A/N: An huge thanks again to kt_valmiri and ScaraMedn for editing and beta reading.

…

Prince Nick sat on his balcony, lounging in a chair he had dragged out for this purpose alone. With his hind paws propped up on the railing, he blindly gazed out at the view of the capitol city below him. A dark, large paw reached for the goblet of sweet white wine to sate his thirst as he listened to his sister, Jamila, entertain her young kits on the balcony floor next to him.

His brother, Tame, sat with them. The infant todd and vixen had just started to crawl and, though he kept his back turned, Nick smiled at the sounds of their laughter.

"I know why you are here, Jam." The red fox todd swirled the wine in his glass.

The vixen looked up in faux offense. "As much as I adore Ana and Nar, I'm afraid you will not become an aunt through me."

The older todd smiled over his shoulder at his brother. Tame had married the month before and this was the most either sibling had seen of him. The youngest of the three, he had wasted no time marrying his kithood sweetheart. And from the looks of him, married life was suiting him fine.

"My dear big brother! I would never think to use my children as leverage to get you to choose a wife." The vixen placed a soft rose-colored paw on her chest. Hazel eyes sparkled as she smiled kindly at Nick. "I just wish you would find someone to love and care for you. To make sure you are well and healthy."

Tame snorted as he pulled the infant todd into his lap.

"Because Nick will not be receiving a rabbit to serve him and him alone tomorrow night…" He pulled funny faces at his giggling nephew. "One who will be his closest companion and friend during his reign."

Jamila rolled her eyes and rose to her feet. She scooped up her daughter as a snow-white vixen came to attend her. Sama's bright blue eyes lit up at the sight of the infant she was offered while her mistress took charge of her son.

"Sama, don't you agree Nick needs to find a wife?"

The white vixen simply shook her head and smiled at the princess.

"I think that I am in a lucky position to not need a bride. I have two healthy siblings, one of whom has kits of her own. The other, no doubt, will be catching up shortly." Nick could practically hear his little brother's blush. "I shall focus on maintaining my kingdom, as well as assuring our future is well secured. With any luck, Serendipity will be pleased with my rabbit and our fortunes will improve greater. I shall not subject a vixen to our mother's fate. Not when I have every intention on preparing your children for the throne." Nick huffed as he finished his rant.

Jamila and Tame stayed silent, though Sama gave a delicate laugh before speaking. "I think that the gods have been wise to allow our future king to keep his focus on his kingdom."

Nick pulled himself up from his seat and embraced his departing family, flashing Sama a look of thanks. He kissed both kits and females goodbye. They passed through the archway into Prince Nick's suite. Sama held the door for the princess before following through with a last fond smile at the future king. His brother stayed back a moment longer, his paw on the door before leaving.

"Don't think you will not find her, brother." Tame smirked as his eyes meet Nick's. He merely rolled his eyes and turned back to resume his contemplating. "I feel the gods have more in store for you then you think…"

Tame looked passed the doors into the corridor. And what he saw gave him cause to grin wider. He looked back at his brother's retreating form as it entered the sunlight and lowered itself to its original position.

"And it will very much surprise you."

Prince Nick rolled his green eyes again as he blinked down at the view. He actually took it all in this time. The finely kept grounds of his father's palace did not stretch far. A tall wall separated it from the bazar that started just beyond the palace's shadow. Nick could see the bright tapestries and buildings that made it up.

All surrounded by desert and sand.

Breathing deep, the todd tried not to groan as a familiar smell greeted him. Natasha. A black fox with gold ribbons braiding her fur, she was certainly the most beautiful of the vixens who served his family. She had come to the palace a beggar and used her charm to convince his father's adviser to allow her to serve the royal family directly. That had been five years ago.

Nick would have had no complaints were it not for her inability to understand that he would never bed nor wed her. She always managed to catch him unawares and it seemed his father found his complaints humorous. Her advances only encouraged his sister and brother to throw them together whenever possible. Nick had been patient and firmly refused.

It helped that he felt nothing, physical or otherwise, for her. She did not interest him, as none of the females or males did. There was a reason he was called the

Chaste Prince. And today he would put a stop to her annoying behaviors.

