Will The Rain Ever Stop?

"Will the rain ever stop?"Emma sighed watching as rain hammered against the windows, the sky had long since turned to raven but ferocious clouds filled its endless expanse hiding all signs of dazzling stars and the fluorescent moon from site. Emma had tried constantly to fall asleep but any time she had been even close to dozing off a crackle of lighting shot from the sky as thunder roared like a crackling whip. She rubbed at her wrist where the plain silver bracelet Diana brought her laid, the azure gem stone reminded her of Diana's eyes. She hadn't seen her in hours, 'maybe she'd wouldn't mind some company?' Emma hoped hoping out of bed and all but running out her room.

Her little feet hit against the cloud like floor, as she ran towards Dianas room thunder rumbling outside as lightning continued to rip apart the sky. By the time Emma had reached Dianas room she was trembling in fear as she pushed open the door stepping into the deserted room but all that met her was darkness. 'Where is she?' Emma thought running towards her brothers room but even Alex was nowhere to be found. Feeling lost and alone Emma hopped into her brothers bed, hugging his pillow and curling up under his sheets.

Solis had managed to find Luna in the storm and lead her back to the stables and yet no one could dare step outside to search for their missing riders as the wind kept the doors firmly shut and all the horses were huddled in the furthest corners of their stoles. All the stable hands knew for the horses to have returned with out a rider something must have happened and yet they had to trust in their prince and his knight.

All throughout the palace restless fits of sleep seemed to roam as worries filled peoples minds and with good reasons. For as her body lay still in Alex's arms it became colder by the second, while blood dyed her silver hair, he couldn't help but wonder if they'd loose her but he wouldn't let that happen on his watch. With unknown strength he ran through the forest the wind forever trying to stop him like an invisible barricade but it couldn't stand in his way.

By the time the sun had begun to graze the horizon the storm had begun to calm, the palace was within sight as Alex shivered he ran exhausted towards his home. The world was swimming around him as he stumbled over his own feet he could feel his consciousness slipping away as his body fell to the muddy ground. In a last moment effort he twisted his body making sure that Dianas cold body fell on top of him.

When the sun had reached the sky a patrol of guards came galloping down the road heading out to find their missing princess and his faithful knight. Only to stop short as they found them laying their in the road, jumping off their horses they ran to them barely feeling Dianas pulse, thankfully the prince seemed in a much better state. As if she were a china doll one of the guards carefully lifted Diana from Alex's arms before the captain lifted the prince.

"Don't..take her," Alex mumbled as the patrol headed quickly towards the palace.

"Its alright she's safe your Highness you have my word,"

No one spoke as they reached the palace only rushing to the two young teens to the medical wing, they wondered if Diana would even survive until nightfall. Alex was awake within hours of their arrival and from the moment he woke up he sat at Dianas side but she showed no signs of awaking. The doctor assured them she was fine but could not explain why she wouldn't wake up.

Over a week passed and only two days were left before the mascaraed and it seemed as though Hollies mother would not be saved. Yet excitement filled the palace as Diana had finally awoken. Everyone raced to her bedside, Emma pushed to the front "Diana! I was so worried,"tears dripped in streams from her eyes as Diana picked the young princess up and resting her on her lap. Emma hugged Diana tightly as she cried, all Diana could do was reciprocate the gesture. "She wasn't the only one," Hunter sniffed.

Diana smiled slightly, picking up Emma who still clung tightly to her she staggered out of bed. King Brian sighed as the others all asked what she was doing. "Getting ready," was all she replied as she stumbled out the room passing Emma over to the queen on her way. "No you're not," was all she heard before she was scooped up and placed back on the bed.

"What do you think you're doing?" Diana asked coldly.

"You can hardly walk you're not going to that mascaraed," Alex declared as everyone slowly left them alone.

"You're being ridiculous,"

"And you're being stubborn," he replied lounging out across the chair beside her "just get some rest, you need it."

A silence which felt like it lasted forever engulfed them before Kylo came knocking chestnut hair falling across his forehead. "You should go rest Alex, don't worry I'll make sure she doesn't run off. Afterall you're still recovering."

"Fine," he sighed reluctantly leaving the room, after he was well away from the hospital wing Hunter slipped in behind Kylo.

"Here," he said tossing Diana a bag "we can't have you going around like that, the horses are already saddled."

"And we didn't go through your stuff before you say anything we got Emma to," Kylo smirked "when you're done just jump out the window and Luna will be there." As if to prove a point they leaped out the window giving a mock salute as they landed atop their horses.

Diana wasted no time she found a dual pair of rapiers and her hair pin placed on top of the pile, a small smile crossed her face as she dressed grabbing the cloak and jumping out the window and just as she said she landed atop Lunas back. "Lets go then we haven't got much time," with that they galloped towards the border.

