Chaper 2: Of Friends and Fiancées'

I pushed my horse onward faster. We raced toward the twisted tree, my long skirt trailing behind me.

"Ellana! Wait up you'll break your neck!" shouted a voice from behind me. I didn't slow, instead I pressed on harder.

"Nice try, Lysander!" I shook my curls and turned my head to see how close he was.

It was only a stretch, I leant forward, "Hurry Midnight, he'll catch us… and wouldn't that embarrass you!"

The black stallion screamed and took off faster. We made it to the tree first. I laughed and cheered in triumph, "Again I win!" I yelled to Lysander. He only shook his head and dismounted.

"One day, that horse of your is going to kill you," He told me as he lifted me off the horse.

"Oh stop being a ninny!" I told him with a swat as he finally place my feet on the ground, "Midnight is a wonderful horse and would never throw me. Would you darling?" I asked my beautiful horse as I petted its large head. Then I brought myself to stand to my full height, a whopping 5' 4", "Now Ly, you brought me out here for a reason, what is it?"

"Always so impatient, my dear Ellana," Lysander smiled at me, "It really isn't lady like."

I rolled my eyes at my childhood friend, "You sound like my old governess. Please Lysander," I begged him with sad eyes, "Tell me why you've requested my attention today."

"How can I resist those pretty blue eyes and those stunningly fake tears," He laughed at my pathetic attempt at making him feel sorry for me. But it was only to be expected as he had known me since I was all of four years old, "But I'm not ready to tell you yet, my friend. First you must tell me if the gossip is true," He shot me a smug grin and sat down at the base of the tree.

I glared back, "You sound like a women," I retorted rudely, "And I have no clue of the gossip you speak."

"I heard your father has found a new wife!" He told me laughing.

I stood shocked, "What!"

Lysander's face changed from joking to serious, "You haven't heard the rumor?" I shook my head, "Oh! Well, its been going around for a long time. I thought for sure you had heard it. People say they see them together all the time…"

"Who?" I snapped.

"Duke Resington and Lady Fortna. I thought you knew," Lysander said to me.

Before anything else was said, I found myself back in my saddle and galloping back to my home. As I came upon the two story house. I saw a coach in the driveway and my heart sunk. I burst through the door to see her. The Lady Dorina Fortna in all her pink glory, from shoes to skirt to bodice to cheeks to hat, everything was in varying shades of pink. She looked like a chubby porcelain doll with her badly curled blonde hair sticking out from the rim of her hat. My father took one look at me and turned his head. He had really looked at my since Mom died.

"Hello, my raven," He greeted me in the normal fashion, "I'm not sure if I've introduced you yet to Lady Fortna," I frowned, "my fiancée and soon to be your new mother."

With that I dashed up the stairs, before Lady Fortna could so much as lay a friendly hand on me. I laid in my bed and cried until I fell into a deep sleep.