//------------------------------//
// chapter 2 
// Story: Spoils of War 
// by Celestial Harmony Heart 
//------------------------------//

POV: Shining Star
I was speechless, now usually I would deny my fathers attempt to acquire a maid for me, but she was absolutely gorgeous. Though the outfit complimented her assets she looked as if a regal gown would better suit her. I realized I probably looked like a typical stallion during heat, without the painful boners of course, with my mouth wide open. I quickly shook my head, even with such an outfit she stood with royal grace and pride yet maintaining a soft kind feeling. I kneeled and look her hand placing a kiss on the back of it.
"Greetings I am Prince Shining Star." I said noticing even more. Her mane and tail beautiful blues and purples, I had the sudden urge to see if they were as soft as they looked. She was also an alicorn with silvery wings and a silvery horn,  giving an even more regal aura to her. Her striking blue eyes met mine they seemed to sparkle as they locked with my own. Her hand still locked in mine, and I feel her slowly intertwine her fingers with mine.  Then unfortunately the magical moment was broken, as my brother stepped into the room, she pulled her hand out of mine. Then a few things caught my eye that no one else, it seemed, had noticed, bruises, riddled the mares beautiful coat they were  days old so quite faded but rather large. 'Where did she get those bruises...' But I was quickly snapped out of my thoughts as my brother made his presents official. 
"Ahem." My brother said. He expected the new mare to greet him with a bow, but she didn't even acknowledge he was speaking to her. This angered my brother, and his hand started to twitch, a sign he was prepared to strike her. "Incompetent wench, your pitiful self has been graced with my royal presents,and you shall greet me accordingly." My brother hissed angrily. She gave a short chuckle.
"I hope that wasn't directed toward me, for it is you who should feel graced to be in my presents, and no one told me I have to watch a spoiled filly. You obviously don't know the meaning of respect." She said humorously, and the other maids took on a fearful expression, but I couldn't help but let out a good laugh. 
"I am not a filly! I am prince Ice Blade, and you shall pay for such mockery!" My brother shouted. 
Now my brother was on the short side, and it was clear that this mare was at least 2 years older than my older brother. Making her 3-4 years older than me, and she stood a good 5 inches above my brother. I on the other hand were rather on the tall side though I am only about an inch taller than her. Then I saw Ice Blade rear up his hand about to strike her, but I found myself pulling her towards me. Ice Blade had missed, but I saw her wince. "Shining Star!" Ice Blade shouted.
"Hush! A true stallion never strikes a mare!" My voice surprisingly angered. I turned to the mare . "Are you alright?" I asked my voice now soft. 
"Yes. Thank you sir. Oh how rude of me I haven't introduced myself, I am Midnight Starlight." Her voice was like a sweet soft melody to my ears. Then she smiled I momentarily forgot to breathe resulting in me lightly gasping for air. As I gazed into her shimmering blue eyes I saw fear and pain, she was scared. Just the look in her eyes made me have the want to protect her, to hold her, keep her safe from any harm. 
"No need to thank me, I'd like to show you your living quarters." I said and she nodded.
POV: Starlight
'Great and now i'm to be put in a filthy room i'll be lucky to get a bed' I thought dreadfully, it wasn't me being a prissy spoiled brat it was that my father was right. My bruises were sore and I felt like I had failed. I could feel tears trying to well in my eyes but I kept them back. Winter time here was always bitter and cold and I wanted to run to my big brother. Well he wasn't my actual big brother, but he was the closest thing I had to family anymore. He had been captured about a month ago. 
As me and Prince Shining Star walked to where I would be staying, he asked me a question.
"Where did those bruises come from?" He asked and I froze. 
"T-the shackles." I said lying. It wasn't the binds and shackles that left bruises, but my father. Not many knew when my father was angry he would beat me, and he got angry a lot. A cold chill ran up my spine causing me to shiver.
"It's alright. Are you cold?" He asked and I saw he was dressed in warm fleece lined silks and a thick warm cape covered his wings. His arm brushed against mine, he was so warm, I just wanted to curl into his side and.. I quickly banished the thought.
"N-no I i'm f-fine." I say shivering. 
"You're freezing." He gasps, then I feel him wrap his warm cape around me, and I see he's quite muscular with strong arms and large powerful looking wings. "Better?"
"Thank you. Seeing as this will probably be the warmest i'll be for awhile" I say a slight blush in my cheeks tears welling in my eyes. He gets a confused look, then smiles.
"No no no m'lady you are my personal 'maid' you shall stay with me though i'd rather have you as a friend than a maid." He said smiling and I gasp softly. Then we arrive and as we walk in I see his personal living chambers are massive, a huge red double king size canopy bed, a lit brick fireplace, with two velvety red chairs, and a plush red couch, and white walls. 
"Umm sir where am I to sleep?" I ask seeing the one huge bed.
"In the bed of course I couldn't let a lady, let alone a princess, sleep anywhere else." He says.
"I can't kick you out of your own bed and its quite cold tonight." I protest. yet cutting myself off before I could finish my sentence.
"Then we share it. I had some clothes made for you." He said smiling and handed me a warm fleece gown. I step into his personal bathroom and change and as I step out I nearly toss my etiquette out the window. There stood Prince Shining star half naked from the waist up. I had to practically hold down my wings he was gorgeous though, nice muscular chest, broad shoulders, strong arms. I swear I had to be almost drooling when he got this look of 'oh no' on his handsome face, and I snapped out of it. I acted like a mare in heat, and a painful throb started in my chest as a borderline look of disgust flashed in his eyes. Without a word I quickly crawled into the bed, getting as close to the edge as possible. Even with the warm gown and covers as the fire burned out it got colder, by this time the prince was fast asleep. I wanted so badly to curl up next to his warm body but remembered the look in his eyes, and everything came crashing down. The tears I had been hiding for so long came flowing from my eyes and I cried myself to sleep.