WARNING: Gets a bit graphic in this chapter... Yeah well here we go!

I felt the warm water roll over the curves of my skin like melted metal I had seen before.

When we were younger Val would take me to a small town close to the school, however at the time only he was attending. We would spend most of the day at the town, we would arrive for breakfast of a pastry and fresh milk that he bought for us. We would spend the day looking in all the little shops and stores looking, learning, and buying. One of Val's favorite shops to go to was the metallurgy shop. When he stepped into the shop he became like a young woman that had walked into the ribbon shop, a favorite of all women. He could spend hours there looking at swords and such, which is how I had come to see the method of molding metal. Usually though Val could be pulled away from the blacksmith for lunch, which he would buy for us.

I stopped going down memory lane and listened to the splash of water in the bathing room next to mine and looked at the hole in the wall that separated our rooms and knew it was Val. I was tempted to get out and talk to him but the warmth of the water changed my mind and I sank down deeper into it taking my head under.

I had never been in a more prestigious and plush home. I had always imagined Val's home before and I had imagined his home as being plush and expensive like I had seen in Rose's home when I had visited her. But this was so much more than I had ever imagined. I hadn't seen a place in the palace that wasn't positively elegant in every way. If it wasn't gold, it was silver. If it wasn't silver, it was marble. And if all else fails it was going to be velvet and crystal.

When I had first walked into the castle I noticed the enormity of the hall and then looking upward the huge crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

I was now laying sprawled out on the canopy bed looking up at the velvet canopy atop the cushy bed. I was thinking one thought over and over in my head. Why hadn't I came to his room at night before? He always came to see me, why not ever me coming to him? I would have loved this place. Like I do now, hard to believe that this was going to be mine when I marry him.

That fluttery feeling in my chest came back as I thought about marrying Val and I pushed the thought form my mind. I did not want to be dependent on any man, even if it was sweet, caring, and sensible Val. There I go again, getting head over heels about this boy. I'm scared. I am, I can't believe I'm admitting it but, in love with a man destined to die for his country. Why did I have to fall for him of all people?

I felt the steam in the bathing room swirl around me and hang around almost suffocating. I rubbed one of the mirrored walls in front of me to see my face. My jet black hair was curled with moisture and I rubbed my chin where I had just shaved and felt the smooth texture. I had heard Rapunzel's sighs in the bath nest to mine through the window hole in the wall and had that burning passion feeling rise in my chest as I was sitting in my own bath.

My mind started racing back to the night that we had spent together. Her body uncovered when she sat up in bed and my damn wandering eyes.

I remembered her pink cheeks at my gaze falling to her breasts uncovered and bare. I mentally slapped myself on the head and turned away quickly blushing myself. But then she welcomed me and my gaze.

I remembered feeling her arms wrap around me holding me to her and holding me close. I could feel her bare chest warm against my own and laid her down as I straddled her small body beneath mine.

I remembered the scent of her neck as I leaned down and kissed it gently and caringly.

I remembered that stupid thought that raced through my head for only a split second about Rose and how she would feel.

I remembered dismissing that thought so soon and moving my kiss down her neck to her shoulders.

I remembered feeling the same heat in my chest I had felt right now, as I curved that kiss towards her breasts and felt her hands touch my hair and rest on my head.

And, of how I will never forget that sigh she let out as I kissed her bare chest, and the way she arched her back gently.

I remembered how quickly we undressed ourselves and me having her completely naked body laying in my arms.

I knew it hurt her when I started cause I saw her bite her soft pink lip and furrow her brows, but she never stopped looking into my eyes. I saw her close her eyes and turn her head away as it got harder and I noticed her hand balling up grabbing the sheets on the bed like they were saving her life. I reached my hand out to hers and held it, she looked back at me and I leaned down shaking. I still can't believe I actually said it to her face. Leaning down to her ear and whispered "I love you."