I wasn't sure where he was leading me, but I let Alyn lead me away from the king's room. We reach the main corridor leading to my room and I instantly pull away.

"What happened to having a talk?"

"We'll talk later. Right now I need to take care of a few things that are more important," Alyn said while slightly turning toward me. His eyes were dim and I knew he had to be tired. Did he sleep at all?

"Well, I guess that's fine," I said. I wasn't up for arguing again.

"Go about your day and I'll find you later. We can talk then," he said and started to walk away. I sighed in defeat and began to head towards my room when the screaming started. I turned to look to Alyn who had done the same. His hand immediately shot to his sword and he ran for me. I watched behind him as a few servants ran across the hall in a panic. What scared them?

"Is this another attack?" I said into Alyn's chest as he pulled me close to him. I tried to glance over his shoulder but he urged me toward my room.

"I didn't think they'd come so quickly," Alyn murmured. Is that why he needed to speak with the king? He knew this attack was coming.

"Did you know this would happen?"

"Our scouts reported the Protean camp moving past the boarder soon after your attempted kidnapping. I think your friend was just a distraction. Clever bastards," Alyn said, his body tense and ready for a battle.

"Well, surprise attack or not, we need to do something," I said ducking under his arm and racing down the hall but his hand wrapped around my waist and he pulled me back.

"My men are skilled and will fight off what they can. My orders are to protect you."

"What about the king?"

"Giles and my brother can handle that. We discussed this plan for moments like these," Alyn said hastily leading me towards my room.

"Your brother?" I asked surprised. He ignores my question and opens the door to my room. He closes it tight and drags a dresser to block it for the time being.

"Quickly, this way," He says and leads me to a large cabinet with my dresses. He slides them over and reaches for a small lever that pops open an secret entry to a dim lit room.

"I had no idea you had something like this here," I said in awe. I wish I had found this sooner. Would have made sneaking out a breeze.

"This is for emergencies only. I never told you because I knew you'd use it for other purposes."

"You got me there," I say with a sly smirk. He rolls his eyes and leads me inside and arranges the cabinet to look untouched. I listen as the small door closes with a clank and Alyn turns to face me.

"What now?" I ask. The room was small and smelled like old stone.

"We wait for now," Alyn said and leaned against a nearby wall. I search the room and find a small bench with some sheets and pillows. I guess they planned for an overnight attack. I take a seat on the hard bench and rest my head against the cool stone.

We both sat there in silence for half an hour and I was growing anxious. How many men were invading? Were they looking for me? Were any of our people being killed in the process? I hope the king is safe.

"Are you alright?" Alyn asks. I glance up to see him watching me. The dim lighting of the torch made his eyes look soft and gentle. A huge difference than the cold and deathly gaze from last night.

"I've just got a million things running through my head right now,"I admit. I couldn't stand the quiet anymore, not knowing what was going on outside. "How long will we have to be down here? Why not go out there and fight with your men? I'll be fine here by myself."

"That's not an option, Cyra," Alyn replied instantly.

"Why not?" I pressed. He knew I could defend myself yet he always treated me like a child. "You act as though I'm some helpless broad when you know full well I can take down a man if I needed to."

"Cyra," he growled. "This is not the time."

"There never is a time to talk to you. You never listen to me," I couldn't help but raise my voice and let out all I held back.

"Cyra, shut up."

"Or what? You'll shove a sword in my chest to make me stop talking?" I spat out the words and watched as his chest rose and fall in an aggravated pattern.

Alyn removed himself from the wall and stepped closer to me. I locked my eyes onto his and refused to falter. He may have been taller than me and better built, but I wasn't going to let him scare me.

"You think I enjoyed killing him? Running my sword through his chest and feeling his bones snap as the steel cut clean to the stone? You think I go home and act like nothing happened after watching someone die by my hands?"

His words cut through me like small daggers. I continued to stare up at those red eyes.

"I couldn't get the look of your crying face out of my head. Every time I closed my eyes I saw you lying there over his body, crying because of me."

My body freezes and I repeat the words he's saying. Did he feel guilty for what he had done?

"Alyn," I breathe.

"I've killed many men in battle defending my king and this realm. Never have I ever felt the way I did after you left. Don't think for one second I felt satisfied."

I had no idea. He came off so cruel and cold that I thought he would go on as though nothing happened. He made it looks so easy to kill Sam.

I back away and rest on the bench to compose myself. I had so much anger built up but realizing that Alyn felt this way deep down, I couldn't find it in myself to hate him. "I forgive you."

I search his face but find him looking away. "I didn't ask for your forgiveness."

"Well, then, I don't hate you anymore. Is that better?"

"Smart ass," he said with a soft smile.

I started to speak when a loud crash came from my room. Alyn's eyes shot wide and he covered my mouth with the palm of his gloved hand. My body tightens in fear as he leans closer to me. I listen carefully and hear banging coming from the other side of the hidden door. Men are yelling and I only know they're ransacking my room.

Alyn slowly removes his hand and grabs my arm. His eyes beckon for me to follow him and I stand up quietly and let him lead me to the corner of the room. He runs his hand along the wall and finds a brick sticking out. He pushes the brick in and the wall grinds backwards to reveal another staircase.

I look at him in surprise but he places a finger over his mouth and leads me down. The men outside grow louder and I think they heard the sound of the stones sliding. I eagerly rush into the stairwell and Alyn shoves the stones closed. He takes the steps by twos and drags me along and I keep myself focused in order to prevent any tripping on my part.

