I lay there awake in the bed staring at the ceiling, my tears are long gone, Now I am just feeling numb, my body have left all the fight. I didn't even try to gather myself and walk out of this chamber because I don't have the strength to even walk, let alone fight the two soldiers that are guarding the door right now. I know Chase must have put them there for my safety or maybe for others. 

"How long have you being awake?" he asked entering in the room and closing the door behind him. I didn't turn around to look at him, my whole focus was on the ceiling which was dark in color. 

"You knocked me out again" I said blankly not even sparing him a glance. I understand his motives that's why I don't have any grudge against him. 

"I had to, you needed rest" he said without any remorse, I nodded my head in response. I am not going to ask him anything about what happened, it will be his choice to tell me on his own and besides what worst can happen, I have already took a life of a person who means a lot to me, now next what?

"How are you feeling?" he asked sitting beside me on the bed, he was sitting close so that I can feel his body heat and the warmth emitting from his body. I closed my eyes relishing the closeness for the time being. 

"Fine" I replied opening my eyes and staring at the view I have been looking for two hours. 

"Are you hungry?" he asked again, his gaze burning at the side of my face. "No" I shook my head a little.

"Do you want something?"

"No"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes"

He growled at my one word reply and took a long breath to control his frustration. If I would have been in any other situation, I would have laughed at this but right now, even cracking a small smile pained my heart. 

"Emerald, you need to tell me, how are you feeling?" he asked again, his hand taking my small one in his, tingles spread in my body due to the mate bond. I didn't snatch my hand away from him, the fight has left my body already. I sighed and opened my mouth to tell him how I am actually feeling.

"Empty".

He stayed silent, without uttering another word. Wow, I have made ruthless King speechless, I should be proud of myself. 

"I want to help you Emerald" he said after a while when the whole room engulfed in silence. I chuckled and looked at him this time, he looked the same as usual, handsome and rugged, every bit of a King he was but this time something changed, instead of blank stare, his expression appeared troubled. "Nobody can help me" I stated pulling my hand away from him and getting in the sitting position. I felt cold without the warmth and comfort his hand was giving me but I have to get used to it. 

He sighed and folded his hands in his lap getting comfortable on the bed, "You know, if you will open up to us more, we can defeat Rose together" he said making me flinched when I heard the monster name who reside inside me. He saw that and looked at me worried but I scoffed at him after gathering my wits together.

"What happened to you, how did you change this much?" I asked instead in curiosity, last time I was with him, he didn't even talk to me in civil manner and now here he looked like he is worried for me. "I was always like that" he said avoiding my eyes, trying to act nonchalant, I raised my eye brow and pinned him with my stare. At last he looked at me and sighed "I am just worried about you after everything that has happened" he said with honesty making me remember the things I forget for a few seconds. He saw my face fell suddenly and his eyes widened. "I mean, I was worried not for what happen to you" he said wide eyes, I furrowed my eye brow in confusion. "I mean I was worried for that too but I was lot more worried because I care about you" he blurted out looking nervous, By seeing him like that, out of his character, I started chuckling. When he heard my chuckle, his body relaxed and a smile slip on his face. Then his word hit me like a brick.

I care about you.

"You c-care for me?" I stammered feeling nervous all of a sudden at his declaration, my stomach churn. Maybe I heard him wrong, he can't care for anyone but himself right? he looked directly in my eyes "I care for you Emerald Rose Lorel" he uttered with confidence saying my full name. I averted my eyes away from him not having response for his statement. My hands were shaking a little from cold, suddenly I felt his warm hand engulfed my own giving me his body heat.

"I don't need any response from your side, I just wanted to say it so I did" he said casually, rubbing my hands to keep them warm. I nodded my head not knowing how to reply to this. 

"Why did you position those guards outside my room? I asked changing the subject, "Because when you will wake up they will alert me" he replied still rubbing his hands on mine. I chuckled humorlessly "Two guards can't stop Rose, you know that right!" I said calmly, I already guessed why did he place those soldiers outside my door, his body tensed all of a sudden. I took my hand away from him, called my fire power to warm my body, fire ran in my veins and I sighed in content feeling my powers in control of me again. I missed them. "I know, that is why I am here" he said, his shoulder touching my own, his fingers twitching, as he want to hold my hand again but stopping himself. I almost smiled at this and deliberately put my hand on his lacing our finger together. He smiled staring at our joined hands and tightening his hold on my hand. "She is gone for now, she won't be coming until I loose control which won't be happen any time soon" I said just to ease him, I won't be losing my cool now that I know Rose is unstoppable monster. He looked at my face, his eyes turning black, he closed his eyes and sighed "I know" he muttered in response and after that silence fell upon us. 

"So you figured out that I am daughter of your enemy" I asked after a while, wanting to see his reaction upon this revelation. He hated us so much that I thought when he will found out about me, he will throw me in dungeon himself. He gave a short laugh but I didn't see any malice on his face. "Yeah, I did, it was a shock though to find out like that but I don't have any grudge against you" he spoke calmly, I frowned hearing his side. "But I thought you wanted revenge and I am the perfect leverage" I said confused, as I know this person, he wouldn't pass the opportunity to take down his worst enemy. "I did want revenge but not any more" he said knowingly, I blushed at his statement, he is a smooth talker if he is not being conceited. 

