Luke and I walked away from the group, a heavy silence hanging between us. He snuck glances frequently in my direction, a nervous light in his eyes that I had never seen before. His hands twisted together in front of him, his knuckles white from the pressure. The sight caused a flicker of regret in my heart, a desire to say something to comfort him, but I stayed silent.

The issue hanging over us was too large to simply ignore.

Finally, far enough away from Graham and his followers to not be overheard, we stopped. As my gaze met his own, Luke took a deep breath, apologizing in a rush:

"I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you who I was before!"

"..." I stared at him, wanting to sigh, a twisted smile on my face.

"Is that why you think I'm upset? Because you didn't tell me you were a prince?"

Uncertainty crept into his expression. "It's not?"

"No." I shook my head. "With all that we shared, we both held some secrets back. Those were yours to keep. I didn't ask, and you didn't lie to me."

I had known deep down that he couldn't be as simple as he seemed, but a part of me had hoped that he was. That he could be a regular person, untouched by the terrible plot of this world, someone who could run away with me to the forest and ignore the whole mess.

But like he had said before we parted, Fate isn't very kind sometimes.

"I'm not mad that you're a prince. I'm mad because of this." I held up my wrist, the dark beads encircling it reflecting in the bright desert sun.

His eyes focused on the bracelet, and he stiffened.

"Your mother's token?" I asked quietly. "A necessary item for you to take the throne? A sign of engagement?"

Hadn't Graham called me Lucien's fiancé? He had obviously recognized the bracelet back in my cabin. No wonder he had been so adamant about becoming close with me. He was trying to bring his brother's fiancé over to his side.

"..." A helpless expression traced over Luke's features, the sadness and loneliness I saw there threatening to break my heart.

I steeled myself, forcing my tone to be harsh. "When were you going to tell me we were engaged? After the wedding?"

He laughed, but it was a desolate, hopeless sound. "Would you believe me if I told you it was the only thing I had, and I was simply afraid that you would forget me?"

"I might." I studied him quietly for a moment.

"I always planned to come back to see you before the third task." He stared down at his shaking hands as he spoke. "I was going to tell you everything then: who I was, what the bracelet meant... and then ask if you still wanted it." He sighed. "I thought you would be far enough away in the forest, that no one would see you before I found you again... I never thought that Graham..." Luke trailed off, shaking his head slowly. "I'm sorry."

I wanted to believe him. After all, he was very special to me. I was not someone who opened up to others easily. Chloe had been my only friend before we transported here. I had no experience with romance or love.

Luke... someone who spent every day by my side, sharing meals, opening up about our hopes and dreams... how could I not fall for him? I had recognized the feeling after he helped me to escape. I thought out of everyone I had ever known, he was the first to truly understand me. To care about me.

But now I couldn't help but doubt everything.

"Luke, can you look me in the eye and tell me honestly that you gave me that bracelet with no other intentions than that? To help me remember you?"

His eyes looked up at mine, and then moved away restlessly, unable to hold in one place for too long. "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember? The one thing I wanted more than anything else?"

His head bent down, as if it were too heavy to hold up any longer. "You wished to live in obscurity, away from the plots and schemes of others." It was a whisper, filled with dread.

"Did you give me the bracelet, an easily recognizable sign of Prince Lucien's favor... hoping that it would mark me? That it would tie me, who wanted nothing to do with the plot of the succession of the throne... to you, who can't escape it? Did you harbor any thoughts that it might keep me from successfully hiding away, bringing me to live in the same world that you are forced to stay in?"

I watched him carefully as I spoke, praying he would speak up and say I was wrong. That he would laugh easily, telling me I was paranoid. That the bracelet meant nothing more than a small gift to remember him by, always meant to be retrieved before the final task.

That he had never hoped that it would be recognized. That I would have to give up my dream of avoiding the plot and living a peaceful life.

Please, please say that I'm wrong! My hands were clenched so tightly that my fingers were numb, my palm bleeding as the skin tore under the edge of my nails.

Luke looked up, and my heart ached at the familiar look in his eyes. Bitterness.Self-loathing. Loneliness.

"I can't say that I never thought that." He sighed, a painful sound. "I can't say I never hoped deep down that you would change your mind and rejoin this world to face it with me. But I was also telling the truth. I didn't think you would be found in the forest. I did plan to tell you the truth and let you choose for yourself."

"But instead you took away my only chance to control my fate completely." I laughed, but it was painful, so painful I could hardly breathe.

