The hall was filled with low voices and guards doing their morning patrols. Thomas approached the door and knocked quietly. It opened and he stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and turned to look at the Prince.

He knelt before him and said, "There may be trouble."

He glanced over his shoulder and said, "The men are restless."

Thomas nodded and said, "They want to do something with her."

Frowning, he walked into the room and said, "They try my patience."

He pulled the doors open and stepped into the hall. Thomas followed after him and they walked down the hall. Turning into the left wing, he stopped and watched her. She looked down at the floor and knelt in front of the painting.

He glanced at it and heard Thomas say, "It's Gabriel's portrait."

He looked back at her and watched her rise. She slid her sword back into its sheath and he met her gaze.

Her eyes narrowed and he said, "You are testing the guards."

She turned back to the portrait and said, "I'm not worried about them."

He smirked and said, "Join me outside."

Slowly she looked back at him and asked, "Why?"

He shrugged and said, "I thought you might enjoy a ride."

She held his gaze and said, "I haven't ridden for ages."

His hand slid around her arm and he led her down the hall. Thomas stayed behind and watched them disappear. They moved through the halls and reached the passageway to the stables. He led her outside and guided her down to the stables.

Her eyes moved along the pasture line and she watched the horses dancing about. He walked over to the stable and the stable boy brought out two stallions.

Her eyes fell on the white stallion and she whispered, "Achilles."

The stallion looked at her and broke free from the stable boy. He trotted over to her and she ran her hand across his face. She caught his reins and draped them over his back. Sliding her boot into the saddle loop, she pulled herself up and swung into the saddle. Achilles dug at the dirt and she patted his neck.

Looking up, she found the stable boy staring in awe and she flicked the reins. Achilles started out in a gentle trot and a black stallion moved up beside them.

"I see he remembers his master's daughter."

She looked at him and said, "I learned to ride on him."

He smirked and said, "I imagine a friend of your father's taught you."

She shook her head and said, "My father."

His eyes narrowed and she flicked the reins again. Achilles broke into a canter and moved into a full gallop. She held the reins and savored the wind in her face as they flew through the open. Slowly she heard hooves approaching and glanced over her shoulder. She watched him ride the stallion and her eyes flashed.

He joined them and they galloped across the pasture. Achilles slid into a trot and she watched the two ahead turn back.

He rode the stallion back to her and said, "Your father taught many of us to ride."

She slowed Achilles into a walk and asked, "How did you come across him?"

His stallion walked by Achilles and he said, "My father brought him here after the war."

Her eyes met his and he asked, "Is there anything else your father taught you?"

Achilles stilled and she watched him look up ahead. Her eyes narrowed and she tied the reins around her hand.

Glancing at the Prince, she said, "Stay here."

He frowned and she rode Achilles up to the men.

They chuckled as she approached and one asked, "A woman is fighting us? Has Alexander lost his nerve?"

She met their gazes and slowly pulled her sword free. It glistened in the sunlight and one man went pale.

He looked at another man and asked, "Doesn't that look familiar?"

The sword cut the saddle off the horse and the man fell to the ground. The others looked at her and drew their swords.

"A woman does not strike one of us and live to talk about it."

She smirked coolly and said, "Come and get me."

A flick on the reins sent Achilles past them and she watched them pursue. One closed in and she met his blade. She turned the sword and it flashed in the man's eyes. He screamed in frustration and she slit his saddle free. He tumbled under his horse and she turned Achilles about. They met two more men and she knocked one loose from his saddle.

His foot caught in his saddle loop and his horse drug him through the dirt screaming. She sent the other man from his saddle with a cut to his arm and looked up ahead. The leader sat on his stallion and she pulled Achilles to a stop. He snorted and she held the leader's gaze.

He smirked and said, "You are no woman."

She adjusted her grip on the sword and watched him drive his stallion on. She swung Achilles out of his strike and sliced the back of his shirt. He turned the stallion about and she gave Achilles slack. He broke into a gallop and she watched the man give pursuit.

Looking ahead, she caught the Prince's gaze and whispered, "Remember my father, old friend."

Achilles gave a snort and turned around. She lowered her sword to her side and he charged at the approaching stallion. The man's sword sliced her sleeve and she drew her sword along the side of his neck. He fell from his stallion and she pulled Achilles to a stop. He pawed at the dirt and tossed his head.

She wiped the sword clean and heard the approaching hooves. Looking up, she saw his eyes burning and she put her sword away.

He drew up beside her and said, "That was entirely foolish, Krystal."

She met his gaze and said, "They would've killed you."

Shaking his head, he moved his stallion next to Achilles and said, "I would've been fine."

She started Achilles in a cooling walk and they headed for the stables. The stable boy met them without a word and she dismounted.

Patting Achilles's neck, she watched him be led away and heard, "A word, Krystal."

She sighed and looked back at him. He caught her shoulder and led her out of hearing range.

Looking down into her face, he smirked and said, "You are very sly."

