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Adele came back to the present when Caelan shifted, waking up. She smiled at him wearily, and said, "I'm alright. Yes, I did have a bad dream or two. Just thinking about what we need to do today." Looking at the prince, Adele could still remember him in the dream, cold, evil, and sinister. She shivered a little and reminded herself that it was just a dream. Adele stood, stretching. "Did you bring any food?"
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"A little. Are you hungry?" He asked softly, getting up and grabbing the food. He set it down in front of her, sighing. He dreaded what they must do today but was excited as well. "Any thoughts on our arrival?"
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"Yes I am, thank you." She said simply, taking a few bites of what he set out. Inside, Adele was freaking out about seeing her parents after literally running away from them. "We should see my parents immediately, and not let the guards make us wait around for them. They know me, so I should be able to get us past them quickly. We'll give you a cape so they don't see your wings, and hopefully the castle guard won't ask why I'm here with a guy after disappearing a few days ago." Adele took another bite of food, watching the sun slowly rise from behind the trees. "How are you feeling about it?"
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"Terrified but I'll survive as long as you're there....What if they seperate us? I know it's your kingdom, but...I'm still nervous to be alone..." He explained
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Adele was honestly surprised that such a versatile and, in her mind, brave person could be so terrified of being alone in her castle. But she had been scared too, when she came into the night kingdom. "If they separate us, and I'll do my very best to make sure that doesn't happen, I think the worst they'll do to you is lock you in a room. They might go farther than that but I will be there to talk some more sense into them, and I'm sure they'll listen to me. After all, they do want me to be queen." Adele took Caelan's hand reassuringly, then stood and brushed crumbs off her shirt. "We should get moving." Adele offered her hand to help Caelan up, then helped him pack the things before trooping back up to where the horses grazed.
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Caelan nodded, following her and swinging up onto the horses. "Beach?" He double-checked, clicking to Aurora
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Adele considered, then said "Sure, why not?" She swung up onto Calvin and settled into the saddle, the leather creaking happily. Adele tapped her horse with her heels, urging him to follow Aurora and Caelan. Up there, on top of Calvin, Adele felt like she ruled the world, and could do anything.
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Caelan watched Adele out of the corner of his eye, smiling softly a bit. Once they got down to the beach, Caelan shot Adele a playful look and sprinted Aurora down the beach
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When they reached the beach, Calvin saw Aurora sprint ahead and of course he had to follow. The gelding launched into a gallop, nearly throwing Adele off and leaving her behind. But she held on and, once she recovered from her shock, urged Calvin to overtake Aurora. The two royals raced down the beach, their horses hooves churning up the sand, until Calvin slowed, tired from running for so far. Adele let him break down to a trot and caught her own breath, smiling from ear to ear. That was what living was for, right there. Spending time on horses with someone you love.
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Caelan slowed beside Adele and Calvin with a laugh. "I believe you win, your highness" He said playfully, half bowing in his saddle and chuckling. "What a fine dash that was" He said, clearly playing around with an accent that wasn't his usual. He laughed again, unable to stop himself
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