Chapter Nine

Someone screamed her name and her eyes flashed open to see Stryder streak past her. The three men flew backwards to avoid the horse's deadly hooves and a hand grasped her arm, pulling her up and against a warm chest.

"Idiot," Dark whispered above her head and the relief that he'd come for her, had saved her once more, rushed through her so violently she found that she couldn't reply. He turned Stryder and the horse whirled on his back hooves, lashing out once more at the men in cloaks before dashing towards the lowered drawbridge. Thomas and his master were behind them, fending off the bandits before quickly following. As they made it across the bridge, Dark raised the Dark Mastersword and cut a lantern that hung from a chain. It crashed to the heavy wood and the oil alighted with flames.

The bandits stumbled backwards and cried out in surprise and pain as their clothes caught fire. Dark didn't let her get a good look for he spurred Stryder on and with the old knight that Zelda hadn't even caught his name and Thomas following, they raced away into the night.

Zelda didn't know how long they rode but she wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed. She told herself it was to keep herself from falling but deep down she knew the real reason and something else.

She didn't want to let go...

Seconds, minutes, or hours later she didn't know they finally did stop and she pulled back, realizing that they both were bleeding. Dark pulled away, reaching up and touching her brow. His face was highlighted by the moon and she realized they were in a field a few miles south of the castle.

"Idiot," he growled again and she blinked. He brushed a few strands of her ratted blonde hair off of her brow and quickly pressed a strip of cloth to her forehead. She must have cut it when she banged her head against the stones. It ached terribly and she must have had a sizable welt but she noticed that his side was bathed in blood as well.

"Dark are you—"

"I'm fine," his voice was firm, but not harsh and she looked at him, not convinced.

"No, you're injured too," she tried to see it but his crimson eyes darkened.

"It's not mine," he whispered, his voice cold and devoid of emotion and she paused. She lifted her eyes to his and stared into the swirling blood red depths.

"Are you sure?" She murmured and he stared at her for a long moment before smirking.

"I'm sure," he replied but before more could be said Thomas and the old knight pulled up beside them. Both of their horses were breathing hard, covered in sweat as were their riders. Zelda lifted her brows and the aged knight glared at them.

"Not all of us have as fine a mount as you, sir Dark," he snapped but his eyes latched onto Zelda. "Are you alright, your Highness?" he questioned but Dark was the one to answer for her.

"No, she needs rest and," his eyes returned to the faint glow in the far distance, "a new horse." He turned his eyes upon her but she wasn't looking. She was looking at the blaze and felt her heart constrict within her chest.

She just hoped her beloved horse was alright...

"I'm fine," Zelda answered but looked back at him, "but Dark is right, I do need a new horse." She straightened in the saddle. "And we need a safe place to stay for the night," she craned her head and in the distance she saw a distant ring of stone.

A faint memory of Link saying that he had friends at a ranch, called Lon Lon Ranch if she was correct, and that was where a girl named Malon had given him his beloved horse, Epona.

"Lon Lon Ranch, we can go there." She blinked, the ache in her head intensifying.

"Lon Lon Ranch?" Thomas turned his red mare towards the ranch, "Are you sure?" He questioned and Zelda nodded.

"Yes," she murmured and blinked, "There's a girl there, Malon, and her father, he delivers milk to the castle. I'm sure they'll help, Link…he…" she pressed her palm to her head and she felt Dark stiffen.

"We're going," he spurred Stryder and the horse followed his command, heading forward at an easy canter. The other two trailed after him without another word but Zelda found that she didn't care at that moment. She rested her cheek against his chest, finding that she liked the steady thrum of his heartbeat.

It soothed her...

Relaxed her...

"Dark," she whispered and his chest rumbled in a reply, "who were those men?" Her question must have caught him off guard, for he stiffened, but she lifted her head, looking up at him. "They weren't like mercenaries or assassins, they were different." She frowned, trying to concentrate on his slurring face.

"They are different," he replied and by the tone of his voice she knew he wasn't going to give her any more information unless she pried it out of him but she found that she didn't have the strength.

She rested her cheek against his chest once more and sighed, closing her eyes. Time seemed to not matter, for it only seemed a few seconds later, but they were in front of the stone wall that ran around Lon Lon Ranch.

