One week.

One dull, lousy, useless week.

I had one ridiculous week to devise and implement a plan to bring Ivashkov down whilst causing as little harm to those around me as possible.

I wrote the letter by candle light and ensured that it would get to its recipient on the swiftest of winds. There was no time for mistakes.

Dimitri was awake when I returned to the bedroom. He was sat on the edge of the bed, slowly stretching his arms above his head, my steps faltered for a moment as I witnessed the corded muscles of his stomach stretch and pull. He was still heavily bruised, and he had several more scars than before, but I had him back, that's what matters.

After his time as Ivashkov's prisoner he was not as largely built as he once was, but that doesn't mean he wasn't still a sight to admire.

I leant against the door frame, watching him. He smiled when he saw me, and held his arms open. I stepped right between his legs and into his embrace.

I ran my fingers through his feather-light hair and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. He nudged my lips apart with his own and the kiss deepened, I pressed my body against his until almost every inch was touching.

I needed this. I needed him.

We carried on like that for some time, in that perfect moment. Until a thunder-like rumble broke through the room.

I pulled myself from Dimitri's arms. "Breakfast, now." I said, stepping back from him even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. I ignored his protests and quickly slipped on some leggings and a loose tunic. His appetite had come back in full force, hence the stomach rumbling, Dimitri had been eating every couple of hours.

Over breakfast we decided that we would start training again. I felt like it was too soon for Dimitri but he insisted he needed to get back into shape, and I silently admitted to myself that it was better for him to be ready sooner rather than later, especially with the plans that I had set into motion earlier that morning.

The following days passed in a blur. Dimitri and I spent the sunlight hours training both body and mind. He continued to tutor me on my powers until controlling my flames was like second nature; it became as easy as breathing.

With our training, we also worked on bringing Dimitri's body back to strength. It would be a very long time until he became as strong as he once was, but it was a start. He was easily winded and his wounds still plagued him, but he could hold his own now. I could rest easy knowing that he would be able to defend himself if he had to.

My shape shifting was a different matter completely. Neither Dimitri nor I had any experience with such an ability, so we were both learning as we went along. Abe would have been helpful to have around when I practiced warping my features until I became a different being altogether, but we rarely saw him. He was always out meeting with rebels loyal to our cause, or holed up in one of his many offices doing anything he could to help.

I was glad that I was working myself to the bone; it made it easier to sleep at night, if only for a few hours. Guilt and anxiety were my constant companions.

I did not tell them about the dream I had with the Ivashkovs, nor about the letter I sent and the plan that I had committed myself to. No, that was my burden to bear alone. Dimitri and Abe thought we were preparing for a battle that would come in the future; they didn't know quite how soon the blood would begin being spilled.

They would find out, just not yet. It had to be at the right time. If I disclosed my plan to them they would only tell me it was too dangerous, too reckless. There were too many things that could go wrong.

I will go and meet King Ivashkov, but it would be under my terms. He was expecting me to come quietly, well, he would be in for a shock.

The seven days the king gave me were almost up, I would have gone sooner to get the inevitable over and done with, but I needed all the time I could get. Armies cannot be formed overnight.

If only I had more time, I could build an army of my own, but that would be impossible to build from nothing in just seven days, so I will have to work with what I've got. It was time to truly test the meaning of family.

Nightfall finally came on the seventh day and I knew my time was up. I only prayed that it would be enough.

I didn't allow myself to fall asleep when Dimitri and I retired to the bed that we had been sharing. I feigned sleep until Dimitri's breaths evened out and I allowed myself some time to simply admire him. He looked so peaceful while he slept, as if everything that plagued him during the day no longer existed by night.

Once I had dressed, I left a folded note on my pillow, it was the only clue I could leave for him.

Do not come looking just yet, you will know when the time is right.

I knew Dimitri would be furious with me, but it was all I could think of.

My hand trembled as I reached to open the door. Was this really the wisest thing for me to do? Absolutely not, but I couldn't see what other choice I had. I knew that Dimitri would feel betrayed in the morning, and for some time after that, I only hoped he would understand eventually.

I was taking nothing with me except a sword strapped to my back and another smaller blade secured to my ankle beneath my left boot. I wouldn't be needing anything else.

I crept on the tips of my toes through the house that I had grown fond of, I glanced once at the door that stood between me and my Father's sleeping form, but I did not hesitate, I only hoped that he would understand.

I moved with haste once I was successfully out of the house. I decided not to risk taking a horse to the Ivashkov castle, and instead I shifted into a falcon, mimicking the ones I used to watch perched on the tallest buildings in the city, waiting for a smaller unsuspecting rodent to scurry by for its dinner.

I hadn't experimented much with animals during our training, but it took me only a moment to become airborne and it was like no feeling I had ever imagined. I could feel every gust of wind beneath my wings, propelling me higher and faster until I barely needed to use my wings at all, I could simply soar through the star speckled sky. Why had I not spent more time doing this? It was a feeling of complete weightlessness.

Everything looked so small from all the way up here; the world is so huge that it makes my existence seem insignificant. I am but a speck of dust in the universe.

Compared to the surrounding areas, King Ivashkovs castle lit up like a Christmas tree. When I set off I had foolishly worried that the castle might be hard to find from the skies, but that was certainly not the case.

The castle was mostly surrounded by dense forest, but there was also a great open plane of grass which would hopefully serve its purpose for me eventually.

Most lanterns were out in the city that skirted the castle, the only people scurrying around at this hour would be assassins and criminals, I knew because I used to be one of them. I suppose I still am.

I aimed for the forest; the last short leg of my journey would be made on foot. I sloped downwards too quickly and for one gut-wrenching moment I simply spearheaded towards the earth. Wouldn't it be a shame if I had made all of these plans to simply splatter myself on the earth before I could put any of them into action?

I was spiralling downwards faster than I thought possible, the air whipped at me so fast and the earth rushed up to meet me.

I spread my wings and managed to circle a couple of times before landing a bit rougher than I'd have liked. Once I hit the ground I shifted, and ended up in a crumpled heap on the forest floor, a quick check confirmed that all my faculties were in place.

I had landed near the outskirts of the forest, the side facing the castle. I took only a few seconds to catch my breath and brush the pine needles and dirt from my clothes before cautiously winding my way through the trees towards the inevitable.

I expected to be apprehended far sooner than I was, but I had almost made it to the front gates of the castle by the time I was surrounded by dozens of guards, none of them hesitating to point their swords at my neck.

I held up my hands and stared them all down.

"The King requested my presence; I have come to oblige him."

There we have Chapter 32. I bet you're all surprised to see me updating this story again? I can only apologise for how long it has taken me to continue with it, I wouldn't blame you if you've given up on me. I got the idea for this chapter and quickly wrote it out because I really didn't want to keep you all waiting. I've also started on the next chapter for 'What About Us' if any of you are following that story. I really hope this chapter is ok, feel free to ask me any questions or give any suggestions; they will all be greatly appreciated. I can't make any guarantees as to when I will update again, but just know that I haven't given up on the story.

I just wanted to say that I hope everyone is doing ok at this difficult time, I don't know if we're allowed to say this kind of thing on here but I am here for each and every one of you if there is anything I can do. Be kind and stay strong. H x