Norman was supposed to drive this train to safety. Now we were stuck on it with Dorian the traitor.

"Let's move up to the front car shall we?" He asked, indicating the tired state of Adeline and Mathew with a nod in their direction. It wasn't like I had a choice, but I was glad to give my friend a moment to mourn and rest.

The train was moving when Dorian opened the door to the car. He jumped to the next one opening its door as well. He stood there waiting for me to jump. I looked frantically at the moving ground beneath us. Dear lord, if Dorian wasn't going to kill me then the train was. I looked at the distance between the two cars. Any guard would jump this with ease, but I was petrified. Oh god.

"Is something the matter soldier?" Dorian asked from his car. I could see the corner of his lips twitch. Was he finding this a musing?

Get it together Liana! You're supposed to be a guard. Jump!

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before jumping. I let out a small squeal as I travelled. I opened to my eyes to find myself safe in Dorian's arms. He caught me. I stared at him with wide eyes. Despite hating what he's done, I couldn't hate him. My body betrayed me as my heart raced and my skin tingled at his touch. I couldn't believe I was still in love with him. I don't think there's hopes for me to fall out of love.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a gleam in his eyes. I nodded my head before ripping my body away from his. I cleared my throat before going to sit in one of the seats. It wasn't long until Dorian plopped himself beside me.

"Forgive my forgetfulness, but what is your name soldier?" He asked and I could see amusement in his eyes. He couldn't know? Could my lack of facial hair give me away?

My name? My name? What on earth was my name? "Li... Linus."

Really Liana? Linus?

Dorian bit the inside of his cheek before looking at the side then back at me. "Linus, I see."

Distract him Liana!

"So- uh... What were you doing on the train this morning?" I asked remembering to keep my voice deep. Did it sound too forced?

"I was sent on a false errand by the vizier," he said before his face went dark. "However, I took advantage of the situation by getting reinforcements from other posts."

Wait-- what? What did this mean?

"Who-- What-- Why--" I started to stutter. What do I ask him? "What has been going on?"

"Some of my men were bribed with money and women, I was kept in the dark while officials were conspiring against the queen, I had a feeling something was wrong so I had begun to investigate but I was distracted, my mind was somewhere else. I still had some good loyal men, I sent some to free the girls in the castle and the rest to protect the queen but I was too late. Now, my men are to free the castle of the traitors, free the wronged girls, and protect our new queen whatever the cost," he explained. What? He was good? I don't understand. What could possibly distract him?

"What could possibly distract you captain?" I voiced my thoughts.

A half smile tugged on his lips. "I fell in love with a beautiful woman. Perfect couldn't even begin to describe her. The more I thought of her, the more I fell. The more I fell, the more I had to see her. The more I saw her, the more I knew there was no going back. She had become the only thing on my mind."

Oh. My. God.

Did- did I hear right? Was it me? Was it someone else? I felt a pang of jealousy at the thought. Please don't let it be someone else.

"She-- uh-- she sounds nice? Who-- How was she like?" I asked. I was really bad at going undercover.

"Kind. A beautiful soul. She saw the light in everything, she was so full of life. She always had a smile on her face and laughter on the tip of her tongue, let me tell you it was contagious. She was smart, a brilliant mind but she doesn't know it. She turned heads wherever she was. One of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life, she was breathtaking. She had hair like the night sky she loved so much, full pink lips that have never been kissed, and these mesmerizing blue eyes that I would know anywhere."

He stared deep into my eyes and my stomach kept turning. My erratic heart rate was not helping whatsoever.  It was me. He was talking about me. He was in love with me. I couldn't believe it. I opened my lips to say something but nothing came out. He has left me speechless. Oh Dorian.

His hand cupped my face making me realize how close we were to each other. Our faces only a few millimeters away from each other. If we were any closer I would be kissing his red lips like I've dreamed. I closed my eyes and breathed in his intoxicating smell. What is this man doing to me? Dorian's soft lips touched mine in a delicate kiss that had me soaring. It was so soft, like cloud yet strong as if he was showing me how much he loved me. I put my hands on his shoulders for support. He was intoxicating. Dorian deepened the kiss which had me melting and dizzy. My hand slid from his shoulder to his shirt as I clenched it tightly. It was a game of tug and pull as unsaid words were being mentioned through our movements. I pulled back for a deep breath but it didn't last long when Dorian's lips found mine once more.  I returned the intensity of his kiss before realization slowly hit me.

