"So, what gift have you thought about getting Damien?" Hazalen and I walked through the market, looking at various bazaars selling knick knacks.

"Who said I was getting one for Damien? What if I was getting one for you!" I blushed. Hazalen gave me a pointed look.

During Blackberry Day, everybody gives one gift to the person most special in their life, or somebody they show great interest in. It's a grand gesture, being you only give one gift to a person outside of your relatives.

"Fine, I'm getting Damien a gift. I need your help Hazalen, what do I get a Prince that already has everything!" I groaned out.

So what do you get somebody who can have anything in the first place?

"You know what I think?"

"Hit me with it."

"What made you interesting in the first place, was just you, Annalise. He couldn't have you."

"...and?"

"What do you mean, and! You should give him something original, something straight from Annalise Woods. He can't get that anywhere in the world, I'll tell you that much. I don't think you should be stuck on buying something anymore."

She was right.

"Something from me... Hazlaen, you are brilliant!" I hugged her tight and ran to the paint section of the market.

"Blackberries everywhere, Damien! You know, your mother's favorite-"

"Fruit, yes I know." I curtly responded to Raina, our planner for every event; I wanted to halt the topic. Blackberry season was a reminder of my mother: today she had been presumed dead, six years ago.

That year for BlackBerry day my mother had graced me with a grand piano. When I arrived in my room that night, there was a letter she wrote before she was assassinated.

She confessed she didn't need a Blackberry gift to anybody, because I was her best friend. That she would protect me at all costs and her motherly love for me was never-ending; I was the best thing that had ever happened to her and my father.

That I was a product of true love.

After I realized she couldn't protect me anymore, I had to become my own defense. I trained to become mentally and physically stronger, and I built my own wall up so high that nothing could break me down.

My father also pushed me away, realizing he had to create his own defense as well. He drowned himself in his work and never seemed to snap out of it.

"Your mother always loved helping me set up for the ball. This was her favorite time of the year, so she had to make sure everything was perfect," Raina smiled as she watched the workers place berries in the wreaths.

I looked at her emotionless, wondering how she was able to keep a smile on her face while thinking about my mother.

"Take that mask off your face, boy! This isn't a masquerade ball, it's Blackberry season! And now it's time for you to get to work," she pulled me along to the tables, obviously needing labor work.

I quickly pulled out my BlackBerry gift, examining and making sure it hadn't broken. I had never given a gift during this certain season before.

Until Annalise came along.

She has a fire in her nobody can set out, not a stone cold wall like mine. She lets people through that she wants to, but if you get too close you will burn.

She's so different.

Her kind and passionate heart looks past appearances, and deep into your soul. She seeks out the best parts of me, parts I never knew would seep past the cracks in my wall. She drove me crazy, yet kept me completely sane the entire time; as long as she was by me.

Slowly breaking me down, brick by brick.

Only with her I've felt this electric pull drawing me in, and it's been getting stronger. At the last ball, it was just a game, I just wanted to have a little taste of what could be.

But I don't know if I want to play games anymore.

I didn't just want a taste, I wanted all of her. Seeing her with Jack made my blood boil, and made me realize her worth.

She wasn't just an ordinary girl.

She's Annalise Woods.

Yet, I had dark thoughts still lurking in the back of my mind.

What if I couldn't protect her, just like my mother?

What if she realized my worth, and that I was just a broken man?

And what if I let her in... and I could never let go.

I knew one day I had to marry a Princess, to unify Deltora at it highest standards. I'm afraid I won't ever be able to let go of her, once I let her in to break down my walls. That I'm going to fall to hard and not be able to get out.

All of these thoughts were holding me back.

Yet I knew I wouldn't be able to keep away from the electric force forever, and I would have to do something about it soon.

Or else Annalise Woods was going to drive me insane.

"Prince Darius," a stern voice spoke from behind me, halting my actions. I stuffed the gift into my pocket quickly, and turned to my father. Everybody in the ballroom bowed.

Besides me, royalty never bowed to royalty.

"How are you doing today?" He asked with a cold mask, just like mine. We both knew today of all was a time to check up on each other, having that I hadn't seen him in about three weeks.

"I'm doing alright. And you?" I formally replied.

"I'm doing well, thank you for asking. I see the ball is coming along quite nicely." We both gazed at the blackberry tree, dead center in the grand room. It was my mother's favorite tradition, decorating the tree and lifting me up to place the final ornament on top.

"Right well, I'm glad your doing alright." His eyes tore from the tree, obviously recalling the same memories as I. "How are fragit classes coming along?" His usual question popped up.

