PLEASE READ: We are going to assume they're looking for Lucia instead of going after Amara. I have no clue how Morgan would have written Magnus's attitude now so once Frozen Tides comes out, read this with a post Gathering Darkness mindset.

Magnus had grown accustomed to the ways of rebels quicker than expected. Cleo had assumed him to be disgusted with the outdoors rather than sleeping in his grand bed but she found the prince to be adaptable or perhaps just keeping his mouth shut was a talent of his. He certainly had a loose tongue before he became an outcast. Her time with him as fugitives hadn't lessened his coldness to her though she found more traits of admiration for who was once her nemesis but still, that aching hatred burned. Everything she saw something good in the prince, she saw Theon being run through my that same person.

Magnus had been weary to join with Jonas Agallon for obvious reasons but he was now a traitor and he saw it fit to be with others like himself. Jonas was still uneasy at Magnus's presence in his group. He'd been betrayed by Felix and Magnus had been an object of hate for him so he wasn't going to embrace the prince with open arms. But Magnus had remained quite silent in his days with them, preferring to just let Jonas have his remarks at him and walk past the rebel in silent agreement at his actions of 'evil'.

Now they lay around a small fire they had built, Jonas long fallen asleep with Cleo up at watch. Magnus hadn't yet taken to sleep and set to poking the fire with a stick in deep thought. Cleo approached him and sat on the ground next to the prince. She wasn't used to seeing him looking so plain, he wore the clothes of a commoner given by rebel supporters and like now, usually kept the hood of his cloak up even when no one was around to recognize him. She wasn't used to seeing him as an ally, not without the snakes of the Damoras imprinted upon his apparel.

"Can't sleep?" Cleo asked.

"Yes.." Magnus stated, quickly.

"Does your arm hurt?" Cleo asked. He'd broken it while fighting to save his and Cleo's life against Amara's guard. Jonas had reset the bone and Lysandra and Cleo splint it but still, they were at a loss for medical supplies. There wasn't a doctor in all of Auranos who didn't know the prince's face by now and none of them trustworthy enough not to not inform the king of Magnus's whereabouts. So the prince had to be settled with sticks and a makeshift sling for him to rest it.

"No." Magnus quickly replied with as sharp glare at the princess.

He'd been so short with her and she'd grown frustrated. She wanted to know more of what made Magnus's dark mind work in hopes of making the prince more trustworthy to her. But for some reason of all the people he kept most silent to, it was Cleo. She was the one in this group he knew better and yet he preferred to comment to Lysandra or Jonas. He saved her life by killing Cronus and she saved his from Amara's guard. Magnus had confessed Cleo was a light in his life and they had shared that passionate kiss and neither knew who kissed who. Cleo knew Magnus was likely regretting the honesty of that night but either way, Cleo wouldn't forget the flash of hurt when he thought she was laughing at his statement. Magnus cared about her, Cleo didn't know what she felt, but she wouldn't stand for his childish behavior.

Surprisingly Lysandra of all people accepted Magnus. At first she'd been as harsh to him as Jonas but Cleo saw her and Magnus talking one night and after that they had been friends. Cleo didn't like it even though she knew she should. She would curse herself for even caring Magnus had opened up to another girl and Jonas was certainly jealous of Lysandra being comfortable around Magnus.

Magnus had explained the events after Gregor's murder and how he stood up to Gaius but she understood why Magnus couldn't kill Gaius yet. Cleo eavesdropped on how Gaius embraced him like he longed for his father to his entire life and how the dagger came loose in his grip. Lysandra bore no grudge towards the prince, seeing him more of a victim of Gaius's selfish nature.

"Want to tell me what is going on?" Cleo asked. "Worried about Lucia?"

"Of course I am." Magnus scoffed. "We've searched for two weeks now and no sign of her."

"Perhaps she and Alexius are happy now.." Cleo stated, Magnus's cheek twitched but he said nothing in response. "At least we took the Kindred back from Amara."

"She's still going to tell her father I killed Ashur." Magnus said. "It will only bring ruin to this land."

"It's not like it's your fault." Cleo said. "Amara is a cold hearted bitch and we can't do much about it."

"True enough.." Magnus replied. "What does your spy tell of my father's interpretation of my disappearance?"

"Nerissa says, he's set a high reward for anyone who rescues you from your rebel captors." Cleo said.

"I doubt he can comprehend that I'm anything more than a loyal dog." Magnus said, briskly. "He thought revealing my true parentage would extinguish my hatred…"

"True parentage?" Cleo asked.

"Althea wasn't my mother…" Magnus stated. "My father's mistress and a witch was, her name was Sabina. One night she came to me and attempted to seduce me-"

"Seduce her own son?!" Cleo exclaimed.

