The sun was setting across the great kingdom of Enchancia. Everything seemed calm, and peaceful as the world prepared for bed. It was a beautiful sight, as the sun began to fade and darkness took over. Lights began appearing in the small houses below as the darkness spread across the land. From the top of the tower, one could see everything in the kingdom, and beyond that. You could see the ships in the harbor, hear the people so far below singing happily as the walked through the streets. The world seemed happy that spring night, except the lone princess of Enchancia.

Princess Sofia turned away from the window and into the darkness of a sorcerer's old lair. She climbed down the steps to the floor far below and breathed in the musty smell of old books, and the sweet smell of half finished potions. Broken potion bottles littered the floor, books with their pages shredded to bits were strewn across the shelves, desks and floor. The glass crunched beneath her feet as she walked towards the desk, where the royal sorcerer has been sitting just a week ago, working tirelessly on his newest schemes. Her finger traced thoughtless patterns into the dust that had settled over everything.

Lost in thought she didn't hear the new castle steward, Arthur, come in behind her. She jumped as he laid his hand on her shoulder. "Coronation day is tomorrow, and your 23rd birthday, you must get some sleep."

"Yes, you're right, thank you Arthur." With that, she brushed past him and walked the halls to her room.

She shut the door behind her, sat on her bed, and cried. Within the past month, she had lost the dear castle steward from when she first arrived at the castle, Baileywick. She had lost Amber to marriage; she had gone off to another kingdom with her new prince. Worst of all, she had lost both of her parents in a violent murder. She had walked into the throne room just weeks ago to find her parents both tied to their thrones, crowns on their heads, and throats cut. Sofia had vomited instantly and began to scream. Their bodies were removed, and everything was cleansed within hours, as if it had never occurred. Before she could think, the funeral was prepared and a date was set for the day after the next. Amber came home with her husband, and James returned from his flying derby tour. The funeral was extravagant, most of the kingdom had showed up to pay their respects to Sofia and her siblings. After the day was over, it was announced that Sofia would be appointed new ruler of Enchancia, and the coronation day would be on her birthday at the end of the month.

Sofia begged Amber or James to take over the position as ruler instead, but both declined, happy with their new lives. Sofia had no choice but to become the new ruler, and to make matters worse, the chief guard had announced they had definitely found the one who killed the king and queen. She would be able to see him the next morning, and decide on his punishment. At that point she had no idea who it could have been that could have been caught so quickly.

The next morning she was brought to the prison cells below the castle. Within a dark cell stood a tall, skinny figure, barely visible in the poor lighting. As the figure turned towards Sofia, she realized it was her dear sorcerer, Cedric. Upon seeing each other, they both ran towards the iron bars which held Cedric in darkness. Through the bars Sofia grabbed Cedric's hand, which was cold and bloody. By the light of a torch flickering beside the cell, Sofia could see Cedric had been beaten almost beyond recognition. His hair hung over his face, drenched in sweat and blood. His shirtless torso was ripped to shreds, his arms were black and blue, and his eyes, once a bright amber, were a dulled grey. Both were unable to speak as the guard slammed the bars, indicating for Cedric to get back. Sofia stood still clutching the bars with tears streaming down her face. She refused to believe it was Cedric, he had been loyal through the years, ever since the beginning.

Now, three weeks later Cedric still lay in the prison below, being tortured daily by any guard or soldier who got a bit bored. Sofia still hadn't announced him guilty, or decided on a punishment. She couldn't do that, she loved her sorcerer, since she first met him she loved him. She had spent as much time as possible with him as a young girl, learning spells and potions. She was the only one who believed in him, and genuinely cared about him. Now she held his life in her hands, and perhaps, he did hold her parent's life in his.

Sofia had been in her room for the past three hours, it was around midnight at that point. She stood and silently slipped through the door, through the halls, and outside. The air was chilly, but smelled of honeysuckle and moon flowers intertwined with the castle walls. She tread lightly across the castle grounds towards the prison entrance. The heavy door to the prison creaked loudly as she pushed it open and attempted to quietly shut it. No one seemed to be around, not a guard in sight. She crept towards the cell which held Cedric, she knew no one would be around, Cedric was the only prisoner being held right now and no one seemed to care about him.

One torch burned by his cell and she quietly approached. She could hear muffled sobbing from inside, it stopped once she stood in front of the cell. He sat on the old mattress on the floor, soaked with blood and sweat. He made an attempt to stand, but collapsed back down immediately. Sofia looked around and discovered a set of keys on a hook by this hall's entrance. How completely lazy, she thought to herself.

She took the keys and unlocked the cell door and ran to Cedric. She took his hands in her's, again his hands were bloody and bruised, but also noticeably bonier. She looked at him, behind the wet, and dried blood, she could see he had lost a great amount of weight. He coughed and turned to spit blood to the floor. Sofia could feel the tears form in her eyes, how could she let this happen?

"I'll get you out of this." She whispered past the knot in her throat. "I will find out who killed my parents and save you." Her voice broke as tears began flowing.

He reached out and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "It's too late." He whispered back, hoarsely. "I'm at the end of my rope, I can't continue living like this."

"What do you mean?" Sofia asked, somewhat louder than she had hoped.

"I've lost the war of life princess, all strength has left my body. My life is over."

Sofia had no reply, she just stood up and ran out. She found a bucket and filled it with water from the fountain and raced back. She ripped the hem off of her cotton nightgown and soaked it in the water and began cleaning Cedric's face and body. The cold water made him shiver but he allowed it, it felt good. Soon, Cedric's skin was visible and clean despite his many open wounds and scars which covered his body. She sat down next to him and he took her in his arms which helped him keep warm. He kissed her forehead as she clung desperately to him. She could tell he was in pain, but she couldn't let go. He kissed her cheek, he kissed her nose, he kissed her lips. Here he lingered on the lips he had wanted to kiss for ages. Sofia's heart soared as her sorcerer kissed her so passionately. All pain and suffering they felt at that moment was gone, and replaced with warmth and passion.

As Cedric grew increasingly tired, he decided to lay down. Sofia did so as well, tucked in his bare arms which clutched her so tightly as he gently kissed her neck. She stayed awake a while, focused entirely on the sorcerer and his grasp. She thought about how nearly everyone thought he was a fool, and a worthless sorcerer. She remembered when she first arrived as a young girl, looking up to him as a great man. Then as she grew older, falling madly in love with the man. As a princess she couldn't openly express her love, especially since her love was twice her age. Now here they were lying together in a damp prison cell, both madly in love. What's a princess, or queen, to do?