That's all he ever wanted to know.

"I'm almost done with them, only two months left to go." I kept my face passive.

"I'm glad you're coming along nicely, Darius. Very soon you are going to be crowned a righteous King, and we need to start looking for suitors." He readjusted his crown.

"I understand that."

"Many are attending the ball tomorrow night, knowing your coronation is not far away. Make sure to greet every women with kindness, and start having options. I was thinking the Princess of Solaria would be a great match with our Kingdom, but she couldn't attend the ball tonight. Keep this in mind, son." He walked off with a pat on my back, leaving me with thoughts running wild in my head.

The Princess of Solaria would be a great match for Deltora, he wasn't false. Yet I didn't want any Princess from Solaria.

I wanted Annalise Woods.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"You've improved, I guess I have to say that I'm impressed," I spun her out, which she handled with such grace. She was at the castle hanging out with Henry and Hazalen, so I pulled her aside to "practice dancing" in the dance room.

More like an excuse to see her face again and pull her close.

Now that Henry lived in the castle because of his father, I had an excuse for Annalise to visit more often. I found out he was living here by catching him creeping along my hallway... odd.

"Perhaps I practiced a little," she gave me a childish look, daring me to take the challenge.

"With who?"

"I don't have to tell you, now do I?" She giggled.

Oh hell no.

"Did you practice with Jack?" I pulled her closer, not liking the idea. She smirked, knowing I took the bait.

She's become a little devious thing, hasn't she?

"No Damien, with Henry." She looked up at me with her big green eyes, not breaking away for once," I thought you knew everything."

"I certainly know Jack has his eyes on you."

"And what do you want me to do about it?"

I leaned in close to her ear, loving the response she gave when I got close to her neck,"Just keep dancing with me, sweet cheeks. That's all I ask," and as I pulled away, her eyes were dilated to where I could hardly see her green.

Lust.

She might not have a taste of it yet, but the feeling is still there. I didn't want anybody, especially a Jack Star to show Annalise what lust could lead to.

"You know, you never gave me a dance at the last ball." she recalled, a small frown etched on her face as the look disappointed.

"Enough apologizes could not forgive me for that night, Annalise. I'm truly sorry," I was frowning as well, for I couldn't remember what happened that night.

But if I had, I would truly be disgusted.

"It wasn't your fault, Damien. I know you can't recall." Her smile returned," I would've never become such good friends with Henry, and Veronica would still be around doing Isabelle's bidding. I lost a bad friend to find a good one."

"I think I might know how to make it up to you." We sidestepped to the left, changing dancing patterns," I got a BlackBerry gift for you, Annalise," I almost lost my breath, nervous for some odd reason.

A bright smile lit up on her face, one she showcased when she was truly happy," I got one for you too, Damien." Her green eyes danced with joy. I didn't even care if she gave me a rock, anything Annalise gave me would make me happy.

"What dress are you wearing this round, shortcake?" My playful tone was back, the seriousness of our gifts unsettling me.

"Can't you just ask Hazalen or something?" She giggled.

"This isn't a masquerade ball or a game, sweet cheeks. This time I will find you." I gave her a smirk.

"A white-silver, are you happy now?" She pulled herself back in.

I interlaced her hands in mine, taking her by surprise. There wasn't a class around us anymore, there was just us, feeling more intimate," Very happy indeed. There's going to be a lot of royals this time Annalise, no teenagers except high nobles will be attending this ball. I want you dancing with me at all times to keep me away from them."

"So you're using me as a scape goat to princely duties! How irresponsible, Darius of Deltora." She slapped my chest with a playful smile.

I laughed along,"You better not run off to the desserts, Annalise. Your Prince has given you a command." I pinched her side.

She smiled up at me," And if I don't?" Her eyes beaming with innocence.

Gods, Annalise really didn't know what she does to me.

I felt blood rushing to my groin of the thoughts I really wanted to do to her as a punishment for not following her "duty" as a "friend".

How pathetic that sounds.

"Then you won't get your BlackBerry gift." I smirked in response, my lines always smooth.

Her eyes searched mine, as if she was looking for something deep inside of me," Then I guess I'll have to keep dancing with you until the clock turns twelve."

________________

I really hope you guys like that chapter. I hadn't done Damien in so long and I love writing about his thoughts on Annalise. He's such a romantic and doesn't even know it!!!!

Please and so that other people can find this book as well. I love hearing what you think will happen next and your support does wonders.

You guys are the reason I keep writing, because I love making readers happy!!!

Things are only going to pick up from here. Stay tuned, lovelies.