He was at war with himself. On one hand he wanted to let her go, let her find someone who was as good as she was. On the other hand, he still had doubts about her turning him into the country.

He didn't know her that well, he didn't even know her name! But something compelled him to trust her.

Watching her fight, he made up his mind, however scared he was.

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"A duel? For my freedom?!" she asked incredulously, forgetting for the moment that her heart was broken from the surprise of his offer.

He nodded his head slightly, still not looking her in the eye.

With his manners it was easy for her to remember her heartache, and her gaze became steely once again.

She agreed to the fight, she wouldn't disagree with an offer like that.

The fight was to be the next morning, she breathed deeply, trying to calm herself in preparation.

----------------

The fight was a flurry of kicks, punches, and the best demonstration of both Tylorie and Dallen's skills. They pushed themselves farther than they ever had before.

Still at war with himself, Dallen changed his mind whether he wanted to let her go or not throughout the fight.

There were times when he would not put as much determination into his fighting, because he wanted to let her go. Until she got the upper hand and angered him.

Their duel lasted three hours, and Tylorie only managed to beat Dallen by tricking him into thinking she had given up.

His face was stormier than a volcano afterwards as he barreled to his room. 

He didn't talk to her, and she started having doubts if he would actually go through with his promise of freedom.

She sighed in disappointment. "Trust him to be the jerk that he is." was all she could think.

---------------------------------

The next day, Dallen abruptly interrupted her lesson with one of the Trainees to yell at her to leave. To get out, away, leave on the plane he had ready for her.

Hid voice was hoarse with emotion, but anger dominated his stance.

She was scared, and that made her feel like fighting back. But her freedom was too big of price to pay just to put him in his place once more. So she scurried away to the run way where his private jet was waiting to take her back. To take her away from this nightmare where she had found love, but never received it.

Staring out the window, gazing down at the seemingly small world, it looked so serene and happy. She wondered why life couldn't be like that, beautiful, but without heartache.