Here is another chapter, I own nothing but the plot changes…

Princess Shaylee was with her guard heading to the evening meal as I walked with the Queen, it was so new the desire to leave the Queen's side to ensure her daughter was safe. I was fast figuring out there would be troubles ahead with how much more Princess Shaylee viewed aspects, she was more open to things as the time changed. The Queen ruled with a level head and left her heart behind and that was our winning factor, hard decisions have to be made in a split second.

"Thank you, Commander," the Queen beamed up at me as I helped her to sit. I answered with a low bow, "Always my pleasure your grace," taking my seat at her side, her daughter only gave me a bow of her head as greeting.

I started this meal with a new report, my eyes on the Queen. "Something has been killing demons in the region of Perth. But as the Gargoyles arrive it is gone, not that I object to whatever is killing demons, I am concerned. We have no inkling of what it is," I was more annoyed at it now as it was close to my homeland, this has happened so often during the passing years and we have paid no mind to it as it never hurt humans nor us.

The tinkling voice of the Princess cut into our conversation. "Have they sent scouts, aimed not to kill whomever it is helping us with this issue?" most smiled at her, she was wise but in my judgment to inexperienced.

Annoyed, "Why would we do such a thing, we don't know if this creature means us harm," my tone so disrespectful, I knew my mistake and wished to take the tone back but it was far too late. Her pale face turned as cold as ice her fingers tinged with purple fire. Now everyone looked at me with disgust and with good right.

Her tone was like ice, so hateful and cold and aimed at me, "Well since you have such a closed mind Commander, I will issue the order. I want three Gargoyles sent out to scout the area, I want it known this is only talking, whatever that is aiding us is not to be harmed in any way. If it meant us harm, do you not think it has had ample time to attack the Gargoyles as it has the demons? But I will also keep in mind your disrespect towards myself, the Princess," and she would. The time for my brass nature and crudeness had to be taken care of or I would lose her.

I raised my eyebrow, my disbelief was off the charts, but honestly, I had to say my pessimism had come to the point of even suspecting the sincerity of pessimists. Then my brother's jubilant voice cut in, "Thank you Princess Shaylee, I wanted the very same but Commander Gideon was very set against it. I will send word back to my Commander, we will try and locate and have words with our allies," my future wife gave him a beaming smile, one I haven't been able to give her.

Mother spoke, "Hello, Brice. It has been many years," my brother took to his knee in respect to our Queen. I watched side-eyed as Princess Shaylee stood looking down on him seeing Brice fully, not like he was not handsome he was a smaller weak version of myself. I so wanted to go to her but as my brother gave her his most dashing smile, one she returns did she take her seat with Keziah who could be heard trying to whisper. "Tension is so thick a knife could cut through it," Keziah smiled as Ophir gave a small chuckle.

Brice and I, well the looks we bestow on the other are not those of brothers, but age-old enemies.

Brice bowed low, "I am sorry my Queen; I will be at every meeting instead of my Commander. I was in the battle at the time of the ball, I now wish I had been here as I see a true vision sitting in front of me. Hello, Commander Gideon, our parents will be here at first light," I noted when he spoke about the Queen it was filled with respect, the Princess it was lust and desire, and for I was hate pure evil hate.

Queen Lenore spoke, "This is my daughter Princess Shaylee," my Princess stood moving closer to her mother smiling. Her words so soft and kind, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Brice." I nearly grabbed him when he took her slender hand placing a kiss to it, his eyes shined so bright. Only the firm hand of the Queen on my wrist alerted me to keep my place, my eyes glanced down at her in anger but her blue eyes were stern.

"No, my Princess the pleasure is all mine. You are as stunning as the heavens," he was so pushing it, she with grace took a step back as was normal for her to better look at people, I grasped the opportunity and took her hand smiling down at her but her face was not one of welcome due to my actions and words to her.

The Queen intervened, "Commander if you could please walk me to my chambers, Brice we will have a meeting when the sun rises. My daughter sleep well," she placed a kiss to Princess Shaylee's head. "Sleep well, mother," I had zero choices but to leave now, but before the doors shut Princess Shaylee's voice echoed.

"I would like a report given to myself if contact is made, I will go in haste to meet them personally. Alert our aid, Princess Shaylee of the Gargoyles would like to talk," this was great, just great.

Not more than a few steps she spoke, "It was not wise to act in such a way, Commander you're a very close-minded man and I see this as an issue. I am at times no better but if you ever speak to my daughter as if she was below you, I will personally call off your wedding. You're to protect her even if that means from yourself, you're to be her advisor, friend, lover, but not seeking to control her or diminish her. I will state this is your last chance, my old friend. As for your brother, he seems smitten with her, I dare say if he was at the ball instead of the battle, she might have chosen him and we are both thankful he was gone. As of tomorrow, he will no longer be ruler he should be more suited to the life of a warrior." She was right.

"I will talk to the Princess, I was so very wrong in my actions. I should know better and still make these hurtful mistakes, please give me another chance to prove my worth. As for my dear brother, whatever you see fit to do is agreeable," she was right, and she would take my right to marry away, only she and Shaylee held that power.

Once our meeting was finished, I leave her in a haste to return to Shaylee and seeing my brother with her hand in his, his lips brushing the pale skin with that smile her face tinged with pink at his charming actions. I knew right then my actions had to change because she deserved better than my coldness. There are better more suitable ways to get points across no need to speak to her in tones of disrespect.

My loud voice boomed, "Brice, I suggest you remove yourself from Shaylee's side," every nerve was on fire seeing him near her.

"That is no way to address our Princess, my dear brother. I bid you goodnight Princess Shaylee," his hand placed her's back down he was ever the charmer.

