A/N: Sorry, I know its been forever since I have last updated, but I have been busy. And as school approaches (and unfortunately will soon begin) I will get busier, but I'll try to update as soon as possible. Anyways, thanks so much to all of you who reviewed after last chapter. :-D!

Chapter 9: Alex

Mina's POV:

OMG Alex is coming! He's coming to Antar today! I can't wait! I mean I don't get to see him everyday. In fact I thinks it been two years since we actually met with each other. I mean, yes, its a little early, I mean its just now what one in the morning and he's not coming till eight. But I can't sleep, I don't know how Eliza can. She just sleeps so soundly. Infact ever since that ball, she's been different. Something has changed about her, something that she hasn't even told me. If she were the same Eliza that I know and love, she'd be up with me and we'd be reminiscing over old "Alex Stories" like we always do before we see him. God?!? Ins't she going to wake up soon? I mean its today, its in a few hours, well a little more than a few hours till he comes, but so. That's it I can't stand to see her just sleeping peacefully there, while I am up and bored out of my mind, I'm going to get a midnight snack.

In the Kitchen

Hmmm, what to eat? I am in the universes most elaborate palace, and I can't decide what to eat. Should I have... wait whats that noise? Whose coming? Oh god, I am going to be in so much trouble.

"Who the hell"- Who is that? Someone just said something...

"Ahh!"- Ok, I'm scared now, someone is has their hand over my mouth...oh god

"Who are you and what are you doing?"- Wait is that Rath?!?

"Itmsmmms Minnmmmimmm"- Ok I don't think he could understand that. Because, even I couldn't understand that and I said it. But what does he expect with his hand over my mouth, which is getting more and more uncomfortable every minute.

"Mina?"- Ok, I give him props, he understand it, but still is not removing his hand. I'll just shake my head, save him from deciphering. Ahh, yes smart boy, removing your hand wise move.

"What the hell are you doing down here?"- How dare he take that tone with me? I am not some criminal, besides what the hell is he doing here? Its one in the morning, shouldn't Mr. all powerful, snide, contemptuous, wannabe brother of Eliza be sleeping?

"I couldn't sleep, and figured I'd just get something to eat. I don't believe that is a crime, so you shouldn't have snuck up on me!"- Augh, men are so frustrating!

"What the hell what I suppose to do? I come down here and I hear a disturbance. What am I suppose to just sit there and think oh its Mina getting a snack? No, my first reaction is a break in"- He is so frustrating, treating me like a child?! First a criminal and now a child.

"Well you scared the shit out of me! Anyways what are you doing up?"- I bet he thought he was so smart, automatically assuming only vagabonds would be up at this hour. Well then I guess he's leader of the pack.

"I couldn't sleep either"- He informs me with a no- nonsense kind of voice. God it'd be so easy to hate him if it wasn't for him being so damn hot! I mean men don't get that built simply by working out, no men with a body like his, were built. Handcrafted, chiseled out. To bad, they aren't given any personality.

"So why couldn't you sleep? Because I must say, you have the nicest arrangements out of all the servants in the palace"- He just called me a servant? That jerk! How dare he? Where does he get the nerve?

"Excuse me?!? I am not a servant! Eliza would be ashamed to hear you say that! But you wouldn't know that, considering the whole time you have been here you have spent what ten minutes with her?!? How dare you"- Right now I know I am way to loud, considering the hour, but I don't give a damn if I wake up the whole entire palace.

"What the hell? Where do you get the right to lecture me about my sister? And hello, lets face it, no matter how much Eliza might value your opinion, in the end your nothing more than a servant!"- God, listen to him?!? He's so infuriating. He make's me sick.

"You think you know Eliza?!? Hello, you don't! Your only related to her by blood. That's the only connection that the two of you will ever have! Because for some reason, after arranging for her to come here, your believe your down with her. That you did your brotherly duty??! Ha! When Alex see's how you treat her, or rather how you don't treat her, he'd do good and slug you! Because Alex is her brother"- He's looks pissed. I have never seen him look so angry. Well Good. There's a hell of a lot he doesn't know about her.

"Do you even know that she unhappy? She's unhappy because of her engagement. But by the look on your face, you obviously didn't even know she was engaged! She's only been engaged for the last 7 years of her life. How could I expect her brother to know!"- There he goes. He needs to have reality smacked in his fantasy world for once. Looking at him now, he no longer looks mad but instead sad.

