The next day, Darcie got up and lethargically slid out of bed. She stretched and yawned and walked up to the window. When she saw Kazryth flying around the field in ten-second periods of time, she was automatically wide awake - he was learning rather quickly.

Good morning, little one Kazryth said as he landed on the grassy plain with a barely audible thump. How are you?

I thought you weren't a morning creature Darcie responded with a slightly snippy attitude.

It seems you have my morning attitude on this fine day.

Ya, ya... Darcie moved away from the window and changed into the clothes laid out for her on the chair in front of her vanity.

Are you feeling better?

I've never truly felt great, you know.

Compared to yesterday is what I am implying.

I suppose...

To answer you question yesterday, Rider Murtagh was indeed blushing.

What? Darcie was confused - what question?

Yesterday Rider Murtagh was heading for Thorn's barn and I couldn't help but notice the pink upon his cheeks rising with each step he took. May I ask what had happened to make him do so?

It's... I can't really explain right now, I have to be going Darcie put her hair up with a sigh, wondering where Desiree was since she always did this for her.

After a few minutes, Darcie finally got it right and left her bedroom. The half-inch boots on her feet clicked upon the stone stairs. The guards pushed open the main door for her and she passed through. Darcie walked around the castle and into the currently empty field. She made her way through the gate and to the center of the enclosed space, waiting. She was used to waiting for Murtagh to appear, he was always late by at least five or ten minutes, but this time it was getting ridiculous - it had already been half-an-hour. She carefully sat down in the hard-packed dirt cross-legged.

Have you the time of day to answer my question now? Kazryth's voice broke into Darcie's mind.

And what was that question again?

Why was Rider Murtagh seemingly flustered?

As Darcie was about to respond, the sound of things clattering onto the field echoed across the plain. Darcie's head shot up and saw Murtagh hopping the fence and then grabbing the two long sticks.

"Five minutes is ok, ten minutes is getting lengthy, but half of an hour?" Darcie called.

"I apologize for being behind schedule, but I woke up late."

"Stay up late?" Darcie asked with a smug smile, still sitting in the middle of the field.

"Thoughts kept me awake."

"Hopefully your own," Darcie responded with a warning tone.

"Yes, princess," Murtagh said with a diplomatic, yet derisive, bow.

"Don't mock me at this hour with my thinned patience," Darcie replied flatly as she stood up.

Murtagh opened his mouth to say something, but instead of what he had planned on saying, all he could get out was, "Sorry." Then, out of nowhere, he threw the stick at Darcie for her to catch. She caught it and did a quick drill Murtagh had made her do until she got it perfectly weeks ago.

The lesson stretched for over two hours as Darcie was taught new techniques and had to use them. The only reason the lesson ended, as Darcie thought, was because her hair managed to come loose. Her light blonde curls fell loose and all the way to her shoulder blades and the shorter parts around her face. Darcie was forced to her knees because the pins came out during a short-lived battle.

"Dead," Murtagh said as his stick hit Darcie's side. "And hair getting in your face is no excuse."

Darcie rolled her eyes and gathered the pins that now lay on the ground. She couldn't find any convenient location for them, so she dropped all the pins into her right boot. They got stuck halfway down and poked into her calf.

"Well there's no way I can put my hair back up - my ability to do so has shone through."

"What ever happened to your servants?" Murtagh asked with an edge of distain.

"I just had my clothes laid out, that was it."

"You're going to have to start relying on yourself soon enough."

"Don't start with me right now," Darcie said flatly, looking at Murtagh with a hard stare.

She held out the stick and Murtagh took it, his hand brushing hers in the process. His touch seemed to linger on Darcie's hand. She waited for a tug of the stick that'd make her remove her grip, but it didn't come. She looked at Murtagh curiously and saw him looking back, his expression unreadable. She expected him to break his gaze and take the stick, but he took Darcie by surprise. His spare hand softly slid around her neck and brought her face to his. He dropped his head down slightly and brought his lips to hers.

Darcie was shocked at first, but started kissing him back within moments, opening her mouth slightly. Murtagh took advantage of this and slid his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues fought for dominance, but he won and he explored and tasted every corner of her mouth. A moan escaped from Darcie as Murtagh's hand and fingers softly slipped down her neck, shoulder, and then to her arm. She then gasped and pulled away from him.

"I-I'm sorry..." was all Murtagh could stammer.

"I-I'll s-see you t-tomorrow?"

Murtagh nodded faintly. Darcie looked over her shoulder to check to see the area was clear, and then back at Murtagh. Letting go of the stick, she kissed him and walked away in shock and dismay and left Murtagh surprised yet confused, the sensation of her mouth lingering on his tongue.