The perfect image he had left in my memories, a simple childish first love, crumbled away. I still cared for him, more than i wanted to, but it was tarnished by reality, closer to the truth than the ideal i had held in my heart for so long.

"I'm sorry." He didn't shirk away from the blame in my eyes, facing it head on with a bitter smile.

"Me too."

I reached out to grasp his hand, both of us flinching at the contact. Even now, with the anger and hurt I felt towards him, just touching his hand was enough to cause my heart to race.

I gently placed the bracelet he had given me in his palm, closing his fingers around it before dropping my hand.

"Take this back."

"No... I..." He started to refuse, but I cut him off.

"I can't accept this right now. At least not with all the many meanings attached to it. " We had spent less than a year by each other's side. I cared about him, but I wasn't ready to accept such a heavy promise.

"..." His hand tightened silently over the bracelet.

"After I fulfill my promise to my sister and help Graham get a Tarif, I'm going back to the forest. I'm not going to join this fight. I'm going back to living apart from all this. "

I took a deep breath after I spoke, watching his reaction. I thought he might argue. Try to convince me otherwise. Or at least look disappointed.

I did not expect him to smile.

"That's good!" He looked genuinely happy. "Get away from all this. Live a happy life."

"You..."

He shrugged at my shocked expression. "I know it doesn't make sense. On one hand, I'm selfish, and I want to keep my only friend, the woman I care about, by my side. But on the other..." He reached out, squeezing my hand in his own. "I want you to be safe. And happy."

"..." I studied him closely. He didn't appear to be lying, openly admitting the conflicting motivations within himself. A small warmth rose within me, surprising me. This was Lucien? The murdering villain of Deadly Crown? I had suspected his motivations once I realized he was the villain, but now... I was more confused than ever.

"Luke..."

"LUCIEN!" Graham walked up, interrupting us, looking annoyed. He turned to me, hesitating over what to call me "...Lucien's fiancé. We need to move. The task requires that we reach one of the bandit camps before nightfall."

"..." Luke looked over at me with an amused grin. "You still don't have a name yet?"

I shrugged. "Not important enough for one."

His laughter rang out, and I couldn't help but smile at the pleasant sound.

Graham face darkened even further. "Come one, we have to go."

He reached out to grab my hand, pausing when he realized there was no longer a bracelet on it. His eyes lit up at the sight. Luke, on the other hand, frowned at his half brother uncomfortably.

"Your Highness!" A voice rang out behind us before anyone could speak further. A young man wearing armor rode up, his face concerned. "You rode ahead of me, I couldn't keep up! What happened?"

Luke sighed quietly. "It's fine, Eric. Just needed to take care of a few things." He didn't look up at the newcomer even as he answered him, continuing to stare at me with an intense expression.

"Something on my face?" I grinned.

"I missed you."

His simple answer threw me, and I found myself struggling to reply.

"Let's go." I turned to rejoin Graham's group. It's better to just avoid talking further for now. At least until I sort out my feelings.

"Are you and my brother fighting?" Graham was smiling as he walked beside me, making me want to punch him in the face.

"It's not your concern."

"Of course it is!" He feigned innocence. "Lucien's my brother, and you're..."

"I'm no one."

"You're important." He brushed past my annoyed words, finishing his sentence while studying me closely. I disliked the sensation. He was always staring at my eyes, looking for something unknown. Whatever it was he never seemed to find it, again he turned away with a disappointed shrug.

_____________________________

We all rode together into the desert. I kept myself to the middle of the group, away from Graham and his closer lackeys in the front, but also apart from Luke and his servant in the back. Part of me wanted to draw back, spend time talking with him. I wanted to know how he had been in the years apart, what difficulties he faced... but I had a sneaking suspicion that the more time I spent by his side, the harder it would be to separate myself from the plot.

Plot equals death wish. I repeated in my head over and over, hoping to regain the certainty I had not that long ago.

"What happened?!" An irritated whisper broke through my troubled thoughts. Distracted, I looked up to see Chloe glaring at me.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how on earth did you end up engaged to Lucien?" She sneered, a hand grabbing my arm to slow me to her pace. "You were so sincere, begging me to hide your name and avoid the plot, I actually bought it. And all along you were sneaking around, hooking up with the main villain."

I let out a frustrated breath, pushing my hair out of my eyes. "It's a misunderstanding."

"Really? Then can you explain why he's acting so differently?"

