The sun covered the grounds and rested on the construction. A whistle caught her attention and she looked down from the roof.

Bryan walked over to her and asked, "Ready to take him in?"

She glanced across the land at the bound leader and said, "Fine."

Silently she leapt to the ground and wiped the sweat from her face. He shook his head and led her over to Achilles and his waiting stallion, Grey. She slid into her saddle and watched the leader be tied onto Grey. Bryan slid onto the horse and she flicked the reins. Achilles left the estate and they galloped across the country.

Her eyes narrowed at the castle peaks and she urged Achilles faster. They moved through the market in a quick canter and she pulled him to a halt outside the castle gates. Bryan looked at her and she glanced back at the townspeople. Taking a deep breath, Achilles trotted into the courtyard and their arrival was announced. She slid out of the saddle and caught his reins as the King and Queen appeared.

Bryan yanked the leader to the ground and the stable boy took the stallions. Pulling her work gloves off, she walked inside the castlae with Derek and Annie. They passed the waiting guards and Bryan led the leader after them. Stepping into the Royal Chambers, she watched the two take their thrones and the doors open. She saw the woman on his arm and watched Bryan push past them with the leader.

He held the man back and she knelt before the King and Queen.

Derek smiled and asked, "Were you successful?"

She looked up at him and said, "The captive is my word."

Bryan threw the man onto the floor and Annie asked, "Are the rest dead?"

She caught the eyes watching her and said, "No."

Bryan gripped the man and said, "We execute this one tonight."

Derek glanced at his son and watched the Prince watch them. Their gazes never met and he returned his focus to the task.

She rose to her feet and he said, "Very well."

The man let out a cry of mercy and her blade rested across his neck. He went limp in Bryan's grip and she put the sword away. Bryan looked at her and she nodded.

Silently he drug the leader out of the Royal Chambers and Annie asked, "Will you be seeing your mother?"

She looked back at the Queen and said, "No."

Derek turned his gaze back to her and asked, "Leaving again?"

She held his gaze and said, "After the execution."

Annie caught his arm and Derek said, "Very well."

She bowed to them and left the Royal Chambers. Silently she walked down the hall and ran across Simeon and Thomas.

They stopped talking and she said, "Simeon, saddle your horse."

He smiled with a nod and said, "Right away."

Thomas frowned and asked, "Do you intend to remove all of our best men?"

She turned her back to him and walked to her quarters. Stepping inside, she closed the door and walked out onto her balcony. Taking a deep breath, she looked out at the market and closed her eyes. She saw the woman on his arm and shook the thought away. Running her hand through her hair, she glanced at the setting sun and smirked.

Silently she left her chambers and walked down the hall. He watched her disappear down the steps into the courtyard and followed. She walked through the quieting market and he kept in the shadows. His eyes narrowed as she removed her jacket and he caught sight of the wrap. The small stain caught his attention and he watched her slip into a teller's house.

Leaning against the alley wall, he closed his eyes and waited. Hearing the voices return outside, he looked back down the market and saw a little boy hug her. She picked him up and kissed his forehead gently. Her gentleness was unnerving compared to her strict control in the castle.

She put the boy down and he asked, "Will you come back soon?"

Nodding, she knelt in front of him and handed him her jacket.

He held it tightly and she said, "I promise."

His arms slid around her neck again and she slowly rose. Ruffling his hair, she stepped back and walked down the street. He followed her into the market center and watched her slip down an alley. She slid into a worn out house and he leaned against the alley wall.

"How much longer?"

His eyes narrowed and he heard, "Give me a month."

"We hold you to your word."

He watched her step out into the alley and caught her shoulder. He covered her mouth and pulled her further down the alley.

She shoved him off her and said, "Leave me alone."

His eyes narrowed and he asked, "A month?"

Her eyes flashed and she said, "Stay out of it."

He gripped her wrist and yanked her closer to him.

His eyes held her gaze and he growled, "I can turn you in for treason."

Her fist struck his jaw and he let her lose. Looking at her, he watched the flames in her eyes and looked away.

She ran her hands through her hair and said, "Just stay out of this, Alex."

He looked back at her and she walked back to the castle. Silently he followed her through the hall to her chambers and stepped inside. Closing the door, he watched her walk onto her balcony and lean over the railing.

Quietly he walked up behind her and asked, "What's going on?"

She looked up at the evening sky and said, "It doesn't concern you."

He let out a grunt and said, "Just tell me, Kris."

Her eyes moved to him and she walked back inside. He watched her pick up a pair of gloves and his eyes narrowed. She pulled them on and walked over to her desk. A metal object rested in her hand and she walked back to her door.

He followed her down the hall and saw Bryan and Simeon waiting for her.

She looked at Bryan and asked, "Is it finished?"

He nodded and said, "Ready to go."

She looked at Simeon and he said, "None will come from this mouth."

His eyes narrowed and he watched them walk down to the stables. He kept a quiet pace behind them and watched the stable boy bring out Achilles. She swung into the saddle and tied the reins around her hand. Bryan mounted Grey and Simeon slid onto his white stallion, Avalanche. Frowning, he grabbed Achilles's bridle and she looked at him.

He watched her dismount and he pulled her out of hearing range.

His eyes met hers and he asked, "What is going on?"

She held his gaze and said, "We will be back in a few days."

He caught her shoulders and said, "Just tell me."

Her eyes softened and she said, "Alana is waiting for you."

He felt her pull free and his eyes caught sight of the wrap. The teller had cleaned her wound and he let out a sigh. He watched her slide into her saddle and the two guards take off first. She glanced back at him and he shook his head. He caught her smirk and watched Achilles run after the two horses.

Leaning against the fence, he watched the horses disappear.

Slowly he made his way back into the castle and walked into his chambers. He walked into his bed chambers and pulled off his shirt. Removing his boots, he walked over to his bed and sat down. Her hand slid over his arm and he rested next to her.

She drew him under the covers and kissed him slowly. He felt her curl up next to him and his hand ran through her hair. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes. Letting his mind replay her last words he glanced down at Alana. She slept easily curled up next to him and he smirked.

Their future had been destroyed but their present lives were still intertwined.