A/N - Hey readers! Sorry for no update last week! I was creatively frustrated, as you can tell from the first chapter of Obsession lol A guest reviewer posted over there that they're concerned that I won't finish this story, but no worries! This story is my top priority :)

Chapter 11

Princess Josephine bit her lip as she gathered her skirts and followed Alex through the halls of his castle. Honestly, she'd hoped they could resume their previous activities, but she supposed it was best that they didn't. She couldn't return to her kingdom without her flower in tact. Lord, she could not think of those things! Owen would certainly have his head! "Where are we going?" she whispered, pushing her thoughts aside, as he opened a door leading to a staircase that winded downwards.

"To the training grounds."

"Tr-Training grounds?"

The King turned, causing her to stop. "I have seen what that man is capable of, Jo. I can not send you back to him without having you prepared." His fists balled at his sides instinctively. "All I can do is teach you to defend yourself. Will you defend yourself against him?"

"Absolutely." The word left her tongue immediately. The thought of being able to stand up to him put a lift in her soul.

"Good." Alex held her gaze a moment before turning and continuing down the stairs.

The brunette gasped as they entered the underground training area. Agreeing to defend herself was one thing, but seeing the serious environment made her heart beat a little faster. Would she truly be able to strike Jason? Maybe, in the heat of the moment, her self preservation would kick in, and she'd be able to get him off of her. "This looks...intense."

"This is where I train my soldiers."

"Y-You train them?" Owen hadn't trained a soldier a day in his life!

Alex smiled patiently. It was clear to him that Owen was not as interactive a King as he chose to be. Nothing was wrong with that, they just each chose to lead their kingdoms differently. "Yes, I do. If we are lead into a war, I will be out there with my men. Prepared."

"There will not be a war," the young woman promised.

Again, the man smiled affectionately. "When King Owen finds out that we, I am behind your kidnapping...I am sure we will be in war."

"I will do what I can to stop him," she assured him.

"I know you will, Princess." Alex took her hand, guiding her to the center of the training area. "Once you return to Stonedale, do your best not to anger Jason. He is still a man and can easily overpower you. I am not teaching you how to brawl with him, only how to defend yourself if he pushes his will on you. Do not start a fight with him, Jo."

"Pity," she smirked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

The corner of the King's mouth quirked upward, but he straightened it quickly. "From what I saw in the library, he usually...hits you with an open hand?" The man had to force the words out, an anger stirring within him at the thought of anyone abusing such an amazing woman.

"Yes," Jo nodded, biting her lower lip. "He'll, uh, grab my arm t-too."

"Right," the man nodded. "After striking him, I strongly encourage that you get away from Jason as quickly as possible. Run, scream, do whatever you have to do, okay?" The woman nodded. "Promise me, Jo."

"I promise," she spoke softly, staring into his worried depths. It seemed that Alex was very concerned for her safety. The thought of him caring so deeply for her made her heart flutter. "Shall we begin?"

The King took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for how to teach a young woman to defend herself. Training his soldiers was much easier; he'd simply instruct as he tossed them around. He didn't dare rough up Jo, even in the matter of teaching. The woman had already had to endure more than a woman should ever have to. "The first time, you will catch him off guard," he began teaching, "so it will be easier for you to get away from him. Each time after that, he will be prepared." He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "It would be much easier if you would inform your uncle..."

"I will, when the time is right, Alex." The Princess took a deep, steady breath. "Uncle Owen will be upset when I return. I am the only blood relative he has left. Once things have settled down, and I convince him not to start a war, I will tell him everything."

"Everything?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I hope that he will end our engagement."

"I hope so too, Princess," the King whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and putting his forehead to hers. "I do not want to return you to a place where you will be hurt."

"I do not want to return to Stonedale, either," the brunette whispered, closing her eyes. "I believe that I would not ever want to return...even if I was not engaged." The confession left her lips timidly. What she spoke was actually treason to Stonedale. As heir to the throne, Josephine was required to accept the crown and lead her people. What she was telling the King of Shadowhaven was that she wanted to remain in his land...with him.

"Do not speak of such things," Alex whispered, his heart aching for her. "We both know that is impossible." It would already be extremely difficult to let her go, but hearing that she wanted to stay made it nearly unbearable.

"I want to stay," the Princess opened her eyes, looking to him, "with you."

"Ssshhhh," he brought his finger to her lips. "We can not change our circumstances. We must simply be thankful for the time we've had together."

The two remained in a quiet embrace, each wishing that their circumstances had been different. Their time together was slipping through their fingers, and it wouldn't be long before they were in their separate kingdoms once again.

Alex broke the hold first, insisting that he begin his lesson. Otherwise he would hold her forever. "When he moves to strike you, hold your arm up to block him."

"Like this?"

He curved his hand around her elbow, lifting her arm slightly. "A little higher."

The brunette bit her lip, his touch sending jolts of electricity through her veins. "Right, sorry."

