"What business do you have?" One of the guards said, looking at Eric. He pulled Raina forward, causing her to stumble a bit.

"A prisoner. She wants an audience with the queen first." Replied Eric. The guard looked at Riana, eyeing her up and down. She only glared, saying nothing else.

"Go in," The guard nodded for the three to pass through.

"Don't try any of your funny magic business," He whispered in her ear as they walk through. Raina only rolled her eyes but followed along nonetheless. She looked around Tabor. It looked lively than when her mother ruled. Many live stocks were here as well. There were children running and laughing while their parents tend to their booming business.

"Is this what she did?" Raina asks. There was no need to ask who she was.

"Yes," He replied, maneuvering through the streets. "She made a promise and kept to it." Eric was already dreading stepping foot back into Tabor. He didn't want to return back here where painful memories were the only thing he could remember.

"Something's wrong," She said, looking at him. His eyes had said it all and no need for magic to know. He shook his head and continued on, pulling her forward.

"Wait here," He said, walking off. Raina sighed; feeling bored afterwards and spotted one of the guards standing at the entrance of the castle. She looked back to see where Eric was standing and made her way over before he would notice she was gone.

"The queen's not seeing anyone today." A guard said gruffly, blocking the entrance from her. She didn't even get to ask and he already knew.

"But I must see her. It's urgent." Raina pressed on. The guard looked at her with a sly smile, and she took a cautious step back.

"Well there are other ways to get inside," He said, laying a hand on her shoulder. Raina looked down at his huge hand with disgust and instinctively, she ripped his hand off, pushing back all fingers as he scream in pain. She heard a couple of gut wrenching pops and to add more damage, she did a swift kick to his abdomen. He flew back, hitting the brick wall of the castle. His weapon clattered to the ground as he groans in pain.

"Raina!" Eric hissed, rushing over to the guard's side to help him up. A few passersby snickered at the guard's misfortune for being handled by a young woman. Rider snarled at the guard, sensing hostility towards him as he readies himself to attack. Raina held Rider off, calming him down with her soft talking. The guard shoved Eric away, and wiped down any dirt from his uniform. Eric made his way towards Raina with a disapproving look which she pretends she did not see.

"Get here away from here or she'll be thrown in prison!" He snapped.

"I'm already a prisoner, you dimwit!" Raina snapped back but was immediately jerked away by Eric.

"I told you to stay." He said.

"And I did. I got bored." She argued. "What are you doing anyway? Leaving me like that."

"Well seeing as though we will be denied entry and looks like we did-thanks to you," Eric said monotonously looking at her. She winked back in response with a mischievous smile. "I found a room to stay in for the night before we try again tomorrow."

"Good, my wrists are hurt from being bounded together."

"Good," He said leading them to a two story house. "Which means you can't escape." Raina's footsteps pounded heavily on the wooden stairs to annoy Eric and the guests that were lingering around downstairs. He sighed but silently thank heavens they had reach the room. He then unlocks the room, pushing the door open that creaked. Raina poked her head inside to look around. There was a wooden tub behind a screen at the right end with a screen for privacy and a floor length mirror behind the tub. The left side had the full size bed and beside it was a small round table with two chairs.

"I had to say we were married to get a cheaper price." Raina shook her head but said nothing else as she walked in first.

"Did you say your wife was a prisoner also?" She asked, plopping on the bed. "Also, Rider needs a bath. He's a clean dog just needs a bath like every other wolf dogs."

"Why me?" Eric asks, closing the door after Rider came in. He dropped his weapon on the table and opens the window to let breeze come in. Raina raised her arms up, indicting she was bound to unable to perform such a task. He let out a heavy sigh and muttered something under his breath while walking out the door to retrieve a water bucket. Raina only grinned and sweet talk to Rider who responds with a need for a desperate belly rubs.

Raina became aware of the pendant sitting uncomfortable between her breasts. She maneuvered her hands to pull it out and looked at it while lying down. "Strange…" She said, looking at the color of the pendant. It was getting darker. Or was it darker before? She only shrugged and placed it back inside. Few minutes later, Eric came into the room with two buckets of water that sloshed but never spilled around his feet. He nudged the door closed with his foot before he set the two buckets down beside the tub.

"Don't tell me you're already tired from carrying two buckets now." Raina said looking at him. When he didn't reply, she crossed her legs and clicked her tongue at Rider. Bath time for you. He stood up, disappointed in receiving no belly rubs, and came over to Eric's side.

"He likes to have baths?" Eric asks, pouring the water bucket into the tub.

"Oh yeah. He'll stay in for a long time," Raina said, grinning evilly. It's only a matter of time…

After a few minutes of wrestling with Rider, Eric was finally finished bathing him and drying him. Rider shook his fur and found a corner to sleep in. However, Eric was soaked from head to toe. He looked over at the bed seeing Raina sleeping soundly. Her wrists were to the side of the bed. Wouldn't hurt for a wash up. He thought, quietly going downstairs to fill up the water buckets again. He made the trip twice, leaving the extra filled water bucket for Raina if she ever needs a bath while he took off his clothes, slipping into the tub.

Raina opened her eyes, hearing the sound of water splashing. She mumbled something and angled her head to look at the tub. The screen had covered half of Eric's body, only showing his sculpted upper body. She looked at the way the muscles were with water droplets on his skin. His cut was visible from her view as well. He cupped his hands and poured the water over his hair, letting the water run over his body. Raina watch with a slight interest. She had never seen a naked man's body before, or even up close like this. She wishes there were some other things her mother had taught her.

She made a sound which caused him to look over at her quickly. He looked at her with mouth agape and quickly covered his chest with his hands. She only snickered, saying nothing else.

"I didn't know you were awake." Eric said, looking around for something to cover him up when he gets out.

"I won't look," She said, turning to face the wall beside the wall. Embarrassed, he quickly washed up and stepped out of the tub and dried himself. She turned around when he told her he was finished. He went over to her side and helped her up. He then untied the cloth, tossing it on the bed. Raina massaged her wrist to get rid of the discomfort it was giving her while she waited for Eric to pour out the used water and pour in the new one.

He then looked at her and fumbled, muttering something. "I'll…um…I'll go." He said, reaching for the door.

"Wait!" Raina said, stopping him. "Your cut." She said. He shook his head, his body halfway out of the door.

"It's fine." He said, shutting the door. Eric let out a sigh, leaning against the door. Getting embarrassed because she saw you? Eric scoffed, shaking his head. He leaned off the door, walking down the stairs. A walk in the market could do him some good right now.

A/N: URGH college in a few weeks. T_T can't believe summer has been by so fast