Leonardo stared out at the dark abyss that surrounded his home. Rain pounded down upon him but he paid it no mind, he couldn't get sick anyway. The storm blew around him thunder barely audible and the lightening appearing rarely. The rain was relentless soaking his black uniform to his icy skin beneath. He used the moonlight and his enhanced vision to stand guard and watched the door to this realm. He sat perched at the roof of a tower, crouched beside a frightening stone gargle hidden from anyone wishing to see him. He ignored the water as it dripped from his soaked hair and as it slid down his face. His thoughts weren't even on guard duty but far off in another dimension hand in hand with his heart which had disappeared moments after he found out it wasn't dead.

Gwenyth. His sweet, quiet Gwen. She was gone never to return. He had been furious when he had heard that his mother had pulled their support from the war condemning the free people of the magical realms to certain annihilation. Along with her. He had considered plans of stealing out through the portal and bringing her to safety in Vampyra and even thought of changing her. But with doing that he was ending her life, forcing her to live off other living beings. What's to say she'd even want to become what he was? He growled with frustration and lashed out at the stone statue beside him. His fist connected with the gargoyles gnarled arm making the stone pieces fly over the castle walls. He stared out into the dark night his keen ears hearing every sound the stone made on its way down. He wasn't surprised when he heard the sound of someone smoking in behind him.

"My Prince" came a familiar deep, majestic voice.

"Malik" was Leo's form of greeting; he wasn't in the mood for a lecture from his old mentor.

"You've been distracted of late" he stated coming to stand beside him. Leo glanced up at the old vampire; Malik's dark skin helped him to be almost invisible.

"Really I hadn't noticed" he replied not even bothering to hide the sarcasm in his voice. He could not help but think of his mothers face if she were to witness this disrespect. At least it made him smile.

"You know she had to go, for her own safety" it had been the hundredth time Malik had said this to him and it still wasn't sinking in, his smile disappeared.

"That's it! I don't know, I feel like I've left her to the clutches of the monster!" Leo felt like hitting the gargoyle again but Malik seemingly foreseeing the statues imminent doom placed himself between them. Silence reigned over them, only the sound of the rain pattering against the stone. Leo didn't even flinch as Malik disappeared into black smoke. He forced his thoughts back to his duty and watched the portal. He was surprised when two figures stepped through. Cloaked in black their identities were hidden. The two began to walk towards the castle. The smaller one leading the way looked like it knew where it was going and the other followed. Their cloaks billowed around them as they battled against the wind across the bridge. They were almost to the entrance when he took action. Standing he took a step of the edge. He felt the exhilaration as he fell his coat flying above him and the rain pelting against his face. As nimbly as a cat he landed crouching slightly. In a blink of an eye his crossbow was out and pointing at the intruders. He didn't even have to look to see if his squad was in formation beside him. The taller figure stood behind the shorter one seeming surprised but the shorter stayed absolutely still which disturbed Leo slightly. He was so sick of humans. The last he had spared had brought nothing but heartache and these two would be given no special treatment.

"It seems these two have stumbled somewhere their not supposed to be" he taunted as he grinned, letting his teeth grow longer and his eyes change. The one behind took step back at the sight but the smaller one still did not move. "None who ever comes here ever returns" he hissed before pulling the trigger. But the arrow was never released. He screamed out in pain as a bright light suddenly erupted from the duo like a shield. The prince looked away trying to block it from his sensitive eyes. But it burned, like his entire body was on fire. But slowly it dimmed. Hissing with pain Leo turned to face them again. His light burns were already healing and within seconds they were fully gone. The shorter one stood protectively in front of the other hands, which he saw were thin, small and delicate, were raised. The hands of a woman. He watched her cautiously knowing that this one could perform magic, powerful magic at that.

