As soon as I saw Annalise hit the dewy grass, I was already in a sprint. I crouched down beside her, and felt my eyebrow twitching.

That only happens when I'm really mad.

Damien was already there, cradling her and smoothing away her silent tears. The class made a small circle around us as worried chatter filled the air.

Everybody saw the hit, and it did not look like it was pleasant. But most of all... it seemed deliberate. The person was going for the body and definitely not the ball.

"It's gonna be alright. Just stay awake Annalise, please," Damien's soft voice resonated, the softest I've ever heard him speak,"Come on baby, just open your eyes." And though he was trying to stay calm, anybody could see he slowly cracking. We were all worried, wether you knew Annalise or not.

Damien shifted his hand's stance on her hair; but as he lifted it, it was coated with splotches of blood. "Well shit, Annalise." He muttered out. Gasps were heard as the sight was seen. He easily gathered her in his arms, and took off to the school.

Now I was literally and figuratively seeing red.

"What is wrong with you, Isabelle!" I scolded her. No, yelled would be a better word for it.

"I don't know what you mean, Hazalen. I was just playing a game." She stood innocently, arms across her body, making her seem smaller. A small smirk was pulling her lip up to the right.

Isn't she always playing games?

"What has Annalise done to you to deserve all this? Just because the prince shows interest in her, you try to ruin her life? All because of something you could never have," My eyebrows were pointed. The circle that once surrounded Annalise now wrapped around us to watch the show.

"I could say the same about Landon... such a shame he moved on so quickly. Guess he got too bored of you," she didn't hide her smirk anymore.

I couldn't help feel a large drop in my heart with the mention of his name. She just exposed me to all those people.

"You bitch! Don't bring him into this! Just like how you brought Veronica to do all your dirty work. You really think that helped your situation? Damien doesn't care about your little minions, or you Isabelle. Nor will he ever." I was seething with rage.

"That's funny! Because your ex-boyfriend became one of them once I -" Before she could finish her sentence, my palm met the side of her face.

"You little-" she reached out and attacked me, her full claws she called a manicure met my hair.

"Stop this!" A force came between us.

I knew that voice all to well.

"Leave her alone, Isabelle. Just go away." His stern voice gave me chills. All I could see was his backside, yet I froze up. Memories resurfaced as I gazed at his dirty blonde hair, long neck. Lean but soft torso, legs I was tangled up in many times before.

"That bitch attacked me first! You peasant, get off! Or should I can-"

"Just shut up Isabelle, we've all had enough of you today." Landon looked over for just a second, but it felt like years. We haven't dared to look at each other since "it" happened. This was the closest we've been since...

Yet I knew it was all an act. He didn't actually care about me, just Isabelle's well-being. He knew if I took on a fight with her I would win.

He was the one who taught me how to fight, to throw a punch if needed. He didn't actually care about me... just Isabelle.

The coach arrived just in time and split the whole ruckus up; though it was already dissolved. Some of the girls pulled me to my feet and gave me looks of appreciation.

Well somebody had to say something.

But as we exited the field I took one more look at him. He was already gazing at me; I met him with a cold glare. For his...

Landon Apa's eyes were filled with sadness.

///////

looked so peaceful at the moment. Her long eyelashes pointed to the sky, mouth slightly parted open. One arm around her waist, the other placed next to her; wearing beaten up soccer outfit.

But she looked beautiful nonetheless.

Gods, how good those shorts look on her.

Dammit, Annalise is passed out with a concussion and all I can think about are her booty shorts?

Damn you, Roswell.

"I trust that you will take great care of her, or else there will be consequences. She shall receive special treatment from every single one of the employees; do you understand?" The young nurse nodded her head anxiously, and continued pouring cold water into a bowl filled with rags.

"How long do you suppose she will be out for?" I ask her.

The nurse was startled,"Unless she doesn't wake up in a day or so-"

"A day! You cannot be serious." I was raging.

"Yes, your Highness." She looked at the ground.

"Contact her mother immediately. I want her family to know she's very secure and with the best healthcare she can get." I order. My left eyebrow started to twitch as I looked back down at her. Slowly my gaze dropped lower and lower back to the shorts.

" And also her clothes changed... especially the shorts."

//////

I felt a soft caress across my head, soft fingers pushing my stray hairs out of my face.

"Damien?" I managed to whisper, my throat as dry as chalk. I leaned onto the soft touch.

"No silly, it's your mother." A soft voice whispered back. "Your finally awake Annalise, you've had me worried out of my mind."

