**AN** Okay it has been a while. I am very sorry. You may want to re-read a couple of chapters before diving into this. I'm sorry it's not as long as it could be, but I have a plan I have to follow, otherwise I won't get it finished, or I'll veer off. Anyway, please enjoy the new chapter – and let me know what you think.

~ Twelfth Night ~

Ice cold grips encircled my arms, and I thrashed wildly in their hold. I forgot the excruciating pain in my side, and the burning pressure behind my eyes every time I so much as blinked. I screamed only for Bram, but he was behind me now, left alone in that dark damp cage once more. I cried out, but the sound fell on deaf ears, as Mircea's stone henchmen dragged me further and further from my kin. I cursed them, but only the tallest of the three paid me any attention. It was a fleeting look, degrading.

I glared back, defiant.

Suddenly candlelight poured down around us, and we were in the room where the demon's held their court. I was used to seeing dozens of thirsty eyes watching me, but tonight the auditorium housed very few faces. There were those that held me, and...

"You monster!" I screamed, my sense and control recklessly abandoning me. Mircea stared back unperturbed, and I continued my onslaught. "You promised my father you would take no more! He is just a boy, and you have him locked away in an iron prison like some beast!"

I attempted to tear myself free from the stone grip of Mircea's guard, but it was an impossible feat. Even as I growled, feverishly throwing myself back and forth in an effort to find release, it made no difference. Then, the one that had sneered before must have finally had his fill of my hysterics, and I felt my breath leave me as a heavy fist made contact with my stomach.

I gasped, dropping to the floor in a fit of violent splutters, yearning for my body to still and for the pain to stop. However, my pound of flesh was lighter than that of what the guard paid for his heavy handedness. A gesture from Mircea, unseen by my own eyes, sent the demon's head rolling comically past me.

I grimaced, refusing to meet anyone's eye.

"Leave us." I heard Mircea order. "And dispose of that discreetly. We do not want our guests thinking we cannot trust our own guard."

I did not hear them go, but when I finally looked up, Mircea and I were alone. The walls empty, and burdened with silence. The scattered flames were cradled in wax, casting ominous shadows across the room, and I got to my knees with as much dignity as I could muster, the pain in my side still quite overpowering.

Ignoring Mircea's offer of assistance, I got shakily to my feet.

"Why didn't you tell me Bram was here?" I asked. My voice once again a tone of cold indifference. "Why did you tell him I was dead?"

Mircea said nothing at first, his gaze wondering knowingly over my water-soaked garments, the water dripping tellingly at my feet. He tutted loudly, finally shaking his head with open disdain.

"You could have killed yourself. Had the lake been frozen over, you would have."

"I want to talk about my brother."

"It is by the luck of the Gods that you did not drown, Liliana."

"Why do you have him here?"

"I have always thought you a woman of at least average intelligence. What did you think – "

"You will answer me!" I ordered, my voice echoing fiercely off the surrounding walls. "I have taken you, and your coven's jeers and belittlement. I have withstood it all. But I am a Princess. I am a symbol to my people, and I am at the very least your equal, and you will answer me, Mircea!"

The hand that found my throat was not forgiving, and for the third time that night I found myself struggling for air.

"My equal?" Mircea hissed in a deathly whisper, his face only a parchment's breadth from my own. "Is that what you think? Or perhaps you think yourself better than me, princess? Is that why you dismiss me with every look you can muster, every word you offer, every touch you refuse? As for your precious people..."

He released me abruptly, and I dropped to the floor. Something crunching unnaturally.

Mircea paced.

"Your people are dead, Liliana. Your castle was burnt to the ground, your village was destroyed."

I shook my head, not daring to speak should my words falter. The pain in my side was worsening, and my vision was beginning to blur. I feared the wrong action would rob me of my remaining strength.

"So you see?" Mircea crouched beside me, his icy lips light against my ear, his raven tresses brushing softly against my face. "You have no where to go, dulceaţă. I am your home now. Surrender to me, and you never need face fear or pain again." He stroked calming fingers through my own matted damp tresses. "Let me take it all away." He whispered.

I couldn't lie, Mircea's words were inviting. On some level I was perhaps even tempted. How easy it would be just to say yes, just to give myself to him wholly and freely. Thankfully if my life had taught me anything, it was that sometimes the hardest path was the right one to choose, and the role of devils was to lead us from it.

And so raising my head, and meeting his bloody gaze with my own dark orbs, I squared my jaw defiantly.

"But why. Is Bram. Here?"

The world went dark. I never heard his reply.

R&R! (Pretty Please)

Dulceaţă = Dear one :)