Prologue:

Kingdom of Krypton

Evening

Although the only illumination in the darkened and expansive room were gently sparkling candlelights, the grandeur of the space could still be easily discerned. The night atmosphere outside the kingdom was cold and chilly, yet the air inside this room was warm and cozy. It was very unusual for a prison to be this undeniably comfortable.

Still, she felt that it was the worst place in the world to be at this moment.

The bedroom of The King of The Krypton Empire was certainly a sanctuary of immaculate beauty and splendor. Adorned with tapestry and artistic creations from all over the known world, it was always a wonder for any to behold, although very few had ever seen it. Not gaudy and overdone, but clean, measured and elegant.

For Princess Diana of Themyscira, it was a nightmare.

She was seated in a large sofa chair in the center of the space. It was padded and lined with soft material, making it very comfortable. It was obviously movable and adjustable, as both the arm and leg units seemed as if they could be changed to almost any position imaginable.

The only problem was that she had been quite expertly fastened to it. With her own lasso. Absolutely impenetrable.

Beside her large chair was a smaller one, not as adorned for comfort as her own. It was facing toward the side of her chair, perfectly situated to be fully within arm's reach. Although it was smaller and far less luxurious than her chair, the companion seemed somehow much more ominous.

And speaking of ominous, it was at that moment that he chose to appear.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, and his silhouette materialized in the middle of it. His stride was slow, regal and powerful as he walked into the room. He knew that all power in the world rested in his hands, and he was confident in this fact. His cape trailed out behind him, giving him an edge of mystery in his majesty.

Stepping into the light nearest her, King Kalel of The Krypton Empire stopped to stand over her. The gaze of his crystal blue eyes upon her was steady and intense. In them was a strength, a … gentleness, and perhaps even a touch of … reverence … for her.

Well, even though she had completely agreed to be in this situation, The Princess had absolutely no idea what he planned to do to her. Whatever it was, she hoped he would be gentle. However, that was probably being a little too optimistic.

"Are you comfortable, Princess?" the deep manly bass of his voice asked.

"As can be, given the situation," Diana retorted, with more than a little defiance in her tone.

As Kal stared down at Diana, she rebuked herself for her response. She had consented to be here and to not defy him in any way. Well, she may not completely defy him, but she would always remain a spirited woman, and he would just have to learn to live with that.

"You're feeling a little uncertain. Let me try to reassure you," said Kal. "I told you earlier that i had known this moment would happen for quite some time, and i've been waiting for it. Here's more proof to you that you can believe my word."

Reaching down to touch a small button on a control panel set into the armrest of the second chair, Kal never took his eyes away from Diana's. Thinking she was in some kind of test of wills with him, probably the first of many, she kept her gaze locked upon his in return.

Suddenly, a line of candles lit up a space on the far wall directly in front of Diana, positioned so that she could face it directly from her sofa. After another moment, her eyes refocused on the wall.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Her lips fell slightly open.

On the wall was an image … somehow three dimensional .. of her. It was an artistic rendering, complete with a sketching of the sky above her and the landscape below her. There was some distance from her, as if being admired from afar. Her body almost seemed to be glowing, and the work itself was truly a thing of beauty.

Diana actually remembered the moment which had been captured. It was from approximately three months ago. She had been sparring with Hessia near the shoreline, and Hessia had brought out a full regiment of warriors to try to push Diana hard. Diana had greatly enjoyed being able to cut loose a little, since she'd always had to control her strength and abilities with those around her so as not to harm them grievously, and that was the reason she had been smiling as she'd soared through the air in battle.

He … He must have been watching her. He had already revealed that he knew much about her, so much so that she felt at a decided disadvantage to him in their engagement. Diana knew that she had to find out as much about him as he knew about her. Perhaps in this she could gain the advantage over him. She would need to draw him in close to her.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, Kal did exactly what she was thinking. He sat down in the power chair beside her, taking what seemed his rightful place in control of her.

"Now then, Princess," he said with a grin. "Shall we begin?"