Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Prince of Persia. They all belong to Ubisoft.

Italic text is used for thoughts, dreams and flashbacks. Underlined italic text is alter ego thoughts.

Only Time Knows

Chapter Three: Second Thoughts

When the Prince and Farah returned home to the palace, arms hooked together, they saw that the servants were cleaning up what was left of the party and all the guests were gone.

The palace was almost silent, except for the muffled noise of the palace servants tidying everything up. Heading upstairs, they passed by Kaileena's room.

The Prince stopped when he heard the sound of voices inside.

"What's wrong?" Farah asked.

"It sounds like Kaileena's talking to someone?" Actually, by the tone of her voice, it sounded more like she was arguing with someone.

Farah tried to listen. "I only hear her."

"So do I, but…doesn't that strike you as odd?" he asked.

"Yes, but so what. She's talking to herself, I do that sometimes. That doesn't make me weird does it?"

"No…but I'm sure you don't argue like that to yourself," the Prince pointed out.

"Cyrus, she's fine. We should just leave her be. She's probably just overwhelmed with all the changes she's had to face," she said gently tugging at him to move on.

"You're right. I guess I was just looking too much into it."

When they came to Farah's room, she stopped. "I guess this is where I say good night."

"Wait."

"What?" she asked looking over her shoulder.

"I thought, since we're engaged now, that we were going to spend at least tonight together," he replied.

"I suppose I could," she said grinning mischievously and leaning in to kiss him.

Not breaking contact, the couple made their way to the room. Inside, the room was decorated with candles that, burning softly, gave the room a cozy, magical feel.

Farah gasped when she saw it. It was so beautiful…and, a bit familiar.

"Do you like it?" the Prince asked, "I tried to, guess you can say, 'recreate' the night we spent together in the Sultan's palace."

"Yes…but… there's something missing. A pool, I remember a pool."

"Remember? You remember this?" he asked almost excitedly.

Farah closed her eyes and tried to think, "Yes, sort of. It's coming back to me, but I still can't fully remember. It's like it didn't actually happen to me, but I remember how the room looked and I kind of remember being there…but…oh, I wish I could remember it like you do," she said sadly.

The Prince gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze, "Don't worry, whether or not you ever find a way to remember what happened, it has no effect on now. We're still in love right? And we're going to be married soon," he said.

"I know, but it's still so frustrating, trying to recall something that's just not there."

"I know, just try not to think of it."

"Your right," Farah said, "I should stop upsetting myself over it. All that matters is you and me. I love you, and I plan," she said seductively, "to prove it."

You can't escape your destiny Kaileena. You are me! You know this is what you want, to be rid of that slutty little princess and have the Prince to yourself. You want what she has: love, the Empress said.

Kaileena bit her lip, confused. "No… I mean yes… I want his love, but I won't harm anyone just to have it."

That's a lie and you know it. Take what is yours, what you want to be yours. You have the power to do it, just let me help you.

When Kaileena looked at herself in the mirror, she did not see her face; she saw the red eyed masked face of the Empress.

"Noooooo!" she cried. She would not become a monster again. With all of her strength, Kaileena smashed the mirror under her fist. It shattered into a hundred pieces and fell onto the floor. She cried out when one of the shards cut her hand.

Opening her hand, Kaileena saw the wound it created. The thick red blood that seeped out of the deep cut, dripping onto the floor. Biting her lip, she tried not to think of the pain.

Now, was that really necessary? You know you can't get rid of me. You don't want to admit to yourself that this is who you are and what you want, that's why you broke that silly mirror.

Cradling her hand, Kaileena said through gritted teeth, "I will never give into you. I won't betray Cyrus, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind."

Of course, I can't say anything to change your mind, but there may be something I can show you, the Empress said temptingly.

"What are you talking about?"

Well it seems that trying to talk some sense into you is no use, seeing as you're a stubborn bitch. But, you've pushed me to do something I didn't want to have to resort to.

Kaileena snorted, "Now that is funny. It sounded like you actually had some kind of feelings."

Shocking isn't it? So, are you going to come willingly? Or must I do something you will not like to see?

"I don't know, but I do know I'm not going to do the evil things you want me too."

Fine, then it's your own fault if your heart breaks.

"Nothing you could ever do could hurt me like that," Kaileena said.

The Empress corrected her, Oh; it's not something I'm going to do to you.

What the hell was she talking about? Kaileena didn't trust her, not one bit.

Cyrus's room is just down the hall. Come on, we're going to have a little chat with him. Maybe he's had a change of heart and now realizes who he really loves.

