Ariel and Eric sat quietly at the breakfast table the next morning. Neither of them speaking to each other since what had happened the night before. It was oddly quiet around the castle although it was full of guests.

"Good morning," Adam announced from the doorway as he made his way to the table. There was no response. "What's wrong with you two? Couldn't decide who would sing the other one to sleep last night?"

"I walked in on Eric being sucked on by Aladdin's daughter in our bedroom," Ariel jeered. Adam almost choked on his drink.

"Ariel! That's private!" Eric said hoarsely. Adam wanted to laugh but knew it was a sensitive situation he walked into that morning.

"Well," Adam tried to change the subject, "The kids just left on their camping trip. I'm taking bets on which ones will return alive."

Aladdin and Jasmine walked into the dining room with a covered-up Jade not too far behind.

"Good morning," Aladdin said cheerfully and Jasmine echoed his words behind him.

"Sultan, Sultana, have a seat, join us!" Adam bellowed across the room.

"I'm afraid we can't stay for breakfast, we should be off to Agrabah," Aladdin lamented. "Before we go, my daughter has something to say to you." Ariel clenched her jaw and tried to not make eye contact with the young woman.

"Sorry," she said begrudgingly, rolling her eyes. Jasmine squeezed Jade's arm roughly. "Ow, mom! Sorry for deceiving you."

"Jade has- special powers," Aladdin said and Ariel and Eric looked at him a bit confused. "She can make people see things that are not there. I believe that last night she got a bit carried away. She can project images of people, feelings, touches, but it all really is just in your head. It's uncomfortable and deceitful and intrusive, I know- she's done it to me. She also did it to us during the New Year celebration."

"I don't think that she understands the severity of toying with people's heads. She could've ruined their marriage!" Jasmine said loudly in Jade's ear. Suddenly an Elephant burst through the dining room wall, blaring his trunk loudly and stepping on a wooden chair, breaking it into pieces. Everyone jumped up and away from the table. Just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone and so was Jade. The wall and the table were all intact.

"We're really, terribly sorry. I'm not sure what to do with these kids," Aladdin groaned, mostly to himself. "Thank you for your kind hospitality and understanding. We must go, Jasmine, now!" Aladdin looked terrified. As soon as they were both out of the door, Ariel and Eric looked at each other.

"Man, I thought my kids were nuts," Adam laughed. Ariel and Eric were not amused.

"Show him what you found this morning," Hugh told Emmett as they walked behind the group. Emmett reached down into his pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Tristan. Tristan held the note in his hand for a moment and blinked. It read:

Stay away from Melody and no harm will come to her.

"Who would write something like that?" Hugh asked.

"I know who," Emmett muttered angrily, looking at Harrison with his arm around Melody up ahead.

"You think so?" Tristan whispered.

"Who else would it be?"

Tristan wondered for a moment who could have written such a strange note. He noticed the others had finally stopped up ahead. They were standing in an area of the mountain that seemed like people had been before. Five or six tree stumps were scattered about and a circle of rocks in the middle where the ashes of a previous fire that was once lit.

"How many tents did we bring?" Andrew asked Hugh as he and Elizabeth began unpacking the items from a large trunk.

"I can help with that," Harrison walked over as Elizabeth pulled out the canvas for one of the tents. He briskly took the folded tent out of her arms and Elizabeth glared at him.

"Harrison, have you ever pitched a tent before?" she smirked. All the young men laughed and Harrison's face turned a light shade of red.

"So immature," he scoffed at her, shaking his head. It made Emmett laugh most of all to see Harrison embarrassed that way.

"Princess Melody," he stated boldly, "I'll set this up for you in no time." Melody smiled at him and as soon as he turned around set her gaze toward Emmett who quickly looked away and began unloading his bag. She looked over at Tristan who seemed to be deep in conversation with the young woman from the ball who was now wearing her clothes. She sighed to herself and figured she would lend a hand as well. She had been camping many times. Although, most of the time, her father and guards would do the majority of the work.

"Melody," Lauren came over with a big grin on her face, "Can I sleep with you in your tent tonight?"

"Sure!" Melody responded cheerfully.

"I have to tell you something," Lauren whispered.

"What is it?" Melody tried to whisper back.

"Mhhh," Lauren giggled nervously, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears awkwardly.

"Yes?

"Prince Harrison's brother- James," she said quietly, motioning her head toward James. James was a scraggly fifteen-year-old prince. He was kind, sweet, and very polite. Melody remembered him being a dreamer and sort of always doing his own thing when she visited Rotherham as a child. He looked like a younger, more child-like version of Harrison; making him handsome in his own way.

"Oh!" Melody feigned surprise, knowing very well that they all had noticed how much time Lauren and James were spending together. "Do you like him?"

"Sshh!" Lauren hissed with a blush, lowering her head and letting her hair fall down the sides of her face as to not be seen.

"Alright, you can tell me later," Melody laughed.

"Mel! Lemon drop! Get to work!" Elizabeth barked from the trunk.

"Don't call me that!" Lauren whined.

"I can call you whatever I want, Lahben," Elizabeth mocked her playfully. Lauren fought back a smile as she looked over at James to see if he noticed. He was helping Harrison set up a tent.

"Don't talk to me anymore, Lizzy," she said sternly and crossed her arms. Elizabeth gasped loudly and dropped some items she held in her hands. She ran over to Lauren and scooped her up off the tree stump she sat on, making her shriek with laughter.

"But I'm your Lizzy!" Elizabeth exclaimed loudly and covered Lauren's face with kisses. Emmett and Hugh laughed at the display. It had been known that when they'd visit Meridian, Lauren would adore Elizabeth and Elizabeth carried Lauren around like her own personal doll. It would make Alice and Belle nervous because they knew how rough Elizabeth could be when playing with the boys. But for some reason, Elizabeth was always a little softer with Lauren. She'd dress her up or make her say and do odd things, but she always took good care of her.

When Elizabeth was a young teen, her hormones and focus shifted to Hugh and other boys around and Lauren and Melody spent more time together. Melody also visited more often with Ariel and Eric than their family could.

"Hi," Melody said to Tristan as he unloaded some food while Sienna watched. She knew she had interrupted their conversation.

