The pain from her upper arm woke her up before dawn and Tashia tried to get comfortable again but the pain was unbearable. Finally she sat up and peeled the blood stained and sticky dress over her head. She threw it into a corner of her room and made her way over to her closet. Tashia threw on the first dress she pulled out, it was a dark purple dress that bunched at her left hip and fell in soft waves to her feet. The dress brought out the light freckles on her chest and the color worked well with her tanned skin. She pulled her hair up into a carefully constructed bun. Carefully she pulled her left arm out of the dress's sleeve and unwrapped the crudely created bandage on her arm. Tashia winced as some of the threads in the cloth resisted. It wasn't bleeding anymore and she wasn't sure if it would scar or not but she was going to stop by the infirmary supply closet and gather some real bandages anyways.

There was a basin of cold water on the night stand by her table. Tashia splashed some cold water on her face and instantly she felt awake. She pulled open the heavy curtains that covered the two windows next to her bed. The sun was just peeking over the horizon; it was spreading a pink-orange haze over the water which was calm in the morning light. She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself trying to figure out what she was going to do next. Tashia knew that it was only a matter of time before her father lost all of his patience for her. He would end up killing her one day, instead of just leaving bruises and scars. But he would find her where ever she went; he would constantly send people after her. Nowhere was safe for her and she didn't know what to do anymore. There was no one she could trust. Her sister Elaine hated her because of how different they were. Her brother Darrion was happy here, he was going to build his life and settle down soon. Her mother resented her because she wasn't exactly like Elaine and her father used her in anyway her could. Tashia leaned her forehead against the large glass panes of her windows and sighed. She took in the sight of the calm ocean and wished her life could be just as calm. She tried to remember when things had been different and she had felt loved. But she didn't think there was ever a time. No one read her bed time stories or told her monsters didn't exist. There was no one there to quiet her when a nightmare woke her up screaming. She had gotten used to taking care of herself and being strong. But Tashia was tired, she was tired of always watching what she did or said or where she went.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. She turned around and while still hugging herself tight she went to the door and opened it.

"I'm sorry if I woke you Lady Tashia," Henry, one of the servants of the castle said, lowering his head and bowing apologetically, "But there is a woman pounding on the castle doors asking for you. I didn't want to wake your father."

"Thank you Henry, see her in to the lavender sitting room. I'll be down in a minute," Tashia replied and watched as Henry briskly set out to follow her instructions. Tashia smoothed some of the wisps of hair that framed her head flat, and left her room. She took a deep breath and headed the opposite way that Henry had, she used the servant stair cases near the end of the hallway to get to the kitchen.

"Lady Tashia I have not seen you in this kitchen in a long time," Claire, the cook said waving a wooden spoon at her, "I thought you were smart enough to get out and stay out for good."

"Good morning Mistress Cook," Tashia said smiling and bowing as Claire laughed and set her wooden spoon back in the pot in front of her.

"It is always good to see you Tashia," Claire said sadly, "But you know you cannot stay here. You have known for many years it is not safe for you here."

"I know Claire…I know," Tashia replied, "I can't risk it right now, not with the knights and Evan here. Not with my father on alert for another run away attempt." Tashia eyed the freshly bake bread that was cooling on the counter.

"Go ahead," Claire said waving her hand in direction of the bread.

"Thanks Claire," Tashia said as she snatched a roll, tore a piece off and plopped it into her mouth, "I'm going to need a tray of light refreshments in the Lavender sitting room if you can." Claire cocked one of her eyebrows in question. Tashia just shrugged and left the kitchen.

Tashia finished the roll of bread on her way to the Lavender sitting room; she brushed the crumbs off her dress and took a deep breath. She pushed open the door and stopped when she saw the woman standing in the room waiting for her.

"Lady Tashia," The woman said bowing her head and curtseying, "I'm sorry for asking for your company at such an awful time in the morning but it is urgent."

"Madeline…it's been a long time. The last time I saw you, you were running off with one of my old suitors and laughing at me," Tashia muttered as she crossed her arms aggressively across her chest, "What can I do for you?"

