I love Julian and Kiara's friendship- the former is such a sweetheart. Read on! :)

Chapter Quote:
"Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman."
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Chapter 6

Kiara

The talk with Julian had helped me in believing Kyrian and I still had a chance to make things work between us. On the contrary, I wasn't exactly ready to face him mainly for the fact I didn't know how to apologize, I didn't know how to tell him that I was actually falling for him, and I didn't even know how to start the whole conversation itself. It'd been three days and neither of us had said a word to each other, let alone looked at each other. Julian watched us carefully, but if he was judging us, he didn't let on.

I sighed. I'd been up for at least two hours and there was no hope of me going back to sleep. Breakfast was in an hour but I wasn't hungry. I didn't want to go. Suddenly an idea struck me. I'd been here nigh on two months, and I still hadn't seen the city. Remembering what Julian had told me about what his wife did, I got up, changing into a very simple dress. It was still nice, but less flashy than my others. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. Grabbing my cloak, I threw it over my shoulders while calling for Penthea. She came instantly.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"For a walk. I cannot fall back asleep and feel the fresh air will do me good. Please tell my family and the king that I was not feeling well and chose to miss breakfast. Whatever you do, do not let them in my room. I don't want them finding out I lied." My handmaiden nodded. I left my room, slipping over to the servants' stairwell. I was using it to sneak down and out of the castle. Only a few people passed me. When their eyes lit up with recognition, I kept them hushed by placing a finger to my lips. They nodded and bowed before going on their way. My prayers must've been heard by the gods because I managed to slip out of the palace unnoticed. Guards walked up and down but none paid me any attention. It took me twenty minutes to actually figure out my way into town. When I got there, it was already hustling and bustling. Carts rolled by me, men shouted out that they had good deals (supposedly better than their neighbor's), women dragged screaming kids along as they began their errands, and drunken men staggered out of bars, looking disoriented. It was enthralling to finally be out of the palace walls. I started walking slowly, studying each vendor's cart. One man stopped me, offering me to try 'the best strawberry I'd ever had in my life.' I took it with a smile. I had to admit, it was delicious. I bought some from him just because he'd been so sweet. I made my way farther downtown, keeping my hood up, my head down, especially when Thracian guards patrolled past me. It's not like all of them would notice me but I didn't want to risk them recognizing me and escorting me back to the palace, or worse, around town. Then everyone would know who I was and that's not what I wanted.

I ended up buying some scrolls to read, ones I'd end up giving to my father or possibly King Alkis if he wanted them. I bought a drink when the sun got higher in the sky, heating everything up. It was near the end of the main street when I turned my head towards a vendor selling turquoise jewelry. It was rare to come across and I went over there just to admire it. The vendor, an old man, asked kindly, "See something you like, miss?"

"Everything," I laughed. "It's gorgeous."

"How much money do you have on you?"

"Not near enough to buy any of this," I replied. "I'm just sort of browsing. Acquainting myself with the city."

"Are you a handmaiden of the princess? Or did you just tag along with her throng?"

Avoiding the question, I questioned, "Do you like her?"

"I have never seen her, therefore I do not know what to make of her. I'm wondering when and if they'll show her to us before the wedding."

"Maybe she has shown her face, she just doesn't want you to know it's her," I suggested.

"Are you saying the princess has been sneaking out unguarded just to see the city?"

"Like you said, none of you have seen. Perhaps the palace is keeping her walls and she's going stir-crazy. I would." It seemed to dawn on the man at what I was hinting. His mouth parted open but I held my finger up to my lips. "I want to get to know the townspeople and the town I'm going to be living in."

"You avoid saying 'ruling.' Why?"

"I'm not sure you would like me using that word."

"I have no enmity towards you or your family my lady. It is an honor to meet you," he said, bowing. "Please, as a sign of my good faith in you, choose a piece, any piece, and it is yours!"

