The halls echoed in laughter and the sun filled the chamber with warmth. It ran into the bedchamber and slid onto the bed. Opening his eyes, he took a deep breath and sat up slowly. He looked at the empty spot next to him and shook his head. His parents were going to die when they found out.

Silently he slid out of bed and walked over to his chair. Pulling his shirt on, he sat down and pulled on his boots. He tied them quickly and got to his feet. Fitting his sword to his side, he left the chambers for breakfast. Silently he listened to the excited maids and stepped into the dining hall.

His father looked up at him and he watched the man's eyes narrow. Taking his seat, he took a drink from his mug and began eating. Derek held his gaze steadily on him and slowly he heard his mother enter. She sat next to the King and began eating her breakfast.

The fork dropped onto the plate and he heard, "Where is your wife?"

He looked up at his father and said, "It doesn't concern you."

Derek frowned and said, "You are delaying the entire purpose of being married."

Annie smiled and said, "It would be hard to do so when one is not here to assist."

The King turned to her and he got to his feet.

"Where is Krystal, Alexander?"

He gave a bow and said, "Where she belongs."

Leaving the dining hall, he walked back to his chambers and moved over to his desk. He pulled on his riding gloves and heard the door shut.

Thomas silently approached him and asked, "Are you ready to go?"

Glancing over the desk, he nodded and they left the chambers. Silently they left the castle and descended the steps into the courtyard.

Bryan stopped their departure and said, "Trouble is waiting for you."

Frowning, he took Wind from the man and slid into the saddle.

Derek stepped out of the castle and said, "Bring her back here."

He smirked coolly and said, "She will live where she feels at home."

Thomas mounted a spare stallion and Bryan slid onto Grey.

With a flick of the reins, he rode into the market and out to the country. Bryan rode by his side as Thomas lingered behind.

The guard looked at him and said, "Bandits are on the move."

His eyes narrowed and he asked, "Do we know who they are?"

The guard shook his head and said, "Simeon sent word to stay back."

He frowned and pulled Wind to a halt as the estate loomed overhead.

Bryan dismounted and said, "I'll inform your arrival."

He watched the guard disappear into the estate and Thomas moved up to his side.

The man frowned and said, "I don't understand why we are here."

He shot a glance at the man and said, "Take your stallion in."

Thomas shook his head and rode ahead. Hearing laughter, he glanced over to the open fields. Achilles ran around with Val riding him and he watched the boy work the stallion. Smirking, he rode Wind into the estate and dismounted.

Simeon approached him silently and said, "You should've heeded my warning."

Holding the guard's gaze, he rubbed Wind's neck and said, "I only listen to your boss."

The man laughed and led Wind away as the townspeople approached. They asked numerous questions and Diana pushed through. She caught his elbow and led him free.

He looked down at her and she said, "Tell me you're not taking my daughter away."

Resting his hand on her shoulder, he shook his head and said, "This is your home."

The woman let out a sigh of relief and kissed his jaw. He watched her disappear into the crowd. Shaking his head, he looked around the courtyard and frowned. The doors to the manor opened and he watched her step outside with some men.

They were conversing and her attention never wavered from the subject. A man caught her shoulder and she nodded once. He bowed his head and left the swarm. Another knelt before her and walked away. He watched the men disappear about the courtyard and his eyes narrowed.

Her eyes slowly caught his and he watched her eyes narrow as she approached. He caught her arm and led her aside.

She met his gaze and asked, "Why are you here?"

His hand caught her chin and he said, "I needed to see you."

Her face softened and he drew her into his arms. Slowly he kissed her forehead and ran his hand through her fiery hair. Its scent and texture calmed the ache inside and he closed his eyes.

She pulled back slowly and said, "It's taking longer than I had hoped."

He smirked and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

She caught his hand and asked, "Your father?"

Smiling, he kissed her slowly and said, "Furious."

She smiled and stepped back slowly. Simeon ran up to them and she turned her gaze to him.

He watched her face grow hard again and heard, "Achilles and Val."

Her eyes flashed and she ran past them. Running out the gates, she saw the white stallion lying on the ground and Val lying beside him. Her mind was blurry and she quickly ran to them. Kneeling next to the boy, she caught his head and he looked at her.

Tears covered his face and he said, "I'm sorry I couldn't save him."

She brushed his hair back and whispered, "You are going to be okay."

Picking him up, she wrapped his arms around her neck and carried him over to the stallion. Achilles looked up at her and she felt her resolve break. Kneeling next to him, she saw the arrow and bit her lip to keep her mind clear.

Simeon knelt next to her and she said, "Take Val to my mother and retrieve the doctor."

The man took Val off her hands and she caught the stallion's head. Brushing his mane slowly, she took a deep breath and looked at the arrow. Slowly she climbed over him and gripped the arrow. She closed her eyes and yanked the weapon out. Dropping it onto the ground, she tore her sleeve and covered his wound.

His black eyes met hers and she whispered, "You'll be okay."

The doctor knelt next to her and said, "I'll do my best."

Feeling someone pull her away, she watched the man work on the stallion. Slowly she looked up and saw the men watching from across the hill side. Slowly she pulled free and Simeon moved next to her. They crossed the fields and stood surrounded.

Her hand rested on the hilt and she growled, "What do you want?"

A man pushed through on his horse and said, "My home."

Her eyes ran over his face and she felt her stomach tighten.

He held her gaze and said, "You have trespassed on my land. Your horse won't be the last to fall."

An archer drew his arrow and she pulled her sword free.

The man's eyes followed the blade and he growled, "Hand that over."

Her eyes flashed and she said, "Get off my land."

