"Morning beautiful."

Train whispered as he pushed some of my wayward hair out of my sticky face. I turned around to face him and cuddled into his chest, sighing with the morning bliss. He traced his hand down the back of my spine drawing little pattens in the bring morning light.

"I don't want too move. Like ever."

I told him seriously while clutching onto him desperately for all the heat he provided. All the heat he had so willingly shared last night.

"I am perfectly happy with that."

I giggled at his reply and winked at him,

"I'm sure you are!"

Trian chucked against me before pushing me down into the bed with him sitting over me. The new position allowed us to hear better the outside world causing me to sigh and sit up. Sounds of packing and rushing around could be clearly heard, we would have to be going on our way very soon by the looks of it. The tent suddenly became a lot lighter as the outside flap of my tent slowly drew open.

"Mina? Are you in here? We have to get going soon you have to get up."

Shit. That was my dad coming into the tent where Trian and I sat very naked. Quickly thinking up a reply I rushed out,

"Father! I shall be out in a moment I'm getting changed!"

I panicked and it was clear in my voice, Trian too looked panicked with horror clearly displayed across his face at the thought of his King finding him in bed with me, his only daughter. I placed a hand quickly over his mouth to cover any escaping sounds as my father grumbled but proceeded to move away from my tent. I removed my hand and allowed myself to relax with a big sigh. Trian climbed out of the furs and I quickly followed him into the main area where our clothes lay scattered. I really wanted a shower right now. If only such things existed outside of the mountain, if they even still stood now. I stretched, raising my arms up into the sky and making s noise that resembled a baby dinosaur causing Trian to look at me with such adoration,

"Your so precious."

I giggled at his words and wound my arms around his neck, kissing the side of his face.

"We have to get dressed."

He groaned out as I continued in my persistent kisses. When my kisses traveled downwards he groaned,

"Okay maybe 5 minutes."

"I really need to go to the lake."

I told Trian as I finished getting dressed into the clothes I wore yesterday. Hopefully someone would have some clean ones for me, or they would allow me time to go to the lake. Trian kissed my cheek one last time before rushing from my tent to return to his guard duties in a hope no one had noticed his absence. I tided my tent, collecting all the furs and placing them in a large saddle bag so the tent could be packed up by one of the guards as soon as I left. I walked over to where a small mirror lay and picked it up, groaning at my bed-dragged appearance. My hair stuck out in all directions and it really needed re-braiding. I undid the existing braid and would it into a simple single braid, tying in some beads for luck on our journey.

"Did you sleep okay Mina?"

My father asked me innocently as we road ahead of the group. He had insisted on riding with me this time claiming he wanted to spend some time together after our heated conversation yesterday. I grinned at the thought of just how great my night had been,

"I sleep great thank you."

We road together in silence before my father asked the question I could tell he had been waiting to ask,

"Did you care for him? Your other...father?"

Oh. He felt belittled. Just like Anya did when she first learned of and Cage. Not that it matters now, with them being dead. I turned my head towards my father who carried on facing straight ahead but I could see how deeply he wanted me to say no. That he was always my father and that there had never been someone who cared for me more, someone who I cared for more as a father figure. But that would be lying and lying is useless to family.

"I loved him. He was my dad and I miss him every single day."

My answer cause him to nod but not look at me. I rolled my eyes at his childish behaviour but continued my confession anyway.

"I haven't know you very long Rowan. All my life the only information I had about you was that my mother met you when she was very young and regretted it. It's hardy like growing up with a father."

Rowan did turn to me then with pain in his eyes as he swallowed, causing his Adam's apple to bob.

"I'm so sorry about that Mina. But it was so much safer for you if I knew nothing about you and you knew nothing about me. You saw my mother, imagine growing up under her guidance. It's a miracle I'm not more psychopathic than I am. I didn't want that life for you, I thought Anya would raise you well. I had no idea you would be raised by two mountaineers I have never even met! I'm so sorry your childhood was so difficult but I still stand by my decision to keep you and your mother safe by leaving. I only hope you will let me make it up to you now."

I nodded furiously at him after his speech, a slight smile gracing my lips.

"I understand, I really do Father. Cage will always be my dad but I'm open to you being my father, it is rightfully your position after all."

Rowan smiled at me,

"Thank you Mina."

We lapsed into silence once again, this time though we both felt comfortable in each other's presence and company. My stomach rumbles suddenly causing me to grin up at him sheepishly. He laughed and motioned me over to him as he turned around on his horse to open a small saddle bag. He held up a small box of dried, salted meat and threw it to me. I caught it graciously and began digging in, sighing at the delicious smell. I looked back at the group behind us and motioned to my father that I was going to slow down to catch up with them. He nodded and slowed as well so he could talk with the leading huntsman. I approached Trian who grinned at me widely when he saw me approach.

"Hey angel, pass me some?"

I smiled at him as I handed him a hand full of the dried meat as our horses brushed against each other.

"How was the talk with your father?"

"It was good. We understand each other now."

Trian nodded at me reply, suddenly grasping my horses reins from me. When I shot him a confused look accompanied by a raised eye brow he explained,

"You must be tired from last night. I can keep your horse on track for a while if you want to sleep."

I blushed slightly at his implication but nodded all the same, I felt dead on my feet from the tiny amount of sleep I got last night. And all the exercise.

"Thanks Trian."

He smiled at me and secured my horses reins in his hands as I released them fully and slumped around my horse, holding on loosely to its neck as I fell asleep slowly with the comforting rhythm of the horse moving as it walked.

2 days of travelling later...

