"That's weird." I laugh nervously when I glance back at Lance and he gives me a weird look. "Almost the exact same thing happened with my parents." I explain how they had been in the middle of celebrating after he proposed when Dad had to be rushed off because rebels were executing the King, my grandfather.

Lance takes my hand with a sad sigh and leads me down the stairs and back into Castrum where Dalton is waiting over by the rows of flowers with his hands shoved into his pockets.

I drop Lance's hand and pretend not to notice the hurt look on his face as I walk over to Dalton. "What's wrong?" I ask nervously. "Did something happen?"

Dalton's expression softens just a touch as he meets my eyes. "Nothing." He sighs and the weight lifts from my chest. "Pedro just wrapped up earlier and was hoping he'd caught you in time for us to all eat together, but I see you two already did." He walks towards the door. "He'll still want you both to come." He says over his shoulder and Lance and I follow close behind on the way to the elevators.

When we get on Dalton goes to push the button for level six, the royal level, but I grab his arm, making him flinch back. "Sorry," I say quickly. "I just...can I do it? I know it's stupid."

He takes a step back surprisingly and nods. "You know the code."

I type it into the key pad and the elevator begins to move.

"I know this is probably dumb, but I'm like shaking right now." I whisper. "The King's suite, and my mom's old room."

Lance puts a hand on my shoulder and Dalton looks away. "It's not dumb, it makes total sense." He assures me and I take a deep breath as the doors slide open.

The small hall, four guards posted outside of the two doors, exactly as I pictured it.

The guards dip their chins to Dalton as he exits and walks towards the room on the right.

"Wait!" I call and he looks back, raising his eyebrows. "Can I see my mom's room first?"

Dalton shrugs, pulling out a key from his pocket and he unlocks the door and I walk in.

"It's...um, a little more masculine than I had imagined." I mutter after a second and Dalton actually snorts a laugh behind me, the smile and every trace of happiness already gone before I can turn to him.

"That's because it's my room now." He explains and it makes total sense.

The room is way bigger than mine and Fallon's and it has a big steel grey king sized bed, unmade, and there is the same dark grey silk hanging down from the ceiling as when my dad lived in here, but the similarities end there. Gone are the bookshelves, the vanity, the little dinette tables. Instead there is a row of weights and other exercise equipment in one corner, a dirty towel in the floor, a big TV and gaming system set up on the wall facing the bed, a long black couch sitting on top of a maroon red rug, and on the far wall a poster is taped to the wall where the silk is pulled away.

"San Francisco Giants?" I ask, pointing over at it. "No wonder you hated me." I laugh. "You thought I was a Cubs fan, and then you found out I actually don't know anything about baseball?"

"I assure you," He steps forward, kicking some dirty clothes under his bed. "Your pathetic choice in baseball teams has nothing to do with my feelings towards you."

"Ok, jerk." I smile smugly. "Is that a new bed?" I ask, quirking a brow and he shakes his head slowly holding my gaze. I smile from ear to ear and nudge him in the ribs. "Enjoy sleeping on the bed I was likely created in." I wink and turn away until I catch sight of him actually smile in the corner of my eye. I whip back around but he's already dismissed it. I just narrow my eyes at him and purse my lips. "I saw that." I tease before walking back out of his room and joining Lance to walk into the King's suite.

Luckily this room actually lives up to its description.

Pedro comes out of the back bedroom, arms open and I skip over to hug him.

"Nice place." I kiss his cheek.

He taps my nose with a hearty laugh. "Well I thank you." He says, welcoming me in. "I can't take much credit. Octavia was the designer on this room." He tells me but I could already tell. She's great at decorating. I always let her help me when I redecorate my room. "You already ate?" He asks and I nod.

"I didn't know you were going to be available or I would have waited for you."

Pedro pats my shoulder and then turns towards the door. "Boys, come in." He calls to them and then frowns. "And wipe those looks off of your faces too. I chose the two of you to protect my pride and joy, not to compete in a glaring contest. Suck it up, and come be civil."

