The look of panic that flashed across Katia's face still stood vivid in my mind and made me giggle, I know I sounded like an evil little witch. I couldn't help it if her discomfort tickled me, I draped my cloak over my arm as I walked into the Castle and began heading towards my room. I was passing by the dining hall when I caught sight of Cassius carrying a tray, he slowly took each step as he struggled to balance all of the glasses and tea cups.

Glancing up from the ground he caught sight of me and relief took over his features."Where have you been?, You need to return Katia's voice so she can be on her way, I understand you were upset with how she acted but I think what you did was a tad bit harsh." He chided.

Of course I was the one at fault, how could precious Katia ever be wrong. I decided to stand up for myself for the one time and I'm accused of being wrong, no matter what I do or planned on doing it will never please Prince Cassius and I was tired of trying to fit in.

Holding my cloak close to my chest I gestured towards the hallway and shrugged my shoulders."Of course you majesty I'll return her voice, please if you could guide me to her I would appreciate it very much." I mocked.

Cassius narrowed his eyes at me and shook his head as he walked down the hall, he stopped at the end in front of two large double doors and set the tray down on the side. Gently tapping on the door he pulled the door open slowly."Katia?, I've brought Emerald to give you your voice back..." He said softly.

Leaning my head to the side I took a few steps forward and peered into the dark room, something about it felt off to me."Well I guess she's not here anymore so I'll just-"

I was cut off by a sudden force knocking me to the ground, looking up I found Katia sitting on top of me with a crazed look in her eyes and dark inky veins pumping underneath her skin. She held a sharp dagger above her head and tried to plunge it down into my chest but with a quick wave of my hand she ended up stabbing it into my shoulder. I cried out in pain as the blade pierced into my flesh and a low sizzle could be heard, placing both hands on the side of her face I parted my lips and wisps of gold light wiggled their way past her lips followed by the small glowing orb.

She threw her head back out of my grasp as light illuminated the inside of her body and her mouth opened to release a flow of cloudy black smoke. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed onto the floor next to me.

Cassius knelt down next to her and frowned, he felt the side of her neck with the back of his hand and looked at me."She's still breathing, I didn't know she was going to do something like that. I know she's been jealous of you but...I never thought she would go so far." He mumbled quietly.

I laid there staring up at the ceiling, the blade still protruding from my bleeding shoulder. I wanted to let her take all of the blame but I knew it wasn't her fault, not fully anyway. Sitting up I glanced over at her and sighed."She was corrupted Cassius, did you see the look in her eyes and her skin? She didn't do this on her own, someone made her." I explained.

Just to my luck Lorik and Numissa came rushing down the hallway in their night clothes, they both shared looks with each as they took in the sight before them. Lorik was the first to speak, he glanced down at Katia before looking at me."What's going on here?, We heard a commotion in the hallway and a loud cry." He stated.

"Katia attacked me but it was not of her own free will, I believe someone possessed her to do this and I'm sure I know who it was exactly. A woman named Reevna appeared in the dream I had of my mother, I was unable to see her face but I heard her threat." I confessed.

Cassius looked at me with disappointment vivid in his eyes, he shook his head as he stared at me."Why would you keep this from me, how could you not tell us this information. You already have a blade sticking out of you and luckily your breathing, this could have been a lot worse Emerald."

I glared at him from the corner of my eye and frowned."Why do you care?, I kept this information to myself so I could protect you, if you've forgotten its the whole reason I'm even here. I kept you and your little bed side friend safe now didn't I?" I bit out.

Lorik clapped his hands together and we both fell silent, he walked over to Katia and knelt down next to her."Emerald I thank you for keeping my son safe and for protecting one of my people even though she has showed you nothing but misery, but you must understand that you are now apart of my family and I see you as my own daughter. Now that I know there is someone after you I will make sure you are protected and safe, I'll also be searching for you mother."

He examined Katia's unconscious body and gently placed her arms over her chest, he pulled her into his arms and stood from the ground."Cassius take Emerald back to her room and stay with her all night, address her wound and make sure no one gets into her room. Your mother and I will take Katia to the doctor to see if she's alright, once that's down I'll be speaking to the guards about advancing their security." He said as he walked down the hallway.

I pulled my aching body from the ground and looked down at my blood soaked night gown, my head swooned lightly as I slowly pulled the knife from my sore shoulder. Keeping it in my grasp I made my way down the hallway with Cassius following closely. In my opinion his help was of no use to me, I didn't want him to be around me at all.

Once I arrived at my room Cassius closed the door behind him and walked up to me, his amethyst eyes glowed with anger and a muscle in his jaw twitched eagerly."How could you keep that from me?, Katia could have killed you tonight because that woman is after you, she want's you dead Emerald and so far she's getting what she wants!"

Pressing my lips together I glared up at him and clenched my hands into fists."What does it matter to you!, You don't give a damn about me anyway! Everything I do or say is wrong, I won't ever be able to please and honestly why the hell should I try. Your to caught up in your own little world with your throne and your women swooning over you!" I yelled.

A low growl slipped past his lips, he lowered his head so his face stood inches from mine."Don't push me Emerald, you should know by now that I care about you." He whispered through clenched teeth.

Something snapped inside of me, I could feel that power swirling to the surface and this time I decided to use it instead of shielding it."Oh you don't want me to push you?, You mean like this?." I said while shoving him backwards.

"You had Katia waiting for you in your room, is that how you show me you care? Then you have the nerve to tell me that I was harsh on her, after all she's said to me and especially the way she's acted today I was the wrong one?" I hissed as I shoved him once more.

His back hit the nearby walk and a tremor shook his body, he stood there panting while he glared at me. He pushed himself away from the wall and stormed towards me, cupping the sides of my face he crushed his lips against my own.

I gasped in surprise at his sudden abruptness but I found myself melting into the kiss as well, I laced my fingers through his silky hair and gently bit down on his bottom lip. A muffled groan rumbled in his throat and his hungry lips left my own, his fingers gently swiped my hair away from my neck before he placed opened mouth kisses along it.

His teeth grazed the delicate flesh of my neck and his chest rumbled with a low chuckle."My little witch you drive me insane and I would love nothing more to fight with you some more but you need to rest, you've had a stressful night." He whispered.

He looked down at my bloodied night gown and gently ran his thumb along my wound, the flesh around the small hole was burned and dried dark blood had crusted along my skin. He carefully lifted me off of the ground and carried me over to the bed, he gently placed me on the middle of the bed and laid the blanket over me."Sleep Emerald, tomorrow I'll have one of the maids run you a hot bath so you can wash all of the dried blood off but for now just shut your eyes." He whispered soothingly.