HELLO, PEOPLE!
Surprise, surprise! I actually came out with a chapter in the midst of a busy year! I basically wrote for three days straight to get this one out. I rushed, I apologize, but I hope you all still find it a pleasant read. As usual, I'm a little rusty so bear with me. I'm just trying to keep the plot going...and believe me there's A LOT going.

To all my reviewers and to the people that have stuck around for so long...THANK YOU! I couldn't have done it without your encouragement!

Enjoy! Love you all!

Disclaimer: All Sonic characters belong to SEGA and the Sonic team. Kiya belongs to Zelzainia and Lina.

~ o - Chapter 13 - o ~

"Breathe and focus on your life force," Kiya whispered.

All my attention was on contacting the life force within me. We had been at this for a week, trying to define my life source in an attempt to unlock my energy. All my attempts had been futile, I felt nothing.

Not a good sign.

I held back a heavy sigh as I gave up and opened my eyes. My eyes quickly adjusted to the view. The balcony we were on overlooked the dewy forest morning. The sun exposed the values of deep gray and brown on the jagged mountain face that stood ever imposing in the not too far distance. The forest was just awakening, birds sung their morning praises softly. The balcony stone was still cold from the night, pressing onto my bare legs and bum. I rubbed my cold knees in a futile attempt to comfort my incessant anxiety that seemed to only grow as the days went on.

Why wasn't anything happening?

"Deeply in…" Kiya breathed through her nose, "…and out."

Watching the profile of her face as she exhaled, I couldn't help but feel a rush of guilt. For over a week now, Kiya had been covering for my lack of progress. Staying positive in my sessions as she tried endless techniques, poses, meditations, and essential oils in hopes of eliciting a response. Maybe she was feeling the same pressure as I was. The Councilmen certainly weren't making this easy for us, now that they asked for updates about my training.

They would ask if Kiya had felt or seen anything out of me, and she would vaguely describe to them something, just to keep them satisfied. She was sticking her neck out for me.

And I was deathly afraid it would cost her.

She peeked out of one eye and caught me staring. With big blue eyes she wordlessly expressed her concern over my well-being. I pressed my lips together to portray my dismay.

She sighed, her back slightly slumping defeatedly. I let my legs come free of the criss-cross sitting position, hanging them over the edge of the balcony.

What if something never happens?

We sat in silence, staring out over the forest.

A small creak from the door behind us alerted our attention. We turned at the same time to meet the face of one of my guards, holding the door wide and authoritative, looking between us with a stone expression.

"You have ten minutes, my lady and mistress," he said.

I waved him off gently, "thank you," I said flatly. He bowed and began to close the door.

"Wait!" Kiya sprung with sudden urgency.

He paused and I stared at her confusedly. The wind blew a stray blue hair into her face. In the same moment she tucked the strand back into place, she was calm and collected.

"Would you mind retrieving a warm towel for both of us, good Sir? Our training was intensive. My head is beginning to pound, do you feel that, Lady Rose?"

Placing the back of her hand to her forehead, she turned to me, subtlety giving me an expectant look.

I followed her lead, "Ah, yes it's coming in now. Would you please?" I looked to the guard.

"Yes, my lady and mistress," he bowed and closed the door.

With sudden urgency, Kiya jumped off the ledge and ran to the door, pressing her ear to it.

I furrowed my brows, "Kiya! What—"

She deliberately put a finger over her mouth in gesture to be silent and went back to listening.

I brought my feet back over to the floor and stood up in confusion.

"Okay they're gone," Kiya said, pushing herself off the door.

"We only have a few minutes for us to plan," Kiya whispered taking me by the arm to keep me far away from the door close to the balcony edge.

"What?" I asked, my brows furrowing in urgent confusion.

She opened her palms to me, "With an invasive spell, I can locate your energy within you and draw it out."

My eyes widened, my chest filling with the brightness of hope, "Really?! How?"

Her eyes darted from me to the door anxiously, "I must gather the correct herbs and study the incantation again." She hesitated, her eyes blinking wildly as she calculated, "the one that I use to search and clear severe internal damage. It should work."

I could tell her heart was beating fast, she was scared of the guards returning, I made my next questions fast, "so can we do it next time—"

"They won't let me work my magic on you," she said quickly, "I need access to the sauna for this to work. But your guard schedule. And if anyone saw us—"

She clamped shut before she could finish. No longer looking at me, only the door.

My mind rushed in search of possibilities. My heart was racing now too. This was our only chance to speak without supervision.

"Prince Sonic will keep it secret," I said.

"The Prince?!" she said in a harsh whisper, looking at me like I was speaking a different language.

