In the morning he could feel the chilly air hit his skin and he shivered, moving over closer to the young, soft body next to him. Looking down at Istara, he kissed her temple, and then slowly got up, not wanting to wake her.

Istara stirred slightly when he got up, moaning and wrapping the covers more tightly around her in her sleep as she also shifted over to the warm spot he had left in the bed, all while still asleep. She started to murmur something in her sleep. "Momma, I remain strong, but I can't help it, he's so gentle and handsome..." and "Momma he calls me Little Moon."

He had been dressing when he had heard her speak in her deep slumber. Looking at her he blushed slightly. She was so beautiful. He took in a deep breath. No, he could not hurt her. He would not allow himself to! Walking to her, slowly, his movements strong yet gentle, he brushed a strand of hair from her face as he could hear the birds singing softly. Then he went behind a curtain. It seemed that he had disappeared from the room as birds came into the room, landing at her bedside, singing a soft, loving tune.

Istara woke to the sound of signing birds and at first thought she was in the gypsy camp. Then last night’s bittersweet memories flooded her head and she opened her eyes to see the birds all around her and gasped. She sat up slowly so as not to disturb them and held out her hands as she wondered where Roland had gone. A few of the birds hoped on her arms and shoulders and she laughed quietly, a warm smile on her face. So this place did hold something of true beauty after all. The animals always had liked her. She moved to pet a few of the birds, moving slowly because of the birds on her arms and shoulders. She wished she had some crumbs to feed them.

He came out after a moment, tilting his head to the side. He knew that he was falling in love with her. Two days together and they were already falling in love? It was so strange – but good strange. "I can see that the animals here like you." He chuckled softly. Wearing a deep purple-indigo colored suit he walked towards her. His strides were powerful, but it was a controlled power; a power that he would never use against her. "How was your night?" The air was still cold, since everyone knew that winter was approaching, "Did you have a good rest?" Reaching out he gently touched her hair, a smile on his lips.

When he had first spoken she had started and a few of the birds had stirred from their resting places only to return. But when he reached out to touch her the birds scattered and retreated out the window. Compared to her petite figure and small size, he was twice or more the giant that she was to these birds. Istara frowned to see them go then returned her attention to the handsome prince she knew against all restrictions of time and circumstances she was falling in love with. She couldn't imagine how this was happening but it was so she would have to handle it. She scolded herself by remembering she didn't even know how he felt about her. He was older than she was. While in the gypsy clan she was considered an adult. For all she knew he could still see her eighteen years of life and think she was a child. Perhaps that was even why he had not taken her last night. She knew though she must be wary for she was sure his guards would not have the same compunction. She managed a small smile for this prince who was stealing her heart only slightly more slowly than her freedom had been stolen. "Yes," she said quietly. "I had a good night's rest, thanks to you keeping me warm." She blushed to remember the dream she had where she spoke to her mother and hoped to herself that she had not spoken those words aloud. Then to cover her blush, she asked a question. "Roland, may I have a cat?"

At that, he had looked up at her. "A cat?" He asked softly. As in a feline? That was...strange. Why would a girl want a cat? He knew that they were very clean, but still, a cat? He had many dogs, many, many dogs, but...A CAT? But, the look on her face, he was lost. "Yes...I suppose I could allow you to have a cat. Yes. Actually, in the barn one of the cats that eats the mice and rats just gave birth to a litter of kittens. When you have dressed and eaten we shall go there to see which one you desire." He said, sitting next to her.

She smiled happily and threw her arms around him in a spontaneous hug, for a few brief elated seconds forgetting where she was and what the situation held them to in class. "Thank you Roland!" she cried. Then she realized what she had done and she pulled away blushing madly. "I'm s..sorry," she stuttered out in apology. But her mind also ran a thought train in the back of her mind. She loved felines and had always wanted a cat but her parents had refused because the harsh life of the gypsy train on the road all the time and because it was hard enough to fend for yourself and your family when you were a gypsy, let alone to fend for the food and care of an animal! She was so excited, she would get to pick out her own kitten and raise it from birth, and she wouldn't have to teach it the roaming ways of the gypsy. She realized that this could very well be the one benefit to living here...well, that and the handsome, gentlemanly prince she shared her living quarters with. But she brushed that thought away. Then she frowned in thought. Where was she to get new clothes?

