Zaija bowed his head. He could still hear his battalion calling for him, but he didn't care. He just leaned against the cave wall concealed behind the waterfall. He felt sick. I am fighting for my empire.

I am hurting Esmyruh.

So.

You love her.

That's a bit strong.

You love her.

No I don't.

Yes. You do.

Zaija sighed. He felt so confused. He couldn't deny that he felt something for this princess.

He began singing softly, "the tale of two lovers is so sad

How could fate rip them apart?

Why is love the difference

The difference between life and death?

Cruel, cruel lullaby

Why do you loll me to sleep?

Why do you close my sleepy eyes?

Teardrop drip teardrop drip

Love can be so heartbreaking!

Sleep now, sleep now

Love is at rest." Zaija closed his eyes and let the lullaby take its toll…

Esmyruh watched as they buried her father by her mother. She wasn't crying anymore. What's done is done. Instead of her usual golden crown, she wore a silver one- silver was the sign of royalty- and was adorned in a rich violet gown. It billowed out behind her. Her hair was braided and placed across her right shoulder. Gold eye shadow shimmered over her eyes. Red lipstick glimmered on her lips and long sapphire earrings dangled under her crown.

Esmyruh stood silently. The sun painted the milky sky pink as it shone on her. She was the new queen of Azantium.

Azula watched her jealously. She gazed at the crown hungrily. She doesn't even want it! A voice hissed in Azula's ear.

"My Queen!" Esmyruh turned around slowly. A peasant boy bowed deeply and handed her a piece of parchment. Queen Esmyruh read it aloud:

My beautiful Queen,

Tis I, your betrothed, Antony Osiege. I am en route. Please be obliged to welcome me in a day.

Love

Principe Antony Osiege

Esmyruh forced a smile. Inside her heart was tearing. More than ever she wished that she was not queen or princess or even royalty. She gazed out at the canopy of leaves. Her heart skipped a beat. She could've sworn that she saw someone in the tree tops.

"Majesty is everything okay?" someone asked.

Esmyruh snapped her eyes back to the burial grounds. "you hear the letter. Everyone, get ready." she threw the parchment on the ground and walked back toward the temple.

Azula narrowed her eyes and gazed out at the jungle. Something was moving around out there. She smiled and walked out the gate…

Zaija jumped down from the tree he was in. he had been watching the ceremony. Esmyruh had looked really pretty. Zaija sighed and began walking away when he heard a sound behind him. He whipped around to find a woman with black hair tied into a bun. She had black eyes and a pale face.

"quienes son tu?" Azula asked. Who are you?

"cual esta a ti?" Zaija said aggressively. What's it to you?

"todo," Azula smiled. Everything.

"tambien malo." too bad.

"por favor?" Azula inquired. please.

"no."

"Que si dije Esmyruh violabas?" Azula threatened. What if I tell Esmyruh you were trespassing?

"Ir a continaucion." goes ahead

"Que si llama a tu batallion?" what if I call your battalion?

Zaija weighed the odds. "No, te dire." no, I'll tell you.

"Estoy esperando," Azula said coolly. I'm waiting.

"era Esmyruh que se cercioraba de justo era acceptable." I was just making sure Esmyruh was okay.

Azula nodded her head and disappeared back into the jungle.

Zaija frowned and slipped out of sight…

The slave girl finished tying the pink evening gown while another placed a rose in Esmyruh's hair, that was rolled up on top of her head. Tonight was the night that Antony was coming. Esmyruh stood up and walked toward the window. She saw a group of people enter the kingdom. She frowned and headed into the courtyard.

"Behold the Prince of Elderado!" Esmyruh inclined her head as a man on a white horse approached her. He dismounted and pulled off his cloak. He was very handsome. He had shoulder-length curly black hair and liquid green eyes. He had a crown of bronze. He bowed deeply and kissed Esmyruh's hand. Esmyruh curled her lip. He smiled as he straightened.

"I am Antony Osiege," he dipped his head.

"I am Queen Esmyruh. Empress of Azantium Empire," Esmyruh dipped her head too.

"I've come to court a beautiful Queen," Antony complimented.

