Katara’s POVI was instantly surprised as I blinked away the mist that had began to form in my eyes from the pressure of the wind…"I had been looking for a nice spot to rest my head and have some peace and quiet.”I lied. Since I was not facing him, he could not see the expression on my face and that was a relief. "You wanted peace and quiet so far away from Valmore? Where you that mindless that you did not realize how far away you were from Valmore until you were eventually taken hostage?" He asked. I felt the slight note of anger in his tone… He was berating me. Did that mean he had been very worried? "I was not mindless. I did not know that the men had been looking for an opportunity to get me.” I said. "You left on your own. You discarded dresses and disguised yourself in breeches so you could make your way out of the castle, unseen," "Well, I can take care of myself!" " I see how well you did just that. Take care of yourself indeed.” We sat quiet on the horse for long. A

Kai’s POVHell knows, I felt timid waiting there. The young man had not seen me but of course Katara knew I was somewhere watching but she had focused on her lesson as she would if I was not around to keep watch. Katara's POV By the time I finished the lessons, I did not find Kai at the same spot he had been waiting. The man had left when he thought I was safe. I had expected to find him there but he had not been. I galloped to the castle on my own and would not take the hand of the stable guard when he offered to help me alight from the horse. I did well on my own and did not crave unnecessary attention. I was inside my chambers in no time, steaming away in a tub of hot bath. Sterling and Olga were near aloof as they attended me. I had asked them to stop offering to help me do too many things and it felt good to be the one who lifted her hands to her own care. "You can both leave now.” I said to them. "You are still in the tub, my lady. Who will dry your hair and help you dr

"Your pack has exited the royal grounds. Why not go with them and tomorrow? I shall visit your camp and take you with me. For today, they might look for you and not find you. Go to them, now," I commanded coldly. I had wanted to pacify her but I was still cold towards her even without meaning to. She let go of my hand and stepped away. She looked down on her ornamented arms and began to fiddle with her rings and bangles which all shone under the night torches. She was making no move to leave and rejoin her pack "I have no parents nor siblings amongst my pack. I have no one to call me back when I am not among them. Please let me stay and work in the castle. Or, can I stay with the slaves? Is there a place I can stay with the slaves? " She asked. Her smile that had temporarily disappeared had returned to her face and she was beaming again. Her face was alive with hope at the prospect of staying in the slaves quarters. "You will work as my maid, then. How do you intend to work, If I

Kai’s POV I appeared feets behind her but she did not see me. She continued to wrestle with the trees she had been wresting with. She had a sword in a firm grasp and would not stop the fight with two different be branches. I stood there watching her as she retreated backwards, still focusing on her prime enemies, the trees. It aroused a sense of admiration, watching her fight with the sword so bravely. Perhaps, her abduction had opened her up to what she could really do. She took one step back and the sword was on my neck. I had not suspected that. Had she seen me come stand behind her? Had she been retreating gradually because she knew I was behind her? "What do you want, Kai?" She seethed, still without looking back. "Did you see me walk here?" I asked her instead. "That does not answer my question, now, does it? I have asked you, what is it you want? Why have you come to disrupt my training?" She asked. I did not reply. She pushed the sword against me and because I would

My Lady, do you need the torch?" I heard Sterling's voice reverberate in the room.. I shook my head. "It is still day, Sterling.”"But you can hardly see in the dark room. It is as dark as a dungeon and I do not wish to see you trip and fall, my Lady." Sterling insisted. "I will not fall, Sterling. I am careful with how I tread around here. The gold and the diamond here all shine so Brightly and they are enough to light my path," I said. She nodded and did not press the issue any longer. I wished I could take from the expensive jewels and give to them but I could not. The only time one could give it out was either as a dowry or as a gift to an heir. I finished examining the items and left the room. The treasure room. While I was at the courts the next day, Kai walked in… "You had been in the treasure room?" He asked. "Yes. Does that bother you or anyone else?”"The room is not to be opened whenever you want. It is for special occasions. I have no heir yet and I do not wish to