"I couldn't understand it either but when Lucia came in she used her magic to bind me and hold a dagger to my throat so Lucia would comply with her demands but Lucia burned her alive and freed me. So now both my birth mother and the one who raised me are dead." Magnus sighed. "Althea had her problems but she was kind to me…she was one of the few thing dear to me in my life. My father raised me with an iron fist, but my mother's gentle touch was there to soothe me."

"I understand your grief of losing those you love." Cleo stated. "I'd imagine your uncertainty of Lucia's fate is even more painful than her being dead. False hope is cruel."

"I suppose." Magnus sighed and pulled his knees up and rested his arms over them, but they didn't know in the bushes there were eyes on them.

"Is that Prince Magnus? And Princess Cleo?" One of the Limerian guards asked in a whisper to his partner.

"Yes..and that's Jonas Agallon over there and that girl who escaped execution." He answered in a hushed tone. "The king said Magnus was captured but he looks to be free…the rumors were true, Magnus did kill Cronus."

"Why?" The guard asked.

"I think the answer is that blonde haired siren right there…she's enchanted our prince." He stated.

"Using magic?" The boy asked surprised. "You believe in such a thing?"

"Why would Magnus betray the king? He's his son and heir to the throne. Our prince wouldn't give that up for a pretty girl." He said quickly with certainty.

"He might if he loves her." The other answered.

"Oh shut up, the prince hates the Auranian bitch, I've heard them fight. We have to take Magnus back and kill these rebels. The king will reward us handsomely." The soldier stated.

"But we are outnumbered." The smaller of the two said.

"We'll get Borsh and the others to help." He said, tomorrow. "Their camp isn't too far from here and at dawn, we attack and end this rebellion."

"Okay, Lathos." He said uneasy as he looked back at the two royals. His heart clenched in confusion, Prince Magnus was who he aspired to be like as a soldier in Limeros. The prince was handsome and strong, he seemed to be somewhat more fair and Gaius. Despite Magnus's dark nature, he admired him. So for him to see the prince betraying Gaius's trust made him lose faith in the person he'd held in such high regard.

"You should get some sleep." Cleo said. "We are going into Paelsia tomorrow. Jonas has managed to contact someone who can give you proper medical attention and also, feed us. You must be hungry."

"I'll admit, the amount of food given in this forest lacks in quantity and taste compared to the Auranian palace. But then again…you did taste a Limerian delicacy." Magnus joked and Cleo giggled. "Very well, how long until Agallon over there takes over for you?"

"A couple more hours." Cleo said. "Sleep Magnus…you'll need your strength tomorrow."

"Same to you, princess." Magnus stated. "Make sure you wake him up for his shift. If the boy would simply let me have watch duty then you all wouldn't be nearly as tired."

"He doesn't trust you." Cleo stated.

"Understandable, though if I had wanted to kill him he'd be dead." Magnus said curtly before lying down and allowing the serenity of sleep to consume him and finally a night without nightmares came. He felt relieved in his time with the rebels though he preferred to keep his distance from Cleo since he knew his love would only grow and soon she might be ripped from him. It was better not to grow in these affections, he'd already been heartbroken by one girl. He didn't want it to happen again.

Cleo examined Magnus's sleeping face, how much younger he looked amazed her. The see the strained stone cold expression torn away by the calmness of sleep, it made her chest flutter in relief knowing the boy wasn't completely evil. She felt guilty though, Theon fell by Magnus's blade. He was her first love, these feelings within her were completely inappropriate. She knew the prince had been nothing but apathetic towards her in the beginning but now she didn't know, the talk of shadows and light and their shared heated kiss. All this confusion seemed trivial compared to what she should be focusing on but none the less, the prince had grabbed a little of her heart enough that she saved his life at the temple. One would she'd let the guard kill Magnus and then slit his throat so she'd kill two birds with one stone but she still saved him. Was it to be even like she said, or was it because she truly didn't want Magnus to die? Even Cleo didn't know.

Dawn broke through, Jonas had taken his shift and then Lysandra, who had taken over and heard rustling in the bushes. "Wake up!" She snapped.

The group lifted their heads from the ground and looked around. "What is it?" Jonas asked, groaning.

"I heard something." Lysandra spoke, drawing her bow and arrow. They became alert, drawing their weapons. Cleo took note Magnus stepped in front of her with his sword drawn with his unbroken arm. In the bushes where Lysandra heard the noise it grew louder then BAM

Out ran a rabbit, running for his life from something. Jonas began to chuckle and Lysandra playfully hit him. "Sorry, I suppose I was just paranoid."

"Let's go." Jonas said trying to stop laughing. "Lysandra, you stay at the back and watch our royal guest closely." This earned an eye roll from both Lysandra and Magnus. But they didn't speak a word and did as he said. Jonas was rather surprised by Magnus's unwillingness to argue with him, he'd been so mouthy at the camp but now he preferred to remain quiet and take orders for some reason. He noticed his eyes were always upon Cleo when she wasn't watching. Had the prince really taken a liking to his wife?

