[SILVER RAYNE WILLIAMS]

THE STUPID horse was nowhere to be seen. I had walked a good long way through the trees, finally resting upon the rocks. My knee was killing me and my brain swarmed with rabid thoughts.

I was supposed to be off the dang radar and here I was, drawing attention to myself, tripping in front of royalty.

I ran a hand down my face, taking my glasses off, and my hands rested on my knees.

I quickly jerked at the contact, remembering I had been hurt. Slowly, rolling up the sleeve of my trousers, I wasn't surprised to see a trickle of blood rolling down my knee.

By the time I reviewed the whole cut, I realized it was certainly deep. Sighing, and squinting at the pain, I rested back, leaning my head against the trees. Placing my glasses back on.

Great. I huffed.

Today could not suck more than it already had. From washing horses, and horse riding to standing around royalty all afternoon, injuring my knee, and losing the said horse, I was regretting my decision to confess to Lord Graydon about attending the ball.

Had I held out a little longer, I would have been back in the safety of my room, and I would have managed to visit Vella today as I had promised.

I allowed myself to breathe for a while and rest. My throat was dry and my muscles ached, accompanied by the sting on my knee but it was peaceful here

No Fang was nearby. I was too far in the trees and away from the meadows.

It was just me. My ears strained to the wood noises.

Me and the crickets it seemed. Listening to the gentle hum of the crickets I caught a gurgle of running water. I opened my eyes, and turned slightly, slowly limping to my feet.

My knee hurt, more than it had a second ago, but I managed to limp in the direction of the water, happening upon the creek hidden in the trees.

Sighing, I moved toward it, eyes trailing the crystal clear water.

I knew there could be a lot of germs in here but screw it. Germs were the least of my problems.

I needed some water. I cupped a handful bringing it to my lips.

The water was refreshing and I tried not to think too much about my biology classes and the many organisms that could be hidden in the water. I brought my knee to it instead, hissing as I washed the cut.

Yep, it was certainly deep.

Running some clear water over my face, I dried it off as best as I could, before rolling the trousers back down.

It still hurt quite a lot, but I had to admit, it felt better.

Letting out a loose breath, I glanced to my side, my eyebrows arching when I spotted that dreaded horse calmly drinking from the river.

My gaze narrowed on it, lips thinning. The bloody beast.

I froze being very quiet as I got up, slanting to the right as putting sudden pressure on my knee frankly hurt. I managed to adjust slowly, and when I was ready I limped closer, and closer, ignoring the pain in my knee.

When I succeeded to be at least a foot close without sending the horse on another marathon through the woods,  I raised both hands as if I had been caught in a stickup.

"Hold— I-I come in peace," I breathed, watching it steadily.

It seemed to do the same, trotting slightly further into the Creek and softly splashing.

"Okay- five minutes and then you're out."

I stepped back, watching the horse for a few minutes before risking and grabbing the reigns.

Yeah, I got splashed a little, yeah I got dragged but the important thing was.... I Won.

And there was nothing else to it.

I felt relieved as I pulled the horse from the river and it opted to graze the grass instead. I watched the beast for a moment.

Here in its natural environment, it didn't look so bad.

However, the pain in my knee and the memory of my embarrassment because of the creature resurfaced and I drowned.

"Stupid beast." I murmured, grabbing its reigns once more, "okay, at least you've had your lunch, let's go now."

I pulled her along behind me, as slowly as I could because my knee was killing me and she was stubborn at times. I had to tug on both reigns countless times just to get her to start moving.

When we finally broke out from the trees, I noticed most of the Lords and Ladies that we were sprawled around seemed to be engrossed in their conversations, none paying any particular attention to the penguin-looking guard pulling a stubborn horse.

I pulled the horse to a nearby tree, moving to tie her.

"It's about time."

I spun around, facing Lord Graydon who was standing a few feet away from the tree.

Sweet heaven and earth! I hated Vampires and their stupid superspeed.

After my heart rested from the scare I nodded, pursing my lips before moving forward, securing the rope around the tree.

I heard Lord Graydon's footsteps quench behind me against the grass, and my fingers slowed, glancing at him as he tightened the rope around the tree, firmly knotting it.

As he twisted the rope he spoke whilst I watched him curiously.

"Are you alright?"

My eyebrows drew together, at the question.

"Of course. She's stubborn but not as stubborn as me," I grunted, glancing at the horse, before looking back at him where I was caught off guard by an intense stare.

I blinked glancing at the knot being tied instead of that weird stare.

"It was quite a fall." He spoke quietly, my eyes slowly rising to meet him, "Are you alright?" He repeated.

My breathing hardened within my chest.

Well, of course I was not alright. I had a cut that ran across my knee that hurt even at this moment and I was standing perfectly still.

But I didn't want a Fang to tend to it.

Especially if there was blood. It just wasn't a good mix to have a vampire examine a wound and although I knew Lord Graydon must have impeccable restraint, I was just not comfortable showing it to him.

Also, I did not want to look like the wounded deer in front of all these wolves. I was already a nobody, a bloody human, and an unbalanced fool. I didn't want to add weak to that equation.

