Hana's POV

When I finally drag myself back into consciousness, I find that I see nothing. I blink a few times to be certain my eyes are truly open. They are. Have they blinded me? I push the panic that rises up in me away, my mind calming with my heartbeat and becoming more strategic. I have to figure out where I am, and then find a means of escape. I can fret over injuries later.

I remember the hooded men who attacked my company in the land just outside of the castle walls. I remember wounding one who grabbed me, but my memory becomes foggy and unclear as I try further. Were we drugged? I cannot grasp the concept of how we had gotten ambushed, let alone how three elite Guardsmen had been overtaken, bound and brought here. My memory offers no assistance, and I am left grabbing at opaque phantoms of the mind. I cannot think. I focus on my surroundings instead, squinting into the unwavering darkness. It is more than just black, it seems to be the absolute absence of light. I cannot see anything, and my eyes do not adjust to aid me.

The first thing that I become aware of is the rough rope that bites into my skin and the sharp, surging pain in my torso every time that I take a breath. My back is pressed against something hard and jagged, but I cannot tell if I am sitting up or laying down. I do not feel the familiar weight of my sword on my person, but I do not panic. I do not require a weapon to fight.

The second thing to hit me is the stench. This place reeks of every unsavory thing I've ever known in my lifetime, mingled with something else that is cold and damp. The air is stale and polluted in my lungs.

The third thing that I become aware of, is the sound of another's breath that is mingling with the mine, loud in whatever space we are being held in. Someone else is here with me, but it sounds as though they are still unconscious.

I try my voice, and it comes out cracked and ragged with disuse and dehydration. I lick my dry lips, tasting old, coppery blood on broken flesh. "Cas? Michael?" It comes out a strained whisper, sounding raspy and too loud in the silence. My fingers hurt, and when I attempt to move, the stinging soreness in my ribs becomes so strong, that I suck in a breath to fight it off. My head feels as though I've been kicked by a horse, but my mind begins to focus a bit better. I am about to try calling to the darkness again, when someone shifts and I hear the breathing pause to listen.

"Captain?" I recognize Micheal's voice, though it is as parched and disguised as my own. "Where are we?" He sounds slightly incoherent, speech slow and groggy. This is followed by a groan, most likely as he attempts to move. I perceive him to be a few feet to my right.

"I do not know. I cannot seem to recall much of anything." I answer, stifling my pained grunt as I shift, trying to ignore the agonizing twinge that explodes everywhere down my body, as if it is all one big bruise. "Keep speaking," I order, voice thick with discomfort.

"Captain..." I hear Micheal start, then cough laboriously, as if fevered. "My body feels horrible, as if I've been run over by a thousand carriages. Is Castiel here, as well?"

I follow his voice and slowly drag myself towards it, gritting my teeth as pain threatens to take me out of consciousness. I wonder if that is what knocked me out the last time, as well. I cannot seem to remember. I attempt to ignore the sharp rocks that dig pointy claws into my exposed arm, tearing flesh. Compared to the rest of my body, this is not as bad.

I feel Michael before I meet him, intuition alerting me to the object I am about to come into contact with. It feels like he is propped up against the wall, and I pull myself to sit next to him with a grunt. I take a moment to even my labored breathing before answering. "I am not sure, you are the only one that responded. Can you see anything?"

I find myself almost relieved at his answer. "No, sir. It is completely dark."

Perhaps we have not truly been blinded, and are just in a passage that is too dense for light. "Neither can I. Are you injured? "
He takes a moment to answer. "I feel ill, and my shoulders hurt terribly. My head is pounding as well, but I cannot tell of any other pains. How are you, Hana? You sound to be in anguish."

Despite my attempts to cover it with a half hearted chuckle, my voice still comes out strained. "Do not worry about me. I believe they may have drugged us. Does your mind slow, as well?"

Michael sighs at my brushing off of his question, but answers me anyhow. "I cannot seem to remember anything, and my mind is fogged. Do you know of any potion that can do this?"

"I do not know of any, brother. It should wear off soon- my thoughts already clear."

For a few minutes we do not speak, but just take comfort in each others company, grateful that we are both still alive. After my pain is subsided slightly, I can focus in on the sounds around us with better clarity. I do not believe that the space is large, but it is spacious enough to move about.

I hear water drip, and it reminds me of my thirst. How long had it been since I've eaten or drank? My body tells me it has been far too long since I've tasted food. I pause my breathing and mentally rule Michael's out, as he is too close to me to be what I hear. Across the space, there comes quiet pants of breath. Could it be Castiel?

I wait a moment before I muster the energy to start, using my hands behind me to push against the damp wall. My wrists feel rubbed raw, and burn as the ropes shift against my skin.

"Captain?" Comes Michael's worried tone. "Sir, you aren't well, you should sit a while." 

I rest my cheek against the cool wall, feeling sweat drip between my shoulder blades. "I've been sitting long enough." I pant, between agony painted breaths. I need to get my hands in front of me.

