A/N: Its been what? 5 Months? I am so sorry, school sucks, blah blah blah. On with the story (If anyone is still reading it).

Ch. 7

Changes

Nell sat on a log that had fallen into the river and waited for Dante. She had left her shoes on the river bank and let the cold water run over her feet and ankles. The river was always cold, even in the middle of summer. It was wide, but not very deep. Nell was able to walk about half way out before the water rose above her shoulders. She decided to hold up her dress and take a little walk in the strong current. The smooth rocks that made up the river bed felt like a wonderful massage on her tired feet.

Nell stopped walking and looked around. There were trees and bushes growing just behind the bank shielding parts of the river from view. Even though the river was not always visible, the roar of the water was a give away to its location. Knowing that no one would be able to hear her, she decided to sing, something she didn't do often. She sang a song that she had remembered from her childhood. It was a soothing song that always brought a smile to her face. She dropped the bottom of her dress and let it dance around her legs in the water. Soon, she began to dance, spinning around in the water and kicking it into the air.

"…when you're OW!" Nell let out a yell as she stepped on a sharp rock. By now, it was too dark for Nell to see if she was bleeding so she headed back to the log that jutted out of the shore. She saw a dark trail of blood streaming out of her heal and dripping into the river.

'Well, isn't this just lovely?' she thought to herself. Nell put her foot back into the water to numb the sting. Where was Dante? It was getting late and Nell began to think that he wasn't coming. He had never not come before. Nell hated to admit it, but she was a little bit sad that he hadn't shown up. Just as Nell was about to put her shoes back on and leave the river, she heard footsteps off to her right. She looked to see if it was him. It wasn't. The person was a very tall man. He seemed to have long, dark hair, but it was hard to tell in the moonlight. The way he walked made him look even taller than he was.

"Hey!" she yelled. "What do you think you're doing?" Sandra didn't have much tolerance for trespassers and Nell was willing to enforce it.

"Who's there?" he called back, startled.

"Who are you and what are you doing on our land?" This time she got up and began walking toward him. It only occurred to Nell when she was ten feet away that he could very well be a murderer for all she knew.

"The name is Merrick and I work here." He took a step toward her with an amused smile on his face. It wasn't very often that he was challenged by a girl.

"I have lived and worked here my entire life and haven't seen you once. What are you really doing here?" Nell was having a hard time putting her words together while he was looking at her with that smile. He was by far the most handsome man she had ever seen.

"I am sorry if I frightened you. I start work here tomorrow as master of the stables."

Something about the way he talked, his strong, deep voice, made Nell want to listen to him. His voice was comforting and familiar.

"Oh, um…welcome! Sorry for being rude, I just didn't know who you were, sorry."

"Its no problem at all, you're the first person I've met here besides Heath. What is it you said you do here?" He asked.

"Actually, I'm not quite sure anymore. I used to be almost like an adopted daughter and I usually just helped the other servants when they needed me."

"Why do you say used to?" he asked, sounding generally interested.

"That's a story for another day. Its not a big deal though, I'll get used to things soon enough." Nell said with a hint of sadness in her voice. She knew that once the family and servants got used to her new lower position that is where she would stay. "Anyway its time for me to head back, sorry for startling you."

"Would you like me to walk you back?" he eagerly asked.

Nell smiled at his kindness and said, "That would be wonderful, thank you."

Merrick said goodbye to Nell at the kitchen door and made his way to wherever it was he slept. Nell was secretly hoping that he would be in the servant's quarters but had serious doubts that Sandra would make the master of the stable sleep with the servants.

Just as Nell walked in, the last dish was being put back in the cupboard. Nell knew she was a late. It was not a good impression to leave on the people she would be living with from now on.

Upset with herself, Nell made her way to the front of the house to see if she could catch Dante before he left. He had some explaining to do.

Nell saw Dante leave the house alone and was just about to call to him when another person stepped outside. It was Tori. Nell quickly hid behind a tall shrub and peered through the branches.