I felt lost. "Differently?"

"Don't pretend!" She laughed softly, her hand tightening its grip on me. "You saw him as well as me, sparing Corran's life. What's going on?"

"How should I know? Why don't you go ask him yourself?"

Her face turned pale. "You don't understand. If you change too many things, I'll lose my advantage. Graham thinks I can see the future, but it's only as long as the plot stays the same that I can take advantage of that."

"And how is that my problem?" I shook my head. "If you're so concerned, then just tell Graham the truth?"

"Don't be an idiot! Or I'll leave you behind!"

I grabbed her hand, throwing it off of me, laughing at her threat.

She was shocked, a look that frustrated me to know end. Every time we spoke she fell into the same patterns as our old world. Bullying, grabbing, ordering me around. I had always given into her in the past, accepting being in the wrong even when I knew I wasn't. But now, in this different place, I had changed, gained the confidence to stand without her. I no longer had to sit there quietly and let her push me around.

So why did she continue to act like nothing had changed?

"Chloe, we're sisters, which is the only reason I'm helping you this time. But don't think that we're the same as we used to be. You left me behind, and I never looked for you. You begged me to come with you. So don't pretend that I'm the one who needs you."

"..." She had no answer.

I slowed my horse down, falling to the back of the group, no longer wanting to talk to her.

Finally, I reached Luke's side once again. He smiled at me in welcome, and I felt myself relax, not realizing how stressed I had felt simply talking to Chloe.

"Is there something I can help you with?"

His quiet offer brought my Chloe's ranting to mind. "Why did you offer to spare Corran?"

Luke blinked, as if thrown by my sudden question. "There was no reason to kill him."

So simple an answer, but he killed plenty of people in the book without cause, didn't he? "Is that really the only reason?"

At my direct stare he fidgeted, seeming slightly embarrassed. "You told me once it wasn't too late for my soul, and not to sacrifice it along the way." He spoke in a whisper, but I was startled by his words all the same.

Had the plot changed? The big villain Lucien, who murders everyone who stands in his way, never would have worried about his soul, or sparing someone's life. He should have been on a killing spree since taking revenge on the Ninth Lord... I paused at that thought.

"What about the Ninth Lord's Household? What did you do to them?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant it to be.

He grinned. "Everyone responsible was put in jail on evidence I collected of their crimes."

"You didn't kill them?"

"It didn't seem as important. Besides..." His smile became self-deprecating. "That's where I met you. I didn't want to taint that memory by painting it with blood."

I rubbed my head, a pounding headache forming. I've totally derailed the plot, haven't I? Just as I opened my mouth to ask another question, however, we were interrupted.

"What are you two talking about?"

I looked over at Graham, who had held back to ride beside me, and sighed. Would it kill him not to show up every single time I'm trying to talk to Luke?

"The best way to murder you and let Lucien take the throne." I answered finally with a serious expression.

Luke grinned and nodded along. "Yep."

"You're joking."

"Who knows?" I shrugged, enjoying his annoyed expression. "What brings you to the back of the group?"

Graham glared at me for a few moments, and then turned to Luke. "We're getting close to the branch point. My group is heading for the Serpent Camp. What about you, brother?"

Luke paused at that. "Well, I had initially planned to go to that one as well. But I think that I might head for Scorpion Camp instead."

"Really? I heard you had connections at Serpent Camp?"

At Graham's doubtful question, Luke glanced over and winked at me. "I suddenly don't feel like fighting with your group... at least right now. Scorpion Camp will suit me just fine."

I watched them discuss their plans, struggling to remember the plot of the book. There should be three bandit camps: Serpent, Scorpion and Spider. Spider Camp already had an allegiance with one of the princes, the youngest of named Fetter. In the book, Lucien had reportedly slaughtered everyone in the Serpent Camp, including one of the princes, forcing Graham and his team to compete with Corran for the Tarif of Scorpion Camp.

But now Corran was already dead, and Fetter already had a Tarif. Which left four princes to compete for the final two. And if Luke was going to Scorpion Camp...

I reached out, grabbing Luke's hand, startling us both. "They use poisons. Are you prepared to deal with that?"

Luke smiled, a teasing light in his eyes. "Are you worried about me?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes."

"..." At my straightforward answer, he seemed caught off guard. His cheeks flushing with a faint red stain, he shook his head, looking away. "I'm prepared."

"Are you sure..."

