• I stopped just outside the clearing, my soft leather boots making no noise on the littered forest floor. I unbuckled my sword from around my waist and hung it on a branch close by. I began to walk towards the clearing again when a soft sound made me halt in my tracks. I pressed my back up against a tree, facing out, away from the clearing. There it was again! It sounded almost like a sigh. I reached into my boot and pulled out a long thin dagger. Whoever it was had no business being in there. The only people allowed in there was the royal family and both my parents were in the castle along with Sarafina and Edward is out exploring the village again. I stepped out from behind the tree and into the bright sunlight that was filling the clearing. That's when I saw him.
    "What are you doing here?!" I asked, my voice filled with the fury I felt bubbling up inside of me. Derek leapt into the air at the sound of my voice.
    "I . . . um, well . . . " he sputtered.
    "I'm waiting." I tapped my foot impatiently, my dagger already back in my boot. He sighed again and plopped back down on the bench.
    "I don't know, Liona," he began. "I just needed some time to think and I found this place and it was quiet and . . ." I sat down on the stone bench next to him.
    "I'm sorry I got so mad, it's just that⎯" I looked up into his eyes. He smiled slightly and I melted like butter. I couldn't think straight to save my life. It was like I was a rock, just sitting there, not thinking, not feeling. Then he leaned forwards and kissed me. Kissed me! That I could definitely feel. All time seemed to stop. I felt like sparks were shooting though me and I was soaring through the air. His mouth tasted so sweet. Wait a minute! What am I doing?! How could I kiss him?! Shame running through me i opened me eyes and shoved him. Hard. So hard in fact that he completely fell off the bench!
    "Oh no!" I whispered to myself. "What have I done?" I leapt off the bench and kneeled next to him pulling his head into my lap. I didn't mean to hurt him! But he kissed me! Ugg! I'm so confused. I brushed his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes.
    "I'm so sorry," i whispered. My eyes burned with unshed ears. I refuse to cry. Why was i getting so emotional over the guy who's trying to take over my kingdom? I looked down at him. What?! His eyes were open! That faker! He grinned. I glared at him and stood up. Letting his head drop to the ground.
    "Oww!" he said.
    "Serves you right, jerk!" I shouted and began to leave the clearing.
    "Wait!" he said hastily getting up. I continued to walk away. "Hey! I said 'wait!'" He grabbed my hand.
    "Don't touch me," I said and ripped my hand out of his.
    "Can I just ask you one thing?" He looked so desperate.
    "Fine." Why did I just say that? I don't want to spend another second with this guy!
    "Do you love me?" he asked so quietly I could barely hear him.
    "I . . . I could never love you," I managed to say while keeping my face completely emotionless.
    "You don't or you won't?" he asked, looking me straight in the eye. I knew I couldn't keep the truth from him.
    "Fine, I love you, but so what? It won't make any difference," I said, my voice soft. At lease I didn't have to lie to him anymore.
    "What do you mean?" he asked taking my hand again, and again I ripped it away.
    "I mean that it doesn't matter if we love each other, because your kingdom is trying to take over my kingdom and I have to be strong for my people and show them that nothing will ever take over Somonteria. Especially not because I'm crazy in love with a prince who is the son of the enemy. We're from two different worlds, I'm sorry." I looked up into his eyes, glistening with unshed tears. I could feel the pain radiating from him and i knew that I had ripped his heart out.
    "I'm sorry," I said again before turning to leave the clearing, tears streaming down my face.