A/N ~ Sorry this chapter took me so long. I had to look up some information. Please forgive me if I spelled any of the names wrong.

Teressa ran from room and out the door into the garden, with all its dying roses. She let out a huge breath and sank down onto the bench, her head in her hands. She tried to breathe deeply, in and out. What was she going to do?

Okay, she thought, calm down first. Think about this calmly and rationally. What she really needed was someone to talk it out to. But she had no one. She was so alone. Alone.

Don't cry, Teressa, she thought. Not now.

She was suddenly aware of someone sitting down beside her. She turned to see that it was Tyron, his eyes full of concern. Teressa sighed with relief. She wasn't alone after all. Oh, Tyron, she thought, thank you for being here, just when I needed you the most. Please don't treat me like royalty right now. Please treat me like you used to. Please be my old friend tonight.

Tyron took her hand in his. "Tess, are you okay?"

Like a flood she'd been holding inside for so long, Tess let it all out. She told him everything. About her aunt, and the suitors, and the announcement she was expected to make tonight. Through it all, he sat and listened. When she was done, she leaned against him, and he let her cry on his shoulder.

Finally she sat up. "I don't want to give up my throne. I've worked to make this kingdom a better place, and I won't have one of them come in and change that."

Tyron nodded. "So what you want is someone who'll agree to have the title of King, but let you continue to have most of the power, instead of the other way around. Someone who could maybe have a different job or role to play at the same time."

Like Queen's Magician, thought Teressa. She sighed, and out loud she said, "It's ridiculous. Who would ever agree to that? Certainly not one of them." She jerked her head to indicate the suitors inside the castle.

Tyron cocked his head. "Someone who wants to marry you for a reason other than power." He answered. "Someone who loves you."

Love. What is love? Tyron was here for me when I needed him the most. He comforted me. He's been by my side all this time. Teressa thought about how she looked forward to seeing him everyday, and how much she missed him when she didn't. It was Tyron, not Connor or Wren that she'd needed tonight, and he was here. She realized then that she did know what love was. I love him, she thought. I love Tyron.

She looked Tyron in the eyes and said, "Who? Who loves me that much, Tyron?"

Tyron took a deep breath. This is it, he thought. Here goes nothing. For a moment he just looked into Tess's eyes. Then he answered, "I do. I love you, Teressa."

A mixture of relief and joy spread across her face. I guess I'd better do this right, thought Tyron. He slid to the ground on one knee, still holding Tess's hand. "Teressa Rhisadel, will you marry me?"

Teressa's eyes were shining where her tears had been. "Yes," she said. "Yes Tyron, I will marry you."

They both stood, and threw their arms around each other. Tyron brought one hand up, and put it on Teressa's cheek. Their lips touched in a perfect kiss.

For a while they stood in each other's embrace, then Tyron broke the silence. "Do you want to dance?"

Teressa smiled, "Yes, let's." They walked inside together and joined the waltz in the ballroom.

Almost as soon as the dance ended, Teressa saw her aunt pushing toward them. She groaned inwardly at the sight, and Tyron squeezed her hand.

"Teressa, dear," said her aunt, "thank goodness I've found you! We're all anxious to hear your decision." She dragged Teressa through the crowd and up onto the podium at the front of the room.

Tess looked out at the room full of expectant faces, and smiled. She was ready, now, to make her announcement.

A month later, Laris was helping Tyron and Teressa with their wedding plans.

"Okay," Laris was saying, "we're almost finished with the guest list. Anyone else you can think of?"

Teressa smiled sadly, and said, wistfully, "I only wish Wren and Connor could be there. But we have no way of contacting them." Tyron nodded sadly in agreement. Tess sighed, resigning herself to a wedding without her best friend. "Well," she said, brusquely, "I can't think of anyone else, can you?" She looked at Tyron. He shook his head.

"Well then, what's next on the list?" She asked, turning back to Laris.

A/N ~ Next on my list is Chapter 6, and don't worry, there will be more of Wren and Connor.