Gritting his teeth, Ronan scowled at the Dulra female as he tightly grasped Isabella’s hand. The redhead slyly grinned at them signifying to him she took pleasure in terrifying his raven-haired companion. Maintaining his composure, Ronan hissed to the female vampire. “Thank you for the news.” Opening the bedroom door, he gently pulled Isabella past the door frame and into the hallway. Before he took his leave, Ronan turned towards the vampiress stating. “Have a good day’s sleep. Hopefully, your curtains don’t fall down burning you alive.” Ronan saw the redhead’s grin fade into a look of horror as he slammed the door shut behind him.

Once in the hallway, he faced Isabella observing the sheer panic written on her face. She blustered out. “Ronan, we have to leave right now. Fetch your horse, let us go now.” He pulled her into his arms to ease her anxiety as his eyes focused on the men and women in the hallway. Ronan made eye contact with two heavy set guards at the far end of the hall. Still cradling Isabella in his arms, he turned to see more guards behind them. Unfortunately, they were being watched too closely for them to plan an escape. Not wanting to alert Isabella, he stroked her hair with one hand. “Princess, I think our best chance of escaping is tonight after the competition.”

Lifting her head up to face him, Ronan observed her wide eyes as she exclaimed. “Nathanial will cheat. Remember, he organized it that Samuel had the fire element. He does not play fair.” Her worried expression pained him as he answered her. “Princess, I will do everything in my power to win tonight.” Her fearsome expression did not change as he attempted another approach. Touching her cheek, he asked her. “Princess, do you trust me?” Gazing into her eyes, she exhaled and shook her head. “Yes, I trust you.” She buried her head into his chest as Ronan pulled her closer again. Now he had to figure out a plan to keep Isabella safe.

Ronan began contemplating a few strategies. There should be fewer competitors than the previous competition as most of the warlocks had left village after Ronan had won. And on such short notice, gathering Malagi warriors would be difficult. But Isabella was right, Nathanial would not play fair and he possibly had a trick up his sleeve. The Dulra king did not like that any of the Malagi warlocks could influence Isabella and have her question her surroundings. Nathanial probably had a victor in mind, and Ronan could rest assured it was not him. He had to create a plan for taking Isabella as far away from the castle and Nathanial as possible. Even if Ronan were defeated tonight, he would need Samuel to be responsible for getting her out of here.

He relished the moment of cradling her in his arms with her head resting on his chest. Ronan’s instincts were to protect this young vulnerable witch snuggled up to him. The dark-haired warlock would die fighting to protect Isabella from any further harm. In her young years, she had been through enough and deserved more from a spouse. Ronan hoped he could be the one to provide that for her. She moved against him as she let out a big yawn. The dark-haired warlock noticed how the skin under her eyes darkened from a lack of sleep. He softly exclaimed to her. “You should probably have a nap. I will take you back to your room.”

The raven-haired beauty nodded in his arms as he begrudgingly released his hold on her. Holding her hand, they slowly began to walk down the hallway. Ronan could still feel the eyes of the palace guards staring at them as they strolled through the castle. It was Isabella that broke the silence when she asked him. “What is home like?” He wrapped her hand around his arm as she sleepily bumped into his side. “Princess, home is beautiful. Green rolling hills with bountiful wildflowers as far as the eye could see. Tall leafy trees perfect for our children to climb and babbling brooks perfect for lounging besides.” Ronan gazed at her to see if she caught the reference to their future children.

A warm smile spread onto Isabella’s face as she inquired. “And forests? Do you have forested areas for me to explore?” Touched that she did not fluster at the possibility of their future, he continued. “Princess, there are many forests speckled throughout the lands full of red-tailed deer, rabbits and birds. Full of Mother Nature’s bounty. And home is a small little cottage with a hearth built inside where we can stay toasty warm in the cooler winter evenings. Princess, you will love it.” Isabella sighed as they approached her bedroom door. “I am sure I will. Oh Ronan, I am so scared I will be forever stuck in this godforsaken castle. Are you sure we cannot leave right away?” In front of her door, she turned to face the dark-haired warlock.

