Moonlight filled the chambers and she let out a sigh. She looked back at the empty bed and closed her eyes. Looking out over the kingdom, she shook her head and stepped back inside.

Walking over to the door, she stopped and said, "I screwed up."

Pulling the door open, she walked down the hall and saw the light on in his chambers.

Quietly she knocked on the door and stepped inside. Closing the door, she looked around and saw him on the balcony.

Taking a deep breath, she walked up to him and asked, "Any sign?"

He frowned and growled, "Get out of here."

Catching his hand, she looked up at him and said, "Alexander, I wish I could change this but I can't."

He shoved her away and growled, "You sold us out. I should have you killed."

Closing her eyes, she walked to the door and said, "My father is already on that."

He closed his eyes and she stepped into the hall. Closing the door, she walked down the hall and let his words chill her. Stepping into the courtyard, she looked around and took a seat on the steps. Closing her eyes, she held her head in her hands and let out a sigh.

"He's never going to forgive me."

"He won't have the chance, Alana."

Hearing the voice, she looked up and saw the man standing over her. He caught her throat and jerked her to her feet.

His blade rested across her throat and he growled, "You betrayed us."

She held his gaze and said, "I can't let you kill Krystal."

He laughed and said, "She's already there."

Her eyes widened and she crumbled back onto the steps.

Shaking her head, she met his gaze and said, "You're lying."

He threw the sword at her feet and she heard herself let out a cry.

Picking up the sword, she looked up and said, "You will pay."

His hand caught her throat again and he growled, "I'd like to see you try."

He shoved her down the path and she held the sword firmly. Raising it, she held her ground and he swung his blade.

Alana's eyes widened and she looked at the woman kneeling in front of her.

He stepped back and growled, "How'd you get out free?!"

She turned to the Princess and was handed the sword.

Dropping the other one, she held his gaze and said, "Your son."

His eyes narrowed and he struck.

Alana fell back and looked up at them. Her father's eyes were white and she watched Krystal pull her sword out of his stomach. He fell onto the ground and Alana slowly got to her feet.

She met the Princess's gaze and said, "Go, Alana."

Alana saw the blood growing on her shirt and quickly ran inside. She took a deep breath and stepped over to the gates. Achilles stepped up to her and she forced herself into the saddle. Holding onto his reins, she leaned forward and he took off. Riding through the market, she held onto him and forced herself to keep alert.

They left the market and stretched across the country. Her body screamed with each movement and she tightened her grip on the reins. Achilles flew across the country and she saw it. Letting out a sigh, she rode Achilles into the courtyard and slid off. Hands caught her and she looked up slowly.

Meeting Ian's gaze, she frowned and collapsed into his arms. She felt him pick her up and heard the yelling as she was moved inside. Her eyes grew blurry and she closed her eyes. She heard Val's screaming and her mother. Feeling hands working on her wound, she slid into the dark.

The doctor let out a sigh and said, "She just needs rest."

Diana let out a cry of relief and said, "Thank you Achilles."

Ian watched them leave and looked at Val.

He stared at her and said, "Get better quick, Sis. I want to show you something."

The boy left quietly and he took a seat at the end of her bed. He watched her through the night and woke to the morning light. Silently he walked over to the window and opened it. He looked back at her and watched her slowly wake.

She pushed herself up and he said, "I'll let them know you're awake."

Shaking her head, she got to her feet and said, "They'll know."

He watched her walk over to a table and stumble.

Catching her, he helped her up and said, "You are going to kill yourself."

She stepped away from him and sat on her bed. Pulling on her boots, she got to her feet and opened her dresser. He watched her slide a tank over her wrapped body and pull her hair back. Closing the dresser, she walked to her door and looked at him.

Frowning, he followed her into the hall and down the stairs. She stepped outside and Val ran up to her.

He hugged her gently and said, "I want to show you something."

Shaking her head, she met his gaze and said, "When I get back."

He nodded and disappeared down the courtyard.

She spotted Simeon and he said, "I'll fetch Achilles."

Ian shook his head and said, "You shouldn't ride."

She glanced at him and said, "I will survive a ride."

Simeon returned with Achilles, his stallion Avalanche, and Ian's stallion. She felt him help her into the saddle and wrapped the reins around her hand. Glancing at the Prince, she watched him mount his red stallion, Diego, and turned to Simeon. He rested on Avalanche and she flicked the reins.

Achilles took off in a canter and she heard Ian ask, "Where are we going?"