Simeon drew his sword and asked, "How many?"

She looked at the leader and said, "All of them."

Turning the sword in her hand, she blocked the leader's attack and sliced his saddle off. He tumbled onto the ground and rolled out from under his stallion. She caught the loose reins and pulled the stallion to his hooves. The leader looked up at her and slowly climbed to his feet.

Her eyes met his and he said, "This isn't over."

She smirked coldly and said, "Yes it is."

His sword clashed with hers and he drove her from the falling men. Simeon watched them slip out from the battle and drove his sword home. He ran after them and the leader sent his blade across the stomach flesh. His eyes grew wide and he dropped to his knees. She knocked the leader away and knelt in front of him.

His hand clutched the wound and he said, "I screwed up."

Shaking her head, she caught his shoulder and said, "You will be fine."

He looked up at her and his eyes widened. She felt the body crush over hers and looked up. Her eyes flashed and she got to her feet slowly.

His sword rested against the leader's and he growled, "Touch her and I'll kill you."

The leader laughed and stepped back. He twisted his hand and their swords clashed. She watched the leader stumble onto the ground and him stand over the man. His sword rested pointed into his throat and his eyes burned.

She caught his hand and said, "Alex, stop."

He stepped back slowly and the leader climbed to his feet. He swung his sword and she felt herself be thrown to the ground. Opening her eyes, she saw his body covering hers and met his gaze. She moved to her knees and saw the wound on his shoulder.

His eyes slowly met hers and Bryan stepped in front of them. She watched her men finally circle around the leader and climbed to her feet.

Bryan looked at her and she said, "Get the wounded to the doctor."

He looked up at her and she said, "Take these men inside."

Bryan helped Simeon to his feet and caught the Prince's hand.

Rising to his feet, he looked at her and heard Bryan say, "Follow me, Your Highness."

Watching her keep her back to him, his eyes narrowed and he followed the man inside. She held the leader's eyes and watched the men shove him past her. Hearing the hooves, she looked over her shoulder.

The doctor halted a horse in front of her and said, "You must come quick."

Her eyes narrowed and she slid into the saddle. They flew past the group and into the open fields. Stopping by Achilles, she jumped to the ground and met her mother's gaze. Diana shook her head and slowly got to her feet.

Feeling her legs giving out, she moved to the stallion's side and knelt next to him.

The doctor caught her shoulder and said, "He won't make it past the night."

She took in a painful breath and rose to her feet. Silently she walked past them and approached the men moving inside. Her eyes met the Prince's briefly and she shoved the leader into the dirt.

He looked up as the blade rested against his throat and she said, "I'm going to kill you."

The smirk flashed across his face and she shoved the sword into his shoulder.

His eyes grew wide and he asked, "All this over a horse?!"

Turning her back on him, she took a deep breath and saw her mother watching.

The leader got to his feet and said, "A woman and her horse. Pathetic."

Her hand gripped hard on the hilt and she growled, "Shut up."

Looking back at him, she met his gaze and he said, "You're just a woman."

The blade rested next to his throat and she growled, "He belonged to Father."

Sheathing the sword, she watched the man be led away. Catching a glance from her mother, she watched the woman move inside. The predicted rain began to fall and she walked over to her stallion.

Taking his head onto her lap, she brushed his mane and whispered, "Please stay with me."

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his and let out a sigh.

"Achilles, I can't lose you. You're all I've got left of Father."

The stallion closed his eyes and the tears mixed with the falling rain. Closing his eyes, Bryan stepped inside the estate and walked to her chambers. He stepped inside and found the Prince being fixed up.

Meeting the man's gaze, he got to his feet and asked, "Where is she?"

Bryan looked out the window and said, "In the field."

Silently he left the chambers and descended the stairs.

Reaching the doors, he pulled them open and found Diana standing at the gate. She leaned against the entry-way and let out a sigh.

Slowly he moved to her side and she said, "I've never seen her so devastated. Not even when her father was killed."

He looked out over the fields and watched the two. Diana stepped outside the gate and he caught her shoulder.

She looked back at him and he said, "Leave her be. She needs this time alone."

The mother held his gaze and asked, "Will you not go to her?"

He closed his eyes and said, "She doesn't need me yet."

Diana shook her head and said, "You are foolish."

Ignoring her comment, he watched her walk back into the manor and looked back out onto the field. Her head rested on his neck and she held onto his mane.

His breathing grew shallower and she whispered, "Please don't go."

Achilles let out a soft snort and she rubbed his face.

His brown eyes looked up at her and she said, "I need you."

His eyes slowly closed and she closed her eyes. She felt his chest slowly become still and she sat up slowly. Running her hand along his face, she took a deep breath and dried her face.

Rubbing his ear, she fixed his mane and whispered, "I'll never forget you."

Slowly she climbed to her feet and looked down at him. The rain had saturated her clothes and she felt her body begging for warmth. Pushing her wet hair from her face, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The arms pulled her into warmth and she closed her eyes.

He looked down at the stallion and said, "He is better off."

Slowly she turned into his embrace and he kissed her forehead.

He wrapped a blanket around her shivering body and whispered, "Let's go inside."

She glanced back at Achilles and he picked her up. Sliding her arm around his neck, he held her close to him and carried her into the manor. Climbing the stairs, he walked down the hall and moved into her chambers. He placed her on the bed and pulled off her boots. Slowly he removed the blanket and laid it over a chair.

Holding her in his warm embrace, he stretched out on her bed and watched the rain fall. She closed her eyes and he kissed her forehead. Her body began to grow warm again and he closed his eyes. He pulled the bedding up over them and watched her finally drift to sleep.