Luckily, the pampered princess was a quick learner and was filled with suppressed rage. Strength flowed through her muscles as she blocked the King's many strikes. Once Alex was comfortable with her form, he didn't hold back. If Jason was going to come at her full force, he had to do the same. It bothered him to even act as if he would strike her, but Jo blocked each of his attempts.

"Very good," he praised.

"Thank you," the royal blushed before biting her lip. "You said that the first time I would catch him off guard, but...he would be prepared each time after...what do I do then?"

Alex stepped closer to her, taking her wrist in his hand. "Thrust the heel of your hand in an upwards motion at his nose."

The Princess gasped in spite of herself. "That will break his nose!"

"Yes," the older man nodded. "If he attempts to strike you after you have blocked him...I assure you that he will be angry, Princess."

Jo chewed her lip, hoping that it wouldn't come to that. Yes, Jason angered her on many occasions, but she hoped she would never hurt him in such a permanent way. "Is that all?"

"We have much to learn, Jo. Much." Alex taught the young woman how to strike the knee when her fiancee grabbed her by the arm. Again, she learned quickly and put much strength behind her movements. It seemed the lessons were a form of therapy for her. A way of healing from the years of abuse she'd endured.

"What happens if he catches me?" Josephine inquired as they sipped water during a brief break. "You have encouraged me to run...what if he catches me?"

The King smiled softly. Always thinking one step ahead. "Turn around," he instructed before moving behind her and securely wrapping his arms around her waist. "He will probably hold you like this..."

The Princess closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of his chest against her back and his arms around her. It reminded her of the day he showed her the farm. "I hope he never holds me like this," she admitted quietly.

Alex chuckled in her ear, causing her to shiver. "A desperate man will surprise you, Jo. When he realizes that you're fighting back, he'll know that the crown is slipping from his grasp." It was a sad truth, but still truth. "He will do whatever he can to make you submit to him."

"I will never submit to him."

"I am glad to hear that. You should submit to no one."

The brunette closed her eyes at his words. His voice always softened when he spoke highly of her. Her back relaxed against his chest for a brief moment before she straightened. "What do I do in this situation, your grace? My arms are pinned by yours."

"Stomp on his foot. When his hold releases, drive your elbow into his chest."

"Here?" she put her elbow to his sternum.

"Easy," he chuckled, shifting away from her slightly. "It will knock the wind out of him, and you'll have plenty of time to run."

As the days passed, Alex continued to teach Jo the skills she would need upon returning to her home. He not only taught her self defense, but also how to wield a sword and ride a horse. The sword work took a bit longer, as the woman had never lifted a sword a day in her life. First, she had to build her strength to hold it before she could swing and fight with the blade.

Jackson returned to the castle amid the training. He had been able to locate Leah and give her the letter. The servant promised to give the letter to the King the day after he left.

Despite the intimacy of the lessons, the King distanced himself from the young woman after his adviser returned to the kingdom. Josephine could sense the wall he'd put up again. His body was there, responding to the holds and touches, but his mind had clearly checked out. She knew that he was doing it for the good of them both, but it still hurt her that he could turn off his feelings so easily.

Except that it wasn't easy for him. Being close to her ripped out a piece of his heart each and every day. Alex had fallen completely in love with the Princess of Stonedale. He loved every single thing about her. He loved how her brow crinkled when she was frustrated. He loved the way she laughed when she was happy. He even loved her witty comebacks when he teased her. But most of all, he loved her good, wonderful heart. The woman was voluntarily putting aside her own happiness for the good of her people. The people of Stonedale would never know what she had endured for them. They would never know how she had given up a chance at true love...for them.

"You're ready," Alex informed her one afternoon after she knocked the sword from his hand. "Jason will never hurt you again."

"All thanks to you," Jo smiled proudly. "You are a wonderful teacher."

"And you are a wonderful student."

The brunette felt the heat in her cheeks as she looked down to the floor and bit her lip. "I-Is that it...our time together...is it over?"

The King pursed his lips a moment before speaking. "I expect a letter from your uncle any day now, Jo. I am sure that he will want to see that you are alive and well before any agreement is met. Then..." He nearly choked on the words, but cleared his throat, forcing himself to continue. "He will take you back to Stonedale...back to your castle..."

The Princess looked away, a feeling of sadness consuming her. "That's it then?"

"It has to be."

Jo looked to him, seeing the pain that she knew was mirrored in her own soul. "I...I lo..."

"Your majesty," April's voice shattered the moment as she descended the stairs to the training area. "Dinner is ready. Princess, I will help you wash up."

"Of course, Lady Avery," the young woman replied politely, looking to Alex a moment before leaving the training area.

The King climbed the stairs slowly, tempted to retreat into his study until King Hunt sent for his niece's return. He wasn't sure how much more he could endure. Yes, he had enjoyed the time with her, but it was making it harder and harder to let her go. He didn't want her to leave! He wanted Jo to remain in the castle, with him, at his side. They could rule Shadowhaven together, and someone else could rule Stonedale. Sadly, he knew it could never happen. Her heart belonged with her kingdom, as it should. Their lands would always have the highest priority.