Dalton closes the door behind him and he and Lance come to join Pedro and me in the living area. I take a seat next to Pedro on the couch and Lance sits on my opposite side while Dalton sat in the recliner on the other side of the coffee table.

Pedro turns his head when there's a knock on the door.

"Come in." He calls, then turns to me. "You don't mind if we eat do you, Rosie?"

I shake my head. "Of course not."

A curvy woman with big blonde curls walks in carrying a tray with dark red bottles balanced on top. "O+ for His Highness," She passes one to Pedro, then turns to Lance next. "AB- for Sir Lance," He takes his bottle, turning it up immediately. "And B+ for Sir Dalton."

He reaches out for his bottle. "Thank you." He bows his head and then puts his bottle on the table.

Pedro waits until she is out of the room before turning back to me.

"So I hear you're already getting a reputation around here." He narrows his eyes and chuckles. "Just like your mom."

I roll my eyes exaggeratedly. "Oh come on, that guy was being totally unreasonable." I defend myself. "Ask Dalton, he was such an ass."

Pedro looks to him and he shrugs. "He was out of line, and I dealt with it." He assures him.

Lance finishes his drink, putting the bottle down on the table next to Dalton's untouched one and then when he leans back he rests his free hand on my knee. I don't miss that Dalton looks down at it before glancing off into the other room.

"So," Pedro pulls my attention back. "Aside from Master Malard, how are you enjoying it so far?"

"It's different than I expected, I'll admit." I tell him. "I mean, mom's room has been turned into a bachelor pad, but I really like Fallon and I actually really enjoyed class until Malard got all preachy right at the end."

Pedro sits up, turning off the TV that was on in the corner. "I know it hasn't been very exciting thus far, but you've come at a very good time." He smiles. "This Saturday will begin the festivities gearing up for the summer solstice ball at the end of the month. You'll really enjoy that."

I nearly bounce in my seat. "A ball?" I repeat him. "I'm allowed to go?"

"Of course." Pedro snorts. "Even if you weren't my very favorite little human, and not my niece, you'd still be allowed to come. All of the subjects in Castrum are allowed to attend, even the humans, but you'll have to pick an escort to take you." My eyes flicker to Dalton on their own and I find him already looking at me too.

"I've already promised to take Eyan." He tells Pedro and I notice that Pedro had been looking at Dalton too.

Lance straightens up beside me. "I'd be happy to be your date if you want?"

I put my hand on top of his and smile. "Of course." I smile then turn back to Pedro.

"Very good then." He nods. "Your father mentioned when we spoke that you should check out the old journals."

"Journals?" I ask and he nods. "All of the Kings have kept journals, your father included. They're kept hidden away and for other King's eyes only, but of course you're the exception to that rule." He winks.

"I'd love to read them, and whatever else you can give me." I say excitedly. "I want to know as much as I can."

"Oh, Rosie." He laughs. "Always in a hurry to learn." He smiles and then frowns in annoyance and pulls out his phone, glaring at the screen. "Dalton," He sighs. "Can you please deal with this? You're much better at diffusing situations than I am."

Dalton jumps up and takes the phone, stepping into the study with it.

"Dalton good at diffusing a situation?" I laugh to Pedro. "Have we met the same person?"

Pedro rolls his eyes and then Lance's phone starts ringing too. "Sorry," He says as he stands. "I'm needed down in guard's quarters."

"Everything ok?" I ask and he smiles.

"Just a few unruly men in need of a stern talking to from their commander." He jokes. "I'll be back to join you all for dinner."

When he leaves Pedro leans back on the couch, propping his feet up on the table and puts his arm around my shoulder. "So tell me honestly, are you ok?"

I look over at him. "Of course I am."

"How have those two been?" He whispers closer to me, giving me a knowing look.

"Stressful." I admit, then sigh. "Pedro, why did you assign Dalton to me? Doesn't he have more important things to be doing around here than making sure I eat breakfast and I'm not pricking my finger on spinning wheels and whatnot?"

