Chapter 5

Samantha

Thud! Lord Deveroe and I both went flying. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Asha making her getaway. She is so in for it, I think to myself.

I'm worn out from all my running through the castle, so I remain on the floor. That was a bad idea. Lord Deveroe mistaked my laziness for an injury and actually came rushing to my side. "Are you ok?" he asks me. I look into his green eyes and nod silently. "Are you sure? You had quite a fall," he says, laughing at me.

"Well, there wouldn't have been a fall if you were looking where you were going!" I tell him.

"Well, excuse me, princess, but I think you were the one running through the hallway. I just happened to step out the door and get hit," he smirks at me. All my previous thoughts of him actually being nice are gone with the wind.

I huff and turn to stand up. Well, try to stand anyways. As soon as I put weight on my left foot I gasp in pain and fall back to the floor.

Lord Deveroe gives me a knowing glance. "I thought you said you were fine, Princess Samantha."

I give him my famous death glare. It doesn't seem to faze him though. "Well, I thought I was fine, but that was before I tried to stand up. So if you excuse me, I'm gonna have this foot checked out."

I successfully stood up this time, took one step, and tumbled to the ground.

"Well, Princess Samantha-"

"Please, quit calling me that, Lord Deveroe." I hate being called Princess Samantha. Number one, it's too long. Number two, it reminds me of the life I have, as a royal.

"What-Princess Samantha?" he asks, just to annoy me.

"Yes, that would be it," I say through gritted teeth.

"Well, what can I call you then, Princess Samantha?" he asks. I look at him. I will not let his eyes get to me, I will not let his eyes get to me. My little mantra's not working so well, because I get distracted. When he asks if he can call me Sammie, I say yes, not realizing what I agreed to.

"Well, Sammie. I must insist on calling me Phillip," he tells me.

Phillip. I like that name. "Okay, Phillip." Why does he insist on being nice to me? Why? "Well, I'll be on my way now, Phillip." I take a step, forgetting about the lame leg. Instead of letting me fall, Phillip picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder. What if someone sees us in this postition and assumes the worst? I think to myself.

I try to kick him, but all that does is hurt my leg even more. I hiss in his ear, "Phillip. Put. Me. Down. Right. Now!"

"Well, I would, Sammie, but I would think you're making better time this way. You're actually moving." Even though I can't see his face, I can tell he's smirking.

"Bastard," I say under my breath.

"Whatcha say, Sammie? I couldn't quite hear you. It sounded like "bastard" but I'm sure you would never call your savior that, right darling?" he asks, while loosening his grip on me a little. I clutch onto the back of his shirt, to avoid falling off.

"That's right, Phillip. I would never ever say anything like that about you," I say sarcastically.

Apparently that was the answer he was looking for, because he tightened his hold on me. And as crazy as it seems, I actually felt safe and happy in his arms. Well, actually slung on his back, but who's asking? I bet there'll be rumors flying around the castle about what happened between Princess Samantha and Lord Deveroe tomorrow. Just looking at us gives them ideas. I'm slung over his shoulders and mutter threats to him every so often. He's laughing and carrying on like nothings happening. I can tell I'm showing quite a bit of leg to the world. Oh well. I'll survive.

Sooner than I expected, he dropped me off at the healer's door.

I thank him for "bringing" me to the healer's rooms. He said it was no problem, at least I wasn't fat. I slapped him at that. He looked so cute when asking for fogiveness, that I did the unthinkable. I stood on my tippy-toes and gently kissed him on the lips. Then I walked (okay, limped) towards the door, leaving him speechless.

AN: Incase you are having difficulties imagining what Lord D. looks like, worry no more! Just imagine Brandon Routh's hotness and looks-without the blue eyes, though. As always REVIEW! Please, my lovely, darling readers. If you do, I actually write back! (Telling you this is not blackmail!)