Wooyoung couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the mop of messy mint hair in the distance. He had immediately kicked his horse, sending it flying forward while shouting, "Yunho!"

As he got closer, he recognized the other rider as Mingi. They all dismounted their horses, not caring if they kept going, and ran at each other. They reached him quickly and hugged him from either side before falling to the ground. All three were trying to speak at the same time.

He was so overwhelmed with joy he was reduced to a sobbing mess and Mingi ruffled his hair and said something about being happy to see is cute face again.

Then Wooyoung tilted his head to see Seonghwa and Yeosang running to them too. Mingi and Yunho quickly moved out of the way as the prince slammed into him hard enough to send them both rolling down the hill a little bit.

They held each other, squeezing as hard as they could. "By the g-gods, Wooyoung. I was afraid I-I'd never see you again." The prince said, losing all his composure.

"It's good to see you too, Hwa." Wooyoung buried his face in the prince's neck, both still laying on the ground.

Then Yeosang came, kneeling behind Seonghwa and reaching out to take one of Wooyoung's hands. The performer lifted his head to meet the other's eyes, smiling.

It felt so good to be with his family again. It had been months now since he and Kita had left.

Yunho and Mingi stood off to the side, smiling at the group on the ground and had their arms around each other.

Wooyoung saw Hongjoong standing back a little way, a concerned look on his face. Then he pulled away from Seonghwa's grip a little to turn and see Jongho holding onto all four of the horses, looking anxious.

The reunion was over. Wooyoung bit his lip and sat up. "Hwa..."

"I know. I figured when I didn't see her with you, she must still be there. But that's why we are here. We came to free you and Kita, and a woman named Katrina. She is Yunho's sister and Hongjoong's wife. I guess San has her captive as well."

"She works in the kitchens." Jongho said quickly, then shrunk back when all eyes turned to him.

"Who are you?" Mingi said, stepping to stand in front of Seonghwa.

"Relax, Mingi." Wooyoung said, standing up quickly and holding his hands up. "He's a friend. He helped me escape from the palace. Jongho?" He turned to the timid guard and held out his hand.

Jongho stepped forward and bowed quickly. "Your Highness. I am so sorry for what my kingdom has done."

"Your kingdom?" Seonghwa said, standing quickly and stalking toward the boy.

"Hwa, stop!" Wooyoung jumped in front of Jongho. "Yes, he is from Volkin. He used to be San's head guard, but like I said, he got me out of there."

Jongho fell to his knees and bowed his head again. "Please, Your Highness, let me explain." Seonghwa glared down at him but nodded once. "Princess Lakita asked me to get Wooyoung out of there. King San... He had tried to execute Wooyoung on false charges and she stopped him in front of a large group of his people. The king, he... he tried to attack me, but the princess got in front of me to protect me. She begged me to leave so the king wouldn't harm me and asked me to bring Wooyoung." Jongho felt tears sliding down his cheeks. "I... I... I couldn't disobey her. I watched her heal so many people, she even tried to heal our infertile land. She truly is an amazing woman. I... I want to help you save her." His eyes met the prince's.

Wooyoung knelt beside the guard and wrapped a comforting arm around him, trying to hold back his own tears. This was the first time he had heard Kita had protected Jongho. He feared for what San was doing to her now.

Yeosang moved forward and knelt next to them. "Can you help get us into the palace then?"

"Yes. Although I fear what happened today might cause the king to put his plan into motion."

"What plan?" The wizard said softly.

"He plans to use Ki... The Princess as a healing source for his army. He wants to expand our lands. Volkin is dying, both the people and the land, so he wants to conquer new territory for us to try and revive his people. Having a virtually unlimited healing source would make him unstoppable."

"No! That would kill her!" Wooyoung said, falling back. "He can't do that! He saw what happened the first day he arrived! No!"

Mingi ran over and wrapped his arms around Wooyoung, trying to calm him.

"We need to hurry." Yeosang said, looking up at Seonghwa. He looked like he was fighting back his own tears, but he nodded.

"How far to the palace?"

"Half a day." Jongho said. "But we need to be careful. If he is gathering his men, then I don't know if there is enough of you to meet him on the open field."

"Mount up!" Seonghwa ordered. Everyone scrambled to their feet and returned to their horses. "Follow Jongho. He is in charge for now." He said to his men and the pirates who were with them. "It's time we rescue the princess!" Everyone cheered and then the hills seemed to echo with the thundering sound the horses made as they galloped forward.

.

.

.

.

"It's time to go, Kitten." San said, pulling her up off the bed. He placed a cloak around her shoulders, hiding the fact that her hands were bound, then led her to the front of the palace where his army and several of his people stood waiting to bid him farewell.

"Thank you for coming to see us off! The time has come for me to try and heal our lands! Stay strong for me, I promise we will return to you." He waved to the people gathered, who all cheered. "And when we return, I promise we will make Princess Lakita into a true queen!" the cheering got even louder, and he watched Kita plaster a smile on her face.

He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. Then they both bowed slightly before walking into his carriage. He pulled her into his lap and caressed her neck with one hand, the other squeezing her thigh.

"You are to stay in the carriage at all times, unless I tell you otherwise. Got it?"

"Yes, Sir." She said, not looking at him. He brought the hand from her neck up to her face to turn it to him.

"You would do well to avoid upsetting me, Kitten. You know what happens when I get mad." He ran his thumb over her lips, staring at them hungrily. "You obey my orders, and I'll make sure to take care of you." He leaned forward and kissed her, keeping it soft. He could feel her tense, and he smiled, leaning back.

For the remainder of the carriage ride, he kept her in his lap, rubbing her arms and legs.