As Kaden walked down the hallway to the mess, she bumped into someone tall and muscular.

"Adish! You're back!" She hugged him enthusiastically, and although he looked exhausted, he hugged her back with the same excitement.

"How have you been? I was worried sick that you went home or traveled far away." He opened the door to his large room and Kaden helped him lug his bags on to the bed.

"I've been fine, don't worry. Allan took very good care of me." She smiled thinking about last night's encounter. "On the other hand, you get some rest. You look like you died and came back to life. I'm going to eat supper." She gave him a look he couldn't disobey, so he climbed into bed. He kissed his sister genntly on the fore head.

"I'm glad I'm back."

Kaden left the room only to think about her brother. She was worried about him. 'I don't know what he did to take so much out of himself.' She sighed and tired not to think about it.

"Hi Kaden." Ambrose said from her left side. She didn't startle her this time. Kaden wanted to try and become friends with her, not enemies.

"Hey! How have you been?" She made sure she didn't sound too happy. She didn't want to startle her.

"Well, you know. Palace life isn't really for me. I feel useless."

"I know how you feel." Kaden said sympathetically. "There's nothing to do around here anymore."

"Yes, you're right! I'm more of the kind who likes to travel." Ambrose touched her arm lightly and smiled sweetly. They continued talking while they got supper and slid into their usual table to eat. It wasn't long until Allan found them. He sat next to Ambrose. Kaden felt a pang of some sort go off inside her; was it jealousy? Maybe he was just timid around her now because of their kiss. He didn't seem timid.

"I have an offer you two can't refuse!" He put on his best grin and his eyes crinkled on the sides.

"What is it?" Ambrose asked curiously. Allan looked mischeviously at the both of them.

"I'm going home for a few days, and my parents want me to bring a few of my friends with me. You two are perfect because I know you're so bored."

"Really? Are you sure?" Ambrose asked. She was so excited for the new way to get out of the palace that she jumped out of her chair and hugged Allan frantically. Kaden thought about it for a long time without talking. She could start her journey with her tow new friends. It sounded perfect, but for some strange reason, she was hesitant on leaving. What if her parents were right in front of her eyes? 'That's just foolishness. They can't be here in the palace, surely.'

"What about you, Kaden?" Ambrose asked excitedly. "Are you going to come? It wouldn't be fun without you." She said with a little frown on her face.

"Ummm... well, I'd have to think about it." Kaden didn't note the weird look that crossed Allans face; instead she ate the rest of supper and went to her room.

"Kaden... wait up." Allan sounded behind her. What did he want this time? She stopped although her insides told her not to.

"What?" She said, maybe a little too harsh. Was she mad at Allan or just flustered from last night? She turned around when he had caught up to her and continued to walk to her room.

"Why aren't you coming?"

"I didn't say I wasn't."

"Well, then, why don't you come?" He insisted.

"I don't know, just give me some time to think about it."

"You don't have any time." He said abruptly. Kaden swirled around, startled by the new comment.

"Why not?"

"We're leaving tomorrow afternoon. It's also going to be a long trip. I live about eight days travel from Corus." Kaden thought for a long time, just standing in the hall. Finally she came to her verdict.

"It's not going to hurt me at all to leave the palace for two weeks, right? Like, I'm not missing out on anything. If it's doing anything, it's-"

"It's doing it for the good. Kaden, you need to get out of the palace, and badly." He said as he walked slowly closer to her. After a moment of silence, Kaden looked into his deep, brown eyes. They looked almost like chocolate to her. 'There's no time for foolishness, Kaden. Stop it!' "So, have you decided to go?" Allan asked hopefully.

"I guess I can manage..." She said, then she smiled sweetly and kissed him on the cheek. "See you in the morning." Then she ran off.

In her room that night, she lay awake in her bed. She was thinking about what she had done earlier when she had kissed Allan on the cheek. 'That's putting up a statement.' She thought giddily. It really was, though. She had made a statement to herself and to Allan that she truely liked him more than a friend. He had also done it, but more bravely. She smiled and turned over. Trying to fall asleep was the worst for her. She couldn't seem to get comfortable tonight.

She got out of bed, got dressed and went for a walk outside. When her feet led her to the practice courts, she saw that she wasn't the only one. Someone sat alone on the benches. She walked up and sat next to the person. Whoever it was was surprised to see her. She didn't know them at all, but she gave them her best hello and smile.

"Couldn't sleep?" The stranger said.

"No. I have trouble. You too?" She asked.

"Yes." The voice was a mans and it was smooth and made her shiver. "What's your name, milady?"

"Kaden." She didn't dare ask who this man was. She didn't know why, but she couldn't ask him.

"Kaden, then, would you like to walk with me?"

"Yes, definately." Whoever this man was, she trusted him not to beat or rape her, which was strange. She had never met him before although he seemed so familiar. She couldn't see his face, either. "Do you usually go outside because you can't sleep? It helps me sometimes."

"Yes, actually. It helps me a lot. Sometimes I get a cup of cocoa or herbal tea. That helps, too."

They walked in silence before words came out of Kaden's mouth without her approval.

"Why do I feel so safe around you? I don't even know you and I feel like I can trust you. I know that nothing will happen to me." Before she could ask another question, he was gone. He disappeared. Was she hallucinating? Or was she just going crazy?

She walked back to her room and decided to forget about the whole incident. She was tired and she had a trip ahead of her. She walked inside thinking about the strange man.