Chapter 10 The ride back to the Palace is quiet, Sky focused on getting back safe and sound while I reply the nice night I had seeing Ron and Liz again. I wished they had agreed to move into the Palace but knowing that still treat me the same is the best outcome for me. One of the things I know I will need to get done as soon as winter ends is fix the roads leading to the Slums. With this, many of the residents there can easily leave to find better jobs and return safely without having to worry about the cracks and pot holes in the road. “So what do you think of my honorary grandparents?" I finally ask Sky as he turns onto the farm that will take us to the garage. "They are nice people." I laugh at Sky's answer as he presses a button and the barn doors open. He drives slowly into the underground parking until the hummer is returned to it’s rightful spot. "Either way, you're going to come with me when I visit them right?" I ask while climbing out of the Hummer and grabbing my bag f

Chapter 12 "Some one help me!" Pressing myself against the sturdy tree, I find the nearest branch and use it to swing at the wild dogs. Their barking and howling fill the air and their sharp teeth snap towards me, dripping with saliva. If help doesn’t come soon, I will be their dinner. "I'm coming!" A boyish voice calls out, over the sound of the dogs. I do my best to fend off the dogs until someone fights his way through the horde, slicing away until he reaches my side. He shields my small body from the wild dogs, his sword swinging and slicing as they lunge at us. I try to see who it is that saved me but his face if blurred, as if my mind isn’t ready to let me see my savior. "Are you okay, Princess Allisara?" I nod yes when he looks at me, doing my best to keep my tears from falling. I don’t want this boy seeing me cry. “Take my hand then. When I give the signal, we run.” He instructs me, his right hand stretching out behind him as he stabs at a lunging wild dog, killing it befo

Chapter 14 “You sure you want to do this today Alli?” Staring at the door that will lead to the dungeon, I debate on if I am ready or not for this. The last time I saw Juden was six days ago when I barged into the Throne Room to take back what’s rightfully mine. “No, but I need to. He has all the answers I need.” Sky hums at my answer, his steady presence calming me. With a deep breath, I motion for the Guards to open the doors and begin to descend the stairs. Five minutes and I find myself on the first floor of the dungeons, expecting to see a damp dingy hallway and not a place brightly lit with secured doors spaced evenly on either side. “Which one is his?” I ask, looking towards Sky who takes the lead. “Last one on the left.” We walk in silence until we come to the cell, anxiety growing inside me. Something deep inside me tells me he is the reason why I grew up in the slums. “Has he said anything since being imprisoned?” I ask the Guard Max who was tasked to guard Juden. “Oth

Chapter 16 My body shaking with rage, I feel Sky place a hand on my shoulder to steady me. Hearing about the night of the rebellion brought memories to my mind of that day, of my birthday. It was a simple party with my friends in attendance. My parents announcing that when I turned twenty I will be married to Demitrias. "You killed my parents.” Glaring at the man that betrayed my family, I watch as his eyes shine with amusement as he looks at me. A loud slap sounds around the room and I find myself being pulled away from Juden who now sports a red hand print on the left side of his face, my right hand stinging. Sky whispers into my ear, but the rage I feel burning inside me makes his voice sound muffled. I want to kill the bastard sitting so smugly chained to that chair. “Can’t say I blame you for that slap. You are a lot stronger than you look Allisara.” Juden taunts, his gaze meeting mine. It takes everything in me not to fight my way out of Sky’s grasps when all I want to do is

Chapter 18 Listening to Juden explain how he found me, I close my eyes and try to envision the apple farm. I vaguely remember the tire swing he mentioned. But then again there was one in Ron and Liz’s back yard that I always used. It seems that is something my body remembered even after losing my memories. Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and take in Juden looking at me with curiosity, as if trying to see into my mind. “You don’t remember them, do you?” He inquires unable to hide the surprise tone in his voice. “I don’t.” Deciding to be honest, I inwardly sigh and wonder if – in time – I will remember the farmers that betrayed me. "If your goal was the throne, why didn’t you just leave me with the couple instead. You say they owed you, so you could have had them keep me without anyone be the wiser.” Feeling like I am stating the obvious, Juden lets out a deep chuckle, his laughter echoing in the room. “It’s not that simple Allisara. There are laws in place. Laws the prevents