I’m hiding behind a pillar gasping for air. We’d been at war with _them_ for hours, and no matter how hard I fight, they still keep coming.

I didn’t think much of Caleb when he came to the royal palace. He claimed he was a member of the court in Aloeia and that he came in peace. My family, eager to form alliances, welcomed him without question.

Now, they’re dead. And my whole world as been flipped over.

A weight crashes into me and knocks me down to the floor, causing my lungs to spasm in pain. The figure looms over me with a dagger posed high in an arc. One move and the blade would pierce my chest. But those hazel eyes are soft; eyes that don’t belong to a killer.

“I can’t. I can’t do it.” Caleb whispers.

I see tears form in his eyes as he looks away to where a pair of footsteps echo throughout the great hall. Prince Owen in all of his glory glares at Caleb. “What are you waiting for brother? Your duty as prince is to protect your kingdom. Kill her already!”

Caleb hands shakes as he continues to stare at me. I’m completely at his mercy, and I hate it.

I hate how I was so naive to trust him. To actually start _feeling_ something for him. All for him to betray me, and my kingdom.

There’s dried blood crusted on to his temple where someone must’ve hit him, and his clothes are in a disheveled mess, but other than that he looks unharmed.

“Caleb,” I muttered, “Why are you doing this?”

Prince Owen laughs, “Hold your breath child. In a matter of hours _your_ kingdom will be _ours_. Your people will be for _my_ king to rule over. And you will cease to exist.”

I feel soft tears spill over my cheeks to where I lay. I see my soldiers falling down next to me. Blood being spilt for no other reason than greed.

“My kingdom welcomed you with open arms.” I rasp, “And this is how you repay our kindness.”

Caleb grimaces from my truth but Prince Owen looks to be on the verge of laughing. “Oh dear. Sweet, beautiful Adora. This is war. There are no rules in war.”

A fire is lit in the throne room and I wince at the sudden heat. Owen looks down at me with a look that tells me he isn’t just done yet.

He crouches down next to me and pick up my fallen blade. Twirling it in his fingers he throws it at a unsuspecting guard without a second thought. Whether it was one of my own fighters or his, I do not know. I do know however that he’s cruel and cold. No room for any mercy. I fear that he is hell reincarnated.

“Is it true that she is the Princess?” Owen muses. “That she is of royal blood?”

Caleb doesn’t respond. He fixes is eyes to the fire surrounding the hall. His brother laughs and prances closer to me.

He grabs my bloodstained face in his hands and pulls my chin so close that I can feel his ragged breathing. He lips pull into a horrible smile and my heart drops at his next words.

“Caleb.” Owen remarks coldly. “Get me some rope. I think I’ve just found my new wife.”

I think I would’ve preferred him killing me.