So, I noticed the lack of Falling Kingdom fanfictions which kind of disappointed me. So I wrote this! This is an intro chapter from Magnus' point of view so nothing really too important happens in this scene. Like I said, intro. I'm going to do one for every character, btw. :) WARNING: Spoilers for Falling Darkness. Also Cleo/Magnus. AND before I forget:

The Falling Kingdoms series belongs to Morgan Rhodes

Anyways... enjoy

Magnus never thought he would fall in love after Lucia. He had been fully prepared to live out the rest of his life ruling the kingdom his father had conjured, with a loveless marriage, watching Lucia from afar. Best casinario, he'd take a liking to a girl and keep her as King Gaius had with Sabine. Magnus never even considered that he would fall in love with the spoiled princess that he was forced to marry.

But somehow he had. With her annoying ways of managing to bug him in every way, her constant presence, her stunning beauty that was unrivalled by most, her endearing bravery and stubborn pride, Magnus was almost positive he was in love with her. He hated himself for it. This love, as well as the love for Lucia, could only cause him pain.

Princess Cleiona Bellos, the golden princess of Auranos, quite possibly had more of a reason to hate him than anyone. He had taken her country from her, claimed her home as his, killed her first love in an act of cowardice, and let his father force them to marry. Was it foolish of him to hope that she didn't hate him? Magnus hoped not.

She didn't seem to hate him, though. Like him, just a little at least, dislike, maybe, but not hate. Which is why Cleo seemed to have taken the time to notify him yesterday, even through a note left on their room's nightstand, that she was eloping. With Nic. To an undisclosed destination.

He guessed this was a good thing, there would be no trying to push her away now. But the point had been to stop himself from letting her break him. Magnus should never have let her in a bit more after the confrontation with Amara and her brother. She had officially become his downfall.

It was like when Lucia announced she was eloping, all over again. But this time he was left at their inn with nothing to do but distract himself and drink.

"Prince Magnus," Someone called out from in front of him, sounding worried. "Your highness?"

Magnus snapped himself out of his brooding to focus on his newest distraction, who, obviously, was not fulfilling her purpose. For a horrible second, he thought it was Cleo. But the maiden's hair, despite it's beauty, was not a golden blonde but more of a lighter color. Her eyes were not a vivid aquamarine but a grey-blue. Many boys in the town were probably fighting to get a night with her.

He couldn't help but smirk. "Yes, Darla?"

"My name is Daphne," The maiden informed him, hurt flashing in her eyes before it was replaced with lust. She slid into his lap. "But because you're prince… " Daphne breathed, moving so she was almost cheek to cheek with him. "You can call me whatever you want."

Her seduction had no effect on Magnus. "Oh, can I now?" He said, amused.

Daphne nodded, moving back to look him in the eyes. She then proceeded to kiss his jaw, making a line to the corner of his mouth. Their lips met and Magnus willed himself to lose himself in a passionate kiss.

This is wrong, a small voice sounded in the back of his head. He couldn't help but agree. But Cleo had loved another, why couldn't he?

Cleo...

Magnus suddenly pushed Daphne away causing her to fall to the floor, her skirts bundling up around her. He could not be doing this.

"Ow!" Daphne cried, the moment ruined.

Magnus forced himself to smirk. "I think you should leave."

The look on her face was one of confusion and hurt. But she didn't say anything for a while, pulling herself off the ground and approaching him. Magnus watched with an expression of boredom as she reached up and traced her line of kisses.

"But we were doing so well," Daphne whispered.

Magnus remained feelingless, watching her as if she were a ignorant person you couldn't help but be amused by.

"We could have done so much together," She continued softly. "It's because of your wife, isn't it? The golden princess… I could never compare to her, could I?"

Daphne grabbed the collar of his shirt to pull him towards her, connecting them in a desperate kiss. Her lips demanded response but Magnus, after his initial surprise, pushed her away again.

"Does that beat the princess's kisses?" Daphne asked breathlessly, gloating. "She could never love you like I could."

Magnus clenched his teeth at the mention of Cleo, knowing fully well just how much she would ever come to care for him. It wasn't very much. He growled and grabbed Daphne by the shoulders, steering her out the door.

"Don't come back," He warned her. "You don't speak of this."

Daphne smirked. "Hit a nerve, didn't I? Does your wife-"

Magnus slammed the door in her face, effectively silencing what she was about to say. He needed to get control of himself, he could not live the rest of his life wallowing in misery at an old inn. Nor could he go back to the castle, his father would have him killed for treason. There was nowhere for a friendless disowned prince to go.

He collapsed on his bed, too emotionally drained to do anything else. Eventually, Magnus reached towards a drawer on the nightstand and pulled out a thin piece of parchment.

Dear Prince Magnus,

Thank you for everything you've done for me but Nic and I have decided we cannot keep our feelings secret any longer. We are running until we can find a place willing to join us together in marriage. I wish you much happiness, and suggest you find a new wife. One you will actually love. So, this is goodbye, I do not think I will be seeing you again. I will always remember you.

