Disclaimer: This is an AU story. I don't own any of the W.I.T.C.H. characters, just Calypsa who is my OC. Please review, I'll take flames just don't roast me.

Chapter 3

Clouds scattered before the wind, bright in the brilliant sunshine. In the gaps of blue that showed between the clouds, a dark, winged form darted and wheeled. Far larger than a bird, the creature climbed with powerful strokes of its broad wings. A slight tilt of her powerful wings and the purple dragon glided it turned, silent, beautiful. She gleamed in the light of the setting sun, her scales glittering as she soared toward the castle. Out of the corner of his eyes, Phobos saw the soldiers reach nervously for their swords but a sharp glance from Commander Alborn stopped them.

She landed, claws scraping against the stone, the sound harsh in the crystalline air. Phobos gazed at the dragon in open wonder. She was tall and sleek, her entire body a deep amethyst, save for her eyes, which glowed like sunshine. Her jaws were longer than his arm and her teeth were so long that she could easily bite the head off a horse with one snap. A purple mist surrounded her and the great dragon became a wraith; the mist contracted, then disappeared, leaving behind the figure of a tall, girl.

She appeared to be his age with long, thick purplish hair that swept around her head and shoulders. She wore a pale, lavender gown that fit her quite snuggly in places and Phobos forced himself to look away. Swallowing hard he followed his parents as they walked over to her, trying desperately to think of something to say. Thankfully, his mother spoke first.

""Welcome to the Royal Palace of Metamoor, Lady Calypsa," she said, smiling warmly at the young girl. "I am Queen Lucia and this is my husband King Thanos and my only son Prince Phobos."

Calypsa smiled and there seemed to be only perfection in that smile to Phobos.

"Thank you, Queen Lucia. I am honored to meet you all."

Phobos felt his father's hand on his back, pushing him gently forward. Forcing his stiff legs to move he stepped towards his soon-to-be soul mate, painfully aware of everyone watching him. Calypsa's smile broadened and became - impossibly - perfect. Her lips were full and red, and above them was a pert nose and two almond-shaped eyes. The eyes were like sunshine in color that shined with an inner light.

"Are you quite through?" she asked in apparent amusement.

With a start, Phobos realized that he had been staring at her in abject fascination. His face burning with embarrassment he quickly averted his eyes from her and bowed deeply.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to annoy you milady," he said, his face burning even more as he stammered slightly.

"I never said I was annoyed, Prince Phobos," she said, holding out her hand to him, palm down. "I am also no 'milady'. Calypsa will do nicely. It is my name after all."

He dared to smile back at her before taking her hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

"As you wish, Calypsa. And please, call me Phobos."

She flashed him another dazzling smile before turning to his parents. "You have such a beautiful home, especially the garden."

The Royal Garden is quiet beautiful this time of year," the queen said, dismissing the Royal Guard with a wave. "I'm sure Phobos will be happy to show you around but not today. It's late and you must be tired after your travels. Come, lets all go inside for some refreshments."

With Calypsa walking besides him Phobos followed his parents to the Main Hall. Most of the servants had retired to their rooms, only a few were scurrying about cleaning up or lighting lamps in the palace windows. Upon seeing the royal family enter, all the servants stopped what they were doing and hurried over to them.

"How might we be of service my Lord and Lady?" one servant asked.

"Yes," the King said. "Bring out a platter of cheese, meat and bread for my son and his Chosen. They will be dining alone while the Queen and I retire to our room for the night."

Phobos's eyes widened in alarm but before he could protest his mother stopped him with a look.

'It won't hurt to talk with her for a while Phobos.'

'But I don't know what to say'

'Say anything. You need to start getting to know one another.'

Knowing she was right Phobos smiled at Calypsa and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

Smiling shyly, the girl took his arm and followed him to the dining table. As he pulled out her chair Phobos tried desperately to think of something witty to say but his mind blanked completely. An uncomfortable silence stretched out between them as they sat side-by-side, waiting for the food. Finally he gave up trying to come up with something witty and just blurted out the first thing that came into his mind.

"Are you a princess?"

No sooner did the words leave his mouth Phobos wanted to melt into the floor. 'I can't believe I said that,' he thought, looking fixedly at the table. 'She must think me rude and uncouth.'

"I am but not in the way you think," she said, seemingly not offended by the question. "My people are not ruled by a King or Queen. We live in clans that are led by a chief. My father is a chief so I guess that make me a princess of sorts."

They fell silent as the servants came over with a large tray with an assortment of bit-sized cheese and meat as well as two mugs of cider. Having not eaten much at supper Phobos was very hungry but held back from digging into the snacks. Calypsa had no such reservations. Focusing mainly on the meat she popped one after the other into her mouth, barely chewing.

"You must really be hungry," Phobos said, picking a cube of orange and white striped cheese for himself. "If you want something more I can have the cook fix something."

"No, this is fine. I don't mean to be such a glutton but flying take a lot out of me," she said, drinking deeply from her mug. "Normally I wouldn't fly such a long distance but I didn't know exactly where the palace was so I couldn't open a portal or teleport here."

"How long did it take you to fly here?"

"Three days."

"You traveled three days through a strange land alone?"

"What's wrong with that? I may be young but I'm not hatchling. I can take care of myself."

Phobos covered his smile by taking a long drink. 'She has both brains and beauty. Perhaps this match won't be so bad.'

They ate in a silence until there was nothing left. Glancing out a window Phobos saw that night had fallen.

"I think we had best get to bed now," he said, rising to his feet. "It's late and I have a feeling tomorrow will be very hectic for the both of us."

"I agree but where do I sleep?"

Phobos's eyes widened with surprise. The subject of sleeping arrangements was never brought up and he didn't want to disturb his parents by asking now.

"Since it's so late, you can share my room tonight."

Calypsa gave him a bemused smile but didn't object to the suggestion. Taking that as a good sign he summoned a few servants to clean up their mess before leading her away to his room.