"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - The Hobbit

(3 Months Later)

Lyall's Pov

These past three months have been the best of my life. Even though I've became Iona's quote on quote "songbird" everything else was great. Rose helped me with the history of their country. Describing them in great detail of the terrible wars and beautiful peace of the villages and kingdoms. She lead me everywhere in the castle.

She described every room and every person we meet. There was one particular that I absolutely loved and it was the library. It's sad that I'm not able to read the books but sometimes Rose reads to me. She even started teaching me Romainian. For two weeks we practice, her reading the words and I repeating them. Once lesson Minhea stumbled in and joined me in the lesson. He even gave me new words to learn but some of them were inappropriate but funny. We had a good laugh after that.

After that Minhea and became close. He told me tales of his adventures outside the castle whilst I was in the library sitting on one of the chairs. One tale he told me was how he found a stone at the bottom of the river that looked like a fire blue gem. "I tried to go in the water to grab it but it was in the deeper end and I can't swim that well." Minhea explained sounding like he was pouting. I giggled at bit. "Don't pout little prince. Maybe one day you can lead me to this stone and I can get it for you." I smiled "Really?!"; "I promise." I smiled widely while I put up my pinky in a pinky swear. I felt his smaller pinky wrapped into mine and the promise was made.

As for Vlad's wives well… disputed Iona thinking me as a pet and her horrible sent she is actually a wonderful woman. Very elegant and powerful as a princess should be. She treats me well and compliments me. The only problem is I can feel her eyes roaming my body… like I was a plump fruit ready to be plucked and eaten. I even felt her touch my butt while I was singing at one of the many dinners. It is very disturbing. Elisabetta is another monster entirely.

She detest the very sight of me. Hissing wherever I walked passed her. Calling me a whore and to stay away from her son. Or so she says. Minhea rarely talks about his mother. He even falls silent at the mention of her name. So either she is lying or something is going on between those two. But that doesn't stop Minhea coming to see me… or her husband Vlad.

Ever since that talk we had. We became closer than ever before. I can feel Vlad's eyes engraving into my skin to the point where my body shivered. Often times he comes into the library whilst I try and attempt to read a book without Rose. He would touch my shoulder and asked what I was reading. My skin would burst into flame by his touch. It was pure bliss. I would sigh in pleasure without realizing it. It was obvious that he just wants an excuse to touch me. Even walking down the halls with Rose I can hear Vlad walking down the same hall talking to one of his subjects. Discreetly he would brush his fingers with me. Like a gentle kiss was being passed between us.

Yet now when he touches me my mark would flash and hurt me. Like an electric wave went through my entire body. Then I was reminded of why I was here in the first place. So now I avoid Vlad at all costs. Even though it broke my heart to stay away but I have to keep my promise to ghost Elisabetta. I was outside with Minhea on the soft grass near the river that he always told me about. Right now I was sitting. Wearing a pure white cotton dress. Listening to the wind and feeling the sun on my face. When you are cooped up in the castle as a songbird, you get to feel the sun on your face or taste of the fresh after.

I was enjoying the peace and quiet till I heard a yell of triumph. "Lyall I found it!" Minhea yelled with joy. I got up and walked towards him. "What did you find my little prince?" I asked. "I found where the gem is! The current didn't wash it away!" He said enthusiastically. I crouched down and patted Minhea on the head.

"Good job! Do you want to lead me where it is?" I asked. I felt him grab my hand and pulled me towards the river. We stopped at the edge where I can hear the rushing of the water become louder the closer we got. I crouched down and started to remove my slippers. "Fair maiden? What are you doing?" He asked. I smiled, it was a new nickname he gave me.

"Keeping my promise little prince. I'm going to get the stone." I smiled up at him. I stood up, feeling the soft grass and wet soil on the base of my feet. He grabbed a hold of my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. " But… I don't want you to get hurt." He said with a hit of concern in his voice. I squeezed back and smiled.

