Thank you so much for all the reviews! I am so glad that this story has gotten a tone of support so far :)

I appreciate all of the reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter!


It took all the energy Musa had in her system not to yell and take back everything she just said. All the king cared about was stealing resources and making Musa's life miserable. If she wanted her father to live then of course she would inflate the King's ego – make him feel like he was in control.

"Yes…." The king said, leaning casually back in the throne. "I do have your best interests at heart, Siren. How can you explain, though, the singing my men heard?"

"If…if I may speak freely, Sire?" Musa asked, keeping her eyes downcast until permitted.

King Kataar sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. "Very well, you may speak freely."

Musa finally lifted her eyes up to look at King Kataar. Over the years the man had gained so much weight, like the pig he was. His magenta beard, now greyer, had grown around his chin and up to his side burns. Looking at the man now, it embarrassed her to know that she was afraid of him as a child. He didn't look threatening now, but seeing Darcy stand next to him made Musa think twice about defying him. She was not afraid of him, she was afraid for her father and what Darcy could do to him.

The dark brown eyes of the king stared into Musa's, almost like seeing into her soul. She felt her inside freeze up at the stare and her body wanting to go rigid. The dark brown eyes, a specific trait of the Valkarians, made Musa's body freeze. She hated looking into them.

"I would never….dishonour….His Highness by disobeying him. I know that singing is outlawed. Sire, I-I truly was p-practicing the war cry. To…..to show my…change."

"Oh?" The king replied intrigued. "A change? How do I know that you truly mean that? When we first saved you, you challenged me at every turn, tossed away our kindness. How can I be sure that you truly have changed?"

Musa silently gulped to herself. She would never insult her family's heritage by speaking ill of them. She would never taint herself by learning the war cry, but she had to figure out how to talk her way out of it.

"How about you recite the cry? Right here, right now for us?" The king suggested.

Musa was so screwed. Musa's eyes started darting around the room and saw everyone's eager eyes staring back at her. She kept looking around carefully until she saw Tecna standing at the front of the crowd to Musa's right.

Tecna motioned Musa's eyes downward and she followed. To anyone, it looked like Tecna was merely nervously touching her hands but to Musa it was sign language. When the pair were caught, to avoid spying guards, Tecna taught Musa sign language – that was until Musa gained enough trust from the king that she didn't need her "body guards" standing by her side every time she was out.

Musa knew what Tecna was signing but did she really have it in her to recite the horrible cry out loud? Did she really have a choice? Her father could be executed by anyone if she disobeyed. Musa may have thought rebellion was pointless for her at this point, but she did have dignity and pride left.

"I'm waiting, Siren," the king urged. "If you cannot recite the cry then I'll send Darcy down to your father."

"Um…." Musa subtly looked at Tecna again who was urging her to recite it.

'There is no Melody without their Princess' Tecna signed.

Musa sighed sadly to herself and looked back at the king.

"Singing is forbidden, Sire. May I….may I recite only the words?" Musa asked.

"Ah…very good," King Kataar replied pleased. "You clearly are understanding our ways, child. You may proceed."

Well that bought Musa only a few seconds. If Musa stalled any longer, she would be caught. Tecna started signing the war cry again.

"The…honour…" Musa began, apologising to her mother with every word. "Is…is won on the…battlefield…"

The large oak doors burst open, startling everyone in the throne room. Musa sighed in relief at the interruption. In her head, she was thanking any deity out there.

"What is the meaning of this?" King Kataar yelled, standing up from his chair.

Musa didn't care, she was so grateful for the interruption. Musa didn't dare turn around in fear that she may anger the king. She heard footsteps echo on the tiles as someone entered the throne room. Soon, whispers started sounding from everyone in the room. Noticing that the king was occupied with the person's entrance, she decided she could sneak a peek at her helper.

When Musa turned around, she wished she hadn't. She decided to take everything back she said about thanking the person and what not. She regretted even thinking those words.

"Son, you have returned," King Kataar said in surprise.

Standing by the large oak doors stood a twenty-year-old man. His magenta hair spiked up like it naturally grew that way. His face looked as though it knew no bad angle; with broad cheekbones and a perfectly square jaw. A face that had all the girls swooning and begging for his attention, all but Musa. Power and authority radiated off the man that always sent shivers up Musa's spine.

The young man walked further into the room, causally holding his hands behind his back. The casualness of his stature exposed the ripping muscles under his black short-sleeved shirt. The casualness of the jeans and boots he wore did not detract from his power either. He looked like he was ready for a fight at any moment. His eyes started looking around the room until they suddenly fell on Musa. His eyes were ones Musa remembered all too well. They were unlike anything she had ever seen. They were amethyst in colour, a vibrant purple that turned magenta in the light. Very unlike his father's.

"Prince Riven," King Kataar said. "Why have you returned early? We were not expecting you back for another month."

Riven's gaze left Musa's and met his father's.

"You know that I graduated from Red Fountain two months ago, father," Riven replied.

Riven now walked further into the room until he was standing in front of the dais, his back towards Musa.

