book #3 DARK KNIGHT ***COMPLETE***

#7 the sea of tranquility

the next morning every one was quiet. the night before was a shivering reminder that this was going to be a dangerous journey. king Jonathan would either want to possess Avaly or have her killed. With Scarlewtt being mated to Liam he would not be able to take control the kingdom through her now and Avaly was most likely the next target. they all knew that from this point on they had to assume they were being watched and in danger. there was never anything more dangerous than a man who wanted to keep his power. he had a taste of what it could do and would stop at nothing to keep it. it was a hunger that drove him to madness and the darkness of that desire filled him with evil. gone now were the beautiful dresses and flowers for their hair. No, now the women were fighters. surviving in a world that wanted them either dead or alive. there was no longer an in between. packs on, they headed out saying goodbye to the towns people as they walked, the fairies were throwing flowers at their feet. "it feels like everything is changing so fast. nothing will ever be the same after this." avaly was nervous, but, proud that she was part of this change. she just prayed it was for the better. rule under the current king had been hard. the people deserved better. with one last wave to the people they stepped into the forest and disappeared amongst the weeping willows swaying their pastel colors in the soft gently breeze. the forest gave off a false sense of peace because they all knew this was life or death.

the group trekked through the forest ignoring their own fatigue. Avaly took a sip of her water wiping her brow. standing there for a few minutes she took a look around. she wasn't sure when they had begun leaving the forest. the change was so Suttle and she was in her own thoughts, she never realized the scenery had begun to change and the air was cooler with a hint of salt. the weeping willows had become sparse and she could see ahead the terrain would become rocky. for the first time she realized she could hear the waves slamming into the rocks. they were getting closer to the sea of tranquility. Avaly closed her eyes for a brief moment taking it in before pushing forward to keep up with the group. she heard a footstep behind her. turning quickly to see what it was she felt a hand grab her and then everything went dark. there was a hand on her mouth stopping her from screaming. a voice whispering into her ear."who are you and what are you doing in my land?" Avaly pushed hard against the person. hitting a rock hard chest. she watched as he stumbled back locking eyes with hers. they both stopped in their tracks. it was like their feet were bolted to the cave floor. it was then that his scent hit her like a bolt of lightning. shaking herself out of her trance she lunged forward punching with her left then right hand not allowing herself to stop until he was no longer moving. she stepped back just as Zara and the warriors came rushing in.

"Avaly!" Zara came rushing to her side. "we couldn't get in! who is this? did he hurt you?" Avaly shook her head as Zara looked her up and down.

"no." she leaned against the cave wall looking at the man on the ground. "I hurt him." Zara grinned at her friend."I have no clue who he is other than I believe he is my mate and I sense he is dragon shifter." Avaly looked around at everyone's wide eyes. no one said a word for a moment shock clearly written on their features.

"did you say your mate? like the person who is supposed to love you?" Avaly shook her head at Zara. the warriors had begun securing him. Leif standing over the man tied up and looked at the women.

"Princess Zara we may need to set up camp here. I know we wanted to make it all the way to the sea of tranquility but we are exposed right now and clearly we need a break." Zara acknowledged him with a shake of her head.

"let's get some rest and some food and see if this man wakes up with any information. if this is princess Avalys mate we need to know who he is. she is right. I do sense his dragon." Vlad had begun making a fire in the cold cave. they were hidden and knew the cave would hide most of the smoke so they were safe to make their meal. Finn had left the cave to hunt for some game as they all waited for the mysterious man to wake up.

the flames were warming them as their dinner was slowly roasting on a make shift spit over the fire. Finn had caught what could only be described as a wild boar on Earth only larger. it would be welcomed food for the journey ahead. a nice break from the dried meats they had for when there was no other food source. "mate..." a low voice was heard from the wall. everyone turned stunned at what they saw. the man was awake eyes staring straight into avaly as if dissecting her soul. he had long dark hair that was braided with beads. beads usually given to higher class royals or warriors. he was strong. muscles rippling through the clothes he wore. his facial features were strong but when he looked at Avaly they had a softness to them. his eyes were a deep chocolate and glimmered as he watched her.

Leif and Finn jumped to their feet as Vlad moved towards the women in a protective stance. Avaly stood up and side stepped Vlad slowly moving towards the tied up man. "who are you?" her voice was a little shaky as she spoke to him.

the man closed his eyes unsure of what he should say but when he opened his eyes he stunned everyone by telling them everything. "my name is Prince Michael. my brother is king Jonathan. I left his palace trying to get away from him but he has been searching for me. he wants me dead. he wants anyone who can take away his power dead. I wasn't trying to attack you. it is why I didn't fight you back. you are my mate. I sense your dragon and she has accepted mine. I can feel her."

"she has accepted your dragon. but I am still not certain of you yet and without me she does not get a choice. why does he want you dead? how are you a threat to him?"

"because I tried to have him killed. he is destroying our land and our people are suffering. I only hope he has not figured out those who helped me." it was the first time Zara saw it. his eyes were haunted.

Zara looked between Avaly and Prince Michael. she stepped forward placing a hand on her shoulder. "I sense no deception in his tone. he is telling the truth."

Avaly closed her eyes breathing in deeply before releasing it. "Leif, untie my mate." Leif knelt down untying the man. as the warriors wearily went back to stoking the fire and finishing dinner. avaly and Michael never took their eyes off each other. it was as though they were talking without words and for the first time Zara felt like the third wheel.

"tomorrow we head to the sea of tranquility. we will resupply there and then keep heading towards the palace. we will be heading into the badlands soon and we will need to be prepared. king Jonathan has a good grasp on the people there and we will need to disguise ourselves as much as possible."

Michael looked between them all before speaking up. "I have some friends there that can help us hide as we move about. not everyone is happy about the way Jonathan rules. he has hurt a lot of people. " Zara watched as he looked out the entrance of the cave. his face looked haunted by memories of the past. "he doesn't like when he doesn't get his way."there was a lot of meaning in his words and no one questioned him further.

it was Leif who spoke up breaking the awkward silence. "we should get some rest. I will take the first shift. princess Zara and Princess Avaly you need to sleep."

"I am exhausted. this has been quite the development. " Zara grabbed her blanket pulling it over her body as she shivered.

"Princess Zara?" Prince Michael looked at her in confusion.

"yes I am Princess Zara and this is the lost Princess Avaly. the future Queen of Ithica."

"No.." his voice was barely a whisper as he spoke. shock taking control of his body. "he wants you. you can't go to him. the king plans on taking you for himself. it is the only way he can ensure he remains king."

he looked at the eyes of everyone in the cave. "she is taking her birthright from him. Jonathan is not the rightful king and since you are her mate she can decide if you are up to the job." Zara winked at him as she placed her head on her arms closing her eyes to get some sleep. she knew tomorrow was going to be a long journey.