Disclaimer: This is an AU story. I don't own W.I.T.C.H. Please review, flames are welcome, just don't roast me.

Chapter 2

The rest of the day was a blur for Phobos.

Thoughts of his upcoming engagement plagued him, making it nearly imposable to focus on anything else. At evening meal, he ate little, picking disinterestedly at the food on his plate. He heard his parents making small talk with a few friends at their table and realized they were discussing him.

'Perfect. The entire kingdom must know of my arranged marriage. It's not enough they auction me off like a prize stud, I must also be publicly embarrassed.'

Phobos rose unsteadily to his feet. "I…" he began.

All eyes turned to him.

'Think, for once in your life!' he admonished himself. 'Why make a spectacle of yourself?'

"What?" his father asked. "Are you ill boy? You don't look well."

"I don't feel too well," Phobos said hoarsely. He wanted to shout, to run, to smash and break things, but the genuine concern shining in his parent eyes stopped him. He cleared his throat and added, "I think this morning's ride caught up with me."

His mother stood and put a delicate hand to his face. "You do feel warm. Perhaps you should rest."

"Yes. Yes," he said. "That's just what I need. Rest."

"Calypsa will arrive in a few hours. You must be there to greet her Phobos."

"I will father, I just need to be alone for a while."

"Shall I send a healer to you?" the queen asked.

"No. I'll be fine mother," he said, moving quickly to the door before his parents could say anything more.

Once outside Phobos leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and sighed. 'By the Oracle, what a spectacle this is turning out to be.'

"My prince, are you alright?"

Opening his eyes slowly he saw Cedric walking towards him, a concerned look on his face. "That depends on you definition of 'alright.' I take it you've heard of my upcoming nuptials"

"Yes, but I didn't think it was true. You really are getting married to a dragon?"

Phobos shrugged uncomfortably. "I am. My parents decided that it's time, so married I get."

"Do you know who she is?"

"Not really. I only know her name and that she is from Astoria."

"That seems a bit unfair for you, my lord. What if this woman is a cold, heartless shrew?" Cedric said, frowning. "And what about love? How do you feel about marrying a stranger?"

"It is the way things are done. Arranged marriages are not uncommon."

Cedric shook his head. "But does that make it fair? I mean, any scribe or smith in the city can choose his mate himself, because he loves her and she loves him. Why should you be forced to marry for duty?"

Phobos stood straighter, squaring his shoulders proudly. "Because, my friend, I am the only heir of Metamoor and my duty is my duty. I have no choice."

Suddenly Barrtok appeared besides them, completely out of breath and looking frazzled.

"My Lord, come with me please. We just got word that your bride will arrive in less then an hour. Please sire, make haste. Your mother has sent you a new set of clothes that we must get you fitted into before she gets here."

Cedric squeezed his shoulder a reassuringly and Phobos managed a weak grin before following Barrtok to his room. Four servants were waiting for them and without word descended upon Phobos the minute he stepped in the room. They stripped him quickly and slipped a long, sky-blue linen robe over his head before he could blink twice. While two servants fixed his clothes the rest styled his waist length hair, brushing and pulling it in so many different ways, he feared they would rip the locks from his head.

Finally, he could stand it no more. "Enough. Leave me, I wish to be alone. Barrtok that means you as well. Tell my parents I will meet them at the courtyard shortly."

Once he was alone, Phobos went over to the gold rimmed, full-length mirror on the far wall and studied his reflection thoughtfully. The robe was well made, trimmed with silver that shimmered with every move he made. Silver covered his feet and a circle of sparkling sapphires rested heavily on his brow.

'I'm nothing more then a trophy,' he thought glumly. 'A beautiful, shiny prize to be given away to the highest bidder.'

A soft knock on the door startled him out of his musing. "Enter."

The door opened and his mother walked in, her gentle face framed by long, red hair that cascaded down her back and onto her shinning white garments. A golden girdle circled her waist and a necklace made of rubies hung around her neck.

"The time grows near my son. Are you feeling any better?"

Phobos sighed, watching his mother walk over to him in the mirror. "I suppose. Before we go mother, please tell me why. I'm only 15. I had plenty of time to find a suitable wife; there was no need to force this on me now."

The queens scarlet eyes softened and she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I understand how you feel Phobos but this is the only way to ensure Metamoor's future. You never showed any interest in finding a girlfriend and your father and I couldn't leave such an important decision up to chance. Now come, we must go to the courtyard before Calypsa arrives."

'Oh yes, lets do hurry. Oracle forbid the girl should be kept waiting two minutes,' Phobos thought moodily, running a hand down his robe.

'Don't be impertinent,' his mother admonished mentally. 'To be late is to be rude. Do you want her first impression of you to be that you've got poor manners?'

Chastised, he offered his left arm to his mother, which she took and walked out of the room together. As they made their way through the palace Phobos was painfully aware of all the stares aimed at him from the many servants and nobles. He felt his mother squeeze his arm gently as they reached the courtyard door.

'Smile. This is supposed to be a happy occasion.'

Taking a deep breath Phobos put on his most charming smile and stepped outside. To his relief there wasn't a huge crowd waiting for them. His father was there of course along with Commander Alborn and a few soldiers of the Royal Guard. After biding a polite greeting to all Phobos took his place by his father's right side while the queen stood at his left. Suddenly a stirring fanfare blared forth from unseen trumpets filled the air, signaling the arrival of their guest of honor.

His heart quickening with anticipation Phobos gazed up at the sky and waited for his destiny to come to him.