Princess Kassandra of Nohr

After staying with the Ice Tribe for a few days, I only felt marginally better -- I'd always had a weak immune system, although I'd never known whether it was hereditary or if it was the result of my sheltered life in the Northern Fortress. Regardless, I went against everyone's advice and decided that we should start travelling again. My stress over speaking with King Garon was certainly not helping me feel better. I just wanted it done with so that I could rest in my room at Castle Krakenburg.

We spent almost a week riding back, most of which passed in a fog. Silas was constantly fussing over me, making sure that I was wearing enough layers and even offering up some of his own. I was too tired to argue, and I could never get warm, so I let him do what he liked.

By the time we got back to Castle Krakenburg, I was exhausted. But I'd only just stumbled off Elise's wyvern when I heard Xander calling my name.

I turned around, my heart doing a somersault. Xander, Camilla, and Leo were striding across the bridge towards us.

"I missed you, darling!" Camilla engulfed me in a perfumed hug. "Are you all right?"

I tried my hardest not to cough. "I-I'm f-fine."

She released me, and I twisted away, unable to fight the itching in my lungs any longer. While I coughed, Leo hit me viciously on the back.

As soon as I could speak again, I gasped, "Too hard, Leo."

He stopped, turning red. "Sorry."

Xander drew me against him. "What's wrong with her?"

"She had hypothermia while we were away," Elise said, "and she's still not well. So enough standing around outdoors! She needs rest."

Xander sighed. "I wish you could have rest, Kass...but Father has requested that you go to the throne room immediately, and we've risked too much lately to defy him now. Hopefully, it will be quick."

I deflated. I didn't know if I had enough energy to face King Garon just yet, even though it was what I'd been waiting for. "I understand. And thank you for taking that risk in sending Elise and Silas after me. Without them, I would have surely died."

His arms tightened around me. "I know, so let's not bring it up again. I'll help you make this report a quick one."

"I'll be fine."

"You look like death," Leo said.

"Sheesh, way to compliment her!" Elise linked her arm through mine. "You don't look that bad, Kass. Even when you're sickly, you're beautiful. Now, come on! Let's talk to Father and get this over with!"

***

King Garon waiting for us in the throne room. Iago was at his side.

My legs shook. When we reached the steps to the high chair, I cleared my throat and looked up at them. "My mission was successful, Father. The Ice Tribe's rebellion has been halted."

"So I have seen in their cooperation," Garon said. "You have done well, Kassandra. As promised, I will now welcome you back into the royal family. Well done, my daughter."

I tried to suppress a shudder. I was not his daughter, not in my heart. But this was necessary to help my siblings and to help Nohr. "Thank you, Fa--"

"There is one small problem, Your Majesty," Iago said. "My sources tell me that Kassandra did not carry out her mission alone."

"Iago!" Xander glowered at him.

"Is this true, Kassandra?" Garon asked.

My heart sank. "I set out on my own, as ordered, but along the way, I ran into trouble. Felicia, Silas, and Elise came to help me. I beg your forgiveness."

"So you defied my holy orders and involved not only your retainer, but also your sister?"

"Such sacrilege demands a swift and severe punishment," Iago said. "If you ask me, we should put an end to Kassandra once and for all."

"Stop it, Iago!" Elise clenched her hands into fists. "Kass never asked us to follow her -- we did that on our own! S-so if the punishment is death, you'll have to kill me, too!"

"No!" Xander glared at her, but I knew his anger was really meant for Iago. "Father, if you must punish someone, punish me. It was I who told the others to tag along and help Kass with her mission. If death is the price for this indiscretion, it is I, and I alone, who will pay it. Kill me or kill no one."

"No, Xander --" I began.

"Enough!" Garon roared.

We all fell silent.

"Though it was not exactly as I requested," he said, "Kassandra did accomplish her mission. By the grace of Anankos, I shall let this pass."

Relief swept through me. "Thank you, Father!"

"Given your success, I shall waste no time in assigning you a new mission," he continued.

