Forbidden Love

Chapter 2

"My prince, I have just been informed that the princess and her companion have been fed and are resting" Dominic said coming into Philip's tent.

"Thank you, Dominic" Philip said with a sigh.

"Anything the matter?"Dominic asked.

"It is no secret, dear friend that I do not support Edward's plan to kidnap the princess" he replied rubbing between his eyes.

"No it is not," Dominic replied with a wry smile. "However, your brother believes he can win the war this way and get anything he wants from her father."

"I know, I know but it does not make it any more right" Philip maintained stubbornly.

"We still have a long way to go, perhaps the journey will change your mind,"

"Nothing can change mind concerning this matter,"

"We will see", Dominic replied with a slight now and left.

Sighing, Philip crossed over to the cask of wine sitting at the far edge of his tent. Filling a cup with wine, he stood and contemplated the recent happenings.

This new endeavor of Edward's was even more foolish than all others, his brother was losing himself.It simply was not right to kidnap an innocent just because of her status as the princess of their rival kingdom.

Grudgingly, Philip recalled the princess's beautiful face, her piercing blue eyes and her mane of black hair, so dark it was almost blue. He smiled to himself remembering the fire in her eyes when she demanded who he was. She had spunk, he would give her that, she would soon lose it though, he thought grimly.

Draining the rest of the wine from the cup, he put it aside and went to lie down praying sleep would take him quickly. Tomorrow would be even more difficult than today had been, they would approach the mountain crossing after a full day's ride. It would be two fortnights before they crossed into Khael lands and then a seven day journey to the capital. With a deep sigh, the prince closed his eyes and went to sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"M'lord, it is time to wake," a soldier said gently shaking Philip awake.

Philip opened his eyes, blinking rapidly at the burst of light coming through the tent flaps. It is morning already, he thought surprised. He always woke up before dawn. Strange, very strange indeed.

"Thank you, Tomas, I will be there shortly"

"Yes my prince," Tomas replied bowing and turned to leave.

"And the princess and her companion, what of them", the prince asked as he stride to the basin of water to clean up.

"They are awake,m'lord and have been fed, they are in their tent awaiting our departure", he replied.

"Very well, dissolve the camp, take down the tents, I will be just a moment"

"Yes prince" he said and walked out.

As Philip ran the washcloth over himself, he marveled that he had slept well past dawn. The possibility of discovery was not what bothered him, all thanks to their spy in the king's palace, the men looking for Laura would have been led astray and gone the wrong way.

Rather it was the simple fact that he had not slept past dawn in almost fifteen years. It was a bit worrisome.

He finished cleaning up, put his clothes on and exited the tent. He walked quickly to the tent the princess was in, raising the flaps he said cheerfully," A beautiful morning, is it not princess?"." I am told you have been given the morning meal"

She looked up at him from her perch on the sleeping pallet where she was having her hair braided by her maid.

"Yes, I have been" she answered with contempt

"Good,we shall be in our way then, we have a long journey ahead of us, come along" he replied turning around.

"Pompous swine", she muttered quietly.

Chuckling, he stepped out and looked around, the sun was risen but it had not yet travelled far across the sky and the sky was clear. There would not have to deal with snow storms today, he thought with relief, the roads were treacherous enough without the weather contributing to it.

The princess and her maid, Yara if he recalled correctly came out of the tent. He watched Laura's face as she took in their surroundings, she did not in any way look defeated by the unknown terrain. She leveled him a baneful look that he could not help but smile at.

Walking towards him, she asked"Where exactly are we going?"

" Where do you think we are going" he asked back.

" I asked first" she retorted.

" So you did," he said with a smile."Very well, as you no doubt already know, our kingdoms are rivals and my brother has tasked me with the responsibility of bringing you to the capital safely."

"Your brother?" she asked in confusion furrowing her brows.

"Yes, my brother, King Edward" he answered.

" You are the prince" she said in shock.

Smirking, Philip replied" Yes I am, Prince Philip of Khael at your service,my lady"with a deep bow, looking at her with a mocking glint in his eyes.

" You bastard" she said fiercely.

Laughing, he said" I am not sure a bastard can be a prince and I knew both my parents. Although, I am sure I have been called much worse things behind my back"

" Indeed," she replied testily.

" Come along then, princess, enough straggling, we have already wasted precious time as it is" he said turning around and walking towards the saddled horses.

" I will not ride on a horse with a filthy bag over my head again" Laura declared angrily.

" Of course not, princess we have more decency than that"

" I highly doubt that"

Throwing his head back and laughing loudly, he replied" You know princess, I might just enjoy this journey after all"

"Insufferable mule" she threw at him over her shoulder as she stomped away towards the horses, her long braid swaying behind her.

God, Philip thought in awe, look at all that hair, even in a braid it still looked so full and lush and that body. She looked like the goddesses of old, if any of the old tales were true, that is. He shook his head annoyed with himself.

He had no right to think about her that way, he had kidn*pped her. Muttering a curse, he headed to his horse and mounted. He could see that Laura was already atop hers but her maid was nowhere to be found.

Looking around quickly, he located her on Dominic's horse. Catching Dominic's eye, he raised a brow in question and Dominic grinned rakishly. Shaking his head, he gave the order for the men to move out.They had done a great job clearing the camp site, it looked as pristine as they had met it. Every place they camped had to be as they had met it just incase they came searching for the princess this way.

He turned around slightly to look at her and found her scowling at him. Smiling at her simply to annoy her, he nodded his head in greeting,turned around and set his gaze on the mountain in the far distance.

This is going to be a long day, he thought wearily urging his horse into a trot.