Shadows POV

As the arms closed around me I sighed half asleep and snuggled closer to the owner of the arms who chuckled. It wasn't Sage and I froze.

"What's the matter? Not as nice as my older brother my lady?" Rowan whispered in my ear bringing back memories of the first day in the cell. I tried to move away from Rowan but he kept a firm hold on me so I started to wriggle trying to break his grip on me and he soon found a way to stop me wriggling, by lying on top of me.

"Now that was fun...what more can you give me my lady?" he asked trying, and failing, to be seductive. At that moment Sage came in with blood in his eyes which gave me the time I needed. And I used it wisely by kneeing Rowan between his legs and causing him to cry out and roll off me. Trying to get off the bed I fell and stumbled across the room to Sage who wrapped an arm around me and moved me gently behind his back. In milliseconds Rowan had his sword out and he and Sage were circling each other. Sage pounced first, quick and elegantly as Rowan moved back as quickly evading Sage's sword tip but almost lost his balance over the bed sheets which I pulled off the bed with me. Using this stumble in tempo Sage pulled his blade up and sliced Rowan's face making it bleed. As Sage flicked the blood off his sword, Rowan walked out letting his cheek bleed and as he passed me I got the coldest look that swore revenge.

I stood shivering in flimsy grey flannel trousers and a fitting grey tank for a few minutes after Rowan left. Feeling so cold I didn't know Sage had picked me up until I heard a heartbeat next to my head and I was closer than ever to him. I was still shivering as he laid me back in the bed and laid himself next to me after wrapping me in the covers.

You should sleep. That shock should have made a normal mortal unconscious by now. Sleep my Princess." he spoke softly and comforted by his words I nudged his arms and he moved them watching me with the smallest hint of surprise on his face as I snuggled against him. His shirt was uncomfortable and I kept shuffling my head position. Sage must have gotten annoyed but for some reason his shirt just disappeared and I gasped slightly as he brought me closer to him.

"You said thank you to me and here it is a debt. You owe me yourself. I would have made it worse but...you're attractive" and being glade I was not looking at him I blushed and snuggled into him as a yes. Sleep came easy and so did forbidden dreams and thoughts of me and Sage and one made me jerk awake. Arms tightened around me gently and I relaxed knowing they were Sage's. I sensed his question as he asked what I dreamt.

"Us...married...kids..." was all I could manage and Sage seemed to freeze. In those silent seconds his heart raced and his breath on the back of my head became ragged and slowly went back to normal.

"So did I." I went into shock and struggled to turn around and faced Sage.

"Have you always wanted children?" not sure what to reply with, I dropped my head snuggling it into his chest. Sage didn't reply and I slowly drifted off in his arms.

~XxX~

A while later I woke up and Sage wasn't in the bed. I slowly got up and nosed around the room. There was a huge wardrobe and I found a few dresses and some tops and skirts and some wicked boots. Deciding I need to freshen up I looked round a door and saw an énsuite. It was huge. A bath, a shower and loo and sink. Right now I needed a hot bath and walking towards the bath I heard running water and turned to the sound and wished I hadn't. Sage was in the shower. Butt naked. Unable to make a sound I walked to the bath and ran it and slipping out of my bed clothes and slipped into the bath sighing.

"Nice bath princess?" a silky whisper asked across the en suite to me and looking Sage was stood fully dressed. I blush and slid beneath the bubbles. Note to self: buy a bath like this one, it's a swimming pool!

I swam to the far end avoiding Sage.

"Now now my lady come here" and that voice did not belong to Sage. And then Sage melted away revealing Rowan standing there. But wasn't there for long because in a matter of seconds there was a splash and Rowan came swimming up to me. I screamed and aimed a kick at him but he easily deflected my kick and laughed at my terror.

"Sage isn't here to protect you my lady, it's just you and me." I dived under the bubbles and swam past Rowan who, thank god to my awful swimming was kept at a distance. I knew I had to stop swimming but I couldn't knowing the danger. My arms grew weak, my legs grew weak but I kept going and grabbing a towel at the edge of the bath I wrapped it around myself after pulling myself out of the bath. No running water. Was it Sage in the shower or just Rowan...and how did he manage to look like Sage? Not waiting for and answer I ran and slipped on the floor. Seconds later someone crouched next to me and I clawed their leg with my nails only for my hand to be held gently and looking up it was Sage, covered in blood. Noticing I was staring at the blood Sage smiled darkly

"Rowan's. He's unhealthy and a little dead. Are you ok?" I smiled a little

"Yeah...just confused..." Sage looked at me quizzically and I knew I had to tell him. So I did as he moved closer to me and gently pulled my hand and helping me to stand up. We were stood so close to each other and I couldn't let this moment slip away. I reached up and gently placed a kiss on Sage's lips. My expectation being no reaction was broken as Sage wrapped a secure arm around my waist drawing me closer to him and kissing back forcefully. Like the moment would end.

How long we stayed in each other's arms, lips locked, I didn't care to know but the moment was lost when the door opened and Maeko came in. Sage and I parted but kept close to each other hugging tightly as my head rested on his chest.

"Eww, that is so gross...anyway, fresh snow has fallen. Want a snowball fight?"

"Hell yeah, just lemme get ready and I'll join you outside." I said without moving away from Sage an inch.

"Ok I'll be waiting, are you bringing Prince?" Maeko teased as she walked out backwards. I kept my face free of emotions and shrugged.

"Maybe I will yeah, problem with my boyfriend?" Maeko just laughed and shut the door.

"Let's get you ready then Princess" Sage said softly as he stroked my hair and kissed my head. I nodded and pulled away from our hug only staying close enough for our fingers to entwine as we walked into my room and when I kicked Sage out to get ready he chuckled softly and hugged me and left.

Dressed in a skirt and top which I had always wanted back home I was ready to go and attack my bestie with snow. I was making the bed when Sage came up behind me silently and took my hands in his.

"Naughty Princess, you don't do chores, you have a maid. Come. Let's go." He said as he held out his arm to me which I took and laced my fingers with his as we walked outside past countless guards and servants who stared at us. On the way there was a mirror and looking in it I saw Sage and he had such a gorgeous elf like woman on his arm. She was wearing what I was.

"It's you Princess" Sage whispered to me as he moved behind me releasing my hand and arm and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Impossible"

"No, you are part Fey, you are one of us."

"H...how...?" I stammered not wanting to hear the answer

"Later, let us go attack your friend with snow" and with that we walked out. I was shaking and leaning on Sage. As soon as we got outside a snowball hit my face and the fight began.