Why did I always allow myself to relax too soon?

"But Kass is unwell," Xander said. "She isn't ready for a new mission."

"If she is a child of mine, she will be. There is no time to waste -- the Hoshidans are taking steps to topple Nohr and all we hold dear. They are attempting to seize the neutral island of Notre Sagesse as their own, and to use the power of the Rainbow Sage, one of the First Dragons. That must not be allowed.

"I will grant you one day of rest. Tomorrow morning, you will depart. Xander, Camilla, and Elise will accompany you with a portion of our army, and you will bring the island under Nohrian rule. Understood?"

"Yes, Father," I said wearily. Having just escaped death, there was no point in pushing my luck.

Nor was there any point in trying to avoid fighting soldiers from the country of my birth. Even if I wasn't ready.

"You are dismissed," he said. "May the dusk devour!"

We traipsed out of the throne room.

As soon as the doors were shut behind us, Leo folded his arms. "Do you think you could all stop offering yourselves up for execution?"

Elise pouted. "Don't pretend you wouldn't do the same!"

They dropped back to bicker. Camilla and Xander fell into step on either side of me, flanking me like a pair of guards. Camilla squeezed my hand. "I'm glad that you didn't come to harm, darling, but I'm worried about you going on a mission so soon."

"As am I," Xander said. "So use the rest of this day wisely. My advice would be to spend it in the medical ward."

"Yeah, come on!" Elise skipped ahead. "There'll be lots of medicines in there that I didn't have with me while we were travelling. By tomorrow, you'll feel loads better! And don't worry: with me and my retainers at your side, we'll be back home in no time flat anyway!"

"That sounds foreboding rather than reassuring," Leo said. "Now I'm really worried. It was nice knowing you, Kass."

"That's not funny!" Elise exclaimed. "Why would you say such a terrible thing?"

I smiled. "He's just trying to get a rise out of you."

"At least you'll have Xander and Camilla," Leo continued. "Thank the gods."

"Xander!" Elise turned imploring eyes up at her oldest brother. "Make Leo stop teasing me!"

Xander heaved a long-suffering sigh. Camilla and I looked at each another and laughed.

When I'd stopped laughing -- and coughing -- I said, "Do you know why you aren't coming with us, Leo?"

"There are more rebels to be dealt with, unfortunately," he replied. "They're endless. This is what most of our missions have always been: quelling rebellions and watching the borders." He stopped short of the doors to the medical ward. "Speaking of which, I should leave you here and make my preparations to end their activities."

"Leo, wait!" Elise called.

But he'd already spun on his heel and was stalking back down the corridor.

"Does he even know what moral support is?" she grumbled.

"You know he doesn't like the medical ward, Elise," Camilla said as we entered.

"He doesn't?" I asked.

"He's never said as much." Xander fixed us all with a stern stare. "And he wouldn't want us to talk about it behind his back."

"All right, whatever." Elise pushed me towards one of the plain cots that littered the room. "Go and lie down, Kass. I'll find some stuff and be with you in a moment!"

***

I spent my afternoon in the medical ward while Elise pumped me full of concoctions, then moved to my room for the evening. I fell asleep and did not wake until early the next morning, when Felicia and Flora knocked on my door, wishing to pack my bags.

They told me to stay in bed while they fussed around, and even though Elise's medicine had helped, I heeded their advice. We had many long days of travelling ahead of us.

Once my things were packed, they brought my breakfast and promised someone would fetch me when everyone was ready to go. I ate in bed and then decided to take a nap while I was waiting.

Just five minutes after I'd closed my eyes, someone knocked on the door.

"Who's there?" I called groggily.

"Xander."

I bolted upright. "Enter!"

He came in, dressed ready to travel.

I flung my blankets aside. "Is everyone ready? Should I --"

"Relax." He came to my bedside. "Lie back down. I just came to speak with you about something, but it can wait. I didn't realise that you were still resting."

"I won't be able to rest now you've said that. Tell me what's on your mind."

