Ever since my moving in at the castle, every day was spent with my best friends. School was canceled after the Annual Targle event, but we were starting back in a few weeks.

Once the news spread of the Bendlar clan being eliminated, Deltora had calmed down. Residents roam the streets without anxiety -also reassured that the clan was not Descuvi. The Targle event was canceled for the year, which was a good decision on Deltora's part.

Maria brought me dresses from home, understanding I needed time before I went back. I didn't know if I even wanted to go back, the castle was beginning to feel like home.

"Fill me up another glass of xamba, Henry," Hazalen held out her wine glass, already drunk as a fool. We were eating a picnic dinner in the garden, watching the sunset. Rose bushes grew around us, and the smell of Green season and honeysuckle filled the air. I laid down with a goofy smile on my face, the xamba having an effect. I watched the orange and purple clouds pass by, hearing Henry and Hazalen's banter in the background.

"Well then you can walk your lazy ass to the kitchen and grab another!" Hazalen snatched the xamba bottle from Henry, then all hell broke loose.

"You've had-" Henry crawled on top of her,"More glasses than any of us!"

I giggled as they fought for the bottle, wrestling around the blanket we laid on. I eventually took a chance and grabbed the bottle from Hazalen's outstretched hand, sipping loud gulps. I almost chocked on it, still laying down and admiring the sky.

"Fine, I'll get another bottle," Hazalen huffed out, wiping her bottom and drunkly staggering away. Henry scooted toward me, deciding to lay down with me.

"How you holding up, babe?" He asked me, concerned.

"I'm just taking time to myself. It's crazy how our sky can change to such beautiful colors, don't you think? I believe it is the gods' way of saying that miracles can happen." I took another swig, the buzz reaching a higher point.

"You are very drunk indeed, cloud chaser. But I like the way you think," he turned his head to my direction with a smile. I did the same, laughing when Henry made a goofy face.

"I never thanked you for what you did for Hazalen. I know she's conflicted right now, but finding out about Landon has healed her. Her scar has finally faded," I linked my arm in his, staring at the deep purple clouds.

"I did what I had to for my family. I would do the same for you in a heartbeat," he shook his head, a grin spread across his face. The vibes I felt from being drunk, the wondrous sky, our meaningful conversations- I felt more at peace than I had in the past week.

"The same for me, huh? So you're saying I'm family now." I giggled, taking another swig, then passed it over to Henry.

"Most definitely apart of the family," he picked a rose from the bush behind us, putting it in my hair. I giggled, placing it in a better position to ensure it wouldn't fall.

We paused again, looking back up at the sky. The purple hues were fading, and I wanted the moment to last just a bit longer.

Who knew if I would loose them too?

I grabbed the bottle of xamba, taking a few long sips. The cherry substance hit the back of my throat, causing me to cough loudly. The man lighting torches down the rose path turned to look at me with worry.

Henry grabbed the bottle from me again,"Enough of that."

"You know what, I could be the drunk aunt in our family." I proclaimed, stumbling over my words. The darkness settled in, and I was beginning to feel uneasy again. Now, I hated the dark and shadows.

It terrifies me.

"Damien is going to be so mad at me." Henry shook his head.

"No, he will just reprehend me later. He knows I'm going to do whatever I want without anybody's permission," I exclaimed, reaching for the bottle. I watched my reflection in the torch's shadow.

Maybe I could make new memories in the shadows that don't involve pain, then I won't be so scared of them anymore.

This was the first time I had been drunk since my mother's passing and my stay at the castle. I've been sleeping with Damien every night, making sure he kept a candle or the fireplace lit until I fell asleep. He made sure I was always comfortable, and did whatever I asked of him- no matter how crazy it sounded- to improve my mental health.

While intoxicated, I realized something. I viewed the full moon, smiling my ass off. Even in the darkness and shadows, there would always be a light.

My family- Damien, Hazalen and Henry- would be my moon.

"It's time to get you to sleep." Henry started trying to drag me off my spot, but I protested profoundly. This left an opening for me to grab the bottle, quickly chugging the rest of it down before he could protest.

"I got another one!" Hazalen walked up to the scene, and Henry grabbed the empty bottle from me. "Sorry it took so long," she cut her eyes to the right. Damien slowly trekked his way toward us, standing next to Hazalen.

"Are you alright?" Damien sits by me,"I was inside the kitchen when I overheard a service man saying a girl was chocking in the garden. All of a sudden, Hazalen stumbles into the kitchen for a strong bottle of xamba."

