Wind tossed his head and ran around the pasture. He watched the stallion enjoy the afternoon and glanced over at the woman standing nearby. The princess had become accepted and now seemed like a life long friend. She met his gaze and he looked back at Wind.

Slowly she moved to his side and asked, "Will you take me riding?"

Smirking, he gave a whistle and the stable boy came outside.

Alana looked at the boy and asked, "May I borrow a horse?"

The boy ran back inside and brought out a newly purchased brown stallion. He disappeared again and led Wind over to the Prince. Holding the reins to the chestnut, he watched Alana mount the horse. He handed her the reins and swung into his saddle. Wind shook his head and he stroked the stallion's neck.

Alana looked up at him and asked, "What's this one's name?"

Shrugging, he looked back at her and said, "He doesn't have one yet."

She rubbed the stallion's neck and said, "He's a Champ."

Shaking his head, he flicked the reins and Wind took off. They rode across the pasture and slowed the stallions into a steady walk.

Alana looked around the land and said, "I never really knew this place could be this wonderful."

He glanced at her and said, "My grandfather put his soul into this place."

She met his gaze and said, "As I expect you will do."

Smirking, he turned Wind around and said, "Let's go."

She swung Champ around and they rode back to the stables. Dismounting, the stable boy took the stallions into the stables and they headed back to the castle. Entering the courtyard, he heard the cheering. Frowning, he looked down at the market and watched people flooding to the center.

Her hand caught his shoulder and she said, "I'd like to see what's going on."

He looked back at her and said, "Take your guard with you."

She shook her head and said, "I can defend myself just fine."

Shaking his head, he walked into the castle and she headed into the market. People flooded the street and she pushed her way through.

A boy bumped into her and she watched him quickly pick up fruit. Catching his wrist, she knelt down and held the fruit out in front of him.

He jerked free and said, "That's mine. Give it back."

She frowned and asked, "Did you steal this?"

He snatched the fruit back and she gripped his wrist again.

He screamed and she growled, "Enough you little thief."

Gripping his elbow, she pulled him up straight and said, "You're coming with me."

He yanked hard and screamed, "Let go of me!"

She pulled him out of the crowd and said, "The Prince needs a new servant."

His hand was ripped out of her grasp and she turned around.

A woman stood in front of him and took the apple from Alana. She gave it to the boy and he threw his arms around her neck.

"I didn't think you were coming back!"

The woman kissed his forehead and said, "I gave my word, Val."

He smiled and she said, "Go back to your mother."

The woman rose and turned back to Alana as the boy ran off.

Alana frowned and said, "That thief deserves to be punished."

The woman's eyes narrowed and she growled, "He is innocent."

Alana growled and said, "He is a criminal, as are you!"

The sword rested across her throat and she heard, "Touch another child and I'll kill you myself."

Stepping back, she took a deep breath and saw two men approaching. The woman held her gaze and the men moved to her side. One stepped around her and shoved Alana out of his path. She caught herself and watched the three head to the castle. Catching her breath, she followed them to the gates and stepped inside.

Silently she walked down the hall to his chambers and slid inside.

He looked at her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Alana sat down and said, "Some mother nearly slit my throat."

His eyes narrowed and he caught her hand when Thomas stepped into the chambers.

He looked at the guard and asked, "What is it?"

Thomas bowed to him and said, "The King asked me to tell you he is meeting with the Head of the Guard."

He helped Alana up and Thomas left the chambers.

Her hand slid onto his arm and she asked, "Is it important?"

He frowned and said, "I wish I knew."

Quietly they walked to the Royal Chambers and stepped inside. Alana looked at the three kneeling and stopped.

He looked back at her and she asked, "Those men, they work for your father?"

His eyes moved back to the three and he said, "They are the two best guards under their leader."

Quietly he led her over to the side and watched the woman lift her head. His eyes moved to his father and he saw the smile on the man's face.

Frowning, he watched his mother nod to her and ask, "Finished?"

She rose silently and said, "It's time for the people to return home."

Derek nodded and said, "I take it you and your mother as well."

He watched her hold his father's gaze and heard her say, "Yes."

Feeling the grip tightening on his arm, he looked back at Alana and found her white. He watched her approach the audience and Simeon step in her path.

She held her ground and said, "You must seize this woman."

His eyes narrowed and he watched the cold smirk cross the woman's face.

Alana stepped up to her and said, "She threatened my life this afternoon."

His eyes narrowed and his father asked, "Is this true?"

He watched the woman look back at his father and Alana's face fall.

Annie caught the Princess's hand and asked, "Why would she?"

Alana looked at the Queen and said, "I intercepted a thief."

Her eyes caught his and he heard the doors open. He watched her look at the person and move silently to her.

Diana gripped her shoulders and said, "Thank heavens you are home."

She removed her mother's hands and said, "Not yet."

The woman's eyes filled with agony and she asked, "What has happened to you?"

Silently she caught her mother's shoulders and said, "I grew up."

Diana let out a small cry and watched her return to her men. They knelt to the floor and she turned to the King.

He nodded and she said, "I am taking his people tonight."

Derek nodded once more and asked, "Will you need assistance?"

She knelt before him and said, "Enough to get them there."

He smirked and said, "Very well. My son will help you escort these people."

She rose to her feet and silently he approached the group. She watched Alana catch his arm and turned her gaze back to the King.