"So, you are Royalty" he stated raising his eyebrow impressed. "And you treated me like shit" I reminded him, he grimaced remembering the time as well. "Not my best moment but you acted like a snobby brat when I met you first time" he smirked, I groaned remembering the time but he had my friends captured, what did he expect from me. 

"You had my friends" I accused him, fake glaring at him. He chuckled, "Yes, I did". 

I sighed and unconsciously snuggled into him, he put his hand on my shoulder pulling me into his arms, tucking me under his head. "This feels normal, like we are normal mate, having a normal day" I murmured feeling his heart beating in his chest. His chest vibrated with the laugh "Yeah it does, but we are far from normal" he said running his finger in my hairs. This feels like heaven.

I forget about my problem for the time being, in the arms of my destined mate, snuggling close to him, this right here looks too good to be true. But for now I will enjoy this moment.

***

I entered in Chase's office with Chase beside me to meet my father before he take his leave from this kingdom. Father was sitting on the chair facing the other side, when he heard the door opened, he turned around and looked towards me, smile appeared on his face and he stood up from his seat rushing in my direction. I pulled my hand away from Chase and hugged my Father, missing him very much.

"Hey Dad" I murmured when we broke the hug, he smiled and put his hand on my cheek patting it affectionately. He knew I use 'Dad' on selected occasion. "I miss you Princess" he said tearing up a little, his eyes shining bright. "Shall we?" Chase said breaking the moment and gesturing towards the chair, Father nodded and we took a seat, Chase was seating in front of me and my Father beside me, a table was between us to separate us. 

"Thanks King Lorel to visit us at this time" he said to father, sparing me a glance. 

"And Thanks for saving my daughter" Father said looking at him approvingly, Chase nodded his head "I will always save her" he said looking at me with tender expression. I gave him a small smile. This thing right here looks so unreal to me, Chase sudden change behavior towards me make me a little suspicious. But I am ignoring that feeling and for the first time believing in my mate. 

Father looked pleased with Chase response, he turned around to stare at me, "Your banishment is over Princess, you can come home whenever you want" he said earnestly, a full on smile broke out on my face. 

Finally I can go home. 

Then I looked towards Chase to see his expression, he was looking at us passively but quickly put a calm expression when I stared at him. "Thanks father, I will come home" I said sincerely, he smiled in return, from the corner of my eyes I saw Chase tightening his fist but ignoring him I continued "But not now, I will come home when everything will be fine" I said, his face fell but he nodded in response "I understand".

He stood up from his chair and we followed suit. "Come soon, Your Mom miss you" he said hugging me one last time. "I will" I reassured him. He nodded towards Chase and said his thank you again "Door to our Kingdom is open for you from now on" he said to Chase genuinely, and bid him farewell. My heart felt light after seeing Father talking with Chase in civil manner.

***

I stood in front of mirror after taking a bath, my hair was wet from the bath and I was wearing one of Chase's shirt, my legs were bare. I looked at myself in the mirror, my once lively green eyes stared back at me dully, my skin lost its color. My eyes are bloodshot because I have been crying lately. I looked at my hand and called my water power, ball of water appeared on my hand and I bounced it to have the feel of my powers back. With the flick of my wrist, water ball disappeared from my hand.

"Do you like it?" A voice said in front of me making me startled and stumbled on my feet. I heard the same voice laughing. I snapped my head and looked in the mirror again, my hair turned into blonde in front of my eyes and my eyes changes color to bright blue. I was staring at my worst enemy.

"Rose"

"You are liking the powers that running in your veins, don't you!" she smirked looking at my shocked face. Suddenly my face turned into a scowl remembering what type of monster is she.

"You killed William" I spat, glaring at her, my hand clenched into fist so tight that I could feel my nails breaking the skin. She didn't look least bit guilty "Yup, I killed him, he was being too smart for his own good" she said in a tone like she just swipe the dirt from the floor and I should be thankful for that. I growled, fire running in my veins and appearing on my skin. "You are a monster" I said gritting my teeth furiously, from here I can't do anything, she is a part of me. She chuckled humorlessly, "If you are calling me a monster then I don't think what you will call to the people who made me like this" she said, all the trace of humor gone from her face. She stared at me without any emotion "I did what was right at the time and I will do more when the time comes" she said ignoring my hostile expression. 

"You won't do such thing, I won't let you" I said seriously, I won't let her hurt any one now. 

"Aw dear Emerald, its cute how you think you can stop me" she said in a baby voice which made me more angry. A furious growl escape from my mouth. "I would rather die than let you use me like this" I snapped at her, my eyes turning darker, she looked at me in anger "Do you ever think that why am I doing this all?" she said in a disappointing tone and I scoffed at this. "Why would I want to know reason behind your barbaric act when I know you are devil in disguise" I said coldly, she chuckled, no humor behind her laugh. 

"And here I thought you had some brain" she muttered and then suddenly her eyes turned brighter and she looked at me ecstatic. 

"I guess, its time to tell you the truth"  she said and snatched my hand taking me with her in the mirror.