"We're almost there," Dark whispered above her head and she nodded, keeping her eyes closed. He guided the horse through the twisting path until a corner of a log house rose up to their left while the corner of a barn rose up to their right. A light was on and Dark pulled Stryder to a halt.

"Thomas, get the door!" The old knight barked and the boy scrambled off of his exhausted horse. He knocked on the door and a moment later a man dressed in working overalls with an impressive mustache answered it. His bushy brows furrowed as he glanced at the strangers.

"May I help you?" He questioned and the old knight was the one to reply.

"Yes, Princess Zelda is in need of your aide," he dismounted and patted his horse's nose, "As are we. We need a fresh horse and somewhere safe to stay for the night." The man looked at him but the old knight adjusted his heavy shield. "My name is Richard, and this is my squire, Thomas," he gestured to the boy but the man's eyes lifted to the dark horse. They widened and looked up, catching sight of Dark. Dark didn't say anything but dismounted, bringing Zelda with him.

His hands were surprisingly gentle as he lifted her from the saddle and to the ground. She grasped his arms, her fingers digging in as she fought the nausea.

"Ah Link!" He cried and stepped from the door but as he drew closer he halted, catching sight of him. He frowned, confused.

"Did you say Link? Is he here?" A voice like birdsong sounded from inside and a moment later a young woman, her hair a deep, fiery red with pale skin and captivating blue eyes the color of sapphires stepped out. She was dressed in a simple work dress but the smile that graced her lips left her simply radiate.

Zelda blinked...

"Link!" She cried and leapt out into the night. She raced over to them and before Dark could react she wrapped her arms around his neck. He grunted but the woman only squeezed tighter. "Oh I'm so happy to see you!" She giggled and pulled back, smiling up at him, "I was wondering when—" Her words abruptly stopped when she saw his blood red eyes, black hair and pale skin.

"I'm afraid," Dark murmured and Zelda watched as the woman's eyes widened, "that you are mistaken."

"Malon!" The man cried and the girl jumped, her cheeks flushing from embarrassment, and pulled back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't...oh..." her eyes widened even more when the realization donned on her who he was but then she looked at Zelda and they widened once more. "Oh my, you're the Princess, aren't you?" Zelda went to nod but before she could Malon laughed and wrapped her in a hug as well. "Of course your welcome, come in come in!" She looked over her shoulder at her father. "Will you call Indigo so that he can care for the horses? I'm sure they're as tired as their owners." Malon turned back to her and her brows furrowed when she saw the sizable welt. "Oh dear, come into the house so that I can take care of that." Malon guided her towards the door and into the house. "The rest of you follow!" She called and ushered Malon inside.

She was sat in a chair before she could protest and she glimpsed Dark outside talking with Malon's father and the old knight, Richard. Thomas was busy helping another man who wore white chore overalls and had a slight scowl on his face.

"Here," Malon moved in front of her and set down a steaming bowl filled with broth. "It's Cucco soup, I added in some special ingredients to help you," she sat opposite her and smiled. "I must say I'm very happy to have met you," she grinned at Zelda and Zelda blinked again.

"Thank you, and it's a pleasure to have met you as well," Zelda hesitantly reached forward and grasped the spoon. Her head ached but she frowned, picking the spoon up and raising it to her lips. As she did so her arm suddenly felt like lead and she cried out, pain lancing up her arm. She dropped the spoon and the soup splattered across the table.

"Princess? Princess, are you alright?" At Malon's distressed voice Dark was through the door. He was covered in blood from the fight earlier and the look that in his eyes was nothing but feral. Her vision swam and she looked up at him.

A moment later she was in the air...

"I need a bed," Dark's voice was emotionless and Malon blinked.

"This way," she crossed the room to a staircase and climbed it. Dark followed and strode past Malon and into the room. A bed was in the corner, a round table in the middle with a rug and some bookshelves along the other wall. Dark lowered her onto the bed and she closed her eyes, her fingers tightening as pain lanced up her arm. Dark glanced at her, his blood red eyes shining from the light of the lamp.

"I need a warm wash cloth," he ordered and Malon nodded, turning and leaving the room. Dark quickly, but gently, removed her cloak and rolled up her sleeve, revealing the black veins. Zelda blinked and turned her face away, unable to look at it. Malon reappeared moments later with the wash cloth and Dark took it. "Bring the soup as well," his tone was firm, offering no argument and Malon did as he instructed. She left it at the table and Dark looked back at her. "In my saddle bags there is a jar, bring it to me." Malon frowned, obviously not liking all the orders but left all the same.

