Chapter Two

"What the devil is she doing up there!" demanded Nathan Scott as he stretched his head out of the window of his bedchamber as far as he could. He noticed that rain began dropping lightly outside and thunder echoed in the distance. There was no doubt in his mind that a storm was on its way. Nathan eyed Haley James dressed in breeches and a shirt that looked an awful lot like his own. Anger flared and burned his insides as he looked at her.

Beside him, his eighteen-year-old sister, Victoria, fidgeted and played with the buttons on the back of her dress. "Haley wanted to see the beautiful lake that we swim in every summer," she said as if that were an amazing excuse for pulling such a stunt. "You musn't be angry, Nathan, she can't control her adventurous nature … it runs in her family, you know …"

Nathan cursed Haley and her "adventurous nature," because now he was going to have to rescue her. He very quickly walked out of his room and Victoria followed shortly behind, chattering endlessly.

"Haley occasionally does absurd things, but she always regrets them later and makes up for her mistakes … and …."

Nathan ignored Victoria's banter as he concentrated on Haley and getting outside before she dropped to her death. Nathan's bodyguard and best friend, Edward Frasier, had reached the yawning doors just seconds after Nathan had. His presence was made known when he abruptly bumped into Victoria, stopping her chatter and almost knocking her over. He seemed out of breath, but he knew almost all the details of the situation because he had been eavesdropping. He held a long, brown rope in his hand while he politely apologized to Victoria for the mishap. She simply eyed him up and down and smiled secretly to herself.

"Let me handle this, Your Highness -- " said Edward in heavy puffs of air, trying to catch his breath. Nathan shook his head sternly, trying to hold the fumes in. He was still master of this castle and that's the way it was going to stay. He was going to rescue Haley – not only because he was the crowned prince, but also because Haley's parents were among his most valued friends. What would he tell them if Haley actually did fall to her death? He didn't even want to think about it because it was his responsibility to look after her.

Nathan walked up the winding staircase followed by Edward and then Victoria. Once he had reached the top, the doors were slightly ajar and Nathan stormed outside, staring at Haley while wondering what to do next.

"Hold on, Haley! Nathan will save you!" bellowed Victoria ever so loudly over the deafening sound of thunder. She stood behind Nathan with worrisome eyes and, without thinking, grabbed Edward's hand in hers; squeezing tightly.

"Be quiet! Stand back!" murmured Nathan to his noisy sister. To Haley he yelled, "Don't move!"

"I won't," said Haley loud enough for them to hear.

Nathan drew in a deep breath and prayed a silent prayer to God as he began climbing.

"Wait a minute, My Lord! Take this end of the rope up with you, that way you can get down much easier," shouted Edward as he handed Nathan the rope. Nathan, without hesitation, took it and continued his climbing. Every once in a while, part of the wall would crumble beneath him, causing him to slip. He always managed to regain his balance, though, and persisted on once more. Victoria screeched now and again, pulling herself closer to Edward.

"Do be careful!" yelled Haley, hearing Nathan's grumbles and breathing as he climbed.

Color rushed up Nathan's neck and jaw line as he moved closer to her. This was not a time to let his temper get the best of him because if he weren't careful, he would be the one splattered all over the soil. Once Nathan got inside, he swore that he would give Haley a lecture she would never forget, or maybe even throw her in the dungeon.

Nathan tied the rope in a tight knot around the gargoyle, hoping with everything he had that it would hold. Shortly after, he climbed a few more steps and finally reached Haley's side, slipping his arm around her waist. "Alright, miss James," he whispered in her ear so calmly that he surprised himself. "If you'll let go and climb on me, we can make our way down to the castle. But please, no sudden movements.. if you want to survive, that is."

As soon as these words had exited the Prince's mouth, the light sprinkling turned into a hard rainfall; drenching Haley's hair and clothes as well as Nathan's. He cursed under his breath as he pulled her dreadfully close to himself and stole a sideways glance at her. She was almost to the point of tears and that somewhat softened him a bit. Although Haley might have been reckless, he secretly admired her courage. "You'll be fine," said Nathan in a more tender voice than before. After studying her for a short moment, he slowly began sliding down the rope. He couldn't stand the unbearable pain of the twine burning his hands as he went, but he held it in as he concentrated on hitting the ground with his feet.

With much ado, Nathan hit the ground and, uncontrollably, fell to the stony floor of the balcony. Haley toppled on top of him and smiled. "Thank you, your highness." Before Nathan could respond, Victoria pulled Haley off of him and led her inside. Nathan sat up, and continued in that position for a few moments, soaked and bruised, his hands bleeding, his heart hammering inside of his chest.

Edward dragged Nathan hastily to his feet. "Are you all right?" he asked, with deep concern.

Nathan managed a harsh, choked laugh and asked in a furious rasp, "Where is she?"

Victoria held onto Haley's wrist as they flew very rapidly up the stairs. Once they had reached the top, they stopped and listened, wondering if they were safe. At the sound of his hatred filled voice, however, the two stiffened. The princess grabbed Haley's hand and she pulled with all her might. "Quickly!" Victoria hissed, continuing to pull her friend behind her. "If Nathan catches you, hard telling what he'll do!" Haley thought about a couple of the possibilities, and with those thoughts, her legs found their long lost strength. She dropped Victoria's hand and took off speeding ahead of her friend. She had no idea where to go since the castle was still somewhat new to her. She ran blindly along the hallway, unaware of her surroundings. Much to her dismay, however, Haley tripped on a rather large rug underneath her and went sprawling onto the floor with a thud.

Before she could rise again, she felt a pair of hard; masculine hands move under her arms and hoist her up. Her face was scrunched as she turned ever so slowly to see the face of the prince himself.

"Nathan---" pleaded his younger sister, holding onto his arm.

While gazing at Haley, rain dribbled out of Nathan's hair, running down his cheeks. His breaths were deep and raspy as he spoke to a nearby soldier, "Take Miss James to her room and bolt the door. I will deal with her in the morning because I do not trust myself tonight."

"Why don't you just chain me to the dungeon wall? It would save me a night full of worry," responded Haley, remembering their childhood fights.

"A pleasant idea," Nathan spat out, still glaring at her. "And don't think I haven't thought about it. Have any others, Miss James?"

"Have any what? Ideas? No, no.. I haven't," she replied, bowing her head in embarrassment for speaking up to Nathan like that.

Only then did Nathan unwrap his hand from Haley's arm. "Do not delude yourself into thinking that I will forget this little occurrence, Miss James," Nathan said, bending until his nose almost touched Haley's nose. "We shall, as I mentioned earlier, deal with your punishment in the morning."

Authors Note: I just wanted to thank Ellie for pointing out some very interesting information to me. Victoria is now 18! Thanks for the amazing reviews, everyone.