"Now that I have your attention" the woman spoke in an all too familiar voice. Dread and hope filled him, tearing him. She took a step forward. It was now that he realized that the rain had stopped but the wind still gusted about them. It was like instinct, his men pulled their weapons up holding them threateningly at the duo. But at the same time the other hooded figure pulled out a green phantoblande coming to stand beside his partner. At this Leo flicked his own crossbow and held it at the taller one. The shorter one continued towards him his squad's weapons following. She stood at his shoulder now. A hand came to rest on his arm applying pressure.

"Please lower it Leo" the female voice whispered to him. He gulped and hesitated looking at her.

"Leo...." she whispered. An especially large gust of wind blew the hood from her head. Leo's breath hitched in his throat. "...please" Gwen stared at him her face pleading. He faltered his hand adjusting on the hilt of his weapon anxiously.

"Please Leo, we need to speak with your mother" she asked again pulling on his sleeve. Reluctantly and slowly he lowered it. He turned to face her fully, his features hard and his eyes cold.

"Why?".

**********************

"Why?" he asked bluntly. Gwen was taken aback, he had never treated her with such harshness. But then again he couldn't ruin his reputation by everyone knowing he helped her.

"We need your help, Baltor is advancing more quickly then we expected, Solaria fell too soon" she told him she pulled her hand back beneath the cloak. He seemed to study her, she could just see the conflicting emotions in his eyes.

"Your Majesty you cannot be considering this, she is not one of us let us kill them and be done with it" Gwen recognized Hepaysis. She had no time to even guard herself before the jealous female leapt at her, teeth bared. She saw a flash of black come to stand in front of her. She thought it was Jaydon but then she saw the blonde hair. Leo had the blonde by the throat his hands constricting and hissing. His teeth had fully grown and his eyes the frightening blue. Hepaysis watched him with fearful eyes while clawing at his hand. He threw her to the ground and advanced seeming to be in a rage. Two of his team leapt forward and held his arms to prevent him from going any further. He only struggled for a few moments before he seemed to calm down. His teeth withdrew though his eyes remained that icy blue.

"I will take you to see my mother" he stated not turning to face her. "Any objections to my decision" he addressed his men who all nodded even Hepaysis if not reluctantly. Leo turned on his heel and strode towards the doors. Gwen quickly followed grabbing Jaydon's wrist as she went to make sure he stayed with and didn't wander. The team fell in behind them. Jaydon bent down and whispered in her ear.

"So he's your connection!" Gwen didn't answer. "And that means if I heard them call him your majesty then he must be the prince right?". She again didn't answer but blushed she heard her friend chuckle but she rewarded him with a hit over the head. Gwen took a breath as the doors were opened and they stepped inside. The heat and warmth hit her like a brick wall. The entrance hall was quite busy. The aristocratic vampires all dressed in fine clothes watched with barely concealed interest. But some voiced their outrage. Hisses and yells soon filled the hall. Leo raised a hand and glared at his people and all fell silent. Gwen's hood had fallen down and many recognized her and now they all knew she was human. Jaydon's face still remained hidden thankfully. Leo whispered to a nearby maid who nodded and smoked out. She felt Jaydon jump behind her. She smirked as the sudden disappearing didn't surprise her. Jaydon bent down to whisper in her.

"What's mister tight-ass's problem" he asked indicating to Leo. Gwen's eyes widened knowing that Leo's hearing definitely would have picked that up and she wasn't disappointed. There was a growl as a warning before Leo spun round and within a blink of an eye he was face to face with Jaydon but he was saved. The purple force field appeared blocking Jaydon from Leonardo's clutches.

"Leo! What are you doing" came a soft voice from behind them. They all turned to face the new comer. There standing on the stairs stood a blonde vampiress. Gwen felt Jaydon stiffen beside her as she looked curiously at the woman. It was the one that Malik had taken off the Royal Command. She looked much better. Her face was flushed and healthy looking. Her blonde hair was brushed and cleaned and left down to cascade over her shoulders. She wore a deep purple dress that was designed much like her own. Her face was confused and wary. But that is when she realized this woman had an uncanny resemblance to the prince.