"and I am about to court a fine ruler of our joint empires," Esmyruh said though she did not mean it.

"the coronation shall be tomorrow at sunset," Antony announced.

"I cannot wait," Esmyruh lied.

"Nor can I," Antony smiled warmly. Esmyruh casually looked away. When was this infierno going to end…

Zaija stepped into the light of the fading sun. he stood outside Brazan's outer wall. A guard called down, "state your name and your business!"

"Zaija the Python, I've returned home."

'HA! Yah well I hate to brake it to you, but Zaija died."

"you don't believe me?" Zaija rose an eyebrow.

"nope," the guard laughed. Zaija narrowed his eyes and turned toward a tree. He smiled and climbed it. He stepped onto a branch that brushed against the outer wall. He jumped up and landed on top of the wall. The guard shouted something. Zaija smiled. He relished the challenge. Without a word he jumped off of it and headed for the inner wall.

"hey!" a guard shouted.

"what?" Zaija smirked as he backed up against the inner wall. The guard threw a fire arrow. Zaija dodged it and it buried deep into the wooden gate. A hole appeared. It was just big enough to squeeze through. Zaija obliged. Once he was inside the temple grounds, it was easy. He raced toward the entrence to the palace. A guard barred the front.

"no admittance," he grunted.

"paso a un lado," Zaija said quietly. Step aside.

"no admittance," the guard rose his spear.

Zaija smiled mischievously. "move aside. I am Zaija the Python."

"and I am emperor of the Azantium empire," the guard smirked. Zaija rose an eyebrow. He ripped off the sleeve on his right arm and showed the guard the cobra tattoo.

"so? I have one too," the guard laughed.

"but does yours have red eyes or black eyes?"

"black, only Zaija he Python and the emperor have red eyes…" the guard trailed off as he saw the blood red eyes of the cobra on Zaija's arm. The guard immediately bowed.

"I am sorry," the guard mumbled. Zaija smiled and stepped past him. The great doors swung open.

"What is this outrage? I said no one can enter!" the emperor's voice echoed around the throne room. Zaija stepped into the shaft of light. Azaisha gasped. He stood from his throne.

"Zaija?" he stepped forward.

"yes," Zaija whispered. Azaisha lunged forward and pulled Zaija into a rib crushing hug.

"Nice to see you too," Zaija laughed.

"don't scare me like that again!" Azaisha laughed weakly.

"Zaija!" Zaija turned around just in time for Nina to hug him.

"Podoroso! Zaija's back!" Azaisha called.

"Yipee," Poderoso walked in looking less then excited.

"nice to see you too," Zaija laughed.

"Daddy? have you told Zaija about the plan?" Nina (n-eye-na) asked innocently.

"what plans?" Zaija looked at Azaisha warily.

"we are going to raid the Azantium Empire!"

Zaija's jaw dropped slightly. "when," he said hoarsely.

"tomorrow during the coronation of the young queen."

"how do you know about that?" Zaija narrowed his eyes.

"me," Azula stepped from the shadow's.

Zaija felt sick, "what are you doing here?"

"I was hired by the Emperor," Azula shrugged.

"traitor," Zaija hissed under his breath. Only Nina heard him. She pursed her lips.

"father tell him about your other idea," Nina smiled sweetly.

"yes of course," Azaisha looked at Zaija, "I would very much love it if you married my daughter."

Zaija closed his eyes for a heartbeat. He inhaled deeply. you don't love Nina.

It's for the good of the Empire.

You love Esmyruh.

So.

It would be wrong to pledge yourself to another woman.

What's wrong is the fact that I'm in love with the enemy.

The enemy?

Yes the enemy!

If she's your enemy then why would she help you? She brought you back from the brink of death! Surely that counts for something!

Yah the fact that she's a fool.

You're the fool. Follow your heart if you still have one!

My heart left my body a long time ago.

You're afraid.

No I am not!

You're afraid of betraying your country.

Nuh-uh!

You're afraid of falling back in love.

Zaija stopped speculating. He had a hard time breathing as the truth finally caught up with him.

"well?" Azaisha inquired.

Zaija bowed his head, "yes."