"He's the only one I'm close enough to that can get me out of my guard schedule and get us access to the sauna."

She didn't look convinced.

"I trust him," I said.

She adverted her eyes back to the door, a frown deepening in her face. A few tense moments beat between us, I imagined the guard would be returning at any moment.

"I'll gather my materials. We do this tonight—".

The door creaked open and we nearly jumped away from each other. The guard held the door open with one hand, the other offered two wet towels.

He looked between us, quizzically studying our expressions, "My lady and mistress," his voice hinted at a question.

"Thank you, Sir guard. This headache has me sensitive to everything," I said, taking the warm white cloth from him and pressing it to my forehead.

Kiya took the cloth and smiled a thin lipped smile. I worked the towel around my face in hopes of working the color back into my features.

"Your time together is up. What is her progress?" he said stiffly.

Kiya put the towel to her cheek, "The energy sits in her palms yet she cannot properly yield it. Her extension and locus of power needs improvement. But it is improvement from last week," she said with a weak sideways smile.

The guard nodded in satisfaction, "Excellent. I shall pass the report to the Council. Lady Rose, we must escort you to your quarters."

"Of course," I said. I looked to Kiya with a smile, "Until next time."

As we hugged, she turned her lips to my ear. "Midnight," she whispered barely audible.

I nodded and smiled, letting the guard lead me away.

An excited nervousness settled in my stomach as we returned to the main hall and met with the other guards. I began furiously piecing together a plan for tonight, trying to distract myself from the possibility that none of this would come together. Or worse.

Kiya could confirm that I didn't have any power at all.

Cold settled all over my body.

Then what?

~ o ~

"Is everything okay?"

Sonic gently shut the door behind him. With the reflection of the fireplace in his eyes, he absorbed my presence as I wafted through the room. His brows scrunched gently, expressing his concern over my sudden intrusion in the middle of the night.

My fingers graced the soft backing of the couch as I made my way to the opposite side of the room. Maintaining a calm steady gaze, I admired his private foyer.

"Of course everything is fine," I said, pushing down my eagerness to jump right to the point, "Is it wrong that I just wanted to spend some extra time with you?"

I caught the smile he tried to hide as he followed me through the room, "Well I can't say I don't enjoy your presence."

We exchanged knowing glances and a deep warmth ignited in my stomach. I braced to keep myself calm, making my way to the window seat. I couldn't let myself be too swayed by his charm, that would only make me like every other female in Solstice that craved his attention.

I was different, and I didn't need to prove it to anyone but myself.

He followed slowly, carefully taking in my movements, admiring how the glowing fire flickered on my curves. My tight nightgown and light jacket were only increasing my chances of him abiding to my plan.

"How has your day been?" I asked, lightly settling onto the plush plum colored seating in the window.

He was in casual clothing too. A loose tan shirt and a pair of dark jeans that hung on his athletic form nicely. His broad shoulders filled the shirt and he leaned comfortably against the armrest of the couch facing me. Smoothly sliding his hands in his pocket and crossing his long legs one over the other, he thought over his day.

"More meetings…I was fitted for my tux for my formal dinner event tomorrow…I had a long talk with my father about my future…" he shook his head disapprovingly, "The responsibilities keep piling up."

The pressure was blatantly obvious in the way he cast his tired eyes to the floor, a brief but deep sadness taking his entire body. It tugged hard at my heartstrings to see him so defeated.

"What do they want you to do?" I inquired softly.

He sighed, "I'm turning nineteen soon and the Royal Council is frustrated that I have not taken the throne yet. With my father's illness they want to ensure that I take position as king before he…"

He trailed off, pursing his lips together in an attempt to keep his turmoil inside. He forced himself to remain composed.

"I'm just not ready," he said deeply.

"No one is ever ready for that," I said comfortingly. "And you shouldn't be pressured like that. It's your life, after all."

"But the kingdom needs a ruler," Sonic said flatly.

"You shouldn't make yourself miserable just to be it," I said mater-of-factly, "everyone deserves happiness. You deserve to live your life the way you want to."

He looked at me, taken by my words. I thought for a brief moment that I had gone too far, that I had spoken my mind too much. That I had made of fool of myself imposing my opinion on his life, but a smirk began to form on his lips and a light ignited in his eyes.

"I'd like to go adventuring," he said with an energy to his words. "Everyone thinks I'm childish for thinking so but I'd really like to see the world. Hike mountains and explore the forests and sail the seas."

The wanderlust in his eyes made my heart swell. There was nothing brighter than seeing someone talk about something they loved. And there was suddenly nothing more attractive about him than his desire to explore the world. I couldn't have related to him any better, I too yearned to see what the world had to offer.