"Oh no, I couldn't do that! You work too hard. I honestly do not have enough money to pay for any of this and I would feel awful not doing so," I protested.

"Then pay me as much as you wish with what you have," he bargained. The offer was not ideal, but the jewelry was so gorgeous I took him up on his offer. I bought a ring since it was cheapest and closest to the amount of money I had left, but it really was pretty, and it fit my finger too. I thanked him profusely, asking his name for future reference. We parted and I headed back to the palace, smiling at my productive day. I entered the palace grounds through the back way. However, I wasn't in the mood to go back to my room just yet. I switched directions. My feet brought me to Julian's house. It was spacious, well-decorated, yet cozy. I knocked politely on the door. A woman, barely a couple years older than me, answered. She had raven locks that tumbled down her shoulders and blue eyes the color of the ocean.

"Hello, my name is-"

"Kiara! I'm Penelope. It's so nice to finally meet you! Julian has told me so much about you- I feel as if we're friends already! Please, please, come in, get out of the heat," Penelope ushered me in. "What brings you to our door? Do you wish to speak to Julian?"

"No, I wished to meet you. Your husband told me about you a few nights ago when we were talking. I wanted to meet the woman he is so in love with."

"I'm a very lucky woman." She smiled. "Did you go into town?"

"Yes. I've been going crazy being stuck in the palace constantly. I needed to escape."

"Kyrian's going to have his hands full with you," Penelope laughed. "You two are well-suited though from what Julian's told me."

"Really?"

"He said your morals and ideals are much the same. Your personalities are quite similar as well. Stubbornness being at the top of that list," she joked.

"Ah, yeah. I'll agree to that one. Out of curiosity, what else did he say?"

Laughing, Penelope answered, "That once you two get off this little quarrel, you two might actually profess your undying love to each other."

I snorted. "Because that will definitely happen! Okay, let's talk about you and Julian. How long have you two been married?"

"Only a year. We were lucky ones. We knew each other for a long time so when our parents decided to match us, we celebrated. He and I were so excited. Julian rarely shows emotion too so knowing he showed his excitement in front of everyone, well, it made me feel very sure about his love for me. It's been nice, it being just us. But soon it's not going to be that way."

"Are you pregnant?"

Penelope blushed. "Yes."

"You haven't told him, have you?"

"Uh, no... he's been coming home so late and I'm usually asleep by then and he leaves before I wake up. Then when I see him during the day... he's just been very down lately and I'm not... I'm not sure how he'll react."

I stood up. "Come! You're going to tell him. I'll escort you there. And Penelope, I can assure you, he is going to be thrilled." Holding out my hand for her to take it, I led her inside the palace. The two of us walked up to my room so I could place my purchases down. After taking off my cloak, we looped our arms through each other and exited, heading to the training field where Julian most likely was.

"Your highness!" Penthea exclaimed, running up to me with Zelina. "There you are!"

"Is everything all right?" I inquired.

"I'm sorry! We tried to keep it quiet but your parents forced it out of us where you were! They are demanding to speak with you," Zelina explained. "They're in the throne room."

"That is on the way to the training field. Penelope, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you halfway there. Forgive me?" I asked.

"Of course! I hope you're not in too much trouble," she said.

"I don't care if I get in trouble. It was worth leaving. I've been cooped up in this palace too long." I waved my hand, urging them to continue walking. We'd barely gone two steps when ten men, burly and brooding, blocked our path. The four of us halted.

"May I help you?" I asked politely.

"Are you Princess Kiara?" The leader asked.

"It depends on who's asking," Zelina intervened.

"Shut up bitch," the leader snarled.

"Don't talk to her like that," I ordered, glaring at him.

"She was supposed to be alone," Another guy muttered.

"Looks like we'll just have to kill them too." The men advanced on us. Being weaponless, we had no other option but to run. The armor slowed our attackers down, but not my much.

"Someone help us!" Penelope screamed.