Alana stepped in front of the Prince and said, "This woman is a criminal."

Her eyes snapped to the Princess and she growled, "No more than you."

Derek looked at her and Diana caught her arm.

She held the king's gaze and said, "She tried to kidnap Val."

Diana shook her head and asked, "Why?"

Alana frowned and said, "I was bringing him in for stealing."

Her eyes grew cold and she growled, "He is not to be touched."

Diana turned her face back to her and asked, "Is he all right?"

She nodded and said, "He is back home."

Alana let out a groan and said, "He is a thief. They are imprisoned."

Derek cleared his throat and asked, "Is Val a child?"

Diana nodded and said, "One of our family."

She watched the Prince look at her and said, "My mother and I have raised him since the war."

Annie caught her shoulders and asked, "He isn't one of Gabriel's?"

Shaking her head, she looked at her mother and said, "An orphan taken in until we found his mother."

Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the group and said, "Mother, let's go."

Diana smiled and said, "She truly is her father's daughter."

The woman stepped past Alana and the guards followed.

He looked at his parents and Derek said, "You have your orders."

Alana caught his arm and said, "I'm coming with you."

Meeting her gaze, he took a deep breath and nodded.

She let out a sigh and he said, "Get yourself ready."

She nodded and quietly left the Royal Chambers.

Derek shook his head and said, "You know she will not like this."

He held his father's gaze and said, "I have no choice."

Annie sighed and said, "I hope Alana learns her place before the threat is followed through."

He walked to the door and said, "She will."

Silently he walked down the hall and stepped out into the courtyard. He walked to the stables and found her talking with Bryan.

Simeon tied the promised horses together and said, "We've got company."

He caught her gaze and she walked over to Achilles.

The stallion nudged her arm and she whispered, "I'm fine."

Achilles shook his head and she slid into the saddle. Silently he mounted Wind and the guards moved onto their stallions. Moving Wind up to Achilles, he watched her follow Alana's approach. She sent him a cold glance and flicked the reins. He followed with Wind and they rode into the market.

Entering the center, she slid off Achilles and Val approached her. She picked him up and his mother stepped forward.

The woman kissed the boy and said, "You listen to your sister."

Val smiled and said, "I promise!"

She put him on Achilles and said, "We're going home."

She watched her father's people settle on horses and slid back into the saddle. Holding Val secured in her arms, she glanced at her mother and Diana nodded. Flicking the reins, she walked Achilles out into the country. They rode across the country and the moon lit their path as the evening darkened. She gave Val the reins and held onto him.

Wind moved up beside them and she glanced at the Prince.

He looked at the boy and said, "We need to talk."

She looked ahead and said, "Later."

The estate came into view and she heard the cheers echo behind. Achilles stopped by the gates and the people filed inside. She listened to them celebrate their return and dismounted. Slowly she helped Val to the ground and he ran inside. Taking a deep breath, she patted Achilles and he nudged her face.

Laughing, she removed his gear and he trotted over to the open field. Simeon and the Prince approached and the guard took the gear.

She watched the man disappear into the estate and heard, "I can't believe you restored it."

Frowning, she looked at the approaching Princess and heard the low growl next to her.

Alana stood in front of her and asked, "Can I have a word alone with you?"

She watched his eyes narrow and she said, "Meet me by the vineyard."

Alana smiled and walked off as he said, "Kris, she's up to something."

Walking after the Princess, she smirked and said, "You can hear anything behind the wall."

She heard the low laugh and followed after Alana.

Stepping up to the woman, she held her gaze and asked, "What is it?"

Alana looked around the place and said, "You actually did it."

The woman turned her eyes on her and said, "Too bad it will be destroyed again."

Holding eye contact, she crossed her arms and said, "Plan on killing me?"

Alana shook her head with a smile and said, "Just the reconfirm."

"So your father will be sending his best assassin to finish off my father's line."

The Princess nodded and said, "Watch your back. He never misses his target."

She smirked coolly and said, "We'll see."

Alana walked past her and she watched the Princess approach her waiting stallion. The two took off and she shook her head.

He stepped up beside her and said, "I'll kill her."

Catching his arm hard, she shook her head and said, "She is innocent."

He looked at her and said, "Her father is after you."

"She wouldn't have told me if she was in on the plot. She is trying to help."

Sighing, he shook his head and said, "I don't trust her."

Shrugging, she let him go and said, "That's up to you."

He met her gaze and said, "I won't leave you alone out here."

Catching his gaze, she smirked and said, "Think again."

His eyes narrowed and he said, "I am not going to let them kill you."

Her laugh startled him and she said, "I'm not going to die."

He caught her shoulders and said, "Keep your word."

Nodding, she smirked and said, "I always do."

He let her go and she said, "I'll show you to your room for the night."

Chuckling, he followed her into the estate and watched the townspeople settle into their old homes. Val stood at the entrance to the manor and took her hand.

He led them down the hall to the stairwell and said, "I still get the first one."

She nodded and he said, "The Prince stays in the last room on the far right."

Laughing, she shook her head and said, "I think I can handle one prince."

The boy smiled and disappeared up the stairs. He watched her climb the stairs and followed silently. They walked down the hall and she opened the door.

He looked at the room and said, "I can't believe it."

She stepped into the hall and said, "Wind will be ready for you when you are ready to leave."