Things went by smoothly for the first few days Erin was in Chamburg. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened, but Will was still having difficulty shaking the feeling of being constantly stalked by someone he couldn't see or hear. He tried to ignore it, telling himself he was just being paranoid. It was his first time guarding someone, after all. He was sure people in the same situation as he imagined the same things. Still, he just couldn't get away from the idea that someone was consistently watching him and Erin.

Despite the situation, he and Erin really seemed to hit it off. They quickly became the best of friends. However, Will hoped, though it may have been a little naïve, there was something more. He was falling for Erin, fast and hard. He tried to hush the feelings, feeling like he was allowing himself to love her too soon. He didn't even know if she loved him back. But just when he would convince himself to stay away, she would say something that would beckon him closer.

But at the same time he was being drawn closer to Erin, something – or someone, more accurately – was trying to drive Will away. He and Erin spent much of their time at the lake, which felt somewhat special, as it was where their friendship began. While there, just as he had the day they really started talking, Will constantly felt as if someone was watching him. Just as the time before, he thought he heard someone whispering. This time, it was directed at him, and it was much more menacing.

"Get away from her."

"She's not worth it."

"Let her die."

"Stay out of my way."

Every time he heard the voice, he would turn to find it, but there would only be the trees, leaves rustling in the wind, and birds chattering at one another. As much as he dreaded going to that spot, he would, simply because Erin liked it so much. He tried not to ruin the place for her, but with so many ominous feelings rushing around him, it was hard. She never seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary, but that was only at first. As time went on, he could see in her face that she could hear the voice too, but she would never admit it.

Soon, the threatening words became more frequent and closer to home. He even received a written message, envelope and all, only missing a signature. By whom it was sent, he did not know. There was never any explanation, only one line that repeated the same threatening phrases. Before anyone could see it, he quickly threw it into a nearby fireplace and watched it go up into smoke. Watching the flames consume the paper did not pacify him in the least, but he was glad no one would be able to read the note.

He knew he would need help in unmasking whoever was sending him the awful messages, so he decided to ask Erin herself. One afternoon, it was raining hard, making any outdoor activity impossible. He used the time to ask her what was going on as best he could without explaining the notes.

"So, Erin, who's after your kingdom, anyway? I mean, no one ever told me who the enemy is."

Erin looked at him for a moment, deliberating whether or not she should answer. Finally, she reached a decision and spoke. "Alright, I'll tell you, but I don't know if I should. I'm not really supposed to, but you, at least, have the right to know who you're protecting me from." She took him by the hand and silently led him down the hall and eventually into her room. He felt a little awkward as she sat down on her bed and patted a spot next to her, indicating where he should sit. It was hardly proper of her to let him in her room when they weren't married, or even betrothed, for that matter, but she didn't seem to mind – not that she seemed to be thinking of it at all. Either way, Will had to admit he was more worried about her safety rather than her honor, and he complied.

"Okay," she began, taking a deep breath in preparation. "Like I said before, I'm not really sure I should tell this to you, so don't repeat it, not a word." She looked up at him to make sure he understood.

He did. "Not a word, not a soul," he promised, his hand over his heart.

"Okay then. It started out few years ago, before I was even born, when my father discovered a sorcerer who was plotting against him, planning to overthrow the kingdom. The sorcerer and my father had once been friends, but they had a falling out when my father found out the magician was plotting against him."

"What was his name?" Will asked, needing a name so he wouldn't get mixed up with the information.

She was reluctant to answer, but she soon did. "Alaric. Anyway, Alaric had spent many years plotting against my father, planning to take over the kingdom. My father, as you can imagine was very angry, and he ordered the man to be executed, but Alaric escaped. Needless to say, he wants revenge on my father for the attempt on his life. So, he gained a few followers, most of them rogues and criminals, and he created a ruthless army of men who are willing to do anything to destroy my father."

"And you," Will finished, adding the point she was trying to get around. She merely nodded in answer. They continued talking for an hour or so, not realizing the sun had set. They were jolted out of their conversation when there was a light knock at the door. Will guessed it was his mother or a maid, either way, he had a little room to play with Erin.