"Kyrian! We have to find him!" I shouted. A startled yelp brought me to a skidding halt. Whirling around, they had a Penelope, a sword to her neck.

"All right Princess, we'll make you a deal. You let us kill you, your friends live. You keep running, we kill your friends one by one," the leader sneered.

"Ki-Kiara, don't do it," Penelope begged. My heart beat in my chest. I couldn't take on all of them but I could take one by surprise and- what was I thinking?! I had my dagger! I'd brought it along for some protection when I went into town...

"Let her go," I said, walking towards them. "I agree to your terms."

The leader grinned maliciously, shoving Penelope at me. I caught the crying girl. "Kiara don't," she begged, "Please, just run."

"No, I made a deal."

"It doesn't matter if they kill me! You're the princess!"

"And you're the pregnant one." Pulling her into a hug, I discreetly pulled my dagger from a hidden pocket in my dress while whispering, "I'll be fine. Go get Kyrian and Julian, bring them here, and take Zelina and Penthea with you. Understood?"

"Yes, yes, understood," Penelope agreed.

"What is understood?" The leader demanded.

"Just telling her to tell Kyrian I love him," I said. "Now go."

Penelope backed away slowly, grabbing onto Zelina and Penthea's hands.

"No, I'm staying here," Penthea declared, coming to stand next to me. "My princess dies, I die with her."

I looked at her, and the expression on her face, the determination in her eyes told me nothing I could do or say would ever convince her to leave my side. I was grateful for the backup, but I feared for her life. Nodding at her, I urged the other girls to go. With one last desperate look, they obeyed, scurrying away. Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the leader.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Giving me an evil grin, he raised his sword. Before he could do anything else, I stabbed him in the throat with my dagger, yanking it out immediately. Blood poured down his chest and onto his armor. His comrades stared in shock.

I growled, "I promised I'd let you kill me. I didn't promise you not to fight back." I snatched the sword out of his hand, handing it to Penthea and took her hand, dashing down the hallway. "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN ASSHOLES!"

"Are you taunting them?" Penthea asked incredulously.

"If I'm going to die, I'm going to have fun messing with my captors in the process," I huffed. The two of us skidded around the corner. A vase caught my eye. I grabbed it, holding my breath. When the first assassin rounded the corner, I smashed the ceramic piece into his face. He fell back. His followers tripped over him as I skittered out of their reach. They scrambled back up after me and Penthea. She and I had a good head start until we rounded another corner, coming to a dead end. We whirled around as the men trapped us.

"Nice try princess," the shortest one said.

I literally looked down at him and said, "I could stomp on you and you would be dead."

"She has a mouth on her doesn't she?"

"Let's cut out her tongue first. See how snappy she is after that," the guy next to him suggested.

"My bite is worse than my bark," I countered, seriously regretting my earlier taunting.

The short one laughed. "Get her!"
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Julian

We heard their shouts first, but we didn't know who it was at first. Kyrian and I'd been in the training field, practicing before we headed out in two days. Our soldiers surrounded us, doing the same. I'd been so focused on the battle that I at first didn't hear the girls' shouts. It was Kyiran who halted me. He cocked his head to the left, a curious expression on his face. The shouts became clearer and clearer, changing from "GET OUT OF OUR WAY" to "WHERE ARE KYRIAN AND JULIAN!" My friend and I jogged over to the general commotion. Penelope and Zelina slid into view, panic written all over their faces.

"Kyrian! Come quickly!" Zelina pleaded frantically, pulling on his hands.

"What's happening?" I queried, following them. My wife was dragging me. Glancing over at my friend, he appeared just as bewildered as I was.

"It's Kiara! Please, she's going to die if you don't hurry! Assassins, loads of them! Hurry!" Penelope insisted. All the color drained out of Kyrian's face.

