The Lost Warrior Princess

Dangerous Journey

Luna POV

I woke suddenly in the middle of the night feeling like I was being watched, as my eyes flew open I thought I saw a figure standing by the balcony door. I quickly moved to grab my knife from under the pillow only for the figure to be gone by the time I looked back at the now empty balcony door.

I threw the sheets back and jumped out of the bed scanning around the room to make sure whoever it was, wasn’t in the room. Cautiously walking over to the balcony door.

Once I got to the door I looked outside. The night air had a chill to it but I didn’t mind it. I looked at the view over the balcony. I couldn’t see the person that had been standing on balcony. Hmm, could I have imagined them? I feel a presence behind me, I tighten my grip on my knife before I swing around quickly in an effort to catch the person off guard. However when I turn around there is no one there, I look around trying to see any sign of anyone. I look around just a little while longer before I’m satisfied that who ever it was had gone. I went back inside and shut the door, locking it at the deadbolt and the latch and climbed back into bed.

I slept very restlessly the rest of the night waking up to any noise I heard. I was up long before anyone else was. I looked at the time on the clock on the wall. It was three in the morning and everyone was still going to be asleep for another couple hours, so I decided I would go for a little wander around the floor we were on and see if there was anywhere I could work out to get my mind to clear before the journey.

I quietly opened the door and stepped out into the hallway and shut the door behind me. I headed in the opposite direction to the stairs we had come up yesterday. The halls all looked the same, with the same dark stained timber floors and white walls. I walked until I reached the end of the hallway, it turned into another hallway going left and right. I decided to turn left this time. As I was walking I came across a servant. He turned to me with a surprised look on his face.

“Can I please get some help?” I asked him as I approached. “Is there somewhere I can work out?”

“Oh... umm.... yes there is, may I ask who you are though?” The servant asked, he seemed a little nervous almost scared of me.

“Oh yeah, I’m Luna Martin.” I began “ I’m one of the warriors the King and Queen requested to protect the prince.” He showed a hint of shock and fear for a split second before he composed himself again.

Just as he went to speak one of the doors further down the hallway opened. The servant turned towards the door and quickly bowed. I turned to look at who was exiting the room just to see the prince.

He was in dark track pants and a white baggy shirt. He turned to look at us, his eyes going wide for a split second. “ what’s going on out here?” The prince asked as he walked closer. The servant seemed to tense at his presence. The prince looked between the servant and I as he came to a stop in front of us. He looked annoyed when the servant didn’t answer so I spoke instead. I didn’t want anyone to get in trouble because of me.

“I was asking if there was a place I could work out.” I said directly to the prince. The servant seemed to lose all colour in his face at my directness. The prince just raised a brow before he smirked at me, he looked at the servant and just waved him away.

“I was just on my way to work out myself before we have to leave.” The servant had already left so it wasn’t like I could ask the servant to take me instead. “ you can follow me....don’t worry, I don’t bite.... much.” I was a little surprised he was trying to joke but tried not to let it show on my face. I guess I didn’t do a good enough job because his smirk got just that little bit wider flashing one of his fangs. He started heading down the hall towards where I had come from, he looked back to see if I was coming but didn’t stop. I thought about just heading back to my room but decided that I needed to burn some of this energy off. I followed the prince down the hall as we walked in silence. I couldn’t help wondering why he offered to show me to the gym instead of having the servant.

Just as I was about to ask him, we stopped in front of some double doors. He opened one and signalled for me to enter ahead of him. I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting but the gym in this place had all the latest exercise equipment from weights to treadmills and rowing machines. In the middle of the room was a large blue mat with a rope attached to the high ceiling. By the door was a drink fountain and a shelf with some towels on it. The prince went over and grabbed two towels and handed one to me. I nodded my thanks as he walked over to the treadmill. I was debating using the other one but decided that I would do some warm ups first on the large mat in the middle of the room.