Azula smiled. Nina grinned. Azaisha leapt with joy. Poderoso rolled his eyes and slipped back to his room. Zaija's head was bowed. Did I make the right choice?…

Esmyruh was in her mother's old chamber. She was dressed in a long silk wedding dress. Long silver earrings dangled to her bare collar bone. Her hair curled and placed across her right shoulder. It was held in place by a large Morning Glory flower. Shimmering gold eye shadow accented her purple eyes.

Esmyruh gazed at herself in the mirror, though she didn't see herself. In truth, she saw nothing at all but her own fate already laid out of reach of her control. She felt like nothing more than a puppet. She was destined to do as her people want. She had advisors and helpers to make her decisions for her. She always had to be strong or the empire would collapse. At that moment, Esmyruh would've given anything to be a simple slave or warrior or even a commoner. She wanted to desert her power and duty and run until she was far away from her pain.

"Esmyruh?" Esmyruh tore her eyes from the mirror. Her shoulders sagged when she found it to be Azula.

"yes?" she said warily.

"I just wanted to wish you good luck," Azula walked over and hugged Esmyruh.

"why are you hugging me?" Esmyruh pulled away.

"I know exactly how you feel."

Esmyruh rolled her eyes, "no you don't."

"do you think that I wanted to marry your father? I felt like I wanted to escape and run away with a young man from another empire," Azula said casually.

Esmyruh's heart stopped. "you know about Zaija?"

Azula smirked. "yes. Sweetheart, I hate to brake it to you but he's pledged to another and he's dreaming of the destruction of your empire."

Esmyruh looked at her hands that were balled into fists on the dresser counter. "I know."

"Well Antony is a fine young man. You'll learn to love him just as I did with your father."

"you never loved my father," Esmyruh said quietly.

"exactly," Azula sneered as she walked out of the room…

Esmyruh walked down the aisle. She was aware of all the eyes that followed her. She felt as if she was walking down the aisle to her death. She could see Antony by the Weeping Willow that her mother got married by. She saw her step mother and her soon-to-be father in-law waiting by the tree. All was silent except the whisper in the wind. Her head was filled with the beating of her heart. It echoed dully In her mind. She knew it was a matter of time before she could never again hear her heart.

After what seemed like forever, yet a single heartbeat, she reached the tree. Antony smiled and grabbed her hand. Esmyruh met his eyes. He saw the despair that littered them. He looked away, pretending he never saw what he did.

"Are we all ready?" Antony's father, Courter Del Sino, looked around.

Esmyruh knew she'd never be ready but she nodded her head slowly.

"Very well," Courter Del Sino unrolled his scroll, "¿ Antony, aceptas a reina del imperio de Azantium para ser tu wedded a esposa? ¿juras para mantener tu promesa de cuidar para ella y de hacer una pausa su lado hasta que el sino causa tu extremo?" do you, Antony, accept the Queen of Azantium Empire to be your wedded wife? do you swear to uphold your promise to care for her and stand by her side until fate causes your end?

"si" Antony said.

Courter Del Sino turned to Esmyruh, "Esmyruh, aceptas a príncipe del imperio de Elderado para ser tu wedded a marido? ¿juras para mantener tu promesa de cuidar para él y de hacer una pausa su lado hasta que el sino causa tu extremo?"

Esmyruh looked at the bright sun. even, though the it shone on her, she felt cold. She inhaled and turned to Courter Del Sino. "Si."

Just then a war horn started. Esmyruh whipped around to see Azaisha and Zaija leap into the setting on powerful horses. Behind them was an entire army. Then the Azantium Army crashed in on the other side.

"This war ends tonight! By my power, I swear to you that this war has come to end! Azantium is mine!" roared Azaisha.

"not if I can help it!" Esmyruh growled.

"What are you going to do?" Azaisha sneered.

"we outnumber you! Elderado Empire is here!" Esmyruh smirked.

"oh but both Chile and Argentina's armies are with me!" Azaisha smiled.

Esmyruh's insides somersaulted. She glared defiantly. "I will die before I let you take my kingdom!" she grabbed Antony's sword and his war horse. She jumped unto it's back, sword raised.