"Skylar this does not concern you" Leo hissed to her rounding on the blonde. Skylar finished her way down the stairs, glaring the whole way.

"I was with mother when the maid came and I was curious as to whom our visitors were...." she seemed to trail off when she spotted Jaydon who had now pulled down his hood. Gwen looked between the two understanding immediately. She was not the only one for Leo was watching between the two wary. Skylar's eyes went wide and she became flustered.

"Ah...I ..I believe we should go to mother's parlor she will speak to you there" she told them turning to walk back up the stairs. Leo sighed and grabbed Gwen's arm, she didn't resist and they smoked out. Jaydon jumped again at the sudden disappearance of his friend, what was with this place. Skylar rolled her eyes and grabbed Jaydon's arm and before he could even protest she smoked them out. The prince stumbled as they reappeared trying to rid himself of the odd feeling. The room they were in was of a moderate size. It was decorated in deep, dark reds and blues and the furniture was old in style. There were two couches one of which sat Gwen who had removed her cloak. Leo on the other hand was the opposite side of the room leaning against a wall staring at Gwen. Jaydon removed his own cloak and took a seat beside Gwen who was looking anywhere but at Leo. Skylar took the couch opposite them and an awkward silence filled the room. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. No one spoke and no one moved. It stayed like that for a full minute before any of them realized they weren't the only ones. Gwen was first to spot her standing by the shadows of the door. She quickly stood and curtsied and murmuring a 'your majesty'. Leo stood straight and watched as his mother moved into better sight. Skylar stood and walked to her mother.

"Mama, how was the meeting with the elders?" she asked genuinely interested. The Queen simply smiled and surveyed the fairy and Specialist in front of her.

"It was fine" was all she said as her gaze fell on Jaydon. Her calculating gaze was the same as the one she gave her when she first met the Queen, Gwen realized.

"But then I heard of our strange guests and I wanted to greet them myself" her voice was soft and she was smiling, Jaydon could see the pointed teeth.

"And what would bring a Prince of Solaria and a Princess of Linphea to the Vampiric Dimension. The word 'Princess' caught Leo's attention and his eyes darted to Gwen who was confused but she wasn't denying it, why didn't she tell him.

"How do you know who we are?" Gwen asked taking a deep breath. The Queen walked forward till her face was mere inches from Gwen's.

"I have been around, I knew who you were the moment I met you" she told her simply before turning and walking away. Her eyes widened and she looked to Leo who was also wide eyed.

"You knew yet you let me live" Gwen said incredulously watching as the regal Queen slowly walked away. But she stopped at the window and stared out into the night. It had started to rain again, the lightening lit up their room in flashes giving the Queen and beautiful yet frightening glow.

"Long ago I once knew your parents and I could not bring myself to order the death of their only daughter, your mother would have been devastated" she said so softly that they were almost struggling to hear. Gwen stood there frozen in shock, she knew her parents how?. But the vampiress merely turned and headed for the door.

"I know why you are here and the answer is no" she said as she strode towards the door but Gwen made as sudden movement and blocked it and she glared defiantly at the Queen.

"Why?" she asked in a low dangerous tone her emerald eyes glinted. Leo stood ready to jump into action but Skylar merely sat there in shocked silence. Why did she choose now of all times to suddenly be brave Jaydon thought worriedly with one swipe this vampire could easily kill the delicate girl. The Queen stared at the Princess but made no movement to attack.

"You suddenly appear over seven years ago and you help us but then just like that you withdraw leaving the magical world to the slaughter!" Gwen cried "Why?!". The girl was close to tears. Leo's heart was tearing in two, this girl was losing everything and his mother would not help. Skylar hung her head in seemingly shame while Leo stared at Gwen with a sad look. But Gwen wasn't finished.