After about fifteen minutes warming up I decided that I would climb half way up the rope and do hanging crunches. Hooking my legs in the rope so I wouldn’t fall, I started doing stomach crunched. I continued doing them for three reps of twenty before unhooking my legs and climbing back down. I decided I would then move onto some push ups, just as I was about to start I notice a rack of sparring equipment. I walked over and took a look at what the rack was holding. There were long sparring staffs on one rack and short wooden sparring swords. I picked up a long sparring staff and walked back over to the mat. As I walked back over to the mat I noticed the prince wasn’t on the treadmill anymore and as I scanned the room I couldn’t see him anywhere. I just shrugged and started doing some different fighting forms. I turned around swinging the staff so that it would stop in front of me. What I wasn’t expecting was for my weapon to make contact with a sparring sword. My eyes went wide when I saw who was on the other end of that sword, “I...I’m so sorry, I didn’t...” I stammered.

“Want a sparring partner?” He gave me a smirk as I just stared at him with wide eyes.

“Um...ah....ok, if you really want to practice with me.” I replied still in a little bit of shock at his question.

“Don’t worry, I wont hurt you.” He said with a cocky smirk as he drew his sword back.

“ what? I’m not worried about you hurting me, you should be more worried about me hurting you.” I replied, he was cocky and it seemed to make something in me want to show him that he was underestimating me.

I took a step back taking a defensive stance, his smile grew as he said “I will make sure to take it easy on you.” with that he lunged at me. I blocked his advance and returned with one of my own.

It took me a little time to work out his fighting style, he seemed like he knew what he was doing. He had good form but at the same time he seemed to be very relaxed. His strikes were direct and calculated. He seemed to be looking for any weakness in my defence. I was determined to show him that I knew what I was doing. After his comment when we arrived about just being kids I wanted to prove we were more than capable of protecting him on the mission. I was going to be the one to make him eat his words.

The prince was holding back so I took advantage of this and made a quick advance. I dodged his swing and made it past his defence, my sparring stick made contact with his mid section with a loud smack. He hunched over clutching his stomach, I turned with my weapon pointed at him ready for him to attack but as I turned my foot got stuck causing me to fall. I could feel myself falling backwards, I let out a little gasp as I let go of the sparring stick so I would be able to catch myself but before my weapon could even hit the ground the prince had turned and had a hold of the back of my head with one hand and was holding my waist with the other. He didn’t manage to stop me from falling. Instead we both fell to the ground together.

I stared up at the prince, his emerald green eyes meeting mine. His breathing was heavy as he supported himself up above me. Our chests only just touching with each inhaled. His black hair falling around his face in a mess.

His breathing seemed to get heavier the longer we stayed there together. I could feel my heart start to race. There was something in his eyes that I had seen before in vampires......hunger. There was also something else in his eyes along with that hunger, it looked like longing or desire even. It was strange. My breathing faltered when the prince leaned down closer putting his mouth to my neck. His fangs hovering just above the skin. I could feel his warm breath tough my skin.

I laid as still as I could. I had to get his attention away from my neck.

There was one clear difference between rogues and normal vampires. Rogues couldn’t be reasoned with. I tried to steady my still racing heart before I spoke.

“Your Highness?” I asked as I felt him stiffen above me. “Prince Nicolas... are you ok?” He didn’t move or say anything. He just stayed where he was for a moment longer. I heard him take in a deep breath, like he was sniffing me? Why would he be smelling me?

“Prince Nicolas, you need to move away.” I said in a stern but calm voice even though part of me didn’t want him to stop holding me. I felt safe with him so close and I wasn’t sure why. I had never wanted anyone this close to me before.

What was wrong with me? why am I feeling like this. I feel a growl rumble from his chest just as I move my hands up to his chest. The vibration from his chest makes me blush, why does his touch make me feel tingles all over my body.

Just with my hands on his chest, I feel his body relaxed a little and he moves away from my neck to look into my eyes.

His eyes go wide as he stands up faster than the eye can see. He had one hand over his mouth. He looked like he was horrified with what happened.

