Lyra's POV

When we near my bed chambers, there is a man with golden hair paused outside of my door, talking to the Guards posted there. It sounds like he is arguing with them about something and one of the two dressed in the uniform of my mother's Guard puts a hand up to stop the blonde man's advance towards the door.

"Sir! I'm afraid that the Princess isn't in at the moment. We can send for someone to alert you when she returns, but until then, you really should return to your bed. You are in no condition to be walking around just yet."

Recognition strikes me and I feel tears prick my eyes, a lump forming in my throat. The hardened facade from earlier crumbles at my feet as my emotions run wild. I stop in my tracks and have to wait a moment before attempting to speak, overcome by happiness. Sage kisses one of my hands in concern while the other covers my mouth.

Sam stops at my side and looks at me curiously. "Lyra? What's wrong, why are you crying?" His fingers brush my face before he follows my gaze and smiles in understanding. Lance turns to me, bay colored eyes finding mine. He had been looking at the golden haired man too, and judging by the smile on his face, he knows who it is.

I finally break into a run down the corridor, towards the man outside of my door. My cry echos down the hallway and I'm certain that everyone in the castle must be able to hear my voice. "Hana!" Tears stream down my face as I let out a laugh strangled by tears.

He turns, blue eyes wide with surprise. He stumbles forward, but looks like he may fall to his knees as he blanches and grabs his side. "Lyra!" Hana gasps, his free arm reaching towards me.

I run into his arms, uncaring of the men who look on from their post. As my body makes impact with his chest, Hana makes an oof sound, but doesn't hesitate in wrapping his arms around me. I feel his laugh vibrate through my body as we squeeze each other.

"I am so sorry," I choke into his tunic. "I knew that there was no one out there. I never should have sent you-"

Hana releases me and falls to one knee, placing a fist into his left shoulder. I can see that it physically pains him, but he keeps his head bowed. "My lady, I am who should be sorry. Please, forgive me. I allowed your men to be taken captive and left your defense weakened."

"Shut up," I order, making him lift his head to look at me with a quizzical expression. I swipe at my face, straighten my tunic and clear my throat. "I expect you to know your place and not argue with me. Hana, the failure of your mission was entirely my fault."

I see the will to argue in his eyes, but he bows his head. "Yes, My lady."

My tone and gaze softens. "I wanted so badly to visit you as soon as you returned, but I was confined to my chambers."

Hana looks to me, exasperated. "Confined? By who, for what reason? They are a fool to think that they could ever hope to contain a fire behind bars." His words give me more hope than I've felt in a great while, and I have to fight the tears that burn the back of my throat.

"To your feet, man," I order, voice shedding it's authoritative skin. I help Hana to his feet, grabbing his elbow for him to lean on me. "When is the last time that you've eaten? Come inside, we have so much to discuss. I need to know what happened to you men and I have quite a bit of news to tell you."

I pat Hana's shoulder and look back at the group of men who come to a stop behind me.
Sam wastes no time in coming directly beside me, his arm brushing mine. I can't help but be reminded of Jed, and my stomach sinks. How will I tell him?

Lance keeps his gaze averted, and Hana has a hard time looking at him, as well. I recall the tense conversation we had about my crown on the night of the ball, and how Hana didn't trust my brother. Judging by the awkward way they ignore each other, I would guess that neither has apologized. Though The Queen verified giving Lance my crown and resolved the matter, it is Hana's nature to ask for forgiveness in wrongly suspecting someone. Perhaps he hadn't had the chance before I sent him away.

"You remember Lance." I address my Captain, making him glance top the man behind me.

He stoops his head in a nod. "Yes, my lady, I do."

I hold his blue gaze, slowly raising an eyebrow. Well? I know well that he will not feel better until he speaks his regrets and asks for forgiveness. One of the many things I adore about Hana is his guilty conscience - it assures that he will not lie to me, and if he ever did, he would have to confess himself before the guilt killed him.

After years of taking silent cues from me, Hana knows what I am trying to say. He lifts his gaze to my brother and swallows. "I apologize for wrongly accusing you of stealing the Princess' crown. I would have done so sooner, had my duties not sent me away."

Lance glances down at me and catches the eye that I turn to him. He sees the small smile at the corner of my mouth and knows that I put him up to it. With a slight bow, Lance turns his attention back to Hana. "Do not apologize. You were doing the job assigned to you and were right to suspect me."