"Where is she?!" he demanded. The girls bolted. We followed. I could tell he was having to stop himself from running full out because if he did, he would easily outdistance my wife and the servant and since they were the only ones that could lead the way, there was no point in doing so. We went up the stairs where Kiara's room was located. First thing I noticed was a few feet away lay a man in a pool of blood. The second thing I noticed was the sound of metal on metal, screams and shouts somewhere farther down the hall.

"Kiara..." Kyrian murmured before sprinting away. The girls and I followed. When we came to the dead end, five more men were dead on the floor. Four men were circling Kiara and Penthea. Kyrian unsheathed his sword; I followed in suit.

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Kiara

The fighting was really a blur. I don't remember killing the men, and to be honest, I didn't want to. Five more of them had been slain by the combined efforts of me and Penthea. She was a good fighter and I was glad she had my back.

I slashed at my next target, the short guy that had been threatening to cut my tongue out. He lunged at me and I danced back. Unfortunately I failed to realize there was another attacker behind me. He yanked me by my hair, a yelp erupting from my throat.

"NO!" Two voices shouted in unison. Simultaneously I heard a sword being run through someone as my hair was released. I stumbled forward, turning around to see what happened. Julian stood there, his sword impaling the man who'd grabbed my hair.

"Kiara!" Penelope screamed. I faced her just in time to see the short man's sword coming towards my neck. It never connected with me though. His hand was lopped off by Kyrian's sword, followed by his head. It thumped to the ground, rolling next to my feet. Sometime during the battle the third man had been cut down, leaving one more. I wondered where he went. It didn't take long though. I felt the cold metal of a sword pressed against my throat, cutting into my skin; an armed wrapped tightly around me.

"Drop your weapons! Drop them!" My captor barked. Kyrian and Julian stared. The former was shaking but I couldn't decide from what? Anger? Adrenaline? Fear? I mentally laughed at that one. He never got scared. "If you don't drop them, I'll kill her."

"If I place my sword down, you will hand her over to me?" Kyrian asked.

"If you let me free," the man bargained.

"Your freedom for her. Just give her to me. Please." My fiancé began placing his sword on the ground. Julian did the same. Midway there, Kyrian shouted, "Now!"

The man holding me let out a short yell; his sword hand slackened on my neck. I yanked his arm away but when he tried to put it back where it'd been before, I sank my teeth into his arm. His sword clattered to the ground. Kyrian barked at me to get down to the ground. A very prominent 'snap' could be heard; the last attacker fell to the ground, his head at an unnatural angle. Penthea lay on the ground. I crawled over to her and drew her into a hug, thanking her profusely for staying with me. Pulling away, I was about to say if it weren't for her, I'd be dead, when I noticed the ashen color of her face. "Penthea? What's wrong?"

"That was certainly an adventure," she whispered, giving me a smile. Blood trickled out of her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Princess."

I felt my mouth drop open as I looked down. Her garments were stained with blood from her victims, but a spot above her stomach was drenched. I knew that was a wound of her own. Pressing my hand against the injury, I said, "No, no, no, you can't leave me alone here. You can't- you're not- Penthea?"

The light left my friend's eyes as she slumped forward. I caught her, pulling her close. I felt tears streaming down my face but I made no sound. I heard my parents demanding what happened and the shuffle of feet from guards coming to clear the dead bodies. Someone gently unwrapped my arms from Penthea's lifeless body. I fell into the person, continuing my silent weeping. They pulled me in close, cradling my head against the crook of their neck.

I'm not sure how much time had passed before I heard Kyrian say softly, "Zelina, take her back to her room. Get her cleaned up and get her some fresh clothes. Julian go with them."

"What about you?" Julian asked as gentle hands lifted me up. My eyes were too watery for me to see clearly. Zelina consoled me as she led me away. I just barely heard Kyrian's response: "Her father is demanding a meeting. I fear what her parents are going to do because of this. This... this will not go without serious repercussions. Take care of her. You're the only one I trust to do so."
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Ah poor Penthea :( I didn't want to kill her but I had to. Review please :)