My eyes started to drift open slowly as my horse began to walk a lot faster than before. I jerked awake when it suddenly began to canter, frantically running next to another horse. I rubbed my eyes as I came too and nearly fell of my deranged horse.

"Ughhhh."

I groaned to myself as I stretched my limbs and looked around to see what was actually going on. Trian sat on the horse beside mine, his hands holding the reins so tight his knuckles we're going white, his jaw clenched. I spun around on my horse, we were running from something. The whole guard ran with a frantic look in their eyes as my father led the group, orders being shouted left right and centre.

"Trian! What's going on?"

I called to him and he quickly handed me my horses reins when he realised I was fully awake. I gently kicked my horse to make it go faster and clenched my reins tightly in my hands, we really needed to keep going.

"We're being chased by wolves Mina. A large, deformed pack. We need to outrun them, there is no other option!"

Shit. Deformed animals could be as huge as the biggest trees, and more blood thirsty than gorillas. A pack was bad news. Very bad news. I clenched my thighs around my horse harder, urging the animal to keep going, if we fell behind we would be dog food. We couldn't keep going forever though, we would have to stop sooner or later.

"How far are we from Azgeda?"

I called to Trian as I desperately clung onto my horse in an attempt to keep myself on the beast.

"Not far, a few miles at most. We can make it Mina. The wolves can't get past the Azgeda walls, nothing can."

Azgeda had walls? My confusion must have shown on my face as Trian nodded his head at me quickly as we ran as fast as our horses would allow us too.

"Azgeda is surrounded by walls higher than you can see, it keeps out all the dangerous mountain animals and protects us from some of the frosty winds in the winter."

What a strange idea, giant walls. A bit like the mountain men keeping themselves contained from every thing from the outside world but I hoped this would be better, at least there's no roof - the stars would still be visible. A loud howl echoed around the trees and I shuddered in fear, they were getting closer. My horse started to pant and I drew behind Trian's horse quite considerably. Trian noticed as well as I frantically tried to get my horse to pick up the speed. It refused and started to slow even more.

"Let go Mina! Jump towards me! It's the only way, I can catch you."

His plan was stupid. So, so, so stupid. But hey you only live once! He slowed his horse down so out horses were side by side and then I let go of my reins and flung myself at him.

For a split second I truly believed this would be my end, that I would fall from these beasts and be eaten alive by the wolves. But Trian would never let that happen to me. In that moment that his arms rushed to catch me I truly believe he would never ever hurt me. That he would treasure and protect me forever. And maybe even one day love me.

My body slouched into his arms but I quickly adjusted myself so I swung into the space he made in front of him so we could speed up again to catch up with the worried guards who sent nervous looks back to us. My father looked nearly ready to pass out when he saw how far behind we were but Trian quickly covered the distance with his fit horse, leading us into the middle of the herd of guards. Rowan breathed out a sigh of relief when we reached the safety of the pack and road over to run his hand quickly down my side. I nodded to him to confirm that I truly was uninjured as we continued to race towards Azgeda.

Azgeda was like nothing I had ever seen before. The high concrete walls were covered in vines and flowers, plants that clung and grew. It was beautiful. The wolves' howls grew fainter as we neared the Capitol and disappeared completely the moment the heavy metal gates swung open and we raced inside. My father instantly dismounted his horse and made his way into the crowd, greeting his citizens and bring the news of the queens death but I hung back.

I didn't want this. I didn't want to be royalty, I didn't want to be any different to the village people all around me. I wanted to fit in, to blend in and make myself a simple life away from the politics and threats of court. I had had enough of that living with Lexa and my parents. This was my chance, to finally do something for myself. To finally do what I wanted to do, not what others expected me to do. I could get a job, maybe rent a small tent, grow some vegetables and look after myself. Make a life that I would be proud to call my own. And with Trent's arms around me, lifting me so gently of the horse I began to think that maybe he could be included in my new life. Maybe he would be my new life.

A plan formed in my head quickly and I hung back into the shadows in an effort to not ruin my plan before I even told my father. He would be upset, of that there is no doubt but he would understand. When the crowd began to dissipate I turned around to Trian and planted a soft kiss upon his pink lips. I breathed out a sigh and rested my forehead against his forehead, standing on his feet to accomplish this of course.

"Wait for me."

I breathed out and he quickly nodded as I kissed him once last time before making my way to where my father stood looking simply confused at the relationship between Trian and I. I mean it's not that hard to figure out I didn't know why he was so surprised, we didn't exactly make the biggest effort to hide it. I grabbed his arm and spun us around away from praying eyes and ears.

"I need to talk to you father."

He motioned for me to go ahead with a wave of his hand.

"I can't do this. I can't pretend to be some perfect long-lost princess."

Rowan frowned and opened his mouth to interrupt me but I held up my hand in a silent plead for silence. I took a deep breath before I continued on,

"Frankly father I don't want to do this. Please, don't tell the people about me. They don't need to know about me. I will come and visit you father but please, don't announce my birth I want to finally live freely, I don't want a life of court politics and back-stabbing."

My father frowned and remained silent for a few very tense moments before he spoke,

"Is this what you really want?"

I nodded ferociously, I wanted nothing more than this.

"I will agree to this under one condition."

I cocked my head to the side in confusion as he explained his request,

"When I become unable to reign you must step up to the throne. You will explain yourself to the people and then you will become the new Queen once I am dead. I will allow you to live anonymously among the people as long as you promise me this."

Queen? I would have to rule? I guess I would always have to eventually but it never even occurred to me that this was the road my life would take, that I would be destined to become the ruler of one of the most powerful clans ever. I leaned forward and flung my arms around my father in a tight, squeezing hug.

"Thank you father. I won't forget this."