"He'll be fine." Graham pushed his horse in between Luke's and my own, forcing us apart. "We should part ways now then, brother, so as to not slow you down."

"Very well." Despite his half-brother provocative stare, Luke seemed very calm.

I stared at him, and glanced over at his servant who had a confused expression on.

What had Luke called him? Eric? Why does that name seem so familiar?

If he had a name in the story, that likely meant that he was set for a painful end. I felt a growing sense of unease. "Are you planning on just having one person watch your back?" I should go with him.

"You promised Chloe you would help us!" Graham spoke up, his eyes cold.

"You said you needed me to track. There's an obvious path here. You don't need my skills at all."

Even as I pointed out his lies he stayed calm. "You can also fight."

"You have plenty..."

"Wait." Luke interrupted. "Don't worry about me. I want you to keep your promise with your sister."

"Luke..."

"A smaller group works better for the Scorpion Camp. I'll be fine. " He smiled, trying to reassure me, but I could only frown in response."

"But..." I trailed off as he moved around Graham, reaching out to hug me. It was an awkward motion, as we were both still sitting on different horses, but before I could move he leaned closer and whispered "It's okay. I'll find you again."

With that, he turned and rode away. I stared after him a while, ignoring Graham's increasingly furious expression.

"Let's go." He reached out to grab my hand, but I pulled away, riding ahead.

_____________________________

As we neared the Serpent Camp, I watched Chloe and Graham discuss strategy in quiet voices.

"The Serpent Camp leader values personal strength and skill above all else."

Graham nodded. "Can you see anything now that we're closer regarding what her requirement will be to obtain the Tarif?"

"Not really." Chloe flashed an embarrassed smile. "My powers aren't showing me very many details."

Is she pretending to be psychic and using knowledge of the book? I watched her struggle to come up with useful information, interested. She had read the book over and over, and knew a lot more details than me regarding the world.

"The leader is an older woman, apparently."

Graham raised an eyebrow at that. "Really? How would she keep control of a bandit gang?"

"I'm not sure, she must be very powerful."

A very powerful older woman? A familiar face flashed through my mind, but I shook my head, chuckling. There's no way that there would be such a coincidence...

"I leave you alone for a year, and you've already failed at being a nobody, foolish girl." A familiar sarcastic voice called out, freezing me into place.

You've got to be kidding me. I looked up into a familiar face and sighed.

"Hello, Blade."

_____________________________

Our group was brought into the bandit camp. We walked past multiple well-fortinfied structures, moving to the center where a large blood stained fighting ring stood. There were benches to spectate along the side, a primitive arena. The area was impressive, only marred by a large stack of bloody rags sat off to the side. As we were brought to stand before the ring, Graham and Chloe stared at me in shock.

"How do you know the Serpent Camp Leader?" Graham finally spoke up, watching me suspiciously.

I didn't see any reason to hide it. "She trained me."

"Why?"

"Good question." I muttered, walking up to Blade, who glared at me.

"I thought you were going to stay in the forest?"

"That was the plan."

"Why are you here is these lowlifes?" She gestured towards Graham and the others.

I shrugged. "My sister is part of his group. She begged me. I found it hard to say no."

"Do you know why I trained you, girl?" Her gaze traveled down to my empty wrist, her brows knitting together.

"Luke asked you to, and you were a friend of his mother?"

"I was her friend, and so I gave her son one favor." She held up a single finger. "Only one. He was supposed to use it to ask for this Tarif. Instead, he asked me to train you to survive on your own."

I looked down at her hand, which clutched an amulet made from bone with intricate carvings. The objective of the second task.

He used up his favor on me?

No wonder in the book Lucien obtained the Tarif from Serpent Camp so easily. He still could have come here. With his relationship with Blade, even without the favor he'd be at an advantage. Instead he went to Scorpion Camp to face the dangers there?

"Fool." I whispered to myself. Blade patted my shoulder, walking away to face the group.

"Well, let's get to the test." She crossed her arms, smiling down at us. There was a undeniable pressure from her, a sense of barely contained violence and naked threat. Even having lived with her for more than a year, I shrank back from it. A large group of men stood behind her, brandishes weapons and leering.

Graham stepped forward, his face calm, albeit a bit pale. "I am Prince Graham."

"..." Blade raised an eyebrow. "I don't care? Your half brother was a prince too, didn't seem to do him much good." She pointed to a pile off to the side of the arena, and with a sinking stomach I realized what I had thought was just bloody rags on a casual glance were actually stacked bodies. Shuddering, I turned away.