Natasha had dressed impeccably. Had another male been present, she would have been thoroughly ravished. Green silk harem pants with a matching top that barely covered her generous bust, she put more sway in her hips as she approached.

"My prince," she breathed close to his ear. "You are nearly out of wine. Allow me to remedy this for you." A crystal decanter of dark purple wine was set next to him, along with a fresh glass. "Blueberry wine sent last month by King Adrian.

And fresh fruit to sweeten your tongue."

Nick repressed a sigh and glanced from the table to the dark vixen's bright golden eyes. She smiled alluringly and leaned close. His nose was filled with the scent of ebony, which always set off a headache. He jerked when her tail trailed itself around his waist. A bold paw went to his muzzle. His own shot out and grabbed her wrist as he released a sound just short of a snarl.

"This is the last time you attend me." He leveled his green eyes to hers. Her brow wrinkled in frustration as he continued. "Never again will you be in the same room as myself and the moment I am crowned, you will no longer be employed here. I have told you time and time again I do not appreciate my choices so blatantly disregarded."

He released her wrist with a bit of force to demonstrate his disdain for her. He never looked away from her shocked expression.

"Leave me now. And send for Jak." He settled back into his chair and resumed his vigil of the capitol. Natasha did not move but merely stared at the prince in anger and disappointment. Her mouth opened only to be shut again by Nick. "GO! If I have to say it again, I will have you removed from Sahara Kingdom."

The vixen sped from his suite and out the door. A striped rabbit buck was nearly trampled as the vixen passed through the doors. Recognizing her, he merely frowned as she stopped to acknowledge him.

"Prince Nicholas wishes you to attend him," she mumbled from the bow she was in. Straightening herself, the vixen rushed off. Jak cocked his head to the side and quirked an ear as he watched her vanish.

With a shrug, he entered and joined Nick on the terrace. He pretended to ignore the prince as he leaned over the short stone wall to admire the capitol.

"So, you've taken to insulting vixens now? Natasha almost turned me into a very fashionable throw blanket." The buck looked over his shoulder at the todd who snorted at him. Turning fully, Jak leaned back and crossed his arms. His ankles followed, a studiously blank expression on his face.

"She crossed the line for the last time, Jak." Nick stood and picked up the almost empty glass of white wine. Its remaining contents were tossed over the side and the blueberry wine was divided between them. "I have had enough of females thinking they are the exception to my resolve. That they and they alone are the antidote for my chastity."

Nick handed the rabbit the glass of wine and sighed as he sat back down. Jak took a pull from the glass, it's surprising strength setting his belly on fire.

"My, my, you poor mammal, you!" Jak widened his eyes and adopted an expression only rabbits could pull off. He made himself look impossibly cute.

"Please, kind prince, desired by all females, who must now resort to beating them away with sticks! Tell me how difficult life is for you!"

Smirking, the todd sipped his wine. "Says the mammal my country worships. Who also gets to bed one of the kingdoms most desirable vixens every night."

"So, had she not wanted me, you would have her?"

Nik paused at that, still smiling and shaking his head.

"Sama is another sister to me. I could not bed her any easier then I could Jamila.

But that does bring to mind why I wished to see you."

The prince suddenly straightened in his chair as he set his wine aside. His rich emerald green eyes bored into Jak's icy blues.

"A rumor has spread that Pack Wolford has decide to present fish to me in lieu of a rabbit. What do you know of this?"

Jak's free paw reached up to trace the stripes running alongside his face as he pondered the question. How truthful should he be? The prince himself had taught him how to lie properly, after all. But he was also quite adept at sniffing one out. Everyone in the courts and temples knew Jak would hear every bit of gossip that traveled within the bounds of the kingdom.

"It is true. They said Dorian, son of Theo, wished not to distress a rabbit by capturing and displacing it. Though, very reliable sources tell me a rabbit is part of their convoy. And she shall be gifted to you."

Nick stood abruptly. "She?"

With a smile, the buck nodded. "Yes, she. And SHE is quite the vision, I might add. This is what the whispers say. The convoy is ahead of schedule and should arrive tomorrow, around mid-morning."

Agitated, the todd turned to grab his glass and gulp what was left of his wine.

