The moon filled the room and the evening music filled the silence. The door opened and she slid inside slowly. Closing it without a sound, she looked at the bed and shook her head. Picking up his shirt, she tossed it to the end of the bed and sat next to him.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned into his ear and whispered, "Alex, wake up."

She watched his eyes slowly meet hers and got to her feet. He sat up slowly and she walked over to the window.

Pulling his shirt on, he looked back at her and asked,

"What is it?"

She looked out the window and said, "You have to leave."

He slid to the side of the bed and pulled on his boots.

Rising to his feet, he walked over to her and asked, "Are they coming?"

She closed her eyes with a smirk and said, "Yes."

He frowned and she looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes glowed in the moonlight and he sighed. Slowly she felt him pull her into his arms and held her breath.

His hand ran along her spine and he whispered, "Remember your promise."

She stepped back and said, "I will."

Silently he walked over to the door and she ran her hands along her arms. Her body filled with chills and she took a deep breath. Slowly she left the room and found him descending the stairs. Following quietly, she descended the stairs and walked him outside. He looked back at her and she gave a low whistle.

Bryan appeared on Grey and led Wind up to him.

His eyes narrowed and he said, "Bryan is staying with you."

She held Wind's bridle and said, "He is needed with you."

Frowning, he slid into his saddle and took the reins. She stepped back and watched they approach the gate. Silently she looked along the wall and saw the men waiting. She stepped outside the gate and gave a whistle. He looked back and watched her swing into the running stallion's saddle.

His eyes scanned the wall and took in the dark shadows of the guards waiting. He looked back at her and watched her ride to the party. He pulled Wind to a halt and Bryan looked back at him.

The guard caught his attention and said, "She doesn't need you to watch."

Frowning, he looked back at her and said, "I'll stay out of it."

Bryan sighed and watched the party surround Achilles.

A man removed his helmet and asked, "Ready for this?"

She silently drew her sword and he smirked, "The sword of Gabriel. Impressive."

A man caught Achilles's bridle and she slid to the ground.

The man dismounted and said, "Seize her."

Shoved to her knees, she held the man's gaze and he took the sword.

Her eyes narrowed and she growled, "Give it back."

The man laughed and said, "The King will truly love this."

He looked at her holder and said, "Let's go."

The man jerked her to her feet and she slid back onto Achilles. Riders surrounded them and she took the reins.

The man looked back at her and smirked as he said, "Move out."

Feeling the stallions drive them forward, she tied the reins around her hand. Silently she followed the leader and glanced back brief at the estate. She saw the two stallions up the hill and caught his fading gaze.

Taking a deep breath, she faced the front and said, "Guarantee the civilians' home."

The man laughed and said, "That is up to The King."

Frowning, she pushed Achilles up to him and growled, "Guarantee it."

He pulled his stallion to a halt and said, "Very well."

Glancing back at his men, he growled and said, "Keep her confined until we arrive."

Riders surrounded her once more and she held Achilles back. He snorted and she rubbed his neck as the pace moved into a gallop.

Achilles shook his head and she whispered, "Just stay with me."

He snorted again and she looked ahead. They rode through the night and through the next day. In the middle of the night, she heard the riders begin talking and looked ahead. Their country was the night away and she frowned. The ride continued and she felt Achilles shifting under her.

Stallions kept him cramped and she felt his frustration. She rubbed his neck and tried to reassure him. They rode through the city gates and down the streets of the market. Silently they approached the castle and the man pulled his stallion to a halt. Guards stood waiting and he dismounted.

A guard approached Achilles and she felt him sidestep to get away. Holding him in place, she dismounted and caught his reins.

The guard took his reins and said, "Let's go, Horse."

Frowning, she watched Achilles follow after the guard and was shoved forward. She looked at the leader and he caught her arm. Feeling him drag her into the castle, she jerked free and followed silently. They entered the Royal Chambers and approached the King.

The leader forced her onto her knee and said, "We have brought the woman."

The King rose and said, "Stand up, Woman."

Silently she rose and saw the man standing next to the King. Turning her gaze to the King, she held her tongue and watched him look her over.

He returned to his throne and said, "This is her."

The leader caught her arm and asked, "How would you like her broken?"

"The usual for beggars."