"I heard rebels have been giving you trouble," Riven said looking back at Musa briefly before looking back at the king. "So, I decided to leave spring break early."

King Kataar stared around the room quickly before looking back at his son. Musa could have sworn she heard a little grumble coming from him.

"It is….it is nothing I cannot handle," the king replied. "We have not had any trouble from them in the last few months. Isn't that right, Siren?"

Musa quickly moved her gaze downward as the king and his son turned their gaze to her.

"Yes Sire," Musa replied, her skin suddenly feeling hot like she was remembering the throbbing pain from her punishment.

"I….see…." Riven said slowly.

"But you have nothing to worry about, son," King Kataar quickly added. "We shall talk more when I am dismissed from this meeting."

"Oh? I did not realise I was interrupting something," Riven said suddenly walking up on the dais and looking around the room.

"Yes….you are," the king said clearly not amused. "Go unpack your things and we will continue this later."

"What were you doing? Please continue, I will not be in the way," Riven said, sitting on the heir's throne next to his father's throne.

Riven threw an arm over the back of the chair and crossed his leg over the other. The king stared at his son for a few seconds with Riven returning them with equal intensity.

What was going on, Musa thought. Riven had been away learning battle skills and, ironically, heroism from the Red Fountain school in Magix the last few years. His behaviour now was oddly casual. Musa did not remember Riven like this. The last time she saw him was when he was 15 and being shipped off to school. Three years of training and two years of mission placement apparently is what the king thought the young prince needed. Probably to sick his son and army onto another poor unsuspecting realm.

At 15 years old, Riven was always so quiet yet intimidating. He never said a word to anyone but his father and fellow army cadets, however, his skills as a warrior made people either respect or fear him. He was trained to be a warrior even before he could walk. Whispers around the castle say that magic or not, Riven could pin an enemy down in seconds. He was the fastest and strongest of his men, and he knew how to use every weapon in the armoury. Yes, Prince Riven was not someone to be trifled with.

The king sighed heavily as he stared at his son. Suddenly Riven's demeanour changed like a flip of a switch. He removed his hand from the back of the chair and sat up straight – he now looked like the warrior prince he was.

"If I am to take over one day, Father, then I am entitled to be at all meetings and punishments," Riven said angrily.

For a split-second Musa thought she heard a pause before he said punishment. Surely not. Musa was just over hearing things. Prince Riven was an arrogant and cruel man, just like his father.

King Kataar suddenly had a large grin on his face and patted his son on the back.

"Quite right, my son. It seems that school did not weaken your Valkarian blood after all."

Riven gave a smirk back to his father. "I am now wise to your tests, Father. I wish to make my people proud."

"Very well, stay and watch," King Kataar said as he took his seat again.

Musa's body tensed up again as she locked eyes with the king again.

"The guards heard singing coming from the Siren's room today," the king informed his son. "Apparently, she was practicing the Valkarian war cry. She was just starting to recite it for us when you arrived."

Riven's face turned to look at Musa. She immediately put her gaze to the floor. She would not give the prince her time of day.

"Seriously, Father?" Riven asked. "Everyone in this kingdom knows that like the back of their hand. To waste our precious time on this is practically insulting."

"Son," the king whispered to his son. "We need to keep this leech under control. If she was singing, she must be punished."

Riven leaned back in the chair and rolled his eyes.

"Please, continue," the king said to Musa.

Tecna started signing the words again for Musa.

"The…honour is…won on the battlefield…" Musa repeated. She took a subtle look at Tecna again. "To…die in battle-"

"Brings glory to us all, blah blah," Riven finished for Musa. "Yes, we all know it. Well done, pet. You get a gold star."

A few people in the room gasped a little at Riven's interruption. The king looked at his son angrily. Musa bit her lip painfully to stop herself from lashing out at him. A pet? How dare he! She was insulted! And that is hard to beat considering the ill words spoken about her currently. If only the royals knew how wrong they were. Musa was smarter than all of them. She was no one's pet.

"Prince Riven!" The king roared angrily.

Riven continued to sit stoically in his chair, power and authority continuing to radiate off him. He crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and smirked.

"We are wasting time here, Father. If you are done training your pet, then I'd like to dismiss her."

"What?" The king hissed at his son.

"I have urgent intel that may help with your rebel problem. I want her gone. We cannot risk discussing them with her here," Riven added, still with his eyes closed.

The king leant back in his chair and thought for a moment. After a minute the king grinned at his only heir.

"You are quite right, my son," the king replied. "Guards escort the Siren back to her quarters. Keep her there for the rest of the day."

Two guards appeared from the crowd and stood in front of Musa. Musa swallowed before she curtseyed to the prince and king. Without another word, Musa stood up, turned and started heading for the doors, with Tecna following behind the guards.

"Oh, and Siren," the king said causing Musa to stop for a moment. "Happy Birthday."

Musa ignored him as she knew it was meant as a taunt and continued out of the room. So much for a peaceful birthday.


"Can you believe what just happened?" Tecna said in disbelief.

As soon as the two girls arrived back to their room, Tecna dragged Musa to the bathroom and turned the shower on. Tecna knew that the guards would be stationed outside the bedroom door to keep Musa inside all day.