"I need a place to stay for awhile…I just need to get away. And I know you don't owe me anything but I figured you know what it feels like to need to get away. To need space?" Madeline looked at Tashia with wide innocent eyes and Tashia just stared at her.

"It's not my decision to make Madeline; you'll have to talk to my father," Tashia said, "I wish I could do something for you…you can relax here for awhile and I'll tell my father you wish to speak to him when he wakes up."

"Thank you Lady Tashia," Madeline said and Tashia just nodded as she walked out of the room. Tashia was walking towards the dining room when Arthur stepped out of his room and stopped when he saw Tashia.

"Princess Tashia if we could talk for a second?" Arthur asked and Tashia frowned.

"Haven't we done enough talking all ready Arthur…I don't have much more to say."

"You're bleeding," Arthur said taking a step closer to her and reaching for her sleeve. Tashia flinched and took a step back.

"It's nothing, just a little scratch that's all," Tashia replied trying to look calm and collected.

"It's not bleeding as if it was a little scratch," Arthur replied as he moved forward and grabbed her arm before she could stop him. He pulled her sleeve down and looked at her. He didn't know what to say, didn't even know where to begin.

"Tashia…,"

"Arthur it really is none of your business. We can't all have amazing lives and live happily ever after," Tashia snapped pulling her arm out of his hands.

"What is going on here?" She heard her father's booming voice behind her. She flinched and looked at Arthur. Tashia mouthed the word please and Arthur just watched her for a second. As Tashia turned around to face her father, she pulled her sleeve back over her shoulder.

"Nothing at all father, Sir Arthur was just about to escort me to breakfast. I didn't want to go alone," Her father glared at her and Tashia lowered her head.

"Arthur you and I should have a chat-,"

"Madeline is in the Lavender sitting room she was hoping to speak to you," Tashia interrupted quickly. Her father once again looked at her and then nodded.

"Very well I will go speak to Madeline but then Arthur and I will talk, won't we Arthur?"

"Yes your majesty," Arthur replied forcing himself to sound calm.

As soon as Tashia's father had turned the corner Arthur grabbed Tashia and whipped her around to face him.

"What is that from?" Arthur hissed pointing to her upper arm. Tashia shrugged and pulled her arm out of his grasp.

"Arthur don't get involved. Stay for a couple more days and then leave. Don't come back and don't ask questions," Tashia said and when Arthur eyed her upper arm again she continued, "And certainly do not speak with my father."

"Tashia-,"

"Arthur, please. I'll beg if I have to. You have no idea what it's like here. Don't make it worse for me," She said softly, pushing a wisp of hair that had escaped her bun behind her ear.

"Tashia I can't just stand by and do nothing. That is not who I am, that is not who the knights are," He replied

"Just this once Arthur, I'll pay you back I swear," Tashia said as she turned to leave, she looked over her shoulder as she walked away, "Please?"

"I'll think about it," He called after her as she disappeared behind the corner.

The king opened the door to the Lavender sitting room and Madeline looked up at him with a huge smile on her face. She stayed seated until he closed the door behind him, then she stood up.

"Hello sweetheart," Madeline said as the king crossed over to her quickly. He stood before her without touching her for a second and then roughly grabbing her he pulled her up against his body. She wiggled a little, rubbing some of the most intimate parts of herself up against him. He growled softly, twisting his hand in her hair and kissing her fiercely.

"Did she buy it?" Madeline gasped as he started kissing her neck and working his way down her chest.

"As far as I can tell," He replied as he looked at her and smiled. His hands went to the back of her dress and unlaced it. It fell softly from her shoulders and pooled at her feet. He grinned because she wasn't wearing anything underneath her dress, just how he liked it.

"Make it quick," Madeline said as she sifted her fingers through his hair.

"Remember who you're speaking to Madeline. You are no one yet do not make me bore of you so quickly," He said as he took a step back from her and crossed his arms, the mood almost ruined. Madeline smiled and shrugged.

"Should I kneel for you, will that make it all better?" Madeline asked as she got to her knees and her hands quickly started at his belt. He looked down at her and smiled

"Make it quick, I'm expected at breakfast," He said as his pants fell to his ankles and his fingers sifted roughly through her hair.