Slowly voices from downstairs filled her head and she opened her eyes. She sat up carefully and looked down at the sleeping Prince. Silently she slid on her boots and tied them. Rising to her feet, she fastened her sword to her side and left the room. Quietly she descended down the stairwell and watched her mother look up at her. Bryan met her at the bottom of the stairs and she saw eyes turn to her.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to Bryan and asked, "How is Simeon?"

The guard frowned and said, "He will recover, but it will take time."

"What will you do with your brother?"

Hearing her mother, she turned to the woman and said, "Let him rot."

The woman's eyes widened and she said, "Your father would not approve."

Her eyes flashed and she growled, "I'm not him."

She walked to the doors and stepped outside briskly. The advisers rose to their feet and she stepped down to them. One knelt and another bowed his held.

Two handed her a blue print and said, "We thought you would want this."

Her eyes ran over the work and she asked, "Who drew this up?"

The eldest man cleared his throat and said, "Your father will be placed on the saddle."

Closing her eyes, she nodded and handed the blue prints off. Another elder looked up at her and she shoved the memories away.

Quietly she walked with the elders into the courtyard and heard, "We were wondering if you would like to bury the stallion next to your father."

She looked at them slowly and said, "It's only proper."

Slowly she dismissed the men and watched them disappear into the courtyard. She turned her eyes to the gate and stepped outside the estate. Her eyes moved over the fields and narrowed at the approaching rider. Bryan joined her side and drew his sword. She held him still and slowly approached the rider.

Taking the horse's reins, she stilled the stallion and looked at the rider. The Princess looked down at her with an aged face and she watched her dismount.

Alana turned to her and said, "Krystal, I need your aid."

Holding the woman's gaze, she held the stallion still and said, "You have it."

The Princess let out a relieved sigh and looked around the fields. Her gaze landed on Bryan and she frowned. The guard cleared his throat and Krystal looked back at him.

"This will upset Alexander."

Frowning, she turned to Alana and asked, "What do you need?"

"I need you to teach me to protect myself."

Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "Wanted for their deaths?"

The Princess nodded and she took a deep breath. Her eyes moved to the stallion's and she rubbed his face. He snorted into her hand and she turned back to Alana.

"You will assist me."

Alana's eyes met her gaze and she nodded. Bryan frowned and she handed him the stallion's reigns.

"Prepare him for departure."

The guard sighed and she led the Princess into the estate. Quietly they entered the manor and she led her to her father's private room. Closing the door, she watched Alana look around and walked over to a closet. She placed clothes out on the bed and watched the Princess begin to undress. Silently she stepped outside and moved down the stairwell.

She stood waiting at the foot of the stairs and watched Val slowly approach her. His eyes avoided her gaze and he stopped in front of her.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't protect him."

She knelt in front of him and said, "You are not to blame."

He threw his arms around her neck and she held him. Her fingers slid through his hair and she took a deep breath.

"I need you to keep everyone in line while I'm gone."

He slowly looked up at her and asked, "You're leaving?"

She nodded and said, "I give you my word that I will return."

Slowly his old smile returned and he nodded. She rose and watched his eyes move up the stairs. Turning, she saw Alana approaching them and saw Val step aside. The Princess looked at her and she turned to Val.

"I need a sword for the Princess."

He disappeared down the hall and Alana said, "Please forget who I am."

Her eyes moved to the woman and she said, "Very well."

Val returned with a sword and handed it to Alana. He gave a small bow and disappeared up the stairs. She walked outside and descended the steps with Alana behind her. Bryan led the stallion up to them and Alana took his reins. He looked back at her and she held the stallion as Alana slid onto the saddle.

"You can take Grey."

"No. I need you to be able to move with the Prince when he departs."

Bryan frowned and asked, "Does he even know you are leaving?"

She led the stallion to the gate and watched him sigh. Her eyes moved down the courtyard and she took a deep breath. Alana looked down at her and she slid between her and the stallion. Holding the reins, she glanced back at Bryan.

"Make sure he returns home safely."

The guard nodded and said, "We will await your return at the palace."

She flicked the reins and the stallion broke into a full gallop. Alana held onto her waist and she rode the stallion across the open fields. He watched them disappear and heard the footsteps approach from behind. Slowly he looked back and saw Diana watching their retreat.

"She's gone with the Princess?"

He nodded and said, "They will return."

The mother frowned and asked, "When?"

Shaking his head, he walked past her and stepped into the manor. He heard the hushed footsteps and looked up the stairs. His eyes met the Prince's gaze and he knelt at the bottom of the stairs. The Prince stepped next to him and he rose to his feet.

"Wind is ready for your ride."

His eyes narrowed and he glanced back up the stairs at Val. The boy met his gaze slowly and nodded.

"Alana was here?"

The guard slowly met his gaze and said, "They both left."

His eyes flashed and he walked to the doors. Stepping outside, he saw Diana talking with the captive and silently watched them. Bryan brought Wind to him and he slid into the saddle. The man mounted Grey and they rode out through the gates. The captive looked back at him and his eyes flashed.

He looked over the open fields and flicked the reins. Wind took off in an easy gallop and they rode across the country. She watched them disappear and sighed. The man looked back at her and she closed her eyes.

"Who is he?"

She met his gaze and said, "Alexander."

His eyes narrowed and he asked, "Why was he here?"

"To see his wife."

Slowly he looked at her and asked, "My sister?"

She nodded and he sighed, "I can't believe she allowed him to fool her. He is a murderer like his father."

Diana's hand crossed his jaw and she said, "Hold your tongue. If it weren't for me, you would still be in that cell rotting by the order of your sister."

He rubbed the sore jaw and asked, "She ordered that? Why?"

The woman's eyes closed and she sighed, "Even if you are blood, you killed Achilles. He was all she had left of your father."

His eyes turned to the ground and he let out a sigh. Her hand slid over his shoulder and she guided him into the manor. She met Val at the foot of the stairs and he shook his head. Silently she watched him walk outside and led Jacob back to his cell.