Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait, here it is. Their first date!

Aurora seemed glad to have help. Kaya and Helia had both nominated themselves to be the head of my makeover. Now Helia was rummaging through my closet trying to find the "perfect outfit" while Kaya bustled over my shoes and makeup.

" Something natural…."

I opened my mouth before I was cut off by Helia's excited shout.

" I found something." She pulled out a strapless black dress with sleeves, giving me a big wink. " Can't go wrong with a classic." Kaya nodded excitedly, grabbing the dress and shoving me into the bathroom. From the way, they were acting you would never guess we were competing with each other for the love of a confusing Prince. My mind drifted to Holden as I pulled the dress on. He was impossible to dissect. When he was with me he seemed to like me, from the little I knew about that kind of thing. But then he'd flip, like something had switched. He flirted with Kat throughout dinner, she always got to sit next to him, not that I was jealous. Then when he saw the rest of them he ignored Kat and acted suave and cool. Which I didn't mind at all. And then, when he was standing beside his family he would get this vacant look on his face, and he couldn't see anything, Not even my concerned glances, and probes.

I turned to the mirror. The door yanked open and Kaya stuck her head through the door. I rolled my eyes at her intrusion, giving her a playful glare.

" Ooooo, you look hot. Come out!" I followed her out to oohs and aahs. I blushed slightly as they spoke and pretended to strike a pose. They laughed and I grinned. Grandmother had truly been right.

" All right, I gotta go to the Women's Room," Helia announced. I nodded, giving her a hug.

" I promised Allya I would say help her write her letter…" she gave me a serious look, " You got this." I smiled at her, squeezing her hard. I sat on the bed, a sudden bundle of nerves. Kaya sat next to me, bouncing on the bed a little.

" Are you okay?"

" Can I ask you something?"

" Of course."

" Do you like Holden?" Kaya's smile dropped and she sighed. " I'm sorry…"

" I don't know. I haven't had a great history with relationships." Jake, I wanted to say. But I didn't want to pry too much. I tilted my head and patted her shoulder.

" Whatever happens, thank you. For being an awesome person."

She grinned, flipping her hair. " I am awesome, aren't I?" I laughed. A knock sounded on the door. We both turned and Kaya hit me excitedly. A bit harder than I thought. That girl was strong. Kaya pushed me forward.

" Go get the door. Push your boobs out!"

" Kaya!" She just winked. I opened the door. Holden stood there in a tight maroon sweater and tan pants. He smirked as his eyes took me in.

" Are you checking me out?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow and leaning against the doorframe. He chuckled, drawing his hand through his hair.

" Am I allowed to?" I shrugged, stepping into the hallway and closing the door. He didn't move so I pressed myself into the door, staring into his eyes. From this close, I could see a tinge of blue woven into the green. He looked tired as always. But it didn't take away from anything, he was still much more handsome than I'd like to admit. I exhaled, breaking eye contact.

" Where are we going," I turned towards the hallway.

" Somewhere special," he said, his hand folded behind his back. I turned, walking backward.

" It better be." He laughed. He led me towards the garden and past the hedges, towards the woods. We didn't speak much as we walked. As we reached the edge of hedges I turned towards him.

"You're not gonna kill me in the woods, are you?"

He chuckled, " You would kill me first." I grinned. He knew me well. Suddenly his hand slipped into mine and a blush spread across my face.

" Tell me something, Holden."

" Something?"

" Oh," I said excitedly, " I'm going to ask you questions."

" I usually skip the conversation." I rolled my eyes as he laughed.

" I'll go first." The ground below us went from cobblestone to dirt.

" Middle name?"

" Ashton. Yours?"

" America." He nodded, unsurprised but didn't say anything.

Do you like me, I wanted to ask. But I kept my childishness at bay, relishing the fact that his hand was in mine.

" Weirdest food combo?"

He laughed, " What kind of question is that."

" A good question?" I said, nudging his shoulder. He rolled his eyes.

" Um...brie and jam."

" That's lame," I whined.

" Fine, then, what's yours?"

" Peanut butter and pickles." His face scrunched up in disgust and he pretended to shiver.

