Alianna ran all the way back to her room where Argus was waiting for her.

"What's wrong?" Argus asked, seeing how visibly upset Alianna was, "What happened?" Thinking someone had hurt her, he gripped the handle of his sword tightly.

"It's Murtagh," Alianna cried, "He…"

Just then Murtagh came into the room looking very worried. Alianna turned to Argus and told him that she needed to speak to Murtagh privately. Argus simply nodded and left the room quickly. Alianna then looked up at her husband in complete disbelief.

When she didn't saying anything, Murtagh spoke, "Alianna, listen to me. That wasn't what it looked like."

"Oh really?" Alianna asked, "I may be a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them. I know what I saw. You were using dark magic! What's going on? Is this what you've been up to for the past few weeks?"

"For the most part, yes." Murtagh admitted.

Alianna couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had hoped this was a bad dream, but now that Murtagh admitted to it, it hit her that this was real. Alianna felt angrier than she had ever felt before.

"Have you lost your mind?" she shouted, "You're using dark magic! You have no idea what you're getting yourself into!"

The tone of Murtagh's voice went from gentle to harsh, "Who are you to stand there and lecture me? If I'm not mistaken, you know how to use dark magic as well!"

"Yes," Alianna said. It was true. A few years ago her father had taught her how to cast certain spells. But no matter how hard he tried, Alianna refused to practice them.

Alianna continued, "But there's a difference between knowing how to do something and actually doing it."

"Well I'm sorry we can't all be as perfect as you!" Murtagh shouted as he stepped closer to Alianna. He was becoming angrier with each passing second.

Alianna rolled her eyes, "I never said I was perfect! Don't change the subject. Where did you learn to use dark magic? It couldn't have just been from reading those books I found."

Murtagh looked at her, "Where do you think I learned it?"

It took Alianna only a second to figure it out, "My father? He's been teaching you?"

Murtagh nodded.

"Why would he do that unless… oh no, you said you would serve him, didn't you?"

"I did," Murtagh reluctantly admitted.

"This can't be happening." Alianna thought. One of her worst fears was that Murtagh would turn out to be as evil as Morzan was. She knew that if he agreed to serve her father and practice dark magic, he was heading right down that path. Alianna didn't dare say this to Murtagh though.

Murtagh tried to comfort Alianna by touching her on the arm, "Alianna, if you'll just…"

But Alianna shoved him away, "No! Don't touch me! Not after what you've done. How could you do this to me? To us? This is just how it started last time- you saying you would serve my father. And then, well, I don't have to tell you, you know. I won't let it happen again. I won't let you destroy our family!"

"Destroy our family?" Murtagh asked, surprised, "I'm trying to protect our family! Specifically, you."

Alianna was confused, "Me?"

"If you would just be quiet for a moment, I could explain." Murtagh said.

Alianna, although still very angry, agreed, "Alright, tell me what this is all about. Why did you agree to serve my father? And what does any of this have to do with me?"

"First of all, I didn't agree. I was forced into it." Murtagh told her, "Second, did you really think Galbatorix would let us be together again after everything that's happened?"

"I don't understand." Alianna said.

Murtagh continued, "The night I returned and met with Galbatorix, you can't even begin to imagine the horrors I had to endure. He was so angry, claiming I betrayed him. I…"

Murtagh found it difficult to tell his wife the rest.

"Please," Alianna urged him, "Tell me."

"Alright," Murtagh sighed, "The truth is, I refused to serve him at first. But then he threatened me. He said that if I didn't follow his orders he wouldn't let me see you again and that he'd hurt you."

Alianna told Murtagh that her father could be lying. He often did that in order to get people to do what he wanted.

"He wasn't lying," Murtagh insisted, "And even if he had, I'm not going to take that risk."

"Murtagh this is crazy. I won't let you do this. You're putting yourself at risk."

"I don't care!" Murtagh said as his voice grew louder, "If this is what I have to do in order to keep you safe, I'll do it. I'm not going to lose the only family I've got!"

Alianna slowly sat down on her bed, trying to take everything Murtagh told her in.

Murtagh sat next to her, "I'm sorry. Are you still angry?"

"No, not really." Alianna said, "I just wish you had told me. We're married- we shouldn't keep secrets from each other."

"I was just trying to protect you."

"I know," Alianna replied, "You're a good person Murtagh."

He really was. Murtagh was the kind of person who would do anything to protect the people and things he cared about.

Murtagh sighed and layed down on the bed, "I doubt that."

Alianna layed next to him and rested her head against his shoulder, "You are!" She kissed him gently, "Whether you want to believe it or not. Just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"Promise me that no matter what happens, no matter how much dark magic you learn, you're not going to let it turn you evil."

"I promise," Murtagh said as he kissed her back. There was a brief silence before he spoke again, "But there's something else I need to tell you."

"What?" Alianna asked, although a bit reluctant.

Murtagh told her that the reason Galbatorix was training him and teaching him dark magic was because he believed Murtagh could be the next Dragon Rider. Alianna had a feeling that might be it, but she was still a little surprised when Murtagh told her.

"Has he taken you to the dragon eggs yet?" she asked.

Murtagh shook his head, "Not yet. He says I still need some more training. But it shouldn't be too much longer."

"Wow," Alianna said, "What are you going to do if you do become a Rider?"

"I don't know," Murtagh answered, "Can we not talk about this right now?"

Alianna agreed. They had done more than enough talking for the day. She smiled and kissed her husband. One thing led to another and before Alianna knew it, they had made love.

"We should fight more often." Murtagh joked afterward as he held Alianna close.

They two of them just layed there in silence until they fell asleep a few minutes later.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Later that evening after dinner, Alianna and Murtagh were walking around the castle when they came upon Galbatorix's chambers. The door was open ajar and they could hear him talking. They walked over and Alianna peaked through the door. She saw her father standing there talking to the Twins. When Murtagh looked in and saw those evil bald men standing there, he immediately began to draw his sword.

Alianna stopped him and whispered, "Don't. Now is not the time."

Murtagh to his sword back and the two of them began to listen in more closely…

"Is that all you were able to get out of Eragon's mind?" Galbatorix asked.

"Yes my lord," one of the Twins replied.

"And the information you found in there about his mother… you're certain of this?"

"Yes,"

Galbatorix had a peculiar look on his face, "Interesting… well, that'll be all for now. You're dismissed."

Alianna and Murtagh backed away from the door and quickly walked down the hall.

"What was that all about?" Alianna asked.

"I don't know," Murtagh shrugged.

"Did Eragon ever mention anything about his mother to you?"

"No," Murtagh admitted, "He never really told me much about his family."

Alianna was confused. She wondered why her father seemed so interested in Eragon's mother as she and Murtagh went back to their room.