"We must continue our journey," Luke's words were demanding as Jade circled the map with their location.

Dimitri vetoed the Prince's suggestion with a deferential tone which was usually absent in Jade's voice.

"Your Highness, I respectfully disagree that we must move forward. The sun will go down soon and we must set up camp now," The man pleaded their case. The sun had yet to show its face but the daylight grew dimmer and dimmer indicating what Dimitri said was true, "It is far too dangerous."

The Prince's lips all but disappeared, showcasing his displeasure. Jade felt another stab of disappointment at his behaviour. It seemed the life and limb of none of his companions were worth more than a girl he barely knew.

"We could tie a rope to go down the cliff in the morning in the meanwhile," The officer from before suggested and he looked elated with the renewed attention.

"You certainly like to tie things up," Jade snorted allowing a round of laughter.

The Prince for whom she had cracked the joke for was unmoved. The man stalked away to stare down the sharp clifface. The clouds would move with the pinching mountain wind, revealing the cliff's secrets in gusts of wind. Jade followed him and embraced the chilly air.

"We should wait till the clouds clear up," The secretary said, quietly. A surreptitious look around revealed Dimitri was busy allocating chores to ensure the camp could be set up smoothly.

"I am not willing to change my position on the topic," The Royal uttered taking an unyielding stance. His jawline clenched with tension.

"You should be patient, Your Highness. It is no use being this hasty," The tall girl lectured.

"I cannot sit here and waste another day. We should have found a way down the mountain by now," Prince Luke vented. He looked down the cliff face as if it were a mere anthill; an easy obstacle to vanquish. A drop of water splattered down the side of the man's face.

"And what of the men. What if someone trips and falls in the absence of light?" Jade argued. She was feeling perturbed by the sudden uncaring attitude of the Prince. She was swiftly reminded that his apathy might not be of his own accord. Magical powers were always at the attack.

"Barring you, everyone is a well trained soldier," The man retorted, "I wonder why Elliot was persistent you must be taken along. You will only slow me down."

"Some things need to take a slow approach, like falling in love."

"Love is like a galloping horse. Sometimes it's impossible to halt it's existence," The dark haired man expressed his view. He suddenly confided in a low ton, "I see her all the time now. She has invaded my conscience thoroughly."

Jade understood he was fully entrapped but she could help but argue, "That's not love! What you feel is a toxic infatuation. It is not real!"

The tall man was silent. His arms unfolded and his fingers clenched and unclenched. His usually pleasant face was now glowering into the distance. Jade hastened to apologize but the man cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"You have hurt me grievously with your assertion. My unpractised heart may not know of mundanity of love but I am certain I don't feel any less," The man tried to express his wretched feelings, "You talk as if you have any experience what so ever. I doubt you've even looked at any girl with adoration."

His words gave Jade pause. His assumptions were true. While she had never been interested in the female form she had never laid her heart down for the male species either. She looked away into the view of nothingness of the clouds as she formulated her words.

"Father used to tell me marriage should be between equals even as he lay in his sickbed. Ever since he married my stepmother I twisted his words to believe it meant marrying within ones social circle. After all look what marrying an impoverished widow gave him," Jade rubbed her thumb down the smoothness of the silk, black band around her wrist, "A new wife from the upper crust of society with her own source of income would not have been inspired to murder him for his money."

From the corner of her eyes she knew Luke's had turned violently at her words but Jade paid him no heed. She continued, "I have rescinded my uncharitable interpretation from his words. Two people choosing each other as life partners should be equal in mind, body, soul. They should know each other as the lines that run through their palms. Anything less is unacceptable."

"I understand your feelings, but you cannot expect everyone to aspire to follow your ideal. People are different, Ward," Luke chided his secretary.

"You should know the person you're in love with at least," The brown haired girl was persistent.

"I know her. Our hearts beat as one!"

The secretary discreetly rolled her eyes at the Prince's foolish declaration and muttered, "What do you know about her? What is it she likes, dislikes? What do you know of her background? You know nothing. You were just mesmerized by her countenance."

"Is that your impression of me. That I am a vain man who would go after a beautiful face," The Prince was indignant. His face twisted sorely at her insinuation.

"As if you would be enthralled by a plain, homely thing," Jade snorted, "I think we should conclude our discussion. I cannot change your mind and you cannot change mine."

"Yes, although I still cannot believe you could find someone with your exacting standards."

"The person I shall love will be my friend, my confidant, my better half. I would find it better to be alone then marry someone who does not suit," The words flew from the girl's mouth and they felt bitter and rotten in her tongue because she knew with her occupation she could never hunt down this mythical creature.

