Leal swung off his second-floor balcony and onto the roof below into the shadows. He crouched down, closed his eyes and concentrated. He opened them and could feel the power inside of him come ready to be unleashed. He looked down and saw three palace guards below him. He waved his hand and they all looked at one another before running to their left towards the front of the palace.
Leal sat on the roof and swung his legs over the side. He imagined himself as one of the palace guards and then pushed himself off the roof with his hands at his sides, palms to the ground. He glided down and landed softly on his feet. He turned to the left and walked towards the west gate that led to the small area of trees before him that stood in front of the Fortress.
He walked through the forest quickly, much too quickly for a normal man. He felt himself glide from tree to tree, always looking to see if anyone was lurking about. He wanted nothing to get in his way of meeting with Dracia tonight. He was desperate to be with her. They had never been apart for so long.
Dracia had grown up in the house of the High Lord of Winsdell. She was the youngest child and only daughter of Lord Arwel and Lady Owena. She grew up within the palace grounds, educated alongside Leal and later Leal's sister Lexine. Leal and Dracia had always been close. They played together as very young children. They sat and learned under great tutors together in their adolescence.
They ran around the palace in their free time and snuck out to observe the Sentinel training often. They would try to recreate the Disciplines as best they could. They would work on Mystics together, though Leal was never very proficient at them. They would sword fight and go on long rides on horses through the hills outside of Winsdell. They were never apart long, even when the royal family would go on trips in the kingdom, the High Lord and his family would accompany the royal family. Leal's mother like that Lexine had a friend in Dracia.
Leal found himself very attached to Dracia by the time he reached his sixteenth year. He finally kissed her a year later on her sixteenth birthday. He knew he loved her then, but that love only grew until Leal knew he would never love anyone else. When she turned eighteen, Dracia applied to the Sentinel and was accepted. Leal asked to participate in the Discipline's that year. It was a very normal thing for a prince to do, so no one questioned it.
Leal did enjoy the training, but his real reason was to be close to Dracia. She was spectacular. It was easy to see how she moved to an Elite after only one year. Leal worried about her being in danger constantly. She routinely was sent out on dangerous missions throughout the kingdom, but she was never gone for long. She always came back victorious with her fellow Elites singing her praises.
Though Leal didn't like her serving as an Elite, he had accepted it for the time being. He knew one day, when the time was right; she would retire from the Sentinel and take her proper place in the palace as his wife. When Leal turned twenty-one, he approached his father, ready to declare himself. His father was against Leal marrying Dracia. He said Leal would need to make other alliances.
Leal declared he would have no one else. His father had asked him to wait a few years to make sure he knew what he wanted. Leal did not like it, but after talking with Dracia, He agreed to satisfy his father, and now she had been made High Captain. Leal knew it was his father's doing. He didn't doubt that Dracia was worthy or able, but he knew his father was only too happy to make sure she was placed in a position it would be almost impossible for her to leave anytime soon. Leal didn't care, he would find a way to bring her to the palace as his wife, and his father would have to accept it.
Leal approached the Fortress. He stopped at the edge of the trees and closed his eyes, imaging one of the Elites. He opened them, knowing he would blend in with the men and women who lived in the walls of the mighty Fortress.
It was a large stone building that was square. At each corner was a large tower with battlements on the top. Each side had a door to enter the Fortress. Leal looked up at the tower on the west side. He could see a window at the top with a small light burning in the window. Leal smiled a little knowing Dracia was waiting for him in that room.
He walked up to the closest door and put his hand on it, looking up to the large clock on the sidewall. It was only a minute until the bells started to ring for the hour. At the tenth ring, Dracia would take her wards down, allowing Leal to enter her room. Leal concentrated with his hand on the Fortress door as he felt the protection ward fall down. He quickly opened the door and stepped inside.
He entered an empty hall, seeing the long staircase in front of him. Leal started quickly climbing the stairs. He passed a few Elites on his way, but they paid him no mind. He walked faster and faster until he reached the top. He made his way down the small hallway found there as the bells started tolling. He reached her door and waited until the last bell tolled. Leal opened the door and stepped inside. He closed his eyes and let his glamor fall, looking up to see Dracia looking at him from the sofa in her small sitting room.
Leal smiled at her as he walked towards her. She was wearing a simple white nightgown with a robe. Her luxurious dark brown hair was down and flowed around her, resting well beyond her shoulders in soft waves. Her eyes were soft and bright in the firelight. She looked so beautiful. She looked like his Dracia, not the strict High Captain she was usually seen as during the day. She gave him a small smile as Leal approached her. He sat down next to her and took her hand, staring at her.
"Would you like a drink?" she asked.
Leal nodded and let go of her hand. She bent down in front of her and poured two glasses of wine from a pitcher she had on the low table in front of them. She leaned back and handed Leal a glass. She sat back on the sofa and took a sip of her wine as Leal took a large gulp of wine and tried to think of something to say. He had not been with her for so long; he found he was almost just happy being in her presence as she smiled at him.
