Remembering my duty, I dip into a bow. “Princess Enid, I have ridden here with the Knights of East Abria to rescue you and return you to your realm.”

Princess Enid gapes at me.

Far below, the clamor of battle rings out. I sheath my ax and place a hand on the hilt of my sword.

Hold them off, Sir Athdar. We’ll be out soon.

“Have you not heard me? I don’t want you here,” the princess finally says, scowling. She marches toward me, hands up like she’s ready to shove me out the door.

My insides seem to hollow out. She doesn’t recognize me.

Well, it will be easier this way. I can do my job and bring her safely—

“Brianna?” she says, stopping with a hand on her chest.

My heart skips. “Yes. Hi.”

She’s frozen, taking me in with wide eyes. “You’re a knight!”

I look down at myself as if to check whether her words are true. The sight of my armor makes me stand taller. “Yes.”

“But I—I thought your father was going to make you marry that tailor.”

I almost smile. “Princess, do you honestly think I would have given myself over to a man?”

She flushes, possibly remembering how many times I proved to her that I wasn’t interested in men.

“Brianna!” Sir Athdar shouts far below. “Have you found her? Hurry!”

“I can store your belongings in my satchel while we ride back,” I say, turning our attention to the jewels on the bed. “Your father will be disappointed if we leave them behind.”

“Um—right,” Princess Enid says, scooping them into a pile. She shoves her tiara through her red curls, where it sits lopsided, and tosses the jewels into my open satchel.

We’re standing so close that I can count the freckles dusting her nose and cheeks. Her eyes are as blue as cornflowers. Did I really think I could forget how beautiful she is? Or was I denying it all these years to make the pain of being apart hurt less?

“I suppose I should call you Dame Brianna, then,” she says, her breath tickling my lips.

“To you, I’m still just Brianna.”

She smiles. “The armor looks good on you.”

“My parents say they would prefer me in a gown.”

“I don’t.” She steps closer, searching me with her piercing eyes. “Brianna, I never stopped wondering what happened to—”

“Don’t. We knew it would end one day.”

Her breath catches, and she looks so sad that I want nothing more than to step in and hold her. “I never wanted it to,” she whispers.

I swallow hard. It’s bittersweet to hear these words. “Nor did I. But you’re a princess. I’m nobody.”

“You’re not nobody! You never were.”

“Darling, you know a Princess and a common girl would never have been allowed. For more than one reason.”

“So all of our time together was a waste?” she says, voice thick.

I step closer. “No! Never a waste. My time with you was the best of my life. And in truth—” I swallow hard. “In truth, I trained to become a knight because you inspired me to be more. I always dreamed of it, but you were the one who made me believe I could do it.”

Her breath catches. She looks out of place in this dark room, like a vision illuminated in the beam of sunlight.

“Brianna, I have to tell you, I—”

Footsteps thump up the stairs.

I push Princess Enid behind me and draw my sword. “Who’s there?”

Sir Athdar rushes in, wheezing. “Thank goodness we found her. Come on, Princess.”

He strides over and scoops her into his arms, eliciting cries from both of us.

“I don’t need to be carried!” Princess Enid shouts.

“Sir Athdar, please,” I say, putting a hand on his arm.

“There is no time,” he says, rushing down the spiral stairs with the princess struggling in his arms. “Brianna, gather what’s left of our stolen possessions and follow me. We won’t be able to hold them off much longer.”

“I am not a possession!” Princess Enid shouts, punching him everywhere she can manage.

I hesitate, then shove any remaining jewels and clothes into my satchel before racing after them.

Crashes and shouts rise from the bottom of the tower, and Sir Athdar stops. Princess Enid stops struggling. I cover my mouth, silencing my breaths.

“Sir Athdar,” someone shouts, “they’ve broken our circle.”

He curses. Princess Enid takes the opportunity to writhe free of his arms. She lands clumsily on her feet and straightens up, glowering.

“Sir, I will bring the princess down with me,” I whisper.

“And I am capable of walking down stairs myself!” Princess Enid snaps at him.

Sir Athdar looks between us. “Fine. If you let her get hurt, it’s on you, Brianna.”

With a final glare, he rushes down the steps to help the others.

The moment he’s out of sight, Princess Enid’s hand clasps mine, so small and delicate through my stiff leather glove.

“Brianna,” she whispers.

I’m a step below her, looking up into her beautiful blue eyes. “I promise we’ll get you home, Princ—”

“Shh.” She leans in, and as her sweet breath tickles my face, my heart skips.

My mouth is dry. It’s hard to say what needs to be said. “Darling, I want to, but we shouldn’t—”

Her lips press against mine, silencing me, and her hands link around the back of my neck. She pulls herself into me, and all thoughts of what we should and shouldn’t do dissolve.

Part 3 coming tomorrow! Read the full story right now on “Sweet & Spicy Sapphic Stories” at patreon.com/tianawarner. Plus you’ll get early access to next week’s story.