I just slowly sat up and looked at him, he opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Instead I spoke, “Prince Nicolas are you ok?” He just kept standing there for a little while longer.

I decided I would stand up, trying not to make any sudden moves. He seemed to still be struggling with some internal battle.

I hear him speak in almost a whisper “ I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” I went to reply but it was already to late, he was no longer standing in front of me.

The door was still wide open from him rushing out the door. I just stood there wondering what the hell had just happened, that was the weirdest thing. Why did the feel of him so close excite me?

I thought he was going to bite me but he didn’t, I touched my neck still feeling the tingle on my skin. What was that? I was in a daze, I couldn’t think.

I decide I should head back to my room. But the image of him plagued my thoughts. His eyes were just staring at me, he was so close but yet he didn’t let himself get any closer. He stopped everything before they escalated. When I got to my room and went to grab the handle, I bumped into someone coming out. “I’m going to find her” I heard Alice say.

“Ouch Alice, where are you going?” I asked, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her blue eyes going wide as she looked at me.

“I was coming to find you! Where have you been? We woke up and you weren’t in the room.” She spoke frantically.

“I went to work out in the gym they have here. I asked one of the servants where it was.” I said. “Seriously Alice I’m fine, I didn’t get dragged off somewhere by a vampire and fed on.” I laughed a little hoping to get her to relax a little bit. She just sighed and grabbed my arm and dragged me into the room where Riley and Max were sitting on the couches. They were all dressed ready for the mission, Riley had his arms crossed over his chest with an annoyed look on his face while Max looked like he was just happy to see me. Alice started in on a lecture about how we shouldn’t be wandering around this place alone and that I should have left a note or something for them so they knew where I had gone. I apologised for not letting them know where I was going even though I didn’t think it was a big deal. They all knew I could handle myself. Riley said his piece about how ‘bloodsuckers are all the same’ and how much he disliked them and they weren’t to be trusted while Max just stayed quiet. He didn’t seem to think this was all that important. He just gave me an apologetic look like he felt bad that Alice and Riley were making such a big deal about it. I decided that I wouldn’t mention what happened with the prince in the gym or that he was even there in the first place. I knew how they would react and I didn’t need to be worrying about Riley trying to kill him in his sleep or Alice wanting to know every little detail.

After what felt like forever of Alice and Riley grilling me about not doing dumb things like I was a naughty toddler, I excused myself to shower and get dressed for the day ahead. When I got out of the bathroom I checked the time on the clock, damn it was 5:20am I was due to meet with the King and Queen at 5:30am before we departed at 7:00am. We gathered up our bags and got everything ready. Franklin knocked on the door to escort us to the throne room where I went over the plan for the journey, the Queen was more than happy to hear my proposal but the King was less interested. He didn’t seem to think that I may have a better route planned than his own people. In the end the Queen convinced him to let us take my route instead of the one their soldiers had come up with. We stopped quickly to grab some breakfast on our way down to the courtyard. Franklin didn’t say much on the way down and only really said that there would be extra food provisions waiting with the prince and his personal guard.

Once we arrived in the courtyard I went over the plan to get to the northern mountains pack, some of the guards didn’t like the plan and muttered to themselves, others just stood and listened.

The prince had six personal guards all dressed in full armour. I looked at them, there was no way we would be able to travel quickly with them wearing that. I let out a sigh “one more thing,” I began “you’re going to have to take the armour off.” This made all the guards look at me like I had asked them to drive their swords through their own hearts. They all looked towards the prince who was looking anywhere but directly at me. I guess he still felt bad about this morning. A part of me was hurt that he wouldn’t look at me. Seriously why am I feeling like this. He’s a prince, I’m a human no way would that work out.

“ My prince, your orders?” One of the guards asked.

“Do as she says.” Is all the prince said in response.

“But my prince, we will have no protection.” The guard said with worry in his voice.