He smiled, "Don't be. You are very welcome." He then, walked over to another room. "Well, when I found out that you were coming I told my seamstress to make some gowns for you. For, I know that that dress must not be comfortable. For now however, you will have to wear some of the spare in your size they sent up." His blue eyes trailed down the dress she wore slowly. It was beautiful, very beautiful on her. "And, well, I have a rather large store room that I do not use." He took her hands and lead her into a connecting room, which was large and furnished, and had a line of clothes by the bed. "So, I had it arranged last night so that it can be your room. There is no door, sadly, but you can just come through my door if you were ever to leave." Which he would never want. "But, does it fit your fancy?"

She blushed and stared around at the room and clothes. She had never owned such fancy attire in her entire life. Then her eyes caught on the bed and inwardly she sighed. Sure, she supposed that it would be nice to have a bed and room to call her own, but she had rather enjoyed last night's close snuggling with the prince. However, now that she had be own bed there would be little excuse would there? But she smiled at the prince, even if her smile was a little sad, though she hoped he would not notice. "It's beautiful," she told him, and walked slowly over to run her hands down one of the gowns, a dark blue gown with half-sleeves that had a tie at the middle. She could see it would hang straight to the floor but if she were to spin it would flair out. It was almost a gypsy's dream. "Very beautiful."

He smiled and leaned against the doorframe. "I am glad that you like it, Little Moon." He said, tilting his head to the side. "This room gets very cold at night, so, if you get too cold do not be afraid to just come back in the room with me," he said and then walked towards her slowly. "This is your room, Istara. You can do whatever you want with it." His voice was soft as he moved towards her. "Are you hungry?" He whispered once he got close enough to her, looking down at her with soft, loving blue eyes.

As his voice wove it's way through her mind and he once again used his nickname for her, she was happy to hear that she would have an excuse to join the prince in bed once again. Part of her mind told her she was being ridiculous, that she should use this bed to her advantage to stay away from the temptations of the prince. But all thoughts fled her mind once the prince stood looking down at her, inches away from her. Her body ached for those inches to disappear as her heart rate went up instantly and she found herself having a rather difficult time breathing. What was it, hadn't he asked her something? She found her milky-brown gaze locked into his blue one as her mind rushed to remember what he had asked. Hungry? Yes, she was hungry, but for something she shouldn't be. She was hungry for him, his touch, and his voice; they were like food to her soul. But this wasn't right; she shouldn't be falling for him. He was her captor, her owner! But then, a voice whispered to her. He didn't act like it, did he? She ignored all the thoughts swirling through her head and tried to concentrate on the simple task of answering him. Finally, she managed to stutter out a whispered reply. "Y...yes, but...I shall…get changed...first." As she got lost more in his crystal blue gaze it became harder to force out a coherent sentence but somehow she managed.

He smiled as he touched the side of her face. Why him? Why why him? He was itching to touch her, to hold her...to do other things to her. He wanted her, oh, how he did, but he would not have her. No, she was a virgin and her body had never tried the art of lovemaking. He would not touch her that way or hold her that way. No, not until she told him that she was ready. But oh, how he wished that she would hurry and become ready!
"Alright," he whispered as his knuckles moved across her cheek. "I will be in my room. Whenever you are ready just come out." He wanted to kiss her. God, how he wanted to. But, he would reframe from doing so. He had to. even if it hurt. Walking to the door he took in a deep breath. "There is water for you to bathe in if you wish it." He said as he started to close the door, even if he wished to see her with nothing on.

She closed her eyes. The touch of his hand on her cheek had been almost like a tease to her, she had wanted more. She remembered his warm embrace, and sighed. It seemed the only way they would get to snuggle or have the interaction that she so desired was in bed through these long cold nights. She sighed again. How she had wanted him to kiss her in that instant, but he had not and she certainly would not be the one to kiss him. She admired him his strength. She knew how hard it must be to resist having his way with someone he technically owned. She supposed to a male such as himself it would be anyways. And she certainly would not be the one to test his temptation further than she had to for while she had craved a kiss just then she had craved nothing more from him than just that: a kiss and perhaps a warm embrace. Seeing him go to leave she turned towards the water gladly and slipped off the strapless velvet dress, moving towards the water in only the lacy bra and thong underwear they had given her to wear the previous day. She hoped the underwear she found in this room would at least be a bikini-style. She stretched, arching her back with her hands above her head before reaching down a hand to test the water's temperature. Now that she was only in this it was obvious that the darker tone to her skin was not due to a tan but her natural skin color.