"Why! Must I loose my family, why! Must they die, WHY MUST THEY ALL DIE!" she shouted as the tears flowed freely. The Queens eyes seemed to glaze over and her lips in a thin line. Gwen closed her eyes for the merest of seconds before they opened to a determined look. The tears seemed frozen in their tracks while her back straightened. She lifted her chin then jutted it out, everything abut her screamed defiance.

"Why must he win" she whispered, silence covered the group like a thick blanket. And as if all strength and belief had left her. Gwen's stance drooped and sighing heavily she stood aside letting her arms fall limply to her side. The Queen stood rooted to the spot her gaze frozen on the now empty doorway.

"Because this war almost cost me my daughter and all that held close" she said softly and slowly. There was silence before the Queen turned to face them again. She looked to her daughter who nodded and stood. She then looked to her son who also nodded. The Queen took a deep breath.

"I did not want any further deaths or losses of my people but I have to remember that the people of the magic dimension are also my responsibility as well" She stated much to the confusion of the vampires in the room but also to the delight of the humans.

"Leo, gather our full forces also send out scouts to all realms I want to know exactly what Baltor is doing" she ordered before smoking. They were all in a stunned silence, all too shocked to speak. Gwen face broke out into a wide grin and she leapt on Jaydon who caught her and twirled her around laughing the whole time. Leo could not help but let the corners of his mouth twitch while Skylar smiled broadly....

Gwen stood in the main hall as it was bussing with activity. Jaydon stood tense at her side. She guessed he had noticed the bloodthirsty gazes that had been thrown their way occasionally.

"Oh relax, Jaydon!" she sighed, but Jaydon ignored her.

"Leo gave strict orders that we were not to be touched" she told him as though it was an everyday thing, it didn't bother her. But then again she had lived with them and was used to being surrounded by blood-sucking vampires 24/7, he wasn't.

"They never disobey a direct order" she told him, but the look he gave her then said there is no way in hell, in any way shape or form did he believe her. Sighing and admitting defeat her eyes returned to watching the vampiric army assemble. She had witnessed this only once before, her eyes glazed over as she remembered that beautiful yet horrible night. When she found love only to have it ripped from her. Her eyes, the traitors they were, sought out the reason for that. They landed on Leo. The prince himself was pushing his way through the throngs of Death Dealers. He slowly, and inconspicuously is what she believed he was trying to be, made his way to them. He didn't even look at them till he was standing in front of them. There was a small bout of awkwardness before he spoke.

"We need to talk Gwen" he stated before abruptly turning on his heel and disappearing through the door to a back room. Gwen slightly shook her head at hi antics before telling Jaydon to stay put and not to do anything stupid. His face was priceless when he found out that she was leaving him alone. After reassuring him he would be fine she slipped in the room closing it behind her. As it clicked shut the noise of the assembly was cut off enveloping the two in a silence. She could see him since she still had her back to him, her hand resting on the door knob. He was the first to speak, well sort of.

"Gwen..I..I…". Well she had to give him points for trying. She cut him off with a loud sigh her grip tightening on the knob for a fraction. "

Leo I…." she started trying to find words to express it all. "The last time we were alone you told me you loved me" she said before turning to face him. Everything she felt and wanted to feel was poured into those words and shining in her eyes. She wanted him to know. "All I need to know right now, is if you still do?" she asked quietly slightly afraid of the answer he was to give.

There was a silence that stretched for a full minute almost tearing her up with anxiety, not that she ever show it. They stared at each other until Leo's answer was finally told, well kind of. With all his speed and grace she was not surprised when he suddenly appeared before he. With a cheeky grin she knew exactly what he planned to do, the next thing she knew his lips were upon her with great passion. She also smiled into the kiss throwing her arms around his neck bringing herself closer to him returning his enthusiasm. It wasn't long till they had to break for air. It was now she realized that his arms were wrapped securely around her waist and her feet were a couple inches off the ground. Their foreheads rested against one another as they simply stared at one another. Gwen found herself lost in those deep, deep wells of blue. Everything about that moment told her all she needed to know. He loved her.

