Chapter Two (part 14)

Echo padded over quietly to Dymetri who stood confused and curious. A peice of parchment was in her mouth. Dymetri bent down quickly and scooped up the purring cat and took the letter from her.

He didn't open it. Instead, he looked up and glared at Danalia who looked slightly taken aback by the cat's behavior. Dymetri shoved past her, growling. "I don't want to see you again." His tone was murderous.

Dymetri strode angrily to his study, keeping up his show. When the heavy oak door was closed and bolted behind him, he laughed quietly. "Her face....priceless." Echo let the prince laugh for a full minute before she nipped him on the ear.

Still chortling, he called. "Hey..bad cat. No fish." He looked at her in time to see her nose wrinkle with distaste. Fish didn't sound apetising to her at the moment. Clearing her face, she stared at his hand which held the paper intently, not looking up.

It took a minute for the elf to realize what Echo was staring at befor he remembered the letter. He unfolded it gently and read through, a frown line creasing his forhead.

Prince Dymetri,
If you are to find this letter, I have left. I will not be returning. I hate you and never want to talk t you again. Do not look for me. I would rather be a prisoner in my real father's castle than be with you. I would rather go back and claim my crown than to be stuck here a moment longer. Here I am nothing but a person who will be kicked out when possible. Don't spare a single thought for me, I'm not worth it. I will always be running, farther and farther from any memory from my past, including your castle. If you come to find me, I promise you, you wont go home in a single peice. I'm done with this, I've had too much heartache. Goodbye. ~Echo.

When Dymetri looked up, a broken heart reflecting in his eyes, he began to panick. He couldn't find Echo. The little black cat had disapeared. "E...Ech..oo" His voice broke as he sunk onto his knees. -Echo left. She really did. She isn't here anymore. I thought..she would just stay in hiding here. I didn't think...-

Echo heard his sobs. She was just in a corner of the room, basking in the steam of sunlight. Terror washed through her. Did he really believe that letter? Of course he did. She had written that note when Dymetri was asleep after their . . . She had purposly written it with as much hatred as possible. She knew that his family would not take kindly to their little adventure the night before and she would have to say something convincing in order for them to believe that she was really gone.

Quietly, with a swirl of color, Echo changed back into her human form, clad in a simple, silk nightgown. She walked over to where Dymetri was bent, head to the ground. She made no sound that even his hypersensative ears could catch. She knelt by him and lifted his face to hers. Her warm hands carresed away the tears that had flowed from his brilliant eyes. He had only a second to gasp in startlement befor Echo's lips were on his.

It took him a minute to respond, but soon he fell into it. -She's here. Oh. God's please let her stay.- Dymetri pulled her closer to him, moving his lips with hers.

When Echo's lips were free, she whispered in his ear. "That letter was a lie. It was only incase your family or Danalia's family found it so they would beleive me gone with no doubt. Do you think I could ever kill the stars in your eyes?" She chuckled and kissed him a last time.

"Now. We have to get things figured out before someone has a chance to press their ear against the door." Her voice was soft, solumn, and thoughtful.

Dymetri was still in shock, still on the floor. He looked up at her. Awe in his eyes. "When did you put clothes on?"