"What's up, Mel?" he asked cooly. Melody didn't really like the attitude in his response and she didn't like the fact that this young woman came out of absolutely nowhere and no one knew a thing about her.

"I just wanted to say hi, since you're my friend and all," she glared at Sienna. Sienna looked down at the ground.

"Hi," he responded. "Have you ever had these?" he asked Sienna, showing her some covered marzipan. She shook her head. "Oh, you'll love them. Actually, try one now."

"That's our dessert for later," Melody reminded him.

"Is that so?" he responded sarcastically, opening the container and extending it out to Sienna for her to take a piece. Sienna looked at Melody and then at Tristan.

"It's alright, I can wait until later," she said softly, a little embarrassed. Sienna's big, white, curly hair was done up in a high ponytail. Smaller, silver ringlets fell over the sides of her face. She was beautiful in a very exotic way. Her demeanor was humble and demure. Tristan looked at Melody and shook his head. He smiled to himself as he closed the lid of the sweets and set it down.

"What is it, Princess? Does the princess need attention?" he whined like a small child as he took a few steps toward Melody.

"Stop that!"

"Come here, princess!" he yanked her arm and pulled her into him.

"Tristan!" she yelled, but Tristan squeezed her tightly, so tightly she could barely breathe. Tristan pushed her head into his chest, muffling her yelling against his shirt.

"There, there," he rocked her back and forth as she tried her best to release herself from his hold. Melody opened her mouth and bit his chest, hard, and he immediately released her with a howl.

"I hate you!" she huffed, trying to catch her breath as she rested her hands on her knees. Tristan laughed and turned to Sienna who looked genuinely worried for Melody.

"Want to go for a walk?" he asked her, extending his hand to her.

"Tristan, we're setting up here," Melody complained.

"Let me know when you're finished," Tristan said nonchalantly without turning to face her.

"Maybe we should stay and help," Sienna told him. Tristan shook his head and continued to walk.

"Alright everyone," John tried getting everyone's attention once they were settled in and the tents had been built, "We're going to pick names out of this hat to see who your chore partner is."

"Chore partner?" Elizabeth complained.

"Yes, chore partner. We will all do our fair share to keep the trip running smoothly and well organized."

"Good idea," Harrison said to him and John grinned politely, acknowledging his compliment.

"Now, ladies first," he said and placed the hat in front of Lauren. Lauren looked around at everyone and then put her hand in. "You'll be gathering sticks and firewood for the fire," John told her. She nodded obediently. She grabbed the paper and her eyes lit up.

"James," she said with a bashful smile. James tried to act cool but he was so excited his heart was racing.

"Wait a minute," Hugh interjected, "I'm not sure the two youngest should be placed on assignment together. It's not safe."

"Shut up, Hugh!" she yelled at him.

"They'll be fine, Hughie" Elizabeth teased him, "My turn." She grabbed a paper from the hat, read the name and then tried to throw it back in. John moved the hat away and the paper fell on the ground. John picked up the paper and smiled to himself.

"Prince Harrison, you and my darling sister will be collecting water."

"Of course," Harrison agreed dutifully. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and busied herself with something to avoid eye contact with him.

"Princess Melody," John placed the hat in front of her and Melody grabbed a paper and unfolded it. "Trash duty."

"Tristan," she read off, but Tristan was too busy saying something to Sienna to pay attention. "Tris!"

"What?" he replied, completely lost.

"Alright, Lady Sienna," John walked over to them, "Your turn." Sienna slowly reached for a paper and studied the name carefully.

"Eee-meet? Ehm-miit?"

"Emmett," Emmett corrected her with a laugh, she laughed back a bit embarrassed.

"Sorry about that," she said with an apologetic look on her face.

"The two of you can collect berries and fruits, anything for us to eat."

"Hugh, how about you and I hunt and Andrew can stay here and guard the base while we're gone," John instructed.

"Aye," Hugh joked, saluting his hand up to his eyebrow.

"Of course, your highness," Andrew nodded.

That evening around the fire, Hugh was telling the group a long, funny story with his arms around Elizabeth. Melody was sitting next to Harrison and beside him was his brother, James, then young Lauren by his side. Emmett stared at Melody across the fire and she couldn't help but look back. Tristan and Sienna were also there, but hardly participating. John sat near Andrew, but they didn't look at each other very much.

"This is nice, isn't it, Princess?" Harrison whispered to Melody.

"It is," she smiled at him, he was just too handsome to not smile at.

"I'm glad I'm here with you. Thank you, for allowing me and my brother to join you on this trip."

"It's really my pleasure to have you," she said politely. Harrison stretched his arm around her and moved closer to her, resting his hand on the side of her hip. Melody leaned in slightly against the side of his chest. Mostly because she was tired, but he also smelled so good. Tristan and Sienna suddenly got up and made their way to their tent without saying a word to anyone. Once they were inside all the group could hear was light giggling.

"When you're ready to head to your tent, let me know and I'll walk you," Harrison told her.

"She can walk three steps on her own, Harry," Elizabeth chimed in with a laugh.

"If I ever need your opinion, Elizabeth, I'll ring a bell," he said calmly.

"Hey Harry, are you all wound up so tightly up north?" Hugh asked.

"I don't engage with commoners," Harrison whispered to Melody.

"Well, I'm going to head to bed," Melody announced.

"Lauren, time for bed," Hugh called out. Lauren sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.

"I'm not a little kid, Hugh!"

"Aww, let her stay up," Elizabeth asked him. He shook his head.

"We're all going to bed here shortly," he said.

"Since Tristan took my tent partner I'm all alone," Elizabeth mentioned to Hugh. Melody and Hugh had both left to their own tents and Emmett left shortly after. John and Andrew were the first ones to leave, but at different times. Meanwhil,e Lauren still dawdled around with James, chatting near her tent door.

"Lauren!" Hugh warned her and she quickly kissed James goodnight on his cheek and headed inside the tent with Melody.

"Gosh," Lauren fell back onto her blanket, "He's so dreamy."

"Everyone notices how obsessed with each other the two of you are," Melody warned her.

"I don't care," she said nonchalantly. Melody envied how unafraid of her feelings Lauren was.

"I would hate to hide the way I really feel the way everyone else here does. Well, maybe except for that Tristan guy. Now, those two are obsessed with each other."