"Why are you helping me?" Diana asked as they rode through the forest.

"You would've found a way to get to that mascaraed with or without us and besides it'd be more obvious if the girls had come. Hollies going to keep Alex busy as long as she can," Hunter relied.

"And luckily she has better dress sense than us, she grabbed you an outfit for the mascaraed it's in your satchel," Kylo explained "are you sure this is the quickest way to get to Malum castle?"

"It should be as soon as we cross the border there's a short cut nearby but we'll have to go on foot," Diana explained. The ride lasted through the night only stopping long enough to eat and sleep. "We're here."

"What's 'here'?" Kylo asked skeptically "It's just a bunch of trees."

"You'll see, just get dressed we haven't got long," Diana smiled before heading off behind a thicket of trees all the boys could do was change and wait for her to show them where 'here' is.

"Why did you let Hollie choose?" Diana complained as the boys jaws dropped open "What?" she asked her hand resting on her hip.

"N-nothing," Kylo replied scratching the back of his neck.

"You forgot this," Hunter added handing over a navy blue mask with gold wisps which paired perfectly with Dianas strapless navy blue dress witch had a long slit down the side and her navy strap up blue heels. All laced with gold swirls making her a golden bolt. her earrings a dangling pair of sapphire which also adorn her neck and wrist. Her hair in a swirling bun held in place by her hair pin. "Thanks." She smiled tying it behind her head as she looked at the boys in their matching raven suits, with crisp white shirts and sleek black ties. There black masks already resting upon their faces.

"So where are we going?" Kylo asked before Diana pulled open a hidden door leading into a dark passageway. "This leads straight into an almost abandoned wing of the palace from there we can sneak into the ballroom. Its the quickest way to the dungeons."

They slowly descended into the passage Diana holding her dress so it didn't drag "Just stay close or you'll get lost these tunnels stretch for miles."

"Don't we need a lantern then?" Hunter asked as they wondered around a corner.

"No, I know this tunnel, I've never taken it this far though. Hollies mother will know the way out from the dungeons tunnels. There what you'll take to escape the palace"

"Won't you be coming back with us?"

"No, I have to make sure the king and queen of Malum don't try to hurt Hollie or her family again."

No one spoke again until they came to a dead end in the dank tunnel where Diana pushed on a rock causing the wall too slide a side before walking into a dessert wardrobe climbing through a rack of clothes. "I thought you said this place was abandoned," Kylo exclaimed.

"And it is, this is the princesses room she hasn't been here in months now follow me." The boys couldn't do anything but listen to her commands as they snuck down the cold hallways into a brightly lit ballroom filled with masks and dancing partners. "This way and try to blend in." Just as she said this trumpets blared through the ballroom as the royal family entered and everyone broke into a deep curtsey, as they began to open the ball. "My dearest friends in honour of my sons latest victory we have invited you here to celebrate, so enjoy the ball."

"Take this," Diana said slipping a swirling bracelet into Kilos hand "get Hollies mother and show her this she'll trust you, if I don't meet you in an hour by the horse's then leave."

"But you don't have your sword or any daggers your defenceless," Hunter retorted "if you get attacked or something goes wrong you'll be a sitting duck. Not to mention you still recovering everyone thought you were going to die, you know that?"

"I'll be fine I'm not as vulnerable as I look now go before it's too late," before they could protest she had disappeared into the crowd where the crown prince had swooped her into a dance.

"It's been awhile little sister," Blake smiled snidely.

"It's amusing you still want to play this little charade of yours, I'm not your sister," Diana retorted coldly.

"Now, now don't be harsh we might not be related by blood but I do still love you,"

"I don't need nor want your love, I'm hear to warn you stay away from Hollies parents or you'll regret."

"Are you threatening me?" he asked swirling her around his navy suit cloning to his every movement "Because that would be foolish even for you little one." He smirked running a hand along her cheek.

"You may be the Crown Prince, Blake but that doesn't mean I'm scared of you, so leave them alone and if you know what's good for you don't cross me again, Malum's crimes will come to light and when they do I will not hesitate to cut you down."

"Since when have you been so fiery?" Blake smiled pulling her closer.

A smirk crossed her face as her voice dropped to a cold dagger "I was always this way now if you'll excuse me I have places to be."

"Not so fast," he declared grabbing her wrist "how dare you walk away from me," his eyes turned viscous.

"You may be the crown prince but we are equal in status, now release me I won't ask again,"

"You may know the truth but that doesn't mean anyone will believe you," he warned.

"Won't they," she smirked digging here nails into his wrist.