Every time I forget how bloody the plot of this book is, the world keeps reminding me. I realized that I didn't even know that prince's name, although it was probably mentioned in the book. Even without Lucien killing him like in the plot he had still died quickly.

"What do you want us to do?" Graham asked, turning silently away from the body of his half-brother without concern.

"One of your people can fight one of my men. If you win, I give you the Tarif. If you lose..." She grinned viciously. "No one leaves here alive."

Graham looked at the group, one by one, as if measuring our worth. His gaze paused on me for a long time, and I stared back, curious. He had only seen me fight with a bow. He wouldn't risk betting everyone's lives on me.

Feeling relaxed, I watched him come to a decision... "Beth... I can only count on you."

The swordswoman tensed up, nodding before flashing Graham an infatuated grin. "Okay, I'll win for you."

Another one who thinks Graham cares for her. I shook my head sadly.

At least I don't have to fight...avoiding being part of the plot! Hooray!

"Why aren't you sending out your strongest fighter?" Blade asked with a smile.

My heart sank. WHY? My previous internal cheering turned to bitter sobs.

"What do you...?" Graham followed her gaze to look at me. "Her?"

"She's much stronger than the one you picked. Probably the only one with a chance to win against my men."

"..." Graham watched me with a curious gaze, and then waved his hand. "Very well."

"No." I crossed my arms. "Why should I?"

"You're part of our team!"

I rolled my eyes. "I agreed to be a tracker. I never promised to join a fight to the death. Use someone who cares whether you win or not."

"Girl." Blade spoke up, interrupting Graham as he started to argue further. "See who your opponent is before saying too much." She smiled. "I originally picked him out for Luke, but you'll enjoy it too."

A man had stepped forward into the ring, looking slightly confused at Blade's words. His eyes met mine, and we both sucked in a breath.

"YOU!" He pointed at me with a frown.

"Bale?" I glared back at him. The man who had been in charge of the slaves in the Ninth Lord's Household. Who had targeted Luke over and over again. Beating him, humiliating him...

I found myself smiling as I drew my sword and walked into the ring.

"How did you escape?" He circled around me.

"I could ask you the same question." Didn't Luke say that everyone had been arrested?

"He bribed a guard, ran to the Northern Desert." Blade laughed. "Luckily right into my crew."

"Did that bastard let you out?" Bale sneered, ignoring the older woman's words. "Is that little weakling dead yet?"

"..." I followed his movements with my eyes, my sword ready.

"If he is still alive, I'll make sure to send him your head." Bale grinned. "Wouldn't that be a lovely reunion?"

"Funny," I laughed. "I was thinking the same thing."

With a scream of rage Bale charged in, sword raised. I sidestepped his charge, flipping my blade and striking his knee with the back of it. His leg collapsed under him, and his face hit the bloody dirt.

"Try harder." I sneered, meaning it. I had a lot of rage built up from his torture of Luke and I during our time in that household. I meant to make this fight last.

And it did.

He charged over and over. At first, I contented myself with striking him bluntly, weakening his joints, bruising him in painful areas. As that grew old I started using the blade itself, soaking the ground with his blood.

Eventually his anger burned out, replaced by fear. He no longer ran towards me, retreating to the edge of the fighting ring. I smiled at him, moving closer at a leisurely pace.

"Weren't you going to take my head?"

"..." He shook with fear, his face pale from terror and blood loss.

"The funny thing is, he probably would have forgiven you." My smile widened, as I moved closer. "He's trying his best to be a good person. Now, out of the two of us... I think I might be more of a villain."

"Please... " He started to beg, but seeing no sign of forgiveness in my eyes, suddenly launched himself towards me, blade raised.

"DIE YOU BITCH!"

"You shouldn't have hurt him." I swung the sword, and he fell to the ground in pieces.

"..." Silence reigned over the area. I stared down at the body, feeling faint. How much had I changed from a girl who couldn't even read descriptions of violence in books, to someone who could kill another person? I thought of the terrible things he had done, of the times he had hurt Luke, nearly killing him on multiple occasions... and found I couldn't bring myself to feel too sorry about it.

Clap. Clap.

Blade walked forward, a grim smile on her face. "Good to see you haven't forgotten what I've taught you."

I forced a grin, still feeling slightly sick. "Couldn't forget it even if I wanted to."