"Just a minute," she called to the door. "That's your cue to leave," she said, this time to Will, who had not moved. Erin was only just remembering how improper and suspicious it was to have him in her room. He seemed light hearted about it as he looked toward her window. Good. It wasn't a far drop to another rooftop, where he could then sneak into another window and act as if nothing happened.

"Too bad," he said. He let her sudden franticness sink in as she looked about the room for an exit, her eyes finally resting on the window.

"You don't really expect me to jump from the window, do you?" he asked, feigned shock and fear in his voice. In her frazzled state, obviously because she didn't want to get caught with a boy in her room, Erin stared at the window and back at Will, who was fighting a smile. She didn't answer.

"Would it be childish of me to hide under the bed?" he asked, grinning. Seeing he was only kidding about the window – though how exactly he was going to exit through it, she did not know – she punched him on the arm.

"Go," she commanded. He grinned as he walked backward onto the balcony, stepped onto the rail and jumped, hardly looking down as he did so. She wondered how he did it for a second, but another rap at the door distracted her. She dashed over and opened it, relieved to see that it was only Odette.

"I was coming to tell you that dinner is ready," she explained, smiling, though she knew something was up. Seeing the look on Erin's face, which was still nervous, her thoughts were confirmed. "He was in here, wasn't he?" she asked. Erin blushed bright red just as she was about to ask what Odette was talking about. Of course, it was a dead giveaway, but Odette didn't really seem to be too concerned. In fact, nothing more was said about it that night until Odette and Derek had a moment alone.

"Will paid a visit to Erin's room earlier," she said offhandedly. Derek wasn't truly disturbed by it, though he did wish his son wouldn't have done it, simply because it looked bad on his part. Either way, nothing happened, so he wouldn't cause trouble for his son. He'd been doing a good job with his assignment, and Derek had to admit, he was impressed.

"I'm not worried about Will," he replied. "I think he knows better than to try anything."

Odette smiled. "I think he's too much of a gentleman, like his father," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. As she was about to turn away, Derek caught her arm, and when she turned to face him, he landed a kiss on her lips, making her feel like it was the first time all over again. It amazed her how he did this. He pulled away and smiled. "I love you. And I'll talk to Will."

"Don't chastise him, Derek. He wasn't going to do anything. I really think they were just talking."

"Yes, but I don't know how Corin would feel about it," he said, not wanting to disrespect his friend.

Odette rolled her eyes a little, obviously taking the situation much more lightly than her husband. "You know Corin has the same regard for rules as you do. He would understand. And even if he wouldn't, who said he needed to know?" she asked slyly. Derek caught her drift. It was true, it didn't really matter, seeing as nothing happened or was going to happened. He smiled, a little proud of his son.

"I think he's becoming a heartthrob."

Odette smiled again, impressed with how much Derek had embraced being a father. It seemed like from the day she told him she was expecting, he had grown up even more than he already had, determined to be the father he never had. "Well, look who his father is."

Early the next morning, Derek caught Will alone as Erin was still sleeping. Will seemed to be thinking about something, but Derek couldn't figure out what. His son's expression was serious, like he was trying to solve a nearly impossible conundrum. Derek decided to relieve him with some kind words.

"Son, you've been doing an excellent job taking care of Erin. I'm proud of you."

Will seemed gladdened by his father's pep talk, even if he was still having trouble figuring out how Alaric – as he guessed the notes where from him – was sending those threatening messages and whispering to him through the trees. The "he's a sorcerer" theory was more than possible, but he wasn't satisfied with it. He wanted to catch him in the act. He wanted to ease Erin's mind and let her go home and be happy, even if it meant he wouldn't see her anymore.

"Thanks, Dad," he said finally, being without other words as he still tried to solve the puzzle.

"Just make sure you're not being too careful," Derek said, hinting at something Will didn't understand at first. But then Derek's tone and words clicked in his mind and Will's expression became a little guilty as he blushed slightly, looking away from his father's eyes.

"We weren't going to do anything," he promised, his voice giving away his embarrassment.

Derek smiled, silently letting his son know he wasn't angry with him or accusing him of anything. "I know, but I'm sure whatever you were talking about could have been in another room."

"It was private. She didn't want anyone to hear but me. I swear, it was for a good reason."

"I know, son. I know. Just do me a favor and make sure you're not being too thorough."