I realize that the ceiling of the enclosure is taller than I first figured, as I stand to my full height without hitting my head. Judging by the smell, sound and the cool, rock-like feeling interior, I am nearly guessing that we could be in a cave, or something similar.

I struggle against my bonds, biting my aching lip against the intense burning of my wrists, but do not let it hinder me. The rope is luckily thick, making for big knots. Big knots can be more easily undone than thin, tight knots. I manage to loosen the rope enough to give me the needed slack to tuck my legs over my arms, bringing them in front of me.

The action brings enough pain to prick my eyes with tears, but I do not allow any to fall. I am gasping by the time I accomplish this, and have to wait another moment before I attempt anything else. I gently skim my tied hands over my torso, relieved when I feel no blood there. I am certain that a few of my ribs have been broken, but I cannot remember how or when it occurred.

"Sir-?" Michael starts, but I silence him by speaking over his words.

"I am fine, do not worry. I will bring you back to your wife and son, Michael, even if it kills me." As I am speaking, I bring the bonds to my mouth and bite at the loose knots, pulling them free.

He does not answer straight away, but I feel him processing this. I hear him swallow, then say thickly, "Yes, sir."

"Good man. Now," I breathe, bending to untie his bonds as well. It takes me a fumbling moment to find his arms, then follow them to his hands. "Turn, if you can." I instruct, and after a moment, he sucks in a pained breath and leans.

"You've gotten free of your restraints?" He asks, sounding slightly surprised.

I grunt in reply as I feel the ropes fall away from his arms. I take a beat to lean my hands against the cold floor, noting the grainy texture of it, while Michael frees himself.

I push to my feet, a hand once more finding my sharply pained ribs. "Help me devise an escape plan while we go to our brother. I suspect our captors will not leave us unattended for long."

-

Lyra's POV

I look up from my book as someone enters the room, and I cast a glance at Lance, who has dozed off, his head resting against the wall. I don't bother to wake him, as he has not slept well in the past few days.

It is late, but I did not want to retire to my chambers, so Lance and I headed to the castle Library. Even though I love it here and do wish to read, my mind keeps traveling to Jed, Sam, Hana and the other Guards. They are the true reason that I cannot sleep.

The fire crackles hot in front of me where I sit, on the floor instead of a hard chair. My skirts are laying about my legs in a flourish, and I sit similarly to how Sam had a few days ago.

My mother is still in her day gown as well, and two of her Guards join mine at the door, standing stiff and alert. She walks to me, heels clicking against the marble, but I do not rise to greet her.

The Queen stands over me, watching me read with her soft gaze. "How was your lesson?" She asks, voice gentle.

I mark my page and half way close the book. "Horrid." I look to Lance, keeping my gaze on his sleeping face. His mouth is mostly hidden by a thick beard, and his dark, curly hair is kept in a tie. I feel as though I did not notice him becoming a man, until we were reunited. He looks different when he is sleeping; less like a bear, and more like the boy I used to know. Part of me feels as though that boy is dead, now.

My mother watches me, and I hear the smile in her voice. "It is good to have him back, is it not? He has been following you like a lost dog all day."

My smile is small as I turn my gaze to her. "Yes, I've missed him terribly. Now, mother, tell me why you are here. You do not truly wish to know of my lesson."
Her face falls and she takes a seat in the chair closest me, smoothing her skirt and crossing her ankles. "Your intuition is strong." She says admiringly. "I do wish to speak to you of other affairs."

I set the thick tome in my lap, fingers brushing the closed pages. "Then let us talk."

She nods slightly, and folds her delicate hands in her lap. The blue of her dress does well to compliment her eyes and complexion. "I wished to know if you fancy any men yet."

I cannot help but roll my eyes, and I turn my head back to the hearth. "I see," To answer her question, I think hard for a moment. Have I really even thought about it? "I have a year to decide, yet." I answer.

She nods. "You do. I assume, though, that setting your sights for someone now would give more time for love to grow, before you marry."

"Not like you and father." I do not know why I said this, and wish to take it back. I do not look at her, afraid of her reaction. "I am sorry, I should not have said that."

"No, you should not have. I love your father, even if it took some time to be able to even tolerate his presence." I glance at her, but she is not looking at me. Her eyes are downcast, looking at the book in my lap. The Queen swallows. "I do not wish that to happen to you, Lyra. Forgive me for pushing suitors your way, but I only want what is best for you, my beautiful daughter."

Now I swallow, looking again to Lance. The change of his breathing pattern leads me to guess that the conversing has woken him, but he keeps his eyes closed.

Eavesdropper.

"Thank you, mother." Is all I say aloud.

The queen looks to Lance, as well, and smiles a smile that I do not like. "Lance has grown to be a handsome man, has he not?"

I feel a slight blush creep up my neck. "I suppose, but he is brotherly to me, mother. I could never marry him! It would never feel right." I swear I see Lance's strain at keeping his face relaxed. He is trying not to smile.

She waves a hand. "Yes, yes, I understand. Pity, though, he would treat you so well."

