A few days after the incident on the beach, Raina was at Snow White's side much to Eric's dismay. But it was only because she wanted to avoid him. After what happened in the garden, she didn't want to face him without blushing or being nervous around him. This was the only way.

Although she had only remained only a few days in the castle, Raina was quickly learning everyone's name in the castle and what they do. She knew her way through the castle and if she were to get lost, it would just be another alternative path for her to maneuver around the place. Her most favorite was the high tower, overlooking all of Tabor and beyond the horizon out to the sea. This was also where her mother had died by the hands of Snow White.

It was the middle of the day when Eric found her in the high tower. Her back was turned to him, facing the windows. She was sitting on the red velvet chair while fiddling with the necklace, deep in thought. She didn't even hear him come up from behind her until he spoke.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" he asked.

Raina stopped fiddling with the pendant. She didn't move and only stayed quiet. "Alright, being ignored added to the list." Eric said walking around to face her. He got on one knee to meet eye level with her. His eyes ran over her face, analyzing. He suddenly smiled. "Are you avoiding me because of what happened in the garden?" When her eyes shot up, widening. There was no need for her answer, he already knew it.

She bit her bottom lip, her eyebrows twitching. The action made Eric stare at her lips but he looked back up when she spoke.

"Maybe." A short answer.

He cocked his head, raising one eyebrow at her. "Maybe?" He repeated. He moved closer into her personal space. She sucked in a breath but stayed still. "I think you mean, 'yes', princess." He said lowly. Raina felt her heart beating faster, almost hurting her. She used her palm to push him back and away from her as she stood up from her seating.

"You don't know what I'm thinking." Raina said, crossing her arms. Eric was still in the same position but his smile got bigger.

"I think I do." He said standing up. "I think you're avoiding me because you wouldn't be able to keep your hands off me." It took just three long strides and he was in front of her again. She stepped back a bit to give herself some space.

"No." She glared.

"Don't lie." He said shaking his head.

Why is she lying? Her body is screaming and yearning for him but her mind was fighting back to tell herself to stay away from him. Her jaw clenched at how much she was having a fight with herself in front of someone who was making her to be nervous, lust and for some reason, punch him in the face to wipe off that stupid grin on his face.

"Stop looking at me." She sent him a glare. He raised a hand to touch her face but she swatted away. "And stop trying to touch me!" When he did it again, ignoring her protests, he cupped her breasts.

The warmth from his hand was starting to spread through the thick fabric of her dress but she didn't step away. She almost leaned in for more grasp.

"You're a terrible liar," He murmur close to her. His breath hit her ear and she shivered delightfully, closing her eyes. Eric took this moment and snaked his arm around her waist to pull her against his chest. His mouth met hers while her hands roam his body. He brought his other arm around her bottom to hoist her up and set her on the dark wood table by the window. She hiked up her dress just to her mid-thigh and hooked her legs over his hips. Her fingers found the ends of his shirt and began tugging. Eric complied and pulled it off. Their lips meet again and Eric began to ease her down on the table while his hands hook under the crevice of her knees.

"Arf!"

The pair paused mid-kiss at the sudden sound. Raina broke away and looked at the door entrance. Rider was standing there with his tail wagging. He barked again, this time, louder.

"I'm kicking him out." Eric said pulling away. He waved his hand at Rider, shooing at him but he didn't budge.

Raina sat up, shaking her head at the two as if they were having a dispute. "Something is wrong." Raina said, frowning. "That's what he's trying to tell us."

Eric stopped yelling and turn to look at her. "About what?" Rider barked more, his tail whipping side to side like a blur.

"It's Snow. There's something wrong." Raina said smoothing down her dress. She hopped off the table and toss the shirt to Eric who was groaning.

"No, why now?" He complained but he still put on the shirt. Rider turned around and darted out of the room with Raina following behind.

"Eric!" She called already walking down the stairs.

"I'm coming!" He grumbled making his way to the door.