"Good," I say with a smile. "Now, shall we? There is much to discuss," I turn to the Guardsmen outside of my doorway, who pretended not to see the spectacle. "Send for food and for Sir Hener of my Guard. Let him know that his brother is awake."

Should you send for Jed, as well?

I don't turn to look at Lance as we enter my bed chambers, Nikeil ahead to be certain of the rooms security. Once he signals it is secure, he calls for us to enter the rest of the way.

I cannot. Not yet. What am I to tell him?

The truth.

After the door of my chambers close and the commotion has settled a bit, I am reminded of Sage, who trails as my shadow. Hana notices too, and once I gesture for him to sit at my cluttered table, I introduce them.

"Hana, there has been some changes since you have been absent," I say, standing with my black beast in front of the golden haired man. I ask Sage to come beside me and sit, so she appears less imposing, if that is at all possible. "This is Sage, a guard dog given to me by the King. Or, in a more honest sense: she is a young Chimera disguised as a guard dog, gifted to me by my father in order to spy on me."

Hana sits in a ridged manner in his chair, but I cannot tell if it is because of his soreness or due to what I've told him. Most likely both. "Is she safe for you to be around?" Hana asks, my safety his main concern, even now.

I smile faintly, resting a hand between my Chimera's silk ears. "Quite. I've been studying up on the likes of her," I swipe an arm in the direction of the crowded table top, which has been straightened a bit by a maid in my absence. "And though she has yet to mark me as hers, she seems protective of my well being. She's never made a motion of aggression towards me and obeys me flawlessly, so I do not feel as though my life is in any danger."

Sage sits quietly as she studies Hana, making him glance to me with nervousness. "She observes as if there is intelligence inside of the skull of hers. I see why the name Sage suits her."

I nod. "There certainly is. I trained her in Noshiel within two days time."

"T- that shouldn't even be possible..."

I feel a bit of fire flicker to life in my belly, as I assume that my most trusted Guardsmen thinks me a lier. Hana doesn't even look at me before he laughs, soothing my worries with his words. "Yet, you've done it," He runs a hand through his loose curls in exasperation, still not taking his eyes from Sage. "You are a true wonder of this world, Lyra. You will be a unique and amazing Queen."

Sam casts me a look from where he leans against my bed post, also keeping an eye on the window beside him. He placed himself there strategically to help Jasla and Nikeil secure the chambers until the remainder of the Guardsmen are able to get here. My father undoubtedly will send his own men again, so that I behave myself. As if that has ever happened.

Sam raises a dark eyebrow, green eyes glinting in the light that comes in from the glass beside him.

I swallow and run a hand through my knotted hair. "Hana, there is another change that I must inform you of. Prince Samson and I are to be married next week."

My Guardsmen seems to think about this for a moment, leaning carefully back in his chair. His blue eyes flicker between Sam and I, but when he speaks, I am the one who seems to be in shock. "It is about due time."

My brow shoots into my hairline. "Would you elaborate? You don't appear to be the least bit surprised."

Hana chuckles. "Of course, my lady, how rude of me. Please, excuse me. I know of Samson's true cause here, and that of your Lansing's, as well. I've been a part of it all along- that is the reason that your men and I were drugged and taken away."

My eyes go wide. I figured that Hana may be involved with Sam's "organization" that seems to have a small network running throughout my castle, but I hadn't even guessed that Hana, Castiel and Michael were taken away because of it. "W-what? Who was it that took you?"

Hana glances away into the hearth adjacent to him and brings his arms onto the table in front if him, drawing my attention to the marks on either of his wrists. They appear to be the doing of bondage, and by the way the skin is healing, I am able to tell that it had been rubbed raw, most likely by rope. I feel my chest ache at the knowledge that he had been hurt because of me.

My Captain looks to me, eyes flicking down to the wounds on his arms. He quickly sets his hands in his lap as if to hide them from my view. "You wonder about Castiel and Michael, don't you? I know that you have told me otherwise, but I know the look on your face. None of this was your fault, Lyra."

I cast him a look, unable to muster the courage to smile as I thought I would. "So? How are they? I have wanted to see all of you, but..." I let my words drop off and gesture helplessly to the room around us.

Hana shakes his head. "You worry too much. They are not angry with you, how could they be? You are the one who sent a party for us in the first place. Otherwise, God know what would have became of us," He sees my expression and continues. "They are well. A physician is tending to Castiel at all hours, and Michael has been sent home to his family for now."