They began trudging along until Magnus went still looking down at his feet. "Stop."

"What is it?" Jonas asked. "Another rabbit?"

Magnus ignored his quip and kneeled down picking up a red cloth, it smelled of wine. "Limerian soldiers are nearby."

"Indeed we are."

They all turned surprised to see soldiers had approached them in the patch of trees they were in, their heads whipping around at them. They could flee backwards but they doubted they could outrun the three who were on horses. There were about ten of them and four of the rebels, not a very fair match.

"Well, well…Prince Magnus and Princess Cleo, what a surprise." A man riding a horse came forth, his head shaven and yellowed teeth smiling at them. "I'll presume Gaius's assumption to your innocence is incorrect, my prince? Or perhaps like Lathos over there believes, she enchanted you."

"What?" Cleo exclaimed. "I cannot do magic."

"Lies, Magnus wouldn't betray us." Lathos exclaimed. "Borsh, stop toying with them and just take them."

Borsh ignored his comrade and came down off his horse and looked into Magnus's eyes. "I believe he has been enchanted but not by any magic. I think it's merely by his pretty wife's perky breasts."

"Shut up!" Jonas exclaimed.

"Keep back!" Borsh yelled. "Or I'll go ahead and kill you all." His eyes went to Cleo and a sickening smirk spread across his features as he went to the princess's side. "In these rags you still look delectable, princess." He gripped her cheek making Magnus stiffen but not do anything yet, he had to make sure the others escaped. He just didn't know what to do yet.

His eyes fell upon the torch in Lathos hand, the dawn was still breaking through and still a little dark. He knew the wood was dry and he might regret the aftermath but still, if they could escape it was worth it.

Borsh began to run his hand down Cleo's waist. "Ahhh, both of you ladies are absolutely ravishing." Jonas stepped in front of Lysandra protectively. Magnus moved slowly closer to Lathos. "Once we set up camp, I think I'll take both of you to bed, what a story. The Golden Princess of Auranos, moaning underneath me like a whore!"

In a flash, Magnus snatched the torch from Lathos's hand. He pushed Cleo away from the other Limerian soldiers and dragged the torch along the ground and the flame took quickly to the dry grass. Cleo got to her feet and saw the soldiers trying to go through the scotching flames and Magnus stuck on the other side of the flames.

Cleo began to run to him but Jonas grabbed her. She kept trying to attempt to save him but Magnus yelled. "Go! Go! Do not let this be in vain, princess."

She realized tears were streaking her face but Jonas dragged her away as they disappeared into the trees. Magnus finally breathed as Cleo's form was gone and she was safe along with Jonas and Lysandra. But his happy thoughts were gone as Borsh grabbed him furiously, Magnus saw his face had been burned by the flames he brought upon them.

"You son of a bitch." Borsh growled. Magnus snatched himself away but in his state, his sword arm broken and vastly outnumbered. He saw little he could do, but he doubted what waited for him at the castle would be better than death. So he decided to fight.

He drew his sword with his left arm, holding his awkwardly. But Borsh laughed. "I know that isn't your sword arm, my prince. We all have watched you for years, we know our prince."

Borsh lunged forward and with his war hammer made the blade fly from Magnus's hand. He grabbed the prince and tied his working hand to a rope wrapping around his waist. He hoisted the prince over his shoulder in a rather undignified way making the prince growl in frustration.

"For the palace!"

/

Cleo fell to the ground once they were away from the glow of the flames Magnus had set. She looked to be shaking. "Why the hell did he do that?"

"He saved us." Lysandra spoke. "Magnus stuck his neck out for us."

"There has to be something else to that." Jonas tried to make sense of the selfless act. "Magnus wouldn't do that."

"As if you know him!" Cleo exclaimed, her tears streaking her face.

"And you do?" Jonas asked. "This is someone you've called nothing but vile, dark, and evil. He must be using this as a way to transfer information to the king and keep himself in our good graces."

"Shut up!" Cleo exclaimed. "Magnus has good in him…he's proven it to us now. Why would anyone be stupid enough to want information about us? We are no army, we are but three people! They could have captured us so easily and now they have Magnus because he allowed them to take him. Let go of your hate Jonas before it clouds your reason."

Jonas was left speechless.

"Well it seems the search for Lucia is over." Lysandra spoke up.

"What?" Jonas asked. "What do you mean?"

"I've been in that dungeon." Lysandra said, firmly. "I'm not going to let Magnus go there. Join me if you like."

Cleo stood up and went to Lysandra's side. "You coming Jonas?" she asked, wiping her cheeks.

Jonas sighed and ran his hand through his messy hair. "This is going to be disastrous."