"What do you mean? How do people here feel about each other?" Melody asked. Was she that aloof? Was a fourteen year old more perceptive than she?

"Well, you and my brother can't stop staring at each other, but you won't speak," she told her.

"What? No, I don't stare at-" Melody stopped herself.

"Mel, come on. My brother is madly in love with you. He always has been. Did you see that statue he made you? At home, he doesn't shut up about you- well, when he speaks, which is rare."

"Really?" she felt her heart warm.

"And Hugh is such a bossy, charlatan. He's taking out his sexual frustrations on me. I hope Elizabeth gives him what he wants tonight so that he wakes up in a better mood."

"Wow, you're very observant," Melody told her.

"Don't get me started on Prince John. He can fool the whole kingdom, but he can't fool me. I've never seen him look at a woman once."

Melody was dumbfounded- her own cousin, she had never noticed his behavior until catching him with Andrew the night before.

"I have to talk to Emmett," Melody rose from underneath her covers, "Goodnight, Lauren."

"Night, Mel," she responded.

"What is the matter with you?"

"What do you mean?" John replied to Andrew, as he stared up at the roof of their tent. He could still hear the quiet and the not so quiet chattering of the others around outside.

"I thought you'd pick us to be together for the chores today. You seem distant, more than usual," Andrew pulled his shirt up over his head and curled it up into a ball he used to rest the back of his neck on as he laid down on his back. John did have quite a bit on his mind lately and he wasn't sure why. He felt relief whenever his father wasn't around. He wanted to share with Andrew, his fears about the future and the future of his kingdom. He wanted to tell him how much pressure he was under to marry and take the throne. He wanted to tell him about the princesses at the ball and how hard it was to feign interest in any of them.

"Perhaps I don't have very much to say."

"As always," Andrew sighed, followed by a deep inhale. "How many men have you been with?"

"Enough," John smiled to himself and then turned his head to look at Andrew, waiting for his own response to the question.

"Including you? Only four."

"I find that difficult to believe."

"Well, I do enjoy women as well."

"Ah, that's right. You're still in denial," John jabbed at him.

"I am not! The only thing that could make you better is a large set of breasts," he joked, which made John chuckle. Andrew reached out beside him and took a hold of John's hand.

"Not sure if we should do this right now," John whispered, listening for people chatting near the fire.

"I just want to hold your hand," Andrew told him with a smile. John looked back up at the ceiling as he held back a grin.

Melody waited near the dying fire for her cue. Everyone else was in their tents and most of the chattering had died down and lanterns were off. The only lantern that was still on was in Hugh and Emmett's tent. Melody waited patiently and within a few minutes, out came Hugh and sat on the log across from her.

"Thank you," she mouthed to him and hurried off into the tent. Crawling in, she noticed that Emmett was reading a book on his stomach, facing away from the entrance. The lantern was near him and he didn't turn back to look at her. She was suddenly nervous and unsure of what to do or say.

"I'll finish this chapter soon, Hugh," he said quietly.

"You don't have to," she responded and he quickly turned around.

"Lottie," he looked surprised as he sat up, "What are you doing here?"

"Why are you not speaking to me?" Melody demanded. She appeared genuinely hurt. He didn't respond and looked down at his lap. "Did I do something to you?"

"No."

"Do you not like me anymore?" her voice grew a little louder, almost as if it were about to crack.

"No, never! I- I- Of course I like you, princess."

"What then?"

"I- I'm not so sure we're right for each other." Melody felt her heart sink and her eyes swell up with tears.

"Why not?"

"You're royal, you should be with other royals."

"I don't care that you're not a prince," she pleaded. Emmett reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"I really don't think that we should be together," he said a little more loudly and handed the paper to Melody.

"Em, I really don't-" she stopped herself as she read the words. She stared at it in awe and then at Emmett who looked at her helplessly.

"We can't be together," he said the words forcefully and slowly. Melody closed her fist around the paper, crumpling it in her hand. She leaned into Emmett and held herself up by her hands on her knees and stopped inches from his face. "Mel," he whispered into her mouth before she planted her lips on his. She stuck her tongue in his mouth and flicked his top lip lightly. Emmett brought his hands to her chin and cupped it gently, pulling her face closer to his and kissing her with a great longing.

"I missed you," she exhaled deeply and kissed him again.

"What about the note?" he whispered, "I don't know who wrote it."

"I don't care."

"I care. I don't want anything to happen to you," he said worriedly placing a hand on her cheek.

"Nothing's going to happen to me."

'What about Prince Harrison? I don't trust him."

"I'll keep pretending until we can figure out who wrote the note."

"So, I have to watch you kiss him with his hands all over you?" Melody was happy to know he was getting a little jealous. For a moment she feared he didn't care at all.

"I wish I were sleeping with you tonight."

"Is Lauren asleep?"

"Thirty minutes now," she told him.

"Did anyone see you come here?" he asked softly. Melody got a sense of where his questions were going and felt a little dangerous.

"Just Hugh," she responded and brought a hand to her face. She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against his warmth.

"Sometimes, I just can't believe you're real," he said before leaning in and kissing her.

Hugh suddenly walked into the tent with a big grin on his face.

"Are we being too loud?" Emmett asked him quietly.

"Nah. You know, this is the first time I've seen my brother kiss anyone," Hugh said to Melody. Emmett's face turned a light shade of red and Melody wondered if their kiss on the beach was his first kiss as well. They were silent a moment, then Hugh continued, "I'm sleeping in your tent tonight with Lauren, you two can stay here. Just be careful in the morning." Emmett nodded.

"Lizzy is in there now, too," Melody smiled at him.

"Oh, I am very aware," he winked at her.

"Hugh," Emmett nagged him, "You're engaged."

"Relax, nothing is going to happen. Our sister is there."

"I think someone is still up," James whispered to Harrison in their dark tent. They were both lying on opposite ends of the tent.

"Most likely, go to sleep," Harrison responded.

"Do you think it might be Lauren?"

"I don't know, go to sleep."

"She really likes to draw, just like I do. And, we both enjoy reading and poetry. She told me about this one time, her cat-"

"You must really like this girl," Harrison turned toward his brother.

"What? No," James responded quickly, "She's just nice."

"Good," Harrison rolled back around, "You should stay away from commoners."