"Don't think the whole kingdom is unaware the reason you won't take a wife." Jak smiled over the rim of his glass. Nick kept his back turned. "Your parents had no love for each other. Theirs was a marriage of convenience. Your father can not help his love for Rose."

The rabbit paused before continuing. He knew of all mammals, Nick would be that last to harm him. But if he voiced his next thought, that might change.

"Would it be so terrible to desire a bunny, your highness?" Jak offered what was in his glass to the prince. Nick didn't respond, but rather finished the remaining wine that was offered. "You already have the advantage of not needing to be married. It is a perfect example of learning from the past."

"I want you and Sama to greet the convoy. Have your mate care for her and I want you to make sure they have all they need." Nick turned to his companion.

"Alert the guards that they will arrive soon."

"I would ask why you send Sama and myself, but given the only other option would be Rose, the question is moot." Jak gave a short bow at the waist before he left the balcony.

Nick remained where he was, his impatience for the coming events setting his stomach into a perpetual twist. The pressures of ruling the kingdom rarely weighed on him. It was his duty, one he was happy to perform. And it was made all the easier by knowing his father would not force him into marriage, as he had been before he became king.

His mother had been the daughter of an advisor from the Tundra Empire. Being the only heir to the Sahara throne, and as the royal family stopped at him, Taiem had no choice but to wed Vixi. Her heart had belonged to another, though she allowed her new husband to help her gift the kingdom with a son. They openly did not love each, but both agreed that their child was the most magnificent creature in the world.

It is entirely possible Nick may have remained an only child, had his father not been gifted his rabbit at his own coming of age feast.

Taiem had ascended the throne quite suddenly, Nick's grandmother having been buried long before his birth and his grandfather contracting a fatal illness. He was crowned mere weeks before his birthday and became ruler of the Sahara. The two sat side by side, their child in Vixi's lap, neither showing the slightest interest for the other.

So when Liam had presented the harlequin rabbit doe to him, with her soft fur and blue eyes, the new king had felt a jolt he could not quite explain. It had at first been written off as excitement. He now had a walking good luck charm, a mammal that was to be his and his alone. But after the feast had ended, when he sat with his new servant, alone within his rooms, something inside him had stirred.

Her musical voice made his ears twitch in delight while her scent awakened his soul and his curiosity. An emotion similar to anxiety, yet so different, had him seeking his wife in her chambers. He came to her with a passion she knew she was not the igniter of, yet she indulged him nonetheless. If only because her own lover would not be available that evening.

King Taiem fathered Jamila and Tame shortly after being gifted Rose, much to his relief. With spare heirs, his eldest son could marry a bride of his choosing, should he choose at all. He could not force his Nick to suffer the same fate as he and his wife.

He had not intended on bedding his rabbit. Nor had she intended on accepting the king's advances. She had arrived back to their chambers from the temples, dressed in her best robes, holding blossoms picked for the following morning. His eyes tracked her movements through the suite, watching as she paused at the small statue of Karma and showered it with petals.

When she turned to him and smiled, he rose from his chair and went to her. The passion he showed when bedding his wife was nothing compared to what he felt for Rose. Their lips met and from that day forward, his mind, body and soul were hers. And she, his.

Much to Vixi's relief. With the king now in the embrace of the one he wanted, she could pursue her own pleasures. Mostly of the female variety, their open arrangement brought them closer together. What started as distant disdain blossomed to respect and, eventually, into friendship. Until the queen's death, the two managed to keep up pretenses for their kingdom and children's sake, each even enjoying the company of the other. Unfortunately, Nick was blind to all of this.

All he knew was his father gave a rabbit the best of himself and his mother received what was left over.

He refused to let a vixen be subjected to such a life. So, as he didn't feel the stirrings of desire, he took advantage of it and focused on the kingdom. His purity would make the kingdom stronger. And the rabbit he would be gifted with would usher a new era of luck unto, not just the Sahara, but the whole of Zootopia.

These thoughts plagued him as the sun fell over his kingdom. Returning to his suite, he performed his evening rituals. He changed his clothing, donning the brighter colors Karma preferred. He made his way from the palace halls towards the gardens, where Serendipity's favorite flowers were clipped and gathered, while the statue of the Bactrian God was anointed with oil and gifted with berries.

