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Lilith leaned up and kissed him. The prince let out a soft moan and pulled her in for a deeper kiss.

This time when his tongue probed her lips, she parted them, letting him in.

His hands wandered down her back and squeezed her cheek.

He lifted her and pressed her against the post of his bed, then ground into her.

She felt her arousal soaking her underwear.

Panting, she pulled away, holding onto the threads of her rational thoughts.

He was a complication, but she was drawn to him.

“I should go,” she said, as he trailed kisses down her neck.

His kisses slowed, letting her legs fall to the ground.

He stepped back with his eyes closed and his hands by his side.

“You are the embodiment of temptation,” she whispered while walking to the secret spiral staircase, “Good night, fair prince.”

Felicia was waiting in the dorm for her. It was oddly empty. Felicia told Lilith that the others were mingling with some of the ladies from the years above. They were having a makeshift going away party.

Lilith shut the door behind her. “So. I need to tell you something. You must swear to me that you will not share this information with anyone.”

Felicia gave her fullest attention and replied, “I swear your secret is safe with me.”

“I will not be going home. I will pass through to speak with my father and see my brothers, but I intend to head to the capital with Prince Demetrius.” Lilith sat on Felicia’s bed. “He’s given permission for you to join us.”

Furrowing her brows, Felicia asked, “Why join him?” As if something clicked in her mind she continued, “You’ve been working with him this entire time.”

Lilith reached for Felicia’s hand, “He asked me to help him and I have been. However, my role so far has been minimal. Only recently has he asked for my help again to follow him to Vanguard. In return, he is willing to help me with my problem and help keep my family safe.”

Felicia was still unsure. “Is he helping to free you from your runes?” Lilith nodded to answer that question. Felicia went on, “What does he have to offer me?”

“We will work to help you find your brother. He has connections, people that may have heard more about his disappearance.” Lilith sighed, “More than that, I want you to come with me. I would rather have you at my back than someone else. ”

Considering Lilith’s words, Felicia looked to her trunk. She would do anything to find her brother.

Feeling her hesitation, Lilith added, “Should you agree, this is not a binding arrangement. If you want to leave, then all I ask is that you keep this a secret. If you prove yourself to the prince, I’m sure you could make other negotiations. I hear his pockets run deep.”

Rolling her eyes, Felicia snorted, “I doubt he has enough money. Fine. I will come along, but if he places me in a compromised position, I will hunt him down.”

“Ha! I made those same threats. If he plays us, I will join you in that hunt.” Lilith relaxed.

“Do you think he’ll recruit Taran? Or others?

” Felicia questioned. For the first time since she started at Skilheim, Lilith opened up to someone.

They spent the time they had alone going over what Lilith knew.

Everything. From the prophecy about her powers, to her kiss with the prince.

It was a risk telling Felicia so much. Lilith hoped that she hadn't misplaced her trust.

“I think we should have a meeting with the prince and get a plan in place. He’s a valuable target for the rebellion, so we can’t take the most direct route to Vanguard,” Lilith said as she made her way towards the dorm exit.

Felicia followed behind her and replied, “Fine by me. I think the sooner we get on the road the better. By now, word has spread that the school is closing and that students will depart on a set date. If we move before then, we can avoid any anticipated attacks.”

They moved throughout the keep, searching the usual spots the prince liked to hang out at.

They found him with a few others in the library.

Among them were two fourth years, Danai, Nartcia, Iris, Fang, Silver, and Taran.

Most of them looked surprised to see Felicia. No one looked shocked to see Lilith.

“Good. Most of us are here.” Prince Demetrius motioned for the two ladies to gather around a desk.

“As you know, we are summoned to the capital. The rebels know that I will move to Vanguard and will use this as an ambush.” Lilith and Felicia exchanged knowing looks.

The prince continued, “I want us to split up into four groups and arrive from the four entry points into Vanguard. I will be moving with Lilith and the rest of the first years by another route, as rebels will assume I would only travel with fifth years. We will all depart in a day’s time. Understood?”