"Really? Because I feel the same way." I said, smiling brightly, "I've always wanted to see what's out there. And the ocean. I've always wanted to see the ocean."

His interest noticeably peaked, his smile was white and perfect as his excitement propelled him to my side on the cushion. A roar of heat overtook me at his closeness. Could he feel it too?

"I could take you there," he said, his happiness sobering to be more serious, "we have an estate on an island. I used to go there a lot as a kid with my family. The estate overlooks the ocean."

"Would you really?" My mind whirled at the idea.

The only time I had ever seen or heard of the ocean was in paintings in the town square or when the Wilders would return home from vacation and talk about the warm water and the waves and the gentle breeze. It always sounded like a paradise to me and I dreamed of seeing it myself.

"Of course," he said with a warm smile, that was only warmer up close, "then we could go adventuring together."

"That sounds…like something I would really like." I said with a coy smile.

With that confirmation, his mind opened to me, sharing in great detail the multitude of amazing places he had seen. He enjoyed the way I listened, awed by his journeys. He was captured by my laughter at his jokes. Although less impressive, I told him stories about Fairfield and the places I had learned to escape to in the forest around the estate, and he glowed with the same excitement I had for his grandiose stories.

The night slowed to a comfortable lull, our laughter quieting to a few beats of silence, bringing awareness to the closeness between us.

He adverted his eyes to the wood flooring with a sudden rush of thoughts. I took the opportunity to study him. He looked more like a beautifully carved statue with his angular profile and concentrated gaze. From his intense translucent green eyes, to his alluring stern mouth, to his pronounced jaw shadowed by the flickering fire, he was achingly handsome.

"Our island estate…It was my mother's favorite place," his soft and vulnerable tone elicited my desire to stroke his hair soothingly or hold his hand to comfort him. I listened intently.

"Which is why we haven't gone back since her death."

I breathed shallowly as I dared to delved deeper into his past.

"When did she pass away?" I asked.

"When I was twelve," the muscles in his jaw flexed.

"She was murdered."

The news twisted hard in my chest. I disregarded the will the kept me from touching him, laying my hand on his hand, lightly massaging comfort and warmth into our touch. Innocent enough, but enough to speak volumes. I didn't ask anything further but he chose to continue on.

"It was during our annual Autumnal Equinox Ceremony in Silvereye City. My father, mother, and I were on our thrones overlooking the dances, the feasts, and the carving of pumpkins in their main square. Everything was great, until a disturbance arose in a shop nearby."

Weariness weighed on him, lost in his own thrashing memory.

"A series of explosions went off. People scattered and our knights came to our aide, rushing us out of the smoke and chaos. My mother and I became separated from my father during the evacuation. What our knights were unable to see was the archer in the bell tower, waiting for us to exit the smoke."

I held back a gasp, my heart sinking.

"My mother saw him at the last moment. The arrow was meant for me but she embraced me and took the arrow in the back to protect me. She bled out on the ground where she fell. I was ripped away to safety in her last moments. The killer fled before we were able to capture him, but he made it apparent who he was."

Sonic noticeably tensed, his eyes trained on the fire as a wave of rage overcame him, his face slowly twisting like he tasted something bitter.

He scorned his name, "Archer Thane, King of the Assassins."

I could feel the rawness in his emotions, the years of sadness and anger and vengeance suddenly blatant in his face. Guilt consumed me for causing him to relive the moment of his mother's death. This side of the Prince was not one many saw.

"I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you hurt again," I said, trying to get him to look at me again and bring him out of the dark place he was in.

He squeezed his eyes shut, the sting in his face slowly ebbing away, "It's okay, Amy. It was public news."

"But it wasn't public how much you suffered. And not everyone was here for you when you grieved. I know what it's like," I trailed off, with one small push I could fall down the rabbit hole and mourn my past. With a sharp intake of air, I put up the walls quickly and forced myself to be Sonic's comfort.

"I'm here for you," I said finally, my words slipping off my lips like a velvet blanket.

He gently entwined his fingers with mine, the brush of his thumb a reassuring signal that he was still here with me and not diving into the darkness of his thoughts. When his eyes met mine, I was taken aback by the new emotion a part of me stirring with warmth. In a single moment we exchanged the same emotion. A deep ache of desire.

With one slight tug of his fingers, he brought me closer to him and I allowed him to take me in, falling into his chest. His scent of earth and freshness engulfed me, his embrace as strong and comforting as his stature conveyed. He nuzzled his face in my hair, inhaling my scent. He was immediately intoxicated, his fingers curling into me. For a few moments we stayed like that, reveling in how our bodies felt against each other, the scents, and the warmth that swarmed through us like a drug. He loosed just enough so we could face each other, only inches between us, his arms still encircling me.