"Leave now, before I forget we are brothers," her face was not pleased with me and my actions yet again.

Brice answered, "I thought you already had, Commander Gideon," Brice smiled walking from us, heading back towards Ophir and Keziah who would show him to guest accommodations.

Her voice like a whip, "Commander, you can't act in such a manner, you have been very disrespectful. At this point he is a guest in this holy place," I scoff again "Enough of that as well. You will not act in such a manner towards myself," now her eyes narrowed to slits and the raw power she held in was being leaked out. If the Dark Prince ever got to her we are all doomed.

I change the subject, "I am dead tired and so are you, my love. Please change and come back, I need to hold you," I pleaded because I needed her, in every way did I need her.

She answered, "I will come back," she placed her hand over mine before walking to her chambers. I was quick just rinsing the sweat and dirty scent from me before dressing in sleeping pants, but she was already in my chambers hanging a stunning gown up for tomorrow.

"Come, Princess," together we lay in my bed, this was new and welcomed. My bigger body just curled around her's protecting her, my head resting atop hers feeling her deep breathing. I relished in this just holding this creature so close and breathing her in was making my head lite.

"I think your brother rather I leave you," her voice hinted at something, but not something I could place a finger on.

"No doubt for himself," he was charming and open-minded unlike myself, but this woman was mine. I hummed feeling her body relax, Helena was right only Shaylee would see me the real me and it was time to let my guard down with her.

"Sleep my Princess, I am here," not long at all she was sleeping right here in my arms, and I watch her hoping her father was happy with our union. As our wedding day was so close every fear was at the surface, I couldn't be what she needed, was not worth her, I was violent and cold, and she would find out all my secrets and in the end, she leaves me.

When I woke, she was gone, and it sent my heart into a panic. Then my head cleared smelling the oils that had me heading into my bathing chambers, where she was soaking in the heat. Her face so peaceful and relaxed, the way her pink lips parted it was wrong to stare at her, so I spoke up. "Only days away, then we will be married. A day I am looking forward to my love," my body leaning on the stone archway, the way her eyes opened was comical.

She answered, "Yes, I will be busy with the final wedding plans and welcoming your family." I moved to take her robe it was getting close to our morning meal and she and I needed to dress. I held it out to her with a nod she looked hesitant, I knew why but say nothing.

"Are you excited for your family to be here?" she asked before she finally stood from the tub, her hair so much longer when wet, it thankfully covered her female parts as every and I mean every nerve, hair, skin, and brain went into overdrive seeing her in such a state. Served me right having done this to her for fun, she was reserved, and I was not prepared for my reaction.

I play it off as best as I can, "If I am honest, my love. No, I am not; my brother is not the boy I left in Perth. He has grown into someone I don't care for, as for my parents, I only hope they act accordingly. They come from a small rural place, where they are loud and unrulier. I was raised to try and marry your mum, but I never felt anything for her. It has been you, it will always be you,"

I take my turn in the bath while she brushes through her long silky hair. "Would you mind if we moved rooms after we marry? This room is very small," she must not understand we would not be in either room, we move to a married suite befitting the Princess and her husband.

"I was under the impression we would be moving into a bigger room," smiling this was so new for us both, but together we can go through the new phase's as one.

I turned to see the Princess was gone, "Levi and Barachel escort the Queen to her office. I have had enough get him from this place before I make myself an only child," each word bellowed as I stormed behind them heading to find her and ensure she was not hurt at all by the fight that took place. Not but a few feet in front of the study door she stands with Kylie, she looks sad and this time it intensified my anger.

Queen Lenore sighed, "Shaylee love, Brice has left. He rather not be at the wedding," she said with a tad of sorrow in her voice, her job was never easy.

Keziah snaps moving me a few more feet away from Shaylee, it would be two entire days until we could be close once again. "I swear child must you sneak off,"

"Let us finish the details, come, Willa," I am left outside of the door with a nod from Ophir, he understood me more than most, he treated Shaylee like his child in many ways.

My father and brother stood ready to leave as I ordered, "Mika take Axal and escort my father home. Return after," wanting to ensure Brice was in Perth and not at my wedding.

Brice had to speak and make more waves, this was not fair to our parents who loved us equally. "I swear on my life you will bring the death of the Princess. I know it holds true, brother. She will uncover the truth her mother and you have hidden from her. We all know she wouldn't lower herself to marry you if she knew what you do, what you have done for centuries as she grew. The blood you took, the lives you un-lit for pleasure. You enter such a blessed union with her with blood and lies and that will come back on you, you're and have not been my brother since you killed Halo and make no mistake you may not have killed her but you're the reason she is gone. Our so-called great Queen rather her only daughter marries a killer, so now that blood is on her head as well," he vanished having the last word, my father looked so torn as I shook my head. "Go, father, have safe travels," my anger gone with his words.

They held true.

Does the truth imprison us, or does it set us free? One thing we know for sure, the truth can hurt. Gale touched my bare shoulder, his words wise. "Truth is treason in an empire of lies. Might you tell her before you wed, I saw the truth in those words. Our beloved Princess deserves to know you and that entails the horrible things you once did, think about it, my friend. Need words or to spare I am here," Kylie was blessed to have such a partner as I sit heavily in the red room with him.

"You know the time has run short, but yes I must tell her. I am entering this marriage with an empire build in blood and corpses. But my friend, I am selfish too and have loved her since her aging halted and I can't risk losing her now,"

He answered back, "Promise me, promise you will tell her and not let another alert her. Many think this marriage is good but have many disagreements on your past and how this will affect her,"

"They're right,"

I was going to be whisked away soon, for my purity trials.