"I do" he finally said "god I love you". "When I found out that my mother had stopped the raids, I was furious" he told her, but the thought made him chuckle. "I tried to get through the portal to get to you, but it took Malik, Oliver and my team to hold me down but it was my mother who had to knock me out before I caused some real damage" Gwen smiled brightly at this. Leo simply kissed her cheek before resting his face on her shoulder. Again there was quiet, both just enjoying the others company.

"I think you can put me down now" she whispered in his ear. He obliged but still held her hands tightly. But then a horn resonated through the walls, a call for war. That noise seemed to bring them crashing back to reality and both smiles faded.

"Well…I…I guess Jaydon and I better get back to Erakylion to explain everything so your arrival isn't too much of a shock" she said nervously, her voice shaking and she tried (and failed miserably) smiling. Leo nodded a sad look on his face. She suddenly turned to leave but his hand lashed out and grabbed her swinging her back into him for a desperate kiss. When they broke apart he stared into her eyes, which were watering.

"After this war is over we will work out everything, all that stands between us is….is my curse but we will work around it, okay?" he told her, cupping her face with his hands. Gwen nodded and quickly brushed away the stray tears. And ever so slowly she backed away, only turning when she had opened the door and left the room. Sighing deeply to console herself she looked for her friend. She wasn't surprised to find him in the exact spot. But what did surprise her was that the Queen herself stood in front of him and having what looked to be a casual conversation. But as Gwen approached the Queen saw her from the corner of her eye, bowed her head to Jaydon before sauntering off. Jaydon was still watching her go when Gwen approached.

"What was that about?" the princess asked. Jaydon seemed surprised by her presence by jumping a bit.

"Oh! Gwen, didn't see you there!" he cried, smiling "um…well she came over a told me what was going to happen with their forces, but then…well…she was asking me questions about the royals and the winx, our parents". Gwen's brow furrowed as she watched the Queen climb the stairs. A hand resting on the railing, sensing Gwen's gaze her head turned so she was looking at Gwen. Gwen stood frozen by the red-headed royal's gaze. The Queen smiled softly at her, a bit forlorn before turning back and disappeared at the top of the stairs.

"You know, she reminds me of someone" Jaydon said following her gaze. Gwen nodded agreeing. And finally shaking away from her stupor she began to walk to the door Jaydon following. But as they reached the doors, Skylar stood there as if waiting for them. Gwen felt she should not take any part in this.

"Well I suppose we shall see each other very soon" the blonde said with obvious nervousness and awkwardness. Jaydon nodded and bowed as any gentlemen would do. Gwen curtsied and left the hall quite quickly to give her friend a moment. Jaydon and Skylar stood facing each other in a tense silence, both very conscious of the vampire packed hall. And all seemed very interested in their non-existent conversation. Jaydon eyed them cautiously.

"Well I guess….Skylar…I..." he stuttered but Skylar cut him off.

"Please Jaydon, not know…I…I'm just confused at the moment" she seemed to plead before a quick curtsy and she smoked out. Jaydon stood rooted to the spot staring at where she had just been. Maybe all this was one sided. Maybe she just doesn't love him. But then again maybe this was for the best. With a swish of his cloak he disappeared through the door. Gwen was waiting for him and together they walked to the vortex, the dark sky mirrored their moods. They were silent both dwelling in their thoughts. But once they reached the portal they both turned back as one to look at Vampyra Castle. And again as one the both stepped through the castle. And both thinking that maybe coming here caused more pain than healing.

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Well I can't believe it I'm actually updating, I'm so sorry about the very very very long wait and I hope this makes up for some of it. Now I don't know when the next one will be up but maybe ill be encouraged if I get lots of reviews! LOL!

Chiao!

double-trouble-no1