"You know," Zelda murmured, "you don't have to be such a jerk." Her words made him pause and his ruby colored eyes flicked up to hers.

"Perhaps," he replied and dipping the cloth in the water bathed her forehead and then her arm. Zelda watched him, transfixed, as he took care of her.

He looked so much like him...

Like Link...

Her heart constricted inside her chest and she closed her eyes. She felt him touch her forehead, could feel the concern in it.

"She'll be here with the salve," he replied and she nodded. When Malon did return she offered him the jar and snorted.

"You're horse certainly is moody," Malon offered and Dark smirked.

"Yes, he doesn't particularly like strangers," he dipped his fingers into the salve and gently smeared it across Zelda's arm. She sucked a breath in, the stinging unexpected. Dark glanced up at her but said nothing.

"Is there anything I can do?" Malon peered at Zelda's arm, frowning with confusion but Dark bristled.

"No, you can leave now." He snapped and Malon jumped.

"Wait," Zelda blinked, trying to clear her fuzzy vision, "thank you." She whispered and Malon smiled at her but it disappeared when she looked at Dark.

"You are welcome," she pointed it towards Zelda but gave Dark a glare before leaving. Dark ignored it and turned back to her. He ran his fingers over her arm, smearing the salve but she found goose bumps erupting along her flesh.

Dark must have noticed it for he glanced down at the foot of the bed and grasping the blanket there pulled it up and around her. He then wrapped her arm in a light bandage and reached for the soup.

Her Dark Hero...

The thought muddled through her head and she chuckled. At the sound of it he halted, tilting his head and looking at her.

"What's so funny?" He asked and she smiled at him.

"You," she murmured and he frowned. "You claim not to care, yet," her grin widened and she sighed, closing her eyes before opening them, "you're taking care of me as if I were a child." Her soft words caused his eyes to narrow. "Dark?" She asked and watched as he calmly set the soup back down. She frowned, confused, but then he reached out and grasped her shoulder, pulling her up and placing his hand behind her head. Her eyes widened but before she could protest he leaned forward and kissed her.

It wasn't gentle...

It wasn't soft...

It was hungry...

He tipped her head back, pressing her tightly against him and she gasped, her head swimming. His lips pressed harshly against hers, as if he were devouring her, stealing her air and gasps.

It felt as if she were drowning...

She wrapped her arms around his neck...

And surrendered...

VVVV

"You're a handful, you know that?" He knew that voice. Something cool was against his forehead while he heard the crackle of a fire to his right. He opened his eyes and turned his head, catching site of a figure shrouded in firelight.

Midna...

She smiled down at him, running her fingers through his hair and off of his forehead. He looked up at her, his eyes meeting hers.

"Where are we?" His voice was like sandpaper and Midna reached behind her and grasped a flask. Raising it his lips she let him take a few sips before replying.

"After you fainted," she grinned at the dirty look he gave her, "we decided to make camp here, along the tree line. Less chance of Shadow Beasts showing up and ruining out little party." Her bright eyes caught the flames behind her, making her eyes glow and he could only manage to nod.

"Where's Zabine?" His question had her looking over her shoulder where a red carpet hovered a few feet off of the ground.

"Sleeping, or at least I think he is," Midna returned the flask to the ground and sat back on her haunches. "How's your head?" She playfully tweaked his nose and he scrunched it up, glowering at her though he couldn't be angry at her.

She was too cute for that...

He inwardly jolted at his thought but promptly ignored it, blaming it on his fuzzy conscious.

"It hurts, like I've had a whole storm of Cuccos chasing after me." He mumbled and winced as he remembered the memory. He'd helped a woman in Kakariko Village gather her Cuccos, but he'd accidently made one angry, causing it to call his buddies where they later ganged up on him. Midna's face furrowed in confusion and he chuckled. "They're white birds we raise," he offered and Midna nodded, though he could tell she wasn't going to ask him more about it. He sat up and reaching up touched the long silver wound.

It seemed bigger...

Midna was watching him and he lowered his hand, a soft sigh leaving his lips.

"How much time do I have left?" He asked, his voice only a whisper and he saw something enter her eyes.

Sadness?

"Enough," she answered while turning back to the fire, "enough." She murmured again while tossing another log onto the fire. Link watched her a moment before sitting beside her. His eyes went to the red carpet and an idea formed inside his head.

