Days in the castle are slow, mostly cold and consist of fires and soup.

Lucas and I spend some time together when we can, but he's mostly with Farkle. Caroline is out training or God knows doing what.

There's change in her, I can tell. She's become fierce. Well, fiercer than she was anyways.

We heard Zay was let go a couple of days ago. I wrote a letter to my father explaining out situation, and he promised he would give it to him.

This morning, I go to the courtyard where I know Kila's sister is. We've been exchanging a few pleasantries every now and then, but so far, I haven't spoken to her about the wedding.

"Hello." I smile at her when I see her. She's on the ground, a wilting flower in her hand.

"Hi." She says to me.

"May I join you?"

She looks around, then nods. I join her, sitting on the dying grass with my legs crossed.

She has dark hair, midnight black. Northern feathers - a slim face, full brows and long eyelashes. She's beautiful.

"Winter here is harsh." She sighs, motioning to the dying flower. Wow, she reminded me of Maya. They may not look similar, but they have the same caring personalities.

"So I've heard."

"You're not used to it?"

I shake my head. "It doesn't get this cold in Mistell."

I pull my shawl tighter around my shoulders.

"Guess I better get used to that."

My shoulders sink. The way she says it, it's almost like she's forced to marry my brother.

Which she is, but...

"Can I ask you something?"

She looks up at me expectantly.

"Why we're you crying the other day?"

She laughs humorlessly. "You weren't supposed to see that."

I put my hand on her shoulder. "It's okay."

Her eyes lower to the ground. Nervously, she starts picking at the grass.

"That day that you came... marked my parent's fourth death anniversary."

"Oh." I blink. I didn't know what to say. It was one thing for your parents to be so far away, it was a whole other thing for them to well...pass away.

"If I leave... I feel like I'll leave them behind." She says sadly. "But my brother's forcing me to marry Joshua and..."

She sighs.

I'm not over the whole Maya-Joshua thing, but I don't see how things could change now.

"Don't worry." I say to her. "Joshua's a really nice guy." This isn't the first time I've lied, believe me. "And handsome too."

Ew. Did I just call my brother...? No.

"Who is?" A voice asks from behind us. Footsteps alert us to Lucas and Farkle's presence. They take a seat on a bench besides the grass. Farkle has a book in his hand.

Lucas raises an eyebrow. "You better not be calling other guys handsome cuz--"

"My brother." I cut him off.

He let's out a relieved breath.

"What's that?" Kila's sister points to the book in Farkle's hand.

"It's a copy of one of the three ancient books." Says Farkle. "Did you know the Northern tribes were once at peace with our kingdoms? In fact, most of our people were ones who migrated from the North."

She nods. "And some still do. Or at least try to. They don't get very far."

Lucas nods. "Strict border patrol."

A maid comes scurrying down into the garden and with one look, Kila's sister gets up.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." She says. She gets up and follows the maid into the downstairs hallway.

I get up too, and take a seat next to Lucas on the bench. Lucas automatically loops his arm around my waist and clasps my hand.

I grin up at him. "What have you been upto?"

"Nothing much." He says. "Saw Caroline training with the Captain, all covered in blood and mud, then we went to--"

"What?! Is she okay?"

He shrugs. "Not like I care."

Farkle rolls his eyes. "What he means to say is that she's fine, and he's just scared because she's growing up and..."

Lucas throws him a pissed off look which immediately makes him shut up.

We see another maid coming towards us. She scurries on her little legs, with an expression that might make some believe she just saw a ghost.

"Our leader is waiting for you." She says timidly. It takes me a minute to figure out who that is. Kila, right.

"Great Hall?" Asks Lucas. She nods. He gets up, pulling me up too. Farkle tucks his book under his arm and throws us a disgusted look.

"I think I liked you two better when you hated each other."

"Who says I don't hate him now?" I snicker. Lucas looks offended.

"A little less after this?" He asks.

And then ladies and gentlemen, the Crown Prince of Valaire leans in and kisses my cheek.

"A little." I say, my cheeks burning.

He chuckles. "Nice to know I have that effect on you."

The maid leads us to the great Hall, where Kila is seated on his throne. He's arguing with his sister, and she looks close to tears.

He quiets after he sees us. "We're headed to Mistell. All of you included." He says to us at once.

"What? Why?" Farkle asks. All three of us are equally shocked.

"You're going home. The wedding has been moved to three days from now."

I don't know whether to be sad or ecstatic.

"When are we leaving?" Asks Lucas.

"In three hours." Says Kila. "Now go and pack up."

Wow he says that like we actually came to his castle with suitcases.

Nevertheless, we do so. Walking out of the great Hall, we're just about to turn right to the main corridor when I hear a laugh.

It's Caroline and the Captain, and they're heading straight this way.

I hear Lucas stiffen besides me. Cursing, he gets over it and storms towards his sister.

The Captain immediately steps in front of Caroline, as if shielding her.

Boy had things escalated between them.

Lucas grits his teeth. "She's my sister." He growls out.

Caroline purses his lips. She steps away from the Captain, turning to Lucas.

"Do you know we're going to Mistell?" Says Lucas. "Three hours."

She nods. "I do." She says it quietly, like the calm before a storm.

He grabs her arm. "Then you need to--"

She pulls away from his grasp. "No." She says. "I don't need to do anything. You know what, Lucas?! You're acting just like father!"

Lucas clenches his fist. Before any more damage can be done, Farkle steps in between them.

"Finish it up." He says. "Carol, just go and get ready, we'll meet you--"

"No." She cuts him off, taking a step back.

"I'm not coming."