One moment he was alone in the ice dome and then the next, she was in there with him. What took him by surprise was how she easily sealed up the hole she had just created. When on earth had she learned ice magic? He didn't think a phoenix was capable of learning such magic and yet, she had just demonstrated that it was possible. He couldn't help but stare for a moment, letting his guard down. The sound of her voice broke him out of his stupor and he immediately slipped into a defensive stance, pointing his sword at her.<br/><br/>"You can't order me around, Nidae. I'm not a child anymore." He narrowed his ice blue eyes at her, offended that she would think that he would fall so easily. He was at a disadvantage, yes, but he was not about to let himself be taken out. The smart move would have been to retreat while he had the chance, yet his feet wouldn't move. He didn't want to run, not when his father was counting on him. "You think I'm going to let you kill me, Nidae? As if." He scoffed but made no move to retreat or advance, holding his ground as he eyed her warily. He couldn't help but notice her beauty now that she was up close to him and he felt his heart give a painful throb. When had she gotten so beautiful? As a child, she hadn't been much to look at but now she looked like a goddess. His eyes traced the very feminine curves of her body, once again allowing himself to fall victim to distraction.<br/><br/>Just like before, her voice snapped him out of it and he paused at her question. He wasn't expecting her to ask him why he was here nor did he expect her to still care for him. They were enemies now, weren't they? Then why did he feel so conflicted? "I know it's dangerous but this war is important to my father. He tasked me with taking you out or at least finding a way to gain an advantage against your people." He didn't like the idea of killing her nor could he fully convince himself that he was prepared to take her out. Not when she was showing concern for him just as she did when they were children.<br/><br/>"You think I want to attack you? You think I want to kill you, Nidae?! I don't. But it's what my father wants and he's counting on me. I can't disappoint him, Nidae. You know how my father is and he'll disown me if I fail at this task. And then what? What will I do? My mother is dead and he's all I have left! If I come back, he will be furious." He shook his head and swallowed thickly to control the emotions he was feeling, knowing he couldn't lose his head just because of the feelings she evoked in him. "So, it's either kill me or capture me because I'm not retreating. My army will be here soon and they will be better prepared than I was."