Rider showed her the way to the reception hall where there was a small gathering forming a semi-circle. There were some yelling and Raina saw hands thrown in the air and back down with a frustrated yell. She elbowed her way through to see what was going on. When she did, she expected it to be Snow but it was the Duchess Eleanor screaming and shouting with a maid near her sitting on the floor. There was a broken vase beside her too.

"You can't do anything right!" Eleanor said to no one.

"My lady, I apologize. It's just the vase was too heavy and it slipped-" The maid started to explain but Eleanor cut her off.

"No one else broke the vase when they were holding it until you." She jabbed a finger at the maid. "What am I to do with one short face for the banquet?" Eleanor asked, pushing back her red hair. Raina narrowed her eyes at Eleanor. She always knew royals were very cocky and display such hubris behavior but she witnessed it today in front of her. Eric came up behind Raina and whispered in her ear.

"Hey, what's going on?" He asked looking at the scene in front of him.

"Maid broke an ugly vase. Eleanor is throwing a tantrum." Raina summoned it up for him.

"Ah." Was all he said. Raina turned back to what Eleanor was saying.

"This damage will cost you. About 12 coins." Eleanor said. The maid gasp and got down on her knees and began clinging to the ends of her gown while pleading and begging. Eleanor only smirked.

"Please, my lady! I barely have 5 coins to feed myself and my family!" the maid said pulling at her gown. Eleanor pulled her gown away letting the maid fall forward but the grip caused the seams to rip apart. A few gasp and then silence.

Eleanor stared at the ripped fabric with mouth agape and then her mouth turned into a snarl. "You stupid girl! Do you know how much this fabric cost!" She yelled raising her hand. The maid coiled, flinching to wait for the impact. Raina stepped in, grabbing her wrist, twisting it. Eleanor stopped and glared wide-eyed at Raina.

"How dare you!" She said.

"Careful, my lady. You wouldn't want Snow White to hear about this?" Raina said through gritted teeth. She feigned a sweet smile but she was still holding onto her wrist. When Eleanor relaxed a bit she pulled away her arm. Raina let go and stepped back. Eric was helping the maid to stand up. She curtsied and left the reception hall with her head bowed.

"You let her get away?" Eleanor asked.

"Why not? Or is that going to cost us?" Raina mocked her. Eleanor opened her mouth to speak but noticed a big crowd was forming around the three and she closed it. She gathered what's left of her dignity and left with a huff, knocking people out of the way to make a path for her. The crowd dispersed and resumed their daily tasks. Eric encircled his arms around Raina's waist while standing behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Now, after that rude call," Eric said sending a dagger of glares at Rider. Rider barked in reply causing Raina to chuckle softly. "Let's have a little meeting of our bodies?" He said into her ear. Raina smile but lost it when she thought she saw her mother or someone who looked like her mother standing underneath the arch doorway. She pulled away from his embrace, leaving Eric confused.

"I…I have to go meet with Snow," Raina said. She almost ran out of the hall not letting Eric having a chance to respond. When she was a few yards away from the reception hall, she randomly chose a room to go into. She checked her surrounding making sure no one was following her or saw her. Satisfied, she opened the door and closed it shut behind her. She made sure it was locked too.

The room she chose had simple decorations. The bed was near the window. The vanity was across from it and a large ceiling to floor mirror was to Raina's said. A round table with a single chair was in the middle of the floor. She was alone but only common people are fooled by that.

"You are growing on me, mother," Raina said plopping herself on the chair. She propped her legs up on the table and leaned back.

"Oh? I always have been." Her mother replied behind her. She made her way around and to the window, looking out.

"More like a rash." Raina corrected. "Why are you here?"

Ravenna turned around, ignoring her question. She was dressed in all black. There was also a black crown on her head. "I want to ask you about something."

"About what?" Raina asks feigning boredom.

"Snow White, William oh and," Ravenna said tapping her chin with her finger. "And the huntsman." Raina felt her breath caught in her throat but she remained calm and continued to boredom.

"What else is there to know? They are all such a bore."

"Good which is why I'm ordering to you kill all three of them," Ravenna spoke making her way to the mirror. Raina almost fell out of her chair when she swung her legs off.

"What?" She spoke under her breath.

A/N: On a random updating sprreeeeee