He carried on to the temples, the goddess he worshipped standing serene amongst her offerings. Incense were lit as he bowed before her, forehead touching the cool stone ground. Eyes closed, he centered his breathing and prayed for his future. His consciousness slipped away under Karma's watchful gaze.

And such strange things it came up with.

The canid goddess always sat council with him when he sought her out. But this time it was only Serendipity who appeared. She sat cross legged in front of him, eyes closed, paws held in front of her. He watched curiously as she smiled to herself, inhaling the sweet air around them as her ears stood tall. The goddess' eyes opened slowly, revealing the bright purple they hid.

With a wink, she was gone, leaving her servant bowed before Karma, his own eyes snapping open in shock. Breathing deep, he rose up to look at her, but her stone face continued to stare off into the distance.

…..

His body was too tired to scream any longer. Only a deep grunt was heard as the buck's body jerked from the lashings he was made to endure. His ears split down the center, paws broken and bound over his head, the throttled scout could only pray for death as King Hopps took his rage out on him. The large stone he was stretched upon rubbed his stomach raw, the harsh surface scraping bits off fur and skin with every whip across his exposed back.

Such a pity, thought Luke as he watched the whip pull back. I was hoping to have a go at him.

Eyebrows raised as the king halted his fellow guard's paw, cold eyes relishing the sight of another so broken. A smile played on the monarch's muzzle as he came to kneel before the last scout.

"And yet another whom did not take my words seriously." King Hopp's voice was soft, almost kind, as a paw vanished into the pocket of his tunic. Returning with a clean white kerchief, the tortured buck flinched away as it touched his bloodied face.

"When you left," he continued. "I told you I would not allow you to keep your lives if you returned empty pawed. And yet, eight scouts left and all eight thought to test me."

A choking sob escaped the scout as swollen eyes leaked tears over what the king was suggesting.

"There, there, lad." Passing the cloth once more over his captive's face, it was briskly tossed aside. The king extended his paw for his sword, eyes going cold as they remained resting upon the doomed creature. "It will all be over soon…"

Luke felt a grin rise as he watched King Hopps lift the weapon. Savage glee filled him, a sense of vindication pulsing through his veins and igniting his blood. He had been the one who wanted to go after Judy the moment it was discovered she was missing. It was he who knew the missing princess the best, he who would be able to track her moves, find her and bring her home.

Or marry her before that decrepit buck she was betrothed to got her. It would make becoming king an easier task. But what was done was done. He would at least have the satisfaction of watching the inferior buck meet his deserved end.

"Any last words?" asked Hopps.

The scout sobbed again when his eyes managed to get a glimpse of the raised blade.

"Wolves!" he choked out, trying to desperately to make himself small as he sobbed and squirmed.

"Wolves?"

A scattering of mutters bloomed from the small crowd of guards surrounding their king and his prisoner. Bellwether strode forward, one hoof holding her dress from the damp ground as she narrowed her eyes at the bound rabbit.

"What do you mean, wolves?" Her voice carried a hardness to it Luke didn't entirely believe.

"The w-w…olves," the scout gasped. "I s-saw… them. Th… they… travel in great numbers… w-with… other preda…tors and large mammals. The princess… They h-have… the p..pri…princess…"

With another sob, he fainted, his body slumping against the stone. The king lowered his blade as he considered his words. Bellwether's eyes moved from the prone buck to the king she served, bated breath waiting for the king's orders.

"Luke."

Eyes flicked to King Hopps, trying to tamper down the defiance he always felt in his presence. Less than a heartbeat later, he was at attention and awaiting his orders.

"Escort our friend to the infirmary. See to it he's capable of talking as soon as possible." The king turned to face him with a smile on his face. "If what he says is true, I know where they shall be taking my daughter. And I may be able to use this to my advantage."

"I was promised a bride, Hopps!" The dry cackling voice called out from the edge of the clearing where they stood. "If you wish my territory to come into alliance with yours, I want a royal wife!"

The group of bucks parted for the ancient lord. His land neighbored the Burrows, the area even more fertile than their own. As it was not part of the kingdom, King Hopps, as his fathers before him, had done everything they could to bring them under their rule.