Reason additionally reminded me that this was a Fang and he did not truly care if I was alright. He probably wished me to confirm that I could still work. It would be an inconvenience to him otherwise.

"It ...hurt," I trailed off carefully, my gaze trailing back up to his, "but I'm perfectly alright."

He held my gaze with no said emotion, his tone still quiet, "There's a tear in your trousers."

My gaze flashed, to my knee, a hand hovering over the rip, "it did tear," I grunted, "that's about it."

He stepped closer until he was towering over me, his hand still around the rope, "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm okay." I breathed. My eyes were stuck in his.

He searched mine for a moment.

"I thought you were learning to trust," he breathed.

My throat run dry, and I wasn't sure if it was because I was lying directly to my regional lord once again or because I didn't understand why we were standing so close-

"Lord Graydon!"

I turned, my heart beating harshly within me as I stared at Lord Heil who stood a few feet away.

"Lord Heil," Lord Graydon stated calmly after a moment. Tucking his hands in his pants pocket.

The Lord soon joined us in his quick strides, his blue guard trailing after him-"The royals and Lord Bane are touring the grounds. We should join them before Lord Bane flatters them to death."

Lord Graydon chuckled and I moved to stand behind him slightly as the other guard did, after noticing a few side glances from Lord Heil.

"Let's go then," Lord Heil, grinned widely, striding his way back to the tent.

Lord Graydon nodded at this, turning back to me, "You can stay-"

"I'm alright, Lord Graydon," I repeated this time braver. Staring at him unwavering, as his jaw ticked-

"Lord Graydon!" Lord Heil called back.

Lord Graydon glanced at the lord, huffing for a second, "let us go then."

He moved away after re-securing the horse. His steps were quite long and I struggled to catch up, sucking the pain in. I lagged, but every time he stopped I was always right behind him.

He shook his head at this, sighing as we joined Lord Heil and I was finally able to lag properly with the red guard.

The Lords talked amongst themselves, as we drew closer to the Royal and Lord Heil who were standing on the bridge that crossed the creek.

"Isn't the serenity impeccable Lady Elise?" Lord Bane gleamed as the sworn stretched her gaze over it.

"It's certainly beautiful." She smiled.

"The Prince has departed my lady?" Lord Heil asked, looking around momentarily.

Lady Elise's gaze fell slightly, "Indeed. The King sent for him."

"Ah," Lord Heil replied, nodding for a moment, though his eyebrows furrowed.

"Not to worry, My lady," Lord Bane interrupted, "You are the best company," his arm looped around hers and she smiled.

"Thank you, Lord Bane."

Both Lord Graydon and Lord Heil exchanged looks, watching as Lord Select and Lady Elise walked off the bridge.

"That bloody bastard," Lord Heil muttered, eyes on the lean bald Lord.

Lord Graydon chuckled, and they both followed after.

———————-

After a tour, and some lunch which I had been graciously gifted by Lord Graydon, the sun was setting in the west, when Lady Elise was finally driven out by the royal escort, the royal guard shutting the door right behind her.

Lord Bane stood with a wide smile, waving her off, as the rest of the lords smiled.

Lord Bane's smile disappeared, trailing back to the two other Lords, "It has been such a wonderful day," he grinned, eyes trailing between them, "I think Lady Elise quite enjoyed my company. She did not speak to any other but me."

"Could is the word you displaced Lord Bane. She could not speak to anyone but you," Lord Heil clarified.

"At least I said something," he huffed, his gaze shifting between the two lords, "whilst the two just stood there like bloody bafoons." He grunted, walking passed them.

"Oh, he did say plenty," Lord Graydon mused and Lord Heil chuckled at this.
K
I side-glanced his way as Lord Bane passed by, walking to his car, one in a row of limousines where his red guard opened a door for him. I stared at it longingly, sighing softly.

My leg was killing me now more than ever and it was getting harder and harder to hide my lip. The thought of riding a horse to the palace was demoralizing.

I turned toward the direction we tied the horse looking at the figure from a distance. I was going to die on that horse it seemed.

All I wished to do was rest.

"Silver." Lord Graydon called.

I turned slightly, watching as he stood before a car, "Are you coming?"

My eyebrows arched, glancing back at the horse, "b-but the horse-"

"A guard will take care of her."

And sure enough, I spotted a red guard moving across the bridge toward it.

"Unless you wish we ride again-"

I wasted no time waddling as best as I could into the limousine. Ignoring the amusement in Lord Graydon's eyes.

——————

I was quiet all through the drive back to the palace, listening in on Lord Graydon and Lord Heils reminiscing about the lost world.

I didn't know much about the lost world, save the part I read in books and the few things Dad taught me about it.

An abandoned part of the world that was lost after the Fang war, secured now by the Damned.

"There is nothing I miss more than the battlefield," Lord Heil sighed, leaning back in his seat, "across those borders there is a true family. True bonds created," he hummed, "and when you're a wolf-like I am, any moment to release your beast to his full capacity is like a high. Sweet and free." He mumbled glancing down at the wine he had poured a glass, swishing it slightly- he seemed to be lost in thought.

I side-glanced at him, not wanting to make it blatantly obvious I was staring. I noticed he had taken quite a lot of glasses of wine today.

