I hope you all enjoyed the last installment! Even though it was on the shorter side. But no worries! Chapter 3 is here and it is full of new juicy material. Also, if you enjoy the story please take a moment to write your thoughts in the reviews or even in a direct message to me. It is so so important to me. Anyway, I know most probably don't read this part, but please enjoy this new chapter.

"This is the last night you'll spend alone. Look me in the eyes so I know you know I'm everywhere you want me to be..The last night you'll spend alone, I'll wrap you in my arms and I won't let go. I'm everything you need me to be.."

-The Last Night, Skillet

She felt the harsh sting of water threatening to pool over in her eyes. She couldn't blink. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the neck of the bandit. Not even when Sasuke ran to her side in the carriage bench. Not even when his rough hands found her cold goosebump infested shoulders.

He gave her a light shake, physically begging her to snap out of it.

"Sakura"

Her name on his tongue was the only cure for her paralysis. Slowly, fearful shocked eyes found his face to her right. He was so much more beautiful up so close. She could smell his mint breath, his skin's sent.

He searched her eyes, "We have to keep moving. Don't worry yourself with what you saw. These men can be deserters. They acted on their own accord."

She thawed slightly at his explanation, but saw a flicker of deceit in his eyes.

"You're lying." She almost didn't recognize her own voice that escaped her paled lips. It sounded too faint, too flat.

His silence gave her all she needed. Tears finally began to pour. She hated him seeing her like this; so weak.

Something cold and hard touched her cheek where a long salted tear had ran to. Before she could realize, it was gone. Her gaze was met with a hard, blank expression from her knight.

"We have to keep moving."

His stale exterior had returned. His façade had broken, if only for a second, before her. She had seen it, and he knew.

He took to the reigns once more, and began towards the beaten path, not even attempting to avoid the bodies that littered the road.

His lack of empathy got under her skin, only making her tears harder to stop. He had been so kind before, in those few moments. How could he have stopped so suddenly? Why would he? She hated him. She hated the way he made her hair leap from her skin when he looked at her. She hated the way his voice made her spine shiver. She hated how his tongue articulated the sounds of her name..

She trembled at the memory, he noticed.

"Don't think too hard on it. Like I said before, they were most likely deserters. Nothing more."

She slowly shook her head, "You and I both know that isn't true."

He stole a slight glance over to the princess before answering, "Neither of us know what's true."

His candor caught her off guard. She jerked her head in his direction, and found herself unable to look away. His jawline was so distinct, so beautifully crafted. His beauty physically hurt her. She could feel the knots beginning to form in her stomach. She had been far too lost in her thoughts. She had unfortunately let him notice.

He side eyed her, "What?"

A deep scarlet blush burned her cheeks, "I-Uh..Th-thank you." She struggled for words. They came to her quickly and without warning like vomit.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"For..for back there.."

"What about it?" his attention was fully on her face now.

"Everything." She was uncontrollably honest around him. It shocked her.

Something in his eyes answered her. Something she would never admit to him that she noticed. Something that happened so quickly. And with a blink, it was gone.

He turned back towards the midnight black horses and huffed back at her, "That's what I'm here for."

He was right. That is exactly what he was here for. It basically was in his job description. But the kind words he had spoken to her and the..whatever that touch was. Was not.

She felt her cheeks redden at her thoughts, and tore her eyes away from the handsome knight to her twiddling fingers.

The day dripped slowly into the night, and they still had not spoken a word. He no longer stole glances at her. He simply acted as if she wasn't there at all. Sakura mentally kicked herself for ever getting brave and leaving the confines of her carriage.

"You should get some sleep."

Sakura had not noticed the slight yawn her mouth was forming until his velvet voice cracked the silence like glass.

"You're going to go on through the night?" she questioned. It was already extremely late.

"The sooner we get there, the better." His words cut into her pride sharply. He didn't want to be around her. He didn't want to be in her company so bad that he would drive through the night just to get home.

Home..Camelot is no longer the odd place beyond the prairies of her homeland. It was her home now.

"What's the look for?" The knight's voice broke her from the ties of her thoughts, and helped bring back down the painful lump in her throat. She must have been wearing her extreme distaste for her future all over her face, and he had noticed.

"What look?" playing coy probably would not get her far, but she hoped he was too tired to pry.

"You looked like you were going to be sick."

She was wrong.

She avoided his questioning stare. How could he steer the coach so effortlessly while obviously giving his attention elsewhere? When she didn't answer, he pressed on.

"He's a great man."

This got her attention. Sakura's eyes flickered to his own. She felt herself physically tremor at the electricity his coal black eyes sent through her spine. Her fingertips went numb.

"What?"

Obviously no longer interested, Sasuke gave his attention back to the road. "The King. He can be an idiot sometimes; most of the time. But he is a great man. He will give you a good life. A life that moronic place you called a kingdom would never give. One that no one but a true king could give you."

"Why are you trying to convince me? I'm already betrothed and on my way." She raised an eyebrow in his direction. She felt the hard arm beside her own grow stiff.

"He will be the one in need of convincing once he sees you with bags beneath your eyes."

Sasuke had hoped for a burst of laughter, or maybe even a pout. But he was met with tired sad emerald eyes staring into silky white palms.

"What exactly was that back there?..." She still didn't meet his eyes. Her voice came out quiet, almost too quiet to reach his ears. He had to strain himself to hear her sentence.

