I whirled around; my eyesight was perfectly fine in the gloom of the castle, but I knew that the guard had human vision.

I decided to use it against him, and took off, not caring which direction my feet took me – I was heading out, and that’s all that mattered.

“I said: ‘wait!’ Are ye deaf, lad?”

He mistook me for a boy!

I ran even harder, until a hand grasped my wrist roughly.

“I told ye to wait…why, Princess Beryl! What are ye doing out here?”

I didn’t answer, I only glared, and the grimace intensified when the guard’s face became hard.

“Why are ye out here? Ye should be in the castle.”

“No! I don’t want to be in there any longer! If you knew what was good for you, you would release me this instant!” I threatened, pulling back in his grip.

“I’m not releasin’ ye for all the gold in the world, Princess. Now, hop back to the castle, little one.”

“You shall ‘hop’ on the coals of my flames!” I shouted, completely letting my anger loose.

This isn’t going to end well…