Still feeling the presence of the palace guards, Ronan regrettably shook his head. “No Princess, not yet. Soon enough. In the meantime, get some sleep.” He began to walk away from Isabella, leaving her at her bedroom door, when the young witch pulled at his arm stating. “Would you stay with me until I fall asleep? Please tell me more about your home.” Shocked, he asked her. “Princess, do you not worry about your modesty? Others will make assumptions about us being alone in the same room.” Isabella shook her head. “I do not care a damn what others think. I am afraid I will have nightmares, but I hope I can have pleasant dreams if you describe more about your home.”

Ronan aware he needed to organize plans and escape routes for tonight decided that her comfort was his priority. Hell, he may not even make it through the competitions alive. Ronan did not want to miss out on this intimate time with Isabella. “Certainly, Princess I will stay with you until you fall asleep.” She flashed him a smile as she opened her bedroom door. Ronan entered the room after the raven-haired beauty closing the door behind him. The more he knew of Isabella, the more he could understand the bedroom was decorated to Nathanial’s standards. Ice blue drapes, rug and accentuated decorations was the vampire’s preference. Not Isabella’s as she seemed more relaxed and not entertained by finer living and expensive items.

Now with him alone in her room, Isabella appeared uncomfortable at the next step. Trying to alleviate her discomfort, Ronan made the first step of crawling onto her bed and arranged himself lying on top of her covers. He stated. “Princess, come here.” Crawling beside him, she cuddled up to Ronan placing her head on his outstretched arm. “Is this comfortable for you?” She nervously inquired. “More than comfortable, I may even fall asleep myself.” He laughed as Isabella tried to decide which way to lay. Isabella settled with her back curled up near him.

Ronan inquired. “Now what would you like me to describe to you.” With one arm under her head, the warlock settled a relaxed arm around her waist. She answered him. “Tell me more about your home. Or your family?” Her hair smelled of lilacs and lavender as Ronan attempted to focus on tales of his family to distract him. “Family, alright.” He searched his memories for an uplifting or heartwarming story of growing up. “My parents had three children; Elizabeth who is a couple years older than myself. And then there is the baby of the family Catherine. Not much to say, Elizabeth was quite independent, and we scrapped when I overstepped my boundaries and tried to be the overprotective big brother.”

Isabella scoffed. “You, overprotective, no.” Ronan could hear the sarcasm hinted in her voice as he took his arm and tickled the young witch’s underarms. Giggling, Isabella moved to be flat on her back as she exclaimed. “I’m sorry. Your story.” Ronan gazing downwards at the raven-haired beauty continued his story as he settled a hand on her stomach. “I remember Liz was a little delayed in finding her magical powers. Most Malagi children begin using magic around six or seven years old. I was a quick study and by the age of ten I thought I was a full-blown warlock. I felt sorry for Liz as she was a little over twelve years old with no gifts yet.”

Ronan stretched his legs out. “I thought my duty was to protect her and keep her safe, even though she did not want it. One day at the start of fall, Liz and I went out to pick blackberries for mother and me thinking I was so clever left tiny pebbles on the trail to find our way back home. Liz and I scrapped, like usual, picking the berries and as night began to fall, we could not follow our trail as so many leaves had fallen covering the rocks. Me being me, swore that I would find our way home tried an illumination spell for us to see. I kept thinking I had to protect both of us, that it was my duty to keep her safe.”

He watched as Isabella’s eyelids began to droop. “I had trouble with the spell, and I became frantic as the sun fully set. But just like that, Elizabeth could see wisps flutter along the trail leading us back home. And just like that, she had her powers. I spent so much time worrying about protecting her and there you go, she protected me.” Ronan gazed down as he heard the soft hum of Isabella’s breathing and saw she was fast asleep. The dark-haired warlock lay beside Isabella for several more minutes watching her sleep. His mind crossed back to his sister Liz and how she was murdered. He had always sworn to protect his sister, and he had failed that horrible night. But this time he would not fail in protecting Isabella.

Slowly he rose from the bed being careful as not to rouse the sleeping witch. No, this time he would not let a Dulra have another opportunity to hurt the women of his tribe. Ronan would search out Samuel and figure out a plan to get Isabella out of this castle and away from Nathanial.