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I threw a stunned glance over my shoulder to find Alena standing in the doorway of the cave, a wide-eyed Art beside her. The early morning rays haloed her and filtered through the folds of her white nightdress, making her look like a celestial being.

Or was I imagining her?

Alena swayed on her feet, forcing me to release Malcolm so I could rush over to catch her before she could fall.

"Why aren't you resting, my fool, fool princess. Why are you rushing to this man's aid when he tried to kill you?"

I tried to sweep her up into his arms, but Alena refused, holding tightly his forearm but she remained on her feet. Alena's face was drained from the fresh colors almost as white as her nightdress, but I couldn't miss the determined in her eyes. "I don't care about my well-being right now. The look I saw in your eyes left me speechless so I had to follow you. I couldn't allow you to kill someone on my behalf."

I turned around slowly, gazing back at Art.

"And just how this wee Lady forced you to bring her here? Did she try her magic? Or was it a dagger?"

Art smiled smugly. "She asked."

Malcolm coughed pointedly, reminding them of his presence. He was still pushed against the wall, yet this time Ardal was the one holding him. "Princess," he said with excoriating courtesy. "You shouldn't worry your pretty head over the likes of me. But I can assure you that I would rather be back home next to my brother and under his care. After all, I'm the bastard son of the previous king."

I narrowed my eyes at Malcolm, warning him that he was walking on thin ice.

"Why do you think Alvin sends me on these suicide missions? Why am I being treated as a servant, yet I lead the attacks? Do you still think I'm making all this up? You were always the target Leon, not Alena."

"Then why didn't Alvin ordered you or one of his men to kill me?" I demanded.
Malcolm's laugh had a bitter edge. "Because Alvin was once a Knight so he knows better not provoke the sleeping dragon."

My blood ran cold. "What did you just said?"
"You heard me, Alvin knows what you are and he's not crazy to start a fight he can't carry."
"So Alvin fears me?" I whispered.
"Not to bruises your ego, but it's your parents we fear, to be more specific your father, King Leonidas."
I scowled, my patience was running dangerously thin.

Malcolm tried to be on his feet to fight. "When you abducted princess Alena, Alvin swore that he won't get involved in a silly fight with you and your kingdom. He wanted the army of the dead to finish you as you were roaming their sacred woods. But after that haunt with his father he knew that he had to get rid of you all as you managed to control the army of the dead." He said, gazing at winter. "You've got your freezing winter and Alvin got his blazing Ahavah."

"So Alvin was the one to order the attack on Alena..."

"...And Alvin claimed that you were the one who did it in an attempt to double-cross him after he handed you the gold and the citadel. He wanted the citizens of the Ancient Maze to loathe you as you were the man who tried to kill their beloved princess Alena."

"He wanted to force the citizens to come for me and my men."

"And kill you all," Alena finished what they wanted to say. "Leaving Alvin as blameless as a newborn baby."

This time when Alena's knees failed her, she allowed Leon to hold her in his arms. She sealed her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest as if Malcolm words drained what remind of her strength.

"Do you swear to me that you knew nothing of your brother's plan?" The look I gave Malcolm over the top of Alena's head left little doubt that Malcolm very life may depend on whether or not I found his reply convincing.

"Come on, think for a minute, Leon. Do you think if I knew what Alvin is planning I would've been there?"

I studied his words for a moment, then without hesitation, I turned to go, I had to get Alena back into the warmth of her bed before she collapsed once again.

"So what are you going to do to me now?" Malcolm shouted after us. "Are you going to leave me here to rot, or are you going to allow me to help you bring my brother down?"
As I carried Alena from the cave within The shadowy Gardens, Art locked the door behind us, leaving Malcolm alone in the dark.
Alena woke up that night as she felt someone stroking her hair.

"Leon, " she whispered, snuggling deeper Into her feathery pillow.

Alena didn't want this to end if this was a dream she wanted to stay here. She wanted to stay here long enough for Leon to brush his lips over hers.

"Sweet dreams, my darling," someone whispered into her ears.

Alena opened her eyes. It wasn't Leon's hand.
Alena let out a muffled shout, realizing too late it was Queen Violet.

"Calm down, child. I wanted to check on you. How are you feeling dear?" She asked in a kind voice.

"I'm fine, your highness."
"That's good to hear. I'll leave you to rest. Sleep well." She said kindly before melting into the shadows.

Alena collapsed against her pillows with a sigh, she was still troubled by her previous dream about Leon then her encounter with Queen Violet.

When Alena woke up the next morning the chair beside her bed was still empty, making her feel weird. Where was Leon she wanted him to be near her as she needed him the most? But something pulled Alena out of her thought as she could hear a movement outside her chamber, warning her that she was not alone. There was a light scratching on her door and that left her uneasy.
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