With my feet dangling over the branch, I watched the sun rise from below the the trees. At least, that's how it appeared. Snow fell around me, a reminder that time still went on even when people had died. If the prince was here, I was sure he'd be making us train in the snow. He had left a week ago and the first snow had taken over the ground. I didn't have a problem with the snow. No.

It's the memories that came with the snow.

The wind had decided to change directions, now blowing in from behind me, whipping my hair in my face.

"Great, now my make-up is screwed up."

"You look fine anyways," Jordan says, climbing up the tree and sitting down next me. It wouldn't surprise me if he had flirted with every of-age girl on the battle field in the past week. It was a habit for him, one he wasn't too paticular to give up.

"No, I don't. I look like a freaking child without it on," I retort, comparing myself to the small children running through the village. Maybe I just needed different in my life right now.

His messy hair was sticking up in odd directions, although knowing him, that wouldn't change unless we got a stronger gust of wind. I don't think he even owns a brush. Most had taken to the short hairstyles or the 'man-buns' for practice but not him.

I turn to face him, my legs still hanging off the branch.

"You promised you would stop doing that," I say, smirking.

"The flirting or the finding you in strange places?" he asks innocently, the smile on his face slowly growing larger. His teeth are just as white as the snow, and as straight as the sword he left on the ground behind him. It's hilt is wrapped in dark leather, probably made from a hide from the elven world.

"Both, actually," I respond, raising an eyebrow. I rub my pale hands on my jeans out of nervous habit. "But this time, I meant the flirting."

"And why shouldn't I? It makes you forget things."

"Because nothing will make me forget that night..."

He laughs at the hidden insult, and folds his tan hands behind his head staring up at the sky. "You say that like you're trying to avoid me, Lil."

Smiling at the old nickname, I struggle to come up with a proper come back. "Shut up."

He laughed again, this time pushing himself up into a sitting position. His muscle shirt huged his skin, making his six-pack visible. It seems that even he had been training everyday too. He glances towards the sunrise, the sky now orange like a fire, and smiles. "You know, it was years ago when we met, yet you seem different."

"Nothing's changed," I retort, thinking of back then. We had been in the same school since we were children, friend's for as long as I could remember.

"You've gotten even prettier since then," Jordan says, interrupting my thoughts.

I laugh nervously, then begin brushing my dark hair out of my face. Another nervous habit. Keep it together, Lillian. Small snowflakes begin to fall, right on cue. Clouds were now moving in, meaning a bigger flurry was on it's way. It also means everyone will be awake, and we only have so much time to get back and get to training on time. Or we can skip it. "You won't give up, will you?"

He shakes his head. "Nope. I'm just as stubborn as you."

Maybe he's not that bad.

I stare into his chocolate-colored eyes. I've known him for my whole life and I never thought of acctually dating him. Sure, we flirted but I was always with someone else or I just thought of him as a friend.

He's the one person I trust the most. The only person left for me to trust.

I swing my legs up next to me and stand up, my feet only inches from the edge. Despite the height from where I stand to the possible plummet to the icy ground below, I am not phased. "Come on, it's almost time for training. The prince is supposed to be back today and there's no telling what mood he's in. Best not push it."

He stands up next to me, exhaling, and grabs my hand. "We don't have to go, right?"

Jordan's grin is replace by a small, nervous smile. The look on his face is the same one he always has when we get this close. Reminiscing about a few months ago, when I hugged him after his return from his parents, I force myself to not show any emotion to his looks.

"Why the fuck are you grabbing my arm?" I say, playing dumb. I pull it back playfully, and punch his arm.

Jordan smirks, but then his face grows suddenly serious. "You know the prince hates language like that," Jordan reprimand, staring out past my shoulder.

Holding back a laugh, I attempt to not point out Jordan's odd behavior. Odd for him, anyways. "Yeah, and why would I care what he thinks?"

The stillness in the air was palpable. I looked at Jordan confused when he didn't look back at me.

"Maybe because the prince himself was behind you when you said that," the prince says and I spin around to face him.

I put a mocking smile on. "Nice to see you back from your vacation at such an early hour. How was it?"

He stared at me a smirk forming on his lips. "Just fine, thank you. But that doesn't mean you aren't in trouble, Lillian."

I groan, looking up at the sky. "I honestly don't see what's wrong with using words like-"

"You means the words used commonly for disrespect or expressing anger and irritation towards a prince?" he asks, his ice blue eyes darkening into an aquamarine color.

"Exactly," I mutter to myself.

He laughs at me and I return it with a glare. "Come on, Lillian. It is almost time for practice and I wonder how the prince would react if you're late."

I look at him and his newfound playfulness. That trip obviously did him good. Maybe he got laid. I snickered to myself and for some reason I felt anger flare up. Maybe it was due to the fact he seemed so cheery and bright after my family was murdered. Yeah, that's probably it.

"Me and Jordan were thinking of just skipping practice all together," I explain, the wind finally dying down around me. "We can't get punished if we don't show up. Besides, it's not exactly like were doing anything new, so..."

"But you need to be there today. This practice is just a meeting. A meeting that involves you."

Crossing my arms, I stared at him trying to form my anger into words.

"I should show up when I want not like you've been here. You don't even train with us," I jumped off the branch I was on, landing on the ground,"You're just an arrogant prince who thinks he should get what he wants. You've had everything handed to you and you were probably forced to help so you act like this is a great tradgedy to save humans."

"Uh, Lil? You do realize who you're talking to, right? I mean, he is the prince and he does have a sword-"

"Lillian Taylor, I know you have a lot of grief in your heart, but that is no excuse for talking to me like that. You do not know me and yet you assume everything. Come to the meeting."

I knit my eyebrows together, the wind blowing my hair into my face. Stupid hair, I should just cut it all off. "What do you mean by that? Why is this so important?"

He doesn't answer.

"Tell me." Thoughts started running through my head, trying to figure out what was wrong. I have nothing. I have nowhere to live, no one to lean on, and no purpose. I didn't know what I was going to do after this.

Not besides destroy the Inibrius as a whole.

"Your sister is still alive."

"Why?" I ask, the wind picking up again. I clench my fists, my fingernails digging into my palm. My hair now flying in the air behind me, twisting violently. My eyes beg to let tears fall. Don't show your emotions...

"Why would you say that! What have I done wrong!?" I grit through my teeth.

The prince glanced to Jordan, then back to me and I almost missed it. "I am not lying. I do not wish to anger you."

Death. Destruction. All my fault. My gut seizes with guilt, I should have prevented their deaths.

Jordan's eyebrows furrow together, causing small wrinkles on his forehead. "We saw her die. She can't be alive." He enunciated each word as though he was trying to get through to him.

"Jordan, please go to practice," the prince suggests gently. The snow falling around is getting thicker, I can't see more than twenty, may thirty feet away from us. "I have some things to discuss with Lillian." He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a note, then hands it to Jordan, who's face is sporting a worried expression.

Jordan begins unfurling it, just to have the prince grasp his wrists.

"I have written it in code. You will not understand it," he says, slowly releasing his grip. "Give it to Jeldin, the second in command, he knows what it says."

Jordan responds with a slow nod. With a worried glance cast in my direction, he shoves the note into the pocket of his board shorts, and turns around, his posture stiffer than the trees around us. The second Jordan walks out of view, the prince looked back to me.

"Lillian, there are things you need to know before the meeting. You might hate me for telling you these things but it will help save your sister. Follow me."

With that, I followed after his figure, trudging through the snow.