"How long was I out for?" The events replayed in my mind over and over. A ball at my feet, the goal at my reach, and then darkness... soft words, and strong arms.

"Three days, honey." She frowned.

"Three days?"

"Yes."

"Tres días?" I smiled, copying Maria's demeanor. My mother softly giggled and nodded along, leaving me with a soft smile as well. The damp cloth on my head was annoying me, so I slowly peeled it off and placed it beside me.

"Why didn't you tell me you were friends with the prince, Annalise?" Her frown returned. I sat up in the small bed, noticing the infirmary walls and medicines beside me.

I knew how mother could be about royalty and authority... anybody related to it, she was very wary of.

"Damien is just a small friend mother, nothing to worry about." Lie.

"Then why did you think that was him touching you as you woke up?" Her face was laced with suspicion.

"He was the last thing I remember before blacking out. I was just confused. He probably took me here because he felt bad, what happened was partially his fault." Another lie.

"That's good to hear Annalise, I don't want you getting too close to him. Not with our secret." She whispered the last part.

"Of corse mother, I understand."

She kissed my head," You still feel a little hot. I'll go retrieve the nurse, just stay put and drink some water," she hands me a glass from the cabinet beside me.

"Thanks, mother." I smiled in appreciation.

She left the cozy room, leaving the door open. Too exhausted to get up to shut it, I closed my eyes and tried to recall the events from the past few days.

Getting knocked out, Veronica's speech, and the ball. I've never had so much drama in my life, so much distress.

All because of one Darius of Deltora. Everything that has happened to me somewhat surrounds him, but I still can't seem to get enough of him.

I wouldn't leave that man for a whole buffet full of chocolates.

A soft, calloused touch caressed my lips.

Speak of the devil.

I held my smile back, knowing exactly who it was. I didn't want him to stop; for his hands were the first way I met him, a memory I could never forget.

They created a warm valley across my lips, down to my jaw line. He brushed away the stray hairs around my ear, leaving my face bare. He continued down my jaw, to my neck, then back to my lips. Each soft touch felt perfect.

He could be so rough, yet so gentle when he wanted to be.

At that point, I couldn't hide my smile. I placed my hands on top of his and leaned onto his touch.

"You're... awake?" He retracted his hands from my face.

Is that... a blush I see?!

" You took just a little bang there, sweet cheeks." his eyebrow quirked up.

"A little bang?" I questioned with a giggle.

"Ah, there she is," He caressed the sides of my lifted lips due to my smile; embarrassment all gone.

On a usual day, I wouldn't let this happen. Us being all "touchy feely". Yet I allowed him to be, because he took me into his home to take care of me. That's more than I could ever ask for, knowing my mother wouldn't have to pay a dime. Damien would never let that happen; he had to control every aspect of his life.

"Here I am?" I asked with a goofy grin through the pain.

"Your smile. I can finally see it again."

"Your so sappy Damien. I'm obviously fine," I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Isabelle hit you pretty hard, Annalise."

"Isabelle? That was Isabelle?"

"Yes, what about it?" He was interested.

"You really haven't figured it out yet?"I asked sarcastically. He raised a brow at me. "You know for being so smart and all, I thought you could have realized what her little scheme has been this whole time."

"Pumpkin, I will always be the smartest man you know; don't underestimate me."

"I liked sweetcheeks better." I fired back. His cocky face was replaced with a scowl.

"Explain. Now." He demanded abruptly.

So damn controlling!

"She's obsessed with you, Damien. She's just mad I'm friends with you." My words stumbled at the end. I could see by the look he gave me, he knew exactly why.

We both knew why.

No steps forward, no steps back.

"Well aren't all girls?" He asked with no hesitation.

"Gods Damien, no need to be so cocky about it." It's like he has no filter. It angered me, how he could say such things without any regrets of the aftermath.

"I always forget Annalise, you're definitely not 'all girls'." He frowned at the thought.

"Neither is Isabelle. She has immense power, in school and out. Her family owns the trade of jewels and luxury accessories in all of Deltora. People may buy one dress from my mom, but that could never compare to a diamond necklace or beaded bracelet. Isabelle has too many connections and get away with many things." I reasoned with him.

"And I've angered her by being your companion. I'm competition in her little game." I frowned, if she would go to these lengths now, what would she do in the future perhaps? "She made Veronica become friends with us, find out all our secrets, then drug you! With Cole's mesgra of all people!"

