That special time had arrived, marking another celebration of the Queen's festival.

As usual, there would be dancing and feasting, and now that the prince and princess were older, not fully mature but beyond the spring of childhood, they were expected to be more active participants in the festivities.

They would sit beside their mother at the feast and engage with their guests.

They would graciously accept a dance from anyone who asked.

They would dress appropriately for the occasion and behave like grown ups.

The most important duty given to them was the honor of listening to the citizens and, if the opportunity arose, voicing their opinions and advice. It was the first time their words would not only be heard, but thought of as significant.

As excited as Ajo was to have a taste of leadership, there was one singularly important goal he had in mind:

To dance with Galeia.

Ajo spent most of the afternoon preparing to look his absolute best. He'd commissioned a tailor to create an outfit cut in the popular style of the time, in colors that were promised to enhance his regal beauty. In truth, Ajo felt a little ridiculous in the ostentatious garment, but his mother was quick to assure him that he cut a striking figure in it—and many of the courtiers agreed.

Ajo danced with several guests, mostly visiting nobility who had taken a swift interest in the Prince of the Wood. Many were boldly flirtatious, but even under their flattering attention Ajo's mind was a thousand miles away.

Anticipating another's arrival.

True to herself, Galeia was late.

As the night wore on she remained unseen, until Ajo became frantic. She had to be here—they'd be given strict instruction to attend.

His mother had little to say on the matter, though she revealed that Galeia had been displeased by her reflection and was most likely fussing in front of a mirror.

"I don't care what she looks like," Ajo complained to the Queen. "Only that she gets here."

At last, Galeia emerged.

Ajo had been pulled into a corner by a less-than-subtle fairy, listening to her giggling for the better part of an hour—but when Galeia appeared on the steps of the throne room his attention was immediately torn away. His companion followed his gaze, and when her eyes found the princess the fairy pouted and excused herself.

Ajo went still, feeling like a miracle had appeared before him.

Although she was royalty, Galeia had managed to never wear a proper gown before, and even after a bath there was always a spot of dirt on her nose or cheek, but for this occasion she had been scrubbed and polished to meticulous cleanliness.

Her hair, which the Queen had transformed to a lavender color, was washed and curled, held up by silver clasps shaped in the phases of the moon. Her dress was a mixture of vibrant hues, colored like dusk, with a cinched waist and a whisper of sleeves. She'd even adorned herself with jewelry, the first time Ajo had ever seen her do so. He blushed at the dip of the neckline, which exposed the smallest hint of cleavage.

A feeling, neither good nor bad, overwhelmed him, and he took a sharp breath in. He wasn't sure if on the exhale he would begin to laugh or cry.

She walked on her toes as she descended the stairs, clearly nervous, and her face held a small vexation.

She was looking for something.

Not something, someone.

He watched his mother glide to Galeia and commence with obvious praise for her attire. No doubt the Queen had chosen every last piece of Galeia's ensemble, down to the faint color on her lips. Ajo would have to thank his mother in private.

Galeia said something and the Queen turned to study the room.

Was it possible they were looking for him?

He made his way towards them, his heart racing so fast he thought it might stop—

But before he reached them another man stepped in.

He was a handsome foreign noble, and Ajo bristled when he took Galeia's hand and kissed it. Bitterness rose as he watched the man lead Galeia in a dance. They swept right past Ajo, and he felt a tinge of embarrassment when Galeia didn't notice him, as her focus was trained on her own feet. Ajo ducked into a corner of the room, studying the couple as they twirled about.

Galeia slowly relaxed in the stranger's arms, and a smile formed on her lips as her gaze left the floor to look up. They were close, and the man's hand was boldly—too boldly—resting on her waist. Ajo thought to interrupt them, to spare Galeia the boring prattle of her partner—until he saw Galeia laugh.

Something the man said charmed her.

Ajo's hands curled into fists.

"There you are," the Queen said, tearing him from his gloomy thoughts. "Have you been hiding this whole time?"

"I've been about," he answered, still scowling at the couple.

The Queen put a hand on his shoulder.

"She will dance with others, Ajo. Though I had wished you would be the first. She was looking for you."

"She was?"

"She needs a friend."

The Queen squeezed his shoulder. "Don't waste this chance."

"Why would you allow others to dance with her," Ajo asked, and was ashamed of his harsh tone.

"Galeia is doing as she was instructed. As you both were instructed."

"I've danced with enough strangers."

"A little competition is good for the heart, but you mustn't wallow in jealousy. Go on. Win her properly."

She pushed Ajo towards the floor. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat.

The couple had just finished their dance when Ajo approached.

"May I cut in?"

The pair turned to him and Galeia's face lit up. Her partner's eyes narrowed, but he gave a respectful bow.

"My prince," the man replied.

Ajo watched him leave but was shaken from his scorn when Galeia threw her arms around him.

"I was looking for you!" she cried in relief.

Remembering where they were, and the manners expected, Ajo pulled her arms from his body, though it hurt him to do so, and put a slight distance between them. He was a prince, and people were already staring, no doubt unsettled by Galeia's informal greeting.