"Ist--" He stopped himself. He was halfway in the door when he stopped. He didn't even think she had heard him at all. His lips parted as she stared at her. She was so...lovely. Why did she tempt him so? Feeling his blood run thick he bit the inside of his cheek to stop from groaning. Then, slowly closing the door he left. Why him? He groaned softly and looked down at himself. His entire body was rigged. He walked over and put icy cold water onto his face, trying to calm himself. "You are not a teenager. You must fight these feelings of desire," he said mostly to himself as he took a white cloak and draped it around his neck. He couldn't help but picture her though – the image of her loveliness…her naked loveliness.

Istara finished her bath and then changed into more comfortable underclothes before she slipped on the dark blue dress. It went well with her golden curls, which seemed even curlier and shinier when damp. She fixed her hair and then touched her bare throat. She had left the teardrop necklace in the other room but what she truly missed was the heart-shaped necklace her mother had given her. The guards the day before had taken it from her. They had probably sold it off by now or given it to some lady they fancied. She sighed. Maybe she would ask the pri...no, Roland about it. She straightened her dress and then stepped out through the door into Roland's room. She studied him in the doorway before stepping more into the room. He was so handsome, and he looked quite dashing with that white cape on.

"I can't believe that I--" He stopped and turned to look at her. She was...a vision. His lips parted as he looked down at her with wide blue eyes. Could there be a woman as beautiful as she? In that dress she did look like a princess...a queen...his queen. Clearing his throat he walked towards her. "Istara you look..." he said, and smiled. "You look...beautiful..." It wasn't the right word. There was no word to describe how she looked at that moment. "You just..." He leaned over and moved a stray curl from her eyes, and he knew that he had to restrain himself from touching her any more then that. At least with that dress on. "I...I forgot to give this to you," he said and then, slipped his hand into his pocket and took out a necklace – her necklace. "I think it would suit you with that dress," He turned her and put the necklace on her. He smiled, "There. An item on the real jewel." He whispered.

A blush crept up her cheeks, turning them first pink and then scarlet. His voice mesmerized her and his touch sent shivers up and down her spine. There was no way to describe how she felt towards him right now, except the one word she was afraid to use: love. It couldn't be possible to fall in love with someone after two days, let alone the one who owned you...could it? She didn't know the answer. All she knew was she had. Then as he placed her mother's gift around her neck she raised her hand to touch it gently, tears coming to her eyes. Her blush renewed when he made his compliment, especially as his whispered voice almost drove her crazy. She turned to face him, the tears starting to spill silently down her cheeks as she kept one hand on her most precious keepsake, the one she had thought lost forever but he had returned to her. The other hand she raised towards him, stopping just short of his cheek. "H...how?" she asked. It was all she could manage as even in her state she became lost yet again in his water-colored gaze.

The look on her face was enough. It could have turned his heart to jello if it wanted to. Why did she have to look so...vulnerable? So beautiful? So...breathtaking...? He groaned softly as he felt her hand on the side of his cheek, and he kissed her thumb softly. "Just because I am a prince does not mean I am dull to the head, Istara," he whispered. "I can see that this is important to you...you are...you are important to me…" He didn't realize that he had bent his head closer towards her. He couldn't...he wouldn't. He sucked in a breath as he looked down at her, his lips only inches from hers. God, what she was doing to him was torture. But he wouldn't kiss her. He wouldn't hold her. He wouldn't! Would he?

"It…it is," she said, trying not to let herself be distracted by his nearness, his closeness. She fought the desire to move to him, the desire to kiss him that rose in her desperately as she fought the feeling of being lost in his gaze. Could he even know what he was doing to her? Her heart rate increased rapidly as she gulped, taking a deep breath and trying to compose herself. She leaned imperceptibly closer to him without realizing it. "My mother, gave it to me..." Her hand stroked his cheek lightly, as she finally let herself drown in his gaze, no longer able to fight the power it held over her as she leaned just that much closer again, her whole body taut with her desire for him to kiss her.

