Love Conquers All

Chapter One

Philip's POV

I grunt as I hit the ground and scramble awag from where Lafayette's sword quickly follows. I look back at him as we sit there and pant for a few minutes. His eyes stare at the sworf and I carefuly study each muscle that twitches.

"Get up." He lets the sword fall and glares at me on the ground." We have to work on you protecting your legs. They're too open."

"Is it lunch yet?" I look at him. He laughs with a large smile and shakes his head.

"Get up before I make you get up." He rolls his eyes as I climb to my feet painfully.  I grab the sword and we squar off from eachother again. I let the sword dip lower this time as he studies me.

"What?" I cock my head as he steps forward and lifts the tip of my sword.

"Keep it up.  You know how hold it. Hold it high." He taps my knees with his foot.  "Just be more aware of your legs."

"Alright. " I nod.

"Again." He instructs.  And we do it again. And again. And again. Until I'm on the ground gaspingfor air.

"Are we done?" I cock my head and let the sword fall.

"Lunch. " He nods and starts off to the castle. As I get up I cant helo but glance at the border. What's beyond it? Dad and Pop won't tell me.

Don't  ever cross that border or I will take it out on your hide. Pop had warned me one day. I rolled my eyes and followed Laf to the training area. But what is behind there?

I take a step twoards it and let my fingers feel over the smooth surface of it. The glass moves like when you drop a stone into a lake, it waves around my hand and if I put enough pressure I can get through. I cockmy head and study it in silence for a few minutes.

"Philip!" Laf snaps. I jump and turn around to face him.  His eyesare dark like dad's when he gets angery. His jaw is clenched and arms crossed." What are you doing?"

"I... I'm doing nothing ." I shake my head and step away from the wall." I was just..."

"That thing you were touching is a monster." Laf hisses. " It drags people to it and they're never seen again.  There is a reason why we train over there!" He points to the hills angerily .

"But uncle Laf..." I start.

"We can move back to under the castle if you want." He hisses." I much rather prefer it here as do you. You heard your fathers. Stay away." I open my mouth to protest and look down.

"Alright. " I sigh and look at him." I wont go near it again."

"Thank you. " He gives a soft nod." Now come on, lets see what's for lunch." I nod. And this time he waits for me.

"So Laf told me you were by the border today." Dad brings up at dinner. His golden eyes look from me and over to Pop. Pop's head snaps up and make eyecontact with dad. The Chocolate brown and hot gold seem to mix together like chocolate caramels.

"You were where?" Pop cocks an eyebrow and sets down his fork.  My eyes shift to the window uncomfortably and I bite my lip.

"I was over by the border. " I say to my dinner. It goes dead silent as Pop turns back to his plate and Dad tightens his hae further. My heart pounds in my chest and hot flashes shiver down my neck.

"What the hell where you doing there?" Dad growls and the fork in his hand starts to droop. Pop reaches across the table and puts his hands over Dad's.

"Thomas.  Calm down." He says softly and the fork stop drooping. Its amazing what those two do to eachother.  Dad looks at me and sits back in his seat." Awenser your father's question please Philip. "

"I was curious. " I shrug and chew on my lip." You never tell me anything about that wall and why it's there.  Why we should fear what's on the other side."

"Because the less you know the more protected you are." Dad says between gritted teeth.

"I'll be king one day!" I scoff and look between the two of them." Hopefully because you two retired.  How am I suppoused to run a country if I don't know the threats on the other side?"

"Because I lived there!" Pop huffs and gives me a cold glare." Everyone there would eat you alive.  You're a pretty face, you're talented, you pose a threat to everyone.  Either they would kill you or take advantage of you.  Those people across the border dont care for anyone but themselves. They find  someone like you or me, someone special to them, and you're good as gone. Yes you can defend yourself and you have powers but they have weapons. They will hurt you!"

"What's life without a little danger?" I scoff and dad's hands curl on the edge of the table.

"You know nothing about danger." He hisses.

"Maybe I would if you let me live my life!" I stand up and the chair goes flying back.

"And risk losing you? No way!" Dad stands up too and scoffa.

"How am I supposed to live a life if Im not allowed to do anything?" I scream back.

"Because anywhere you go you're in danger! People would gladly take advantage of you wherever you go! You're our son of God sakes!" Pop joins the party and stands up just as quick as Dad. I give a cool glare at them and put my napkin on my plate.

"Well, I don't want to be your son if it means a life of living like a prisoner." Pop's eyes widen and his shoulder sink, he pales a few shades and shock flashes in his eyes. Dad's eyes study him and he chews on his cheek, worry in his eyes.

"Philip...." Pop's  says softly.

"Save it." I snap and storm to my room. As soon as the door is slammed shut behind me I start packing and throw a bag of food and supplies on my back and push open the window.

"Philip! Please come back." Dad's voice says softly through the door. I frownnad glare a hole through the door.  I slip through the window and drop on top of the stables.

Silent as a mouse I grab a horse and send one last glance at the castle. A snarl forms in my lip and I sling myself over the back of the horse. My heels dig into his sides and he starts running.

I turn him right to the border.