"It sounds to me like you're the one who wants him to love you, not me."

How many times do we have to go through this? I am you. What we feel is exactly the same: love, hate, happiness, anger. Now get that through your thick head and come on!

"Fine, if I do, will you get off my back?"

Perhaps, but I think you'll be coming after me.

"In you're dreams Your Highness," she said rolling her eyes. She got up and left her room, heading down the hall to where the Prince's room lay. There was a bit of light spilling out beneath the door so she knew for sure that he was awake. She just wasn't prepared to find what she did…

At the moment Kaileena smashed her mirror, down the hall, Farah broke away from the Prince's kiss. "What was that!"

"I don't know. But it sounded like it came from down the hall," he replied breathlessly.

"You don't think that was Kaileena? Do you?" she asked.

"No, it was probably one of the servants. That new guy is still getting used to things. A bit of a clumsy fellow."

"You're probably right. Yesterday he almost turned over an entire table," she said with a giggle.

"See? Nothing to worry about. Now, enough him or that accident or anything else," he said kissing her again.

Farah returned the kiss and didn't argue. In this case, she was more than willing to allow him to be right.

Of course, in later time, she may begin to regret that decision.

Quietly, so as not to wake the other guests in the palace, Kaileena crept down the hall towards the Prince's room. She quickly realized the door had been carelessly left ajar. Kaileena was about to knock for permission to enter (she hadn't lived among humans before but instinctively she knew that was what common courtesy), but she paused when she heard sounds from within the room.

She carefully peered in, and a second later regretted it. Her hand flew over her mouth to keep the gasp in that so desperately wanted to escape. At that very moment, she felt her heart shatter into a million pieces just like her mirror had mere moments before.

Inside, she saw the man she'd come to fall in love with making love to another woman. Kaileena found herself unable to breathe. It was like she was sinking below the ocean waves, clawing at the water to reach the surface for air, but an invisible hand was pulling her down deeper and deeper.

Silently, but quickly, she dashed down the hall and down the stairs, taking them two at a time. No one noticed when she ran out the front gate, across the courtyard and through the front gate. Kaileena headed deep into the woods, tripping on stones and fallen twigs, her tears blurring her vision. She didn't know where she was going and didn't really give a damn either. She just wanted to get as far away from the palace as she could.

Finally, when she could go no further, Kaileena stopped and sat down near a lake, and wept quietly.

You didn't believe me did you? Oh no, don't listen to the Empress of Time, she's senile, she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. If you had listened to me in the first place, I could have spared you that horrible scene, but nooo; you had to be so damn stubborn.

"Go away," Kaileena said in a hoarse voice. The last thing she needed was to talk with the Empress.

I told you he's not just going to leave her for no reason. And when she wanted his love, he gave it to her. If you do what I say you should, that could, as it should, be you in there.

Kaileena closed her eyes, trying to think this all out. But it didn't help. Whenever she closed her eyes, all she could see was the Prince with Farah, and her heart broke all over again, causing more tears to flow down her face.

Oh, don't be a baby, the Empress said, This is just a lesson to be learned. You know what will happen if you don't do something about Farah.

Kaileena wiped away her tears. "If I kill Farah, Cyrus will know I did it, then he'll hate me forever. I can't do it."

But if he doesn't know it was you, he can't hate you, now can he?

"And how am I supposed to get away with it?" she asked.

You won't have to worry about that. Let me out, and I'll handle it all, she replied slyly.

Kaileena bit her lip. She'd come all this way, left her past behind her and started fresh. She was here, in Babylon, a beautiful, kind city. And she, for the first time, cared about someone other than herself. Could she really through all that away?

In her mind's eye, she was back in the hall, peering into the Prince's bedroom, and her mind was already made up.

"I'll do it."

Kaileena looked at herself in the lake water and she was no longer Kaileena. Her eyes were no longer bright, joyful and green. They were now evil, angry and burning red. Her face was covered by a dark, black mask that was the Empress's true face, and her garments were midnight black, hiding little skin.

She grinned to herself. Now she was in her element. Being Kaileena, the sweet innocent girl was nice, but being the Empress came so naturally. The Empress was more in charge than Kaileena; she was kind of just along for the ride.

"Now, finally, with me in charge, we will get back what has always belonged to us," she said walking off to find a suitable place to rest.

He was walking down a hallway. It looked like a prison. But what prisoners could be held here? It was almost completely silent. There was the sound of dripping water, but that was only rain from a few nights before falling through a leak in the roof.

Far off was the sound of screaming, someone was most likely being tortured. And somewhere nearby was the soft sound of weeping.

