Chapter 1

Lexine slouched down to be more comfortable for the long carriage ride. She was jostled every time they hit a small bump. "Lexine, sit up straight." Her mother always nagged her about being proper, but Lexine didn't see the point if it was just the two of them alone in a carriage for well over a half day's journey, but she did as she was told. She sat up, her back as straight as a board, the way she was taught. She sighed as she looked out the window as her kingdom passing by.

Since her father, Marcus, passed away almost a year ago, Lexine Drachen was the sole heir to her kingdom's throne; however she was unable to rightful take the throne until she had a husband, a barbaric rule that has been followed since the beginning of Astarsia.

This whole dreadful carriage ride was all because of the Archibald family that ruled over Kardonia. Every year the two families would meet up and have a sort of reunion, even though the two kingdoms never had anything but economical relations before. Lexine could never figure out why they did the whole ordeal. It was such a hassle, and a waste of her time. All they did was leave her alone with the Archibald's son, Colton, which she hasn't said two words to since they were little kids. All the two of them do now is sit in an uncomfortable silence. They were 18 this year, and frankly they no longer had anything in common, except their equal dislike for the whole affair. Lexine sighed, once again, showing her mother her discontent. She couldn't believe she was wasting her time on this.

The Drachens had left early, before the sun had risen, so when they arrived it was now high in the sky, making it hot. When the driver opened the door the two women got out as gracefully as humanly possible. Lexine held her head high, with her back straight, as if she was balancing an object on her head, like she had been taught to all her life. Her mother was a little more relaxed, but only because her old age would not allow her to stand any straighter.

Abigail Drachen was from the noble Sunderman family, a family that ruled an eastern country. Her oldest brother presided over the throne at the time. Abigail had started to show her age recently. Her brilliantly blonde hair had started to fade, growing greyer by the year. Her green eyes had faded slightly from the emerald color they once were. Wrinkles framed her mouth and eyes, when ever she smiled. Her husband had died only a year ago, but to her it had felt like a lifetime without him. Abigail was Queen, and ruled over Astarsia until her daughter was able to take the throne.

The ladies were ushered into the great hall by one of the many servants at the Archibald's castle. Lexine's eyes wondered aimlessly around the room. Looking at all of the decorations and honors the family had received. She noticed several of the awards were given to Prince Colton for various sports, like jousting, duels, and other miscellaneous events. She couldn't believe that the scrawny boy she knew could win so many athletic awards. When she last saw him he was barely taller than she was, and looked as though he weighed less than a feather. She remembered his awkwardly big ears and smiled a little when she thought of the comments she made about them to her friends back home. His eyes were always stunning though. If memory served her correct they were a dazzling blue that made the ocean pale in comparison.

A woman that appeared to be the same age as her mother walked in, with a young man trailing behind her. Lexine recognized her immediately, as Elizabeth Archibald, the queen of Kardonia. Both her and her mother rose to greet the queen. Her brown hair had streaks of grey, and her massive blue eyes were gorgeous as always. She smiled at her guests. "Abigail! It is so nice to see you once more." She wrapped Abigail in a friendly hug, the two had been good friends for a long time. After she released her she spoke more sorrowful, "I was so distraught when I heard the news about King Marcus. He was such a good man."

Abigail smiled at the memory of her husband. "That he was, but on to more joyful topics. I do not wish to ruin our visit with morbid talk."

Elizabeth smiled, "As you wish. I assume this gorgeous lady standing beside you is Lexine. My, my have you grown up. You are simply beautiful."

Lexine blushed only slightly. "Thank you. It is a pleasure to see you again Queen Elizabeth."

"The same to you. I hope you do recognize my son, Colton. He has done some growing up as well since you last saw him." Lexine was shocked to learn that the young man standing next to her was Colton. He really had grown up. He was a lot taller, at least a head taller than her now. His dirty blonde hair had been cut short because of the summer heat. He was muscular now as well, but not overly so. He had also grown in to his ears, they seemed normal now. Lexine couldn't believe that this was the same kid. There had to be a mistake. Upon further inspection, she saw his eyes, the color of sapphires, only more beautiful. It was him.

Lexine smiled at him, "It's nice to see you again, Prince Colton."