"Then make sure you protect that foolish boy of yours." She clapped my shoulder, handing me the Tarif. "He's too much like his mother sometimes. Better to have someone tough by his side."

"..." She's worried about Lucien? The strongest villain in Deadly Crown?

Then again, maybe she had a point... I was worried too.

"I will."

"Oh, and little prince?" Blade looked over at Graham. "I realize the girl will give you the Tarif so you can compete for your pretty little crown, but just know that she's the one who earned it. The Tarif is a sign of loyalty. You will not be able to use it to command me or my men." She patted my head. "Only she can."

Graham didn't seem angry at the warning. If anything, he seemed... amused. "Noted." He caught the Tarif as I tossed it to him, and studied it closely. "Well there we go... task two done!"

As he spoke, I noticed one of the young women behind him, a quiet girl named Arrisa, pull a blade from under her cloak. Her face was expressionless as she moved towards the prince, her hand rising to strike.

"Watch out!" I picked up a rock from the side of the ring and threw it, hitting the attacker on the shoulder. Quickly getting over their shock, the rest of the group piled on the struggling, screaming woman.

"Arrisa?" Graham stared down at her, a look of mild disappointment on his face. "You're a traitor?"

The woman stared up at Graham, spitting in disgust instead of replying.

Chloe and I exchanged concerned glances. There hadn't been any traitors in Graham's group in the book! As I studied the woman closer, struggling to think through the convoluted plot of Deadly Crown, I came to a realization. I walked closer to Chloe, whispering. "Didn't Arrisa die in the initial battle at the bridge in the story?"

Chloe nodded slowly, her face pale. "Yes."

In the story, Luke had never helped Graham's group. Also I had taken out a good number of our attackers with my bow as well. Without us, Graham had lost three companions instead of one, and Arrisa has been one of them.

She had always been a traitor; she had just never gotten the chance in the story.

"Who do you work for?" Chloe asked, obviously trying to make her voice stern.

The woman laughed. "You're the psychic, you figure it out!"

I thought it over, and finally spoke up. "Fetter."

The youngest of the princes, who had gained a Tarif already through underhanded deals. He was the second biggest villain in Deadly Crown after Lucien. But where Lucien dealt in violence and death, straightforwardly charging towards his goal no matter the obstruction... Fetter was different. He moved in the shadows, through intrigue and negotiations. Whoever he couldn't buy he blackmailed, and whoever was too good to be blackmailed had their family kidnapped and tortured until they agreed. He was a malevolent spider, sitting on a network of spies and traitors.

When I had read the books, he was the only character I had actively wished could be killed off. But even until the fourth volume he was still alive and plotting.

Fetter would be the one to plant traitors in his brothers parties.

"..." Arrisa stared at me, slightly panicked, and I smiled as I realized my guess was correct.

Graham drew his sword, pointing it at her throat. "Tell us everything you know."

She spat at him again. "I'll die first."

"Very well." His eyes were cold as he swung his sword down, cutting off her head with a single stroke.

I looked away at the last moment. I could understand his thinking. She was a traitor, one he didn't have time to question. She would not only be a burden to take along, but a threat...

But watching him so easily kill one of his companions was chilling.

This terrible plot. I was right to try to stay out of it. But even as I thought that, a nagging thought in the back of my mind wouldn't go away.

Traitors from Fetter... why did it sound so familiar? Graham's group hadn't had a traitor in the book, she had died too early... so who...?

"Eric." I said the name out loud like a curse. The armored servant at Luke's side. His name had been familiar, and now I knew why.

He was a traitor.

He had been portrayed almost as a hero in Deadly Crown. The one person who had come the closest to killing the villain Lucien. Of course he failed and died horribly, like all the other characters in that terrible book, but Lucien had been critically injured, almost failing to bring back the Tarif in time.

The plot has already changed. He was supposed to go to the Serpent Camp and get the Tarif quickly from Blade. But now he's in the Scorpion Camp, surrounded by enemies... what if he tries to kill him there?

I thought of Luke's reassuring smile as he promised to find me again.

Of him using his favor from Blade to help me instead.

Of choosing a more dangerous camp, just so that I wouldn't have to choose between him and my sister.

"Fool." I walked towards my horse, unable to stand still longer.

"Where are you going?" Chloe called out.

"To save Luke."

"What?! Why?"

I ignored her and kept walking.