Growling, she saw her sword in the leader's hand and jerked it free. The guards stepped back and she turned to the King.

He chuckled and said, "That won't save you."

She frowned and said, "Tell me why you want me dead."

He smiled and said, "It doesn't concern you."

Growling, she placed her sword against his neck and watched the men draw theirs.

The King waved them down and said, "This is futile. You are going no where."

She pressed the blade closer and growled, "Answer my question."

"Devin, you have your orders."

The leader nodded and said, "I will bring her head back."

He nodded and said, "Screw up it and it will be yours."

She looked at the King and said, "You'd kill your own blood."

He caught her neck and said, "Treason is death."

His hand tightened around her neck and he shoved her back into waiting guards. They jerked her sword away and pinned her to the floor. Growling, she felt her hands be bound and jerked to her feet.

The King caught her gaze and said, "We don't want to lose our peace."

Frowning, her eyes narrowed and she growled, "You won't kill her."

He laughed and asked, "Do you intend to stop me?"

The guards laughed and she felt them drag her out into the hall. They forced her down the hall and pushed her down a flight of stairs. One yanked her to her feet and shoved her against the wall. The other secured her hands with chains and picked up a whip.

It struck her back and she bit her lip in agony. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the wall and felt the whip strike again. Holding in the pain, she felt the lashing finally stop and a hand shove her onto the floor. Opening her eyes, she watched one guard pick up the needle and test it. Yanking on her arm, he cut her sleeve off and laughed.

She felt the needle slide through her muscle and looked away. He left her side and the other guard struck her with a club. Hitting the floor, she felt her mind go black and listened to them leave. Slowly she looked around the place and tried to move. Her back was on fire and she forced herself against the wall.

Holding her knees, she rested her head on them and closed her eyes. She felt herself crumble into the darkness and the cold slip through her. The slap across the face sent her to the floor and she spit blood from her mouth. Opening her eyes, she saw a guard staring at her and sat up slowly. He jerked her up to her feet and released her hands.

Her eyes narrowed and he said, "Prince Ian demands your presence."

He shoved her to the stairs and she slowly forced her legs up them. The man led her down the hall and into a dark room. She looked around the chambers and saw the shadow in the corner watching her.

Silently she watched the guard rest against the door and heard, "I'm surprised you can stand."

She looked back at the shadow and he said, "I wanted to discuss something with you."

Frowning, she watched him step into the moonlight and saw Alana.

He caught her chin and asked, "Did they hurt you?"

Jerking her face free, she held her ground and said, "No."

He chuckled lightly and said, "I suppose that is to be expected of Gabriel's blood."

Her eyes narrowed and he said, "Your father was quite feared by my father's men."

She held his gaze and asked, "What did you want?"

He smirked and said, "Straight to business. I had hoped you'd let me entertain you first."

She saw a woman approach and push her over to the bed. Her shirt was lifted off her back and alcohol was poured into the wounds.

He watched her jerk on impact and said, "Clean them well, Julia."

The woman nodded and wrapped her wounds. She felt her shirt fall back onto her back and turned to the Prince. He motioned the woman out and Julia disappeared.

Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "What do you want?"

His eyes held her gaze and he said, "I need you ready to save my sister."

Frowning, she fixed her shirt and said, "Surprise surprise."

He caught her chin with an iron grip and said, "I will not watch her die trying to protect you."

Her fist met his jaw and he stumbled backwards.

The sword flashed in the moonlight and he growled, "I said to bring her unarmed."

The guard shook his head and said, "I never saw the sword."

Ian frowned and drew his own sword.

She stepped around him and said, "I'm leaving."

Their blades clashed and he growled, "I haven't finished with you."

Her blade sliced his shirt and she said, "I don't care."

He stepped back and sheathed his sword.

Slowly she sheathed hers and he said, "I want you to save my sister and then I will free you."

Frowning, she glanced at him and said, "You don't want that."

He nodded and said, "Save her, Daughter of Gabriel."

His hand caught her chin and he whispered, "I will have you."

Her eyes flashed and she shoved him back into the wall. He chuckled and she walked to the door.

The guard stood in her way and Ian said, "Let her go."

The man stepped aside and she opened the door.

She looked back at him and said, "Only if she dies."