Kitty: Hullo! Chapter two of Seven Lives to go! I really need to get a friend...I'm bored.

Chapter Two

Betrayal in the Guise of Royalty

"Sister!"

A girl turned around, hair flying over her face. Large navy blue eyes were in a small gray face. Her mouth was wide and soft, but didn't smile. Her hair was dark blue-black and was shoulder length. A red jewel lay in the middle of her forehead.

"Star, sister." she said quietly.

"Your betrothed has arrived! His ship has docked. You must dress quickly for the banquet." Star grabbed Raven's hands and tugged on her.

Star had waist length red hair. She was taller than her sister, but had the same body structure. Her eyes were large and bright green. Her skin was an orange color. A small stone was embedded in her forehead. It was red and bronze-orange and looked like a yin and yang sign.

"I'll be ready in time. 'Tis not even a real betrothal." Raven said, her eyes sliding away. Star looked sad.

"I am sad for you, baby sister." Star whispered.

"Don't be. I feel nothing, neither should you." Raven whirled around, the black skirt snapping loudly.

"Do not lie, sister. You hurt inside, too." Star whispered her hand to her heart.

"Jin, is my bath ready?" Raven asked entering her chambers. A girl with purple skin and pink hair that fell around her face looked up startled at her mistress' abrupt entrance.

"Yes, ma'am." Jin rose from her chair.

"No, you may stay seated."

"No, mistress, I mayn't. Her Highness, your mother, says I am to help bathe you." Jin walked to the bathroom. Raven's eyes saddened.

"Of course, I am to meet my betrothal." She followed her lady in waiting into the large stone bathroom.

& & &

"I've got goosebumps, Cyrin." confessed a short young man. He reached his taller friend's shoulder and had a lean, muscular look. He had green skin and forest green eyes. His green highlighted black hair was spiky. He wore loose blue pants falling over thick-heeled boots and a black long-sleeved loose shirt, ties at the throat.

"You'll be fine, Briston. Just don't be yourself." joked Cyrin. He was huge; tall, bulging muscles, broad chest. He had blinding white teeth in his chocolate colored face. He was bald, but young and had black eyes. He wore loose gray pants and a white shirt that strained against his broad shoulders and chest.

"Go to ogrubr." Briston grinned, his fangs showing, switching over to their native language to insult him.

"Watch your mouth, Shrenarar." Cyrin scolded. "Which reminds me. Tilde told me you'd forget." Cyrin pulled something out of a pouch that hung from his belt. Briston tried to see what it was when Cyrin slammed it on his head.

"Oh, geez, do I have to?" Briston whined.

"Yes, Shrenarar." Cyrin grinned. Briston glared up at the thin band of gold with an empty circle right in the middle of his forehead that Cyrin had placed on him.

"It makes me feel like my dad. I don't want to feel like my dad. I don't deserve to be Shrenarar."

"Filde, Mother of Us, ended your father's long rule. Be proud, young Shrenarar." Cyrin said once again.

"I know."

"Prince Briston!" Said a happy voice.

Cyrin looked up from their conversation to see the King and Queen of Metrion. Queen Tern had floor length blonde hair. Blue eyes the color of E-Arth's clearest spring blessed her beautiful face. Her lips were soft, full, and smiling. Her skin was a dusky pumpkin color. Adiamond circle-cut gem was on her forehead.

King Sladen had gray skin and a wide, full-lipped mouth in a handsome broody face. Black hair fell into his grass green eyes, startling in so dark a face. A white diamond was on his forehead.

Briston and Cyrin bowed.

"Queen Tern, King Sladen, thank you for accepting my father's proposal." Briston said, his left hand on his chest, the way of E-Arthian bows to higher rank.

"Oh, please, we are honored your father chose our lovely younger daughter." Queen Tern waved her hand.

"Please, come, my daughter will meet us during dinner. I'm sure you are soiled from your trip." King Sladen beckoned.

"On, no, our ship has baths and rooms on board. We freshened up before landing. But I am starving. I heard Metrion's famous for it's delicacies." Briston grinned.

"Of course, you are still young and growing. The chef has prepared a great feast." Queen Tern clapped her hands gaily.

"Oh, sorry, my manners are atrocious. This is my man-of-arms, Cyrin. He will be accompanying us. Is that a problem?" Briston asked.

"Oh, no. Please, we have more than enough food. If he runs out, he could always eat Raven's. She eats like a bird, my little daughter." Queen Tern giggled.

"I'm sure that won't be a problem." Cyrin grinned.

"This is our castle. Tomorrow, if you are not too tired, your betrothed will take you to see our kingdom. 'Tis custom. You will be leaving back for E-Arth in two weeks, yes?"