Love, Cleo

Magnus reread it with little emotion. He had read the note so many times after he first discovered the parchment on his table, trying to process it. Did she really wish him happiness or was that a lie? He knew her to be an exceptional liar. Every question possible, Magnus swore it had gone through his head.

But it explained Nic and the princess's close relationship, how she had quickly ran to his side after repaying her debt. The two were inseparable and the way Nic looked at Cleo… it made Magnus's stomach churn with a quick flame of jealousy that was just as quickly extinguished.

He almost called Daphne back, apologize for his rude behavior, and spend the night with her.

Luckily, Magnus had enough pride to keep him from doing so.

The letter went back into the drawer and Magnus hung up his shirt before slipping into bed in his trousers.

-0-

He dreamed of his old castle in Limeros, wandering the halls almost like a ghost. No one was there. He was the only one. Magnus found it was almost relaxing, making his way through his old home, remembering happier memories with his sister.

In an hour, he had gone through half the castle and ended up in the cold winter gardens he grew up with. Not many flowers grew but the ones that did were just as lively in their own way as the ones in Auranos. Trees with sculpted icicles dotted the garden. This particular place would always remind him of his real home, the hidden beauty of his old kingdom.

In the middle of the garden was a fountain, a statue of a wolf on top and cold water trickling down until it gathered in a small pond. And by that fountain was the only real bright color around the place, ignoring the Limarian red.

Cleo tended a white flower as he approached, not even seeming to notice him. She was wearing the same purple dress he had last seen her in, a beautiful design that showed off both her tanned legs and arms as well as a modest amount of chest. It was not what most people wore in Limeros but Cleo didn't seem cold. She seemed to think she was alone.

Magnus was perfectly content watching her, studying every detail of her features, memorizing her flaws and perfections. Only after a while did Cleo seem to notice there was someone with her.

"Magnus!" She cried, leaping to her feet. She dusted of her hands on her knee length dress.

Magnus smiled. "Cleiona!" He mocked back.

As if without thinking, his feet drew him towards her and suddenly he was kissing her with helpless abandon. Dreams were the only time he could see her now and he would make them count.

Cleo froze in surprise, unreacting for a second making Magnus heart plummet. And then she was kissing back softly, slowing him down, making it sweeter and less rushed.

After a second Cleo pulled away, leaving him breathless. "What was that for?" She demanded to know, sounding a little more high pitched than usual.

Magnus smirked at his ability to affect her like that, though painfully aware of the bigger effect she had on him.

"Is it a crime to want a kiss hello?" He asked, feigning offense.

Cleo studied him for a minute like one studied a puzzle they found exceptionally confusing. "It seems around you, it usually is. That was not for a reason that simple."

"I wanted to," Magnus repeated. "I can't otherwise."

The princess scoffed, a sound he found incredibly irritating. Especially when it was directed at something he said.

"You can certainly try," She said sarcastically.

Magnus sighed, her tone daring him to try and face the consequences. "No, I really can't… You-" He fixated a glare at her, "-decided to run off and get married with Nic."

Cleo stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing.

Magnus didn't get it, nothing he had just said was even moderately funny to him. She was mocking him like the stuck up princess she was, that's what she was doing. How so many people seemed to be fond of her was a mystery to Magnus.

The girl besides him noticed his serious expression and her laughter died. "You've got to be joking," Cleo told him, with a raised eyebrow. "What in the name of the goddess are you talking about?"

Magnus glared at her. "You know what I'm talking about."

"Ah," Cleo said, as if just realizing something. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "You're jealous, aren't you?"

Jealous? Hardly.

"I'm already married to you," Magnus informed her with an eyeroll.

Cleo just seemed to be getting more amused. "You know what I mean. You're jealous I left with Nic instead of you. You wish that I love you instead..."

Magnus cut her off before she could continue, frustrated with her and a bit at himself. "I'm annoyed," He informed her angrily. "I'm annoyed because I actually thought we could be friends, maybe more. I'm annoyed that you didn't even think of what my reaction would be. That you ran off without thinking that there was no way of my father excepting me back. I'm a traitor just like you now, does that make you happy? Congratulations, Cleo, you got your revenge."

Until he said it outloud, Magnus hadn't really admitted to himself that was what had been boiling in his stomach the past couple of days, his worst fear. That she had done it all on purpose. That all his pain was caused intentionally but a conceited brat. Cleo no longer looked amused.

"How did I inform you I was eloping?" She asked randomly.

"Cleiona," Magnus sighed, not in the mood for talking. He had already said enough.

"How did I inform you I was eloping?" Cleo asked, looking more serious than he had ever seen her.

Magnus turned around and started walking away from her, leaving to try to wake himself out of this dream turned nightmare somehow. "As if you didn't know." He paused. "It was a letter."

There was silence and then right as Magnus was about to leave the garden Cleo called after him, "Maybe I wasn't the one who sent it."