The ride to Damask was one of almost total silence. Ally and Austin remained locked in thought, while Hart tried to engage Ally in some small talk.

"Am I correct to assume that nothing.. happened on your journey with Sonata?" Hart asked.

"His name is Austin." Ally snapped. Hearing him called "Sonata" made her flinch at the thought of him being a murderer, a cold-blooded killer. "And I'm offended at your assumption, Captain Hart."

"I'm sorry, your majesty." He apologized.

"You will do well not to ask me or mention anything else of the kind." Ally ordered.

From the back of the cart, Austin listened. Offended? By a single question? "Is it really that ridiculous to even considered?" He asked himself grumpily.

In truth, he was mad. Not mad at Captain Hart for screwing everything up, or even Ally for believing him so easily (about the ransom thing, that was just ridiculous), he was mad that he let himself get this close. If he had only kept himself at a distance none of this would've happened. He could've been rich and happy if he'd taken up the ransom, if he hadn't cared so much.

But he never could have not cared.

At least she seemed happy during most of their time together. And it was because of him. That's all he could ask for, despite how much he didn't want to admit it.

In the front Ally sighed. I wish.. She didn't know whether to wish she'd never found out or whether to wish that she'd never been with Austin in the first place. It tore her up inside to think that her Austin, the boy that she grew up with, played with, turned out to be a cold-hearted murderer. She's heard all the stories and charges that Sonata's been accused of, she won't pretend she didn't. But wouldn't he have had a reason? A little voice whispered. He wouldn't have killed people for no good reason.

Like he and Julian had a reason for leaving you? Ally retorted. But she pushed those thoughts away from her mind and tried to focus on the future, how to win the Prince. Because all of this: Sonata, the Initiate, Austin, all our nights together... they'll all be forgotten one day. My job here is to win the Prince and save Rathen. That's what I'll do.

"Betcha my life is gonna be swell.

Looking ahead, it's easy to tell.

And maybe I'll forget how nice he was to me,

And how I was almost his baby..." Ally rolled her eyes at herself, but her thoughts couldn't help but turn back to Austin.

Austin, in that time, was also still thinking about Ally. Especially about Ally getting with that snobby Prince from Damask, "It'll be fine, nothing to fear.
She'll be as happy as she was with me.
Things have worked out much better than planned.
It makes you smile to see fate take a hand.
And I know I'll forget how much she meant to me
And how she was almost my baby...
Maybe..."

Austin sighed, rolling his eyes at himself. He turned over and tried to get some shut eye.

"Rise and shine, sweetheart." Hart flipped over a sleeping Austin, flipping him off the back of the cart and hitting the dirt with a very hard thud.

"What the hell?" Austin sputtered.

"We're here." Hart delightfully answered. He pulled Austin up roughly. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

Austin looked up and saw gloomy skies above. The only bright point was Ally standing in front of him. Still wearing the yellow dress that Malachi had bought her and a black cloak, she had a somber look upon her face. "Yes." He answered. "A beautiful day."

Ally coughed and looked away. "Where to, Captain?"

"To the castle, your highness. I shall have Sonata kept in the dungeon until our departure, and then we will see to the court." Hart answered.

"The dungeon?", "What do you mean our departure?" Both Ally and Austin said simultaneously. But Ally was the one who asked about the dungeon.

"You shut your mouth, criminal." Hart gave him a mean shove.

"Captain Hart!" Ally snapped. "You need to keep better control of yourself. If I see any more abuse from you, I'll have your job. Now take me to the court right away." She ordered with all the airs of a queen.

Hart, humiliated, nodded, "Yes, your highness. Right away." He straightened Austin up and gently pushed him forward, leading the way to the palace. Ally walked right beside them.

Austin looked over at the Princess curiously. Why protect me when you so obviously hate me? Maybe she's just doing in out of respect for the boy she once knew. Maybe for the sake of exercising her control as Princess and future queen. Maybe it was just because she hated Hart just as much as he did. Whatever the reason, Austin was grateful.

They arrived at the castle quickly. Hart had a word with the guard at the gate and he let them in immediately, leading them inside and to the throne room. Hart was about to pass off Austin to the Damaskan guards but Ally vetoed them. Hart obeyed without question (which was pretty impressive). "Your Highness, may I introduce Princess Allison Dawson of the kingdom of Rathen, her guard Captain Hart, and... their prisoner." The guard announced, although he trailed off at the end.

The Prince of Rathen stood up from a grand, gold throne. He was wearing a white cotton shirt with silk green pants, and over that a majestic purple cape. Purple, the symbolic color of royalty. "WELCOME!" He boomed, the sound echoed throughout the throne room, "To my kingdom. You must've traveled a long way and had a difficult journey."

Ally approached the Prince, Hart and Austin followed at a safe distance behind. "Believe me, your highness, you have no idea." Ally answered charmingly.

"Well, I would love to hear all about it. First, we must get you a room so you and your company can wash up. Guard?" He called. Instantly a guard appeared beside him. "Please escort this beautiful young lady and her company to their rooms." He requested.

Hart stepped forward and bowed, forcing Austin along with him, "Pardon me your majesty,"

"Captain Hart!" Ally exclaimed out of the side of her mouth.

Hart continued, "We have a prisoner in our care that I apprehended on our way here. He belongs in the dungeons of Rathen, but I ask that he temporarily be held in your dungeons so there is no danger he may escape."

The Prince looked between Hart, Ally and Austin quickly. "Of course!" He exclaimed jovially, "Anything you wish. I, Prince Darren of Damask, would not deny my guests any necessities. If it's at any convenience to you we could have him executed right here!"

Hart opened his mouth but Ally cut him off, "No thank you, Prince Darren," She answered (relieved that she finally knows his name), "It's the prisoner's request that he die in his native land."

Austin was confused, but said nothing. As long as it keeps me alive for another day...

"Very well then. You there," Prince Darren pointed to another guard, "Take him to the dungeons right away."

The guard bowed, "Yes, your majesty." He took Austin by the hands tied behind his back and turned him around forcefully, pushing him forward to move. This time Ally said nothing as the guard took liberties in guiding him to the dungeon.

Austin looked over his shoulder at Ally. She was watching him go and their eyes locked. He mouthed Why? to her.

She shook her head minutely and broke away from his gaze. He couldn't tell whether it was guilt or apathy he saw in her eyes. But he didn't look away until the doors shut behind him.