He hesitated. Then he sat down on the edge of my bed. "I wanted to apologise for the change in Father's behaviour. I fear that Iago is starting to have a great influence on him."

"What change in behaviour?" I asked carefully.

Xander dragged a hand through his hair. "Ever since you've come out of the fortress, his behaviour towards you has been exceptionally harsh. The rest of us have never been treated quite like this."

"Because you're his real children."

"He loves you as one of his own."

My fists clenched around the blankets. "How can you lie so easily, Xander? You know that has never been the truth. If he loves me, why did he ask you to kill me? And if he loves me, why did he kill my real father and my mother?"

"Kass, your mother was the enemy. But even so, he didn't know --"

Hot rage surged through my blood. "He sent Norton to look for Ganglari! He could have given me any godforsaken sword! Yes, he did know, Xander!"

My shouting triggered a coughing fit so harsh that it brought me to tears. When I eventually stopped and gasped for breath, I scrubbed them from my eyes.

I felt Xander's weight shift on the mattress. He settled himself against the pillows and took me in his arms. "I'm sorry, Kass. It wasn't you I was trying to lie to. It's just...I remember a different father. I wish you could have met him. He was not much different to the man he is now, except in the moments that mattered. When you came back from your mission, the greatest punishment you would have feared for your disobedience was his words. In fact, while in all likelihood he would have sent you to the Ice Tribe to prove your loyalty, he would not have sent you alone. But somewhere in all these years, he's changed."

"Was that before or after I came into the picture?"

Xander sighed. "I don't know. Perhaps it was the war between his concubines that started it, but he did not simply change overnight. The attempts of his lovers to assassinate his other children hardened him, yes, but not quite into the man he is now."

"He was cruel enough to take Norton and me."

"True. But believe me, Kass, he is not as bad as you seem to think." Xander looked down at the blankets.

I sat up a little. "And? Something else is on your mind."

He met my eyes. "Would you be angry if I said that I'm grateful he took you? Is it selfish of me to be glad that you came?"

I melted beneath the tenderness in his gaze. "No. Because, while I wish it hadn't affected the people around me and caused them so much heartache, I'm also glad that I was brought here. It's why I came back. You're why I came back."

His eyes darkened. "Is that so?"

There was something in the air between us, something that just felt...right.

We both moved at the same moment, our lips colliding. The spark between us burst into flames. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, and I drew myself closer to him, diving deeper, searching for more. It felt like my life was dependent on the way he was kissing me.

And then my brain kicked in.

I drew away, planting my hands against his chest. "Wait, Xander. I don't want to make you ill."

"You won't." He pulled me back again, and I forgot my argument, my eyes falling shut. My lips parted, waiting.

But the kiss never came.

I opened my eyes. Xander was watching me. "On second thoughts, you were supposed to be resting."

"I can't rest now!" It came out like a beg, laced with frustration. "Xander, please --"

He pressed his lips to mine again, kissing me chastely. "There. Satisfied?"

No. He'd opened up a chasm of new feelings, and I'd never felt more unsatisfied. But he turned away and slid further down the pillows, that line of conversation over.

I sank down next to him. "What are you doing?"

"Taking a nap with you." He curled his arms around me, closing his eyes.

I slowly did the same. But I couldn't quite relax yet.

"Xander," I whispered after a few minutes. "When did you first have feelings for me?"

"Since the moment I met you. I never saw you as a sister...although it took me until the day Norton left the fortress to understand what I did see you as."

I thought of that day, when I'd fallen to my knees in the courtyard and cried while Norton had ridden away. Xander had fought him until first blood just as he'd fought me, and he was supposed to be escorting Norton to the capital. But he'd let my brother and the guards make a head start, and he'd stayed in the courtyard with me until I'd had no more tears.

I smiled sadly at the memory.

"What about you?" Xander murmured. "When did you first have feelings for me?"

"I don't know. It feels like it's been forever."

We lay in silence for a moment.

