AN/ Heres the second chapter! Thanks to my reviewers, they were the ones who kept me writting this chapter. Just knowing someone was looking forward to the next one motivated me. Hope you like!


She carefully struggled to get Ilias' hand of her mouth. With the blade pressed against her skin she could barley breath without cutting herself on the knife.

Ilias turned away from his captive to see if there was anyone else in the room. It was empty. He listened for a moment to see if anyone was coming but could hear nothing but the Princesses helpless struggle and the sounds of insects outside.

A shot of pain ran through his hand and he pulled it away from her mouth. "You bit me," he yelped. He looks at his hand. Small marks ran along his forefinger which glowed red. He rubbed his finger with his other hand, concerned.

The Princess used his momentary distraction to break free of Ilias' grip. She stumbled out of his arms and grabbed the dagger before he could react.

Ilias lunged for the Princess but she had backed to far away. He landed on his stomach; his arms sprawled out to the sides of him.

The Princess aimed the dagger at him. Her knuckles were white from the strength of her grip. She stood shaking slightly, her hair fell in tangled waves around her face. "Now," she said, her teeth clenched. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Ilias smirked. "I don't believe you need to know."

She stepped closer and leaned in. "I have no objection to plunging this into your flesh."

His eyes widened at the nearing blade. He pressed himself against the wall and slumped, cramming himself in the corner.

"Now," she said, smiling. "You name before I scream and have you beheaded."

He looked between her and the blade and sighed. He began to push himself up. She leaned in, and snarled. He raised his arms and said, "I am not holding anything, and if I am it couldn't possibly hurt you as much as that knife would hurt me." She relaxed at the gesture and slunk back to a stand.

Ilias smirked. "Thank you for your kind, loving, caring display of trust in me a person who,"

"You are stretching it," she said carefully watching him.

"Well then," he paused, "on to introductions. My name," he said bowing. "Is Ilias,"

"Ilias?"

"Yes," he said with a tip of his head.

"I meant surname you dunce," she spat.

"I take offence at that assumption I," he held his hand to his heart, "am deeply wounded."

"Are you avoiding the question?" She took a step closer. "Because I would like to make sure I am putting the correct name on you wanted posters."

"Princess Azzah," said a voice from the hallway. "Is everything all right in there I thought I heard voices."

She looked at the man currently standing before her. She turned to look at the gilded door of her room. "Yes Maimum, everything is well."

"Well then, good night Princess. If you need anything shout." The sound of footsteps disappeared into silence before she spoke again.

"Now who are you and don't think you can lie," she said in a hushed tone.

He sighed; his look of terror had subsided leaving a cautious stare. "I am Ilias. nothing more nothing less."

"Ilias of Nothing, is that so?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Azzah, am I not right?" Ilias countered.

She stood straighter and she stared at him, a look of disdain playing on her face. "I am Princess Azzah bint Sultan-Rashid bin Sultan-Yasir Rizvi and you Ilias of Nothing shall refer to me as Princess and nothing less you lowly peasant."

"Princess," he said. "You are doing nothing but trying to avoid the question that you know I am going to ask. Why did you not tell that guard I was here?"

"Well," she stammered and took a step back, lowering the knife to her side. "I didn't want to see someone beheaded, nasty business." She shuddered.

Ilias strode towards the door during her momentary lack of focus.

"Stop," Azzah said, recovered. "I want to make absolutely clear that I am not just letting you go tonight." She closed the gap between herself and Ilias. "If I ever see you in the palace again, you can be sure I won't be so kind."

She walked towards the door her hair swinging behind her and opened it. She stepped out and called "Maimum. I need you."

Ilias' eyes widened and he dashed to the door but she Azzah caught his sleeve just as he exited the room and placed the blade against the palm of his hand. She whispered, "Never again." She twisted the blade producing a small deep cut and let it fall to the ground with a clatter, the blood leaving a crimson stain in the carpet. "Now leave." She pushed him, he reached to grap and he stumbled out of the room clutching his hand.

A few moments later a man in his forties appeared at her door, panting heavily. "What is the problem Princess?"

Azzah looked at the open door behind him and said "There's a bug in my bed."


AN/ I think I should explain the names. They are really Arabic names and for Azzah's name I followed the traditional naming pattern Princess Azzah bint Sultan-Rashid bin Sultan-Yasir Rizvi means Princess Azzah daughter of the Sultan Rashid son of the Sultan Yasir Rizvi(the family name)

Since you made it down here I can only assume you have read it so please review!