"You seem distracted, Lord Heil," Lord Graydon commented, "Perhaps you've drunk a bit too much."

"We all need a little distraction sometimes," Lord Heil muttered quietly to himself, his gaze flashing back to Lord Graydon, "We're brothers in arms, aren't we Lord Graydon?"

Lord Graydon paused at this, nodding solemnly. "Anyone that has seen the other side of the world and laid his life down for the crown under oath, is my brother."

Lord Heil grinned at this, though it did not quite reach his eyes, his gaze snapping to mine for a second and my gaze immediately lowered, heart thumping within me-

I only looked up when he spoke again,

"The only reason I managed to free the old land was simply because the Damned retreated." He confessed, his eyes trailing to meet him.

Lord Graydon paused at this. "You chased them away."

"Listen! Bloody hell! I said the bloody Damned retreated and disappeared! Poof! Never to return to the battlefield," he spoke. He shook his head running a hand through his short locks.

His gaze traveled to Lord Graydon, "Almost as if..." he seemed to struggle to find the right words, "almost as if they were summoned."

Lord Graydon seemed to assess this for a moment, "You believe they have a leader." He realized

"I do not believe in a lot of things. But I know what I saw. The bloody damned are much too calculated to just be a random phenomenon." He spat, leaning back in his seat.

His gaze studied the roof of the car, "much too calculating. Too detailed."

Lord Graydon paused for a moment, "They do have patterns."

Lord Heil's gaze darted back to him, suddenly sitting upright, "You've— you've seen it too." He breathed, his eyes a bit excited and I almost wanted to ask him to calm down.

The last thing we needed was an Alpha shifting in this small car. I glanced at Lord Graydon hoping he could help his friend in some way.

"I've spent 4 years in active battle in the lost world, of course, I've seen it." Lord Graydon replied.

Lord Heil seemed to be listening intently, "You believe they have a leader?"

"I'm not a man of superstition, Lord Heil," Lord Graydon stated, pausing momentarily, "But I know what I saw." He smirked.

Lord Heil chuckled at this, nodding as he poured himself another glass of ale, "I-if there is someone who truly knows," he slurred, falling forward slightly, "it is the Great House of Veridian. There is something about their foundation that— that shakes." He finished, eyes trailing to Lord Graydon.

I raised an eyebrow at this statement because it was not something a Lord Select was meant to utter.

"Perhaps you should rest now. You're getting tipsy." Lord Graydon wisely stated, eyeing him carefully.

Lord Heil chuckled rather loudly, as the car drove through the gates of Fang Court. And he wouldn't stop laughing for some strange reason.

His gaze trailed to mine in laughter and I cracked a smile to help him along, glancing at Lord Graydon who remained in feeling.

By the time we got out of the limousine, Lord Heils' rather large frame swayed against Lord Graydon as the Lord helped him in, drunken chuckles escaping from his lips.

Nonsensical rambles.

I for one was simply glad to be out of that stuffed car and was eager to get to my room and finally rest, after tending to the cut on my knee.

I quickly moved toward the stairs, trying hard not to limp.

"Silver." Lord Graydon called a supportive arm around a drunken Lord Heil.

I froze, turning around.

"Where are you going?" He huffed.

My eyes enlarged. Shoot, I was still under punishment.

"I was uh-" my gaze trailed to the lavish stairs, then back to Lord Graydon, "Forgive me, my lord, I forgot I was still under punishment." I huffed about to walk back to him but he stopped me-

"It's alright. You've worked hard today. Next time await my dismissal, but you may leave now."

I nodded quickly, bowing.

"Thank you, my lord." Bowing once again, "goodnight my lord."

"Goodnight."

I moved away, going up the stairs quite aware of Lord Graydon's gaze behind me. I walked as straight as I could.

It was a long walk, and I began to dislike the largeness of Fang court with every step, but I managed to reach my room door, closing it behind me.

The first thing I did was limp toward the bed, tears in my eyes at the thought of sinking into those soft sheets and finally resting.

I collapsed on the King sized bed with a sigh, breathing in the clean sheets. Taking off my glasses, my hands rolled out behind me, taking a deep breath out.

I frowned, taking off the helmet, and running a hand through my locks.

Yes, that was much better.

I would have fallen asleep in the next second if it weren't for the sting of my wound.

I sat up, rolling my trousers up again, disgusted for a bit that it had started bleeding once more, staining the inside of my trousers.

My gaze trailed around the room in search of a first aid kit.

I did not recall ever seeing one in this room, but there had to be for Pete's sake.

My head snapped toward the door when a firm knock resounded against it.

I shut my eyes, groaning. I couldn't even get five minutes first. Was it Lord Graydon? Eden?

My shoulders fell, rolling down my trousers once more.

I limped toward the door. Stopping for a second, I glanced at my leg, straightening my posture as best as I could before opening the door wisely and my fingers froze against the door handle.

Staring wide-eyed at the Prince.

He slowly looked up and as always, held me prisoner in that stale saltwater gaze but this time it was electric, a threat in his tone as he gritted out the words—

"Where. Is. It?"

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