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“Now, you look like the princess you are.” Papa Hrabik spoke with pride. “They will all love you like we do.”

“I won’t let you fall,” Geoffroi promised.

“Thank you,” Kazik said while scratching the horse’s powerful neck beneath that lush golden mane. Helena hoped the fay horse wouldn’t take offense at Kazik for treating him like any ordinary horse.

She needn’t have worried. Geoffroi wriggled his upper lip, and his eyes half closed in bliss. “Ohh, that’s the spot . . . A little higher.”

Encouraged by their confidence in her, Helena smoothed the silken waves of Geoffroi’s mane, squared her shoulders, and lifted her chin. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

“We’ll be right behind you. Remember that you are a princess,” Kazik said with an encouraging smile, “and very beautiful.”

Helena felt a blush, but she was too happy to care—especially when Papa Hrabik gave her a wink and an approving nod toward Kazik.

As Geoffroi clopped up the hill and around the final turn to reveal Castle Valga rising before them, Helena experienced a rush of memories. Yes, this truly was her home!

Dozens of people, among them several familiar-looking servants and guards, filled the courtyard. They all appeared confused and worried, yet she sensed their hope. A desire to inspire and comfort them filled Helena with courage.

She urged Geoffroi onward, and her companions followed her across the drawbridge and through the gates to stand before the imposing keep.

Geoffroi stopped, pawed the pavement, and tossed his head for effect, and Solara flew to perch on a filigreed arch above them.

Every face in Helena’s view expressed awe and wonder.

Kazik stood at her right hand, and Papa Hrabik at her left.

“Greetings, everyone!” she spoke in a bright, carrying tone, her confidence rising.

“I am Princess Helena—and yes, I grew up while you were in an enchanted sleep. My escorts, here, are Prince Kazimierz of Mnisztwo Castle and Pan Hrabik of Bolislaus Castle in Trinec. Geoffroi and Solara, this golden horse and bird, are also my friends and allies. Please tell me, where is King Ryszard? Has he awakened yet?”

No one answered. The people seemed stunned by so much gold and beauty and magic. Was it too much of a good thing?

Then Kazik reached up, grasped her waist, and lifted her down from Geoffroi’s back.

As she took his arm and they paced forward together, she appreciated his strength in every sense of the word.

Papa Hrabik and Geoffroi, with Solara now perched on his withers, followed close behind.

With such support, Helena’s confidence rose.

A sense of wonder seemed to spread through the courtyard as the gathering crowd moved closer.

The castle guards appeared irresolute and confused until a great clatter of hooves and a trumpeting neigh from the direction of the stables heralded the arrival of a glossy black horse. People scattered out of her path.

Kazik called, “Iga, girl, it’s all right! These are all friends, and the guards too.”

Geoffroi answered her with a whinny, then asked, “Now, why has no one mentioned this beauty to me?”

A gasp rose from the people in the crowd who realized that the golden horse had spoken.

“Iga is six years old,” Kazik answered, sounding almost like a protective father as his charger shoved her head into his chest, snorting softly. “Aren’t you a bit old for her?”

“Ahem. Not unless she thinks so.” Geoffroi whickered, his nostrils fluttering.

Iga turned her head, gave Geoffroi a cool once-over, and returned her attention to Kazik.

Helena laughed merrily at the golden horse’s expression. “Geoffroi, perhaps you’re out of your league. I saw Iga in action at Kazik’s first melee. She held her own amid the stallions, and Kazik’s team won.”

“Hmph.” Geoffroi’s ears tipped back. “She’ll grow to appreciate me.”

Just then, a voice from the crowd exclaimed, “It is Princess Helena! I just heard her voice and her laugh. Now, you, out of my way! Let the old woman through!”

Helena’s heart soared as the woman, beaming in delight, made her way between people toward Geoffroi. “ Babka !” the princess called. “Oh, Kazik, Pani Kucharska taught me how to bake cookies, cakes, and pies!”

Pure happiness made her voice tremble. For the first time ever, she would be able to share her home and her people with Kazik, while also showing off her handsome young man.

He bent close to speak for her ears only, “You are amazing, Helena. Your people obviously love and respect you and King Ryszard.”

Torn between her past and her future, Helena held his gaze as he stepped back, focusing his heart-stopping smile at her until the old cook swept her up with soft, thick arms and held her close, rocking from side to side.

“I don’t know how you managed to grow into a fine lady overnight, but your old Babka knows our princess when I see her.

” Pani Kucharska happily called forward a few other servants, including the princess’s chambermaids, who all verified Helena’s identity as they shyly approached.

Helena greeted each one, grateful that she remembered most of their names.

“Never you fear, our princess hasn’t changed. No one has a sweeter spirit than Princess Helena,” Pani Kucharska declared to the other servants gathered around. “Now, where is our king? Don’t tell me he’s still sleeping! Before anything and anyone else, our girl needs to see her papa.”

Ladies-in-waiting and personal maids gathered around their princess, and Helena allowed herself to be shepherded into the castle and upstairs.

At some point during the bustle, she realized she’d lost sight of Kazik.

She craned her neck, hoping for glimpse of him, but he had somehow vanished into the crowds.

Even though reason told her she would see him again soon, she felt incomplete without him at her side.