Narticia cleared her throat, “They could be expecting us to move before the school closure date, and there’ll be eyes everywhere looking for you. Would it not be wiser travelling with stronger members?” She side eyed Lilith.

“I’m in agreement. If you travel in the open, you’ll be an easy target,” said Fang.

Lilith raised her hand and spoke, “We could confuse them. Taran looks strikingly similar to you. If he were to use some illusionary magic to mask himself to your appearance, they could easily be fooled by the switch. Taran can accompany one of the other groups. We could do the same effect on you and make you look less like yourself.”

The prince considered their words. “That would be wise.

Taran and the others will depart in a day's time and follow the plan. Move in the cover of darkness. We will depart tonight and I will be disguised as someone else. It should take us three days on foot to get to Vanguard. Those that are using sheep or horses will secure and ready our meeting point. Are we in agreement?” They all nodded.

“You are dismissed, except for my travel party.” The others filed out and gave the prince one last hand shake.

Lilith, Felicia and Silver were left waiting by the hearth.

Felicia piped up after the last of the others disappeared, “It would be wise not to share our route with the others, in case word spreads. If we want to avoid detection, we could always travel through the mine wastelands.”

“You’re talking about the Dwarf Ruins of Thurndun. That place is a wreck and a hazard to life. No one ventures through there.” Silver ran his fingers through his silver locks.

The prince looked into the flames of the hearth and hummed, “You know, that’s not a bad idea.

No one would expect any students travelling through there.

We can easily avoid detection and it will spit us out somewhat close to Lilith’s home.

We may encounter some rogue raiders, maybe a pack of wild beasts, and there’s also the risk of traps.

Let’s gather enough supplies for this trip.

I’ll speak with Sir Tornbury to see if he’ll let us take items from the armoury.

Be ready to move at nightfall.” They split up and made for different directions.

Silver walked with Lilith and Felicia towards the kitchen.

“I’ll grab some food and water supplies.” Silver waved them off.

Lilith turned to Felicia, “I need to stop and return some books to Andishmand. We will want some healing potions.” Felicia made for the infirmary and Sir Hawthornes classroom to get some supplies there, while Lilith quickly returned to the dorm to gather her books.

Taran was waiting for her outside the dorm tower.

“I wanted to say goodbye to you and Felicia before you left.” He looked behind her and frowned. “I’m sorry for accusing you of being with the prince. It’s not my place or business.” He sighed.

“I’m not mad at you. I would go as far as to say that I consider you one of my closest friends here.

I appreciate your concern.” Lilith smiled.

“Anyway, Felicia is in the infirmary if you want to find her.” She waved him off and then headed towards the classrooms. She knocked loudly on Andishmand’s classroom and peered inside.

The usual ceiling of constellations had been erased.

Andishmand was at the back of the class moving books into travel trunks.

“Ah, Miss Hennan, I was hoping you would stop by.” Andishmand opened a cabinet and pulled out a small book and a tool.

He motioned for Lilith to approach. She put her stack of books on his desk and stood in front of him.

“I was going through my things and I found these.” Outstretched in his palm was a sheathed dagger.

Lilith removed it from its cover and inspected the glossy silver dagger that had runes running down its centre.

Its hilt was covered in fine leather and a white pearlescent crystal was embedded at the end.

Andishmand hovered his hand over the dagger and the crystal began to glow.

He spoke softly, “This dagger once paired with my staff. I imbued it with the ability of absorbing the mana of those it strikes. The wielder will be able to use its stored mana as their own. I also have this.” He passed her the small black leather book with a thin black leather tie.

“This is my diary, should you want to learn about the fall of the mages. I want you to guard this with your life. There is knowledge in there that has been kept from his majesty and I’d like to keep it that way. ”

Lilith looked confused. “Why would you give this to me?”