"I received your schedule for Galen," said Dracia taking another drink of wine. "It is satisfactory as is. We will see how it goes."
Leal nodded again at her as he drank and stared. This is all he ever wanted. He wanted to spend all his evenings with Dracia by his side. He could imagine being in their rooms at the palace holding her as they watched the fire. He could imagine having conversations and even arguments with her about kingdom business. He could imagine walking with her through the corridors, stopping to kiss her, knowing they didn't have to hide their love from anyone. He wanted her to live with him as his wife.
"You are very quiet tonight. Is something wrong?" asked Dracia, putting her glass down in front of her.
"No," said Leal as he finished his wine in one large gulp and put his glass down. "I'm just happy to be here with you. I have missed you so much."
Dracia looked down. "I have missed you as well. I need you to understand that staying away from you was never what I wanted to do. I thought it would be best for you. I don't want to come between you and your father."
Leal leaned over and raised her head with his hand. He kissed her softly. "It is my father's choice if he will not accept my love for you, but it does not make what I feel for you go away. I can't let you go, Dracia. I need you to understand that. No matter what princesses or ladies my father puts in front of me, none of them will mean anything to me. My heart is so full of you that there is no room for anyone else."
She leaned in and kissed him as Leal wrapped her in his arms. She felt so good against him in her thin nightgown. He had hoped to spend some time with her before he moved on to other pleasurable activities, but he didn't think he could wait much longer to be with her.
They broke apart slightly. "Whatever happens please know that I do love you. I haven't forgotten the promises we made. I will never forget them, but if you have to move on for the kingdom and your family, I will not resent you," said Dracia quietly.
"You are being silly, Dracia. I could never move on from you, and you know it. You know how bound I am to you. There is no way to untie all that we are to each other. Eventually, even my father will see it."
He kissed her again, and she held on to him desperately. Leal could feel himself losing control a bit. He knew his eyes were starting to change. He concentrated for a moment as Dracia kissed him, keeping his power from escaping him.
"Dracia," he said breathlessly as he pulled back. "I must have you, now."
She smiled and said, "I find I am rather anxious as well." She stood up and held out her hand to Leal. He took it and stood up, gathering her into his arms. He kissed her and then scooped her up, carrying her into her bedroom.
He spent a wonderful night loving Dracia. He held her after and watched her sleep, feeling more complete than he had in a long time. It wasn't right that it had to be like this. He shouldn't have to sneak around to be with her. She was not some secret lover to be ashamed of. She was meant to be his wife, and eventually, his queen. His father was a fool not to see it.
Leal held her tighter, thinking of everything she was to him. He was scared constantly that she would give up on them. He couldn't imagine what he would do if she denied him, if she told him it was really over. He couldn't imagine losing her or her not being a part of his life. He would not let it be so.
He looked down at Dracia, watching her sleep against him. He let the peace he felt with her in his arms wash over him, calming him. He eventually fell asleep, satisfied that he was holding the woman he loved at least for tonight. He was awoken just before dawn by Dracia kissing him gently. She told him he needed to go, but he managed to stall his departure for a little while longer in a way she didn't seem to mind. He made her promise he could come to her again before he agreed to leave.
Now he was back in his rooms in the palace, getting ready for his day. His attendants came in with his breakfast and to see if he needed help dressing. He was already dressed, so they left him alone after arranging his food. His main attendant gave him a curious look after Leal had wished him a pleasant day. Leal supposed he had been in a rather bad mood lately, but today he found he was having difficulty not smiling.
He had just finished breakfast when a attendant knocked on his door to summon him to his father's study. Leal entered the study to find his father, King Rommel, sitting at his large desk. He looked up as Leal entered and motioned for him to take a seat in front of him. His father asked all attendant to leave and looked up at his son with a frown.
"I understand you were out of the palace grounds yesterday," said his father as he folded his hands in front of him.
"I was," said Leal. "It's not unusual. I like to take a stroll through the wooded area or the hills when I can."
"I understand you met someone on one of your strolls yesterday."
"I saw many different people out and about, including my sister. I don't see her in here for a conversation with you."
"I will have a talk with her later," said the king. "Do you want to tell me who you met with, or do you want me to say it for you?"
"I met with the High Captain. She had some questions about my interest in one of her upcoming novices. I answered her questions."
"The forest is an interesting meeting place for Sentinel business. Why not do it here at the palace? You should have summoned her."
"I did," said Leal. "She was under the impression she would not be welcomed to meet with me. I'm not sure who gave her that impression. Perhaps you could solve the mystery?"
His father gave a short laugh. "I also understand you may not have spent the night in the palace last night."
"Where did you get that information, father?" asked Leal, looking non-bothered
"It doesn't matter where I got it. I want to know if it is true," said the king sounding irate.
"I'm sure you already have your opinion on what is true. I wonder at you even asking me."
"You do not want to test me, boy. You may be my heir and the next king, but I am the king now and you will obey me," said his father leaning forward with his face very red.
Leal gave his father an insolent smile and said, "Tell me what command you would have me obey."