"I don't care what she does to me, Annalise, I just care about you. How everything effects you; your emotions, physical health, you name it. So if she did this to you on purpose, I'm going to have to have a talk with her." His eyes went completely dark gray, the color when he was really angry.

Oh no.

"Im fine Damien! Truly, I feel perfectly great."

"You are not 'fine', you were out for three days. I had to carry you in a carriage to the castle. Do you have any idea how worried I was about you, Annalise? Your head was bleeding and your body went slack, your eyes were white... Isabelle just- this is all my fault." he grasped the roots of his hair in distress, his voice becoming strained.

I sat up abruptly," Damien, calm down, I'm alright! Look at me."

"You keep on getting hurt because of me." His hands were still wrapped up in his hair. I retracted them, and placed his hands back on my face.

Where they belong.

"I'm here; I'm here for you Damien. Always," my eyes shined with sincerity. But as he lifted his face to look at mine, his eyes were burning with passion. Tears gathered at his waterline, threatening to spill over.

Oh Darius.

"I can't lose anybody else, Annalise." His voice cracked. I've never heard him speak with such emotion. Such sadness, such despair and agony. Damien was emotionless around others. If he were to show emotion, maybe a small smirk or humor of any sort.

But nothing like this.

"Don't you understand Annalise? I care for you. Far more then I probably should, and I can't lose you. Not when I had just found you." He grasped both of my hands in one and hesitated, almost kissing them," Promise me, Annalise."

"Promise what?" My voice even sounded sad. Seeing this whole new side of him made me feel useless. I liked playful Damien better.

"Promise me you won't leave me. No matter what happens, you will keep fighting. Promise me you'll stay by my side. Please, for me." He pleaded. One stray tear dared to slide down beautifully sculpted face.

This moment could almost be a painting, there was no way to put it into words. He looked so beautiful... yet so absolutely melancholy. There was no in-between. His eyes were a cloudy gray and his tears were the rain. His eyelashes up close were so long and thick. He leaned onto my touch, my hands tucked around his sharp jawline. The tear then reached my hand. It was warm and sent my heart into overdrive.

"Only if you promise me."

"Anything for you, Annalise." He smiled sadly. My heart almost melted on the spot.

"Promise me you won't leave me, Darius. This can't just be one sided. And I know..."

"Yes?" He urged me on, taking my hands into one of his big paws.

"I know there's something between us. I don't know what it is, I don't know how it happened; I'm not really good at this sort of thing, Damien. The only thing I know for sure is we both are not ready for that yet. But, as of now, you need to promise me as well. That even if I did something horrible, or something in my past comes up, you will still stick by me. Through the thick and thin. There are still some things you don't know about me yet, Damien. I'm sure it's the same for you... but promise me. Promise me no matter what happens, you will always be there for me. You can't leave me either." My eyes were burning with passion.

"Because I don't think I could handle you leaving me as well."

There was silence. A reoccurring factor with Darius. But we were having another battle. A dark, cloudy gray against a bright green.

For this time, the battle wasn't just jesting around. We weren't battling for one side to win. We were battling for a compromise, a tie. This battle was more intimate than any way he's looked at me before.

Slowly his calloused hand pushed a stray tear away I didn't know I had let lose. But I wasn't... sad. Just passionate about the way I felt.

How I felt about him.

But instead of retracting his hand, he left it on my cheek. Before I knew what was happening he slowly started to lean in. His head tilted to the right, as did mine in instinct.

Waiting. Now I was waiting for him to make the move on the chess board. I felt his warm breath fan across my waiting lips, his face so close to mine I couldn't see his eyes. I was so ready for this moment to come. He slowly retracted his hand... and his face as well.

I couldn't help but feel my stomach drop as rejection set in. My eyes still closed, my breathing still rash, and my mind in a daze.

"I promise. I swear to you Annalise, I will never leave your side. I don't think I could get away. You enthrall me, inspire me, and make me a better person all in one. Thank you for that, for being my friend and challenging me. I don't know anybody quite like you." Playful Damien was back. I could tell he felt bad about the action he almost took.

Even embarrassed maybe?

Is it just me? Is my nonexistent experience really that of a bother?

But his eyes were still brining with the same passion. And that's how I know he truly meant it, when his eyes were a lighter gray. He placed a small kiss on my cheek instead, which almost shooed my negative thoughts away. "You better rest now, Annalise." He pulled my covers over my body, gave me a dazed smile, and walked out the door.

At the last minute he turned around," I'm glad your feeling better, sweetcheeks. Your one tough cookie. I was getting worried there," Then he shut the door.