A week later
*Zac*
I feel dizzy, shaking my head to clear it. What is wrong with me ? These past couple of days I have felt more and more tired, my head hurts and I am dizzy. And I feel short of breath very easily. Maybe I am coming down with something. I just hope it isn't something bad.
"Are you okay Zac ?" Joel calls out and pulls on the reins to stop his horse beside me. "You look very pale and your brow is sweaty".
"I am fine". I call back, smiling at him. It is probably nothing and I don't want to seem weak. "Let's see who gets back to the castle first".
"Are you sure...". Joel tries to stop me, but I spur my horse and I don't hear everything he tries to say. The cool wind on my face helps, and I think that it really is nothing, maybe I just need a bit of extra sleep.
But suddenly it is as if the world tilts, my head is swimming and painful flashes go through my head, and I have to grab it with one hand. My vision is blurred and I have to use all focus to stay on the galloping horse.
Suddenly the horse lifts off the ground, I hadn't seen the fence. It isn't a high jump, but I am dizzy and I wasn't prepared. I feel myself slip and then everything goes black.

*Naria*
I hear a lot of commotion, and know something is wrong. Then a guard comes running in and I ask. "What is happening ?"
"The prince, he fell from his horse". He looks halfway panicked and it spreads to me, how bad is it ? "I need to get the priest and the king now".
I don't care about my job and about who sees me there, as I run to Zac's room, sending my thoughts ahead. Please dear God, let him not be dead.
When I barge into the room, I see him on the bed. He is pale and his face is covered in a thin layer of sweat. His shirt and jacket have been pulled open, his chest rising and falling too fast. Joel, his squire is pacing the floor.
"Is he okay ? What happened ?" Joel of course knows about our relationship, so I don't have to hide anything from him.
He is shaking his head. "I don't know, he started going pale and sweaty, but he insisted he was okay and kicked his horse into a gallop. When the horse jumped a fence he just fell off, like he fainted. Luckily he didn't hit the fence, but it was kind of a bad fall".
"I told him not to ride out today. He has been feeling weak and dizzy for days and he has complained about headaches". I tell him.
Zac groans and I am instantly at his side, taking his hand in mine. "Are you okay love ? Where does it hurt ?"
"It would be easier to say where it doesn't hurt". He mumbles and slowly opens his eyes. "Hi darling. I'm okay, I am pretty sure nothing is broken".
"Why did you ride out when you were feeling bad ?" I scold him. "Joel tells me you started feeling even worse but you ignored it. You need to look out for yourself. I don't want to loose you to you own stubborn stupidity".
He don't have time to answer me as the king comes sweeping through the door, followed by the priest. "What happened, my son ? Be gone with you girl".
I let go of Zac's hand, I don't want to leave, I want to be there, to find out what is wrong with him. The priest interrupts. "If it is okay with you my liege, I would like for the girl to stay, I might need her help".
The king just nods and both me and Zac sends Hendry a grateful look and the priest smiles knowingly. "So my prince, tell me what happened".
Zac retells and the priest looks him over, I am following his movements, hoping to catch everything. "So what is wrong with me Hendry ?"
"Well it seems like some illness has gotten into your blood, We might need to bleed you, to get out the sickness". The king nods and Zac looks like he don't like the idea. I know it is the normal thing to do, but honestly it doesn't make sense. But I can't really say that.
"See that it is done, and make sure no one knows that the prince is sick". The kong says and leaves the room. The priest goes to get his tools and I sit down holding Zac's hand.
He actually looks scared and I am caressing his hand. "I hate blood honestly, and I hate the idea of having my arm cut open. Will you please hold my hand ?"
"Of course Zac". I bring his hand up to my lips. Not wanting him to see how scared I am, I just have this really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
When Hendry cuts open his arm and lets the blood slowly spill out, I am uncertain whether it hurts me or Zac the most. But I hide it, and keep talking to him, keeping his focus on me. Luckily he only bleeds out a small amount before bandaging the wound, telling Zac to rest.

*Tom*
I am awakened by a motion, or more like a feeling. It is the smell of the air, the way the ship moves, the way the waves sound against the hull. Yeah a feeling I would say.
Then another feeling takes over for a moment, the feeling of a warm body laying almost on top of me. She is still sleeping, breathing softly. She is laying between my legs, her head resting on my chest. I am used to this by now. It happens every night, her finding her way to my side of the bed in her sleep.
I honestly don't mind, she is soft and warm. But I also have to admit that it is getting harder to stay on the right side of that invisible line. It is like it gets harder and harder to see each day.
"Darling wake up". I gently run my hand up and down her back, feeling her start to move slightly, which is quite distracting, as she is literally rubbing against a very sensitive spot, threatening to haywire my self-control. "Please wake up".
She slowly opens her eyes looking up at me, taking a deep breath. "Hmm don't want to wake up, I was sleeping so very well".
"So you're telling me that I am a comfortable mattress ? Well that is a new one". I chuckle low. "Sorry to wake you, but I need to get on deck my dear. I fear a big storm is on its way.
She rolls down beside me, but her hand remains on my stomach. Oh dear she is making this very hard on me. Well honestly she is making other things hard on me too. I need to focus, this is Zac's bride, I promised to deliver her safely and untouched. I told the crew touching her has the penalty of death. I can't do anything.
"A storm ? How do you know ? The ship feels like the sea is calm". She says, propping herself up on one elbow. "Are we in danger ?"
"It's hard to explain, it is mostly a feeling I got, little things adding up". I say getting out of the bed. "And a big storm is always a danger. Do you want to get dressed and go with me ?"
She jumps up, nodding and gets behind the screen to get dressed as I quickly dress too. She is ready shortly after me and we make our way to the helm.
Ben is standing at the ship's wheel when we arrive. "Morning captain, morning your Highness. Everything looks calm and fine so far".
"Yeah but it wont continue". I am absolutely sure we will be in a very big storm soon. "We need to prepare the ship for a major storm, Ben. I'll take the wheel and you get the men on it".
"Aye aye captain". He says and leaves the wheel to me. He knows me better than to question me. He knows that when I say there will be a storm, there will.