I pulled back suddenly taking short rapid breathes. He sure knew how to leave a girl breathless. I stood up suddenly taking one step away from him.

Dorian looked at me confused, I just blurted the first thing that popped into my mind. "How could you kiss a man if you love another woman?"

Seriously? I mentally face palmed myself.

Dorian let out a small chuckle as he stood up. "Liana, I know it's you."

I took a step back and Dorian took one forward. I kept backing up as his steps matched mine.

"I-- uh-- I'm not Liana, I am Linus," I stuttered. Just stop talking! God I am so embarrassed.

Before I could stop him, Dorian removed my hat letting my hair pool down my back and shoulders. My mouth gaped open as I realized there was no hiding it now. "Surprise?"

I took out step back to find myself against the wall of the train. Dorian cupped my chin, bringing my gaze up to meet his. "Liana, I love you. I've been in love with for a while. If you don't feel the same then I will leave you be. We will bring the queen to safety then go our separate ways. But for now, I just need to know where we stand."

I looked deep into his brown eyes and I could tell he was telling the truth. He did love me. This is the look he's been giving me all this time that I haven't even noticed as love. Could I be any more stupid? Of course I loved him. I love him so much it hurts thinking about it. I didn't think I was capable of speech right now. I did the only thing I could do that would tell him how much I loved him. I stood on the tip on my toes and kissed his lips. I felt him smile through our kiss before his hands wrapped around my waist bringing us closer. I grabbed the back of his neck with both my hands so I can deepen the kiss some more. As close as he was, I wanted him closer and I never wanted to let him go.

***

After a few stolen kisses and explanations from the both of us, it was time we went back to Adeline and Mathew to discuss the situation. It turns out Norman did make it to the train in time, he was the one driving it. He trusted his captain despite my warning which I was thankful for.

"My sincere condolences your highness. Losing the queen has been hard on a lot of us," said Dorian and I could see the pain in his eyes. "I apologize I wasn't there to protect her but I vow to protect you with my life your majesty."

Dorian bent down on one knee and lowered his head. Adeline wiped the single tear on her cheeks before putting her hand on Dorian's shoulder. "Rise Sir Dorian, I am honored to call you the captain of my guards."

The gratefulness on Dorian's face could be seen by anyone. I held his hand when he stood up once more trying to give him support. He squeezed my hand tighter as he went on describing our next move.

"We are heading to the Kingdom of Yaro, being our greatest allies, I have gotten their word of providing refuge in their kingdom and offered their army in helping us gain control of Fariane once more," he described.

"That is wonderful news, thank you," Adeline offered a weak smile. At least there was a bit of light to our situation.

"We should arrive in two days time," he assured. One day and a half to go.

Adeline put her head on Mathew's shoulder and closed her eyes. She looked exhausted. Dorian tugged on my hand that was entertwined with his indicating we go back to the car we were in earlier.

We sat down on a bench and I lay my head on Dorian's shoulder as he ran little patterns on my hand with his thumb.

"Liana, I know this may seem to soon but I don't want to spend a day without you. I lost you once and it was one of the most painful thing I have endured in my life time. After all this is over, will you marry me?" He asked in a serious yet soft tone.

My head shot up so I could look at him. "Really?"

Marry me? He wants to marry me? Out of all the girls in the world, me?

Dorian tucked a lose strand of hair behind my ear before looking me in the eye. "I don't think you know how much you mean to me. You've stollen my heart and I don't plan on taking it back."

A large grin took over my face I couldn't help but give him a kiss. "Yes, I will marry you."

An even wider smile took over Dorian's face before he captured my lips once more.

"My mother is going to have a heart attack when she finds out," I said once we pulled back.

"That we are going to war?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

I shook my head with a light laugh. "No, that we're getting married."

-------------

Aaaaaaaw finally!

Two updates one day? Amaaaazing!

We're almost at an end! Eeeeek!

Don't be a silent reader!

Vote and comment please!

Love ya!

XO