"I know it's been only a day, but I've really missed you," Melody said softly, cuddled into Emmett's arms wrapped in several blankets late that night in the tent.

"You wouldn't have thought so the way you were going with Harrison. Are you interested in him?"

"Well, no," she said.

"You don't sound so sure."

"You weren't speaking to me, so I thought that maybe I could be interested in him."

"You were trying to make me jealous," he said.

"Maybe just a little," she smiled, "Did it work?"

"I want to murder him," he muttered.

"Don't be silly," she tilted her head up and pecked his lips.

"Last night," he started.

"Wasn't it amazing?"

"It was the best night of my life. Waking up next to you, I never thought I'd be like this with you again. I thought I had lost you."

"I'm right here."

"I want to be able to give you everything."

"I don't need anything. I only want you, as you are," she told him, followed by a tender kiss.

"I can't believe I'm stuck doing this silly chore with you," Elizabeth complained as she hiked through the woods in her heavy boots and long pants the next day.

"I think you're going the wrong way," Harrison called out behind her.

"The water is north west, at the start of the river. Don't be stupid."

"Lizzy-"

"And stop calling me that. Only my friends can call me that."

"You have friends?"

"Try to keep up," she said, rolling her eyes

It wasn't too long before they reached the waterfall. The base of the river was too shallow to jump off the cliff but deep enough for a swim.

"I'm getting in," she smiled from ear to ear.

"It's too cold, you'll freeze," he warned her, filling up canteens with water for the group.

"Yeah, we'll find out," she said, taking her boots off and tossing them on the ground. She then jumped right into the water with clothes and all. "Oh, my god!" she shrieked, "It's freezing!" Harrison couldn't help but laugh as she quickly scurried out and sat on the ground. She gave her long hair a few squeezes to get the water out and began undoing her long braid.

Harrison filled up the last of the canteens and noticed that she was silent as she sat, staring at the water shivering.

Elizabeth suddenly felt a heavy pressure around her. It was Harrison's jacket draped over her shoulders.

"I wanted to forget you were even here," she jabbed nonchalantly.

"Did you?"

"Almost."

Harrison took a seat beside her on the ground.

"I wanted to make sure I helped a damsel in distress," he smirked.

"Here," she took his jacket off her shoulders and threw it back at him.

"Come on, you like wearing men's clothes, I figured this would complete your outfit."

"Get away from me, virgin," she scoffed at him.

"You're still on about that? Are you upset that I broke things off between us?"

"You?!" Elizabeth's eyes widened. They both knew very well that Harrison had proposed to her many times over many years and each time Elizabeth would decline. "You're too involved with your own mother to have a relationship with anyone else. You have to remain a good little virgin."

He stood up and draped the jacket over her shoulders, this time squeezing her tightly from behind in a hug. Elizabeth resisted a moment but then leaned back into his warmth. She remembered what a good person he was. Too good for her, she had decided a long time ago. He was too noble, too honest, to the point where she deemed him boring.

He sat on the ground behind her and spread his legs open, scooping himself up against her and allowed her to fall back into his arms.

"Silly girl," he said and kissed her cold, wet cheek. "Remember the last time we were like this?"

"No, Harrison, I don't want to talk about it."

"Ah, that's right. Elizabeth the stoic. So brave and strong, no one can hurt her."

"Stop," she smiled, putting her hand against his and making their fingers interlock. He felt her bottom press more firmly against his crotch and tried to move back a bit to avoid becoming aroused, but it was too late. Elizabeth knew what she was doing.

"You're so cold," he said, holding her more securely in his arms. She turned her body sideways against him and rested her head on his shoulder like a small child. She remembered his familiar scent. A man taller than she was, from a powerful family with strong warrior bloodlines. Harrison was strong, charming, educated, and dashingly handsome. Every princess near and far wanted him. They were groomed for him. Elizabeth had only ever wanted to bed him. He looked down at her upturned nose and gave it a small kiss.

"You've never been this quiet, Lizzy. What are you up to?"

"You're so handsome," she laughed, stroking his chin.

"Alright," he said and stood up abruptly, pushing her off of him. She knew that would annoy him. "When are you going to grow up?"

"I don't need you or anyone to save me!"

"How long will you keep up your games?" he said, straightening his posture. "And what kind of woman wears pants?"

"Maybe I'm a man."

"You wish you were a man," he told her.

"Then maybe you'd like me more if I were," she jeered, gathering the canteens.

"Ha, I'm not your brother," he scoffed, which made her stop in her tracks. As far as she was aware, no one else knew about John but the men he bedded.

"Don't you dare speak ill of my brother!" she yelled fiercely.

"It's no secret. It's painfully obvious if you ask me."

"Half of the kingdom says the same thing about you."

"I feel very confident with myself and my virtue," he said proudly. It bothered her how hard he was to rattle. "Did your father not hug you enough as a child? Because you've seen more beds than a veteran chambermaid."

Elizabeth felt her blood boil, how dare he speak to her that way?! She planted both feet on the ground and then charged at him like a bull. Harrison had little time to react. She forcefully pushed him up against a nearby tree, holding him down with one arm and drawing a small knife from her side to his neck with the other.

"Don't you ever mention my father's name again!" she growled. Harrison held her glare. She was breathing so heavily against his face, he could feel her breath in his mouth.

"You know I just let you do that," he told her, "Who lets someone else pin them from the front?" Elizabeth pushed the knife against his neck even harder. "That tickles a bit, I might burst into laughter." Elizabeth slowly slid the knife against his skin, drawing a few drops of blood against the blade.

Harrison sighed and gripped the side of her leg with his, making her lose balance and fall on her bottom, grabbing the knife from her hand as she fell. He carefully folded the knife back into its place and handed it to her on the ground. Elizabeth kicked him, making him lose his footing and fall beside her. She tried to strike him while he was down but he quickly rolled away and then captured her beneath him.

"You're stronger than the last time we did this," he grinned, pinning her down by her wrists over her head.

"I'll murder you!" she gritted between her teeth. Harrison raised an eyebrow, something about her being defenseless under his hold breathing heavily aroused him in a way he had never expected. She looked like she would bite him if he got near enough. Her wet hair was covered in dirt and leaves from the ground. He lowered himself down to her, his face almost touching hers. She almost looked like she would spit on him, but instead she lifted her head and kissed him. He kissed back, just as hungrily.

