Alistar slept soundly that night, still bothered by the day before. He got ready for the day when the door opened, he dropped behind the bed forgetting that she was here for a moment. She laughed and stepped back slightly, he slowly raised back up and looked at her. "Sorry I forgot you were here, and I..yeah.."

She stepped out and looked him over. "What are we learning today?"

"Well I wanted to show you around the castle, you did say you wanted to see the entirety of the castle didn't you?"

She smiled and nodded. "I did, Alistar."

He took her hand and began to drag her out of the room, she followed quickly listening to him. A guard followed but stayed back, all the staff knew Alistar was sheltered and that he hated it. He was more than happy with being left alone, they opened each door, and walked through every room. He started to explain everything he knew about every room. Soon they arrived in the dining hall. He smiled and did a small spin, the ceiling was high and the floor was beautifully polished. The table was long, it could seat at least 100 people. Each walnut colored seat was upholstered in a soft purple brocade with golden embroidery. The walls were a creamy white, and the windows were large and each one depicted different botanical beauties. Purple drapes allowed for the sunlight to be kept out.

"This place is beautiful." She said as she spun about the room. He smiled, and she looked towards him. "Are there many parties held here?"

"Yes and all our meals, the parties are mostly held in the ballroom. The lords and ladies of the kingdom join us every Wednesday for a party, or long dinner to speak. Because you are a future handmaiden you are allowed to come to all parties we have within the castle." She smiled realizing she could get more intel on the people of the court and the kingdom itself. "Shall we continue?"

She nodded and followed behind him quickly, they entered the ballroom first, he took her hand and began to dance with her in silence. The guard smiled and stayed back, he was humming but the sound wasn't loud. She laughed, and tried to keep herself from staying to long. Staring into his eyes wasn't good for her, but this spark was to intense to ignore, it was to much, and he had to know why. They made their way to the kitchen after dancing for a few minutes.

"It smells wonderful." She said, the deep inhale of the kitchen filled her senses with thoughts of sweets. The sugary scent was coming from the baking cookies. He smiled and grabbed a chocolate chip off the counter offering it to her. A few of the kitchen staff watched from the shadows, they had never seen him this happy before.

"Mhm." She smirked looking him over. She grabbed it, and as their fingers touch there was a spark. Her eyes grew wide knowing what it meant, he just smiled.

"Oh a shock." He finally muttered, she nodded and took a bite of the chocolate, he didn't understand and he was unconcerned. She looked to the guard, their eyes meeting for just a moment but that was long enough for her to express her concern. The guard nodded towards her, and walked towards Alistar.

"Sir, your father had mentioned how he wanted you to come to breakfast early, do you remember?"

"Oh..oh no, yes thank you Devery." He looked to her quickly. "Meet me at breakfast?"

"Of course." She said. "I just need to go and deal with something, lady business." He nodded and quickly made his way towards the dining hall. The guard followed her towards her room. "Thank the winged, I was so happy to hear you made it into the guard." She managed out as they sat in the room. "This mission would have been much harder without someone here to help me."

"You had a look, what happened?"

"Well, when we touched, it was a spark."

Devery sat back on the bed, his chocolate brown eyes growing wide. "You had a spark with the prince Raven?"

"Yes," she hesitated, he placed his hand on her shoulder to reassure her it was alright. "The moment our eyes met, I could just feel it was different. Devery I cannot let this compromise my mission." He adjusted his position on the bed, crossing one leg over the other.

"It may help you get closer to him." He attempt to give her insight. "You know the closer you can get the better our cause."

"I understand Devery, but what if once he learns he does not want me, that could kill me, and that isn't metaphorical, that spark was a spark of soulmates Devery. If he rejects me, when he rejects me, it will shatter my heart."

Devery rolled his eyes. "Why do you say when he rejects you? You are a fine maiden my dear Raven." He said as he took her hands in his. "We have done many things together Raven, and I know he would not reject you."

"Devery, you believe in love too much."

Devery chuckled as he played with his single dangling earring, two metal feathers and a bead hung from his left ear."You have too little faith in it."

"Is it not right of me to Devery?" She asked coldly. "It killed our queen."

"It was not love, and you know that Raven." He snapped back at her. She turned to look at him their eyes meeting. He held her shoulders with his hands. "Love is not dangerous, love is worth it, I thought I remember someone telling me this same thing."

"I told you that because you had doubts Devery, you weren't going for a relationship I knew was worth it for you. You knew and I knew he was yours Devery." Devery smiled, thinking of his love waiting for him back home, once this mission was over he was hoping to propose. "This may not be worth it."

"It will be Raven, you have to go for it, you need to. Raven, this isn't just about you. This is about him, and the safety of his people. Your people Raven." She lowered her head, she knew he was right, this wasn't something that happened often, and if she was truly meant to be she wouldn't have to step down as the temporary ruler, but step up as queen. Her people were her life, and she wouldn't allow someone, even a soulmate, to come between her and the protection of her people. "Raven."

"I understand Devery, now come on we have a breakfast to attend."

He smiled and nodded following her down to the dining hall, she sat beside Alistar, he smiled looking her over. She was something special, he just hadn't figured out what it was about her that made him so drawn to her. One more day, then she could show him what he needs to see. He needs to understand the stakes, he needs to know what the people outside of the wall live like.