Ciaran's POV:

I cannot believe that Rowan wants me. It is almost too good to believe, so I am scared to let myself fall for him. But, the attraction is there and he sought me out and claimed he was in awe of me.

Me!

He told me I was perfect, that he admired me... gods, how can this be?!

Rowan has fallen asleep, and I believe he is taking a much needed nap. The stress of expressing his feelings seems to have worn him out, but I need some air so I can clear my head.

I write a note and leave it on his desk before I head to the stables to borrow a horse, because I like the cool air and want to get away for a bit.

The horse I choose is the same one that I have borrowed since I've been here. It is a small white horse that is very friendly and seems to enjoy when I stroke its mane. I mount the horse and snap the reigns, nearly running into the king as I leave the stables.

"Your majesty!" I exclaim. "I apologize, I did not mean to almost hit you!"

Soto smiles and pats the side of the horse. "Do not worry, Ciaran. Where is Rowan?" he asks me, looking behind the horse. "Are you trying to run from him?"

"No, he is asleep but I would like to get fresh air. I am sorry, I should have asked," I say sheepishly.

He chuckles. "Ah, do not fret, young man. I respect how you wish to clear your mind, so have a nice ride," Soto tells me, so I nod and snap the reigns, heading toward the gates.

I am flying high; Rowan, the prince of Arlian, the most beautiful and kind man I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, told me that he likes me, that he admires me!

That he is in awe of me and would like to be with me, should I give him the chance.

And, gods, am I willing to give it to him!

I want him to be mine, to hold me when I'm upset and so I can do the same for him. I want to be there for him when he is sad, I want to share a blanket with him while we sit in front of a lit fireplace, enjoying each other's company.

The horse runs up the path where Rowan and I go to spar, but as I am coming up on the clearing, a sense on unease overcomes me. For some reason... it feels as though someone is here with me, and I do not like it. As Rowan has taught me, I have strapped the small sword I have to the side of the horse so I am always able to defend myself.

Sliding off the horse, I walk around the clearing, constantly looking around me. I order my horse to stay behind so she doesn't get hurt, because she is an amazing animal and I would hate anything to happen to her.

This is the area where Rowan trains me and teaches me to spar, so I should feel safe here, but there is something that makes me uncomfortable.

I see something sticking up in the middle of the clearing, covered in leaves... strange. Since I am both foolish and curious, I approach the raised ground and poke it with the tip of my sword.

The ground lifts underneath me and I find myself being lifted in the air, in a massive net covered with tiny rocks so it stabs my skin. When the net grabbed me, my sword nicked my arm so now I am bleeding from several places and in a lot of pain.

I hear shouting from around me, and I freeze when I realize they are speaking Vladimir and Daliah's language; oh gods, I need to get out of here!

Squirming in the net and feeling the jagged rocks stabbing into my skin, I manage to adjust my sword to cut through the robes and make a hole big enough to slide through. I quickly throw my sword out and then leap through the hole, landing on the ground and I think I just dislocated or broke my shoulder.

Thankfully it is my right shoulder and I am left hand dominant, so I grab the sword and back away when I see a group of individuals approaching me with their own knives and wearing armor.

Gods, where is my horse?!

I turn and find the white horse standing and waiting for me, so thank gods for that. Agh, how am I going to get out of here?! I cannot lead them straight into the kingdom!

My only choice is to kill them all or run and hope to lose them, but we are nearing sundown and I do not want to be out in the cold all night. The first snowfall is on its way and it could happen any night, and knowing my luck it would happen while I'm outside running from my enemies.

I lift my sword and back away from the evil men, but my attempt to back away is stolen when I meet the eyes of Master.

Of course he has to be here! Why is my luck so horrid?! Gods, I hate my life right now.

"I am angry with you, slave," Master says, raising his sword. "So are the king and queen. You helped the mysterious man escape, and from what I can tell, he is a subject of Arlian, yes?"

I shake my head. "I don't know where he is. We parted in a village about a four hour's ride from here," I tell Master, because the very last thing I wish to do is tell this cruel man where Rowan is.

"You lie. I have seen you two train here over the past week. I just needed to wait for the right time to take you," Master says, taking a step toward me.

Raising I sword, I shake my head. "No. Leave me alone," I say, trying to look strong despite the throbbing pain in my shoulder.

"You think you can defeat me?" he asks, raising his sword. "Your arm is already cut and injured, and you have injuries from the stone net. You will not defeat me."

I know he is right, but I will not go down without a fight. I would prefer death to being his slave again, especially because I know Rowan would come after me, because that is who he is.

As Master approaches me, I hear grunts of pain and he and I both look behind him to see the few people accompanying him collapse to the ground blood dripping down their mouths. My heart soars when I see Patrick and Jameson, neither of whom speak the same language as Master, but I'm glad they can tell I am not safe.

"Get out of here!" Patrick orders, raising his bloodied sword. "Or you die."

Master looks between them and I in confusion.

Does he really expect me to translate for him?!

"He can't understand you," I say, huffing. "He only speaks the language of Vayl."

"I speak little," Master says, his thick accent almost muffling his words.

Patrick, I think, scoffs. "Do you understand 'fuck off, you overgrown troll?'" he asks, both he and Jameson advancing on Master. "Jameson, you have rope?"

Jameson nods, grabbing the rope from his horse's side. "Drop your sword."

Master doesn't listen, so I translate the words, but he still refuses.

"Then he will die," Jameson says, but I stop them before they can approach him with a shake of my head.

"Careful!" I call, my heart racing. "He is the head guard in Vayl. They came for me and he is very dangerous, especially when he is angry."

Patrick and Jameson are more wary, both prepared when Master begins to fight them and they are all ruthless.

I am scared to watch this, but I will not run.

Master almost slices through Jameson's stomach, but Patrick is right there to save his brother. They duel for long minutes, until Jameson finally manages to cut Master's arm and makes him drop his sword.

They rush to tie his arms before he can do anything else, and I feel a bit relieved.

"Ciaran, ride ahead and tell Rowan and King Soto not to close the gate until we get back," Patrick tells me, so I awkwardly get on the horse with my injured shoulder.

I need to see the doctor as soon as I get back to the palace, my shoulder aching the whole time as I ride.

I ride through the gates and barely take time to put my horse in the stables when I sprint through the palace in search of Rowan and the king. My appearance and new injuries earn me many strange looks from people but I do lot let them stop me from running.

Bursting into Rowan's room, he looks up from his desk and his eyes widen in horror.

"What happened?!" he exclaims, rushing over to me.

"The gate needs to stay open and you and the king need to get out there," I gasp, dead tired from sprinting all the way in here, as I am not very athletic and I am so sore. "My Master tried to take me but Patrick and Jameson stopped him. They are bringing him back here."

Rowan nods, grabbing my hand and making me pull it away because of the pain in my shoulder. He helps me to take my shirt off and sees the horrid swelling and then notices the sword cut on my other arm.

"You are an accident prone being," Rowan says in a pitying tone. "Go to the doctor while I deal with this situation."

I promise I will, but I stop him before he can take off. "Rowan, this is the man who enslaved me for seven years. Please, be careful. I know how dangerous he is," I say, and Rowan hugs me in a gentle way, so to avoid hurting my already destroyed shoulder.

"I will be careful, Ciaran. I promise you."