The market filled with screams and she shoved past the people. The guards yelled after her and she pulled herself up onto a canopy. The sword brushed her leg and she let out a sigh. Quickly she climbed onto the roof of the building and ran to the other side. She saw the guards running on the ground and looked around for a way across the gap.

She picked up a thick pole and tested it. She backed up and ran to the edge. Pushing the pole into the roof, she jumped to the other side of the building and hid behind a raised roof. The window opened next to her and she saw the woman motioning her inside. Quickly she climbed through the window and the window was shut.

The woman pointed into a cabinet and she crawled inside.

"Stay here until I say otherwise."

She nodded and was shut inside the cabinet. She heard the knock on the door downstairs and held her breath. Footsteps entered the room and she looked through a tiny crack beside the cabinet door. Boots approached the cabinet and stopped.

"She isn't here. Let's go."

The boots withdrew and she heard the door downstairs shut. Sighing, she leaned against the back of the cabinet and the door was pulled open.

The woman helped her to her feet and said, "Hurry. They're on their way to your home. Quickly Krystal."

She nodded and ran over to the window.

She slid out and said, "Thank you."

Quietly she approached the edge of the roof and watched the guards run down the street. She took a deep breath and leapt to the ground. Opening the door, she slid inside and climbed the stairs to their home.

"Stop right there, woman."

She froze in the doorway and saw the men surrounding her mother.

She met Bryan's gaze slowly and growled, "This doesn't concern her."

He smirked and said, "Orders from the King. Let's go men."

Guards carried her mother past her and one shoved her into the wall. She growled as they disappeared and Bryan gripped her wrist.

Her eyes moved to him and he said, "Orders from the King as well."

He jerked her behind him and pulled her into the market. The people watched the guards march the two to the castle and held their children back from eyesight. The children tried to run after her, but their mothers held them back. Bryan led her up the castle steps and into the giant home.

He pulled her down the hall and she watched the guards take her mother a different way. She tried to get free, but he pulled her around in front of him. He shoved her into a room and slammed the door shut behind her. She turned back to the door and tried opening the door. Yelling, she slammed her hand against the door and leaned her head against the door.

"I'd try to be more civil if you want out of here."

She spun around at his voice and asked, "What do you want?"

He smirked and said, "Just making sure you don't try anything."

Her eyes followed his footsteps and she said, "Don't take another step."

His eyes flashed and he closed the distance between them.

She leaned back into the door and growled, "Get away from me."

His hand gripped her wrist and he said, "Not my plan."

She jerked her wrist free and leapt past him. She shoved a pot off a table and picked up a broken shard. Holding it steadily in her hand, she backed across the room and watched him slowly approach.

He watched her hand and said, "You'll only fail."

She moved around a couch and he slowly walked around it. Quietly she worked her way back to the door and he caught her hand. He held her on the floor and yanked the shard from her hand. She punched his chest and struggled to get free.

He caught her shoulders and said, "Calm down. I am not going to hurt you."

She stilled and said, "Get off of me."

He shrugged and slowly got to his feet. His hand caught hers and he pulled her off the floor.

She stepped back and said, "I want to see my mother."

He shook his head and said, "Right now that's not possible."

Her eyes flashed and she moved to the door. He caught her waist and pulled her back to him. She slammed into him and tried shoving him off.

His eyes caught her gaze and he whispered, "Krystal, just trust me."

She stilled and said, "I'll never trust you."

Her hand hit his jaw and he gripped it. Holding it away from his face, he looked down into her face and watched her eyes burn. Smirking, he let her free and walked over to a side door.

Two maids stepped into the room and he said, "Clean her up."

Her eyes narrowed and he watched the maids drag her over to the bath. She held her tongue and he stepped out into the hall. He leaned against the wall and waited quietly.

Thomas approached him and asked, "Why are you going out of your way for this woman?"

He smirked and said, "It's something that my father wouldn't do."

Thomas shook his head and the door opened. He looked up and watched a maid step out of the room.

She met his gaze and said, "She's finished."

He nodded and said, "Thank you. You may go."

The woman nodded and walked off down the hall.

He walked into the room and watched the maid step back slowly for him. He felt his steps falter and his eyes burn as he looked at her. The maid left the room and he heard the door close as she turned to look at him. They had scrubbed her dark skin clean and washed her red hair clean. It rested down her back and he noticed the clothes fitting to her as she stood.

She met his gaze coolly and he said, "I would've never thought you'd allow them to do this to you."

She frowned and said, "You didn't give me a choice."

He smirked at her resistance and said, "You pass as a visiting party."