"Princess?" He asked and she looked over at him, irritation in her eyes.

"Don't call me that," she whispered while setting her chin in her hand, "It's Midna," she finished tersly and he fought that grin that wanted to spread across his lips.

"Alright," he paused, taking a change to savor it on his tongue before he said it, "Midna, what was your childhood like?" He offered and she glanced at him again, surprise filtering across her face before she could conceal it.

"Why do you want to know?" She questioned and he raised his hands in surrender.

"Just curious," he tried to keep the anticipation out of his voice but he had a feeling she could sense it. She gave a soft snort and they were plunged into silence.

She glanced at him again...

Then began...

"My parents died when I was very young," she murmured while staring into the flames, "I had no brothers or sisters, it was just me, though I did have a close playmate. He was abandoned by his own parents and was brought to the castle as a servant. We were so close in age that I took a liking to him, considering he was just as," she paused and grinned, her eyes still looking into the fire, "devious as I was. Zabine liked him too," her eyes raised to the red carpet, "but after he was later banned from the castle I feared they would do the same with him." Her lips twitched at the corners as they formed into a hard line, "So I shut myself off of him, pretended that he was below me so that the Elders wouldn't take away my only friend." Her voice grew softer, "I ended up losing him anyway." Link stared at her for a long moment.

Her voice...

It was so sad...

He wanted to reach out and comfort her, pull him to her so that he could wrap his arms around her slim, soft body. He reached out and gently touched her shoulder. She pulled her eyes away from the flames to look down at his hand and then slowly back up at him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered and she gave him a lopsided grin, though he could still see the pain in her unique eyes.

"I got over it, after all not everyone needs someone," Midna went to turn back to the fire but his hand tightened around her shoulder, causing her to pause and look back at him.

"Yes," he murmured, "they do." Her bright eyes shimmered and he watched her lips part.

He wanted those lips...

He felt himself leaning towards her...

Felt her doing the same...

"Ah, you're awake!" A loud, chipper voice sounded and Link jumped, automatically dropping his hand and pulling away from her, even though he was already at a suitable distance, and looked up at the odd Twili who had said it.

Zabine flashed him a wide, mocking and somehow knowing grin that made his eyes narrow in embarrassment before hopping gracefully from his carpet.

"How's the old noggin'?" Zabine questioned while crossing his arms over his chest.

"Fine, just a little sore," Link answered and Zabine nodded, and kept nodding even after he reached into his robes and drew out a bottle.

"I figured as much, here, take this." He tossed the bottle at Link who had to fumble to catch it. "It's Pumpkin soup, a real rarity around here so you better drink it all up and appreciate it!" Zabine lowered down to the ground with a huff while crossing his legs. Link eyed the bottle, the aroma causing his stomach to growl. He clamped a hand over it and found Midna grinning at him, the tips of her fangs catching the light and giving her a beautiful, but demonic and deadly appearance.

"Thank you," he popped the cork to the bottle and hesitantly raised it to his lips. The first sip seemed to energize him and he swallowed the rest eagerly. When he was done he saw Zabine's raised brows and gave him a sheepish smile.

"You did say to drink it all up, didn't you?" Link went to hand him back the bottle but Zabine raised his hand.

"I did, but you keep that." His own grin crossed his blue lips, "Think of it as a souvenir!" He chuckled and Link gave him a small grin before turning over and placing the bottle into the saddle bags. When he turned back around he caught Zabine looking at him, his gaze suddenly serious and stern. The adrupt change made him pause, his brows furrowing in confusion and question.

"What is it?" Link asked and Zabine tilted his head, the gears to his brain seemingly to rotate before he answered.

"You remind me of him," he whispered and Link glanced at Midna, but she shrugged her shoulders.

"Of who?" Link offered and Zabine lifted his head and peered closer at Link.

"The Dark Hero," he murmured and Link's frown deepened as icy fingers seemed to clasp themselves around his gut.

"The Dark Hero?" Link turned to look at Midna again but she rolled her eyes.

"Not his story again," she grumbled but Zabine seemed unaffected by her sarcasm.

"Yes, the Dark Hero," he tilted his head the other way, as if he were a bird looking at an insect, "yes, indeed, you look quite like him. Like two sides of a coin, one light, the other dark." His eyes seemed to spark as if he'd decided something. "Yes, yes, certainly that." He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. "Definitely indeed." Link gave an exasperated sigh.