In any other situation, he would have lied. A blatant, distasteful lie just to shut her up. He prepared the lie, but it didn't make it passed his lips.

"I don't know."

She didn't expect this, and turned up towards him. He couldn't meet those eyes. He would lose all composure.

"I don't understand..it makes no sense."

"What is your relationship like with your family?" It sounded like a question, but she almost couldn't believe he had asked it. She thought she had imagined his words.

"What?.."

"Nothing." He barked, obviously not happy with the response.

"I hate him."

He peered over towards her without turning his head, noting her grimace.

"Why?"

"He just..he just gave me away..just like that. I stood up to that grey-haired idiot as soon as he suggested trading me. But my father butted in, and offered me up on a silver platter."

"He may have had his reasons."

She turned her grimace on him, taking him aback. "Reasons? What reasons would any man have to just give away his daughter? Was there even an impending attack on Panem? And what about those men? They were trying to kill me, to kill us! They were Men of the Snake, my father's men!"

Sasuke felt his expression soften as he took in her words. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"We'll stop at an Inn for the night. You'll be more comfortable in an actual bed than a carriage. You need to eat. You haven't eaten today."

Sakura's fury turned into shock at his change in demeanor. "What are you-"

"I'll stand guard outside your room. You won't have anything to worry about."

"How do you know I haven't eaten anything?.." Sakura could not take her eyes off her beautiful knight. He was horribly confusing.

They had come across a bright old Inn just outside the dark forest. It was extremely crowded and loud. It was littered with travelers from all over. None were from Panem, or at least from court. They all looked normal; no dyes.

Sasuke parked the carriage and leaped down to tend and secure the horses. Sakura leaned toward him as he tied up the horses to an old wooden post, the light from one of the Inn's windows illuminated his features.

Sakura fought a blush, "Hey! I asked you a question!"

"You picked over your food the blonde brought you, like a spoiled child."

"Excuse me!?"

"Come on. " Sasuke headed towards the Inn's entrance without her.

Sakura jumped down, running to catch up to him. "Don't do that."

Sasuke kept looking forward, "Do what?"

"Play me off like that. It's an act, and I'm not buying it."

Sasuke, still looking away from her, showed her something that made her heart swell. He closed his eyes in a small half smile. One that made her heart palpitate.

They entered the large booming Inn and were immediately greeted. A busty yellow-haired woman approached them. She was beautiful and instantly made Sakura self-consious. She found herself watching to see if Sasuke noticed her beauty. But he just stood there as she approached, stoic and statuesque as always.

"Welcome! Welcome weary travelers!" she flashed them a bright smile. "Are you two staying with us tonight?"

"Yes, we'll need one room."

"Just one?!" Sakura didn't think he'd actually guard her the entire night.

"Ah love birds I see. You, my lady, must be a lady of the court of Panem. " The woman pointed to Sakura's pastel hair.

"Oh well actually I'm-"

Sasuke moved his body slightly infront of her, "Good eye. She was once a lady of Panem's court, she's now my new bride. Therefore we are only in need of one room."

Sakura stood in complete shock as she watched Sasuke speak to the woman in such a fluent lie.

They were escorted to their room, passing several seated patrons of the Inn on the way. Some looked at Sakura like they had seen her before, others were too star struck with Sasuke's appearance to notice her.

"Here we are!" the Inn host showed them to their room, up the stairs and four doors to the right.

Their room.

Sakura felt her body shake. The tremors came in waves as she kept thinking of sleeping in the same room as him.

The room was old and empty. Definitely not what Sakura expected after how flamboyant the rest of the Inn was. It had one small rickety bed, a large wooden dresser, and a small window.

Sasuke took one quick look around the room and turned back towards the door.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

Sasuke spoke without turning, "I'm going to get you some food."

"I'm not letting you leave tomorrow without sleep. Stay here and get some rest. I'll eat something and be back before you know it." Sakura had started towards the door as she spoke, thinking he would at least give her a moment of clarity without him around.

A hard cold armored chest stopped her advancement towards the door. "No."

"Hey! I get that you are here to protect me and that's fine. I really do appreciate it. But, I think I can handle this on my own."

She started around him, only to be barred again by a hard hand on her shoulder. "Hey!"

Sasuke's nose razed her own as he leaned towards her, hand still gripping her shoulder.

"Stay here." His breath brushed over her face as he spoke. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She couldn't breathe.

"Y-y-you..you can't t-tell me..what to do.."

Sasuke held her gaze. She was going to explode.

She blinked, looking away from him. She turned her body away from his stare, and headed towards the door a third and hopefully final time.

A loud banging came at the door. Sakura instinctively jumped back, grabbing on to Sasuke's right arm.

The banging came again, harder this time.

"Who is-" Sakura's voice was cut off abruptly by Sasuke's large palm.

The banging came again.

Sasuke's mouth was at her ear, she felt his body on her back. "When I remove my hand, moan."

"hmm?!" Sakura's million questions were muffled by his demand.

Sasuke grunted in disapproval, obviously annoyed. His mouth clamped down on her throat.

"Ah!" Sasuke's hand that once clamped over her mouth now grabbed her hip, pulling her into his body.

"O-oh, sorry. Wrong room! Come on, guys." The men at the door responsible for the banging stomped away from their room door.

Sakura felt a chill as the body she was once pressed against left her. Her neck felt slightly wet.

Sasuke slowly opened the door and peered down the hall. "Stay here." He ordered, and he was gone.