Chapter 5: new mission

Suddenly they heard a loud bang to find the old miserable man fainted on the hard ground unconscious. They looked back at each other then hurried to lift Pryor and put him on the little sofa.

Malin was worried about him and she started slapping him slightly on the cheek till he opened his eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the light in the room.

Kieran was standing there besides her, throwing a disgusted face. The old man face enlightened with joy when he saw the little girl's. He suddenly brought her to his embarrassment making her flinch and the prince got jealous as if he was about to murder him at the spot, but he quickly hide it from Malin.

"-oh thank god! You are alive.

-of course I am alive what did you expect: finding me hanged. I think you overworked yourself till you have a brain fog. Don't worry everything will be all right okay." With her genuine smile and soft words Pryor took a sigh of relief and caressed her cheek with his big hand murmuring a small thank you. Kieran couldn't take it anymore:

"-if you have finished your cuddling session we could talk about the mission. My time is precious, could we?"

Malin blood start to boil but she looked at him with a sly smile and stood up in front of him with confidence; the old man kept holding her hand tight afraid from the storm that will happen soon.

"-As if. The only thing you have to take care of is to find a way how to make your pathetic life worth living sir" She then moved to the table brushing her shoulder against his making him smirk in amusement raising his eyebrows.

"-well no one can disobey me so...

-I can and I will gladly do that. Let me remind you that the future of your kingdom is up to my will, Nox." They made a glaring contest; the old man cut it when he cleared his throat:

"-So Mal...all you have to do is to escort his majesty and assure his safety on his journey to the king Drystan's castle since he is going to marry his daughter.

-you can go through the village then the rainfall and you will get there in no time. Why do I have to take him personally? "she said in disbelief.

"-we can't go that way because I have received a lot of death threatening letters from a rival incubus group; so we decided to go through the dark forest." Clarified the prince.

"-even it's dangerous but I trust you since you know the forest like the palm of your hand. For us, the safety of the prince is more important than the amount of required time to get there." Added Pryor, and Mal nodded then said:

"-Ray and Ellie are coming with me right?

-Why? Is our little hunter's afraid to go alone with the charming prince?" he said teasingly but she responded:

"-Well yeah… me and you alone… in the dark forest, no one could hear us…how do you want me to hold that strong temptation to not kill you at the spot…it will ironic Kieran. Don't you think so?" the white-haired boy got lost in her mesmerizing green orbs even though her threatening didn't bother him as much as it bothered the trembling commander who added:

"-yes definitely they will keep you company through your journey. I made sure to give the mission for my best fighters." The little girl's face brightened with happiness as a little child making the prince standing there smiling at her curtness but soon faded when she hugged Pryor and start jumping with joy.

"-I need to get rid of him." He said to himself

"-they are here, you can go meet them and get prepared because you are leaving tonight." The girl pouted at the old man and said:

"-no please I want to stay with them for a little bit before the mission and I promise we will leave tomorrow before sunrise." Pryor couldn't say anything he just looked at Kieran waiting for his order, the boy nodded in agreement so he said to her:

"-I think its fine. But PROMISE you will leave before sunrise.

-Promise. I won't disappoint you." She then gave him a quick peck on the cheek and went out running looking for her friends, shouting a goodbye and the old man smiled at her childlike behavior. But Kieran had enough; he walked next to the old man who didn't dare to look at him directly in the eyes and warned:

"-If YOU will have… ANY sort of physical contact with her again." He paused giving death glares with his sharp eyes to the poor commander; then finished:"- I will make sure to make your death miserable. Understood."Pryor nod multiple times in fears, when the prince left the room he sat immediately on the nearest chair holding his head between his arm.

"That's not good. I am sorry my little girl....