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

#8 sparks

they woke up before the suns crossed the sky. neither of them got a restful night's sleep but took what they could. Zara could see Vlad near the cave entrance standing guard. the fire was a smolder now having gone out in the middle of the night. Zara came sitting near Vlad staring out at the beautiful colors spreading across the sky. "it looks absolutely breath taking out here. if we weren't in such danger I would think this was a fairy tale."

Vlad grunted out a laugh at her words. " it usually is one of the most spectacular things to watch the suns rise above the sky. one day I would love to bring my mate here and spend a week with her just watching the sun rise."

"you have a mate?" Zara was genuinely shocked at his revelation.

"Not yet. I do wish to. We will have to beautiful children who look just like her. Thats my hope anyways."

Zara smiled sweetly at his dreams. "Someday I hope to meet them all. After you meet them of course."

"I would be honored if you would." they sat quietly as the three suns rose further turning the colored sky blue. "Princess Zara?"

"yes Vlad?"

"if something happens," Vlad looked away as he finished his words. "make sure you take care of these guys. They have been my brothers in arms and the only family I have." Zara placed her hand over top of his. it was an unspoken promise she made to him. if he didn't make it she would make sure his family knew he loved them and never stopped thinking of them. she would make sure they knew he was a hero and all the good he did. Zara would make sure he was given a warriors send off. that was what he is. she smiled up at him with her silent promise.

the silence was broken by Leif who came up behind them. "it is time to go. everything is packed and ready." patting his shoulder as she rose Zara left her hand there on Vlads shoulder for a breif moment and walked to her pack. "Princess?"

"zara." she said knowingly.

"sorry princ...Zara. do you think we can trust Prince Michael?" she looked at Leif. if she were honest she wasn't sure. being related to Jonathan made him untrustworthy but something inside her made her feel like she could trust he was on their side. Maybe she was just hoping he was but she wanted it for Avaly and for the kingdom.

"I believe so." she hiked her backpack on her shoulders. " I still think we should error on the side of caution though. in all my years the one thing life has taught me is to sleep with one eye open. for now we assume he is trustworthy with caution. " She glanced over at her new found tribe and then back a Vlad and Leif. The two warriors understood her. She understood a warriors spirit.

"I agree." they grew quiet as they were joined by the rest of the group. with a nod of his head Leif began heading out of the cave the rest of the group following. Zara noticed that as they walked Avaly and Michael stayed close together deep in conversation and Vlad stayed further back from the group as though he was watching everything and taking it all in. There was a mistrust that did not fall on blind eyes with Zara. a strange sense of caution creeped up her skin. it was a tingling that crawled across her skin keeping her alert and senses alive. she was acutely aware that he was sensing something and it kept her from fully relaxing as they hiked over the rocky terrain. gone now was the weeping willows and padded forest floor. in its place was cliffs that dropped to reached rocky terrains below and the occasional patch of tide pools. the air was salty and heavy with mist now. they could feel the ocean in it as the mist stuck to their exposed skin leaving its salty residue. the ocean could be heard from a distance. "we are close to the ocean. we will break when we get to the shore line. it will be a rocky climb down to it." everyone grunted out to Leif. they were exhausted but pushing through it. they all knew they needed to make it as far as they could. they needed the element of surprise. that was assuming that King Jonathan was expecting them to take more time before making it to the castle. "we can catch our dinner out of the sea there. be careful though. there are sirens that have lured many to their death."

"like mermaids?" Zara was looking up at Leif.

"kind of the same as Earth's mermaids. they lure men to their deaths and lull them into a false sense of love before their death. the song usually only works for those who are unmated. they can also make a male fall in love for mating purposes."

"got it. I'm good then" Zara was smiling at Leif. joking was her way of pushing through the pain. her legs were on fire. her muscles burned. "so make sure I'm not a man near the water."

Leif chuckled at her. "you are an odd royal."

"how so?" Zara c****d an eye brow at him as they walked sliding and stumbling on the loose rocks.

"well, you aren't quite as poised as most I have met. most royals enjoy their titles and what comes with it. Also, I have seen the way you eat." Zara burst out laughing not holding herself back.

"I can't help that I love food." She srugged leaving Leif behind her trying to hide his laughter.

"oh don't get me wrong Leif. I have privilege due to my title and it is nice but I also do not feel I am above anyone else."

"you have earned your warrior status. most royals are given that status. you actually did the work for it. "

"I'm not ever going to be queen. I figured I needed to find a spot I fit in. I worked hard for where I am. I'm proud of it. I'm sure my family thought I should just sit back and be pretty."

"you also eat like a ....." Leif stopped what he was saying unsure if he should finish what he was saying.

"like a wild animal? I enjoy food. if a man can't handle my healthy appetite he doesn't deserve me." she shrugged.

they had all stopped walking now. the cliffs angling down to the shore below. Zara took in the view. it was breath takingly beautiful. the bluest sea she had ever seen. it was so blue it was almost a turquoise in color. the waves crashed along the shore below before pulling its waters back out and repeating the process batteing the rocks into a smooth surface. "we start our descent now. when we get to the bottom there will be caves we can rest up in." looking up at the sky they could see the suns were starting to descend and darkness would be on them. "it will be safest to do that. in the morning we can head into the town. it is carved into the cliff. we are near the town of Sansa. it is the cliff dwellers. we should be safe there from the kings spies. they aren't the biggest fan of his rule." Leif brushed past Zara leaning down into her ear as he whispered so no one else would hear. "you are very refreshing. being different is not a bad thing."

"if I didn't know better I would think you were flirting with me warrior." Zara smirked at Leif as they began their hike down. she was being smug when the rocks slipped from her feet and she fell off the side of the cliff. Leif reached out grabbing her wrist before she fell to her certain death. her heart was pounding in her chest. he pulled her back up close to him placing her feet on the ledge where they all walked. all eyes were on her wide with relief. "thank you." she whispered trying to catch her breath.

"Princess you don't need to fall for me."

"ha ha! I think you tried tripping me so I would be closer to you." it had become apparent that they were now dangerously close to each other. Zara stepped back from Leif a clear attraction sparking between them. he snuggly smiled as he turned motioning for the group to continue. no one said a word about the display they both just showed. it was out of character for them both. the suns had sunk lower by the time they made it to the bottom of the cliffs. the view just as beautiful at the shore as it was on top of the cliffs. "there are some caves just ahead we should make a fire and fish before it is dark. if we are lucky we can catch a varvoc to eat."

"what is that?" Zara looked curiously.

"on Earth ot would best resemble a bear." Leif stopped in front of a dry cave allowing everyone to make their way in.

"aren't bears dangerous?"

"warvocs are very dangerous here but their meat is high in nutrients and iron. it will feed us well." Leif walked towards the front entrance of the cave they were now in.

"wait!" Zara was wiping her sweaty palms on the side of her pants. lowering her voice she looked into the deep brown eyes of Leifs. "what about the sirens? aren't you worried?"

"no, Vlad is mated so he will go close to the shore. I will gather what we can to make a fire. once we get to the cave dwellers town it will be less dangerous. trust me princess." then he disappeared out of the mouth of the cave.