With his heart picking up speed, he walked faster down the hall towards the door at the end, until he was running. Surprisingly the door was unlocked, so he went in. Inside was something so horrible he thought he was going to die.

Lying on a wooden table, she looked broken. Her head rested to the side, staring blankly at the wall. Her face, which had once been so beautiful and full of light, was wet, stained with tears and blood.

He raced to her side and tried to talk to her. "I'm here now; everything is going to be okay."

But she didn't seem to hear him. At least, not at first.

"I'm sorry," he continued, "This is all my fault."

"No…"she said, still not looking at him, "It's my own fault, for being so stubborn."

"But none of that matters now. We're together, and I'm going to get you out of here."

She began to cry new tears, "I knew you'd come for me. But I'm afraid that's not going to be the case. He won't allow it."

"Who won't?" he asked. He was answered by a sneering, evil voice behind him, followed by the sound of archers readying their bows.

"You will not take her from me again!"

While Kaileena had been gone for a few hours, everyone in the palace, even the servants at this time, were fast asleep. Well, almost everyone.

Farah turned over in her sleep and realized something was wrong. She sat up sleepily, and looked down beside her. The bed was empty. She looked out and sure enough, the Prince was standing alone on the balcony outside.

Wrapping a robe around her naked body, she joined him outside. The cold nipped at her, but she just hugged herself tighter. It didn't seem to bother him though.

He heard her coming and half turned around. He wanted to acknowledge that he knew she was there, but not look at her directly. He couldn't bring himself to.

"Cyrus, what's wrong?" she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I had another nightmare. I've been having them almost every night since I left the Island of Time," he replied.

"What are they about?"

"Pain and suffering," he said quietly. "I'm worried about Kaileena. She was in my earlier dreams. One of the people who were suffering." He didn't add the greater fear he felt.

"Why are you worried? It was only a dream."

"I don't want to take a chance that it's real," the Prince said. "I used to dream about the Dahaka, remember? And he was real. I don't want to lose Kaileena."

Farah felt her blood boil. Her hands turned to fists and she could feel her nails cutting the palms of her hand.

"I don't want to hear about her anymore!" she said angrily. "Ever since you got home it's been Kaileena this Kaileena that and I'm tired of it!"

"Why? Because now for once you have to share the spotlight with someone else?" he asked.

'You know, it seems like you care a lot for her, don't you?"

"If you're trying to say that you think I'm in love with her than you're wrong. I love you," he said.

"Well you seem to be awfully concerned about her," Farah argued.

"I am! Because she's all alone here, and I have to protect her!" he said.

'Why Cyrus? Huh? She's a big girl. She lived on an Island her whole life; I think she can care for herself."

"That's why you didn't like her at first isn't it? Because you're afraid. Afraid that I'll leave you for her."

"That's not why!" Farah yelled. But then it registered what he said, and she said quietly, "But you said it, I didn't."

"I didn't mean it like that," he said, "I love you." The Prince tried to hug her but she pushed him away.

"No," she said. "I understand it all now."

"What?" he asked, "I've already told you the truth, but you don't seem to want to believe it. What do you want me to say? That I love her? Okay, I do. I love Kaileena! Happy now? I've said it."

Farah crossed her arms and didn't say anything.

"I love her but not like I love you," he continued.

Farah smiled, but it was not a happy smile, "You must think I'm a fool. It's clear to see how you feel about her. And you've just admitted it. You love Kaileena, so I guess you made a mistake tonight."

"What do you mean?"

Farah looked at him, straight in the eyes. His were full of confusion. Hers, were full of anger, and sadness. Her hand moved to her left finger and she slowly, almost hesitantly, removed the ring that he'd given her after he proposed.

She handed it to him and said, "You may want this back. I think you may have given it to the wrong woman." And she headed inside, collected her clothes and left. But she paused at the door, waiting. Waiting for him to stop her. To tell her he was sorry and prove that is was her he wanted. But nothing came. Allowing one tear to fall down her face, she left, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Out on the balcony, the Prince stared at the ring in his hand. It took a moment to register. Finally, it sunk it. He knew that she was standing by the door, waiting for him. And he was about to do it to. But something held him back.

What if Farah and I weren't meant to be after all? She's a reflection of who I used to be. Not who I am now. We're so different, I'm more like Kaileena now. Maybe…maybe she's right and I'm meant to be with Kaileena. Maybe…

So he just stood there, hearing the door click, signaling the departure of the woman he'd loved for so long, perhaps, out of his life forever…