“ Having that much extra weight is going to slow you down and I don’t want to be stuck in rogue territory any longer than absolutely necessary. You also stand out, you will be a beacon for them. If you want to be wearing a target then that’s up to you but I’m not having any of my team die because you couldn’t listen to a simple instruction! now, take. The. Armour. Off.” I say with a firm voice, the prince looked at me for all of two seconds before he turned to his guards and told them to take their armour off. They were reluctant to do so but didn’t want to disobey an order from the prince.

Once they were all out of their armour, I gave everyone the run down of how everyone would be located around the prince in a protective circle. Just as I finished up explaining, servants come from the right of the castle. Each leading two horses, all already saddled up and carrying saddle bags. They brought the horses to a halt in front of each of us, the horse that a servant brought over to the prince was jet black with a black leather saddle with gold details. Franklin stopped in front of Riley and I, handing the reins of our horses to each of us. I looked at the stunning animal that I held the reins too. It was a large black horse with a white mark down the centre of its face. I ran my hand down the horses face, I had always liked horses when I was a child. My parents had horses when I was growing up. I always thought they were beautiful animals.

I stepped around to the saddle bags and opened them, they were rather large and so I was able to put all of the things I had packed from H.Q in one along with everything that was already packed by the servants. A sleeping roll was in between the two saddle bags.

Max walked over to me holding the bow and arrows that he had grabbed from H.Q’s armoury. He held it out to me with a smile. “You should probably take this, you’re better at shooting one of these than the rest of us.” He said still holding it out to me. I took it from his hands and strapping the quiver of arrows to the side of my saddle and putting the bow over my head so the string was across my chest. Max then handed me a sword and some extra daggers that were in a thigh belt. I strapped them to my thigh and strapped the sword to the saddle. Once everyone had their things loaded on the horses and the extra bags we had were strapped to the two extra horses that Franklin and the servants had brought, we started to move into the formation I had told everyone we would be using the duration of the journey. We headed out of the castle courtyard and through the streets of the city. As we rode through the city towards the north gate the citizens stopped and waved to the prince trying to get his attention. He kept his eyes forward, but waved to the people. The streets were packed with citizens waving and yelling, once we reached the gate the guards opened it and let us through while others held back the citizens so they didn’t follow.

We headed towards the vampire territory boarder, it would be about a half days ride with the slow pace we were travelling at currently. Alice and Max were having a conversation while the prince didn’t look at all interested in what they were talking about. Riley and the guards on either side of him didn’t speak at all and the three in front of me were silent as well, giving the occasional snicker at something Alice or Max had said. The guard with me just shook his head, he didn't look like he was all that happy with the way we were all located around the prince. We were still in their territory but I could tell he was still on high alert and so was I.

If what we saw on the road on the way to the Vampire kingdom was anything to go off, the rogues were getting bold in their attacks and I didn't think they would pay any mind to the boarders if it meant taking out the future king. I continued to scan our surroundings, we were passing through farm land. Livestock and fields of grains and vegetables on either side of us as far as you could see. It was a beautiful view, the sky was clear and the sun was shinning. If we weren’t on a mission I would probably have closed my eyes and tilted my face up towards the sun to soak in as much of it as possible. Instead I just enjoyed how nice the day was in general.

We kept riding at the same pace until we reached the boarder. We stopped just a few meters before it, just to do a quick scan of our surroundings and the path ahead. The forest that marked the edge of the boarders was thick, the only way through was the path that snaked its way through. Once we were sure the immediate area was clear we continued. The two guards at the front seemed to speed up a little and the rest of the group followed.

Everyone was now on edge, Alice and Max had stopped talking all together and Riley had moved one of his hands to his weapon at his side, we wouldn’t be able to use guns in here. They would draw to much attention. The guard next to me was very stiff and ridged in his stance, it seemed like we were all waiting for the rogues to attack. I glanced around periodically looking to either side of us and behind us. The forest case a shadow over everything. It had a dark and dangerous feel to it, like at any moment you could be killed.