We descend several levels before we reach the end where another dead end awaits. He pulls a sconce that holds a torch and another door slides open. We step inside to find ourselves with others. Giles and the King sit on an old couch in one corner. Nico and a few maids and servants gather around mumbling nervously to each other. Leo is off in another corner trying to calm some noble ladies who happened to be visiting for lessons.

"Ah, Cyra. Thank goodness you're safe," Giles rushes over to me and looks me over. He pats Alyn on the shoulder for keeping me in one piece.

"How bad is it?" Alyn asks, quickly jumping to the matter at hand.

"About 100 men infiltrated us. Most of our men were caught off guard. We're extremely outnumbered," Giles informs us.

A few of the noble men had left due to disagreeing with Alyn's choice of waiting, taking with them their men. Our numbers were hurting because of it.

"This is my fault. I should've anticipated the attack," Alyn says bitterly. I hadn't realized he'd been beating himself up over so many things.

"Regardless, we need to get Cyra out of here," Giles explained. "I've discussed with His Majesty and we both agreed Cyra should be escorted to the coastal manor. She'll be safe there for the time being."

"Our numbers are too low and if they discovered her there, who knows if we can fend them off. It's too risky," Alyn argued.

"We have no other option. Our allies abandoned us and there's no way of convincing them last minute to take Cyra into hiding till this blows over," Giles interjected.

"I still don't see this working in our favor," Alyn insisted.

"If you have a better option, Alyn, then I'm all ears," Giles said impatiently with his arms folded over his chest.

Alyn remained quiet for a moment before speaking. "There's one place I know they won't be able to find. Not with the snow covering most of the roads."

"I'm listening," Giles said, his shoulders loosening from his tense posture.

Leo stepped closer and tapped Alyn's shoulder. "Are you sure about this? We haven't been there since that night."

Alyn shrugged off Leo's hand and looked at all of us. "I can take her to my family's estate. Protea's men wouldn't be able to track us through the mountains and snow."

Giles contemplates the decision. "You're positive on this?"

"I know the roads well. We won't be followed," Alyn says.

"Alyn," Leo says. Alyn faces him. "Are you sure you're ready to go back there?"

"We have no other choice. It's the only place they won't find her," Alyn said. His fists clenched at his side. This place, it must have left bad memories.

"If you're certain, then I have no objections. How long will it take you to get there?" Giles said.

"We'll make it there by sunset if we leave now."

"Then I suggest you make haste," Giles said.

"Wait, what about you?" I interrupt. They all face me as though they forgot I was standing there.

"The king is in no condition to travel, especially on horseback. I'll remain here until the attack dies down. We still have skilled soldiers out there so we'll be fine as long as we stay down here."

"I can't just leave you all behind," I argue.

"Cyra, we need to go. Now," Alyn says and grabs my arm. I try to pull away but his grip tightens.

"Cyra," a hoarse voice causes me to freeze. "I know your heart is urging you to stay and fight with your people. Right now, your life is the most important to us. You must survive. You need to survive. Go with Alyn and remain hidden. Your people need you protected. They need you for their future." The king broke into an episode of rough coughs and a servant rushes over to him with a cloth. The cloth darkens with a crimson stain and my eyes widen. He really was sick. "Go," the king urges.

I couldn't abandon them. I needed to stay and fight. To protect them. I couldn't force my feet to move.

"Cyra," Alyn urged. I gave the king one final look before turning and following Alyn.

"I feel like a lowly coward leaving them behind," I said as I followed behind Alyn.

"Don't worry. They're much stronger than they look," he said leading me down another long and dark corridor.

"Where are we going?" I asked as he took hold of my hand tightly.

"This tunnel leads to the stables. We're taking my horse. She's the fastest."

"We have no provisions. Will we be able to make it to your estate without them?"

"We have no choice."

I frowned at his words but followed anyways. We found an area with small streams of light coming in from a wooden ceiling. Alyn was tall enough to peek out and gave me a nod that the coast was clear. He slides the panel to the side and hoists himself up followed by myself. We were inside the stables; the horses were calmly residing inside their designated pins.

Alyn slid the cover back into place and grabbed a saddle and bridle off a rack and began placing it onto a chestnut colored mare. If we weren't under attack, I'd admire the scene but my heart was racing and I my eyes danced around in cases someone spotted us.

He tightened the belt of the saddle and fastened the reigns before opening the pin and leading the horse out. He grabbed some apples from a nearby barrel and shoved them into a saddle bag along with some other things like ropes and some wool blankets.

Sounds of men shouting outside grew closer. Alyn reached for me and helped me onto the horse. I sat there gripping the saddle for dear life, not used to being on such a large creature. Alyn was behind me soon after and reached for the reigns.

"Hold on tight," he commanded and I gripped his arms as he slapped the reigns and pressed the mare forward. She whinnied before dashing out of the stables at top speed. My body bounced as the horse galloped across the large field surrounding the castle. The wind rushed past me and I could feel my hair coming undone at the force.

I could hear men shouting behind us, surely aware of our escape. Alyn had the mare pick up speed and I struggled to keep myself steady.

"Hold onto me if you need to," Alyn said drawing his arms closer. I wrapped my arms around him and held tight. His head rested on mine and I could feel his chin brush against my hair as he spoke. "You're safe now."