"We fight as one! We die as one!" Esmyruh rose her blade. The sun glinted off of it as the two opposing empires collided. Esmyruh searched for Azaisha. He was battling Angel. Esmyruh leapt in after him. Azaisha smiled as he drove his blade into Angel.

"No!" Esmyruh shrieked as she watched her childhood friend fall to the ground. She watched in horror as he clutched his stomach.

"goodbye," he gasped as he rolled onto his back. Esmyruh closed her eyes for a heartbeat then opened them. Fire burned in them. She turned toward Azaisha.

"you will die," she whispered and leapt at him. Azaisha drove a sword into her horse, but Esmyruh jumped off just in time. She swung around and kicked his horse's knees. The horse fell to the ground. Azaisha jumped clear of it. They circled each other. Esmyruh was fighting to control her hurt and rage. Azaisha lurched forward. Esmyruh sidestepped him and aimed a blow at his unprotected side. He parried it.

"Esmyruh move!" Antony shot out of nowhere and tackled her out the way of an arrow.

They rolled into the courtyard. nobody was fighting there. Antony helped her up.

"thanks," she gasped.

"you don't love me do you?" Antony said suddenly. Esmyruh looked at him.

"no," she whispered.

"you love Zaija don't you?" Antony narrowed his eyes.

"how'd you know that?" Esmyruh frowned.

"Azula. How could you love the enemy over me? He doesn't even love you back!" Antony spat.

"that's for me to decide not you," Antony spun around in time to see Zaija emerge from the shadows. He had a deadly looking sword readied.

"you!" Antony narrowed his eyes. He pushed Esmyruh aside all the while grabbing the sword out of her hands.

"me," Zaija got into a stance. Esmyruh held her breath.

"what do you want!?" Antony spat.

"the empire," Zaija said simply.

"well, why are you here?" Antony snapped. "the battle is out there."

"I want the queen," Zaija shrugged.

"well you can't have her!" Antony jumped at Zaija. Zaija sidestepped him and shot his blade upwards. It grazed Antony's cheek.

"Die!" Antony kicked Zaija's shin. Zaija fell backwards, his sword flying from his reach. He was utterly exposed. Antony smirked and raised his sword. Thunder rumbled in the distance as he brought it down.

"no!" Esmyruh pushed Antony away. Antony stumbled backwards in shock. Zaija slowly edged toward his sword.

"What the heck? You should have let me kill him!" Antony spat.

Esmyruh looked away, "I couldn't let you hurt him."

"Why!" Antony grabbed her by the wrists and shook her violently. "I'm risking my life for your country! For you!"

Esmyruh blinked away a tear, "I'm sorry."

Antony's nostrils flared, "why did you save him?!"

"Because she loves him!" Antony looked up to find Azula striding into the courtroom.

"What!?" Antony spat.

"she loves him," Azula repeated. Antony looked at Esmyruh, who looked away.

"Is this true?" he asked quietly.

Esmyruh looked him in the eyes. "yes," she whispered. Antony tightened his grip on her.

"No." he shook his head, "no!"

Esmyruh squirmed to get free. "let me go!" suddenly she felt a cold metal blade place itself across her neck.

"let her go or I'll kill her," Zaija hissed.

Antony let go instantly. Zaija slowly backed away, Esmyruh in his wake.

"Not today, Zaija," Azula laughed. Then she lifted her head and called, "I found the Queen!"

Before Zaija could do anything, Azaisha and Poderoso and Nina appeared.

Azula smiled and grabbed Antony. "Zaija captured her."

"Very good, Zaija!" Azaisha praised. "now finish the job."

Zaija froze. There he was with the queen in his hands. He could finish what he dreamt of do-ing his entire life. So why couldn't he do it? Zaija fought himself. It'd take just a simple heartbeat.

But it'd lie in your heart the rest of your life.

I'd rule Azantium.

But not as a whole man. You will live the rest of your life in shame. You will keep searching to fulfill your heart's needs. The glory will die away. All the riches will crumble. Power can only go so far. Power cannot satisfy the longing that tugs at your heart. Power cannot satisfy your need for love.

"what are you waiting for?" Azaisha's voice forced Zaija out of the realm of his thoughts. He raised his sword and brought it down.