Chapter 2

Skyler

I tightened my grip on the fragile girl asleep in my arms. I didn't know why; but I felt protective of her.

I understand that she's hurt and in pain but that doesn't explain the protectiveness I feel towards her ... The Wise Ones will not approve…and neither will

my father.

This girl was quite unlike the girls I knew, she had an exotic air around her. I felt as if I knew this girl and to see the suffering she went and is still going

through pained me.

She stirred in her sleep and I stiffed , She's pretty cute when she - Stop! Your a prince who's engaged Skyler , you know what your duties are.

I felt the girl snuggle closer to me, but then I notice that she was tossing and turning. I heard her let out a small cry and she shot up. I was instantly

beside her trying to comfort her.

It's still the middle of the night...

"Don't worry, you're safe" I murmured as I put my legs on either side of her and wrapped my arms carefully around her shoulders.

Watching her I noticed that she seemed to be trying to calm herself down. I heard her choke out another sob as she turned in my arms.

The girl wiped her eyes and slowly started to relax. I felt her lean into my chest with ease and a safe feeling came over me.

"Are you ok now?" I asked

"Yes, thank you for s-saving me" she stuttered , she must be cold.

"Don't worry about it, may I ask what your name is?" I grabbed my cloak from the night before and quietly pulled it over her shoulders.

"W-willow, what's yours?" she stuttered again

"Skyler" I said "Why you were in the forest?"

"I…uh." she thought about it for a moment but didn't look like she was going to explain "I don't remember.."

"Nothing at all?" That wasn't the answer I was expecting , this confused me.

How could she remember nothing?

"No , but I think it has something to do with me running into a tree last night" she laughed softly without her really paying attention I saw her hand move

up to touch her forehead.

I sighed "I'm sure it'll come back slowly" suddenly I felt Willow stiffen "What is it?" I asked looking down at her face.

damn , those eyes... but wait , is that what I think it is?

Sure enough, directly on her forehead was a small blue and gold crescent moon.

"I'm not sure" she looked around " I feel like something's watching us" she scooted closer to me

"Don't worry , no ones here" I reassured her

A silence seemed to overcome us until it was Willow that broke the silence

"How did you light the fire earlier?" she whispered

"What do you mean? I used rocks , simple" I quietly whispered back

"Liar" she shot me a look

I quickly replaced the shocked look on my face with confusion "Why would you think I'm lying?"

"For one I didn't see you use any rocks , you just snapped" she glared at me "and two, I'm not that stupid"

She can't learn about the four just yet ...

"I just used rocks" I huffed angrily

Why must she challenge me?

"Go back to sleep , you need your rest" I told her

Abruptly she stood and walked away from me to a tree farther across from the fire.

"Fine , but I'll sleep by myself" she almost growled at me

"Fine , do what you like" I said as I changed positions so that I was sitting more comfortably against the tree behind me. When I looked back at Willow she

wasn't asleep. In fact the girl was turned and fixated her icy glare on him. Silently I glared back.

If that's how you want it be , so be it

Before anyone could really win our glaring contest a big gust of wind blew out the fire.

I heard screaming and knew that this couldn't be good

"Skyler!"

Not again ... I ran towards where I heard Willow screaming but I couldn't see a thing.

Fire castor, fire castor , fire castor something hummed in my head

Oh right ...

I lit up my palms with tiny balls of fire to give me some light. Straight in front of me was Willow being dragged away by wolf like creatures.

No!" I lunged, but just missed her hand as she disappeared. "Dammit!" I screamed and ran after her.