"I've learned from my mother's death. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you, now that you are royalty."

His eyes glossed with desire, his control slipping from him. His voice deepened as he leaned in, "You have a beautiful mind, Amy, and I want to protect that."

My lips parted with a sharp intake of breath. My blood ignited with fire as his wanting eyes washed over me, flicking down to watch my chest rise and fall slowly. Trailing his eyes back up, he rested on my plump lips. He drew in close, his touch becoming possessive, compelled to graze his lips against my own. Upon touch, our shallow breaths became one as he captured my mouth with his own. We melted together in sync, our fiery desire destroying all resistance. His lips were deliberate but gentle. He came back again again, addicted to the taste. Steadily I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers searing the places on his neck and raking hot trails through his disheveled hair. His hands grazed my hot skin, melding me to his body.

With a heated shudder he parted from me, sitting in wordless fruition, dropping his now awakened gaze to a spot on my bare shoulder. Our breaths ragged, I searched his eyes for an answer but he made a pointed effort to conceal his thoughts. I decided against voicing my concern, in fear that his answer would be more than I could handle in my vulnerable state.

Our foreheads barely touching, we reveled in the wake of the fire. His embrace never faltering as the space between us filled with nothing but our breaths and the crackling fireplace.

Against my own desire to break the moment, I spoke, my words still coated with affection, "Sonic, I need your help."

He tipped his head up slightly, clearing the raggedness in his voice. He blinked himself out of his stupor, "of course, what is it?"

I was suddenly flustered under his concerned gaze, "I…I've been having sessions with Kiya to draw out my power and it's been slow to develop but Kiya believes she can activate it all at once, taking me to the next level…"

Chaos, I had no idea what I was talking about. I felt sick lying to his face like this, but I had to remind myself that it was the only way I could keep my royal status…the only way I could stay alive.

"Kiya said you have a sauna here at the castle. We need to use it, just her and I, but with my guard schedule so tight I don't have the opportunity to do the incantation with her…alone."

He nodded, following along, "So you need me to adjust your guard schedule so you can meet with Kiya and do the incantation?"

I nodded. A few moments of silence beat past as he thought. My nerves tightened.

"I'll contact the Head Guard and get you the free time," he said.

I smiled and relief flooded me. Thank Chaos—

"But I'm coming with you," he said.

My breath cut short and I worked to hide my surprise.

"Of course but…why?" I asked.

"I just want to see how far you and Kiya have come. I think it would be rather exciting to watch a developing Guardian," he said with a smile.

I felt sick but I smiled anyway, a breathy laugh escaping me for lack of a better reaction.

This wasn't good.

This wasn't good at all.

"So when did she say you needed to do this?" he asked excitedly.

"Midnight. Tonight," I said, realizing that it was only a few hours away.

"Ooo, spooky," he joked, "well we better get started then."

My body felt absent without his arms around me as I scooted off his lap to let him stand.

"Thank you so much, Sonic," I said.

"Anytime, Amy," he said.

As we prepared for the incantation, my fear became a heavy rock in my chest. I couldn't believe all the things I was hiding. All this lying is gonna cost me at some point.

~ o ~

Sonic poured the last bit of water on the hot rocks. It sizzled loudly and Kiya and I looked around anxiously to make sure no one heard. The spa was dark, we didn't dare turn on the lights in fear that someone would walk by and investigate. Our only light was a candle that illuminated just enough to see our faces. Sonic took the candle from me.

"Okay, it's ready," he whispered.

"Thank you, Lord Prince," Kiya said, bowing slightly as she entered the sauna with her satchel of materials.

"Wait, Mistress Kiya," Sonic harshly whispered for her attention.

Her ears perked up with alertness, "Yes, your highness?"

"My I…observe the incantation?" He asked.

My breath was shallow as I looked to Kiya, fear written blankly in my eyes. She came out of the sauna, clearing her throat to answer the prince.

"Please forgive me, your highness, I am not going to refuse your request, but I am inclined to inform you that for this incantation the Lady will need to be…stripped of her clothing," she said carefully.

Sonic's mouth clamped shut. It was too dark to see if there was a blush on his cheeks.

"Oh. Then continue your ritual, I will remain out here," he said quickly, "good luck."

Sonic and I exchanged sweet smiles before I entered with Kiya and closed the door behind me.