I scoff. "Plenty of men could treat me well. It is never going to happen, Mother. Put it far out of mind."

She seems to get it, finally. "Then if it is not him, who are you up worrying over? Surly not Prince Sam."

I try to ignore the question in her voice, and clear my throat uncomfortably. I do not like all of this talk. "Surly not." That is not quite a lie.

She raps her fingers on her knuckles, a quirk that she has when she is thinking. "You are clearly fretting over someone. I know that look on your face, darling."

"I do not have any particular look on my face."

"Oh, but you do. Now tell me, who has your attention, daughter? "

I sigh, and decide to humor her. "He is not at all someone you or father would approve of. Very dark and mysterious."

She leans forward, taking interest. "Perhaps this kingdom needs someone that we would not approve of, to turn things around."

Perhaps she is right. My eyes widen slightly, but I carry on. "He is not of noble blood. It would never be permitted."

She shrugs, a dainty gesture. "Oh, posh. Tell me of him, anyhow. What does he look like?"

I do not think as I speak. "He is tall, with blonde hair and grey eyes." My face heats uncontrollably as I realize I am describing Jed, without meaning to.

Ah, so you fancy the boy? Lance, to my surprise, does not sound smug about it.

I- well- of course not. He is a good friend... I stammer, nearly missing what my mother says next.

"He sounds very handsome. What does he do?"

I certainly cannot say that he is a mercenary. "He is a Knight." I lie.
"A Knight? He works at the castle?" She sounds surprised.

"Yes."

The queen smiles brightly. "I would like to properly meet this man some time. For dinner would be fabulous."

I nearly choke. Has she gone daft? "Mother! Father would never aprove. That cannot be done."

She thinks a moment, lips turning to a pout. "Oh, you are right. He would most likely be beheaded, or some other ghastly thing... I swear, your father." She comments, rolling her eyes. "I suppose it is alright for you to think of him for now, but do not hope. Continue to look for a noble husband."

I nod, cheeks burning a bit less. "Of course." Lance seems to have gained some decency and quit butting into my thoughts.

My mother stands and leans to kiss me on the crown of my head, a few tendrils of her dark hair tickling my face. "Good girl. Now, I'll be off to bed. Sleep well, my darling."

I watch her leave, and as soon as the doors are shut once more, I turn an accusing look to Lance.

His eyes are open and he has his arms behind his head, a childish grin on his face.

"Oh, I cannot stand you!" I yell, throwing my book at him. It hits him in the gut, and for the first time in a while, he gives a true laugh.

"Oh, child." He shakes his head fondly, continuing to smile. "How I've missed this side of you. You are always so serious and angry, here."

"Well, this is a serious and angry place. I fit in well, I think."

"Do you? I think you would make a better boy than a princess."

"Well that was very open." I comment, looking down to my wrapped hand. It aches a little less, but I still cradle it carefully, afraid to open the wound.

My brother's dark eyes turn serious for a second, and my heart skips a beat at what he says next. It is a pity about Jedediah. He already loves you.

If I thought before that I would have trouble sleeping tonight, now I am certain of it.

-

A/N

I'm actually exited to answer your questions, and I always welcome more... but depending on the question, I may not answer it for private reasons.

1.) @Probi9 I'm a senior in high school and my name is Angela Rose. (Not going to say my last name, sorry.) If I start publishing anything later on, I will be using pen names for all my books.

2.) @Jessi1921 Rainbow unicorns.... well, I'd say I like them well enough!

3.) @Ethereallife My birthday month is December. My favorite colors are yellow and purple. LGBT community: I'm pretty indifferent towards sexual orientation. My favorite animals are horses. (Horses are the love's of my life and they speak to my soul unlike anything else) I also like dogs, wolves and ocelotts and platypus are pretty cool as well. I pretty much love all animals except for snakes. Favorite book... not sure if I have a favorite, but one of the authors I really love is Maggie Stiefvater. Favorite character of mine: Lasreal (I count him as a character). Favorite character in another book: Sam Roth from Shiver, or Sean Kendrick from The Scorpio Races. But I love characters in general: they're so fun to write!

4.) @Alaskanlynx Lyra is somewhat based off of myself, but other than that she's just a character that I made up. I come up with names like Camisêal or Mashkíl by randomly toying in letters and typing with them until they form a word that sounds like an interesting name. Others like Jensen, Kaladin and Lyra I get from movies, shows or other books. Jeddediah is the name of someone I met. And no, I've never read His Dark Materials.

5.) @coolroxi20walie My favorite shows in order are Supernatural, The Bible, Once Upon a Time, Reign, and I just started Merlin.

Side note, I will not be allowing anyone to translate/copy/change this book in any way, and especially not without my permission. Runaway Princess is 100 percent mine, all rights reserved. Any characters or plots taken from this book is plagiarism! Please don't do that! Thanks.

So, that's all for now! As always, thank you so much for the reads, votes and comments! I never thought this book would ever reach the third ranking book in the what's hot section of wattpad! That's all thanks to you, beauties!

Love you guys, and God bless!

-A.