"I've been right here," he said, struggling not to give in to the joy coursing through him.

Galeia frowned. "Are you going to be arrogant and stiff like all the others?"

Ajo hoped her voice hadn't traveled too far. He pulled her close and lowered his mouth against her ear.

"Never."

In a moment of bold, playful inspiration, he lightly bit her earlobe before pulling away.

Galeia shivered and Ajo felt like he'd conquered the world.

He positioned them for a dance.

"We have to put on an appearance," he said, "but don't mistake my manners. I'm every bit as wild, Galeia, as you are."

He was quite proud of himself for the way he was handling things.

"You don't have to be wild," she said. "It's all this pomp that I can't stand."

"You'd prefer to be wallowing in mud?"

"I'd prefer to be comfortable. I feel like a trapped animal."

"You are a trapped animal," Ajo teased, "but a pretty one."

"Not so bad yourself," Galeia murmured and reached up to replace a fallen lock of his hair. "You're actually quite handsome this way."

"As opposed to usual—when I'm not?"

"Hush, I'm trying to compliment you."

"Shall we dance?"

Galeia winced. "I'm not good at it."

"Didn't mother teach you?"

"She tried."

"Just follow me."

"What if I trip?"

"Then maybe you'll be more dutiful about your lessons in the future."

Before she could retort he swept her away, his hand firmly on her waist as he carried her across the floor in a graceful turn.

To his surprise, she didn't fight him but allowed him to lead. It was an interesting change in the normally quarrelsome nature of Galeia, who was always in charge wherever she went. She was wholly out of her element here, and it amused Ajo to no end, so he basked in the triumph of having the upper hand.

They were on a different sort of cliff, and here Ajo was the one brave enough to jump. He waited for her to relax into the dance before resuming their conversation.

"I can't believe mother got you into a dress."

"You can't imagine all the stitches and buttons hidden in this thing. Took three servants to help put it on."

"I imagine it won't take any to get it off, and you'll rip it away in one go the first chance you get."

"I doubt you would even know where to start, Ajo."

She smirked and he wasn't sure if it was a flirt or a taunt.

But now was not the time to think things over.

It was time to be bold.

"I'd have it off you before you even thought to ask."

Galeia blushed. It may have been the first time he had ever shocked her. Ajo relaxed into his courage, content their flirtation was going more smoothly than he could have possibly dreamed. In a span of what felt like seconds the dance was over, and Ajo bowed and kissed her hand. Galeia tried her best to mimic a formal curtsy, and, unable to help himself, Ajo glanced at her cleavage.

A less-than-princely thought flickered in his mind.

"May I have the next dance?"

A voice cut between them, and the pair looked over to a man, a different noble who had his hand stretched towards Galeia.

Ajo's heart sank when he heard Galeia answer, "You may."

His face betrayed no anger or jealousy as he guided Galeia's hand into the palm of the waiting gentleman. As Ajo left the floor Galeia gave him a pleading look, so he settled back into a corner of the room to watch and wait.

He would ask for another dance when the moment was appropriate.

He would ask for as many as Galeia would grant him.

His mother said a little competition was good.

At some point, he lost sight of her. He hadn't meant to, but the bothersome fairy found him once more and begged for a dance. Ajo obliged, tearing his gaze from Galeia for the briefest of moments to acknowledge his dance partner—

When he looked up Galeia was gone.

As was her most recent partner.

When the dance was over Ajo muttered a quick goodbye and moved through the room in search of Galeia. He found his mother first and asked if she knew of the princess' whereabouts.

"I'm not sure, but I saw you dance with her," the Queen said with a smirk. "What a pair you make."

"I took my eyes away for a second—"

"Give her a moment to breathe. She'll come back to you."

A moment to breathe. Galeia must have stepped outside, into the night air she loved, where she could have some peace.

He found her standing on a balcony under the moonlight.

But she was not alone.

A nobleman was with her.

Ajo ducked behind a column to watch them, hoping his appearance had gone unseen.

Galeia was turned away from the man, her face aimed at the moon. The man kept his distance for a moment, then approached and placed his hand on the small of her back. Galeia jumped with a slight gasp, torn from her thoughts, and the man held his hands up in apology.

"I didn't mean to startle you, princess."

"No bother," Galeia said, though her voice held a note of displeasure. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

"I prefer the day, where I can see everything in front of me."

"I like a bit of mystery. Night is peaceful. When the castle is asleep I can explore without interruption."

"You don't mean...you walk alone in it?"

Her mouth curled into a mischievous grin. "What if I do?"

"That's not...proper...for a lady of your stature."

"I don't know if I want to be a lady."

"Such rebellion ends with childhood."

"What if I'm different though? What if I intend to be untamed forever?"

When he didn't respond, Galeia turned back to the sky.

"I drink from the moon," she said, more to herself than her company. "It fills me with energy. And the dark makes me feel powerful. Like I want to do something...dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Her companion was suddenly very interested in what Galeia had to say. "Like what?"

He moved closer.

"I want to run through the trees," Galeia said.

