Are you in love with him?
The question hung in the air.
Almira froze, the question echoing in her mind as Kitanna's emerald eyes held her seafoam eyes intensely. 
No answer. 
"Why are you silent, princess? Are you in love with Dante?" Kitanna repeated the question.  
"That should not bother you, Anna. The fact remains that Xander had no right to hit Dante before me," Almira said dismissively. 
"I'm afraid it does matter, Princess," Kitanna retorted and Almira shot up a brow inquisitively. "Because I confessed my feelings for Dante and he accepted me," Kitanna continued.
Almira went numb. Kitanna had feelings for Dante and he… 
"Why do you seem so shocked, princess? You don't like him, do you? You have a mate, why are you trying to lead him on? You are going to leave him eventually because you are not his," Kitanna continued speaking.
Almira stared at her expressionlessly.
"Since when were you in love with him?" 
"The minute I set eyes on him, your highness, I felt drawn to him. My feelings grew stronger as I got to spend more time with him," Kitanna said with a gleam of happiness.
Almira watched the girl silently as she declared her love for Dante. Her blood boiled with every word that fell from the girl's lips. She fisted her dress as the girl chartered on, unable of the dangerous path she was treading.
"When you left him in my care, I took the opportunity to get closer to him and confess my feelings. I just think we are perfect for each other. We will make a wonderful couple, don't you think?" Kitanna asked with a big grin.
"I don't think so," Almira stated coldly and the smile on Kitanna's face vanished. "You and Dante do not suit each other in any way."
"Why? Why would you say something like that?" Kitanna asked, with hurt lacing through her voice.
"Two submissives in a relationship is a total waste of time and emotions. Who is going to protect the other? Who will stand up for the other when the need arises? Who will fight for the other when an enemy attacks? Tsk! I advise you to kill your feelings and pray to the seas to grant you a man strong enough to support you physically and emotionally. Dante is weak enough as it is, another weakling would be no use to him," she stated emotionlessly.
Her words cut through Kitanna like a knife. Almira's eyes held no form of remorse or pity. She just released the words like they held no effect.
"I can protect him…."
"No, you can't. Just because you are one of us doesn't make you strong. You are one of the weakest amongst our kind, an average sorcerer could take you down," Almira interrupted.  
"Why do you enjoy saying such cruel things like they mean nothing? Do you have any idea how much those words hurt me?" Kitanna's voice cracked. 
"This is why you can't be with Dante. I only told you the truth and the best you could come up with is emotional blackmail. What do you expect me to do now? Take back my words and apologize to stop you from shedding tears?" Almira scoffed, walking away from her.
"This is why you can never find love. You should thank the seas for sending you someone just as horrible as you," Kitanna spat and Almira chuckled.
"If Xander was half as horrible as me, I'd love him but he's an arrogant clingy man, unfortunately. I know I'm a horrible person, Anna, but spitting that every time you're hurt is just pathetic."
Almira walked out of the room leaving Kitanna to seethe and curse. The plan was to find Dante to confirm Kitanna's claims. Why she felt the need to do that was still unclear.  
'Are you in love with him?'
She stopped. 
"What do you think you're doing Mira?" She groaned, smacking her forehead with a groan. She was about to turn around and forget it all happened when Kimorra entered the hallway. On sighting, Almira, she stopped in her tracks.
Almira sensed her presence immediately and approached her.
"Why are you hiding? Are you suddenly bored of provoking me?" Almira questioned her. Kimorra stared dumbly at her.
The sight she witnessed at the sea still frightened her. She was certain the Princess was the same as Kitanna. Until she discovered who they were and what they were capable of, it was best to avoid them.
"No, I am not in the mood to fight you. You can keep the Prince for now," Kimorra replied calmly. 
"For now," Almira repeated with a chuckle. She made to walk past but stopped suddenly, "I will advise you to desist from whatever mischief you're up to. It's not worth it, trust me."
"What makes you think I'm up to mischief? Is that perhaps your guilt playing tricks on you?" Kimorra asked with a sly smile. 
Almira shook her head with a smile, "have a lovely day, Kim."
Kimorra watched her walk away with suspicion. Why did the princess suddenly warn her out of the blue? Could it be that the girl could read minds? Was that part of her strange powers?
Almira didn't glance back even when she felt Kimorra's eyes on her. The calmness of the conversation unsettled her a bit, but she was certain she could handle whatever trick Kimorra had around her sleeves.
She headed towards the barn, hoping to sight Dante. 
"Dante?" She called outside the barn. There was no response so she stepped inside. It was empty.
Almira didn't know where else to look. She practically went all around the palace looking for him and she couldn't find him. 
She heard a low growl behind her suddenly but before she could respond, it slammed into her with force and she fell. Her senses picked up the pleasant scent as he pinned her to the floor.
"Dante?" She called but an animalistic growl echoed in response and the next minute, he went into full attack mode.
Almira shoved him off her and he slammed into her the next second, scratching her face with4 his long nails. 
Almira hissed and flipped him over. He swung his fists and she moved away to evade it. Those blue eyes she fell for were now red with bloodlust.
It charged at her again and she tried her best to evade. She couldn't bring herself to lay a finger on Dante.
"Dante, you need to stop," she pleaded, evading his punch.
He didn't listen. 
It did take Almira long to figure out that he was being controlled by something.