"You're correct we should set our camps for the night," Luke said and Jade ignored the curious look he sent her way. They had unraveled a part of each other they had kept private and the secretary suddenly wished she hadn't.

Jade noticed the tents were nearly upright. The Prince had been offered his own lodgings but he had not taken up that offer. The secretary was secretly pleased since keeping an eye on the man would be a lot less difficult if he remained in public view.

The other tent was to be an outhouse. The soldiers were already digging a pit latrine where it would stand. The smell would be unbearable after a day's use but it would be better then defecating out in the open. At least Jade would be able to hide her identity for a little while longer.

Another set of soldiers had raised a raging fire from the firewood scattered around them and were devising a hearty meal. Jade hastily curled up against a log near the fire and opened up her notes for the day. At least the rain had stopped dripping for the time being.

After their meal Jade lauded the man chosen as their head cook. The stars on his uniform, in the beginning of the journey, had revealed his high post but he was now in demand for his culinary skills.

"A divine meal, Sir Joseph," The girl repeated as she tempered down the temptation of licking her fingers.

"Yes, my belly is satisfied," The Prince gave the cook a brief smile and Jade worried the recipient of it would keel over with adoration.

"What is that sound?" Dimitri uttered. His sharp ears caught something in the woods. Jade could barely hear anything beyond the crackling of the firewood.

The group of companions arose, each brandishing their weapons and facing the disturbance. Now, even Jade could hear a growling sort of sound.

"Stay behind me," Jade ordered and took a defensive stance in front of the Prince.

"You should stay behind me! I have been trained to fight since birth!" The Prince lightly shoved his secretary aside as if she weighed nothing.

"What a pompous thing to s-" Before Jade could finish the sentence a wild cat pounced out of the darkness from the side none of the people were facing.

The animal attacked Sir Joseph who sat the closest but his companions wrestled it off him before his flesh could be punctured with his sharp teeth.

Dimitri threw a dagger at Jade who fumbled to catch it since she could not take her eyes of the pacing wild animal. It was staring down its prey as if judging the weakest link.

Before she could whisper a silent prayer Jade was attacked by the mountain lion. The dagger in her hand dangled uselessly as the animal used all of its weight upon her leaving her crushed to the ground. The back of her head hit the dusty land as she toppled over.

She could feel the presence of her companions trying to pry the animal off her. It's nails dug into her arms leaving her gasping in pain. It clawed her in the face but before it could aim for her neck's tender skin Luke's dagger cleanly sliced at the jugular, splashing a torrent of blood on Jade's face.

With a heave the men pulled the struggling animal from above Jade and made quick work to disable the wounded animal. Dimitri took the initiative to push the lion off the side of the cliff lest it roused once again despite its injuries.

"Are you wounded?" The Prince asked, panting with exertion and Jade nodded numbly. She could feel the pinches of pain on her arms as she was helped up.

"We must tend to you at once," Luke unraveled his cravet to brush of the blood off her face. Jade's senses were instantly overwhelmed by the man's unique scent.

"Sire, you are bleeding," Dimitri's quickly pointed at the slight pool of blood on the Prince's side. The girl wondered when had man gotten injured.

"Let me take care of him," The Prince repeated stonily. His eyes were fixated on Jade's bloody face. She had visions of him opening her shirt and seeing her female form.

"You cannot be of help if you bleed all over he-him," Jade's friend fumbled over the pronouns but the excitement of the day left his mistake unnoticed.

He grabbed her before the Prince could utter another word and led her inside the unfurnished tent. He sat her on the tarp and started cleaning the wound with the supplies from his luggage.

"You are lucky it is I and not the Prince tending to you. He would have undressed you by now and seen your secret. How are you?" Dimitri asked quietly as he finished his work on her face. Her arms were already covered by bandages and her coat. Before Jade could reply the Prince barged in unceremoniously. His hunting coat had disappeared and his white shirt was undone.

"I am feeling better now," Jade answered Dimitri's question but her brown eyes were traveling over her employer's face.

The Prince's lifted her chin and examined the light slash upon her cheek. Jade tried to break free but the man's finger were like a vice.

"No need to be this thorough. Dimitri did a good job," The secretary protested the man handling.

"Yes, worry not, your beauty has not been ruined. Lady Elena shall still be clambering after you as if her life depends on it."

"Hah, She only wants me to spy on you," The brown haired girl chortled, "I fear all these admirers I have will flee once they see my new face."

"They would be an utter flop if they directed their attentions elsewhere. The mark of your injury is a sign of strength," He told Jade and gave her shoulder an encouraging pat. She wondered if he would tell her the same if he knew she were a woman.