Naveen

Openly my eyes dipped down her front as I smiled. "A fair point...then is it my turn to wash up?"

Rina:

I gave a little shrug. “Just be warned, the water is cold.” I said with a little shiver.

"Well...I'll be quick so we can both warm up then." I started to strip in front of her, letting my clothes end in a pile beside us.

Rina:

The show and anticipation was enough to warm me up, not to mention what followed…

I didn't tell the girls about who I was that night. And I didn't sleep as well as I had been when I was next to Talon. In the morning Maleen prepared a breakfast of fruit and custard magically somehow. I wasn't concerned about the process it had come into being, because I was hungry and it was delicious.

Talon:

I didn't join them for breakfast, instead spending it with my brothers-in-arms around a small fire. We talked briefly about the previous days events and the respective trips though I was lax in my details.

Rina:

I would have preferred to wait for Talon, but I had no way of knowing when he would show up. In an attempt to not seem needy, I decided against sending for him. Instead I addressed the little group in front of me. “I have some things I need to tell you.” I told them getting curious looks from the three faces.

It took a minute to force the words out of my mouth and even when I did, only one of the three understood them. “My name is Renee, daughter of King Paren.”

Dorian's eyes went wide. He dripped down in one knee in front of me in a low bow. “My lady.” He said, causing my cheeks to burn with embarrassment.

Wren:

I blinked at her, looking first to Dorian then Maleen and finally back to Dorian. Slowly I focused on Rina, confusion plain on my face. It seemed important, but it didn't make sense as to why this was important. Some key detail seemed missing to me but I didn't voice my confusion.

Rina:

I stared in surprise as Dorian offered his sword and swore fealty to me. Never had I thought he, or anyone else would do such a thing, and it flustered me. Maleen and Wren looked even more confused.

“You're… A princess?” Maleen finally asked with softly knitted together brows of confusion.

Talon:

I paused when I saw Dorian on his knees, sword offered to Rina. "So you told them then." I stated it with a faint smile. Wren looked the most confused, though Maleen wasn't that far behind. Dorian had understood immediately, but that was to be expected.

Rina:

I gave a nervous smile to Talon then tried to explain to the rest of them my story. Maleen was in awe, Wren took the most explaining for her to get. She still seemed doubtful of why I had even said what I had, or why Dorian had done what he had.

Wren:

I still didn't get it even after all of her explaining. IT didn't make sense to me as to why she had kept herself hidden, why Dorian knelt before her, and why any of it mattered at all. But I tried to smile through my confusion as everyone else seemed to get it.

Rina:

Maleen started asking me what I would do now, and if we were all going to the castle now that I had come forward. I was at a loss, not knowing what to say as I did not know myself. I did keep from them that I was likely in danger now that the information was out there.

“I need to tell Brian now, I just wanted all of you to know first.” I told them then looked to Talon uncertainly.

"Do you wish us to come with you Rina?" I asked her softly. "We can all go or just some. We are here to support you as you need it."

Rina:

“Ah,” I looked at them, all eager to support me. “No, just you. I don't want Brian to feel like I'm threatening him. I want to work with him, not take over.” I said as I decided. Dorian nodded in agreement but assured me he would help if I needed it. I hadn't thought he cared.

I glanced over the others for a moment. I felt like out of everyone here I was perhaps the worst choice. Maleen could be threatening with her powers, Dorian like a loyal guard, Wren might have been the best choice as she appeared utterly innocent. But I was another lord, a threat all on it's own. "So be it. When ever you are ready then Rina."

Rina:

“Now.” I got ready quickly then went with Talon to Brian's tent. Telling him was more diffucult than any of the others, because he was in a position to cause me harm. After what he said the night before. I wasn't trusting.

He admitted to suspecting the night before, and it had been confirmed this morning from a letter written from the vampires. Not even this did I have control of. He was suspicious of me, but we sat down to work out an agreement.

We worked out details. I agreed to be ransomed to the queen, Brian would get the benefit of that in exchange for his support in the castle from his people. The agreement was to work together to prevent the prince from causing more damage. I would gather support from the people, and Brian would back me. We were to trade intelligence, he would work from the outside to bring the prince down, and I from the inside.

At no point did either of us bring up the fact that I was the rightful heir to the throne, or what would happen if I did gain enough power to take it. It was an agreement to work together.

I stood by as judge and witness to the exchange, staying mute unless called upon to make a choice or answer a question. I ended up staying silent for the most part however, letting them talk it out while I only listened.

Rina:

The meeting ended with both Brian and I inwardly cautious of the other, but outwardly comrades in arms. As I motioned for Talon to come with me Brian stood up and asked him to stay for a moment. I stood there, meeting Talon's eyes uncertainly but left to give them privacy.

I remained where I was, giving a nod to Rina on the way out. I focused a heavy gaze onto Brian, an impassive wall as I watched him, waiting to know his wishes with me.

Brian looked on Talon with thoughtful expression. “I need to know that you agree with this and you wont try to use that girl to further your own goals.” He said bluntly.

"My goals have always been the protection of my people Brian. Should I not ask you the same thing? You spoke yesterday that it would depend on how the royal family sided. But you never did say what you would do after the war." I returned. "So long as her goals or your goals further mine I offer my support. But should ever either of you work against such things. Then I will bring the full might of my warriors down upon you and everyone who sides with you. So if I must, then yes I will use her just as you use her Brian."

Brian set his jaw. “All I need to know is that you wont go against me, or what I'm trying to do. I mean you, nor your people any harm, Talon. I wouldn't influence her against you, or your kind. I expect the same form you.” He said cautiously.

"So long as my people are not threatened I will not go against you." I replied to him bluntly.

Brian was not pleased with how the conversation had gone and how clearly Talon was resistant to him. Regardless, he nodded and shook his hand before dismissing him.

Rina:

I had found my way to the creek and sat on the rock over it. I was trying, and somewhat failing, to not have a panic attack. My head was resting on my knees and both hands were in my hair as I breathed steadily in and out and rocked myself.

Talon:

I puffed out a breath once I was out of his presence. I had expected more from him. And yet I was disappointed. But it was what it was, and with another sigh I slowly began making my way towards the tents.