Mother and Father decided to head back to Jarseth and brought Daisy with them, leaving me alone with Terrence and his parents. I didn't mind, however Louise would try and press me into things that I didn't bother trying out. She wanted me to be more like a princess and well, less like me.

Terrence ended up asking his mother to leave me alone which I thought was rather harsh of him, but he told me that he did it in the best possible way. He gave her a gift with a note attached. When he told me I rolled my eyes and called him a mamas boy.

He leaned against the railing of the balcony, looking at me. "Oh come on, you're no better with your father."

I leaned my arms on the railing and propped my head with my hand. "Jealous?" He sighed and didn't answer me. I frowned, asking a question that has been on my mind. "I know you and my father have done something to those barbarians to anger them. But why did they come after me?"

I saw Terrence's form stiffen. We were currently on my balcony looking up at the stars just enjoying each other's company. Terrence looked into my eyes and ran his hand through his hair, rubbing his neck.

"Last year my father and I went with a squadron to try and negotiate with their leader. He wouldn't have none of it or us. He went to attack my father but I stepped in and blocked him. He yelled at us royals for not caring about anyone but ourselves. We ended up duelling and I slayed him right then and there." He chuckled darkly. "His son ended up cursing us and said that he would make sure to make my life a living hell to pay for what I did. I guess I deserve it after what I did, but I didn't realise he would come after you."

Terrence inhaled through his nose and looked up at the stars. His breath was visible as he breathed out. I leaned against the railing absorbing what he told me. "I guess you being quiet means that you probably can't stand me. Then again you never have did you?"

I snapped my gaze up at him and grabbed his shirt bringing him close to me. "Don't you for a second think that ever again Terrence. I'm here right now with you. If I couldn't stand you I'd be back in Jarseth with my parents right now. But I'm not, I'm here." I looked up at him and saw that sparkle in his eyes. I shoved him away and scoffed. "Stop tricking me."

He laughed as I turned around away from him and crossed my arms clearly annoyed. Terrence wrapped his arms around my body, startling me. "Aw come on Cass I was just fooling around." I didn't answer him, nor did I look at him. He sighed and moved my hair away from my neck, his fingers gently brushing through my hair. I wriggled out of his grasp and twirled around, glaring at him. Terrence had a hint of a smile on his face. "Cassie we just started getting along. You don't want to ruin that now do you?" His voice was a whisper and I knew he was planning something.

I narrowed my eyes and stepped back. "You're planning something aren't you?"

Terrence chuckled, looking at me with an unreadable expression in his eyes. "Maybe I just want to-No never mind. It's getting late, we should head to bed."

I put my arm on his shoulder suddenly worried. "If you have something to say, you can say it."

Terrence shook his head. "It's nothing really. Goodnight princess."

That night I didn't sleep well. Or at all. And when I did sleep it was just nightmare after nightmare. They were all about the basilisk and the man with the the tattoo on his head. I couldn't sleep, the man's dark eyes burned in my mind. I was about to open my door when it burst open on its own. I jumped back with wide eyes. Terrence stood there with a sword in his hand with a loose shirt and cotton pants. "I heard some shouts in here are you okay?"

Feeling my eyes water, I ran into his arms, bursting into tears. "Nightmares." Was all I said. Terrence sighed, holding me close. "I'll stay with you for tonight okay?" I nodded slightly, gripping onto his shirt.

oOo

I was reading in a corridor of the palace near a window, when Terrence came with news that the barbarians were back and they ransacked a village that was close to the palace. He and his father were going out with his men to try and stop them. I looked out the window and sure enough men were hustling about with horses packing up for a battle.

Terrence sat next to me and looked where I was looking. "Do be careful. I would hate for us to have gotten along all this time for nothing." I said half jokingly. Terrence looked at me and frowned. "In all seriousness though," I turned towards him and noticed how close we had gotten. I cupped his cheek with my hand, frowning. "Don't get killed is my first rule for you, and my second is to not get hurt. My parents want me to go back to Jerseth so this might be the last time I see you."

Terrence removed my hand from his cheek and clasped it within his own hand. "Is it alright if I give you a parting gift then?"

"The only gift I want is to see you walking back through those gates, safe and unharmed."

Terrence chuckled. "This might lack in comparison then." He leaned closer, his lips hovering mine. "May I?"

My heart was pounding in my ears. All I could do was nod. His lips softly met mine, soft and gentle. I wrapped my hand around his neck, twining it with his hair. He supported my back with his hand, deepening the kiss.

We pulled apart when someone cleared their threat. The Captain of the guard, Isaac looked at Terrence and I with a small smile. "Sorry if I'm interrupting something, Your Highness's. Prince, His Majesty is almost ready and will be waiting in the courtyard."

Terrence nodded stiffly, annoyed at our interruption. "Well that was awkward. I should go get ready to leave as well." I stood up, but Terrence pulled me back to his chest, kissing me for a second time. "I don't want you to leave, it's dangerous."

"My parents need me back at Jarseth." I said breathlessly. "And I want to stay here with you, but you have to go with your father."

Terrence pulled my body closer to his. He pressed his forehead against mine. "I'll gather some guards to go with you for protection. I feel useless since I can't protect you right now."

I looked into his eyes and smiled. "The one time we don't want to leave each other and yet, we have too."

He handed me a necklace with a small drawing of a eagle on it. The eagle was the symbol for Hern. "To remember me by."

I smiled slightly and kissed him for one final moment. "Thank you. I'll be fine. Nothing will happen to me when I'm going back and nothing will happen to you alright?"

Terrence sighed, stepped away and let me go. I walked into my room and got dressed into warm traveling clothes as winter was getting nearer. All of my things were packed away all thanks to the maids. I grabbed my heavier cloak and placed it around my shoulders. Most of my things went back with my parents and I only had one more small trunk to come with me.

Terrence was in the foyer of the palace as I descended the stairs that lead out to the courtyard. I walked over to him and smiled sadly. His eyes didn't leave mine for second as he came over and kissed me briefly and held me in his arms. "Stay on the main road and in the middle of the guards. They have strict orders from me to protect you." He pulled me away and looked down into my eyes. "Stay safe."

I nodded and grasped his hand. "You too." He smiled slightly before having to be pulled away from me. I made my way into the courtyard where Sterling was saddled up and ready to go. It was already snowing and I pulled my cloak closer to my body. I sighed, my breath fanning out in a cloud of steam.

Terrence followed me and lifted me up on the saddle. He took my hand and kissed it. "Be careful."

"You too." We both held eye contact as a horn was sounded. Terrence let go of my hand and walked away, my eyes never leaving his form. "Princess we need to get going if we want to be there before nightfall."

I nodded, tearing my eyes from Terrence. "Alright. Off we go then." As I left, I could feel the dread seeping in my bones as an ominous feeling of bad tidings settled around me like a blanket of ice.

****
.Hi its Hannah here!
I know I took a while in updating on this one but it's mostly because I took a year (mostly) in writing  this and I'm still not completely happy with it and I don't think I'll ever be. I still have no idea how I'm going to end this story, but until then, please just stick with me!

Thank you so much for reading this!
-Hannah