Wars were lost, treaties torn up, and arrangements for marriage had been refused. Until Lord Lonfoot met his daughter, Judy. Upon meeting her, the elderly buck swore he would bow before King Hopps if he was promised the doe to warm his bed. It had disgusted him, the idea of tying his daughter to such a creature, but greed won out.

"And a wife you shall have, Lord Lonfoot."

With a smirk and wave of his paw, the scout was cut free and carried off. Luke followed those attending him closely, eyes darting to the pair of nobles before refocusing on his route. He left them at the infirmary doors with instructions to fetch him the moment he came to.

And without another word, turned and left. Bellwether stood not far from the entrance, her hooves steepled under her chin, no doubt the word 'wolves' playing over her mind. The ewe gave a slight gasp as Luke's paw shot out and grasped her wrist.

Before she could protest, he pulled her into a vacant parlor, shoving her against the wall with a knife at her throat.

"You don't wish me as an enemy, Bellwether," he growled, pressing the sharp tip of the knife into her wool. "So, in the spirit of playing nice, you are going to tell me where the wolves are going. And why they take the princess with them. Is she to be sold as a slave? Or a meal?"

"Unpaw me, my good sir." Green eyes flashed dangerously as she bared her teeth, any surprise she may have felt evaporated. "You shall gain nothing from me nor any other by beating your chest and making demands."

The rabbit buck was impressed in spite of himself. Slowly relaxing his grip, he let his blade drop away, tucking the keen metal back into its sheath. The ewe glared at him as she straightened her clothing.

"Forgive me, Lady Advisor," he responded mockingly. "I am merely distraught at the idea of my beloved being taken against her will."

"No doubt you are," Bellwether said with a scoff. "And the fact that she is the king's favorite and would be the easiest source of power for you plays very little into your 'fair knight' routine."

His false smile melted into a scowl as she pushed past him towards the entrance. He stopped her again, causing her to give a look of distaste to the paw restraining her.

"The kingdom knows you care more for gaining control over the Burrows than you do for Judy." She wrenched her arm away and turned to leave the parlor, calling over her shoulder as she left. "Why you bucks refuse to set your sights on another I'll never know."

"The kingdom knows her." Luke followed after, keeping his voice low as they passed through the tunnels. "They admire her spirit and many will pledge themselves to Lord Lonfoot for the simple fact he will be tied to her."

"So, by marrying her, you win the support of the kingdom and help solidify your claim to the throne?"

"King Hopps is no longer fit to rule and his heir is no better equipped," the buck stated with a snort of disgust. "Once the old sod passes, the kingdom will go at war with itself. By marrying the Burrow's sweetheart, I can skip the hassle of a civil war and challenge Hopps for the crown directly. And, of course, with Judy begging her daddy to not kill her mate, this place will see a new rise in power."

"What makes you think she'll agree to marry you?"

"The doe is in love with me. All I need to do is speak some sweet words to her and than claim her as my queen."

The ewe gave a snort of laughter that drew a glare from the pompous buck.

"Indeed," she agreed in a voice heavy with sarcasm. "SO in love with you she was willing to run off without making mention of her plans."

"Something she will pay for, Bellwether, I assure you." He didn't miss the dark look that flashed in her eyes at his words. "But I shall go easy on her, if…"

"If what, Sir Leaps?"

"If you tell me where the wolves are going and what they plan on doing to her."

"And why would I tell you that?"

This time, she became truly frightened as he stopped his stride. Just outside the entrance to the tunnels, he turned to where the ocean kissed the horizon. There was no light to illuminate the smirk on his muzzle as he stroked the fur of his chin, the moon being absent this night. But the ewe knew it was there. And felt her heart sink at the thought of it.

"Because it would be a shame if the king found out you left your best travel gear around for just anyone to find." He turned his smirk to her, taking joy in her strategically neutral expression. "A total accident, I'm sure, leaving a well-stocked bag in the princess' line of sight. And strangely enough, the maps from the libraries went missing that same night… Don't you think that's interesting, Bellwether?

"Now, tell me, Lady Advisor…"

She swallowed as he took a step towards her, fear immobilizing her as he took another step closer.

"Where are they taking my future queen?"