I placed my head in his lap, giggling as I looked at him from a sideways view. His eyebrows still seemed symmetrical from this perspective, and his jaw was set. I could see his veins pulsating in slight frustration.

"How much did she drink," he sighs when I don't respond, turning toward Henry.

"Almost half of the bottle," Henry holds up the large, pink bottle with a grimace.

Damien immediately gets up,"Alright sweet cheeks, it's time for beddy-bye."

"But I don't wanna go to sleep," I whine as he pulled up hands. I pushed all my weight onto my back to try to stay down, burring my head into his lap. His eyes went wide, obviously not liking the pressure near his crotch.

"You shouldn't have let her drink this much, Henry. We agreed she should refrain from substances until she's-"

I decided to get up, without Damien's help this time."I'm not a child. My mother died, that doesn't mean I should be ... not drunk." I couldn't find the words, realizing just how jumbled my brain was.

"Healing isn't easy, but I'm going through my own journey, and getting drunk with my friends isn't going to slow-" I was tumbling over, trying to place my hand against the bush for support. Not surprisingly, my hand toppled through the bush as did my body.

Hazalen immediately was sent into a fit of laughter as I laid there, and even Damien barked a laugh. Henry gave me a melancholy smile without teeth, as almost as if he was content with my explanation; I wasn't going to make this a habit.

I let Damien pull me out of the bush, giggling as I fell into his chest. His calloused hands grabbed my chin, tilting it side-to-side as he viewed the twigs in my hair. He pulled out a rose from the back of my head, placing it behind my ear like an accessory.

His eyes were full of light as he looked at me adoringly. Though my arm had a small scratch, it still bled from the bush. He softly kissed my forearm, lingering longer than he should.

"Feel better?" He asked me. After I nodded, he smiled," You know, a Prince's kiss is supposed to be magical."

"What about a Princess' kiss?" I asked, leaning onto him as he led me away. He easily distracted me, forgetting that I wanted to stay and drink more.

He threw his head back and laughed,"It's nothing like yours, sweetheart."

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

Damien told me we had to play a game of ninja, where we had to be silent and creep through the halls of the castle. It was hard to contain my laughter on Damien's back as he would peep down a hallway then sprint across, causing me to bounce and flail.

We made it to the kitchen, where he grabbed me cookies and chocolate strawberries. Somehow, we were not discovered as we made it through the secret passage back to his room.

"I think it's time for a bath," he placed me on the couch next to the fire, then put the goodies on the table.

"I don't know, I kind of like this look," I pulled the rose out of my hair, tracing the soft petals on my cut.

He rolled his eyes with a smirk,"You know, any normal lady would be having a fit right now."

Yeah, I'm a Princess.

I sighed, playing along," Just get my bath ready, servant. I know the real reason why you want me to take one."

He unexpectedly leaned over me on the couch, both of his hands resting on the armrest behind my head. His face was level with mine, so close that if I slightly leaned forward our lips would meet. His eyes were dilated as a smirk tugged on his lips, arching a eyebrow. "And why is that?"

I wanted to surprise him the way he always stunned me. I trailed my hands through his hair, feeling the soft prickle of his new haircut. I brought one hand down his neck, drifting it to his chest and eventually under his shirt. Using the back of my hand, I felt his sculpted abs in all it's glory. His mouth parted; he thought he had the upper hand, but I could tell he was enjoying this change of events.

Until I shut him down.

"I forgot," I sat up, abruptly pushing him away to grab a chocolate from the table.

He pulled my hand back, grabbing my waist and hoisting me onto his lap. I felt his member underneath me, causing my breath to halt and an ache down below. He held both of my hands behind my back, as if he was afraid I was going to tease him more. He used his other hand under my dress, slowly rubbing me as he placed a light kiss on my neck.

"I don't like being teased, Annalise." I shivered as his hot breath fanned my neck, placing kisses and sucking as he pleased. I squirmed in his lap, not being able to move freely because of my constricted hands, which caused him to growl out.

A soft moan left my lips, I couldn't stand the mixture of his kisses and his tantalizing fingers. My intoxication doubled the teasing pleasure he was giving me, and his dominance of my trapped hands felt exhilarating.

"We will continue this when I get back." This time, he was serious. He let go of my hands, placing me back on the couch. A smirk nor smile was present as he took long strides to the door, retrieving the water for our bath.