Through hazy eyes, Grimalkin wakes up in her lover's warm embrace.  He looked into her green eyes and smiled.  

"Good morning."  He hugged her and kissed her cheeks repeatedly as she giggled.  It was so nice to be wanted and loved, but he made her feel more than that like he understood her and accepted her dark side.  She also understood how he could have two such opposing sides.   She was the same way.   One that was loving and caring and another that was dark and could do unspeakable things.  She knew why she had turned out this way, a dead mother and a father that didn't care for anything but booze, but what had made him this way?  He seemed really curious about her always asking questions, but it wasn't until she decided she would stay with him that she was truly curious about his past.

"I want you to trust me and tell me more about yourself,"  she asked as she cuddled closer to him, "I feel like I don't know much about your life."

"I want to know you too.  Just one look and I was hypnotized."

Grimalkin smiled thinking of the effect she had on him.

"What do you want to know?"  He asked.

"Tell me about your mother," she said.

His face changed.  "She was sweet and loving.  I miss her so much," Hoseok paused before he continued, "my father killed her, just like he killed all our mothers.  He didn't want them to make us soft."

"I'm so sorry. Do you hate him?"

"Don't ask me that."

She quickly changed the subject when she saw the hurt on his face. "Are the princes related to you?"  She asked.

"Yes, my father has had many sons.  Balkai, Jabka, and Taen are my brothers.  We have different mothers but our father is King Eblis."

"I see.  Is it your custom to have many lovers?"

Hoseok laughs at her question, "no, my father also wants to conquer all the pretty women, but now he lusts for power." 

"Tell me about him.  Where is he?"

"He is back home in Valkarky.  We live far in the northern forest where it always snows.  We have great fortresses there that are constantly growing.   My greedy father craves for his castle and his kingdom to constantly expand.  Slaves and his creations are always at work."  Hoseok shivers at the thought.  "I am glad to be away from there, the nights are long and very cold with no pretty faces to make the time enjoyable."

He moves closer to snuggle against her warmth.

"For what purpose did he send you here?"

Hoseok smiled, "As I said, he has a great need to conquer."

"Well, you conquered me," she said with a seductive smile.

"And you won me, I love you," he said kissing her lips.

Grimalkin searched his face for any sign of deceit.  

"Would your father approve of me?"

"Yes, you are the beautiful queen of my heart."

"He probably wouldn't like you being so keen on me."

"Aww, but I do what I want," he replied.

"Are you his eldest son?"

"Alive, yes.  I will inherit the kingdom so I have enemies even among my own people."

"Oh, do you even trust your brothers?"

"No, so I keep them close, but they can be useful.  They helped me conquer this place."

"I see."

I am my father's favorite son, so they are jealous of me.  They only pretend to like me so... it's a lonely life.  Has Jabka tried to seduce you yet?"

Grimalkin laughed, "On occasion."

"I'm here for you.  Tell me if he bothers you."

"I will."

"I'm going riding with them, will you join us?"

There was a soft knock at the door followed by a servant entering with a tray of food.  Grimalkin did not notice who it was at first as the girl busied herself picking up the room.

"I'll stay here," she said sitting in front of the food prepared for her.

Grimalkin waited for him to leave before she whispered to the maid.  "Are they here?"

"Just James and me."

She rises from her seat fully agitated. "Why have you come?" 

"We came for you.  You know this.  He loves you."

Grimalkin looked annoyed.  "Am I supposed to spend my life worried about this fool?"

"Yes, he's a fool for you, Grimalkin, please go see him.  He is waiting in the woods at the place where we met."

"He is wasting his time.  I can't give him any hope.  Please convince him."

"He won't listen to me and he won't give up.  I had to stop him from coming in here so he wouldn't be killed.  I convinced him I could slip in and talk to you."

"Tell him I don't love him and that I said to leave me be."

Sally put her hand gently on hers.  "Grimalkin, I'm an empath.  You can't fool me.  You love him.  It will break his heart and his spirit if you tell him that.  Try to make him understand why you can't be with him.  I know you are making a great sacrifice for your country, for your friends, but mostly for him."

"Sally I belong to the prince now.  I am trying to convince him to leave the County alone and go back home.  You must help me.  Tell my friends not to attack yet.  I may be successful soon and they won't have to.  If I leave with James, all hope of peace is lost."

"Then tell him, please.  He will understand if it comes from you."  Sally pleaded.