Tanya's POV

I was lying in bed reading a book with Snieg at my feet when Ivan walked in.

"You ok?" I asked.

"Yes, just a little tired. I got to talk to Prince Hayder today about the trade system and he says he has no idea when the next meeting will be."

"Is everything getting worse over there?"

"He wouldn't say, but the fact that he still hasn't picked out a new date for the meeting says it all."

"I'm sorry." I said putting my hand on his.

"How are you?"

"Feeling better. I am going to get out of this castle tomorrow, even if it is only to the garden." I said looking at him.

"Tanya are you sure you…"

"Ivan I am fine. My fever broke days ago and even Dr. Gorbachova said it was okay."

"Alright, just be careful. Tomorrow I am going to the Kingdom of Shaharazal to talk to Heydar and see what is going on." He said getting up off the bed.

"What?"

"Something is going on over and Heydar is too proud to ask for help."

"What time are you leaving?"

"First thing in the morning." He said pulling a bag out of the closet.

"When will you be back?" I said getting out of bed.

"I am not sure. Depends on how bad things are over there."

I must have looked worried because he turned around and looked at me.

"Hey, do not worry." He said pulling me into a hug. "I will be here for you and our daughter."

"Just be careful. If something happens…"

"Nothing is going to happen to me."

"Does Prince Aslan know that you are coming?"

"He is coming here to fill me in on what is going on so I can get caught up on the plane ride there."

"That's good."

"Come, let's get some sleep." He said leading me to bed and covering me up.

He climbed in the bed and pulled me into his arms. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat as I fell asleep.

Ivan's POV

I woke up just as the sun was starting to rise.

I looked over and Tanya was sound asleep. I climbed out of the bed and took a shower.

I was getting dressed when there was a knock at the door.

"Your Majesty?" Mikhail said opening the door.

"Shh." I said as he walked in. I pointed over to Tanya who was asleep.

"Prince Aslan in here."

"Okay, I will be right there."

I finished getting changed, kissed Tanya good bye, grabbed my bag and left the room.

"Aslan, thanks for coming out." I said walking into the room where he is waiting.

"Please, thank you for helping. Heydar is a proud person and does not want to show weakness."

"I can understand."

"Is Tanya okay with you coming?"

"She knows I am coming with you. She knows this is important for both our countries."

"The car is ready." Mikhail said.

"Shall we."

We both left the castle heading to the plane taking us to Shaharazal.

Tanya's POV

I reached over for Ivan but he had already left.

I looked at the clock.

7:13 am

I got out of bed and took a shower.

I was walking down the hall when I ran into Mikhail.

"Mikhail, what time did Ivan leave this morning?"

"He left with Prince Aslan about 5:30 this morning I believe. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, I am fine. I am going to grab some breakfast and then take Snieg and Urey out for a walk around the garden."

"Okay, let me know if you need anything." He said bowing as he went on his way.

I finished eating breakfast and was walking around the garden when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi."

"Ivan, did you arrive safely in Shaharazal?"

"Yes. I am in a car on the way to the castle now."

"How is everything looking?"

"I'm glade I came to offer some help."

"That bad?"

"Yes. How are you?"

"I'm out in the garden with Snieg and Urey."

"You spend a lot of time in the garden Tanya."

"Its so peaceful, its my place to go when I need to think about things."

"What are you needing to think about?"

"How I missed you this morning."

"I'm sorry Tanya, I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful."

"I know."

"Ivan, we have some company..." As an said

"Is everything OK?"

"Everything is fine. I need to go."

"Okay."

"I will call you later. I love you."

"I love you too."

That was the only time he called me that day.

"Mikhail, have you heard from Ivan at all today?" I asked Mikhail as he walked into Ivan's office.

"I have not. Has he not contacted you yet today?" he said looking at me.

"No, I have not spoken to him since yesterday when I was out in the garden."

"Hmm…"

I looked at Mikhail who had a worried look on his face.

"Mikhail, what is wrong?"

"Nothing, if there is nothing else, I will be on my way." He said leaving the room before I could say anything.

I was worried.

I have never seen Mikhail make that face unless something was wrong.

I went back to the paperwork, worrying about Ivan.

Prince Aslan's POV

"Ivan, we've got company." I say as he says goodbye to Tanya.

"What is it?" He asked.

"The cars behind us…it's been following us since we left the airport."

He turned around and looked at it.

"Why are they following us?"

"Because they think that Hayder is in the car with us."

"Why would they want Hayder?"

"Like I said on the plane, there is a gang of villagers who are not happy with the new law that Hayder passed preventing them from trading anything with our enemy country."

"I understand that but…"

"For a lot of families, that was the only income they had…"

At that exact next moment one of the cars spend in front of us and stopped.

"Hold on your majesties." Says the driver as he swerved out of the way off the road, and down the ditch and into a tree.

I look around and see the driver knocked out at the wheel.

Ivan is unconscious next to me.

"Ivan…Ivan…" I said trying to undo my seatbelt. It wouldn't budge.

The next moment the drivers of the car opened the door.

"Hey!" I said yelling at them.

They cut the belt off of Ivan and dragged him off.

"IVAN! Let him go!" I yelled.

"If you want 'Ivan' back. Tel Prince Hayder to change the law back." One said before knocking me out.