Kyera continued down the path, unconcerned with her surroundings as she considered possible answers to the Empress' health . "She should be getting stronger…" Kyera puzzled aloud . Yes the Empress was improving, but with the amount of power being poured into her, it should be at a much faster rate . "Unless…" her eyes narrowed as she shot a glance at the two palaces, barely visible beyond the trees .

"You suspect something, don't you?" a soft masculine voice asked her . Kyera's eyes darted toward the sound as she reflexively pulled her dagger . The blade caught the sunlight as did the purple jewel in the hilt . "Its just me, Lady Kyera . " Alexi tried to sooth her . He half expected the blade to still end up buried in his chest . She lowered her weapon and resheathed it offering the prince a smile .

"Ahh, Second Prince I did not see you there . " Kyera greeted bowing low . He frowned slightly at her formalness .

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"I see no one else around, call me Alexi . " he replied with a warm smile . It was a das.h.i.+ngly charming expression that dazzled her for a moment . "I believe prefer Kyera to your t.i.tle, Princess . " he added with a smirk .

Kyera froze, her blood became ice in her veins as her heart stopped . How could be know? Her expression however stayed calm and collected as she raised an eyebrow .

"How do you know?" she asks smoothly, wondering how much he truly knew . Her life could hang in his hands, and that was more terrifying than death .

"How could you be anyone else? I was suspicious when Princess Raina recognized you . I knew you weren't just Mally's sister . Then I heard mother and a maid discussing that Mordrin ordered food taken to you, and poison tested it himself . Why would he do that unless…" Alexi smiled at her as the explanation came to its climax . Her heart broke into a sprint… she never dreamed she could endanger Mordrin too… "Your his lost little sister . " he finished and Kyera blinked . Several seconds pa.s.sed and she began to laugh . Relief washed through her . Mistaken ident.i.ty . She had never been so glad to be taken for someone else . He raised an eyebrow . "Something funny?"

"No, just a relief . It's been so hard hiding a princess in plain view and now someone else knows my secret . It's liberating . " she replied with a grateful grin . He chuckled at her reaction, mesmerized by those golden pools . He was certain she would bewitch him yet .

"I bet . I can hardly begin to guess how you must feel . Having to hide and guard yourself . " he replied shaking his head . "I would be careful though . " his warning was said with a smile and yet it uneased her more than if he had growled it at her .

"Oh, and why would that be?" Kyera asked raising an eyebrow . She had already a.s.sessed he wasn't a threat, but the palace was a misleading place .

"Others may seek to use you against your brother, should they find out you are connected . I will protect you best I can, but…" his eyes darkened as ghosts of the past filled his mind . The suffering and hate in him was tangible to Kyera, she could sense it . A knife twisting in his heart, deeper inside that muscle than any true dagger could be and without the benefit of being lethal . "Sometimes nothing can stop the monsters that live in these halls . "

Her eyes softened as she watched his face, wondering who he had failed to protect . "I will be weary . Thank you . " Kyera replied rea.s.suringly and he offered her a smile .

"Good, see that you do . " he agreed, that hatred seeming to dissipate just a bit . The vaguest hint of that smoldering fire in his eyes .

"Out of curiosity, why are you helping me?" Kyera asked figuring it couldn't hurt . He chuckled, but it was not a sound filled with joy or lighthearted amus.e.m.e.nt . It was dark and almost sinister .

"My dear girl, it is less helping you and more praying you can help stop this . " Alexi replied offering her a hopeful smile . "We will speak more when we have the time . " he replied nodding at her and walking past .