The Hunter's Princess

Communication Breakdown (Ch. 8)

"So let me get this straight....You cornered her and accused her of using some sort of trickery or magic to win the equestrian event. You were close enough to snap the locket off of her neck, but for some reason, I STILL DON'T HAVE IT?!?" Lucifer roared.

"It's not my fault! She ducked out of the way just in time, then her 'adoring fans' swarmed us in the courtyard. They jostled me around until I lost track of her," Lady Serena shot back.

"What is it with this woman?!?" Lucifer thundered. "Every time I think I have her cornered, she finds a loophole and gets out of trouble," he muttered as he paced the room.

"She and Prince Dean have been getting rather cozy lately," Lady Serena retorted. "Should I do something to break them up?" she asked.

"That particular issue is none of my concern at the moment, Serena. I have many more pressing issues that require my attention at the moment. Perhaps it's time I paid Lady Kira a visit myself. See if I can convince her to view things from my perspective," Lucifer replied ominously.

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

The evening meal consisted of roast beef, potatoes and other assorted vegetables. Since Kira took first place in both competitions, her place at the table was next to Prince Dean. At various times during the meal, their hands would meet briefly under the table. After dessert, Kira wandered out on the terrace for some fresh air.

She placed her hands on the balcony railing and gazed up at the stars. She felt warm hands on her nearly bare shoulders and turned to see it was Prince Dean. "Good evening, Lady Kira," he remarked.

"Good evening, Your Highness," Kira replied, with a slight curtsy. "Lovely, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yes, you are, sweetheart," he murmured against her hair.

Kira smiled and laughed softly. "Thank you, Your Highness. I appreciate the compliment, but we've talked about this. I need to go back to my world, and for that reason, I can't have any 'entanglements' while I'm here. Just friends, remember?"

"You are absolutely correct, and I apologize. Perhaps you'd like to join me in a moonlight stroll through the garden, Lady Kira? Just as friends?" Prince Dean asked.

"Thank you very kindly for your offer, but after today's excitement, I'm thinking of turning in early. I would, however, love to accept your invitation, should it be offered at another time," she answered.

"You have only to ask, Lady Kira. Until tomorrow, then," he kissed the back of her hand, then pulled her close and brushed her cheek in a chaste kiss.

"Until tomorrow," Kira whispered.

Kira could feel the blush rising in her cheeks as she made her way up the stairs to her room. Once inside, she leaned against the closed door, a thoughtful smile on her lips. The smile quickly faded when Kira saw Sarah standing against the wall, a look of sheer terror on her face. Kira also noticed that she had an unwanted guest in her room. "What exactly are you doing in here?" Kira demanded.

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

For Prince Dean, everything was falling into place. When Mother and Father first announced this tournament to find him and Samuel a bride, Dean was skeptical that it would be successful. That was before he spent time with Lady Kira. Someone with her weapons skills and ability to handle a horse would be a definite asset to their hunting efforts.

But it was the woman herself that he found most interesting. Lady Kira was smart, kind and not afraid to speak her mind. She'd told him time and again that she didn't belong in this world, but that there is a Lady Kira that's stuck in her world. Prince Dean wondered how alike the two women were, if at all. He decided that once everything was made right again in the multiverse, he would do what was necessary to seek out his Lady Kira.