"That's correct, Queen Tern. Our customs are very adamant on the point that the new Shrenan must return to receive Great Mother Filde's blessing before winter. Space travel is very unpredictable, we don't want any chance of being too late." Briston explained.

"Oh yes, your religion is enchanting. I'm sorry to say our people have no common religion, if any. Our daughter is the same." Queen Tern admitted sadly.

"It doesn't really matter unless Filde rejects her." Briston assured her.

"Rejects her? It is up to your God who you marry?" King Sladen inquired sharply.

"Yes. It has been done so since the first Shrenarar." Briston answered. The King and Queen exchanged a look. Briston and Cyrin raised an eyebrow.

They entered a large hall, a large table set before them.

"The court will be entering soon. My daughter-Ah! Here she is."

A girl with long red hair rushed down the stairs, a velvet fuchsia gown clutched in her hands lifting it off the ground.

"Mama, Papa! Is this Shrenarar Briston?" asked the Princess.

"Is that her, Cyrin?" Briston asked.

"No. Look at the stone. The stones reveal their status, remember? That stone says she is unable to marry, but royalty. The King and Queen's white stones say they are married, but they are diamonds, which shows their royalty. Most married commoners had simple white stones of whatever they can afford, not diamonds." Cyrin clarified.

"They mine precious stones of the touirs?" Briston whispered horrified.

"Many planets do, Shrenarar. You need to pay attention to your studies."

"Shove it, Cyrin." Briston snarled.

"Ah, Shrenarar, you have come to wed my baby sister, yes?" The older Princess of Metrion asked in perfect E-Arthian.

"Ayn. You speak our language so well." Briston complimented her, switching back to Common.

"Oh, 'tis nothing. My sister and I learned almost every language. We have practiced your language together since she was twelve and your betrothal first brought to our court. 'Tis a beautiful language. My sister is much more fluent than I. She was very much infatuated with your planet. I am Star." She curtsied.

"A lovely name. Stars, or bleoi, are blessings of our Goddess given to us to light our darkest nights and give us hope." Briston said, bowing.

"Beautiful." Princess Star said reverently.

"The feast is to begin." Queen Tern said dismissing a page, "Let us sit. Raven will descend soon."

People filed into the dining hall and Queen Tern, King Sladen, Star, Briston, and Cyrin stood as everyone found their places and quieted.

"Metrion's subjects, our young Princess Raven." announced a herald. Everyone's face turned to the stair that entered the hall from the back of the room at a corner.

Briston's eyes widened. Raven wore a green gown, low on her shoulders, the bodice tight and tapered over her skirt. The sleeves were long and slim, the ends belled slightly and falling over the back of her hands at a point. Her eyes met his and both their breaths caught. The only reason her footsteps never faltered was because her mother had drilled her endlessly until she had actually sleepwalked it once before. Their gazes never broke.

Briston stepped forward to grasp her outstretched hand. She looked up at him, eyes wide and confused.

"Shrena Raven. Ki giu holifbey." Briston whispered in his tongue. She blushed radiantly.

"Nay. Uo im nit o." she demurred. She curtsied, her eyes still upon his and he bowed his left hand over his heart. She blushed at his action. She was the same rank as him.

"I give you, subjects of Metrion, Princess Raven and her betrothed, Prince Briston!" King Sladen voice roared through the room. He raised his glass as did everybody else and toasted the new couple.

Briston pulled out her seat and scooted her in and she smiled up at him. He sat down next to her and they began a conversation in E-Arthian.

"Your language is so beautiful. I'm glad I finally have met you to speak it." Raven said.

"You bring it new beauty." Briston replied. Raven blushed.

"You, Prince, are a flirt." Raven accused.

"No, just taken aback. I never expected you to be so beautiful. You look much like your father's people." Raven looked at the table embarrassed.

"My sister is the beauty you speak of, Prince. 'Tis true I take after my father's people. My sister was blessed with my mother's people glow." Raven said softly.

"You glow too. Must you wear a diamond when we wed? I hurts me to see it." Briston brought up, the ruby catching his eye in the light.

Just then the food arrived and Briston's stomach grumbled loudly. She giggled behind her hand.

"'Tis true, then, that you do not mine your resources? And that your sun is green?" Raven asked eagerly. "And your people only brown or green?"

"Very true."

"'Tis rude of you two to exclude us." Queen Tern interrupted them. Raven's blush and eagerness faded quickly away and left behind a blank, emotionless face.

"I'm sorry, Mother." Raven bowed her head and let the serving man place food on her plate.

"Please, no meat. Is any of this cooked in meat juices or sauce?" Briston asked.

"No, your highness, We were informed of your tastes and prepared a few dishes for you and your people's enjoyment." the serving man bowed. Briston barely managed to keep from drooling seeing his favorite dishes.

