"Impossible!" James shouted, standing up.

"It's not. I told you there was no hiding from the Guild," my mother replied, shaking her head.

"I don't understand how they could know."

"They just do," my mother shouted at him.

"I don't want to die."

"What, Evelyn?"

"I don't want to die. I'd rather stay alive," I said again.

James held out his hand for me. Graciously I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. I nearly collapsed into his arms. I felt terrified and weak. Something I was not used to at all. I chewed the sides of my cheeks, attempting to subdue the sobs that threatened to escape. My eyes glassed over as tears built up.

"You'll b alright, Evelyn. I won't let anything happen to you." He held me tight to his body.

My mother stood beside us shaking her head. "No. You can't keep her safe. The only one who can is Evelyn."

"Me?" I asked.

"I've taught you everything I know. You need to be strong and vigilant. There is no telling when they will strike."

The doors creaked open and a guard poked his head inside. His eyebrows stitched together and he seemed troubled.

Draco shimmered out of sight as James whipped his head around. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Uh, do forgive me, majesty. It's just some of the lords are inquiring about your whereabouts."

"It is none of their concern," James shouted.

"Yes. I know, sire; however, one of the servant girls is dead."

"What?" His voice filled with terror.

"We managed to hide her body before anyone saw her, but you should probably see her."

"How did she die?"

"An arrow to the heart."

"An arrow? Did you catch who did it?" James asked, his hands shaking in mine.

"No. Nobody saw anything. She was standing near the entrance to the kitchen and just dropped dead with an arrow in her heart."

"It's them," my mother said.

"Are you sure?" my father asked.

"Yes."

"Who, Madame?"

James motioned for the guard to lead him out. The man nodded his head and left the rest of us standing in the barn. My fear slowly turned to anger. It bubbled in my stomach. They attacked an innocent girl for no reason. They threatened me simply because of who my mother was at one time. I furrowed my brows and paced the room. I couldn't allow anyone else to die because of a group of insane men and women.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going with James." I picked my skirts up off the ground and scurried after the prince.

I saw the guard leading him around the back of the castle, his cape fluttering in the wind.

"James!" I called, running after them.

A small, white tent had been set up behind the castle as an extra outdoor kitchen. The men disappeared inside. I dropped my skirts and straightened the tiara on my head before pulling the front flap of the tent back. James turned to look at me as he stood over top of a body. My breath hitched as I saw the blood dripping off the table she lay on.

"You shouldn't be here, Evelyn."

"She died because of me. I want to see her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I need to. This is the world I'm in now. Nothing is safe for me."

"Evelyn!" my mother shouted, grabbing my arm. "Don't go in there. You don't need to see."

"I do." I pulled away from her and moved forward.

"I've tried protecting you from this."

"I know. It's okay. As you said, they were bound to find me eventually."

A tear slid down her cheek as I continued forward. James grasped my hand and moved to the side so I could see the servant girl. She wasn't much younger than I. Her brown hair curled and twisted, I imagined it hung down her back in beautiful, chocolate waves. Now though, it lay scattered on the table. I reached out, grasping her cold chin. I turned her face toward me and examined every inch of her. She was pretty. Her skin pale and flawless except for a smudge on her cheek. I took the handkerchief tucked in my sleeve and wiped at the mark that disgraced her lovely skin. It was dried blood. I released her chin, watching as her head fell to the side, and continued to stare at her. The front of her dress and apron had large wet, red spot that grew to large proportions. In the center, a jagged cut showed where the arrow pierced her body.

"Are you alright?" James asked.

"I'm fine. I feel bad for the poor girl. Do you know if she was the target? Or did they think she was someone else?"

"Who do you think they thought she was?"

"Even I know she has a resemblance to me. It's eerie how much she looks like me."

"It's possible."

"But why would they think I'd wear a servant girl's dress and apron?" I pondered aloud.

"To remain hidden in plain sight?"

"Perhaps." I tore my gaze away from the girl and looked around at the scarcely populated tent. "What is to be done with her?"

"Her body will be returned to her family if she has one. And they will be paid her yearly salary for five years to help compensate her missed wages."

"That is very generous," my father said.

"Yes. Well, it's the least I can do since she was killed outside my kitchen," James said.

I nodded my head and left the tent. "I'm returning to the festivities. We've been gone for quite some time."

"Evelyn?"

I turned to face my father. "What?"

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Absolutely. Why wouldn't it be? We're here at an amazing festival celebrating the fifth year of the king of Scotland, a young girl is dead, and a group of insane people wants to kill me. Why wouldn't everything be okay?"

James approached me and held onto my shoulders, staring into my eyes. Sadness and concern flooded them. "It's okay to be scared."

"I'm fine, James. I'll be fine. I know I can protect myself."

"You're not going to do anything foolish are you?" he asked.

I shook my head at him, the curls bouncing about my face as my tiara flopped back and forth. "No."

He straightened the jeweled crown out and tucked my loose hair behind my ears. "I'd prefer if you would stay near your parents or me. I love you, Evelyn."

"James..." my voice trailed off as watched him. Sighing heavily I relented. "I love you, too."

He held out his arm for me. I looped mine through and we walked into the happy festival. Lords and ladies cheered as the prince and I came through the crowds. Barrels of ale and wine were set up around the encampment. Far off the men continued to throw cabers and toss the rocks. Banners waved and music played gaily. I wanted to enjoy a happy time. I wanted to celebrate the king's birthday. However, no part of me was joyous. Deep down I was angry and scared. I searched the crowds for anyone who looked like those invading my life and those around me.

"Shall we announce our engagement?" James whispered.

"Now? Do you think it's the right time? After what happened and is happening?" I asked.

"It will show the Guild we are standing together. That no matter what you have the English and Scottish kingdoms by your side."

"Yes. I suppose that would show them that I am not vulnerable. Even though I do feel like it."

He dug into a pocket within his doublet and withdrew a green velvet bag. "What is this?"

"Open it and find out. I wanted to wait to give it to you, but if we announce our engagement I want you to have this."

I unclasped the golden dragon, which snapped in half, and folded back the flap. A beautiful gold ring, which twisted into beautiful ropes about the center holding sapphires, rubies, and diamonds. I looked at James who reached for the ring.

"It was my mother's. Upon her death, I acquired it so that I may give it to my future wife."

"You're giving it to me?" I asked.

"You are my future wife and you are bound to this land as much as I am. I know you will not leave and you are a true Scottish woman."

"I can't thank you enough, James. Let's announce it. To everyone. We'll have another announcement in England so that the English people also know."

"Where shall we wed?" he asked.

"Here. I'm sure you'll find a marvelous place."

"I have a few places in mind." He held my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it lightly. The gems in my ring gleamed in the sunlight.

The tall, lanky man who skulked about the castle appeared from nowhere. "Bring my father," James commanded.

The man bowed low and disappeared inside the massive tent. He reemerged pushing the king in a large and awkward-looking chair with small wheels on it.

"What's going on?" my mother asked.

"You'll see," I said, smiling.

"Attention! Attention please!" The lords and ladies grew quiet as the music died down. "I, well, we have an announcement. The kingdoms of Scotland and England shall be united in marriage as Princess Evelyn and I will be married."

Cheers erupted from the crowds; music began even louder and more cheerful than before, as more casks of ale and wine were brought from within the castle.

My stomach continued to churn and butterflies fluttered inside as I pondered over the realization I was getting married and there were people trying to kill me. I hoped that when I did say I do I wasn't bringing an unknown force of evil upon the Scottish people.