A/N: Sorry for the delay! Do you know how much it sucks to have your computer crash? I had to totally rewrite this chapter, on top of my computer being taken away for punishment purposes. Gr. So here it is. I'm working on 4, so it should be out within the next week. Oh and by the way...PLEASE R&R!!!

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"Kivar, I have to leave."

Vilandra stood in front of his bed, slipping her day dress back on. Her hair was pinned up into a lazy bun on her head, wisps of hair hanging onto her neck. She grabbed her shoes and slipped them on, hurrying to the side of the bed to lean and kiss him.

"I hate to see you go, but if you must..."

"I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked. He nodded with a suave smile. She smiled, then rose again, and left quickly. It was about an hour until dawn, and she had to sneak back into the palace.

Kivar watched her go and chuckled to himself. She was so stupid, really. But he was beginning to fall for her, which meant this had to go quick. He couldn't go getting so involved that he couldn't do his job.

He picked up a transmitter and punched one of the keys, holding it to his ear. A man answered.

"Sir, we have her in our sight."

"Good." He replied. "Don't let her out of your sight. We need to formulate a way to turn her against her brother and fast. I think I may just play the meant for each other in love card."

"This soon, sir?"

"This girl is aching to be loved, Nerato. She needs it, by someone other than her family. If we can spawn a fight..."

"Right. I'll get straight on it."

"Good." And with that the transmission was cut off. Kivar tossed the transmitter onto a nearby chair and leaned back onto the bed with a grin. Everything was going as planned.
______

Zan stood in front of Rath, his hands behind his back. Rath just sat, watching as Zan strode back and forth in a silent anger. He stopped and stared at the man he considered a best friend.

"Why didn't you tell me she left?" He asked quietly. Rath shifted uncomfortably where he sat. He didn't enjoy being interrogated like he was a subject. He ran his hand through his jet black hair and sighed.

"Zan, I was dealing with more than you can imagine, what with Elora leaving and then Moira. I'm sorry to say, but you weren't the first priority I had."

"But why didn't she tell me? Why couldn't she have..." He trailed off, not really knowing what to ask. It was obvious why she didn't tell him. How she had run from him on that last night had said everything.

"She did love you Zan. She just...this guy was an escape."

"Is he a good man, Rath? Will he take good care of her? That's all I need to know."

Rath didn't know what to say. There was no man, only a child that would never have a father. So he just nodded.

"Yes Zan. A very good man."

Zan stood by the window, looking out over the lake. He closed his eyes.

"Ava of Santar will arrive tomorrow."

"Your wife to be?" Rath asked. Zan nodded. "Well..."

"My thoughts exactly." He said. "We are to be wed in 2 moon cycles. I...it is so soon..."

"Your mother doesn't mean to pour salt into existing wounds Zan. She just wishes for you to take the throne so no one can subvert the royal family."

"I know that Rath." He was irritated. "It is too soon. Perhaps if I had the chance to bid a farewell to Elora..."

"She's gone Zan. She's not coming back." He stood. "I'm to retreat to my chambers." Zan looked at him, forlorn and beaten, his eyes sad. Rath sighed. "Move on. Just marry and be done with it." And with that, he left the room, closing the door behind him, and walking to his own place.
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Vilandra crept carefully into the palace's secret passageways. They had been built by the kings of the past, her ancestors, in order to create a suitable escape if something should happen. Now, they were used by people such as herself, sneaking in and out of the palace walls.

She made it to her room quickly, having memorized the path long ago. She entered it quietly, but was startled to find a girl sitting on her bed.

"Oh, Corcia. You scared me." She smiled. "What are you doing here?" Corcia shrugged, and a smile came onto her face.

"Never mind what I'm doing here. You were with him, weren't you?" She asked coyly. When Vilandra blushed, it was all the response Corcia needed. She laughed and leaned back. "I don't blame you. He is unbelievably good looking. Both of your loves are unbelievably good looking."

Vilandra's bright smile faded a bit. "Yes...he is quite adorable. Rath, I mean." Corcia flushed, realizing her mistake.

"Oh Vilandra...I'm sorry...I just..."

"I know, you didn't...no one understands that..." She took a deep breath. "You know, I'm in too good of a mood to let this bring me down."

"Maybe you should tell Rath though. He seems understanding. And if Moira was around..."

Vilandra cut her off. "Just...Let's talk about tomorrow nights gala."

Corcia laughed and Vilandra sat at her small vanity. The two had been friends since the days of childhood, playing with Moira and Elora alike. Corcia, however, was a relative, a cousin and she and Vilandra were closer than most believed.

"What is there to speak of?" Corcia asked with a grin.

"Well, how about you borrowing my dress that you absolutely adore? I'm sure Atar would just die for it." Corcia's grin faded.

"Oh...Atar. He...he is not been feeling well. He'll be absent." She said, then paused before adding, "I may be absent as well."

"Oh Corcia!" She shrieked, rushing to her cousin. "No. The princess is arriving tomorrow. You must meet her."

