LUCIFERS RETURN

XTHREEX

Prince Xavier

The loud trot of hooves filled the air as the prince gazed over the everlasting Forrest, the autumn leaves crunching under his golden horse. His green eyes fell on his captain as he trotted beside him his golden armour gleaming in the sun. "The castle should be appearing any moment now." Nodding his head the prince stared down at his gloved hands creasing his brow concentration.

Thomas chuckled a slow smile growing on his face as he stared at the Prince. "Nervous your Highness. " he smile widened as Xavier shot him a glare his jaw clenching in anger.

"Of course not, I'm the future king what would worry me? I have nothing to fear. "He muttured letting his eyes wonder over the landscape.

Beside him Thomas grinned his grey eyes twinkling in amusement as he leaned forward. " perhaps your nervous because in a huge stone castle your wife is waiting for you." He laughed at the princes expression pushing his horse into a trot.

"She is no wife of mine, she is an alliance and that is all." Xavier shouted with a pointed glare at thomas who's grin had fallen off his face and was replaced with one of worry.

"The castle. "Thomas whispered his eyes wide as he pointed ahead of him, his hands stilling his horse as he looked at the destruction.

Trotting to Thomas's side he felt his insides freeze, his heart lurching as he stared at the black smoke pummeling from the towers.

" The fire its still burning. "Thomas whispered worry now prominent on his face.

"This was recent. "Rage and panic washed over him like a tidal wave and hastily he turned to his gaurds and captains.

" There might be survivors, find them. "He ordered turning quickly to the Hunter's.

"Usually the Royal family is hidden throughout the castle, go quickly. "He watched them gallop away with pain evident in his eyes.

"We both know she was more then your betrothed, to both of us. We will find her, but first we must find out who attacked one of the most powerful alliances we have. "Thomas murmured sadly as the prince stared after his troops as they weaved in between building's and shouted out orders.

Nodding his head the Prince jumped down from his horse, tying the reins to the gates that lay broken open. Scowling his eyes traveled over the lifeless bodys that lay in pools of blood and narrowed at the familiar blue uniform. Stalking over to the body his eyes widnened and quickly he called for Thomas.

" Recognize this symbol? " he growled to Thomas who's eyes flashed with anger and disgust.

"The Dragens, but what reason would the king have to attack one of your strongest ally? " Thomas questioned looking up at the stony faced prince.

"I don't know what reason my uncle had for this treason, but I do know I will find out. "He murmured turning away from the body and surveying the rest fo the destruction.

"Where is the rest of his men? "Thomas whispered cursing as realization poured over him.

"Where are our men? "Thomas yelled his wide eyes meeting the princes who's face bristled with anger.

" I'm afriad Your men will do you no aid your Highness. "Xavier and Thomas both quickly drew their weapons their backs touching as they stared at the growing crowd of enemy's.

" What is the meaning of this? "Xavier growled his eyes searching frantically for his men.

Finally the crowd parted and his men were threw to the ground, their mouth gagged and hands tied. "Well that my friend is a long story. "The crowd parted once more as the prince of Dragens stepped through a smug grin etched onto his face.

"Traitor. "Thomas hissed lunging foward to kill the bastard before a knife was pointed at his throat.

"Relax my friend, their doesn't have to be blood shed. . . today. "The enemy chuckled his blue eyes flashing dangerously when Xavier hastily pulled him back to his side.

"Where is Anna Christian?  "Xavier asked calmly, his jaw clenching as the prince threw him a victorious grin.

"Why does the location of my wife concern you? "It was Xavier who lunged forward sword raised to kill before Thomas stepped in front of him.

" Don't be rash Xavier, there is no way in hell we can fight this battle here. figure out his motives and find the princcess, he could be lying, and if he's not we can always get her back. But not if your dead, do you hear me not if your dead. "Pushing Thomas's arm away Xavier drew in a deep breathe meeting the eyes of his enemy.

"We have much to discuss your highness. "Christian chuckled tracing his hand over the hilt of his sword.

"That we do,  and my patience for your games are growing thin so I suggest you tell me what the hell you want." Xavier spat his eyes blazing.

"Her,  I've known her my whole life,  we all have growing up together as playmates. She'd make a great queen,  one you don't desrve. "Xavier swallowed his rage sending the prince a glare full of loathing.

"So you think you can come in and slaughter her faimly,  and castle,  destroying her birth right and she'll want to become your wife. If that is so I don't think you thought this through." Thomas growled menacingly his hands clenching by his side.

"Actually my plan is quite thought out,  as soon as the princcess wakes,  I'll show her the marriage agreement our parents signed and her want to fulfill her fathers dying wish She'll indeed marry me. They're are no witnesses I made sure of that,  so the only word she would have would be mine. "Christian chuckled his eyes cold.

"Then the last thing would be to claim the Gracen throne, with their queen by my side. "Christian finished.

"I'll kill you for this. "Xavier promised his jaw clenching as he glared at the smug Prince.

"Aw come on old friend,  don't be like that. We took eachothers things all the time as kids. " Christain smiled taking a menacingly step closer.
"Isn't that right brother? Just like how you stole father from me? Letting me be cast of to my mothers home like some batstard child!"He spat his eyes ablazed in anger.

"I couldn't stop him. "Xavier whispered weakly a dread brushing over him at the memory.

"Well you didn't try either,  now did you.  I was traded and sold forced to be the heir to a throne that wasn't even mine. But look at you little brother always fathers favorite, always so eager to please.  Now it's my turn to take what I want,  that king may not have been my father but he taught me well. "Christian grinned coldly.

"Now I think it's time we took our leave,  try anything and the men I have watching us right now will slit her throat,  I do not need the princess to get what I want. And I always get what I want. "The cold murderous look in his eye returned and with a motion of his hand his men were moving forward.

" Oh and Xavier, one more thing. "Christian smirked at Xavier tilting his head up in victory.

"Duck. "The distant sound of arrows whizziling through the sky made Xavier's eyes widen and quickly he was tackled to the ground by thomas.

Dazed he groaned as Christian sent him one last smile before he mounted his horse and with a victorious cry rode forward.

Shouting could be heard and slowly Xavier raised his head his eyes meeting the wide ones of Thomas's. His eyes traveled behind the panicked general and anger washed over him as the dead eyes of his tied men met his.

They didn't even have a chance,  they couldn't run and now they'll never see their family's again.  Cursing xavier crawled to his feet wincing at the pain in his head,  bringing his fingers up to touch the sticky substance running down his skin." Xavier? "Thomas's face came into his view and angrily Xavier pulled him closer.

"My brother has gone to far, if it's a war he wants,  it's a war he'll get. His king might've taught him well,  but mine taught me better."