"You will have nothing to do with Dracia Yates from this point forward. If the High Captain has any business with the palace, she will contact me," said the king leaning back.
"No," said Leal.
"No, what do you mean by no?"
"No, I will not do it. I will see her when I chose and how I chose. You do not get to decide how I spend my time or who I spend it with."
"I am your father and your king. You will do as I command," said his father standing up.
"I am a grown man, and I know my own mind. I love her. I have not hidden this from you at any point. You told me to wait a few years to make sure I knew my mind. I have waited, and I know for sure I will love no one but her. I will have no one but her," said Leal standing up and putting his hand on the desk in front of him.
"Then perhaps I will have to find a way to get rid of the woman," said the king loudly.
Leal heard himself make an angry noise. Before he knew it, he was around the desk with his hand out. His father was pinned against the back wall, with Leal leaning over him.
"What did you just say?" asked Leal dangerously quiet.
His father looked at him with bright green eyes and pushed Leal away. Leal stumbled backwards as his father adjusted his shirt.
"I said if you cannot keep away from the woman, there are ways to make sure she is not an option," said the king as Leal gave him a deadly look.
He quickly held up his hand to his son and closed his eyes. When the king opened his eyes, they were back to their normal dull hazel color. "I do not wish any harm to come to the woman. I had hoped her new position would be the end of this ridiculous fascination you have with her, but if you cannot control yourself, I will have to do something more drastic."
Leal felt himself breathing heavily. "If you do anything to hurt her, I don't care if you are my father or the king, I will not hold back. You know what I can do; you have seen it," said Leal walking closer to his father. His father's eyes grew large. "I know you are scared of me in some way, father. I do not wish it to be so, but if you do anything to cause her harm, you will find your fear well-founded."
"You can keep her safe by leaving her alone. You will be married soon. I have some suitable brides coming to visit the palace this summer. Hopefully, we can find the right woman for you then, and you can be married by winter. That will end this whole business for good, or you can make her your mistress if she agrees. As long as your father a legitimate heir, I don't care how you spend your free time."
Leal looked at his father venomously. "I would never ask her to do that. It doesn't matter, because Dracia is the right woman for me. I will have no other. Tell me why she isn't suitable? She is the daughter of the highest lord of the land. Kings in our line have married lower."
"Things were different then. There are things you do not know, things your refuse to hear or understand. You will have to make the right alliance for the kingdom," said King Rommel as he walked over and poured a small amount of dark-colored liquor into a glass and gulped it down.
He turned to look at his son. "You think you have to have her now, but that is rubbish. She is just a woman like any other. You will marry soon and move on. She will just be a nice memory of your youth and nothing more."
Leal shook his head. "You say I refuse to hear or understand things, but you refuse to hear or understand me. I know Dracia is the only woman I will ever love, and more importantly, she is the only woman I will have as my wife if you want your line to go on. If you want our family to continue to rule, you will need to understand it."
Leal turned to leave. He was done talking to his father, or whoever this man was. His father had no acted as himself in many years. Leal would need to find a way to be close to Dracia as much as he could. He would need to find a way to see she was protected at all times. He could go to Dracia's father. He was sure Lord Arwel would be very interested to know the king had threatened his only daughter.
"Where are you going, Leal? We are not done."
"I think we are, father," said Leal turning before he walked out of the door. "You will not win this. I won't let you. Also, if you get in your head to try and do something to Dracia, you will not just face me. You need to remember who she is. She is the daughter of the High Lord in the kingdom. You think you have all the power, but Lord Arwel has enough allies to make your life interesting if you threaten Dracia.
"She is also the High Captain of the Sentinel, a position you put her in. She has the loyalty of the best fighters in the kingdom. You might think the Sentinel serves you, but you will find quickly that the Elites serve no one but their High Captain."
"Wait, Leal," said the king with some contrition in his voice. Leal turned and looked at his father. "I do not want to hurt Lord Arwel's daughter. You are right about her being High Captain as well, but it would be foolish to do anything to hurt the loyalty we have from the High Lord of Winsdell.
"So, I will make this deal with you. I will bring some suitable brides in front of you this summer, and you will meet and spend time with them all. If I find one or two I think are extremely suitable for you, you will seriously consider them."
"What if I find I do not want someone you find suitable? What then? Will you consider supporting my marriage with Dracia?"
His father looked at him for a long moment. "If you do not find a suitable bride this summer, you and I will talk seriously about you taking Dracia Yates as your wife."
"And you will do nothing to hurt her in the meanwhile?"
His father nodded. "She will be very safe from me."
"You also will not stop me from spending time with her," said Leal.
His father sighed. "If you are appropriate in your relations with her out in the open, I will not oppose it. It is normal you would meet with the High Captain in public often. Anything else you do must be discreet. Discreet enough that I don't hear about it. Also, you will not neglect any potential bride to meet with her secretly."
Leal took a deep breath. "Fine, I will meet with any woman you want to show me this summer, but I make you no promises. I know my mind and my heart, father. It is settled thing."
"We will see, Leal, hearts and minds change every day."