I breathed in the thick black warm air. Sweat began to accumulate on my body. My hair, although pulled back into a high bun, already felt oily and tangled.

"I have a match, hold on," Kiya fumbled around in her purse.

After a few moments, she lit candle after candle in a circle and blew out the match. She worked swiftly settling the herbs in a shape on the ground and laying out the proper crystals. I stood nervously watching her, the outcome of this incantation could either make or break my future here. She looked up and noticed my expression. She continued working, but spoke to me in a normal tone.

"Sonic can't hear you in here, the walls are too thick. So if you want to talk, we can. Finally," she said.

"Why are you covering for me?" I blurted before I could stop myself.

She busied herself as she answered, "Because….because I see something in you. I don't know what it is but you're different than most, you're…refreshing."

She threw aside her satchel and actually looked at me, "and if it really turns out you're a Guardian it may be the best thing that's happened to the kingdom in centuries."

I stood astounded, unable to understand why so many people believed that just my presence could help this kingdom…LL, Sonic, and now Kiya? I haven't even done anything to prove myself beside the accident at the Knighting Ceremony. But I couldn't bring myself to argue with her. She gestured to the floor in the center.

"Let's get started before we get caught. Take off your shirt and shorts and lay here," she said.

"I don't have to be naked?" I asked.

"I only said that to keep Sonic out, now hurry."

I did as told and laid in the center looking up at the ceiling in nothing but my bra and underwear. Breathing became difficult and sweat ran in small droplets down my back.

"Alright, just as practiced. Close your eyes, start your breaths, and clear your mind of everything but the sound of my voice," she spoke gently and comfortingly.

The world slipped away as my mind filled with the hot fog that surrounded me. She mumbled ancient words and spread an oil down from my forehead to my naval. Her enunciation was concise, every word stimulating the deepest parts of my mind, sending shivers down my head, neck, and spine. Heat weighed down on me and suddenly I was tumbling through a vast darkness. I felt a pull of something -perhaps Kiya's magic at work- and let it guide me onto a steadier path. I found myself materializing into…someone. Not myself.

My arms and legs were not my own. Female, but my fur was a light purple color and I had the long tail of a cat species. Then, there was a horrible stabbing pain through my skull.

I gasped as nightmares came rushing back. I wiped out an entire village, a beast consumed me, Alfonso stabbed me, Sonic killed me—

Balance…control…

I came screeching to a halt as I seemed to hit an invisible barrier. With a hammer I swung at it over and over again. What was this? Who was I?

It's a trap.

The voice was not my own either. Was I having a psychotic breakdown?

My hammer swinging was relentless, I was compelled by an invisible force to take down the wall.

It's a trap.

I don't know what that means.

Wham. My hammer cracked the wall.

You're premature. It's a trap.

Wham. More cracked pieces.

Should I not break this down?

Wham. It was weak now. The voice went silent.

Wham.

The wall came down and a flood of electrified green energy came crackling through me. Sporadic and uncontrolled it tore through me wildly. In the distance Kiya shouted in astonishment and I came rushing out of my deep abyss.

My eyes burst open and I breathed heavily like I had just returned from a run. Sweat ran in trails down my face. I quickly wiped it away and took survey of what I felt.

I grasped for something, a new feeling, anything.

I didn't feel any different.

It was gone again.

I sat up and found Kiya on her hands and knees, staring at the ground not far from me. She was breathing heavily too but I could not make out her expression.

"What did you find? What- what was that?!" I asked exasperated, looking at my palms for an answer.

She turned her head and I noted her confused expression, "That was it. What you felt -what you expelled- that was the only energy I could find in there."

I was horrified by her answer, the heat and sweat overtook me as I unsteadily grasped for calmness.

"So you mean…I'm not the Guardian?" my head spun.

She started packing her things quickly, "It was weak. I don't know what Chaos energy feels like but I assumed it to be stronger than that," she threw me my clothes, "please get dressed we have to get out of the sauna, it's not good to be in here so long."

"So can I summon it?" my voice had become ragged and estranged from myself.

Kiya threw down her materials, her frustration coming out all at one, "I opened your reserve, Amy. If you can't feel it and summon it now you can't summon it at all."

With a stone expression I watched her clean and blow out each of the candles. She worked, trying to compose herself, but couldn't bring herself to look at me.

The news weighed heavy on me. I put my hand against the wall to steady myself, hunching over in the corner as sweat rolled off my nose and vomit threaten to come up.

I was just a peasant this entire time.

I had no power.

~ o ~

Didn't think that would happen, did you?

How about that kiss, though? Are the Sonamy fans out there losing it? XD

Please review!

Blitz is out! Peace~