"So, what now?" I whispered.

"This is a dangerous game, Kass." Xander rolled onto his side and looked me in the eyes. "And it's one that, for now, I think we will simply have to play by ear."

***

I was the first to wake from our nap.

Xander was beautiful but worried, even in his sleep. At least the harsh set of his expression wasn't marred with his usual frown. Just the absence of it made him look younger. He was five-and-twenty, but when he was the commanding Crown Prince of Nohr, he seemed ageless: young enough to be at the height of his beauty, but wise enough -- and worried enough -- to be far older than his years.

I put my hand on his shoulder and shook him awake. "Xander, when do we have to go?"

"Soon," he said without opening his eyes, "but not yet. Leo will come and get you."

"All right. Who was this nap even for? You look exhausted. Are you not sleeping well?"

He finally opened his eyes, and I saw how weary they were. "I was worried about you even after I sent Elise and Silas to help. I was hoping to sleep better when you'd safely returned, but alas, you're off again, and in such poor health."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. Besides, I would have no doubt found something else to trouble me. I'll be pleased when this whole war is over -- but we are far from reaching that point yet." He sat up. "I should leave before Leo fetches you. I meant what I said about this being a dangerous game, Kass. Our relationship is not going to garner much acceptance, and with the war on, it should stay under wraps."

"I understand, but you don't have to bear your burdens alone. You can tell me exactly what's worrying you any time you like."

"You'll have your own worries to bear." He smiled faintly. "But I will no doubt come to you anyway."

"Good."

He stood up, and I stood, too. The movement was sudden after I'd been lying down for so long, and my head span.

Xander caught my shoulders. "Careful. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." I grabbed his arms as I wobbled again. "I just got up too quickly."

He pushed me down onto the bed, and my vision cleared. His frown was back. "Perhaps I should speak with Father."

"No! What if he decides I'm not strong enough? What if he puts me back in the Northern Fortress?"

"I would never let that --"

Someone knocked on the door.

"Kass, are you ready?" Leo called.

No! Xander hadn't even left the room yet, and I was in my nightclothes! "Er, almost!"

"Hurry up. Silas, Camilla, and Elise are ready. Should I get Xander and then come back?"

"No!" I yelped. "I-I'll just be a minute!"

Xander was already taking a pair of leggings, a tunic, and some other layers from one of my trunks. He held them up for approval, and I nodded without really looking. I just needed to get dressed before Leo realised that he was missing.

He handed my clothing to me and turned away. I changed as fast as I could. When I was decent, I tiptoed past him to pick up my cloak. He helped me to fasten it around my shoulders, and the feel of his hands so close to my skin made it almost impossible not to kiss him.

He moved away before my self-resolve could crumble, lacing up one of my boots while I did the other. Finally, we went to the door.

He stood behind it so that he would be hidden when it was opened, raising a finger to his lips.

Throwing my pack over my shoulder, I yanked the door open. "I'm ready!"

Leo was standing with his arms folded across his chest. He raised his eyebrows. "You're enthusiastic."

"I feel much better than I did yesterday." I left my room and shut the door behind me, hiding Xander.

"You will still take care of yourself, won't you?" Leo asked. "It would upset Camilla and Elise if anything happened to you."

I smiled teasingly. "It would upset you, too."

"Maybe," he grumbled.

He walked me out of the castle and down to the First Bridge. Camilla and Elise were already sitting on their wyverns, bickering yet again about who I would be riding up to the surface with.

Leo turned around and gave me a sudden hug, a protective and brotherly gleam in his eyes. "I really mean it. You don't have much life experience yet. Look after yourself."

"I will," I said as we drew apart.

Xander came out of the castle, his face stern as if he'd spent the past half hour working. "Is everyone ready?"

The light we were standing in flickered as the soldiers who would be accompanying us began to take off.

"Yes," I said. "I'll ride with Camilla, because I rode down here with Elise."

And also because I couldn't trust myself to share Xander's wyvern without blushing.