Moving their tongues rapidly, Elizabeth could barely control her breathing as Harrison explored her mouth with his from above. They kissed so hard their lips ached. Harrison kissed down her chin and to her neck, licking her cold, wet skin. He stopped at the top of her chest, beneath her collar bone and stared down at her wet, white men's shirt that clung to her body. Elizabeth exaggeratedly rose and dropped her chest with each breath.

"Touch me," she said with a quiver in her voice, for a moment she almost sounded submissive. Harrison could no longer hold back, he placed one hand on each of her breasts and fondled them roughly. He had never touched a pair of breasts before. Part of him wished to savor the moment, but he didn't want to stop. She reached out and placed a hand over the firmness in his pants and stroked it slowly. Harrison's eyes rolled back and closed at how good it felt; he was losing all sensibility.

He had a sudden fire burning deep within him for her. He felt as if he were in a beautiful nightmare committing the biggest sin known to man. He didn't care. He opened his eyes and met her now small, seductive hazel eyes.

"You're the devil," he told her huskily and she grinned. He grabbed the collar of her shirt and pulled it open in one quick movement, her firm breasts bouncing into view and dark, rose colored nipples tensing at the forest air. He hovered his hands over them for a moment and then gripped them tightly, feeling her nipples harden between his fingers.

"Mhh," she moaned loudly, arching her back. Her skin made his blood boil and mouth water. He licked his lips, lowered himself to her breast and sloppily licked and sucked on its protruding nipple. While he was distracted by her breasts, Elizabeth quickly slid off her pants and underwear. She then continued stroking him over his pants, opening its buttons slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements that would scare him off.

"Oh, Harrison! Yes, that feels so good!" She finally managed to reach the flesh of his penis and pulled it out of his pants. He froze a moment and she quickly wrapped her legs around his hips and rolled her body to the side, rolling him with her and pinning him to the ground while she straddled him.

"Liz-"

"I'm in control," she growled and kissed him down on the ground. He watched a little nervously from below at her with her long wet hair over her shoulders in her torn open white oversized shirt with no pants on. He watched her lean her body back and he placed a hand over her tight abdomen and spread it up to her breast and then down again.

She reached back and grabbed him firmly in her hand, pointing it at herself from behind, she eased her way back onto it, letting it slip deep inside her. She smiled as she watched his face contort into odd shapes and expressions, feeling himself wet with a woman's juices for the first time. As she bounced her body up and down his shaft, he couldn't stop touching her; her stomach, her breasts, her thighs, her hips, he ran his hands all over her.

He couldn't breathe fast enough and felt his heart would soon fail. It took everything in his power to not explode deep inside of her almost instantly. After less than a few minutes he sat up on his bottom and held the base of her back. She leaned her body back, giving him full access to her breasts again.

"Take me," she encouraged him and he pumped himself into her over and over again, feeling his pressure rise. "Harder!" she commanded, licking over his lips. She slapped him hard across the face. "You're so weak, I hate you!" she yelled before sucking on his lips again.

"Agh!" Harrison gritted his teeth, his body started to tremble with ecstasy and rage, making her whimper with each thrust. He dug his face into her neck and let out a low growl. His body tightened around hers, letting out its last few thrusts before being able to catch his breath again against her chest. His mind was racing, he wanted to just lay there forever between her breasts.

"Wow," she laughed, "You were hiding that thing all this time?" Her voice was suddenly piercing to his ears.

"What have I done?" he lamented, looking around at the state of the two of them, he quickly closed her torn shirt, "Cover yourself up. Have some shame." She only giggled. He pushed her off of him and rose to his feet. He picked up his jacket from the ground by the water and brushed some leaves off of it. The more he tried to get himself together, the more she laughed maniacally from the ground.

"You really are the devil," he shook his head at her disapprovingly. She slowly spread her legs open again toward him from the ground.

"It's your fluid dripping out of me," she said, lowering a hand between her legs and then bringing it to her lips for a taste. He sighed, embarrassed and ashamed and walked back toward the campsite with canteens in hand.

"Emmett?" Sienna asked.

"Yes, haha," he laughed, "That's how you say it."

They had spent the last couple of hours looking for berries and fruit to eat for dinner.

"Do you know these lands at all?"

"No."

"Neither do I. I'm not entirely sure where it is we're supposed to go, as long as we can make our way back." Emmett looked at her. There was something strange about her he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Were you upset that you couldn't be paired up with Tristan?"

"It's fine," she said politely, "You're nice."

"You're not much of a talker, are you?" he asked, "I usually don't talk so much, myself. My brother does all of the talking for both of us and if it isn't him it's my mother or even my little sister. Sometimes, even my dad. But never me. I guess I'm the one rambling on now. Sorry."

"It's alright. Are you upset about Melody?"

"Melody? What do you mean?"

"Don't you like her?"

"I mean, we sorta grew up together," he began to lie, "Well, yeah. I do like her."

"She's with that other boy, but I think she likes you more."

"You think so?" Emmett smiled to himself, wanting to mention the previous night when Melody snuck into his tent and spent the night.

"Yes. You should try talking to her when no one is around."

"Ah, you're a little sneaky, aren't you?" he joked and she blushed, embarrassed. "Sorry, I was only kidding." Emmett found a fallen tree and sat on it, straddling it with one leg on each side. "Do you know what it's like to spend your whole life in love with your best friend and all you could do is wait for the day when they finally notice you?"

"More than you know," Sienna said, she sat beside him and buried her head in her hands, her curly white hair flowing forward.

"What's your story?" Emmett asked, "How did you even get here? Where are you from?"

"I- I can't say," Sienna told him solemnly.

"Why not? You know, everyone thinks you're some sort of secret spy sent to murder one of us."

"What?!" she laughed, "Oh, gosh. A spy?! No, no."

"What then?"

"You'd never believe me."

"Oh, trust me, there are some things about Ariel and Eric and their family that only few know. I wouldn't have believed it- but knowing now, I'd believe anything."

"Hmm, oh, look! Fruit!"

"Really? Where?"

"Up there," she pointed up to a tree. The trees with the fruit seemed to be toward the west of the land near the edge of a cliff. "We can throw something at it."

"I can climb that," he said, walking over to the tree.

"Uh, are you sure? That's a little high."

