The Prince's lost lady.

Chapter 2

A tall, imposing man strode with a confidence that demanded attention towards her bed. He looked down at her.

She couldn't help but notice his olive colored eyes and dark features. His chiseled jawline framed his features, and his cheekbones stood sharp and high, like him. His mouth, which sat against a backdrop of stubble, was set in an austere line, but it couldn't hide the fullness that was there. His shoulders, wide and broad, naturally pulled his posture upright. His frame was powerful, with thick, defined muscles obvious beneath his tunic. His solid forearms led down to strong hands- large, firm, the kind that looked like they could lift with ease or hold with control.

A lock of his dark brown hair had escaped from his bun and lay upon his brow, and she felt the urge to put it back in place and run her hands through the silky mass.

He was dressed in a blue and black tunic with gold embroidery. A single black ring sat on his pinky finger.

"You were found in a lake, in quite a precarious state, and if my squire had not noticed you, you would not be here at all."

His voice was like rich velvet rolling over her in waves. She continued to stare at him, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.

"You must be overwhelmed," he said more softly, his hand reaching for her shoulders. She felt warmth travel through his hands, burning her.

"What is your name, lady?"

"Sierra." She managed to let out.

"Where are you from?"

She was about to respond but realized she could not. Sierra searched her mind for the answer but it was blank. A darkness clouded her mind with nothingness. "I... don't know."

"What do you mean?" Holmes interjected, coming closer.

The tall man was looking at her more intently now.

" I just... I don't know. All I know is my name." She found herself saying in confusion.

"You don't remember anything?" The man said, his voice filled with pity but also caution.

She shook her head. "Who are you?"

"I am Renat."

"Renat." She tested the name on her lips, "where am I? Why can't I remember anything? What is happening?"

Prince Renat heard the fear in her voice and instantly moved to soothe her. He knelt at her bed and took her hand in his. He looked into her eyes, which were a bright hazel, "You are safe here, do not worry, and you are my guest."

"You mentioned I had an accident? What happened?"

Renat glanced at the physician, "We're not quite sure. Like I said, we found you in a lake, and you were brought here."

Holmes interrupted, "You've been unconscious for almost three weeks now. It seems the severity of your injuries and the details of your accident did not only give you a concussion, but it has also robbed your memories."

"When will they return?"

"I can not say. Sometimes, it takes a few weeks, sometimes, months. Sometimes, they never return at all."

She gasped and Renat quickly said, "I'm sure that will not be the case Sierra. Sir Holmes can be a bit morose at times. I am certain that with rest and some time, they will return." He stood. "You need not fear."

She was about to ask about this assuredness of his when a guard came through the door with alarm, " My prince! There's been another one."

Renat turned abruptly, cursing under his breath and moving in quick strides to the door, left with the guard.

She looked at Holmes, "what's happening?"

"Oh, do not worry your head about it, dear. Just focus on those memories." He smiled at her.

"Now I have an elixir that I can concoct, but I need to find the ingredients. I shall have it for you by tomorrow. It will help with your memories. In the meantime, Maria will assist you with your needs." He gestured to a sturdy looking young woman with fiercely set eyes. She must have just entered the room for Sierra had not seen her before. She did a curt curtsy, "milady." Her voice was low and clear, in a confident way that gave Sierra the impression she was not easily rattled. "Whatever you need."

***

His feet crunched down on dirt and rubble, and he coughed while looking around at the damage caused by the raiders.

"It was definitely the druids." One of his men said pointing to a sigil, a single branch in a yellow sun, painted on a swinging door which had come off its hinges.

It was almost dusk now as it had taken some time to ride out here from the palace. Even with how far it was from the main capital, it was still too close. Too close. They were getting bolder. For almost a hundred years, practicing Kenna had been forbidden - and still was.

The druids, however, seemed to have disregarded this and were using Kenna to raid and steal from Tyern. It had been going on for months now. The raidings had begun in small villages out of reach from their kingdoms. Then it had moved to holdings, then the kingdoms themselves. The druids had started from smaller kingdoms, and then they had moved to bigger ones like Tyern, which was the largest and most prosperous kingdom in the Ayan lands.