"We heard of your favorites and I had some prepared. Ambassadors are very informative." Queen Tern smiled.

Raven chewed silently. Briston looked over at her concerned. She seemed...different.

"Princes Raven, aren't you hungry?" Briston asked swallowing.

"I don't eat much." Raven answered simply. He frowned and then grinned.

"Here try this. It's a dish from my home planet. It's one of my favorites."

"It has tofu, right?' Raven asked, the light returning to her eyes.

"Yes. A staple in my home." Briston grinned. She took a small bite and her eyes widened in surprise.

"'Tis delicious." Raven sighed delightedly.

"No offense, but it is much better in E-Arth." Briston whispered in her ear in his language. She giggled.

"Raven." King Sladen snapped.

She stiffened and returned to her stoic self. Briston frowned angrily and bit his lip. He met Cyrin's eyes over Raven's head baffled. Cyrin shrugged and took a large bit of CoZekein Salad, a popular dish back home that started traveling interplanetary via trade.

"My people, this has been a long night. Our guests need their sleep for the traditional kingdom journey." The people cheered and continued their conversations and Briston, Cyrin, and Raven rose. Star rose quickly, smiling happily.

"'Tis a happy night. May your dreams be peaceful." Star said, grasping each man's hand warmly before returning to her seat.

"Come, I and a page, Aqu, will show you your rooms." Raven said. A small boy with black hair, black eyes with the only white in theirises appeared at her side. "Peaceful dreams, parents, sister." She curtsied to them and turned to the stairs she had descended from three hours before.

"Your banquets are long." Briston noted.

"Yes,theygo on long, sometill dawn. This one will be such a one. 'Tis a joyous occasion. I am old, eighteen, for a bride of Metrion. They feared I would be announced unmarriageable like my sister. You are a relief to my people." Raven explained.

"Why is your sister marked that?" Cyrin asked.

"'Tis not my place to say." Raven stated sharply. They backed off. "This is your turn, Cyrin. Our palace is strict with such rules. Because you are not royalty you may not reside in this wing. Aqu will guide you to the rest of your people from the ship." Raven nodded her head to him. Cyrin saluted Briston and was led away by the short page. "This way, Shrenarar."

"Please, call me Briston." he pleaded, his hand catching hers. An electric shock shot through their connected hands. She looked up at him breathless.

"Briston." she whispered. His hand curved around her cheek.

"Why do you act so strangely when your parents are watching?" Briston whispered.

"I must not...feel." she murmured, his mouth getting dangerously near.

"Why not?"

"I take after my father's people in more than physical appearance." Raven's hand braced against his chest.

"You were wrong. Ki giu holifbey. You are beautiful." Briston gently touched her lips.

"Your rooms, Shrenarar." Raven gasped out, backing away. She fled.

>>>

"It is a beautiful country." Briston noted. They had spent all week looking at it.

"Yes. I have never seen it before. I am surprised." Raven turned a page in her book.

"You never saw your country before?" Briston blurted, shocked.

"I have never left the castle's gates. Hm? Did I hear something?" She wondered aloud. Her eyes lit up. Her navy blue dress whirled around her.

"Rae!"

"Rhoben!" She cried happily. She ran her arms outstretched, book falling to the ground.

A tall man in a strange brown thick robe and cowl swept her into a hug, lifting her off her feet. He grabbed her around the waist and spun her around as she laughed like a little girl, tossing her hair.

"Rae! I haven't seen you forever and a day!" Rhoben exclaimed. His eyes were light blue and he had spiky black hair.

"Wrong! Forever and two days! How is little Selio?" Raven asked. Briston stood behind her his mouth gaping. He shook his head and stormed forward. Raven 'eep'ed as an arm wrapped around her waist. Briston glared at the slightly taller man.

"Er...hello...sir?" Rhoben grinned twitchily.

"I'm Shrenarar Briston. Who are you?"

"Sir Rhoben. I'm a priest here." Rhoben replied.

"He was my best friend with Star when I was a girl. I haven't seen him in many years." Raven explained.

"Oh. Okay." Briston relaxed but kept his arm around her waist. She blushed and leaned towards him.

"You'll be leaving next week, I hear. Is E-Arth well?" Rhoben asked as they set off to where Briston had no idea.

"Yes. Filde has blessed us. You are a priest? Of what religion?" Briston asked curiously. Rhoben sweated slightly.

"I only marry people. We're not big on religion here." Rhoben chuckled uneasily. Briston raised his eyebrow at the weird reaction of both friends.

He heard a loud shrieking laughter and saw Princess Star grab a little spiky, red-haired boy. He squirmed and shrieked.

"Papa! Mama tickles me!" the little boy cried.