"Dante" Tori called, "Where are you going?" She had a sick, flirtatious look on her face and she batted her eyes so often that it had to be difficult to see. Nell was disgusted.

"I'm just going on a walk, getting some fresh air." He answered, turning away and heading towards the river.

"Would you like some company? I could use a bit of fresh air myself." Tori had stepped up right next to him and spoke in such a low voice that it was difficult for Nell to eavesdrop. Tori moved even closer to Dante and said something else that Nell couldn't hear.

"I am just going to meet an old friend, it won't be that exciting." He reached down and took her hand, "We need to hurry, I'm already late."

Nell sat behind the bush dumbfounded. She had two options; one, she could stay behind the bush until Dante and his newfound love were out of sight then run back to her bed and pout. Or, she could run for her life to the river and pretend that everything was normal.

She ran. Nell got to the river just before Dante and Tori by running far to the right of them then cutting in at the river bank. As long as she didn't let her temper get the best of her she would be fine. Nell sat on the ground and took deep breaths, trying to slow her rapidly beating heart. Soon the sound of footsteps could be heard. 'Alright,' Nell told herself, 'just be calm, you didn't see or hear anything. I'll just give him the cold shoulder and get out of here quickly. We can talk later.' Even though she was mad at Dante, it wasn't worth losing their friendship. Without him she had nothing, he was her closest friend.

"Nell," she heard Dante say, "I wasn't sure you would still be here."

"This is the 'old friend' you had to meet?" Tori questioned, clearly shocked. Nell had a sudden change of plan. Instead of giving him the cold shoulder, she would be as flirty and cuddly with Dante as she could stomach. Nell hated cuddly, but making Tori uncomfortable would be worth the nausea.

"Dante!" she squealed, "I was starting to think you wouldn't show up! I am so glad you did!" Nell got up and gave Dante a tight hug. He was as shocked and uncomfortable as Tori. Nell had never acted so strangely.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Everything is great! I was just sitting here looking at the stars when you came."

Nell grabbed his hand and dragged him away from Tori. "I was looking at the constellation of the Hunter and it reminded me of you, so strong and brave, isn't that right?" Nell's voice was cheery but there was no light in her eyes. "Lie down and have a look" she said. Dante was beginning to seem worried. Tori was still standing, obviously confused.

"Dante, Your Highness, I think it is time we headed back" Tori said with a hint of urgency in her voice.

"Already?" Nell asked, "But he just got here. He hasn't even seen a shooting star yet!"

Tori was fuming inside. She wanted to slap Nell but she had to look good in front of the Prince.

"It's a straight shot back to the house. You can see the roof and the lights from here." Nell said. "Why don't you go and Dante will meet you back in a while."

"Go on Tori, I wont be long." Dante said. He was eager to find out what was wrong with Nell.

"Certainly" Tori said. She turned on her heel and marched back to the house.

Dante laid back down right next to Nell. Neither of them said a word, they just laid there. Dante noticed how much more comfortable Nell seemed now that Tori was gone. She had moved away slightly but there arms were still touching.

"Do you want to explain what that was about?" he asked after a few minutes.

"I don't like her, Dante. She's up to something."

"Nell, she is here for the ball, of course she is up to something. She is trying to get me to fall in love with her so I pick her to be my wife." Dante said with a smile.

"Is it working?" she asked. Nell didn't know if she wanted to hear the answer.

"No" he said firmly. "She is too desperate. And she is as annoying as a flea. Why do you want to know?"

"Because she is absolutely horrible, Dante!" Nell was getting herself worked up. Dante propped himself up on one elbow to look at Nell. "She kicked me out of my room and she is always harassing me about being an orphan." It was all she could do to keep from crying. Dante could see how distressed she was.

"Come here" he said as he lay back down. Nell rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her back. Dante was expecting Nell to cry, but she didn't. She just closed her eyes and listed to the steady sound of his heart. Just before Dante closed his eyes he saw a shooting star. Without even thinking about it, he closed his eyes and made the same wish he always made.