"What is it that you want?" Zed asked. The drama show the duo were displaying only acted to irritate him even more. "Actually I.." Newton said scratching the back of his neck, his gaze avoiding Zed’s all the while."You what?" Zed enquired taking a step closer making Newton swallow. Kael, who had been watching the two closely, couldn’t help but knit his brows, confused. What the hell was going on with these two? And why was Newton acting this way? Did it have to do with the fact that this guy, Zed, knew he was not Griffin? "I need your help," Newton finally managed to spit out the words, lifting his face to meet with those blue eyes that ignited something alien in him. "For what?" Zed asked now halting in his tracks. The chains around him shook as if demanding to be freed."It’s Isadora. She has gone into deep sleep that she can’t seem to wake up from." Zed’s brows furrowed before his face lit like one with a brilliant idea or clue why that happened. "Do you know what’s wrong with her?" Newton asked, sparks of hope lighting his once dull face. "Yes," he simply replied. "But what do I get in return for helping the princess?" Not that Zed wanted to be paid for helping Isadora. There was just something naughty swirling in his mind.Newton should have known better than anyone else the brat would ask for something in return, and he feared it might be impossible. What if he asked for his freedom and Griffin finds out Newton was the cause of all this? His commander rank would turn to be just but a lucid dream! "Ask for anything you want but not your freedom," he stated his side of terms just to be safe. He saw a smirk form on Zed’s face earning a frown from him. And as if he was not close enough already, he took another step so that he was a breath away. Kael found it weird. Were they going to hug, kiss or something? The thought alone filled his mouth with a retch feeling.Zed drew in close to Newton’s ear, his warm breath faning the nook of his neck waking within him things he didn’t know to exist. "If I want freedom, I get it in a blink. But worry not. That’s not what I want." And after letting a little awkward silence last, he said, "I want you."He drew back searching for his face and it was exactly as he had imagined; flushed pink in embarrassment. Newton just stared back at him like one in a dilemma. "I take that as a yes," Zed concluded even without waiting for his reply. " Take these off me and show me to Isadora’s room." Newton let the shackles loose with a thought before Zed started walking out of the throne Hall, a mischievous smile planted on his face."What did he ask for?" Kael asked trotting closely behind a fast walking Newton. Not that he liked it though. He should have simply materialized in Isadora’s room instead of following Newton like a disciple."Any news from His Majesty yet?" Newton asked instead earning a frown from Kael. But he decided to report anyways."His Majesty had captured Prince Alexander but his pride led him to challenge the prince into a duel." Newton halted in his tracks at that."Did he win?" He asked now facing Kael."Some say he won and others say he lost. A third group says neither won, so i don’t know." He shrugged his shoulders to compliment his statement. "Just that?" "The Valorians came in time to rescue their prince and pursue the attackers. Griffin managed to run into safety but not after sacrificing some of his men. He formed a protective barrier that had his knights locked out into the Valorian side. Of course the Valorian prince took the pleasure of butchering them in front of Griffin.""How come the Valorian crown Prince managed to keep up with a Crescian royalty in a fight? Am I missing something?""Oh, I forgot. Rumor has it that Alexander is indeed The One," Kael said grinning from ear to ear. "Crazy, right?""Crazy indeed!" Newton answered in the same manner."But come to think of it Newt.. I mean Your Majesty, is it normal for a Valorian to float mid air, spit flames and above all, summon a dragon? I heard that from a knight claiming to be present during the duel," he added noticing the questioning look Newton threw him."Uh? Are you kidding me?" "As I said earlier, I was told all this. Maybe it’s good to hear it from the horse’s mouth. And for your information, the war has officially began. The general requested a squadron of the palace guards to join him in the camp. Your commander services will also be required soon, so be ready."At that, Newton said nothing. He resumed his walk with a bored Kael involuntarily following him closely behind. Newton noticed walking was not something Kael liked, or was used to in that case. They spotted Zed outside Isadora’s room with two knights standing behind him. He was still in chains."Uncuff him!" Newton ordered once he reached where they stood. The knights looked at each other confused. Why was their king going against his words recently? Didn’t he instruct them to never uncuff this guy?"I said uncuff him!" Newton said when he noticed the hesitance of the knights. Left with no other option, the knights uncuffed Zed. He rubbed his wrist stretching his already sore muscles."Shall we?" Newton said gesturing Zed to lead. "The rest of you, stay here," he added directing it to the guards. His gaze shifted to Kael but he knew leaving the bustard outside was good as having him inside. He would materialize there at will."Let’s go." The trio found themselves inside Isadora’s room and the welcoming site was still the same; a sleeping Isadora.