I was about to say something to him but once again… I was interrupted. "Young lord!" Someone yelled. Minhea let go of my hand and we both turned around at the source of the voice. She came up to us and was panting. I recognized her panting. "Rose is everything okay?" I asked tilting my head to the side confused. She finally caught her breath and told us that Minhea mother is searching for him.

"That's why I figured he was here with you. He has to return." She said finishing. I jumped when I felt small arms grabbed both my legs. "No! I want to stay with Lyall!" Minhea cried. I wobbled a bit at the impact but steady myself. I crouched down again and hugged Minhea and whispered comforting words in his ear. Once he calmed down I let his go a little. "Run along little prince, your fair maiden is getting your stone for you no matter what." I beamed.

He sniffed and I felt his nod his head. He left my side and went with Rose. Once I was alone I turn back around to the river I touched the water with the tips of my toes and recoiled back and shivered. "Damn it's cold!" I thought. It maybe a hot day but the water was ice cold.

I took a deep breath and told myself it was all for Minhea. I placed my feet in the water and started my walk through the water. I cringed at the cold feel of the water but kept moving forward. I was now waist deep into the water. With the feel of the stone at my feet I stopped and felt that the texture of the rocks felt different. I took a deep breath and immersed myself into the water.

I held my breath and felt around on each stone. When I felt like I couldn't hold my breath anymore I popped out of the water for air and then went back down.

After doing this three times I came up to the surface triumphed. I finally found the gem. Now I can call it a gem cause the stone felt very smooth and rigid like glass. It was small, I was able to hold and cover it with my whole hand. I smiled and moved my wet hair out of my face.

"Lyall?" A voice asked. I jumped in shock and turned around the heat the voice of my Vlad. "Vlad! Um…" I stuttered, trying to figure out how to explain why I was in the freezing water. I suddenly realized that my dress is completely drenched and hugging all my curves. I yelped and covered myself and submerging myself in the water with only my head touching the surface.

"My I ask Inger why your in the river?" I heard him ask me. "Well it's a funny story. Um… you see your son and I were searching for a pretty stone." I started. I stopped when I heard the rustling of clothes and the splashing of water. I started to become very nervous. "Minhea told me that it was in the river and that he couldn't get it himself." I continued, speaking faster now out of nervousness.

I heard him coming even closer to me. I felt my heart beating a thousand miles per minute. "So I told him I would get it and now… I have it see!" I said jumping up, holding out my hand showing him the gem. I felt his warm presence right in front of me. My heart just went up to my throat and I was shaking. I suddenly felt his hand covering my outstretched one with the gem inside. He lowered our hands and put them in the water. He gently pull me towards him.

I wanted to move away but my body doesn't have the strength to resist even though the pain from my mark was excruciating I still didn't move away. "You have been avoiding me." Vlad stated. I tried to open my mouth to respond but was in shock. He was completely naked! I can feel the heat radiating off him. His one hand was still holding the gem one while the other was holding my waist.His hand was kneading my flesh in soothing circles. My knees felt weak. My other hand was touching his chest, trying to steady myself. I heard him suck in a breath at my touch.

I realized that I have seen this before but only in a dream! It's becoming a reality! He pulled me even closer to himself where I can feel his erection twitch at my leg. I blushed a deep crimson at the fact he was getting aroused by me. "Lyall…" Vlad whispered. I shivered when he let go of my waist and touch my cheek. I looked up. "Vlad… don't do this." I pleaded. I felt him move closer.

"Do what?" He whispered. I felt his warm breath on my face. Getting intoxicated by his scent. "Blood, smoke and earth." I thought. His scent was different then the one in my dream but at this point I wasn't really paying attention. My body moved even closer. I lifted my hand off Vlad's chest and placed it on his cheek. He leaned into my touch. "This." I whispered back. Then he moved his hand from my cheek to my neck. He bent down….

And kissed me.