"GIRL!" Blade called out after me, and I paused. She tossed a vial of clear fluid towards me and I caught it on reflex. "The Scorpion Leader likes to use poison, cause he's a weak bitch." She grinned. "That's the antidote to his favorite one. Go save that boy, tell him I said hi."

"Thanks."

"Try to do a better job next time of being a nobody." She laughed to herself, and walked away.

I headed forwards.

"Wait!"

A hand grabbed my arm, and it took everything I had not to turn around and swing at the person delaying me from reaching Luke. I turned around to see Graham, with an uncharacteristically serious expression on his face.

"Don't go." He spoke just loud enough for only me to hear.

"Let me go."

"Join us. I have the Tarif. If the other princes fall to their traitors, it will be just me against Fetter. With your help, I could be king."

"I promised Chloe to help you get the Tarif." I gestured towards the amulet which was now around his neck. "That's all."

He shook his head. "You have the same power as Chloe."

I paused at that. "In a way."

"But you don't treat me the way she does..." He almost sounded wistful.

I couldn't help but laugh. "That's because she's sees so much, but when she looks at you she sees the hero of her dreams. When I look at you, however, I just see you for what you are."

"And what is that?"

I leaned closer to whisper. "A coward. Someone who would let their companions die without shedding a tear because they were only ever tools in the first place. Who gives those young women just enough hope that their special to you so that they won't figure out that you don't even see them as people, much less the love of your life."

"I'm not..." He trailed off, looking shocked. "I'm really not..."

"Not a coward?" I smiled bitterly. "Then tell them the truth. Tell one of these girls clearly that you love her. Or all of them, or none of them. Let them decide to help you because they think you would be a good king. Not because you were nice to them at the right time and they have hopes that one day they'll be your 'special someone.'"

His hand tightened slightly around my arm, his face tight. In his eyes was a desperate light I had never seen before, an almost hungry expression. "What if I said that to you?" He reached into his shirt, pulling out the pearl string he had shown me before. "What if I gave this to you? Would you stay by my side then?"

I leaned closer. "If you gave it to me, I would hand it back, and tell you to shove it up your ass." I smiled at his startled look. "Because you and I both know that the only person here that you love is yourself."

Breaking his grip on my arm. I walked away, refusing to look back again.

I had a villain to save.

_____________________________

She was walking away.

Graham stood in place, staring at the unnamed woman's back, a pain in his chest so terrible that made him wish he were alone and could scream.

He understood why Luke had tried to put his token on her.

Heaven help him. He understood completely.

Graham had grown up as a prince, in a kingdom where everyone he met either wanted to use him or kill him. He learned quickly to read people's eyes, to see the desires there. To learn what people wanted from him, what they needed him to be. He had to find what they desired, and use that to make them want to follow him.

He looked around at the group around him. She was right. He didn't see them as people. He looked in their eyes and saw what they desired... wealth, power, romance... and he used that to control them. They were tools in his hands. When he killed Arrisa he had only felt a mild sense of disappointment, the loss of a useful chess piece.

Even Chloe, when she came to him, with her special knowledge of the future, approached him with desire shining in her eyes. She saw him as a hero, and herself as the heroine. As long as he let her believe she was special, she would follow him, give him what he wanted.

But why was She different?

When she looked at him, there was nothing. No desire. No greed. She wanted nothing to do with this world, except to be away from it. She had no strong emotions looking at him. Not love. Not hatred. Just a mild dislike.

At first he thought it was a trick, that she was good at pretending. After all, if she truly didn't want power, she wouldn't wear the token of a prince on her wrist. He tried to push her, to learn about her. He would find what she wanted and offer it to her, to pull her to his side.

But when he finally saw the first flicker of a deeper emotion in her eyes... she wasn't looking at him. She was looking at Luke. There was anger, hurt there, of course. But there was also love... trust. She handed back the token, and he realized that Luke hadn't told her what it meant.

And Graham felt a strange flicker of desperation grow within him.

She had looked right at him. And she saw him for what he was. Not what she wanted him to be. Not what she could get from him. She saw him.

And she saw a coward. One she disliked.

Graham wondered what it would be like to have someone like that look at you, truly see you... and love you.

His fists clenched at his sides as a desire struck him, so strong it almost knocked him to the ground.

He wanted her.

He wasn't going to let her fade into the background, a nameless existence. He was going to drag her into the thick of it all. Stain her clear gaze with this world, until she desired something, anything. Something he could grab and use to tie her to his side.

She would be his. She would love him.

No matter what.