"Who is this Dark Hero?" Link asked and Zabine gave him a scouring look.

"He was born from this land," Midna began, "from the shadows themselves. He was destined to play a role opposite the Hero of Light, always being on the side of shadow. Yet, there is a long ago prophecy that tells of the Maiden of Light, and how she steals away the Dark Hero's heart, making it whole once more and that they destroy the evil that has forever plagued the lands of time." Midna glanced at Zabine. "The Dark Hero is just a legend, a myth. No one has ever seen him." She finished before looking down at the fire.

"That is because, dear Princess," Zabine whispered, "he was never here." He scrutinized his eyes, "the Dark Hero left this era, the Fates pushing him towards his destiny." Zabine leaned back against a fallen tree stump and Link narrowed his eyes at the Twili.

"And what is his destiny?" Link asked and Zabine snorted, as if he'd asked the stupidest question in the world.

"His destiny is the Maiden of Light," his eyes glowed brighter, "and you know who she is, don't you?" Zabine whispered and Link swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

Yes he knew...

The Maiden of Light was Zelda...

His fingers curled into fists, rage suddenly filling him.

And the Dark Hero...

Was his opposite...

Dark...

VVVV

She was intoxicating...

He couldn't get enough of her...

He pulled her closer to him, crushing her mouth was his as he sought access. She willingly gave it, opening her mouth and gasping when he dominated it with his own. He could feel her bones melting, feel her body softening against his own in surrender. Pleasure, hot and roaring, filled up inside him and he growled, wanting more.

Then she said it...

"Dark," it was a gasped plea and he blinked, suddenly feeling as if he'd been pulled out of a rushing river and he bolted to his feet. She collapsed onto the bed, her blue eyes dazed and her cheeks flushed. Her lips were swollen and she looked up at him, her eyes telling him everything.

His hands curled into fists...

What had he been doing?!

His breathing was ragged and he knew his blood red eyes would be fierce. She just stared up at him, her eyes still glazed over and dark.

He wanted to see them darker...

The thought was like a lightning bolt to him and without a word he turned and all but fled the room.

Hell...

He nearly ran...

He shut the door behind him and pounded down the stairs, ignoring the curious looks the farmer and his daughter gave him and nearly bowled the knight and his servant over as he went through the door. He crossed to the barn and opened the door, seeing that the man who'd been called Indigo was having a heck of a time with Stryder. The giant horse had his ears laid back and his eyes narrowed as he tried to bite the man.

Indigo swore and stumbled backwards, leveling a glare at the horse.

"Why you—" he growled but he didn't get any farther.

"Leave," Dark hissed, his voice like a tightly strung bow ready to snap and the stablehand jumped, staring at him in shock and fear before running from the stable. The rest of the horses had been taken care of but Dark ignored them and crossed to his long life friend. The horse's ears swiveled forward and his massive body relaxed.

He offered up a welcoming nicker and Dark rubbed his Stryder's forehead, trying to have the blood that roared through his veins to cool. The horse seemed to sense his unease and lightly batted him with his head, causing Dark to chuckle. It seemed to release some of the tension inside himself but he knew only one way to permanently relieve it.

And that was Zelda...

He gnashed his teeth together and unsaddled Stryder. Throwing the saddle over the side of the stall he grabbed a brush and began to brush him down. The horse stood calmly, enjoying the task, but he caught the horse looking at him.

He knew...

Dark had never been scared in all his life...

Not facing hordes of enemies, the demons from hell or even Ganondorf, no that hadn't even tickled him, but when he saw her on the ground, the three assassins above her, he'd been scared.

Terrified...

"These aren't my feelings," Dark whispered and Stryder flicked an ear at him, "they're Link's." He hissed and kept on brushing, trying to get his muscles to relax, his nerves to calm down. "If he hadn't of been poisoned then I wouldn't feel this way, I could kill her and think nothing of it but now..." he trailed off and closed his eyes.

Oh Goddesses...

Now...

His eyes opened when he found that his fingers were shaking. He curled them tightly around the brush and rested his forehead against Stryder's neck.

Now he wanted her...

Wanted her to be his...

And his alone...

VVVV

Zelda watched him go, her body still too numb and her mind still reeling to do anything else.

What had just happened?

