The man grinned and dismounted from the horse. Eric wiped his mouth and smoothed his hair back. Eric's father looked him over. " Dear boy why haven't you gotten rid of her? Don't tell me you're backing out of the plan? I mean if you are.I have other soldiers who would jump at the opportunity. " Eric's father suggested waving his hand about. Eric glared a bit at his father. " No! That will not be needed for. I will get rid of her. The right moment just hasn't.. passed by." His voice decreased at the last words. His father chuckled a bit. " I knew you wouldn't let me down!" he said patting Eric on the back. " Your mother would have been proud, it's a pity that she was killed by those blasted yogis," his father sighed. Eric sat on the rock behind him. " Well, I must go return to Niapon, you know recruit the army and all that. I'll be keeping an eye on you boy," his father said. Then rounding on him he whispered maliciously. " If you do not go through with this boy, your future will be looking bleak," at that he floated up into the sky. Eric watched his father disappear before his eyes. He started back his way to the castle. He wasn't going to let anything stop him. Not his father, not Phillip, not even Aerina.

Aerina was lying on her stomach on the bed staring at the fire. Eric's face appeared in it she sat up her eyes staring at the fire still. She shook her head. His face was gone. It was just her mind playing tricks on her. A knock came from the door. Aerina looked quickly. For some reason, she ran to the door and opened them. There stood Eric looking smug. Her arms were still holding the handles of the door. " May.I come in?" he asked kindly with a pleasant smile on his face. She stared at him confused and let him pass. Scratching her neck with a bemused expression on her face she closed the door with telepathic force. Eric sat on the chair next to the fire. He leaned over and spoke. " How was your day?" he asked kindly again. She looked at him, why was he being so kind? Was he up to something? Aerina sat by him slowly, never moving her glare from him. Slowly she replied. " Fine.thank you." He smiled and sat back. His eyes were so kind, and he couldn't stop grinning. The fire looked like a small flame was twinkling in his eye. Eric opened his mouth to speak. " My day was fine thank you." Aerina blushed and replied, " Sorry." He smiled coyly, " It's quite alright." He sat back still looking into the fire. " If anyone should be sorry, it should be me. I'm sorry about everything I have done," he looked at her and grinned. Something rushed through her head and she couldn't help but smile. When she did, she immediately stopped and looked quickly at the fire. Eric chuckled a bit to himself. Aerina was soon blushing. Why the hell was she blushing so much. " Dear princess could this be, you're not really the ice princess. " He stood up from his chair. She looked up and watched him walk to her. Eric stopped and held her chin gently. He leaned into her ear, " I am not sorry for saying that you're beautiful. That I meant, truly.and deeply." He then kissed her cheek and left the room. Aerina sat back in surprise. Staring at the fire. What had just happened there? Did she actually let him take control of the situation? " Why that." she mumbled to herself. " That imbecile. How argh." She stood from her chair. " We'll just see bout that." Aerina walked to next-door and stormed in. Eric who was already inside reading a book looked up at her in a surprised way. He stood up, setting down the book and smiled, while he dug his hands into his pockets. His bangs sort of fell on his eyes, which made him irresistible. She gulped took a deep breath and gathered her courage. Walking towards him she put her arms around his neck and made sure there was only space between their faces. She knew this surprised him by the look on his face. He smiled sheepishly. " This uh..quite a comfortable um, position. Isn't it?" he barely spoke out while gulping. She arched eyebrow with a mini grin on her face. " Indeed it is. Take me." she said with great confidence. "What?" he asked in disbelief. " Take me." " I'm sorry, those words didn't come out of your mouth." " Well I want -" " Don't even." He said pulling away and almost tripping on the chair. She smiled. " Well, you have me. Don't you want me?" she said standing there infront of him. " Yes your very tempting but, not thi- no I don't." he blurted out becoming nervous. She pouted her lips a bit. " What a pity. " Smiling sweetly she left the room to her chamber. Eric awoke from the dream of Aerina trying to seduce him. He shook his head and looked in her room. She looked up at him and raised her eye brow. " What do you want?" she asked bitterly. " I was just looking at the loveliness of this room and it seems I've found the core. " he commented. She glared at him a bit. He grinned and left the room.