He gave a little nod, "and you Lexie."

His mother quickly chastened him for being improper, "Colton."

Colton sheepishly smiled, "Princess Lexine," he corrected, and then gave her a little wink that neither mothers saw. Lexine was even more beautiful then the last time he saw her. Her deep brown hair changed tint in the light when she shifted her head. She was pale, but only in comparison to him. Her deep emerald green eyes were the prettiest he had ever seen. Colton also couldn't help but notice that her chest had also filled out nicely.

Elizabeth continued the conversation, "I am terribly sorry that Griffin was unable to attend out little reunion, he had some kingly affairs to attend to, but she should be here for dinner, that is if you two are still staying the night."

"I do not know if we are able to, we have to be getting back Astarsia." Said Abigail

Elizabeth looked at her friend, "You must stay the night. I would not be able to bear it if you two traveled at night through the woods. It is too dangerous."

"Well, I suppose it could not hurt for our kingdom to continue without us for one night."

Elizabeth's face lit up, "Splendid! Come this way, I have to show you the new dining hall." The two mothers left the children alone, like they did every year.

Once the mothers were out of ear shot, Colton spoke up, "It's nice to see you again Lexie."

Lexine smiled, he was the only person in the whole world that called him that, she kind of liked it like that, "and you, Colt."

Colton smiled too, "What have you been up to?"

"The typical princess stuff, getting kidnapped by a dragon, being rescued by a prince, you know, the usual. What about you?"

Colton stifled a laugh, "The typical prince stuff, rescuing maidens from evil wizards, duels for honor, you know, the usual."

Lexine smiled at him mocking her answer. "No, really, I saw that you won awards for dueling and things of that nature." Then she said jokingly, "Did you really win them, or did they just give them to you because you're the prince?"

Colton laughed again; he loved her since of humor. "Is that a challenge?"

She stood up a little taller. "Why yes, it is."

"Well, come on then." He reached out his hand and Lexine took it. He led her through the winding hallways of the castle.

"Where are we going?" Lexine inquired.

"You will see."

Lexine smiled and thought when did this kid get so interesting?

Colton had led her outside to an old tree. In the grass there were two swords; Colton picked up both of them and handed one to Lexine. She smiled, "You must be joking."

Colton looked completely serious. "No, I'm not. You challenged me, so here." He handed the sword to her again, and this time she took it. Lexine could barely hold the sword up; it was much too heavy for her. "Come on, hold your sword up."

"Have you held this thing? It's heavy, I can barely lift it." Colton couldn't help but smile at her struggle. Lexine finally found the muscle to lift the sword, and position herself into a stance similar to Colton.

"You ready?"

"I think the question is if you're ready."

"Well I am ready. I was just making sure you were."

"Okay then, let's go."

In one fatal swoop Colton managed to knock her sword out of her hand and knock her to the ground, without hurting her. He was on top of her. Their faces were just centimeters apart. "Do you believe me now?"

She couldn't help but laugh. "How hard is it really to beat a girl that can barely hold a sword?"

Colton jokingly put the sword to her neck, careful not to cut her. "Excuse me?"

"Okay, okay, I surrender."

Colton crack a smile then got up and helped Lexine up as well. He threw his sword back on the ground where he had found it.

The two walked back inside the castle. Before entering the dinning hall, where the mothers where, Lexine pulled at the wrinkles of her dress, making them disappear. The mothers would get upset if they found out the two of them were outside dueling, something not suitable for a young queen-to-be. "Lex, wait." Colton stopped her from entering. He gently pulled grass from her hair. "Okay, now you can go."

Lexine smiled in thanks and entered the dining hall, followed by Colton. The two mothers stopped talking immediately when they saw their children walk in. "What are you two doing?" asked Elizabeth.

Colton took the seat across from her, "Nothing, we were just seeing where you two had gone off to."

Lexine sat down next to Colton, across from her own mother. The two ladies couldn't help but stare at the two of them. They seemed perfect together. They looked at each other and knew instantly what the other was thinking, they had made the right choice.

So I am kind of making this one up as I go along. I don't really have a plan for it. I am totally open to any suggestions, so if you have any I would love to hear them, and maybe I can work them into the story. :)

Thanks for reading, GNAT