"Listen, you might have been there with my sister all those years, and you might know more about her than I do. But don't you dare presume that you care about her more than I do."- His voice quivers as he says this. And with the way the light shadows him, he no longer looks strong but a little bit weaker. More humane.

"I got to go"- I have to leave now, other wise I'd either offend him more or get him more angry. Eliza going to kill me for telling him about her engagement. I am turning to leave him, when I feel his grasp on me, its strong. And right now my face is dangerously close to my best friends brother's face. So close I can feel his breath on mine. This is not good. Not good at all.

"I uhh really got to go"- He steps back and loosens his grip on me. Why did I have to say something. He looks so good. And right now, I just really really want to kiss him. Going got to go.

Back in Eliza's Room

Lets try sleep one more time.

Eliza POV

Its six am and Mina's not up. You'd think she'd forgotten that Alex is coming today. But as I look down to where she sleeping, I can't help but feel guilty. I mean I haven't told her about Zan yet. I don't know why I haven't. I think its because I am too scared. To scared that if I say it out loud it wouldn't be true. Afraid that if I say it aloud someone else might hear it. Afraid to admit why I have been avoiding him, and to ask why he's avoiding me. In all my life, I have never been so afraid of something. And right now I am petrified, while I can't even confide in my soul confidant in the whole galaxy.

"Mina"- I whisper in her ear, to wake her up. We have to head out soon to get Alex. Oh how great it'll be to see him. I miss him so much. Him, Mina and I have so much fun together. He's always comes in when I needed it the most. Well except for once, and that's for reason entirely not his fault.

"Mina"- I say a little louder. Man, this girl can sleep.

Whose knocking at this time? As I head to the door, I keep looking back at Mina, but she still doesn't stir.

"Oh, hello Rath. I didn't expect you today"- Rath? What is he doing here? Oh I bet Mina will be upset she missed him.

"Well I thought we could spend some time together today." – Okay, so forgetful, is an adjective I should add to the list to describing my brother. I know I told him yesterday that I was picking up Alex. But I can tell his visit isn't entirely for me either.

"Mina's still sleeping. (he looks startled that I caught him looking for her) And I thought I told you yesterday, that I am picking up Mina's brother Alex today. He just got in, and will be staying for a visit." – His eyes flicker something when I say the name Alex. Why though?

"Well let her sleep, she had a long night. And I'll come with you"- Wait, how would he know if Mina had a long night or not? Ok, well Mina's going to have to spill when she gets up.

"Ok, you can come. But fair warning Alex has a sense of humor that you either love or hate. So don't hold it against him"- Alex meeting Rath, this should be interesting. A little bit exciting too. I mean my two brother's meeting.

2 hours later

Its weird, Rath and I haven't spent this much time together since I arrived. And now when my other brother (not by blood but still) is coming he's all of a sudden interested.

"So, I uhh was wondering, did mom and dad arrange a marriage for you like they did for me?"- Rath ask hesitantly he seems nervous about it, and something in his eyes seems like he already knows.

"Mom did. Dad had already died."- I inform him, but I am just hoping that he doesn't ask with who. How could I tell him? I mean telling Zan was the most difficult thing I have ever done, but Rath. I mean Rath is basically in charge of the army, if there is a war, Rath will be leading the battle against me and my future husband.

"With who?"- He asks, but its more of a command. Oh god, I need an escape route. Avoid answering. Where's Alex? Oh..wait there he is. Ha! Alex I could kiss you right now!

"Oh look there's Alex! ALEX!"- I know Rath disgruntled with me not answering the question, but he's always had a knack for getting here in the knick of time.

"Eliza!"- He comes and engulfs me a huge hug!

"Alex. Air!"- He finally releases his grip and looks for Mina. But instead finds himself staring at my rather largely built brother.

"Where's Mina"- He asks but I can see him still glancing slightly nervously at Rath.

"She slept in. Can you believe that?!?"- I say, as he mocks being terribly hurt.

"Oh, Alex, I'd like you to meet my brother Rath. Rath, my dear and close friend, plus brother of Mina, Alex"- After the handshake and greeting. I look between the two and laugh. There it is in plain view, the difference between the two lives I lead. One full of strength, honor, duty, the other childish, fun, happy. The question that haunts my mind, is which side will win?