We left after an hour, giving my team plenty of time to disappear before we made our way back to the village. Something between us had changed dramatically over the last few days. His anger finally explained. But I had my reserved doubts about his feelings. Sure to feel appreciated for once was nice, but would it last? The stress of war would test us, make us question each other and push us. Was he really willing to go through all of that for some woman he barely knows? As for me, I barely knew him as well. I didn't know anything about him other than I know we both wanted Drakos dead. I knew nothing of his past and something told me he wouldn't tell me even if I asked. After all when they recruited us, they asked us not to. So how was I suppose to care for a man who I was suppose to know nothing about?       Of course we had said nothing to each other, our only focus was exiting the village undetected. When we finally escaped

      I waded into the pool until my chest was completely submerged. The warmth seeped into my tired and aching body, relieving the tense knots. I don't know what it was about this pool, but it always worked miracles. It was more hot than normal today as well. The steam was more thick and dense. I didn't really mind because I was alone, and that meant I didn't need to hide behind a towel. With a bar of soap in my hands, I worked diligently to wash off the dirt from the last two nights. Sleeping in a filthy inn, and then sleeping on the ground made me itchy and gross. But, somehow Drake made those moments better. He even admitted he liked me! How strange is that? I went from ignoring and fearing men, to somehow finding myself being courted by one.       I hadn't even the slightest idea on how to act or be in relationships. I just know I like the way Drake makes me feel, and I want to make him happy too. Maybe I would get the hang of

      I sat at the empty table, my thoughts rambling about my mind. Love, that cursed feeling. The only emotion that ever brought me any happiness in my life. The only time I ever felt love was when my parents where alive. Back then things where so simple. Now, things where different. I shut my emotions down, pushed myself away from everyone the best I could. Because deep down, I didn't want to get close to anyone. I didn't want to experience the same pain I felt when my mother and father died. I didn't want to go through that pain again. Even when Nicklos passed, my sorrow was just a fragment of what I felt the day I lost my parents.     Now things where more difficult. Sebastion's life was in jeopardy, my live was being fought over, and it seemed that the whole world was about to crumble. I felt small before this all came to light, but now I felt fragile, helpless. I went from notorious and well known General, to a tiny ant. A small ch

    "Aria, can you hear me? I need you to wake up." Drake's voice was soft yet soothing as my shoulders where slightly shook. I could feel my heart pound lightly in my chest just at his words. How disgusting that my body still reacted to him even though he was now the enemy. I would get to the bottom of this, right before I killed everyone of them. I let my hand slowly drag across the bed and to my thigh. I patted it slightly, looking for my blade. I came up with nothing and gritted my teeth. That's right, I dropped them back on the dirt path. I was even worse off now than I was with Aspin. I was completely disarmed now.       "Aria, stop and listen to me-" I cut him off as I bolted upright in the bed and launched myself at him. My hands gripping his shoulders as I knocked him out of the chair he was sitting him. Surprise lit his dark blue eyes as I glared at him. Before I could roll off him or assess my surroundings, hands gripped my sh

        I found out that the man Sebastion had been arguing with was none other than the glorious Henchman. Casually perched up against the wall of the small room that led towards the dungeon. Apparently Sebastion had been trying to break into the dungeons to make sure that I was alright. He still had not been made completely aware of the situation other than that Aspin had betrayed us and I was hurt. So after explaining what had happened at the Manor, and telling Sebastion once again it was his fault, Drake offered us to go into a private room where we could discuss our possible new findings. So led us through this huge palace that, quite honestly was to big for me to remember.       The hallways and corridors all looked the same. White walls with fancy gold trimmings, elegant gold swirling patterns crawled their way up the walls and halfway through the ceiling. It was so pretty, that even I couldn't pull my eyes away from the