Authors notes: Calista time! I bet that surprised you guys, huh? Those who have followed many of my stories already know I'm not a very big fan of hers. Though I believe she also deserves to get a place in here. I always found her to be so miserable at the ball, so I figured something bad must have happened..aside from being betrothed to Jirall.
That is how this piece came to be...

And yes, I have changed my name. My sister came up with that name many years ago and I thought she had abandoned it, well guess what she still used it! I did not want anyone to confuse us, since she does art and I write, so I changed it.

Thanks for the support and reviews ^_^

Calista's night with Zael had been the best in her life, since her parents died. Never had she felt so alive and carefree. Her mind had pushed aside her day to day worries and sorrows.

All good things must come to and end, and she returned to her rightful place. Back into her golden cage, were no escape was in sight.

Lonely Heart.

Calista walked with her head bowed down, as she followed the two knights. They were escorting her to her uncle. She already knew that her little outing would be disliked, and that her uncle would be furious at her. Now, when walking down the echoing corridor, she wondered why she did return. Why had she not just left the island? The answer was always the same. Because she was too afraid of the consequences if she got caught.

Mother...Father...I wish you'd never left me. She thought to herself, as she fought to keep the tears away. She took a deep breath when she rounded the corner and her uncle's door came into view. Her heart began to race from fear when hearing his agitated voice from inside the room. With a image of Zael's handsome face before her eyes, she steeled herself from what to come.

Arganan watched his niece slowly walk into the room. Her steps were confident, yet a look of submission adorned her face. She came to a halt before his desk, her hands kept neatly in front of her. He could complain about a lot of things about his niece, but not her appearance or upbringing. She knew when to behave and how to behave in different situations, this was not an exception.

''I have returned, uncle.'' Calista spoke calmly, feeling proud that fear had not slipped into her voice. She kept her eyes downward, afraid he would be able to see her carefully guarded emotions of fear.'' I am truly sorry if I worried you...''

''How dare you go against my wishes!?'' Count Arganan sneered angrily, as he slammed his fist hard down onto the extravagant desk. His one eye glared long and hard at his niece. He had lost count as to how many times, he wished she could have died along side his brother.'' What if something had happened out there? Do you really think lord Jirall would want damaged goods?''

''I could not care less what he thinks!'' Calista countered, not able to contain her distaste for the man. Gone was her look of submission, and in place was a face of defiance.'' I have told you time and time again, I do not wish to marry him...''

'' What you wish is irrelevant!'' Arganan shouted and rose onto his feet. He quickly came around to her side. He ignored the pained look on her face, as he grabbed onto a handful of her beautiful hair. He forced her head backwards and glared into her eyes. He loved seeing her cower for him, because that meant his point has sunken into her idiotic mind.'' I warn you. Do not tempt me to go back on my promise. One more mistake from you, and you will find yourself in Jirall's bed before your birthday...''

''You wouldn't! It's against the last will of my parents..'' Calista protested weakly, her eyes widening from fear. Her lip trembled when seeing the answer in her uncle's harsh eye. He meant his threat all right. The coldness emitting from him, along with the painful grip on her hair was enough to coax her tears forth.

''Remember my words well and I hope I have made myself clear?''He asked her coldly, and yanked her head harshly. When she nodded her head, he simply pushed her away from him.'' Good, now return to your chamber immediately..''

Calista did not need to be told twice. She scrambled onto her feet, with as mush dignity as she could muster and calmly walked out into the hallway. She fought to remain calm, as she fled towards her room. Grateful for the late hour and the dim lights she quickly ran towards her room. The sound of her brown boots echoed slightly, as her feet hit the cold stone floors.

The cold night air managed to cool her heated cheeks. The last remains of anger and embarrassment was washed away by the cool breeze. She took a moment to regain her composure. Her blue eyes gazed softly up at the beautiful stars. A feeling of nostalgia and longing filled her. A fleeting memory from this evening was conjured in her mind. Her heart ached when a pair of sky blue eyes and a handsome face flashed before her.

''My dream is to become a knight...''