"You want to—what?"

"I want to run through the trees, right now. I want to tear off this ghastly dress and feel the dirt beneath my feet. I want branches to scratch my arms, and my lungs to be filled with night air."

"I know another way to feel dangerous," he said with a slight wolfishness, "but as you said, we'd need to get you out of that dress."

Galeia turned to him in disgust.

"I don't know what you intend, sir, but I'm not on offer tonight. To you or anyone else."

The man gaped at her abrupt change in demeanor.

"My apologies, princess. You seemed...bold in your proclamations. I thought you would appreciate the boldness returned."

"I do. Run with me."

"You want me to—run with you?"

"Yes. Let's go out there right now, with nothing but darkness around us, and run."

"Is that all you wish to do? Just run?"

"For miles and miles. Will you join me?"

She held out her hand and Ajo feared the man would agree.

"What will we do once we are finished running?" the man asked.

"Return home."

"Ah." He grimaced. "That's all? Run?"

"What else is there to do in the night?"

The man took a step back. "Excuse me, princess. I must return to the dancing."

"Yes, you must," Galeia replied, disappointed but not surprised.

Without another word the man left her, shaking his head.

He passed Ajo without seeing him and joined a small group of noblemen who had gathered at the edge of the dancing.

"Well?" Ajo heard one of them ask the returning suitor. "How'd it go?"

"Did you kiss her?" asked another.

Ajo's jaw clenched.

"No."

"You owe me an emerald then."

The returning man snorted. "I'll give you twenty, so long as I'm not forced to talk to her again."

"What?"

"She's practically feral. And a bit dim. I wouldn't saddle that for the biggest jewel—or kingdom—in the world."

The others cackled at his lewd joke.

"Did you see when she tripped on her skirt?"

"How could anyone have missed it?"

"Graceful as a bear."

"Can't even walk in a dress. And she's supposed to be a proper princess?"

"Probably the first time she's worn one."

"Probably the first time she's had a bath, too."

Fury consumed Ajo. He thought of approaching the men and wrapping his hands around each of their necks.

They should consider themselves fortunate to be in Galeia's presence, but they were insulting and laughing at her instead.

"It appears the prince doesn't agree," said one of the men. "Did you notice how he looks at her?"

"He can keep her," the returning suitor snarked. "They match each other perfectly in their oddness."

"Careful what you say. He's known to lurk in the shadows."

"I don't care if he hears me. He's just as peculiar as that....that thing on the balcony. I'd sooner marry a bramble bush than add my hand as her suitor. Probably receive fewer thorns for it, too."

The men broke to rejoin the dancing.

Ajo turned back to Galeia, who was still standing on the balcony with her head tilted towards the moon. He moved from the shadows, approaching with the stealth of an owl.

"You think you're a proper sneak," Galeia addressed him, "but you're loud as thunder."

When Galeia turned to him her eyes were full of tears.

"You heard them?" Her voice was trembling. "I don't know why their words move me. Why should I care what a few bratty nobles think?"

"You shouldn't. They're beneath you."

"I know everyone thinks I'm wild. It never mattered before. But now...that word digs into me. Ajo...Am I too wild? Do you hate it?"

He took her hands in his.

"Your wildness is one of the things I cherish most."

He kissed her hands and felt her shudder under his lips. She whimpered before turning away so he would not see her tears. As she sobbed quietly, all Ajo could do was wrap his arms around her, and hold her until the feeling passed.

One day he would punish those men. One day he'd watch them beg forgiveness at Galeia's feet.

He hoped she wouldn't spare any mercy for them.

"Please don't cry," Ajo soothed. "They're not worth your tears."

"I'm not crying," Galeia said belligerently, showing a hint of her usual self.

Ajo smiled. "Are too."

She pulled away with a sniff. The charcoal painted around her eyes had begun to run, and he lifted a finger to wipe the smudge away.

"You shouldn't concern yourself with what they think. They mean nothing to someone like you."

"Someone like me? Someone savage?"

"A princess. And they all looked like fools on your arm."

"You were watching?"

"You know how they looked? Unworthy."

Galeia smiled weakly, as if she didn't quite believe him.

"You almost sound jealous."

"I think of it as protective."

"How lucky I am then, that you are here to keep me from descending."

It was a jest, but he shot her a serious look.

"I'll always be here, Galeia."

She regarded him with a perplexing maturity. Like she was seeing Ajo for the very first time.

With love.

Not the love one had for a brother or friend.

He thought he had seen it before, but he had been mistaken. This was the true look of it.

The look he'd spent so many years searching for.

"Would...would you run with me in the woods," she whispered. "Right now? In the night?"

"Yes, I would."

"And if that's all I want to do...run...would you join me?"

Ajo smiled. "What else is there to do in the night?"

Galeia laughed and kissed his cheek.

"Did I tell you that you look handsome tonight?"

In her eyes was a spark, a delicate flame of passion growing bigger.

"You did. And you are the most beautiful thing in the world."

Galeia scoffed but Ajo continued, "I mean it. Not just tonight, but always."