Simeon glanced at him and said, "To see your sister."

She felt his gaze land on her and said, "I gave you my word."

He frowned and watched the market draw closer. The stallions trotted through the market and entered the castle gates. Their arrival was announced and she watched the family appear. Her eyes met Alana's and she watched the two dismount. Swinging over the saddle, she felt him help her down.

She glanced at him and said, "I don't need your help."

He shook his head and looked at his sister. Alana moved up to him and he looked her over.

Slowly he looked back at her and said, "You kept your word."

She stepped up to him and said, "I always do."

Feeling the gaze burning on her, she glanced passed Alana and met his gaze.

She approached Derek and he said, "Thank the lord."

Annie caught her shoulders and said, "We were so worried."

The woman hugged her and she twisted away as the pain shook her to the core. Ian stepped forth but she caught herself.

Seeing the worry on their faces, she glanced at Alana and asked, "Are you well?"

The Princess nodded and said, "Thank you."

She watched him step forward and said, "A word."

Seeing the flash in his eyes, she glanced at Simeon and said, "Escort the Prince inside."

Simeon nodded and led Ian inside with the rest.

Silently she followed him down to the stables and watched the stable boy put the stallions in the pasture. She leaned against the fence and watched Achilles prance around. She closed her eyes and took a calming breath.

He stepped next to her and said, "You're wounded."

Smirking, she looked at him and said, "Tends to happen."

His eyes narrowed and he growled, "You shouldn't have turned yourself over."

Shaking her head, she sighed and said, "I had to."

He caught her shoulder and said, "You could've died, Kris."

Jerking free, she stepped back and said, "At least your Queen is alive."

He frowned and said, "This isn't about Alana."

She frowned and said, "This is all because of Alana."

Turning her back on him, she walked back to the castle. Quietly she climbed the steps and walked down the hall. She stepped into her chambers and shut her door. Letting out a scream, she walked back into the bed chambers and pulled off her shirt.

She stepped in front of the mirror and looked at the wrapping around her. She closed her eyes and sat down on her bed. Letting out a sigh, she looked across the chambers and shook her head. Hearing the door open, she looked up slowly and watched Ian step into the room.

He leaned against the wall and asked, "Not grateful is he?"

Her eyes narrowed and she said, "Tend to the body."

He knelt in front of her and said, "I will not leave here without you."

She met his gaze and said, "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Silently he got to his feet and said, "You said you kept your word."

Growling, she got to her feet and said, "I said if she died."

Ian frowned and shook his head as he walked to the door. She listened to him leave and collapsed back onto the bed. Running her hands over her neck, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

"He plans on marrying you and you just sit here."

Hearing his voice, she looked at the wall and said,

"He isn't."

He looked at her wounded body and said, "Come here."

She looked at him and he closed the door behind him. Silently she got to her feet and walked up to him.

His hands ran over her shoulders and he asked, "What happened?"

She held his gaze and said, "What always happens to prisoners."

His eyes met hers and she saw the exhaustion and strain.

Slowly she ran her hand across his face and said, "I'm fine."

He caught her hand and said, "I don't want you doing this."

She pulled back and walked back over to her bed. She picked up her shirt and slid it over her head. He caught her wrist and she looked back at him. His hand slid through her hair and removed the hair tie.

Holding his gaze, she took a deep breath and said, "Alex, you can't."

His eyes flashed and he said, "I don't care."

She felt his arms slip around her wounded body and she closed her eyes. He took in her scent and ran his hands down her spine. She clung onto her control and stepped back.

Catching his hands, she held them and said, "You're marrying Alana."

His eyes narrowed and she ran her hand across his jaw.

She brushed her lips across his jaw and whispered, "She loves you like I do."

He felt her slip past him and listened to her leave. She leaned against the door and closed her eyes. Feeling her resolve weakening, she walked down the hall. Reaching the study, she knocked on the door and stepped inside. Her eyes rested on his face and Derek got to his feet.

He motioned her to a chair and said, "I was just talking with Prince Ian."

Silently she took a seat and he asked, "Are you feeling better?"

She glanced at Ian and said, "I'm fine."

Derek leaned back in his seat and said, "I don't understand why you won't keep your agreement."

She rose to her feet and said, "I did."

"Krystal, sit down and explain."

She took a deep breath and returned to her seat.

Derek held her gaze and she said, "I said I would agree to the proposal if his sister died."

The King looked at the Prince and said, "She always keeps her word."