Pedro sighs, leaning his head back on the back of the couch and looks up at the stone ceiling. "Having him tied up is certainly putting a lot of work off on me." He nods. "Dalton practically runs this place singlehandedly usually, but there isn't anyone I trust more in protecting you. I made a mistake before, trusting people I shouldn't, and I won't make that mistake again. I know he can be a pain in the ass, but if you can get to know him you'll see the man underneath all that gruffness. He's brash and cold, but he has a heart I assure you. He's been through a lot for anyone to bare, yet here he is, trying to make this life he didn't want better. Just bear with him. He's being good to you right?"

I want to say no and that he's been a total jerk, but I don't want him to get in trouble either. "Oh yeah." I lie. "He's been fine, I just thought you'd need him more than me." I brush it off. "He's really hard to get to know."

"Keep trying."

I roll my eyes. "I hope you aren't trying to play matchmaker." I narrow my eyes at him sternly and he holds a hand to his chest in faux shock.

"Me? I'd never." He grins. "Seriously though, you both could learn from each other."

I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. "I don't know what he could learn from me." I sigh. "All I've done so far is get into trouble."

"So did your mom before she found her voice." He pats my leg. "You just need to find yours. Discover who you are outside of your protected life. Find out what woman you want to be. I know I'll be proud."

"I love you."

"And I you." He taps my nose.

Dalton walks back in slowly, folding his arms behind his back. "All taken care of." He tells Pedro and he nods.

I reach my hands up over my head and yawn loudly. "Sorry." I murmur through it. "I don't think I'm going to make it to dinner." I make a puppy dog face at Pedro. "Nothing sounds better to me right now than crawling into bed."

Pedro shakes his head and laughs. "That's fine, Rosie." He tells me, patting my leg. "Get some sleep and make sure you and Fallon are up on time tomorrow."

"Scouts honor." I hold up the signal.

Pedro rolls his eyes and shakes his head at me. "You were never a good girl scout." He reminds me. "You ate two of the boxes of cookies that you were supposed to be selling and hid the evidence under your bed. And then you punched one of the other little girls in the face." He says. "Pretty sure you were kicked off of the troop after that."

"Whatever." I shrug. "That girl called my best friend a loser when she only sold one box." I point out and then give him a kiss on the forehead. "Anyway, I promise to be up on time and very well behaved tomorrow."

I wait for him to stand but the phone starts ringing again and Dalton scowls at the screen again.

"I'll take it." Pedro says holding out his hand. "Will you take Rosie back to her room and make sure Fallon in with her before you leave?"

"Yes Sir." He nods, then turns to me.

Dalton holds the door for me and lets me push the button on the elevator as we ride in silence. When we get off I go to walk down towards West Wing but Dalton catches me by the wrist and pulls me back, making me face him.

"I heard what you said to Pedro." He says suddenly. I must look as confused as I feel because he sighs. "You had the chance to tell him I'm a dick and you don't want me around anymore, but you told him I've been fine. I know you were lying, but I want to know why?"

I furrow my brows and shrug. "I didn't want you to get in trouble or anything."

"Why does it matter?" He asks. "You're the..." He looks around even though there aren't any other people. "You know." He sighs. "You don't have to work with anyone you don't want to."

"Did you want me to tell him the truth?" I ask, still super confused. "I don't mind working with you, even when you're a jerk because Pedro trusts you, and if he does, then so do I."

"You don't know the first thing about me." He shakes his head, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"That's because you don't want me to." I roll my eyes. "You've spent every second being as cold as you possibly can be, which I thought was just for me until other people seconded that you're actually kind of an ass. But I don't see why that matters. You had my back earlier today, so when Pedro asked about you, I had your back. I don't have to know your favorite color or your grandmas name to know you look out for people who look out for you."

I turn away from him to storm up the hallway but he flashes in front of me.

"Thank you I guess is what I'm trying to say." He huffs.

I smile at him, crossing my arms. "You're bad at this."

"I don't do it often."

"I can tell."

Dalton grins slightly, one corner of his mouth coming up just a little, not enough to show teeth, but even as dim as it was, I managed to feel honored to have been the one on the receiving end of an almost smile from him.

