I awaken with the warmth of a body lying next to me. My senses tell me that it is not Darish. It feels like... like home? Warm lips find their way to the crook of my neck and a muscular arm wraps around me.

"Elissa, thank the gods that you are alright." Aren's voice is muffled against my skin.

Opening my eyes, I run my fingers through his golden mane-like hair. He pulls back to gaze down at me and the raw emotions displayed on his face nearly break me. Pain, relief, regret and love are all so evident. It is such a contrast from the emotionally stilted members of the elven court.

The skin around one eye is bruised. With a feather-like touch, I trace around it. "What happened? Did you get into a fight?"

He gives a wry smile. "I said something foolish and upset the one I love, who happens to be a very powerful Elemental. I awoke to find my room in disarray and that I had been hit by a flying object."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." My heart stutters and I nearly drown in those sky-blue eyes. "I wasn't sure if you would want to see me again."

Aren cups my cheeks. "I love you and I always will. I was frustrated, I still am. You are hundreds of miles away and I am so damned powerless to help you. I have barely been able to sleep since we fought and yet sleep is all I seek in the hope that I will see you again."

"I love you too. I would have come sooner, only I left Alfheimr a few days ago and have been travelling by night."

"Where are you now?"

"I don't know exactly. I'm staying in Darish's room in some hamlet in the eastern part of the elven kingdom."

Jealousy visibly flares through Aren and his voice hardens. "You are with another male?"

"Aren, it is not like that. He is just a friend and he has given up his bed for me."

"That does not mean that he does not wish to join you."

"I can assure you that there is nothing and never will be anything romantic between us."

There is such conviction in my voice that I witness the tension in his frame start to ease. Yeah, Darish really isn't the one to worry about. However, Morpheus, well, he is another matter. I really don't want to know what will happen if Aren ever finds out about him?

I close my eyes, as guilt gnaws away at me. I really hope that Aren and I can be together one day, only I fear that fate is trying to tear us apart. Soft lips press against mine like a balm to my frayed soul. Gentle at first and then more urgent, they chase away my demons.

......

Dusk is falling on our third evening when mine and Darish's horses clatter across the cobbled square. We stop in front of a large hostelry, with white-washed walls and high conical tiled roofs.

Darish slips to the ground and holds out his hand to help me dismount. "I will secure us rooms."

"Just one room tonight, for I will not be staying." My voice carries a soft, yet sombre lilt.

"I told you that I will not allow you to travel alone." He crosses his arms and stands there immovable.

"Last night, Cosmos came to me in a dream. He told me that a great warrior will arrive tonight and take me on the next stage of my journey."

Darish purses his lips, nods briskly and walks off to the building's entrance. I didn't mean to upset him. I'd rather travel with him than put myself into the hands of a stranger. However, things have not gone well when I have ignored Cosmos's council.

With a sigh, I wander over to the stable and both horses follow obediently behind me. I put them in the care of the stable hand before venturing inside. Darish is waiting for me in the entrance hall and escorts me up to his room.

After a day in the saddle, I am grateful to use the rain chamber and then change into fresh clothes. I select the black leather trousers Zane gave me and the unassuming brown riding dress.

Darish's nose crinkles slightly when I make an appearance and I peevishly respond, "Well I hardly want to advertise my status."

While waiting for Darish to complete his ablutions, I mull over what Cosmos informed me. Apparently I am headed to the Dragonite kingdom and its capital, Babylon. In a flight of fancy, I wonder whether there are hanging gardens.

Darish doesn't take long and we go in search of the dining room. It is a large, elegantly furnished circular room with a high steeple ceiling. We are shown to a table in front of one of the tall arched windows lining the curved walls.

Outside, night is falling fast and my guts churn at the unknown coming my way. I hope this hero of Cosmos's is like Zane. When a door bangs, I jump in my seat and anxiously scan the room.

Darish raises his hand for a server. "A little elven wine, perhaps?"

I nod. "A good idea. It might calm my nerves and give me a little courage."

The waiter comes over to take our order. He is perfectly polite, but his gaze flickers between me and Darish. He is probably scandalised by the thought of a light elf eloping with a wood elf - horror of horrors. Or maybe it's my dress. I am a bit scruffy for this fine establishment.

When I take a decent slug of wine, Darish cautions, "Not too much. I still recall that time I had to carry you out of that tree."

For a moment my troubles are forgotten and I laugh. Although when our meal comes, a delicately spiced fish dish with fragrant rice, I find my appetite waning. I manage to eat a little, but mainly poke at it.

"I think that it might be dead!" Darish's voice breaks through my reverie.

"I'm sorry Darish. I know that I'm poor company. I begin to wonder if I will ever find peace and I really don't want to say goodbye to you."

"It is not too late. We could go ... somewhere," he offers desperately, though from his tone it is obvious that he knows that we couldn't run forever.

An almighty crash from above causes all of the diners to stop eating and look upwards. Motes of dust spiral down. There is silence, then a bone-chilling roar.

Taking a deep breath, I stand. "I think that this is my cue."

Darish grabs my arm. "Are you sure?"

I give him a tight smile. "I cannot run from this."

There is another roaring sound and the roof above our heads shakes. People are starting to get jittery, so I walk over to the inn keeper and order him to keep everyone inside. He hesitates then nods, bowing to the subtle power in my command.

With more confidence than I feel, I stride outside to meet my fate. A huge dark shape is just visible on the roof, blotting out the stars. It roars and lets out a huge gush of flames, which light the area and reveal a massive dragon, at least twice the size of Roth. Adjusting its claws, it sends roof tiles crashing onto the cobbles.

Walking backwards towards trees strewn with fairy lights, I put a good distance between myself and the building. I don't want anyone to get hurt on my account. Remembering how much Roth loved music, I start to sing, hoping that it will help to calm the beast. There is further scrabbling as the dragon turns and sends even more tiles raining down.

For a behemoth, the dragon drops surprisingly gracefully to the ground, cutting me off from the inn. It bends down and brings its head level with me. I stop singing. It is large enough to bite me in half, should it choose. The enormity of it makes my heartbeat quicken and yet at the same time fills me with awe.

It is truly magnificent and I am unable to stop myself from reaching up to scratch behind its ears. The beast rumbles in pleasure and rubs its head against my body, almost knocking me over. I giggle and scratch it again. A dark figure mounted on the dragon glares down at me.

The figure, a warrior as it turns out, jumps down and I automatically takes a few steps back, my eyes widening as I take in his stature. He is huge, at least seven feet tall and towers above me. His hulking frame is clad in black leather and a bronze breastplate. Numerous weapons are visible and more are probably hidden.

His dark eyes look down upon me imperiously as he exudes confidence and masculinity. Straightening my spine, I stare back defiantly. I am a princess. I can do this.