ALEXANDER eyed his prisoner.

The girl fought against his men, trying to free herself from their clutches.

He chuckled.

He found the female intriguing. He had been shocked when he spotted her laid on the ground in the middle of the woods. At first, he thought she was dead until she moved. He had stayed behind the tree to observe her.

Her ripped shirt and jeans stained with dried-up blood and dirt, her hair tangled into knots. Her head hung low as she grappled the air, making an effort to rise on her feet but staggered to the earth. Alex had watched for a while, amused by the female. Killing her had not been his intention. He wanted to scare her to extract information. For all he knew, she could be a spy.

But something about the female drew him. He couldn't bring himself to hurt her. He could see the plea and vulnerability in her eyes as he gazed into them. Enthralled by the female, his gaze had shifted to her lips. He had been tempted to separate them as she gingerly trapped her bottom lip between her teeth.

Fuck, what was he thinking. He was never one to show emotions. Emotions are for the weak, that's what his father always said. A little sign of weakness and his enemies would ruin him on the spot.

Lost in his thought, Alex didn't realize they had arrived at the palace.

"Your Highness," Tyler snapped him out of his daydream. "We've arrived." He said.

Alex was not ready to go inside. He knew his mother awaited him, ready to bombard him with questions of why he left the palace ground.

"Go ahead. I'm going to take a walk in the garden." He told Tyler.

"What should we do with the girl?" Tyler pointed towards the female.

Alex looked at her. It seemed she had given up trying to escape as she stood there, barely fighting back as the men dragged her along. Alex sighed. He did not plan for this.

"Take her to the underground room for now," he instructed, "and don't let mother see her. I don't want her trouble." He couldn't let his nosy mother know he had brought a prisoner back to the palace. She would definitely cause a scene and let father know. He wanted to deal with the female and find out her purpose here before he called his father's attention to it.

Alex watched as his men took the female away. She turned and his eyes found hers. Her eyes begged him to release her, the soft orbs glistering with unshed tears. He looked away.

"Do you need me to escort you to the garden your highness?" Tyler asked.

"That will not be necessary," Alex said, "Now go. I'm sure you have other things to do. And stop acting like a clingy girlfriend. People might actually think you're obsessed with me."

He heard Tyler huff, "As you wish, your highness." He said.

"For fuck's sake, stop calling me that!" Alex scolded. He did not know how many times he had to tell the man before he listened. Chuckling, Tyler saluted him and walked towards the palace.

Alex removed his mask, feeling suffocated by it. He was finally alone. Or so he hoped.

"Well if it isn't our dear crown prince, Alexander." Alex knew that sultry voice anywhere. He turned to see the palace sorceress, Alcina. "Tell me, did you enjoy your journey outside the palace? I see you brought extra company."

Alex glared at the witch. Can't he have a moment of peace? "What do you want Alcina?" He growled.

Giggling, she circled him like a predator to its prey. "You have quite a temper, don't you?" The slight touch of her fingers on his chest irked him.

Swatting her hands away, Alex snarled, "I don't have time for your nonsense. If you have nothing to say, I shall be on my way." He walked past the witch.

"Your arrogance and foolishness will be your downfall, my prince." He heard her say, "You will regret your actions soon enough."

Frustrated, Alex spun and stomped towards her. He grabbed her neck, slightly chocking her. "And if you don't watch your tongue, I will have you beheaded in front of thousands. Don't think you're safe here witch. If not for my mother's grace, you would have been six feet under long ago." He tightened his hold, her whimpers aggravating him, "Remember, I am your future king and I won't tolerate any disrespect. I won't take this lightly next time." Alex released his hold on her throat and she fell to the ground, gasping for air.

"Forgive me, my prince. I went too far with my words." She coughed out the words, still out of breath.

Ignoring the woman, Alex strutted away, needing to cool off his steam before he did something he would later regret. He slid his fingers through his hair, letting out a deep sigh.

"I need a drink."