I watch Flavius's retreating form for a moment, before turning around to face the castle gates. The early morning sun hangs just barely above the horizon, causing me to sigh with relief. I normally leave the castle in the early morning, but I have never found myself sneaking back in.      Stealthily, I slink my way through the castle halls only to turn a corner and find myself face to face with a very concerned Soren. He stares down at me, his ocean eyes wide with surprise. Without saying a word, he grabs me roughly by the arm, he scans our surroundings, then proceeds to drag me down the hall and to his room. Roughly, he thrusts me into the room, checking around us one last time before closing the door.     Soren twists around, facing me. His arms cross over his chest and a scrunched look grows on his face.     "What in the name of the gods are you doing coming back at this hour? Where were

  Gwen approaches me with a wide grin plastering her face. She grabs a loose strand of my hair, twirling it around her finger. Instinctively, I yank my head away.     "My, my. Look what you have become," Gwen taunts, wagging her pointer finger back and forth.     Ignoring her words, I spit out, "What do you want?"      "How could I not come and see you after my greatest accomplishment? You certainly made things hard for me, but it was all worth it," she boasts.     I wish I could have made things a lot harder for the bitch. Who the hell does she think she is, talking to me like this? When I get out of here, I will kill her, and no one will be able to stop me.     "I only have one question, when you killed my brother, how did you know what route we would be taking to get to here?" I question fiercely.     I watch as Gwen's mouth twitches into a smi

  Two days come and go in a flash, and soon I find myself sitting in front of a mirror getting my makeup done by a bunch of chatty maids. My face is lightly brushed with makeup exaggerating my all ready sharp features. I stare into the mirror watching as the dark circles under my eyes are gradually covered. My lips are painted a deep ruby and my eyes a lined with a thin layer of black. Rosey blush is dusted against my cheeks making my pale skin all the paler.     The creaking noise of the door being opened filters through the room, and someone clears their throat.     "All right ladies, that is enough. I will help the princess into her dress," Evalene states, shooing the maids out of the room.     At her words, all four maids scurry out. Evalene walks farther into the room closing the door behind her. I watch as she places my wedding gown and sword on my bed. My eyes trace the gown causing my heart to nearly double

  Panic pierces my heart at the sudden high-pitched sound of Evalene’s scream filtering through the commotion of the room. I whip around to see Gwen hovering over Gregory. Panic controlling my actions, I rush over to them. With one hand, I shove Gwen sending her sliding across the stone floor. I look down at Gregory to see a dagger shoved deep into his chest.     "Oh, gods.... oh gods!" I cry out, tears pricking my eyes. This cannot be happening.     Gregory looks up at me, giving a weak smile. I desperately place my hands around the knife to try and stop the bleeding.     "You cannot die yet, old man. I cannot lose you. I am not ready," I wobble out.     Blood from his wound leaks through my fingers, gushing all over my dress and the floor. I keep my head pointed down while tears pour from my eyes. Suddenly, Gregory's cold, clammy hand pulls my hand from his wound. I look into his murky bro

  The dawning sun blooms on the horizon, shining like a golden Phoenix fresh from the ashes of rebirth. On a day such as this, one would expect the heavens to be weeping. But instead, the morning is full of serene silence. The world sits so still even the wind is not singing.     Just as Flavius and I finish getting dressed, there is a light knock on my chamber door.      "It is time, your highness," I hear a maid say from outside.      Flavius and I leave my chambers in silence. The still castle sits around us like a heavy iron bird cage. We walk to the throne room where Gregory's close friends and family are gathered. Gregory and Geoffrey's coffin's sit in the front of the room, opened for everyone to see the bodies. The pale corpses sit out in a morbid display as the sweet stench of death wafts from them. I cringe at the sight my body tightening up.     I turn to Flavius, slightly confused, "Why are the caskets open?" I ask.     "What do you mean why? It's so the family can see