"Katiya! What do you think you're doing?"

Dorius?

"You were supposed to kidnap Prince Kail! Why are you helping the Hittites?"

Wait! Dorius!

"Traitor! And you call yourself a Mishkernian!"

No! Dorius! Please, wait!

"Hey! Wake up!"

Katiya's eyes flew open as she tried to take deep breathes. She felt like she was suffocating, her chest as heavy as lead. Trying to regain her senses, she noticed someone was standing above her, holding her arms. An assassin?

Pushing her attacker off, she rolled off of what she assumed was a bed and landed on her feet, crouching on the floor. Her eyes were hazy and she felt weak, so she balanced herself with one hand on the plush rug of the room, the other above her head in case the person decided to take a swing at her.

She could hear the person speaking, though the words were inaudible. But she could at least tell he was male. The figure suddenly began to approach her. Before he could get close, she leaped forward, throwing her shoulder into his gut, causing him to fly backward.

Katiya felt his arms surround her as he hit what sounded like furniture, causing both to crumple to the floor as multiple objects fell on top of them. She was too weak to run, but she wouldn't die here. She still had to return to Mishkerna and report her mission. She just couldn't die here!

Finding the last few ounces of strength in her body, she tried to kick the attacker off of her, to get as far away as she could, but he grabbed her again, refusing to let her go. He was speaking again, but Katiya ignored him. She struggled, clawing at him, trying to force him to release her.

"Hey!"

Dorius? No, that wasn't Dorius. Who was it?

"Wake up already!"

Prince Kail? Katiya stopped moving, and looked up at the man. Her blurry vision began to clear. Sitting before her was Prince Kail, dressed in his fighting attire. His long robes had been replaced by a shorter one that went to his knees, which allowed for fast movements, and the chest plate he wore provided protection to his vitals. He was looking down at her, worry and fear on his face, as if he had just watched a loved one being struck down before him.

"Prince…Kail?" Katiya whispered. At her recognition, he smiled and nodded. "What—"

Before she could finish, she felt all her strength leave her body. Just as she collapsed, Prince Kail caught her head, only inches above the hard floor.

Cradling her up into his arms, Prince Kail carried her back to the bed. Katiya, now adjusting to reality, felt the previous evening's events race through her mind. After she had finished speaking with Ilbani, she had chased after Yuuri, who had returned to the bedroom. There, she had consoled the girl and stopped her from crying, and both had fallen asleep. Her dream also replayed itself in her mind, which caused her to tear up. She didn't want Dorius to be mad at her. She didn't care if the whole world was against her, but Dorius? As a tear fell from her cheek, it landed on Prince Kail's arm, which caused him to stop just before the bed.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. When she didn't answer, he gently placed her back onto the bed, slowly lowering her head back onto the pillows. "Should I call a servant?" Katiya only closed her eyes and shook her head, which required a lot of effort.

Unsure of what to do, Prince Kail sat next to her and began to stroke her cheek. At the sensation of someone touching her Katiya opened her eyes. His hand paused for a moment, but continued the soft, slow motions.

If Katiya wasn't so weak, she would have immediately swatted his hand away. But she didn't, and he knew it. She stared up at him, trying to force herself to glare, but the touch of his hand wouldn't allow her.

"Who's Dorius?" he suddenly asked, his expression becoming serious as he stopped his caresses. Katiya flinched, which sent sparks of pain throughout her body. How did he know? Her thoughts must have been easy to read because Prince Kail continued. "You spoke his name in your sleep. It looked like you were having a nightmare. Are you afraid of him?"

The only one she had to be scared of was the prince! He was the source of all her troubles! Not that she would tell him that. Katiya only shook her head again, which only hurt her more.

Sensing her pain, he began his motions again. "I'm sorry. It must hurt to move in your condition. Can you speak?"

"Yes."

"Should I get a doctor?"

"There's no need," she hurriedly spoke. An examination by a doctor would only expose her Mishkernian lineage. She had to avoid that at all costs. "I'll be better in a little while. It was probably because of too much stress."

Prince Kail continued to stare at her. She cursed, feeling the blood begin to rush to her cheeks. Being so close, he would definitely notice. Careful not to cause more shocks of pain, she turned her head to look away, but he caught her chin, slowly pulling her back to face him. "So, who is this Dorius?"

Crap. "He's nobody, okay? Please, let me go."

"I don't believe that." He inched closer, hand still holding her chin. "A person doesn't call out to nobody in their sleep."

"Even so, it doesn't concern you!" Anger flashed across his face, sending shivers throughout her body. They weren't painful, but she had never seen Prince Kail so upset before.

Before she could ask why he was so upset, he clasped her lips with his own. Katiya gasped, shocked. Why did he do torment her so? She wanted to push him off, but her body wouldn't let her. Every movement she made ended up causing her to wince in pain.

Desperate to get him off, she cried out. Realizing his actions had only hurt her, Prince Kail pulled back, but still hovered above her. "Why do you only hurt me?" she whimpered. More tears began to roll down her face, soaking the pillow underneath her. "Is this all just a sick game to you?"

Katiya could see his eyes widen. They stayed still for a moment, silent except for her escaping whimpers. Prince Kail turned away from her, still sitting on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry." Just as she was about to question him, he gently pat her forehead, rose, and left the room. As he shut the door she could hear Kikkuli outside.

"My Lord, you still must finish preparing for the ceremony before we set out to recapture Arinna. What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, Kikkuli. I'm just checking a few things before we head over to the King's palace."

As soon as the footsteps disappeared, Katiya broke down. This was the second time Prince Kail had her crying on his bed. She whispered to herself, telling herself that everything would be ok. Prince Kail wouldn't bring Yuuri with him to war, and she would be free to run away.

She'd never have to see him anymore.

But what if Prince Kail did bring Yuuri with him to Arinna? Katiya cursed. That would mean she would have to stay with the prince even longer. She couldn't deal with that!

"Dammit Dorius! Hurry up and get me!"