Ian smirked and said, "Then she will marry me."

Growling, she looked at him and said, "Alana is alive."

He laughed and said, "Not for much longer."

Getting to her feet, she gripped his shirt and said, "You kill her, I'll kill you."

Derek cleared his throat and said, "Sit. Ian, she is not in your rule any longer."

He caught her wrist and said, "She is until she marries your son."

She jerked her hand free and said, "She is innocent."

His eyes moved to her and he said, "She betrayed my father no matter what."

Her sword rested against his chest and he laughed.

Her eyes flashed and she said, "I will not let you kill her."

He got to his feet and said, "I'd like a word alone with this one."

She looked at Derek and he growled, "I want you off my land and away from this woman."

Ian laughed and said, "My father wanted to keep peace, but he was a fool."

He caught her neck and said, "I will go. She will too."

He shoved her into the wall and knocked the sword from her.

Derek drew his sword and growled, "Unhand her."

Regaining her senses, she caught the Prince's gaze and spit in his eye. He threw her into the hall and screamed. Hitting the wall, she felt her body break and crumbled onto the floor.

Forcing her eyes opened, she saw Bryan approaching quickly and said, "The King."

He ran into the study and she forced herself up against the wall. Hearing the footsteps, she looked up and saw Alana running to her. She caught the Princess's arm and pulled her down to her.

Alana let out a scream and said, "Krystal, I have to stop him."

She shook her head and growled, "You stay with me. Simeon!"

The guard appeared and she said, "Seize him."

The man ran into the study and she forced herself onto her knee.

Alana caught her arm and said, "Please let me help."

Her eyes snapped to the woman and she said, "Stay down."

Pain filled her body as she got to her feet and saw the two approaching.

Thomas took the Princess and she said, "Stay where I can see you."

He caught her shoulder and said, "Kris, stay here."

She caught his hand and said, "Protect your queen."

Walking into the study, she picked up her sword and whistled. Ian looked at her and left the King. Bryan helped the man to his feet and Ian swung his sword. The clash shook her arm and she glanced back at Thomas.

He held Alana secured and she whispered, "You know you want me."

Ian growled and caught her neck. She tucked her sword into her side and felt him throw her into the hall.

Crashing onto the floor, she watched him stand above her and said, "Do it."

His eyes flashed and he said, "I wanted to keep you as my own. Too bad."

She rolled out of the attack and felt the blade slice her knee. Sliding into the wall, she met his blows and felt the slice across her hand. The sword fell down the hall and she looked up slowly.

He caught her neck and whispered, "I'm not going to kill you yet."

He kissed her hard and she shoved him off. He laughed and struck her with the hilt of his sword. Spitting blood onto the floor, she wiped her mouth and looked up at him. His sword swung and she felt him cover her. She looked up and saw his sword blocking the attack.

He rose silently and Ian laughed, "Come to finally protect the woman you're suppose to marry?"

She heard Alana's gasp and said, "Alex, stop."

He pinned Ian's neck and took the sword from the man's hand.

His eyes flashed and he growled, "I'm going to watch you burn."

The Prince's eyes widened and he knocked him out with a strike on the neck.

Alana moved to her brother and he growled, "Get back or you die with him."

Bryan and Simeon seized the man and Derek knelt next to her.

The King caught her shoulder and said, "Hang in there."

She met his gaze and watched him rise to his feet.

"Thomas, send for Annie and the doctor. Bryan, you two take Ian away."

Alana got to her feet and Derek said, "You will join him."

Simeon caught her arm and dragged her away with her brother and Bryan.

He turned to his son and said, "I need your help get her to bed."

She caught the Prince's hand and pulled herself up.

Derek picked up her sword and said, "I'll keep this."

She watched the King disappear down the hall and leaned against the wall. Her body was in a million pieces and she let out a sigh. He met her gaze and slid his arm around her waist. She felt herself lean into him and he picked her up. Her head rested on his shoulder and she closed her eyes.

She listened to them move down the hall and into her chambers. The sunlight hit her face and disappeared. She felt her bed beneath her and slowly opened her eyes. He had her sit up and pulled her shirt off. She leaned back into the bed and he caught her hand.

His eyes met hers and he said, "Stay with me, Kris."

She forced a painful breath into her and watched him sit next to her.

He ran his hand through her hair and said, "You'll be okay."

Her eyes fell closed and she felt his lips on her forehead. Trying to look at him, she felt something snap and the darkness swallow her.