Her eyes flashed and she said, "I don't want to look like your kind."

She picked up a hair tie and pulled her hair back off her neck.

He caught her hand and slowly pulled her hair free. His eyes followed its path down her back and he put the hair tie down.

She met his gaze and he said, "You need to do as I say."

Slowly she sighed and said, "Only if it will let me see my mother."

He smirked and said, "Let's go."

He rested her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her out of the room. Thomas watched them walk past and followed a few steps behind. They walked down the hall and approached the Royal Chambers. Slowly guards drew the doors open and they entered the room. He watched his mother rise and his father's gaze halt on the woman on his arm.

He led her to the thrones and moved to his mother's side.

He watched her kneel on one knee and his father say, "If it weren't for my son, I wouldn't recognize you."

His mother smiled and said, "Rise and tell us who you are."

She met his mother's gaze and held her tongue.

His father growled and his mother said, "Derek, you must be patient. She will speak."

A scream filled the room and he watched her head snap in its direction. He glanced at Thomas and watched the guard shake his head. Slowly he left his mother's side and reached for her shoulder. She twisted free and ran out of the chamber.

Derek rose and said, "Follow and stop her."

His eyes narrowed and he asked, "Where is her mother?"

His mother looked at him and said, "In a visitor's chambers."

He stepped away from them and ran down the hall. The crying reached his ears and he stopped outside the room. He watched her holding her mother, kneeling next to her and protecting her from the doctor.

The doctor shook his head and said, "I have to finish."

She shoved him off and turned to her mother.

The woman leaned into her and she whispered, "I'll get you out of here. I promise."

Slowly he stepped into the room and the doctor looked at him.

He watched the man sigh and heard, "I need to finish with the test."

He turned to her and asked, "Is your mother all right?"

She met his gaze and said, "I'm taking her home."

Her mother caught her arm and let out a painful sigh. He heard the footsteps and looked at the doorway. His parents entered the room and his mother moved over to the two.

Derek looked at the doctor and asked, "What happened?"

The man shook his head and said, "I was finishing the last test and she went insane."

A hiss caught his attention and he met his father's gaze.

Derek looked at the queen and said, "Settle the woman down, Annie. I want a word with the daughter and Alexander."

He watched his mother calm the woman and he slowly pulled Krystal away.

She met his gaze and said, "I'm not leaving her."

He shook his head and whispered, "Let us save her."

Her eyes flashed and he pulled her out of the room. He led her down the hall and slid into the library. She walked over to the window and he leaned against the wall.

Derek stepped into the room and said, "I need your name, Woman. You and your mother's."

He glanced over at her and she said, "Her name is Diana."

Derek sighed and said "Alexander, make her speak."

He caught her gaze and slowly approached her.

She held his gaze coolly and he whispered, "Just answer him."

Her eyes narrowed and she growled, "I will not ruin my father's death."

He sighed and turned to his father.

Derek looked at her and asked, "Your father's death? Who is he?"

Her eyes flashed and she growled, "Once a better man than you. A man you cut down when your father was killed."

He turned back to her and asked, "Gabriel the Knight?"

Her eyes moved back to his and she said, "My brother Jacob as well."

His eyes moved to his father's and Derek sat down into a chair.

He let out a sigh and said, "My father's greatest warrior and best man."

She grunted and said, "You had no problem killing him."

Derek frowned and said, "He took the side of the assassin. He and your brother."

She looked out the window and said, "He was doing as the king had taught him."

Derek got to his feet and said, "Alexander, prepare a joint chamber for Diana and her daughter."

He watched his father leave the room and listened to the door shut.

Slowly she looked back at him and he said, "Your mother is in good hands."

She walked over to a table and said, "This is not right."

He caught her shoulder and said, "She needs the best doctors. I will ensure her safety."

She looked up at him and said, "I hold you to it."

He nodded and said, "Let me show you to your room."

Her eyes met his and she asked, "You obey him?"

He smirked and said, "Not when it comes to you."

She smirked and said, "Even the greatest of my father's friends defied orders."

He nodded and said, "Gabriel is a true hero, even to my father."

Her eyes narrowed and he smirked. She walked to the door and he caught her wrist.

He placed her hand on his arm and said, "You aren't safe alone."

Rolling her eyes, she allowed him to lead her out of the library and said, "I suppose you will keep me safe."

He chuckled and said, "It's my duty."

She shook her head and said, "Prince Alexander protecting a beggar."

He sighed and said, "Alex. Do me this one favor."

Her eyes met his and she nodded as they moved down the hall.