Alexandra
Alexandra rode off into the darkness without much thought about where she was going. All she knew was that she could no longer stand being at home. She flipped between rage at her parents presuming to give her away like a prize at a village fair, and grief at the loss of everything she had valued. Even Herbert, whom she had always counted as a friend, had betrayed her with his silence.
The night was cool and clear. The moon shone on the road ahead of her. She forced herself to just concentrate on riding and to forget all other concerns. She was wearing her new riding dress, so she was comfortable enough, for now. But as the night grew colder she found herself appreciating the extra warmth of Rust beneath her.
Clouds covered the moon, and the runaway princess found herself ridi
