"Luta…" Aaron's face was a deep red as the two of us walked at the edge of the Island.

"Yes?" I smiled up at him. I'd known Aaron for about four months now, ever since my legion had liberated the Demons' slave camp that he'd been kept in.

"I… I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I've been thinking," Aaron stopped walking, causing me to stop as well. "Well, I've been thinking about you – a lot more often than I'd care to admit."

"Aaron, I… find myself thinking about you as well." I looked into his deep red, almost brown eyes. I could understand why he'd seem scared to admit this to me. Everyone who knew me knew about my… not so calm reactions to attempted romance. It wasn't even a week ago I'd broken a man's nose after he'd flirted with me. The violent reactions were mostly just a ruse to scare other would-be suitors away… mostly.

"… Marry me." Aaron said softly as he took my hands.

"Err… say again?" I almost didn't believe what I'd heard.

"I… sorry, I didn't mean to – I mean, I want to, eventually. It just sort of slipped out, I -" Aaron was cut off as I kissed him.

"… Yes." I said as I backed slightly away to look at him.


"'Married?!'" Gabriel looked like he just heard someone say that the sky was green. "Luta, you've only known him for four months!"

"I know, but I think he might be the one." I clasped my hands together. I'd already told Father after I'd gotten back to the Palace. He'd been surprised, but otherwise supportive. I had to wait for Gabriel to get back from Aro'Tera before I could tell him. Unfortunately, Gabriel hadn't gotten back until the day before the wedding.

"Luta… do you even know anything about his family? You found him in a slave camp run by demons!" Gabriel frowned. "You know they hide spies in camps they fear might soon be liberated!"

"If Aaron was a demon in disguise, he'd have already been caught." I crossed my arms. "Why can't you just be happy for me? I've finally found someone I genuinely like!"

Without another word, I stormed off.


"There. All done." The seamstress Father had hired, Leandra, stood up. "What do you think, Lady Lutarua?"

"It's lovely, Leandra. Thank you." I did a tiny twist so that I could see the puffy skirt flow along with my movements. The gown was a pure white beauty, decorated with silver trim and a sheer over-layer.

"Oh! And just in time, too! I hear the music starting!" Leandra helped me off of the platform and towards the door to the Great Hall where two guards were ready to swing open the doors. Once Leandra had went through one of the side doors, the guards opened the doors and I started down the white walkway covered in pink rose petals. At the end of the walkway was Aaron, Marian, and the Scribe that was to wed us. I must admit, I thought it odd that Aaron hadn't chosen a best man, whereas I'd chosen my childhood friend and general to be my maid of honor.

"Stop." Gabriel stopped me in the middle of the walkway, coming in between me and Aaron. No one was sure what to do. If it were anyone else, he'd have simply been escorted out by the guards – but since he was not only my brother, but the crown heir… there was only a deathly silence."What is the meaning of this?" Aaron was the only one who thought to speak.

"I've looked into your family history, Aaron Lin'Zelin… your non-existent family history." Gabriel said clearly and loudly so that everyone in the Great hall could hear. "I went to the Crypts only to find out that your supposed bloodline died out centuries ago…"

Everyone gasped as he paused for effect. Even I was confused.

"When a Melark convinced the last living Lin'Zelin to marry him while she was in a slave camp." Gabriel finished. The Hall filled with whispers. We all knew about the current Melark – Argos Melark, one of the most powerful demons we'd come across. "What say you to this, Aaron? Or should I say… Argos?"

Everything else happened in a blur. One moment I was walking down the aisle, the next I was running as fast as I could – as Gabriel had instructed before the fighting broke out – being chased by a few of the thousands of demons that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Before I could comprehend anything, I was at the edge of the island… right where Aaron had asked me to marry him. Down below were the thick rainclouds that seemed to be dousing the surface below. Seeing that the demons were still chasing me, I made a snap decision.

"I will not die at the hands of demons." I whispered to myself as I jumped off the edge without opening my wings so that I could get away faster.


"You alright there, little missy?" I heard a masculine voice call me back to consciousness.

Where was I?

I sat up and opened my eyes. Sitting near me as middle-aged looking man with long blonde hair and brown eyes... He was someone I didn't know.

"What... happened?" I rested my hands over my forehead. Looking down at what I was wearing, I noticed that I was wearing a rather decorative white gown with silver decorations. I looked like a princess. "Where am I?"

"You're in my cabin." The man stood. "Found you passed out in a clearing. Thought you were an angel, what with your wings and all."

"Wings?" I craned my neck to look behind me. No such wings were there.

"Yeah, they kinda... disappeared after awhile." the man crossed his arms. "What's your name, little missy?"

"I... don't remember. I can't remember!" I shook my head after a few moments of trying to think of my name. "Why can't I remember?!"