyd was a modest man. That was a lot of money that he just offered to spend on her. It didn’t matter that she came from money anyway. It was the act of kindness that left her stunned.

But she was fussy again after the kiss. It was hard to hide a growing redness over her cheeks, and their night was just beginning.

Lloyd paid her way through several festival games. There was a basic ring toss that she fumbled a little, but even Lloyd reassured her that it was rigged. Lloyd chose to show himself off at a hatchet throwing contest. He never quite hit the bullseye, but Everest admired his accuracy nonetheless, much too alarmed by the sheer power any one of the contestants exerted to huck the hatchets. She also had to stay hidden in a darker part of the crowd, unable to help but notice that town guards were running the contest.

The other festivities were just spelled out in a number of foods, drinks, and dance and music. Everest’s appetite was treated, though she ate very little compared to Lloyd, who always had enough stomach room for the both of them.

The culmination of the night came when dusk finally hit its darkest. Many families had already retired for the evening with too young of children too tired to celebrate any longer.

The rest of the crowd was mingling towards a clearing at the edge of the festival grounds. Many men were working in dim firelight a distance away, assembling a structure of firewood and kindling. It was until curious murmurs arose in the crowd did the structure catch in a blaze, a celebratory pyre to mark the end of an evening and the end of the harvest.

Folks poured from the distant crowd and rejoiced in closer proximity to the fire. What few bards were left joined the celebration with music to accompany dance. It was as if the party had started anew when it was suddenly its quietest.

Everest and Lloyd watched from the thinning crowd that was either rushing into the field to join them or turning away, too exhausted to continue celebrating and glad to have seen the bonfire. Everest stood, watching the fire crackle against the night, silhouettes and maidens and men dancing in time with the music and curling flames.

“Barbaric,” Everest muttered, the barest hint of a laugh lingering in her voice, breathy, light. She continued to watch the fire and the figures, hypnotized by the blend and blur of light until she felt a tug against her hand. Lloyd was suddenly pulling them toward the revelry again. There was a confident glow in his smile, even as Everest stared between him and the fire.

The light that remained from bright lanterns on the street faded. Lloyd was fading away from the light until nothing but the fire’s light lit behind him. He was bouncing into time with the rhythm of a fiddle. Everest was doing her best to follow, bridged between the light and the dark. Lloyd led her into a dance that Everest clumsily followed.

Lloyd had to break from the dance, laughing off her nervousness for her. He gave her the steps to the dance. It was traditional, instinct. Once more, Everest allowed herself to be led.

It was slow starting out, but when her blood was pumping, and the whirl of light and dark faded into all eyes on Lloyd, Everest found herself content.

She smiled. She grinned.

The music picked up.

The choreography shifted.

Everest felt light on her feet.

She laughed.

Lloyd laughed, triumphant.

As the music died with fanfare and flair, and the cheering signaled a final hoorah for celebration, Lloyd led Everest in a quiet waltz away from the crowd and under some lantern light. Everest was breathing heavily from exertion and adrenaline. Lloyd wasn’t as fatigued, but there was some heft to his chest that he shared with Everest. Through their heavy breath, they shared a light, wordless laugh. Everest was nervous coming down from her energetic high. Lloyd was proud to have her out of her shell for once. He leaned down, cupping her chin with his thumb and index. Everest went still.

It was brief, but Lloyd was pressing his lips to hers. Eyes fluttered shut.

She didn’t protest.

She grabbed his cheeks and savored the embrace instead.

Everest had to come up for air eventually, and she pulled back, red finally enveloping her face. Lloyd hardly moved, half-stunned with a cocky grin.

They shared a warmth between their breaths. It reminded Everest of the bonfire, the adrenaline, a sense of freedom she hadn’t been exposed to in a while.

She pulled Lloyd for a second kiss.