God. Her lips were lust looking. Leaning closer his lips hovered over hers, and then, slowly, he pulled away. "We shouldn't." His voice was hoarse, raw almost. He cleared his throat and slowly, moved a step away from her. "We should not allow our selves to fall into the hands of temptation." He then looked down, her gaze bewitching. "Come, let us get something to eat, it will..." He licked his lips. "It will feed our hunger." But he knew, oh, how Roland knew that it would not feed this hunger. The hunger that he felt deep inside of him was something only Istara could fill.

Istara blushed and looked down quickly to hide the disappointment in her eyes. He had been so close, and his pulling away had only served to drive her even crazier, yearning desperately for a kiss now. But the way he said it she forced her not to rush to give him a kiss. She could not; she didn't want him to think less of her, which she was sure he would. Once she took a deep breath to compose herself she looked up, her eyes carefully blank once more. "Okay Roland, let us go get something to eat then," she said slowly, carefully, so that she would not let her longing for him seep into her voice.

Roland looked at her for a moment, and then, took her hand and led her down the hallways. The guards gave them looks and winks as they walked by and he took in a deep breath. Why him? He asked himself, once more. Walking down the halls he entered the great hall, the dining room. Did she not know how much he needed to kiss her? Did she not know how much he needed her? Cared for her? Almost...loved her? He dismissed that thought. They did not even know each other. It could not happen...could it?

Clearing his throat he pulled out a chair for her. "Here, eat to your hearts content, and then, we shall go to the barn and pick out a small kitten for you." He smiled as he sat next to her, as food was set in front of them: grapes, apples, toast and jam, and other various items.

Istara carefully ate a piece of toast with jam then picked at the grapes. She never had been big on breakfast. After all, early morning at the gypsy camp was when you were rushing to set up your various shows. She kept glancing at Roland as she picked at the grapes. They were delicious but she could not help but hope for him to finish so they could go. To keep there from being an awkward silence she began to talk to him quietly, though she did not know if he could even care. After all, just since she thought she had fallen in love with him did not mean that he felt the same about her. "I have always had a way with animals," she said softly, for his ears only. "They always seem to naturally like me, no matter what they seem to be. But cats were always the first to seek me out when we set up a new camp and I myself always held a special spot for them in my heart among all other animals. I don't really know why, they just seemed special to me. So vulnerable and delicate looking yet well able to take care of themselves and be independent, much like the gypsy's hold their females to be independent. I always asked my parents for a cat but they said no, since we traveled so much and worked so hard. The travel would be hard on the animal, they said, and I wouldn't have the time or money needed to take care of one. So though I've always wanted one I never have gotten to keep one all to myself."

As he listened he smiled, tilting his head to the side. "I was never very good with cats. They just...did not take a fancy to me. I had a small little bird once. A finch, I think they called it. It would sing and sing. And one day..." He sighed, "A cat ate it, and well, they just do not like me for that matter, and I am not too fond of them either." But for her he would have gotten her one hundred cats if she desired it! "But, horses are more my speed, and dogs." He chuckled softly as he soon finished eating and took a sip of his Orange Juice. "Are you ready to go then? I am sure that the kittens will still be there, but I do not want to rush you."

"Yes, I am ready, but...are you sure you don't mind me getting a cat? I will say that mostly animals seem peaceful around me, I've never seen one eat another in front of me, and I will raise my cat to stay away from birds. I like them too." Then she tilted her head. "Do you have German Shepards?" she asked suddenly as she stood to walk with him to the barn.

He nodded. "German Shepards, Collies, Hunting Dogs." He chuckled. "I have various types, but they all stay in their pastures." He said, "I play with them all everyday so that they do not get lonely." Once they got into the barn he smiled. The horses there were all well groomed and their coats were shiny, as if they had just had a nice brush-down. "Hmm." He smiled and then, opened one of the stalls, where the litter of kittens was. The mother was lying down, sleeping. The others were roaming around her, playing. They were various colors; brown, while, black, orange. But one, the smallest one, was wandering around aimlessly. It was all black with a small white spot on the tip of its nose.

Istara knelt and looked over all the kittens but then her eyes caught on the tiny one. This one she picked up and cradled to her and the kitten meowed softly and rubbed against her. She caressed the kitten gently and stood up. "I will take her. Her name will be Stargazer, Star for short." Istara smiled and then blushed at Roland.