Zael's words echoed in her mind and his lonely smile made her stomach flutter. Her eyes located his lone star on the dark sky. From this day forth, his star would the one she wished upon. Both he and that star represented everything she longed for. An unattainable dream, that would give her strength to fight on.

''Good evening, my lovely muse.'' Jirall's voice startled her from her deep thoughts.

Calista felt panic quickly spreading inside her. She had always made sure to never be alone with her fiancée because of the feeling of discomfort she felt when around him. She slowly turned towards him, making sure her face showed nothing. His brown eyes gazed down into hers, and a smile played on his face. The lust she could see in his eyes made her nauseous. He was far from unattractive, but his sinister personality and views of life made her loath him.'' Lord Jirall..'' She greeted him coldly with a simple nod of her head.

''Why so cold, my sweet? Surely you can greet your future husband better?'' Jirall cooed seductively, his eyes roaming over her slim figure. He walked closer to her, his exquisite boots touching hers. His gloved finger sliding under her chin, tilting her head upwards. He scowled when seeing the annoyed look in her eyes. His grip hardened on her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.''You are my betrothed, and you are to show me proper respect. As your future husband and master, I request a proper greeting, my flower..''

''Good evening, Lord Jirall.'' Calista whispered softly, as she looked into his brown eyes. She gulped when seeing a smug smirk grace his lips, which were only inches away from her own.

''You call that a proper greeting?'' Jirall spoke calmly, and drew her closer with his free purred with delight, as he pressed himself against her. Loving the feel over every curve of her body.'' Kiss me and I will let you return to your cage, little bird...''

''Never! You do not own me yet, Lord Jirall.'' Calista replied coldly, and raised her hands to push him away. She pushed hard against his chest, something that seemed to surprise him. She took the opportunity that presented itself and slipped past him. He however recovered quickly and got hold of her once more. With her back now facing the grand doors leading to the safety of her room, she looked up into his furious face.

Jirall pressed his lips harshly to hers. Savouring the way she felt against him. He grabbed hold of her hair, forcing her head backwards to get better access to her. He forced her lips apart and plundered her mouth mercilessly. His free hand slipping beneath her dress, to caress her bottom. He crushed her tense body to his, ignoring her feeble attempts to push him away.

Calista could not stop the tears running down her cheeks. Many times she had dreamed of her first kiss, but never had she thought if would be like this. With a man she hated and without her consent. He moaned sickeningly against her lisp, and she almost gagged when his tongue pushed deeper into her mouth. She whimpered weakly when feeling his fingers slip past her underwear.

Suddenly it all stopped, when the sound of doors opening reached her ears. Jirall quickly put some distance between them. His eyes shooting a evil glare towards the night who came to do his night watch. She managed to relax her breathing and wipe her mouth, as she glared into Jirall's smirking face.

''That was but a taste of what I have in store for you...'' Jirall whispered into her ear, slightly out of breath. The look of pure horror he saw in her eyes, made him let out one of his famous cackling laughs.

Calista did not even bother to answer him. She spun around and ran to her room. Tears flowing freely from her eyes, wetting her pale cheeks. She dug inside the pocked of her dress for the gift Zael had given her. Her hands closing around the item, taking strength from it. I will not give up...and I will not be broken...

Well inside her room, she closed the door with such force that it echoed in the still hallway. With trembling hands, she managed to lock her door. Letting out a sob, she slid down to the floor. Her eyes roamed around her room, feeling relived to be back into her cage. The light from a single candle cast shadows around the room, it's familiar flickering soothed her lonely and sad heart

''There was no one to protect us..''

Zael's words one again swept over her. She had felt pity for him for hearing his reasons of becoming a knight. He thought they were something noble and fine to look up to. The reality would soon crush those dreams because she knew better than any one, that honourable knights were rare.

The lonely look she had found in Zael's eyes had stirred compassion in her own lonely heart. She could easily recognize a kindred spirit when she saw one. He looked as lonely as she felt, and it was a shame that both of them had met under such circumstances. Never had she felt like she did in his presence, and she thought she had felt him feel the same way.

''Oh, Zael...how I wish things were different...'' She whispered to herself, as she buried her face in her arms and cried.

Fin.