"I can meet her all the same at a later date." Corcia spoke sharply and immediately regretted it as Vilandra's eyebrows furrowed together.

"Well. Okay." She stood. "You're obviously in a distressed mood. I'll...I'm going to go find Rath. Talk to him as you said. I'll see you in time." She said, leaving without another word. Corcia moved to object but stopped as she stood. Her eyes welled with tears. Her life was a wreck, within the few days that it had been amazing. As she bent her head to let her tears fall silently, a figure made it's way behind her.

"Very good Corcia...very good." His deep voice surrounded her and she closed her eyes to not see what she had done. His finger traced her jaw line, eventually reaching her shoulders and he turned her around.

"You have what you want; I did as you said, now do as you said." She said, her voice but a whisper. Her eyes were still closed, yet tears seeped out of them and he wiped one away.

"Ah, let's think on that...no." He said. So calmly, yet final. She let out a low pained cry and fell on the bed. The man, however, chuckled.

"But you promised...and he..." Corcia said, shaking her head. "I want him back."

"I really think you're in no position to demand such things." The man said, looking down at her. "Don't you realize it, silly girl? Your young husband wasn't taken randomly by Kivar. He was chosen."

"Damn you Nerato." She spat. He paid her no heed and continued.

"You are a blood relative to the princess. And she herself has confided in Kivar, telling him of how close you two are. That she tells you everything." He said, a sadistic smile twisting on his face. "Really, it must be the outrageous looks that she possesses that draws Kivar to her because, really, she's not that bright."

"She is a very smart person, Nerato; you underestimate her. Her judgment is merely clouded by her love for him."

"Correct perhaps. You're awfully defensive of her; remember, she is the reason for your husband to be missing. See, she'll tell you everything she knows, everything she wants. You, in turn, will tell us. When Kivar is satisfied, your husband may be returned." He grinned. "Or not."

"Bastard."

"Ooh, name calling Corcia. And her highness speaks oh so highly." He jeered. "I must be going. But first..."

Without so much of another warning, Nerato pulled her head up and pushed his lips on hers for a few moments, his tongue snaking in her mouth before she pulled away in disgust. He just laughed.

"Hmm...now I understand why he wants back so much. So...sweet." He said.

"You'll burn for this."

"Not as Kivar's right hand man, I won't. I will be second in command to the Antarian world. This rebellion is nearing, sweet naive dear. Be prepared." And with his last words, he left as stealthy as he had come, leaving Corcia alone in the dark room.

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"Elora, would you like a montari?" Elora looked up at the voice, her mind clearing. She had been just dozing, daydreaming as it may be. She smiled at the woman in front of her.

"No thank you Roscea." She spoke. Roscea smiled back and sat down with a shrug, biting into the fruit as she closed her eyes.

"So." Roscea spoke. "Are you ready?" Elora ran her fingers along her bloated belly. She smiled and nodded.

"I think I am." She said. Roscea grinned.

"Have you thought of any names?" Elora shrugged.

"A few." She said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Like, if it's a female, I like the name Elysia or Calentia."

"Those are beautiful names."

"And if it's male, there's one name that's stuck for me. Zephirus."

"Oh, that's a strong name for a young boy." Roscea said with a nod.

"It's my brothers middle name; my fathers and grandfathers first. It's a strong one." She said. "And there is a feeling that grows inside of me, that the child will be a male." She frowned. "That he will face life and it's many hardships without me by his side. And that feeling terrifies me."

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Rath laid on his chamber bed, his head to the ceiling. Zan had deserved truth from him, but he had lied to prevent betrayal of his sister. What a choice to make, he thought. Your best friend, your king or your sister.

A knock came at his door and he let his eyes drift to the door, then look back at the ceiling. "Come in."

Vilandra entered. He quickly sat up, and looked at her. "Lonnie? What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." She began, but her eyes had begun to swell with tears. She knew he would understand because he was that good of a friend, because he was that close to her. But she couldn't help feeling apprehensive about it. "Well..."

"Lonnie..." He began. He roped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, and she began to cry. She hated it too, because she was never one of those girls who wept at every little thing. Now it seemed that tears were all she had left.

"I just...please don't hate me."

"Vilandra." He said sternly. "I could never hate you. Ever. Nothing you ever do will make me hate you, don't you understand?" She looked up into his eyes, a feeling of uneasiness coming over her as if it were a foreboding message. But she ignored and shook her head.

"I'm...I'm in love." She said softly. Rath smiled quizzically.

"That's wonderful Lonnie. Why would you think that I would hate you for that?" She took a deep breath.

"It's just that...Rath, we're to be married."

"Yes, I know." A slight smile appeared on his face, but then he turned serious. "Vilandra, if Moira were still here, I would expect you to understand that I would still want to see her, and that I would. I treat you how I want you to treat me; that's what's so wrong about us being married. I care for you as a sister; this marriage...I truly don't have an idea of how we will deal with it, but we'll do so when the time comes." He took a breath and pulled her close. "Until then, I only want you to be happy, and if this man does that...then go be happy."