After a couple hours riding, we stopped for a short break. As we were getting ready to leave I hear movement coming from the right of me. I quickly grabbed my bow from over my shoulder.

“Everyone be on guard, be ready for anything.” I said, “I’m going to go and check what that noise was, stay here. If it sounds like an attack, get the prince out of here and to the cabin I marked on the map.” I took my quiver out of the saddle bag and put it over my shoulder. I give the reins to the guard next to me, I nod to him and slowly move off into the direction the noise had come from. I continued to check my surroundings for anything waiting to attack.

Turning and raising my bow at any noise I hear. As I get closer to where the noise had come from, I raise my bow ready to fire my arrow, as I approach some shrubs and large bushes. The leaves started rustling, I waited for the impending attack only to have a wild stag jump through the bushes and keep running.

I let out the breath I hadn’t realised I had been holding. I turn to head back to the group. Still on edge and ready at a moments notice. I was almost back to the group when something large ran into me from the side. I was knocked to the ground, pain radiation from my ribs and side. My bow falling out of reach, landing a few meters away from me. I quickly rolled over onto my back before whatever attacked me had a chance to do it again.

As I roll, I catch the beasts large mouth with my hands grasping it by the corners of its mouth. Its jaws only inches from my face. The beast growling as it snapped at my head with its sharp teeth. I let out a grunt as I try to keep the beasts teeth from sinking into my throat. The beast pulled back, getting ready to lunge at me again. This time as it lunged I drove my fingers into its left eye as hard as I could. The beast reared back letting out a pained howl, as it pawed at its injured eye. I quickly moved to retrieve my bow and the arrow I had dropped before the huge black mangy wolf could pounce on me again. I reached my bow and the arrow just in time to roll onto my back and let my arrow fly into the wolfs chest. It let out an agonising cry as it stumbled to the ground gasping for air. I hadn’t hit it in the heart so if it managed to get the arrow out it would be able to heal and I would be as good as dead.

Just as I was about to grab another arrow to kill the wolf, a knife came flying past my head and struck directly in the throat of the wolf. The large black beast slumped to the ground with a final breath. I turned to see who had thrown the knife.

My eyes fell on the prince, there was something about the look in his eyes that just didn’t make sense. It looked like fear and worry. Before I could react he was suddenly standing in front of me. He had his hands on my shoulders looking me over. I just stood still for a moment before I spoke. “What are you doing?” I asked.

“Seeing if you’re hurt, I can smell blood.” He replied as his eyes suddenly land on my side. “You’re bleeding, show me.”

“What? No I’m not showing you anything.” I reply, I didn’t need anyone to patch up my injuries. I could do that myself and I didn’t need him of all people patching me up. “I will bandage it when we get to back to the group, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

Then I realised that they hadn’t followed my orders in getting the prince out of here. I started to see red at the fact that the guards and my team had disobeyed my direct orders to get the prince to safety. “Why are you here? I told everyone to get you to safety if it sounded like an attack.” I couldn’t stop the anger from showing in my voice at this point. Sure it had only been the one rogue but what would have happened if there had of been more.

“I smelt your blood.... everyone else wanted to take me to the cabin so I grabbed a knife and ran into the forest to find you.” So he had been the one that had disobeyed my orders, that shouldn’t surprise me. I was partly flattered that he wanted to come and protect me but I was furious that he had put his own life at risk in the process.

“When I give an order, you do it.” I said in a firm voice. Seriously, did he really think that he didn’t have to listen to what I said just because he was a prince? I could feel my anger growing. They were all the same. Thinking that just because they were a couple hundred years older that they didn’t need to take me seriously.

“You should be thanking me.” He began, “I just saved your life.”

“I didn’t need you’re help.” I say as my vision starts to get blurry and my side begins to hurt more. I put my hand to my side and feel the blood seeping through my shirt. I pull my hand back and look at it. “Damn it, we need to get you to the safe house and fast.” He said, “Luna, let me help you.”

This is bad, really bad.