"The runt of the bunch?" He asked and then chuckled softly. "I should have known just by looking at you. Always taking in the smallest to raise them to be the strongest." He touched one of her ringlets with love.

"Roland, I don't...suppose...any of your German Shepards had puppies recently?" Istara asked almost sheepishly, blushing as he brushed her hair. If there was a single dog she had a weakness for it was these ones, they appeared so regal and their coats were simply astounding. She felt bad for asking Roland but she had to know. After all, if she were to raise a cat and dog it was better to raise them together.

"Hmm. Yes, actually. I think you are really squeezing me dry here." He chuckled. "But, my newest addition, just gave birth to ten new puppies. They all have a home except one of them. It is also the runt of the bunch, and no one wants it because it was the smallest. But, of course, if you wish for a stronger puppy, then I am sure that there is still another one of the older-puppies that I have." He said, guiding her towards his pastures where the dogs were.

She smiled up at him blushing. "Well, us gypsies tend to have a weak spot for the weak and outcast, so to speak. Considering we are that ourselves." She looked out at all the dogs. "No, I will gladly take the runt of the litter. Older pups will have a chance to be sold or trained, and he may not." She looked up at him, a small teasing smile on her face. "And two little runts aren't going to squeeze you dry."

"Yes, but one little beautiful gypsy will squeeze me dry." He teased softly, skimming his knuckle down her cheek softly. For a moment he didn't move, then, hurriedly he turned and whistled. All of the little puppies came running, or rather wobbling, over except one of them. The last one, the weakest of them all, made his way towards them more slowly than the rest. Gently, he picked the smallest puppy up and scratched him behind the ears. "Here we go then." He smiled, "Your newest puppy." He chuckled as the small puppy nibbled on his hands.

She smiled and took the puppy under one arm. She held the kitten under one and the puppy under another. Both stared at each other curiously, and neither made a move to hurt the other. Istara smiled. "Thank you Roland," she said softly. "His name is ShadowHunter, Shadow for short." It was a gypsy tradition to give pets names like that, with a short and long version. "Shadow, meet Star. Star, Shadow." The two sniffed noses gently and Istara laughed happily.

He chuckled softly. "Hmm, you sure have a way with animals," he said with a smile. Then, gently, he took Shadow away from her, "I will hold him, it's okay," he said as he walked next to her towards the castle entrance. His smile never seemed to leave his face as he continued to walk. "Would you like to set them up a sleeping area when we get back home?" Home...he smiled at that thought. "Or, will you just have them sleeping in the bed with you?"

She smiled and said before she realized what she was saying, "Oh no, the only one who I will share my bed with is you." Then she blushed scarlet, and rushed on, trying to cover her slip. "Well, I figured I could set them up a place in my room, you know? If that's okay, I mean, there a door to close it off from your main bedroom. So they can stay in there, if I get the stuff to put in there." She realized she was now babbling and snapped her mouth shut, still blushing. She really couldn't believe she had said that.

He smiled, looking at her. "Hmm, that is always good to know." He teased, liking the shade of pink that she was slowly turning before his blue eyes. Heart breaker blue was what his father had always called them. "You know, we could always move your bed into my room. I mean, my room is big enough for ten beds to fit into." Of course, he was teasing her. "But, I think we could set up a bed for them." They soon entered his room and he went into her room, putting the small puppy on the floor next to him.

She followed him and sat with the kitten on the edge of her bed. "No need to move this," she said quietly, not looking at him. "After all, I don't really think I'll be using it much, what with it being so cold and all." She stroked the cat in her lap quietly as he set up. Finally, she decided to be bold. "Though, I'm afraid the cold might not be the only reason I seek your warm embrace at night. Impossible as it may seem, I think I'm falling in love with you," she said, her voice very soft. She held her breath, keeping her gaze on the kitten in her lap.

He was making up the bed for the kitten and the dog, a smile on his lips. "You really should not talk to the cat and dog that way you know, Istara," he said, oblivious that she was serious and that beautiful comment was directed towards him. "I mean, what will they think? They will be all over you when nightfall arrives." He teased, chuckling to himself.

Istara finally looked up, her gaze on him and him alone, begging those sky-swept eyes to look her way. Her voice was liquid smooth and rather sensual when she said, "Who said I was talking to the cat and dog Roland?" She watched him, awaiting his reaction, again with bated breath, hardly daring to hope it would be favorable.