The movement caught his attention and his eyes moved from the paperwork. Silently he rose to his feet and stepped into the hall. Voices shouted down the hall and he watched him mother follow the servants. His eyes narrowed and he followed the group.

Stepping into the courtyard, he saw his father frowning and his mother standing by his side. Bryan helped the woman down from the stallion and she took his reigns. Her eyes met his slowly and he felt his hand tightened into a fist. She turned her attention back to his parents and knelt before them.

"I was sent to tell you your guard is home."

Annie smiled and sighed, "Thank goodness."

Bryan glanced back at him and said, "Tell us where she is."

"My job is done here."

His eyes burned and he watched her lead Champ down to the stables. Derek sighed and shook his head. Annie caught his arm and he glanced down at her before disappearing inside. She turned to her son and caught his shoulder.

"Be patient. She's safe."

His eyes held her gaze and she walked inside. Bryan bowed and moved down to the stables. Taking a deep breath, he sat back on the steps and looked around the courtyard. Closing his eyes, he smirked and got to his feet. Silently he returned to his chambers and walked into his bed chambers.

He stretched out on his bed and felt the afternoon sun floating over his face. Slowly he drifted into a light sleep and felt his mind slowly calm. The sun slowly disappeared and the moon filled the sky. The stars glistened in the blackness and he slowly opened his eyes. Sitting up, he moved out to the balcony and took in the evening calm.

The shouting drew his gaze to the stable. His eyes narrowed and he saw the stallion throw the man. Quickly he left the chambers and descended down to the stables. The stallion came to rest on his hooves and the men clapped. His eyes watched her swing to the ground and the woman move up to her.

"I'll make sure he is rested."

Her hand ran over the red mane and the stallion sniffed her face. The smile caught him off balance and he watched the stallion disappear into the stable. She watched his retreat and climbed the fence. Slowly she landed on the ground and was surrounded.

"That was amazing!"

"Where did you get a stallion like that?"

"Welcome home, Krystal!"

Her eyes slowly hardened and she caught his burning gaze. The men slowly stepped away and she watched him approach. His eyes flashed in the night and she followed him back into the castle. They slid into his chambers silently and he locked the door. He watched her walk out onto the balcony and silently stepped behind her.

His hands ran over her hardened shoulders and he took in her summer scent. Slowly his hands rested around her waist and he brought her hands into his. She glanced up at him and he held her gaze. Their fingers laced and he sought out her lips. The sweet taste calmed the growing ache in him and he rested his head on hers.

"Welcome home."

Her eyes moved over the land and he led her back inside. She sat on his desk and he took the chair. He watched her look over all the paperwork and intake all the details she had missed.

"What's his name?"

She slowly looked back at him and said, "Lucian."

Smirking, he took a deep breath and asked, "The Princess?"

"Ala is working under me. She isn't a threat."

His eyes narrowed and she slid to her feet. Her hand caught his slowly and he rose to his feet. She slid his arm around her waist and wrapped her arms around his neck. Slowly his lips brushed hers and lingered. Her fingers ran through his hair and she took him in.

Her journey had hardened her and the woman seeking her help. The stallion waiting for training was worth it. Being in his arms again calmed the slow spread of emptiness that had grown inside her soul. She looked up into his eyes and brushed loose blonde hair from his face. His hand caught hers and his kiss woke something primitive inside her.

Her mind was quiet while her body ached for his touch. He carried her into his bed chambers and rested with her on the bed. His kisses lingered over her lips and face. She savored them and slowly caught his gaze. He laced their hands and she slowly smiled.

"I've missed you."

Her hands slid around his neck and she kissed him slowly. His mind buzzed and he forced his blood to slow. Her gaze calmed the desire in him and he kissed her lightly.

"Alex."

He looked back at her and she ran her hands over his broad shoulders. His smirk flashed and she savored the hot kisses. Her mind swirled with each caress and yet left her wanting more. He removed their boots and left them on the floor as he drew her under the bedding. The evening slowly passed in each other's embrace and the morning sun began to rise.

His eyes rested on her as his hand slid through her fiery hair and he watched her rest. Kissing her shoulder, he savored her strong body and watched her eyes slowly open. Her gaze slowly moved to him and he kissed her softly. Her hand slid along his face and she took a deep breath.

"Morning."

She smirked and kissed him slowly. His growl brought her smile back and she slowly sat up. He watched her look out to the sunlight and sat up behind her. His hands slid over her shoulders and he kissed her neck. She glanced back at him and he slowly slid from the bed.

Her eyes watched him dress and she felt the calm tranquility filling her. Slowly he sat next to her and ran his hand through her hair. She watched him leave the chambers and slid out of the bed. Quietly she dressed and stripped the bedding. The small call caught her ear and she stepped out onto the balcony.

The stallion was roaming the pasture below and she leaned against the railing. His life had almost been ended. The men had tried selling him and were going to sell off his meat once he was dead. She watched him move about and smirked. Hearing the voices down the hall, she drew her hair back and stepped into the hall.

Her boots moved silently down the hall and she stepped out into the courtyard. The morning sun revived her muscles and she walked down to the stables. Ala stood at the fence waiting and handed her the saddle. Silently she climbed into the pasture and approached Lucian. The stallion watched her slip the saddle on and buckle it.

He shook his red mane and she slid onto his back. Her hands held his reigns firmly and he started moving in a circle. Her knees and hands worked his anxiety free and she let him trot across the pasture. His legs loosened and they moved into an easy gallop. He broke into an open gallop and she let him run.

They cleared the pasture fence and rode back toward the castle. He tossed his mane and she watched them slip into the courtyard. The guards moved out of his path and they flew out the gates. Slowly she eased him back to a trot and they headed back to the courtyard. Stepping inside the gates, she saw the family watching and brought Lucian to a stop.

He shook his mane again and she slowly dismounted. His eyes caught hers and he held the stallion as she approached his parents. Annie took her in her arms and smiled with relief. Derek smiled with a sigh and shook her hand slowly. Silently she moved back to him and he watched her slip back into the saddle.

"Try and join us for dinner."

Her eyes flashed and she nodded as the stallion trotted down to the stables. He watched them disappear and turned back to his parents.

"I'm so relieved she's home."

Derek took Annie's arm and said, "We'll see you two inside."

He watched them move into the castle and ran a hand through his hair. Silently he walked the halls to his chambers. Resting behind his desk, he looked over the paperwork and took a deep breath. A knock came from the door and he looked up as the person stepped inside.

His eyes narrowed and he leaned back in his chair. He watched her move to the front of the desk and meet his gaze.

"What is it?"

"I wanted to inform you that I am only here so Krystal can aid me."

His gaze burned hers and she said, "I don't intend for anything else to come from my visit here."

The door opened again and he looked up. He watched her pull off her riding gloves and sit on the edge of the desk. The two women held gazes and Alana left without a word. He glanced up at her and she moved to her feet.

"Suppose I should clean up."

Smirking, he rose to his feet and said, "That would be wise."

Her eyes met his and she disappeared into the bed chambers. He put the paperwork away and walked back into the bed chambers. His eyes moved to the bed and he slowly sat down. He could still smell her scent on the pillows and he smirked. Closing his eyes, he remembered the days he stood at the balcony through the evenings waiting for her.

She had returned and now he felt whole again. Slowly he felt himself drifting into a light sleep and he forced his eyes open. Sitting up, he saw her watching him fully dressed and leaning against the door. Silently he rose to his feet and she moved to his side. Her hand rested on his arm and he walked her to dinner.