Surprise

As sleep left Diana's eyes and her vision began to focus she found her head on Alex's chest as he still held her close. A small smile played at Diana's lips before she pushed it down.

His raven hair is ruffled from sleep and as Diana looks at his face she realises he's staring down at her with a crimson blush painting his cheeks, a slight smile on his lips.

"Good morning," Alex said avoiding eye contact.

"Good morning," Diana replied.

A few moments of silence past between them before Alex spoke up "How are you feeling after yesterday?"

"...Better," Diana replied a shiver shaking her spine as she remembers last nights events.

"Good, and the others weren't told so it's your choice if you want them to know."

"Thank you," Diana said appreciating it.

"Well go get washed up, I'm taking you some where," Alex declared his crimson eyes finally meeting her sapphire ones.

"Where?" Diana asked sceptically.

"It's a surprise," Alex beamed happily.

"I don't like surprises," she retorted raising an eyebrow.

"I guessed as much but this time your just going to have to trust me."

"Fine," Diana sighed getting up and walking too her bathroom.

"Meet me at the dining hall my parents invited everyone to breakfast," Alex called out as he got up and left the room.

Diana slipped into the bathroom, bare feet tingling slightly as they touched the cold, snow white marble. Removing her clothes and putting them to the side, she climbed into the pool like path letting her body soak in its watery depths. Warmth, bubbles and rose petals enveloping her as she soaked scrubbing her skin and washing out her hair.

After Diana was done she climbed out the tub wrapping a towel around her body and a separate one around her hair. Walking to her wardrobe she slipped on a v-neck, short sleeved, ashen t-shirt. Diana pulled on a pair of raven trousers and redwood boots.

Grabbing her dual swords and fastening her belt before grabbing an ebony cloak that rests over her shoulders. Quickly fastening the nightingale clasp, leaving the room Diana plated her hair into a French braid.

The corridors illuminated by sun light pouring in through the broard windows sending light dancing in all directions. 'It's almost funny,' Diana thought as she walked towards the dining hall 'when I walked along the hallways of Malum castle I felt trapped and forever in danger, but here I feel safe and protected.'

Reaching the grand doors Diana pushed open the door and walked inside.

"Good morning Diana," Queen Valeria greeted as Diana walked towards the dining table hthe queens crown sparkling in the sunlight.

"Good morning your majesties," Diana replied.

"There's no need to be so formal when it's just us," King Brian replied smiling warmly.

"Big sister! Sit next to me." Emma beamed.

Excepting her invitation Diana sat down next to her Alex sitting across from her, his hair now brushed and his pyjamas switched out with knee high raven boots, navy blue trousers and an ashen grey v-neck top. Around his waste hangs a single sword a smile on his lips as he sips his tea.

Taking bites of her pancakes Diana listened to Emma as she told her about everything she'd done the day before. "Oh," Emma continued "and big brother said I could come with you today."

Alex looked over at Emma a smile on his lips and a single eyebrow raised "When did I say that?"

Emma's face flushed as she looked over at him "W-well I was going to ask you when you said about your trip but I didn't get a chance."

Everyone around the table laughed at this "I'm fine with it but only if mother and father agree," Alex replied.

Emma's face lit up "Mummy, mummy can I go? Can I daddy? Can I?" she all but bounced in her chair her parents chuckled along with Alex and Diana.

"We're ok with it," King Brian replied.

"But," Queen Valeria continued "only if Diana agrees this is a surprise Alex arranged for her afterall."

All eyes turned to Diana as she continued to eat her food biting into a strawberry, after swallowing it she replied "It's fine by me."

"Yay!" Emma beamed hugging Diana around the waste tightly. She patted Emma's head as Diana took a sip of her rosemary tea. "Oh, big sister you and Alex are matching."

"What do you mean?" Diana asked

"Your both wearing grey tops," she explained

"Oh, you're right." Diana said smiling down at her.

"We best be off then," Alex said standing up causing Emma to swiftly jump to her feet and give her parents a goodbye hug.

As they were about to leave the room Queen Valeria spoke up "Be careful."

"We will be mother," Alex replied closing the door behind them, Emma skipping a few paces in front.

"I'm guessing the others are passed out cold still," Diana said as they walked along.

"Yes," Alex sighed "they decided to drink in one of the guest rooms when they got back."

Diana just shook her head knowing this was most likely the case. When they reached the outside steps of the palace they found Solis and Luna saddled and waiting, 'I guess Alex got the staff to prepare them for us,' Diana thought.

Emma ran over and began jumping trying to get into Luna's saddle. "Want a hand with that?" Diana asked standing beside her.

"Yes please," Emma replied turning towards Diana. Putting her hands on either side of Emmas waste Diana lifted her into the saddle so she was sitting side on. Her violet, short sleeved dress swaying around her feet revealing a pair of lilac slippers. Alex was already sitting in his saddle as Diana pulled herself up into the saddle and grabbed the reins.

Wordlessly they set off following Alex, Emma's golden hair tied in a high ponytail fluttering in the wind.

"Where are we going?" Emma asked Alex.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" Alex smiled.

"No fair," Emma pouted and Alex and Diana giggled at her.

"Don't worry you'll know soon enough," Alex assured causing Emma to beam "I think your more excited then Diana and she's the one the surprise is for." Alex joked as Emma's face turnt crimson and Alex and Diana once again giggled.