Evella stirred, finding herself wrapped in Prince Phobos' arms. He smiled as he kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers through her hair.

"Finally awake?" he asked as she cuddled closer.

"I don't want to leave, my Prince." she said closing her eyes, "I feel so safe. Everything I've heard about you from the villagers is a lie."

"Oh?" he asked, Stupid girl, he thought, "What do they say about me?"

She looked into his eyes, "They say you murder people for no reason. Men, women and children. They say you have no heart, but I saw your heart, my Lord. I felt it." she said as she kissed his chest.

Phobos smiled, "The villagers wish to overthrow my sister when she's handed the throne." he said as he pat her hair, "They've spread so many rumors so no one trusts me."

"I trust you, my Prince." Evella said as she kissed his jawline, "I'll give you my soul."

"You already have." Phobos said with a seductive grin as he kissed her passionately.

Evella moaned as she pulled away, "I love you." she said as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, "My Prince, make me your princess. I want to live like this forever by your side."

Phobos laughed inside, "The crown belongs to one person. Elyon." he said as he kissed her forehead.

"I don't care about the crown." Evella said as she kissed him, then looked into his eyes, "I want you. I love you. Please."

Getting annoyed, Phobos sat up and got out of bed, "No you don't." he said as he put his robe over his head, "You're in love with what I can give you, physically."

"That's not true, my Lord!" Evella said as she grabbed his hand, "I felt your love! Every kiss, every touch,"

Phobos pulled his hand away and took her dress, "Get dressed and return to your quarters." he said calmly handing it to her.

Evella took it and put it on without looking at him. She went to tie the back, but felt his hands. Smiling, she walked out the door after her dress was tied and headed for her quarters.

---

"Prince Phobos," Cedric said with concern, "where have you been? You weren't in the bath."

Phobos rolled his eyes inside, "Stop your worrying." he said as he climbed the steps and sat on his throne, "What's going on?"

"My reserved soilders are in place, sire." Cedric said bowing, "Just say the word, and they'll attack."

Phobos smiled, "Good work, Lord Cedric." he said as he stroked his goatee, "They're in your control now. Do as you wish with them."

"Yes, your highness." Cedric said as he bowed one last time, before leaving the throne room.

---

Evella smiled as she walked into the hall where the other concubines were. They looked at her and knew that something else had happened other than "the usual".

"What are you so happy about?" one of the women asked.

"Leave her alone, it was her first time." another said.

Evella blushed as she quickly walked over to Amari, "What is it, child?" Amari asked.

"I need to talk to you." she said as she looked around at all the others, "Alone, please."

Amari smiled, "Come." she said standing, "We shall to go my bed chamber."

Evella followed Amari to her room where Amari closed the door. They sat down on the bed and began to talk.

"What is it?" Amari asked in her usual calm, cool voice as she propped herself on her bed.

"What was your first time with the Prince like?" Evella asked.

Amari smiled, "It was beautiful." she said, "Although Prince Phobos was very, very young at the time. It was beautiful."

"Like mine." Evella said.

"Don't be fooled child." Amari said as she stood up, "Now that you've slept with him, you're his forever."

"That's what I want." Evella said, "I love him."

Amari laughed, "Don't be so naive." she said, "We all fell for his charm the first time. After sleeping with you once, he treats you like a dog."

Evella's face turned serious, "I don't believe you." she said, "He was so compassionate. So loving. So caring. So gentle."

"All an act." Amari said, "You're just a toy."

"No." Evella said, "I know he loves me too."

"Open your eyes." Amari said as she folded her arms, "He has all these women, why would he want to fall in love with only one?"

"A person can fall in love." Evelle said.

"Today was mearly your first time. You were only caught up in lust. Trust me, I felt the same way when we first slept together." Amari said, "The next time he decides to sleep with you, you'll be screaming in pain. That's how much he's cares for you. He'll be hurting you."

"No." Evella said as she stood up, "You lie! He's a gentle man! I saw it! I felt it!"

"Fine." Amari said as she opened her door, "But don't be disappointed when he hurts you."

With that, Amari left Evella alone with her thoughts.

---

"Phobos!" Elyon called, excited, as she ran up to him standing in the garden.

Wonderful, he thought as he smiled, "Elyon! I'm sorry I haven't had time to see you lately."

"It's okay." Elyon said smiling, "I know you're busy trying to protect me and all."

Phobos placed his hand on her head, "It's the least I can do for Meridian's rightful heir." he said with a wink, "Plus, I don't suppose you'd like to be in a war right away."

Elyon laughed nervously, "Not really." she said, "To be honest, it kinda scares me."

"Don't worry, Elyon." Phobos said, "I'll protect you at all costs. Even if it means my life."

Elyon's eyes widened, "You-you'd die for me?" she asked, surprised, "But why? Wouldn't you rather live?"

"Everyone would rather live, my dear sister." Phobos said, his face serious, "But to have one with such a pure heart, such as yourself, to rule over Meridian is something anyone would die for."

"Wow." Elyon said speechless.

Phobos smiled, "Well then." he said as he turned to the door, "I shall talk to you soon."

"Yeah, okay." Elyon said as she watched Phobos walk inside the castle.

---

Phobos walked through the halls of the castle thinking about his plans for Elyon. Lord Cedric was attending to the front lines and after their victory, he would tell him the next step in his plan.

Hopefully, my sister will stay away from him long enough for me to tell next part of my plan, he thought as he walked torward some pillars.

He walked passed the first one, then the second one and was grabbed by the arm and pulled behind the pillar.

"How dare you touch-" he said as he was shut up with a rough kiss.

Phobos pulled away to see Amari standing there, giving him a seductive grin.

"What do you want?" he asked as he returned to the open hall.

Amari wrapped her arms around his body and leaned her head against his back, "Evella's love struck." she said.

"She's only lusting after me." Phobos said as he walked away from her.

Amari followed and took his hand, "She believes you're in love with her." she said as she kissed the back of his hand, "Tell me, do you feel anything toward her?"

"She's a whore, like you." Phobos said coldly, "That's what I feel."

She smiled as she walked around and faced him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "You know what I feel, Sire?" she asked.

"What?" Phobos asked as she ran her hands over his chest.

"Jealous." she said as she kissed his jaw.

"I don't have time for this." he said as he pushed her away and continued down the hall.

Amari grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to her, kissing him passionately, "I want you again, my Lord." she whispered into his ear, "So bad that it hurts. I want you to touch me. I want you to be gentle with me like you were with Evella. I haven't felt that since I came to live with you. Please."

Phobos looked down at her pleading face then kissed her softly.

Little did they know, someone was watching them from behind the last pillar in the hall.

---

Yeah, short chapter. I thought I'd leave you guessing as to who it was and what happens next.
See ya! -