As we stood there, alone in the corridor that same tension began to build between us, but this time we weren't arguing. I thought it had been a heated annoyance with each other, but I'm smiling and he's not quite smiling, but he's not grimacing at me with loathing either, so why am I feeling this strange pull to him?

Before I can act on it, which I'm sure I wouldn't have anyway, the same pretty brunette girl came out of the double doors down the way and waved at us. "Funny running into you again." She winks at Dalton when she gets to us and then extends her hand to me. "I'm Eyan." She smiles, her warm amber eyes seeming genuinely nice, but I remembered what she'd said earlier today.

"Hi, I'm Rose, but you already knew that." I shake her hand. "Sorry your boyfriend got demoted to dealing with the likes of me." I say evenly and her smile drops and she glances quickly at Dalton and he frowns at me, question in his eyes. I turn to him and smile. "The doors to West Wing are right there." I point. "I think I can manage it, you guys go have dinner or something."

"Rose," He says but I raise my hand. "No, I mean it." I tell him. "You can even stand right here and watch to be sure I survive making it through the doors."

Eyan pulls Dalton's hand out of his pocket and holds it tightly in her own as I turn away and begin walking towards the doors. I'm almost there when my toes and fingers begin to tremble and suddenly I'm falling forward, everything going black.

I open my eyes and I'm still in Castrum, but in a higher up area, the rooms around me looking nicer than mine. A man walks by me, knocking on a door up the way and I follow him and wait for the door to open. A young woman with hair so blonde it's almost white answers, looking confused. "Can I help you?" She asks.

The man steps forward. "Miss Carla?" He asks and she nods once, looking weary. "So nice to meet you." The woman's eyes widen, but she doesn't move. She just stares blankly like she's under a trance. I come around to look at the man's face, but find his eyes stark white.

I scream jumping back when he begins chanting something under his breath that makes a ringing in my ears burn through my brain. I grab my head and scream louder until he finally stops.

"Pack your things." He whispers. "Tell no one where you are going. Just leave. Go East. Someone will receive you." He reaches out and places his thumb in the center of her forehead and she snaps back to life, nodding once.

"Sorry," She smiles. "I've got to go pack my things."

"Thank you for your help." He grins wickedly and turns away.

When he walks through me in the vision my whole body convulses with pain.

"Rose!" My body is shaking roughly. "Rose! Wake up! Dammit, Rose!"

"What's wrong with her?"

Dalton's groans loudly and I feel his arms tighten around my body. "Go get Pedro!"

"I can't!" She replies. "I'm not allowed to leave!"

"Fallon then!" He snaps at her. "Go to find her roommate Fallon and have her call Pedro and Lance and tell them to meet us in the suite."

"But-."

"Just do it, Eyan!"

My eyes finally snap open as she walks away and the pain eases away, my throat not feeling so tight anymore.

"I saw...I saw..." I mumble, my head so foggy. "I don't know what I saw."

My eyes find Dalton's where his face hovers over mine, the golden flickers in his eyes burning like flames. "Are you ok?" He asks urgently. "You were screaming so loud. I-I didn't know what to do."

"I think I'm ok." I nod once but it makes my head ache a little again and I wince, making Dalton's expression become more worrisome.

"I'm going to lift you." He whispers to me as he wraps me tighter, and I bring my hand up to his shoulders to steady myself. "Tell me if I'm hurting you." He says as he moves quickly up the corridor towards the elevator, his eyes never leaving mine. "Are you ok?" He whispers again as the doors shut behind us and the elevator begins to move.

"I-I'm..." I look up into his eyes and I'm not able to form a solid thought. Instead one of my hands creeps up from his shoulder to the side of his face, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw and then my hand slides down the side of his strong neck, feeling his smooth skin beneath mine. My heart hammers in my chest but has nothing to do with the vision I'd just seen or the pain in my head, and everything to do with the way he was looking at me.

The doors slide open and Pedro takes me from his arms so fast I can hardly notice the movement as I stare back over Pedro's shoulder as he carries me into the suite at Dalton standing frozen like a statue still in the middle of the elevator watching me too.