"Like I am still in disbelief," Tecna rambled.

Musa sat on the edge of the bathtub just staring at the ground. Since she left the throne room, her stomach had been in knots. She had recited half of the battle cry and it made her feel sick.

"Tecna, I don't…" Musa said trying to will her nausea away. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

"I'm talking about the prince, who has returned a month early and saved your butt," Tecna explained.

"How so? He called me a pet. He is still the arrogant jerk I knew years ago," Musa replied.

"Ah, he interrupted you from reciting the cry and finished it off for you."

"Oh please, he really didn't."

"He finished it for you and then dismissed you. This is the first time in five years that you have walked away without punishment from the king."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! I have a photographic memory, Musa," Tecna said. "Trust me, it's the first time in five years."

"So? You heard him. He has another agenda and I was just in his way. He called me a pet. If my father wasn't in prison, believe me, he would know my objections to that."

"What do we do now?"

"What do you mean, what do we do? We keep playing his games, Tecna."

"But Musa, you heard the prince. There are rumours of rebellion plans again. We haven't had one in months."

"Yes, I am very aware of that fact. My back thanks for it."

"You don't mean that."

"You have no idea what I mean. You are my dearest friend, Tecna, but you have no idea what pain falls upon me every time rebels reappear. With the prince back, who knows what will happen to them and to me."

"The prince never gave one thought about you as a child, and we missed him as a teenager."

"You forget, Tecna, that he is now a graduate from the school of heroics and bravery. He is the prince of a warrior king. He is bred for battle, he was taught from walking age how to defend himself, and that prince is now an adult. Who knows what will happen to me now that he is back."

"Musa, you have allies."

"Allies? I have not seen any allies. There is a reason why no other realms have helped us – it is because no one army can hold their own against the Valkarians. Did you not hear what I said? They are a warrior race."

"When did you become so defeatist!? That is not the Musa I know."

"The Musa you knew died along with her mother. All that is left is survival instincts and anger. Vengeance alone cannot win a war; one army alone cannot win a war. I am not a defeatist, Tecna, I am a realist. A realist who is waiting patiently. Every punishment I remember, every insult, every scar I remember. I am playing his game so they eventually drop their guard."

"I don't understand, Musa."

"I learnt very quickly as a child that brut force and escape cannot save my father and my realm. If we have any hope of saving Melody then I need all of the intel I can get. The women of the court are gossips and the men are narcissists. They will have no reason to put a guard up if they believe I am defeated and have succumbed to their beliefs."

"And then what? What happens when you finally get intel from the inside?"

"We take them down from the inside. The rebels are currently Melodians alone. I need the help of multiple realms joining forces with us – one united front. Then we take the Valkarians down from the inside with insider knowledge."

"It is brilliant, Musa. I am so proud. But courtiers are just that, they are gossips. If you truly have not lost your hope, lost your fire, then you need the strategic knowledge of the enemy."

"No guard will willingly tell me anything."

"They might to some female dignitaries that you know."

"….I cannot put them at risk. No, I cannot, Tecna. Besides, they haven't been around for a year. Not since the attack on the wharf."

The attack on the wharf was from a previous group of rebels that sought to destroy the wharf to prevent incoming supplies of materials. The materials were used to create the phantom weapons of the Valkarian forces. Musa was canned by the guards in the main square and her father was without food for two days. Her friends were there at the time and witnessed the whole thing. It, rightly so, made them sick to their stomachs. Since then they hadn't returned.

"Musa, they will do anything for you. Their realms had alliances with your mother before the siege."

"Then why didn't they help us then?"

"It was a surprise attack, you know this. They came without warning and defeated your family before the others could form an army. You also just said that on one realm has enough forces to help."

"I still cannot risk them. I cannot risk the king finding out their involvement. He allows them to visit to keep this charade up. Everyone in the magical dimension knows that they are conquerors. Why the king insists on displaying otherwise is beyond me."

"Musa, you just said you want to save your kingdom. Now is the perfect time to start moving ahead with your plan."

"It isn't a plan," Musa sighed. "It is a young girl gathering intel. I don't know what to do with it."

"Well now it's time for us to start planning what to do with it. You're 18 years old. You have the power to take back what is yours."

"I don't have my powers anymore, Tecna. No one can figure out why."

"Then we shall find a way. We will add that to the plan. We will find out what happened to the magic in the realm before it is too late. The Valkarians are leeches; they will drain all our resources until there is nothing left to save. I have been monitoring things for a year now and by my calculations, Melody has at best two years before the realm is unable to support any life. So, we need to start planning now."

"Why now?"

"Because you are going to need the strategic knowledge and battle plans of the Valkarians, and you're going to get it from Prince Riven."

"What?"

"The Prince clearly saved your butt today. I don't know why but he did. Whether he did it out of pity or because you were a nuisance, I don't care. We need to trap him and get the details before he is shipped off by his father."

"How do you expect me to do that?"

"….You're going to have to seduce him."


Let me know what you think :) R&R

Until next time!

~AngelAlexandra~