Her smirk caught him off guard and she said, "Thank my father."

He nodded with a smile and said, "He didn't leave you unprepared."

She ran a hand through her hair and asked, "Can I speak with my mother?"

His eyes moved to her and he said, "I believe so."

He caught her hand and she met his gaze slowly. Frowning, she slid her hand onto his arm and he led her back to the castle. They stepped into the castle and two guards stopped them.

He rolled his eyes and asked, "What is it Bryan?"

Bryan bowed to him and said, "The King wishes to speak with her in his chambers."

Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "Why?"

Bryan smirked and said, "Not at liberty to tell you."

His growl caught her attention and she looked up at him. He nodded once to Bryan and led her away. She watched guards stop walking as they passed by and felt the tension settle in her.

They stopped in front of two doors and he said, "I'll wait out here."

Her eyes met his and she said, "I'll kill him."

He smirked and said, "Since you're so scared of facing him."

She growled and said, "I'm not afraid of anyone."

He chuckled and led her into the chambers. Derek looked up from his desk when they entered and motioned for the door to be closed. He closed the door and watched her slowly approach his father.

Derek leaned back in his chair and asked, "How many men?"

Her eyes narrowed and she said, "Five."

A smirked crossed the King's face and he asked, "Alexander, who is the Head of Guard?"

He smirked and said, "You never filled it after Gabriel's death."

Derek chuckled and said, "Like father like daughter."

She held his gaze and he said, "There will be no reason why you cannot take your father's position. My son will fill you in on your duties."

He leaned back over his desk and she felt the Prince take her arm. She was led out of the chambers and heard the door close behind her. Frowning, she pulled free and walked down the hall. She reached the garden and let out a frustrated scream.

He chuckled and said, "I suppose this ruins your attempt on his life."

She turned back to him and caught his shirt.

Her eyes burned and she said, "I will not work for that man."

He smirked and asked, "Because of your hate for him or because of me?"

Her eyes flashed and she shoved him back. He laughed and she turned her back to him. Taking deep breaths, she closed her eyes and tried to regain control.

He leaned against the wall and asked, "What's your answer?"

Running her hand through her hair, she sighed and said, "I work for him and everything is over."

His hands slid over her shoulders and he asked, "What is?"

She turned to look at him and said, "The kids."

His eyes narrowed and he said, "You can keep them safe. You can do more if you work for my father."

She shook her head and said, "My father would roll in his grave."

His eyes flashed and he said, "Take the position, Kris."

Her eyes widened slightly and she asked, "What did you just call me?"

He caught her gaze and asked, "Are you okay?"

She smirked and said, "I haven't heard that since they both were killed."

He slid his arm around her shoulder and said, "You're a Kris. No doubt about it."

Shaking her head, she shoved him off and said, "Don't even think about it."

He chuckled and asked, "You going to stop me?"

She met his gaze and said, "I won't have to. The other guards will."

His smile flashed across his face and she frowned.

He caught her shoulders and said, "You made the right decision."

She faked a smile and said, "I hope so."

He stepped back and she watched him disappear into the castle.

Sighing, she collapsed next to the fountain and sighed, "I hope so."

Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and got to her feet. Silently she walked back into the castle and drifted to her quarters. Stepping inside, she closed her door and walked over to the balcony. She leaned against the railing and looked down at the market.

A knock came from the door and she heard it open. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched the Queen approach and turned her gaze back to the market.

Annie stepped beside her and said, "I heard you are filling your father's role."

She closed her eyes and said, "For now."

Annie looked down at the market and said, "He would be very proud of you, Krystal."

She looked at the woman and heard, "Your mother told me. She is relieved."

Smirking, she looked back out and said, "Always worried too much."

Annie rested a hand on her shoulder and said, "Use Alexander's help."

Slowly she looked back at the Queen and heard, "He will help you."

Her eyes looked back at the market and she listened to the door close behind.

Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh and whispered, "Forgive me, Father."

She watched the sun set and turned her gaze to the quieting market. He slid into the room and silently closed the door. His eyes moved back to her and he slowly approached her.

He rested his arms on the railing and said, "You missed dinner."

She closed her eyes and said, "Food isn't a priority."

He looked out over the market and said, "It's an amazing place."

She looked at him and he said, "I spent several nights down there."

Smirking, he looked at her and asked, "You okay?"

She leaned her back against the railing and sighed, "Uncertain, that's all."

He met her gaze and said, "You are doing the right thing, Kris."

She smirked at the name and said, "I don't feel like it."

His hand caught her shoulder and she looked up at him.

He watched her fiery hair fall across her face and said, "You'll change your mind."

She smirked and said, "I guess."

His arm slid around her shoulder and she closed her eyes.

She leaned her head on his shoulder and said, "This though I am certain on."

He looked down at her and she said, "It's not happening."

Smirking, he stepped away and bowed. She watched him leave and smirked as the door closed behind him.