He'd kissed her before but not like this.

She hesitantly reached up and touched her lips, swollen from his. She flushed, her body tightening in unpleasant places and she squeezed her eyes closed.

What was going on with her?

She usually resisted him, loathed it when he did that but this time...

She'd wanted him to kiss her...

Wanted him to never stop...

A low groan left her lips and she squeezed her eyes tighter together.

"Are you alright? Is your head bothering you?" It was the girl, Malon's, voice and Zelda's eyes flashed open. Malon gave her a hesitant smile, though her brows were furrowed in concern. "I noticed that..." Malon trailed off at the loss of his name, "I noticed that he left in a hurry, is everything alright?" Malon took the seat Dark had only sat in moments before and the thought made Zelda flush once more. "Do you have a fever?" Malon reached forward and touched her forehead but Zelda cleared her throat.

"No, I'm fine, really, just..." she didn't have any more words and Malon retrieved her hand.

"I understand, sometimes Link is the same way," she reached over and grasped the wash cloth and went to touch Zelda's forehead but Zelda sat up, ignoring the dizziness.

"Link?" She questioned and Malon smiled, her eyes softening with warmth.

"Yes, I remember when he first came here," she chuckled, "I called him Fairy Boy because he had a little fairy with him, I think her name was Navi." Malon shrugged and gently pressed the cold cloth against Zelda's welt.

"It was," Zelda murmured, watching her carefully.

"I was hoping that your friend was him, but he wasn't. It's been awhile since Link was last here and I wanted to see Epona too," her eyes grew distant, "she was as stubborn as that black horse out there, only," she frowned, "not as mean."

"Stryder, that's the horse's name." Zelda answered and Malon gave her a smile.

"Stryder, it's a pretty name." She tilted her head. "If you don't mind me asking, your Highness, but what happened to you? Why are you out here and with," she stopped and bit her bottom lip but Zelda already knew what she was going to ask.

"Why am I with him? And his name is Dark," Zelda whispered softly before continuing, "It's a long story," she looked towards the window, wondering where he went.

"Oh," Malon pulled slightly away, "he's certainly...interesting." Zelda couldn't help but chuckle quietly at her word.

"Yes, he certainly is." Zelda's eyes came back to Malon's. "Thank you again, I'm sure this was an unexpected surprise." Malon waved it off with a flick of her wrist.

"Oh on the contrary, Link used to do it all the time, though it was mostly from Cucco pecks. He tended to aggravate them and suffer the consequences later." Malon grinned, "I remember when my father made him play a game, he had to spot his special Cuccos and if he found all of them he could marry me." At her words Zelda's eyes widened but Malon laughed. "That's what I thought too, back then I thought boys had koodies and wasn't very happy with him, though the look on Link's face was well worth it." She laughed again, the sound like birds singing and Zelda felt her heart tighten.

She was so pretty...

So carefree...

No wonder Link came here...

Zelda blinked, confused and abruptly shook the thought from her head. If Link liked Malon, or even loved her it frankly wasn't any of Zelda's business she just wanted him to be happy.

That is if he lived...

The thought seemed to sober her and she smiled respectfully at Malon's humor but Malon seemed to sense that Zelda wanted to be left alone.

"I'll let you get some rest now," Malon murmured while standing up, "If you need anything just call and I'll be right here. I'll make sure you have a new horse, too. In fact I think I have the perfect one for you," she winked and moved towards the door. "Goodnight, your Highness." Malon called before blowing out the lamp and plunging Zelda into darkness but before she could close the door Zelda's voice stopped her.

"Thank you, Malon, for everything." Zelda called and Malon gave her another smile.

"I'm happy I could help out Link's friends, and you're not just anyone you know," she winked again, "you're the Princess of Hyrule." With that she closed the door and left Zelda staring at it.

The Princess of Hyrule...

Yes that was what she was...

But a princess had duties...

To her people, to her kingdom...

Not to her heart...

Zelda closed her eyes and took in a painful breath, realizing not for the first time that she wouldn't be able to find happiness, true happiness.

A happiness she could be found with someone...

Not just someone however...

A face appeared before her eyes but it wasn't the face she'd imagined before.

No...

It was Dark's...

VVVV

AUTHOR NOTE: Chapter Nine! Thanks for all the reviews and followers! Check out my website if you like fantasy romance books! wwwDOTmidnightrosebooksDOTcom!