I sigh in relief. "That is good news. Will Castiel be alright? Have they found what is wrong with him?"

Hana becomes somewhat quiet. "I went to see him earlier this morning, and he still hasn't woken. He's been unconscious since we have been rescued," He lifts his eyes to mine. "But I remember some of what happened to us since we've been back."

I lean forward a bit eagerly. "Do you? Please, tell me what you know."

"While we were being held captive, I recall being roused and drug somewhere in the middle of the night. That must be why we were so injured..." He pauses, brow furrowed as he reaches up to stroke the beard that has sprouted on his chin. It looks like he is trying to dig deeper into his memory. "I couldn't remember anything right away, as whatever drug they knocked us out with was still fresh in my system. I think they questioned us about..." Hana sighs frustratedly and pinches his brow. "What did they ask about? ... Damn it! I can't remember that far. They asked about something, but none of us were willing to say anything on the topic... Is that why Castiel is unconscious? They couldn't have questioned all of us about the Organization, because I was the only one out of the three that knew about it."

I reach a hand out and rest it on his shoulder. "Do not push yourself, let it come to you in its own time."

Sam draws our attention to him by speaking. "Do you remember anything like a particular scent? It may help us identify what sort of potion they used against you."

Hana frowns, a faraway look in his eyes. Eventually, he looks up, a helpless expression across his face. He looks positively haunted. "No. I can't recall any particular odor," He looks to me, bowing his head in defeat. "I am very sorry, my lady. Please, give me time to remember. I'm certain that my memory will return soon."

I smile faintly. "Of course. Take all of the time that you require, Hana. Do you feel sound enough to take your position as my Captain again?" I pray that he says yes. I do not want any other man in charge of my Guard, but I do not want to push Hana, either. Surely he went through a lot while he was away from me, even if he cannot yet remember it. That sort of thing can haunt a man forever. "The position is, and alway will be, yours."

Hana looks to me, a sad smile playing his lips. "I do not know that I deserve the position after allowing the strongest of your Guard to be taken so easily away. Because of me, you were left exposed and in danger. If I am to do such a thing again..."

I place a hand on his shoulder again, making him look at me. I meet his gaze with fire in my eyes. "Hana. We discussed this, do you remember it?" I wait for him to nod before I continue. "This was not your doing. I trust you with my life, Hana, and that is why I offer the title to you. I would not wish it to go to any other man, do you understand? I do not trust another on my Guard nearly as much as you. I need the security that you bring now more than ever. I am being assailed by enemies on every side and I need a man to trust. Besides, the new recruits need a real legend to look up too, don't they? Cam and Jasla have been doing their best to train them, but you can do the job so much better. Will you be my Captain again, Hana? Please, say that you will stand beside me. I need you with me. I do not want to do this by myself anymore." I don't realize that I am crying until Hana reaches a hand to brush my cheek.

He has tears in his cerulean eyes as well, and nods, stiffening his lower lip. I step back as he pushed from his seat and falls to one knee, pressing his fist to his heart. "Lyra, I will never leave you again. I swear to protect you with my life and to keep my loyalty only to your name until I die or am otherwise slain. I will take up the title as the Captain of your Guard again, if my lady still permits it."

"In that case," I pause to clear my throat and swipe at my eyes. "By the witnesses presented here in this moment, I speak these words to you. Sir Hana, Captain of my Guard and the man that I trust before my own kin," I straighten my shoulders and lift my head with dignity, my voice filling with strength. "Once you have fully recovered, I order you to never leave my side again unless a countering word leaves my lips. You are the one man who must never betray me. Do not ever leave my side." My voice rings through the room, loud, calm and authoritative.

Hana stays on his knee and bows his head, closing his eyes. "Yes, your Highness. I swear it on my life. I will never leave you alone again, as long is there is breath in my lungs."

And with that, the fear of the future that has been drowning me is lifted like a weight from my chest.

~

Author's Note

It's not a very long or eventful chapter, but I wanted to establish the bond between Hana and Lyra again... I should be focusing back in on the main plot in the next chapter and be wrapping this book up soon. I think Runaway Princess will be finished by the 60th chapter, but I'm not sure quite yet.

I'm sorry that it took such a long time to update, but I can't promise that the next one will come any sooner. Thanks for being awesome and sticking with me! Sorry that this book has been slowing down a bit.

Stay amazing, Nuggets, and thanks for staying around!

~A.