Love Conquers All

Chapter Two

"Stupid... grown ups." I hiss under my breath as I slow the horse to a stop. Arrow. Thats his name. "I can take care of myself. Just watch. I'll be back unharmed."

Arrow looks back at me and rolls his eyes. We get closer to the border and I stare right at it, I straighten my back out and pull my hood over my face so it hides in the shadows.  I put a steadying hand on Aarow and sigh.

"Alright. Let's do this." I sigh and my fingers curl around the reins.  Slowly I urge the horse forward and we push through the barrier.  I shrink further into my hood and move my leg to cover the royal crest.

And we're on the edge of a town. The moon is high and beaming, light and music comes from the town. Soft mournful cords that fizzle up like bubbles into entergetic dances.  Lights a stringed across the streets that are filled with people.  Smiling, laughing, people.  Not monsters.

The bushes behind me ruffle and my hand immediately goes to the knife around my waist. Aarow twists around quickly and I snarl at the bush. Nothing there. I lean forwardand look around slowly .

"Shhhh...It's okay."I sigh and we turn back towards." How about we go mingle?" I smile and we wtart walking that way.

It's magical.  There's children weaving in and out of the crowd and between peoples' legs. I put Aarow in a public stable and let some money to help pay for his care while I'm gone . I took my bags and just watchedand listened.  My green and gold eyes watch around happily and I tap my foot to the beat.

Jewelry flashes in the light and dresses flare out like flowers blooming.  Men toss their heads back and howl drunken laughter wity their friends. The smells.  Oh God, the smells. There's bread and fresh butter and meat and candy and pasteries and fresh fruit spread out on tables up and down the street.

"What are you doing?" A lady, no more then twenty, looks at me and scrunches her nose up. He dress is a flash of sky blues and silvers with bwlls on the bottom of her skirt the flares out when she dances. I freeze and bite my lip.

"Pardon?" I cock my head and she plants her hands on her hipsand sets her jaw.

"You're bruting. You look like you hate your life. "She motions with an arm around her. "Relaxe. Have fun, make a few friends. A little socializing never killed anyone." I smileand laugh.

"Well, you're not wrong." I take a step into the light and she shakes her head.I

"No,no,no! Take that thing off." She motions to my cloak ." You look loke q murder.  Lighten up. How can you have fun if no one can see your face?"

"I... well.." I shrug  and reach up. She smiles and watches me carefully.

I slowly pull it off and fold it neatly into my bag. She looks stunned. Her eyes trail up and down my body, soaking as  much as she can in. Her mouth opens to say something but closes. My long fingers claps together and I offer a smile, my dimples apear and eyes sparkle with a childs joy. A blush apears on her face eyes study mine.

"What.... What did you say your name was again?" She cocks her head.

"Well, I never said my name." I shrug. "But I'm Philip.  Philip Jefferson-Hamilton." She seems to freeze up at that and hrr eyes grow wider, if possible.

"Are you related to the Hamilton's?" She gasps.

"There's more then one?" She shakes her head.

"No.... There's only one we know about but he dissapeared years ago. "She looks uneasy now. Her eyes study me again. My ears. Oh Fuck. She reaches up and touches the pointed tips of them." It's  a birth defect." She nods slowly.

"What was his name?" I grab an apple and study it for a minute before eating it.

"Alexander Hamilton. " She says his name like he's no more then a ghost haunting her now. My eyes light up and I smile.

"That's my dad!"I grin ear to ear. The band a few yards away play a sour note and everything stops . Her eyes change a shade to an ice cold blue. They look familiar....

"Your Alexander's little one?" Her voice goes as smooth as whiskey and her head cocks to one side. Everyone studies me and whispers pass around.

"Well, adopted." I shrug." But, I am his son. Though I don't particularly care for it. He's like a jail warden."

"Hu." The music starts up again hut everyone seems a little less enthusiastic about their dancing.

"Where is he?"she cocks her head.  If we're hidden and no one knows abiut the kingdom or that Pop's is king there must be a reason. Yes, I am not particularly fond of my parents right now but I dont want to put them in danger.

"I can't tell you...." I look away, I scan the crowd and eyebrows screw up together.

"Why not?" She snarls.

"Because I ran away. And he's...  hidding." Jesus Christ just bash my head in with a rock ,I'm the worst lier. She bites her lips and studies me." I'm sorry, did I ever catch your name?"

"Angelica!"a younger girl beckons her acrosa the street. She looks to be fifteen.

"I'm coming!" Angelica calls back. " Well, it was nice to meet you. I'll talk to you later if you stick around town Philip. "

I watch her slip into the crowd and follow her siblings. I cross my arms and sit down on some crates. The night gets wilder and wilder as it continues and the alcohol takes over peoples bodies.

"What are you doing here?" A voice snarls from the crowd. My eyes snap up and I look around. Uh oh.  I get up, turn, and run into an alleyway.  "Philip!" His voice snaps after me.

"You're not here! Im not here! Just leave me alone!" I turn into an alleyway and curse myself.

"Philip what the hell are you doing here?" I close my eyes and turn slowly around. They crack open slowly and I give a nervous smile. It's the city head gaurd from the spring court . He and I never agree on anything when I go into there. He's aogant and bullheaded. Even if he is good looking.

George Eaker.