"I think it should be alright. Which one looks better?

"Try the smallest one," she said hesitantly.

"You think so?" Emmett quickly climbed up the tree and made his way to the first branch. He shook it wildly, causing some fruit to fall to the grown. "Watch out below!" he called out to Sienna. He climbed up even further shaking another branch recklessly making more fruit to fall.

"Alright, that's good. Come down now," she called out to him with some worry in her voice. If he falls out of the tree, he'd fall right down the cliff into a big river down below that leads to the ocean.

"Alright, I'm coming."

On his way down, before hitting the last branch, Emmett slipped and held on to the thick branch at the last minute.

"Oh, no!" Sienna cried out, running toward him trying to get beneath him.

"I'm ok," he laughed, "I can jump from here." He jumped down smoothly, planting down on both feet with ease, inches away from the edge. "See? I'm alright."

"Good," she smiled, "I was worried."

Suddenly, the earth began to tremble beneath them, causing the ground beneath Emmett to collapse.

"Emmett!" Sienna shrieked, lunging herself forward to help him and nearly falling forward herself. She watched as he fell fifty feet down the cliff and into the river, hitting his head once on the way down. As she watched him float away, she knew what she had to do.

"They've been gone for a while now," Melody said to Tristan, as they were hovering above the trees on the magic carpet Melody had gotten for her birthday.

"Yes, I know, Mel."

"What if something bad happened to them? You don't even know that girl. What if she did something to him?!"

"Shut up!" Tristan snapped, "You're not helping."

"You're the one so caught up in her spell you've been ignoring everything around you."

"Are you jealous?" he asked, annoyed.

"No! She wasn't even invited to my party, no one knows who she is and you have her staying at the castle already?"

"Fine, when we get back, I'll ask her to leave."

"Good! You should."

"And I'll go with her."

"What? Tris, no-"

"To be honest, all this royal stuff is getting a little old. I was fine before and I'll be fine after," he said angrily, looking over the edge of the carpet as she scanned the land. His words felt like a huge blow to her stomach.

"Why are you behaving this way? Because of her?"

"I'm sick of your nonsense, Mel. Not everything is about you."

Melody almost felt like crying, but she didn't. She felt so angry with him, however, didn't want to make things worse. She definitely didn't want him to leave.

"There they are!" he pointed up ahead.

They were on the beach and as they flew closer they could see Emmett lying on the sand with Sienna hovering over him. Both Melody and Tristan felt a fit of uncontrollable jealousy come over them.

"Hey!" Tristan shouted as they neared and Sienna looked up and waved him over.

"He's hurt!" Melody cried.

Tristan noticed that Sienna looked nervous and was saying something to Emmett who now seemed to be trying to sit up. As soon as they reached the ground, Tristan jumped off the carpet and threw his arms around her.

"Em, are you ok?' Melody asked, kneeling down by his side, "You hurt your head."

"It's just a scratch."

"What happened?" Tristan asked.

"Well we-" Sienna started.

"I fell off the cliff and she saved me," Emmett cut her off.

"Really?" Melody asked. Tristan found it curious that Sienna seemed like she was going to say something different.

"We were trying to get fruit from some trees further up the river."

"What fruit?" Tristan asked.

"We don't know. We couldn't see them well," Emmett said, getting up to his feet with Melody's help.

On the carpet ride back to camp Melody had noticed that Sienna kept glancing back at Emmett. When they got back to camp, she pulled him aside and led him into the forest.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm alright, just a little sore," he exhaled sharply, clutching at his side.

"I can't go another night watching him put his hands all over you," Emmett told Melody.

"He didn't have his hands all over me," she replied, "What about you and that girl? The two of you have been acting weird since we found you. What were you whispering about earlier?"

"What? Sienna? We're just friends."

"Now you're friends?"

"What's wrong with you? It sounds like you're jealous. Is it because she's taking pretty Tristan away from you?"

"No! Why would you say that?"

"Listen, I only want you. If you don't tell Harrison to back off tonight, I will," he said sternly. His protectiveness of her turned her on a bit.

"I'll tell him," she responded, knowing that if Emmett were to confront Harrison, he wouldn't stand a chance. He pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her.

"You're all I've ever wanted," he told her, lowering his head and resting his forehead down on hers, his golden hair falling over his dreamy green eyes. Melody felt a chill rush down her spine. She felt sparks whenever he touched her.

"We should go away, just the two of us."

"Just us? What about your family? Would they allow that?"

"I- I don't know. I don't really care," she pulled away from him, "I want to see the world, explore, learn new things, different languages, try different foods."

"Wow. I don't know, Lottie, I-"

"Hey! Lovebirds!" Elizabeth called out from behind some trees as she made her way over, interrupting their moment. "Food is almost ready." Emmett quickly walked away leaving Melody with Elizabeth.

"What's going on between you two? What happened earlier with him and that weird girl?" she asked.

"Who knows? They were behaving so strangely when Tristan and I found them all wet on the beach," Melody told her.

"What's going on between you and Harry?"

"Prince Harrison is sweet, but I'm not sure how to break it to him that he's just not the one for me. He needs someone who is very traditional and antiquated, like him," Melody said. Elizabeth laughed. "I didn't mean that in a bad way!" Melody tried to correct her words, "You know what I mean, right?"

"Come on, Mel, let's go," Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Melody's arm, feeling a huge sense of relief.

"Well, that was an eventful second day, only two more to go," Elizabeth said sarcastically back at the campfire that evening after dinner. Harrison, who was sitting next to Melody, looked down at his lap. He felt like everyone knew what had happened earlier that day in the woods between him and Elizabeth. There was low murmuring of the group having their own individual conversations.

"Everyone," Elizabeth called out, let's play a game. There were some sudden moans and groans. "Come on, it won't kill any of you."

"Lauren," Hugh called out, snapping his little sister out of her trance in conversation with Prince James, "Maybe it's time for you to go to bed."

"Really, Hugh?" she looked at him with wide eyes, as if trying to tell him something.

"Go, you're much too young for these games," he said sternly. Lauren groaned and rose to her feet.

"Lizzy, tell him I can stay."

"Sorry, if it were up to me I'd say yes. Maybe next year," Elizabeth looked at her empathetically. Lauren pursed her lips and bid everyone a good night before going into her tent.