" My, Evelyn, you are…." he shook his head and I grinned.

" One of a kind, I know."

" I was going to say insane…" he stopped as we neared a thick patch of trees. I hushed as he led me through and the forest opened into a wide clearing. The sun was dipping below the horizon and there in the green-yellow grass of the meadow was a blanket and a large picnic basket. I gasped in surprise. It was beautiful. Grinning like an idiot, Holden led me to the blanket, sitting on the edge and watching as I observed the surroundings. The small pond in front of us. I turned as I sat, cross-legged on the blanket.

" You like it?" he asked.

" Love it." He opened the basket and pulled out two plates of pasta and a bottle of sparkling cider. " I'm surprised we were allowed to go so far."

" Don't be. There are about 15 guards in the woods." We began to eat, silently at first. The food was simply spectacular. For all its faults, the Palace had amazing food. And the sky. The sky was absolutely beautiful. Holden had brought me out at the perfect time, the time to see the sun setting below the ground, leaving a trail of pinks and oranges to light the world.

" Holden, can I ask you a question?" I spoke up, dropping my fork.

" Anything."

" Why, why were not in the safe room. During the attack?"

Holden stopped chewing, his face growing serious. " You can't tell anyone about that. Kaya too. You understand that Evelyn?" His tone was demanding and I narrowed my eyes.

" I wasn't going to."

He sighed, " I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just… after a while I got sick of doing nothing. The attacks started a long time ago. And I remember the one that Mother…" he stopped, staring down at his food. I reached across to touch his hand and gave him a soft smile. I knew what it was like to lose someone. To feel responsible.

" I'm sorry." He looked up, his green eyes clear. He wasn't hiding right now, behind a smug exterior. And it made me happy.

" It wasn't anyone's fault but… I just knew I needed to do something. So I stole a guard's uniform and stashed it in my office. Started training. And that was that."

" I think that's amazing. You stand up for your people. You fight with them, not hide behind them." He blushed slightly, leaning towards me.

" Thank you, Eve." I stared into his eyes, trying to avert my eyes from his lips. He leaned closer to me, a hair width away.

" For what?" I said it so quietly I almost thought he didn't hear.

" For being here." He leaned forward and for a moment I thought my heart stopped. As his lips pressed into mine everything inside me seemed to grow warm. My heart was beating so fast I was sure it thought I was running a race. His lips moved against mine and his hand brushed against my cheek, making fireworks explode against my skin. All I could think about was him, Holden; he was kissing me. I had never felt like this before. Suddenly a sharp pain flashed through my cheek and I bit down on my own lip, drawing quickly. I looked up embarrassed at Holden's face. He reached up and brushed the blood of my lip. I grew redder.

" I'm sorry," I whispered fast. The girls had covered the blooming bruise but I had forgotten it was there. I had forgotten everything. Concern was written all over his face when he looked at me. He reached up towards my cheek and I stilled. I didn't want to tell him. I didn't know how he would react. He gently touched my cheek and despite myself, I flinched. Something in his eyes lit. But not with the same thing I had seen before he kissed me. This was new. He was angry. He sat up and shifted away from me.

" Holden…" I said softly, unsure.

" Who did it?"

" Holden…"

He clenched his fists, staring at my face. I knew he wouldn't hurt me but part of me still wanted to move away.

" Who. Did. It."

" It's not your concern," I retort, gaining my bearings. He glared at me as if I had just accused him of murder. I glared back, crossing my hands over my chest.

" As the Prince and your future King, I order you to tell me." My eyes widened.

" You order me?" Maybe I should tell him the truth, just to see his face. I knew he could be rude sometimes, I never knew he would act this way towards me. Was this who he truly was? Or was this the act? He was seething now. But instead of pitying him, all I could think about was how much a jerk he was. He didn't soften, even at the annoyance and warning in my voice.

" Evelyn, tell me."

" Your mother," I spat. He stood fast, knocking over his plate.

" She is not my mother." Then without another word he ran into the woods leaving me with tears burning in my eyes and a forgotten memory of the perfect first kiss.

What caused Holden to lash out? What's going to happen now. Comment and favorite for more!

Fae