“Then who are you here with?”Avalon turned to face me, his expression still hard and angry.

“Talbott,” I said softly andfearfully.

“Oh, like that’s any better,”Avalon raised his voice and gestured with his arms wildly, spilling his punch.He looked down at the puddle on the floor frustrated and instantly it was gone.I felt his surge of magic as he cleaned up the mess with only a thought.

“I don’t know what you want me tosay. I was forced here against my will! I’m not happy about it either,” Iraised my voice and hardened my eyes. How dare he blame me! I didn’t want to behere anymore than anyone wanted me here.

I pushed past Avalon and foughtback tears. I had never felt so alone. I was tired of apologizing for things Idid or people I talked to. Why couldn’t I just have a normal life with nomagic, no exiled friends and no freaking Prince?

I ran through the closest door andfound a staircase leading upwards. I took it not knowing where it would leadto. My six inch heels click-clacked on the wooden staircase, eventuallydrowning out the house music below. Soon the dance was only a faint hum as Imade my way to the top.

At the top of the staircase therewas only a heavy metal door with a push bar for a handle. I contemplatedrejoining the party, but decided quickly against that. I also contemplated justsitting down at the top of the stairs to have a good cry, but decided quicklyagainst that as well. In the end, curiosity got the better of me and I pushed throughthe heavy door.

I half expected some type of alarmto go off, but only the quiet of the evening greeted me. The cool fall airwrapped itself around me and I found myself on the roof of the gym. I took offmy shoes, stepping gingerly over the cool concrete and to the ledge of thebuilding.

All of Omaha surrounded me and thesight was breathtaking. The tall, lighted buildings of downtown sat to my eastand the quiet suburban neighborhoods were located to my west. I could see St.Cecilia’s Cathedral towers to my North and the Mutual of Omaha building to mySouth. Despite being in the middle of a big city, the stars still shonebrightly overhead. I inhaled a big breath, finding serenity for the first timeall night.

“Stop being so over-dramatic.There’s no need to jump,” Kiran’s clean accent sounded amused as he enteredthrough the roof top door.

“Go away!” I whined, exasperated,covering my face with my hands.

“Oh come now, you don’t mean that,”he walked slowly over to me, hands in his pockets, letting his eyes float overmy figure.

“Where’s Talbott?” I asked, lookingpast him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to leave or not. I had never been moreemotionally confused; I felt frustrated, irritated, nervous and excited all atonce.

“Dancing, I expect,” Kiran glancedover his shoulder and then continued to walk towards me.

“I better join him,” I decided onmy escape route. “He’s probably wondering where I am,” I walked quickly towardsthe door, but Kiran stepped in front of me before I got too far.

“I doubt that,” Kiran gazed into myeyes intently, his signature smirk flaring up. He took a step towards me, andinstinctively I took a step back until my heels touched the ledge of thebuilding once again. “What’s with all the hard-to-get nonsense; I thought we werepassed that,” his fingers brushed my arm gently, sending butterflies and magicracing inside of me.

“That was before I learned you wereengaged,” I held my ground, despite the dizziness his closeness was causing.

“I’m not engaged,” He said firmly.When I gave him a doubtful look he continued, “I’m betrothed. And the two arevery different things.”

“Oh, really? How so?” I challenged.

“An engagement would suggest that Iasked her to marry me; that it was my idea to get married or that we had beenin a relationship prior to the proposal. But a betrothal is an arrangement madeby parents; I had never even met her before I came to this school.” He juttedhis bottom lip out and looked up at me from beneath his eye lashes. He remindedme of a little boy, and I couldn’t help but melt at the sight of him.

“Oh,” I gave in a little, leaningback against the building’s ledge and relaxing. “But you are going to marryher?” I asked glumly.

“Well that is what my fatherexpects,” I heard the sadness in his tone and felt sorry for him.

“When?” I sunk down against theledge and managed to sit down, legs stretched long without ripping my dress.

“If father had it his way we wouldalready be married, with little ones on the way,” he joined me on the ground,and although our current position was not as seductive, he still sat closeenough so our bodies touched. “We compromised; that’s why I’m here. I’msupposed to get to know her.”

“How is that a compromise?”

“The Kingdom wants stability; theywant to see that their future King is steady and responsible. It doesn’t matterthat I will live forever, or that my father will for that matter. They can bequite demanding,” he gave me his smirk again. At least he could joke about it.

“The Kingdom… oh brother,” Imimicked his expression.

“Yes, the Kingdom,” he gave me aplayful nudge with his elbow. “And how is it that you didn’t know about ourbetrothal? This whole time I thought you were defying royal law on purpose!”

“Of course it wasn’t on purpose!I’m new to this whole Immortal thing, remember?” It was my turn to give him anudge, I found his rib bones and he squirmed.

“How could I forget?” he rolled hiseyes teasingly and then laid his head on my shoulder. The gesture was sounexpected, but so charming that I simply allowed it. “So, I suppose I have nochance with you now?” he picked up a rock and skipped it across the rooftop.

“Nope, absolutely no chance,” Iblurted out defensively, although I was not sure if I believed myself. “Whatkind of home wrecker do you think I am?”

“I was just hoping that we could….”he lifted his head off my shoulder and leaned in until our faces were onlymillimeters apart. I knew he was about to kiss me again and no matter what Ijust said I was powerless to stop him.

Unfortunately, instead ofbutterflies and lightning storms, the magic suddenly became overwhelminglyalert and my senses focused sharply. I sat up straight before any contact wasmade and noticed that Kiran had done the same. We struggled to our feet just intime to meet five cloaked bodies burst through the roof top door.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The men surrounded us quickly withthe roof’s edge to our backs and readied themselves for battle. Four of the menwere different from our first battle, I could tell that because their magicfelt different. But one man stood apart, but familiar, the same man thatescaped the forest before, and the same man that was in my dream last night. Hestood directly in front of us clearly leading the attack.

Our bodies mimicked our attackersand we awaited an assault at any moment. Kiran positioned his body in front ofmine as if protecting me; but the carnal instinct to fight flooded my veins. Icursed my short, tight, expensive dress underneath my breath.

“It’s time for you to go Eden. Thisfight doesn’t concern you,” the leader of the men addressed me and I flinchedwhen I heard him say my name. Murderous intent mingled with magic and I wascompletely focused on the looming battle; but something familiar about theleader forced me to second guess myself.

“I’ll stay, if you don’t mind,” Igrowled through gritted teeth. I had no doubt that I would win this battle,although I was unsure yet of how I would succeed. Unlike the forest that wasfull of natural tools and props to use, the rooftop was bare and the fall to theground below long.

“Get out of here,” the leadergrowled back, surprisingly emotional. I wanted to believe that he was asking meto leave because of the powerfulness of my skills, but something deep insidetold me it was for different reasons.