"Ok, we'll each get a pint of beer and one person starts by saying 'I've never…' and then they say something they've never done and if you have done it, you drink," Elizabeth explained as she passed out cups and Andrew began to wheel a small barrel of beer near the group.

"I think I may head to bed as well," James said with a big stretch and exaggerated yawn.

"Or we could just sit here and drink until we do stupid things and pass out," Andrew said, taking a slug of beer.

"See, that's a great idea!" Hugh encouraged him and Elizabeth glared at him intently.

"Fine. Let's not play anything then. Since you're all such cowards."

"So, Sienna, right?" Hugh asked, suddenly. Sienna nodded. "Where are you from?"

"Oh, it's a uh- small town. You've probably never heard of it," she responded uncomfortably.

"Really? I know all of these lands," Elizabeth boasted. Tristan looked at her curiously as well.

"It's called uhm- Wood-en town," she stuttered. Emmett almost laughed at her obvious lie.

"Woodenton? That can't be real," Elizabeth called her out, "Where are you really from? And what's with the weird hair? Is it magic or something?"

"No!" Sienna laughed uncomfortably and looked at Emmett.

"Why are you looking at him?" Elizabeth interrogated the frightened young woman, "Did the two of you have something going on during your gathering today? I see there wasn't much food collected."

"No," Sienna said quietly and looked down at her lap.

"She saved me today, I almost drowned," Emmett interjected.

"Is your family noble or common?" Melody asked. Tristan glared at Melody, but she didn't care.

"I don't have any gold," she responded calmly.

"Then you're a tavern whore?" Melody blurted carelessly.

"Melody, stop it!" Emmett yelled at her, but Melody had almost immediately regretted her harsh words as soon as they left her lips.

"Whores have gold," Elizabeth laughed. Sienna shrunk on the log beside Tristan, not sure what to do or say.

"How about a dance?" Hugh got up immediately in his efforts to diffuse the tense situation and wrapped his arms around Elizabeth. Elizabeth turned and kissed him with her eyes open and purposely fixed on Harrison.

Melody sat back down next to Harrison and when she glanced over at Emmett, he looked away. She felt terrible about how she had treated Sienna, it wasn't like her at all to behave that way.

"I say we propose a toast," Harrison said loudly, lifting his beer in the air and getting everyone's attention, "To these fine, princesses who may be queens some day, long may they reign."

Neither Tristan nor Emmett joined him in his toast. Tristan was whispering something to Sienna who looked like she was near tears. She nodded and they both quietly rose and headed toward their tent.

"Leaving already?" Elizabeth called out obnoxiously with a smirk.

"Hey, it's alright, don't cry," Tristan said softly as he stroked Sienna's thick, white hair cuddled up in their tent.

"Did I do something that offended them?"

"No, you did nothing wrong." he told her, "You're perfect."

"Then, what? I don't understand," she tried to dry her eyes, but Tristan was already wiping her tears.

"They're jealous."

"Of me? But why?"

"Because you're beautiful and different. Sexy, mysterious, exotic is the best word for it. I've caught all of the men here stare at you at some time or another."

"Really? Me?" she asked.

"Don't act like you don't notice."

"I don't, I-" she stopped herself.

"You what?"

"I only stare at you," she smiled, a little embarrassed. Tristan kissed her lips softly.

"Stay with me."

"I am with you," she told him.

"I mean, forever," he placed a hand at her cheek.

"I want to, so much."

"We'll leave here together; see the world," he gave her a long deep kiss.

"What's a whore?" she asked him.

"What? Oh," he realized, "It's not a nice word."

"What does it mean?"

"It's a woman who beds men for gold," he explained.

"Oh, I don't really understand."

"Don't think about it too much," he told her, pulling her body closer to his. He pulled the sheets down a bit and rested his head in between her large, brown, pillow-like breasts. "I want to stay right here, forever."

"How will you eat?" she giggled. He brought a hand to her left breast and tried to caress the entire thing in his hand, but they were too big to fit.

"Like this," he said and brought his lips to the even darker center, he sucked on it gently while feeling her other breast press against his cheek. He was in heaven.

"Mhh, that's nice," she moaned softly, stroking his hair, "You really enjoy them."

"So much," he sighed contently. "I'd like to do something we haven't done before."

"Like what?"

"I'd like to do something to you," he pressed down on her shoulder to lay her flat on her back.

"Anything," she smiled eagerly. She watched as Tristan kissed down her body to her V shaped crease.

"It's so sleek and hairless," he whispered to himself, feeling his mouth water. He wedged his hands between her thighs and slowly spread them open, bending one at the knee. He lied there, between her legs, and stared for a moment. He examined her with his lips and the tip of his nose, running up, down and across her soft skin. He noticed her mound start to grow a bit. He used his fingers to spread her open.

"What does it look like?" she asked from above, her breasts spread wide across her chest. Tristan lightly brushed her small nub, wet his fingers with his mouth and lightly rubbed it some more. She'd tense at his touch. "Mhhh."

"It looks… delicious," he grunted before slurping and sucking on the glistening pink folds that parted her cocoa skin.

"I don't know how you can stand her," Emmett said to Hugh later that night in their tent.

"Who?"

"Princess Elizabeth, such an awful person."

"Quiet!" Hugh hushed him, "Royals are ruthless and mean."

"Eric and Ariel aren't like that."

"Yeah, well, they're weird."

"I like them," Emmett added, "I can't believe Melody's behavior tonight. I thought I knew who she was. She's becoming more and more like her cousin."

"That wouldn't be a terrible thing, just keep bedding her and keep your mouth shut."

"We haven't done anything. I thought we would be- I don't know."

"Did you really think you'd marry her? Don't be ridiculous, she's royal and you're nobody," Hugh told him, "Or else, I would've married Elizabeth years ago."

The flap of the tent let a small chill inside, then Melody appeared beside it and let herself in.

"Hi," she whispered softly. Emmett lit up for a moment, glad to see her, then he remembered he wasn't too happy with her. He turned to his side and cracked open his book, dismissing her greeting.

"Are you mad at me?" she asked worriedly.

"Excuse me, princess," Hugh said and left them on their own.

"Am I mad at you? No," Emmett said dryly. Melody snuck under the covers beside him with a big smile on her face.

"I'd rather sleep alone tonight, Princess, if that's alright with you."

"Em? Look, whatever I did, I'm sorry."

"You're just not who I thought you were. I think it's best if we don't continue whatever it is that we're doing."

"It's because of her?" Melody's eyes began to fill with tears.

"No, it's because of you," Emmett felt his voice shaky- it was the hardest thing for him to say to her. She sat up and began to make her way out of the tent slowly.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, before leaving. Emmett felt his heart heavy and as much as he wanted to turn around and read his book, all he could do was cry softly until he fell asleep.

Elizabeth and Harrison walked back through the woods silently the next day, carrying their canteens of water for the group without even glancing at one another. They hadn't made eye contact since the previous night; the night Harrison fantasized about murdering Hugh one hundred different ways. Elizabeth secretly wished that he'd grab her and kiss her like he had the day before. Something about him and the previous day, she couldn't get out of her head.

"Princess," Prince Harrison broke the silence, "I'd like to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was very much so out of character and unbecoming of me as a gentleman."

"Oh, shut up," she rolled her eyes as they both continued to walk.

They reached the campsite and not many others were around. John was adding logs to the fire and seemed to be getting a pot ready.

"Hand me one of those canteens, please," he said to them and Elizabeth placed all of hers in their usual spot and then walked one over to him.

"What's the matter with you?" John whispered to her as soon as Harrison began to unload and organize his canteens as well.

"Nothing," she said quickly and looked away. John's eyes widened.

"Wow," his mouth hung open, "Never thought I'd see this day."

"What day?"

"My sister, in 'like' with somebody."

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are."

"Notice how he stopped mentioning his 'virtue' every 8 seconds?" she looked at him and winked, "That's all that happened."

"It's more than that. I can tell. It's the twin thing you're always going on about. It's like a third-eye."

"I don't know what any of that means, baby brother," she said to him.

"Just admit that you like him. Do you think about him when he's not around?"

"No," she lied.

"Right, I thought so. Have you thought about what happened yesterday over and over again?"

"How do you know it was yesterday?"

"You both came back completely disheveled; you, especially, looked a fright. Then you couldn't stop looking at each other all night. He wanted to kill Hugh."

"Hugh and I got a little carried away."

"Wow, my sister likes a boy, never thought I'd see the day."

"Any chance you'll ever like a girl?"

"I'd prefer castration," he answered and they both laughed, "So, what's your next move?"

Elizabeth looked back at Harrison who was busying himself with something and out of ear shot. She wanted until he looked over and he did. They locked eyes across the campsite, both waiting for the other to say something first. She held the stare and began to walk slowly back toward the woods, glancing back at him a few times as she did. Harrison felt mesmerized by her as she disappeared into the trees.

"Maybe you should follow her," John told him and Harrison nodded at him and hurried off.

It wasn't long before Harrison caught up to her since she was walking purposely slow. They walked in silence for a moment in fairly close proximity to one another, even brushing arms from time to time.

Harrison reached down and took her hand in his as they walked, stroking her skin with his thumb every so often. Elizabeth's face went warm and heart began to race. She had never only held hands with a man before, at least not innocently. They continued to walk through the woods silently, neither wanting to spoil the moment. They hardly knew what to say to each other, so instead, they just walked. They walked through the now familiar woods to the edge of the river and followed it for as far as it took for the sky to turn orange. He stopped suddenly and held her other hand as well, facing down to her. Her head ended right below his chin. She was tall, but he was taller.

In his heart, he knew. He knew he'd be bound to her for the rest of his life, whether she wanted to or not.

"So," she started softly, "What now?"

"I know Tristan didn't want me out here alone with you," Melody said to Sienna as they walked along the shore.

"Why did you invite me here?"

"I want to apologize for the way I treated you yesterday," Melody started, "You seem like a sweet and kind person and you didn't deserve it."

"What upset you?"

"I don't know. I guess I feel very protective over Tristan. He's my best friend and I care about him a lot."

"Oh," was all Sienna said.

"I'm glad he found you. He seems very happy and he seems serious about you, which isn't the norm for him," Melody told her. Sienna smiled to herself.

"I think I got a little jealous that you were spending time with Emmett."

"Emmett? Really?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

"Oh, he's a very sweet boy, but still very much a boy to me. I'm a little older than Emmett," Sienna smiled.

"That's a relief to know."

"Also, all he did was talk about you."

"Really?" Melody lit up.

"Yes, the entire time." Melody suddenly turned to Sienna and gave her a big hug.

"I'm so sorry!" Melody squeezed her tightly and then pulled away, taking Sienna's hands, "Maybe we can be friends? Good friends!"

"Of course," Sienna smiled and they continued to walk.

"I feel so silly now," Melody admitted, "Tristan isn't a big fan of me right now and Emmett hates me even more." The sky began to turn a dark shade of purple.

"I'll talk to them for you, if you'd like," Sienna suggested.

"Look out!" Melody shouted. A bright purple light whipped out of the ocean and wrapped itself around Sienna.

"Tell Tristan not to come for me!" she yelled before the purple covered her mouth and lifted her up and into the ocean. The magic carpet, that was never too far behind her, appeared and lifted Melody after her. Sienna reached out to Melody and Melody took a hold of her hands.

"Don't let go!" Melody shouted as she tried to pull Sienna away from the hold of the light. Melody dove into the water after her but all she could see were bubbles. She felt her fins form quickly and her dress disappear from around her.

"Sienna! Sienna!" she called out but there was no sign of her.

"What do you mean 'something took her'?!" Tristan yelled back at the campsite.

"I don't know what it was!" Melody cried, "I tried to stop it but it was too strong."

"We have to go get her," Elizabeth said quickly, ready for battle.

"From the ocean?" Harrison looked baffled. Everyone but Harrison, James, and Andrew knew about Merpeople.

"I have to tell you all something," Emmett blurted.

"Melody, if you did something to her-!" Tristan started.

"I didn't! I swear! Believe me!" Melody looked hurt for Tristan even accusing her.

"I have to tell you something about Sienna," Emmett interjected again.

"What, Em?!" Melody asked frantically.

"The day she saved me, she- she-"

"Spit it out!" Tristan yelled angrily.

"She turned into a seal."

Tristan and Melody both looked at each other and the blood drained from their faces.