"Looks like I have to save somebody." Rhoben ran up the hill. He grabbed the boy and ran away, Star chasing after them. The boy raised his arms level with his shoulders and Rhoben held him in the air like a bird and the boy made 'vroom' noises. Star laughed.

"That is Selio. My secret nephew. You are the sixth person to find out. My parents had the midwife killed after Selio was born." Raven said. Briston looked down at her stunned.

"What?"

"We all grew up together. After they turned fourteen, and I eight, I would pretend to go with them, but leave them alone and read. When my sister turned eighteen she was pregnant.

"My parents kept it a secret. The midwife was killed after she birthed Selio and Rhoben was given the position of priest though he was here to be a knight to my sister.

"My sister was allowed the opportunity to be given the jewel she has now and be privately married to Rhoben. In exchange, my child would gain the throne and nobody would acknowledge Selio as anything. If he is lucky he will be a priest like his father." Raven emotionlessly told him.

"That's awful." Briston mumbled.

"Isn't it?" Raven looked up at him. "I am so sad for my sister. Rhoben is her soul mate. Selio should rightfully be heir and Rhoben Prince, but Mother and Father refuse. Their honor and Star's is at stake. Rhoben has no name and no lands. I have a feeling that my parents have been pressuring Star to marry despite their promise."

"Is that why you act strangely around them?"

"One of the reasons, yes. I also have been trained not to feel emotions. Metrions consider the display of emotion disgusting and rude. My mother's people are very passionate people, however. Star was lucky to take after Mother. I take after my father's people and therefore had to learn the art of containment. Sadly, you are a bad influence. You try to make me happy. You are bad, very bad, for me."

"Well, if that's the case. You won't care if I do something worse than make you smile?" Briston waggled his eyebrows suggestively and Raven cocked her head to one side.

"What are you speaking of?" Raven asked, truly confused.

His lips pressed against hers and her eyes widened. She slowly leaned into him, her eyes shuttering closed.

"This bad, Sladen." Tern cried angrily, slamming their door shut. Sladen turned.

"You are right, my wife. This bodes ill for our plans." Sladen frowned.

"I thought she was Metrion through and through?"

"She has more of your blood than I realized. This E-Arthian is a negative influence on her training."

"Really? I thought he was doing a great job, OF RIPPING HER TRAINING INTO PIECES!"

"Quiet, my wife. She is still loyal to her country until she is wed. The plan will be finished by then." Sladen soothed her. Tern huffed.

>>>

"Good bye, sister!" Star waved. Raven waved back.

Jin walked behind her, waving frantically to her family. Rhoben held Selio in his arms, Star a good distance away from them. Briston wrapped an arm around Raven's waist and she looked up at him. She smiled.

"Will you miss it much?" He asked in E-Arthian.

"Nay. I will miss only my sister, Rhoben, and Selio." She turned with him and walked into the ship that would take her to her new home.

"Is that the Shrena?" asked an older green woman.

"Yes, Tilde. She is unused to space travel and was exhausted. At least it is late evening and there isn't a reception planned until tomorrow." Briston grinned.

"Yes. The Welcome Ball. She is beautiful for such strange coloring. Come, young woman, this is your Mistress, yes?" Tilde asked Jin.

"Yes, ma'am." Jin yawned hugely.

"You big brute. She is dead on her feet. Carry her as Shrenarar is the Shrena." Tilde scolded Cyrin in E-Arthian.

"You heard her." Grinned Cyrin down at Jin.

"What? I don't speak-Oh!" Jin blushed as Cyrin lifted her off her feet. "Sleep, pinky."

"The others will unload the ship come morn. Take them to their chambers." Tilde shooed them.

Raven groggily opened her eyes. A dim light was piercing her eyelids and she opened them to see her room flooded in green light.

"E-Arth..." she murmured.

Right you are." said a cheery voice. Raven sat up quickly.

"Who are you?" she demanded the little green woman.

"I am Tilde."

"Briston's nurse, or kiohi." Raven breathed.

"Ayn. Good, good, now eat." Tilde ordered. She gestured to the tray next to Raven's plate.

Raven nibbled on it for a second and quickly devoured all of it. She blinked.

"I guess your food agrees with me. I never finish my meals." Raven said amazed.

"You can't say that now." Tilde's eyes twinkled. "Today fittings for your new gown will be started. Your lady-in-waiting, Jin, is still sleeping. She is in this room." Tilde left with the tray.

Raven curled up at the top of her bed and crossed her arms on the windowsill over the headboard. She laid her head on her arms and watched the leaves outside her window play in the wind. Green sunlight...the color of his skin. Does he taste like the air? Fresh and clean? She wondered her eyes glazed. I don't want to see his blood on my hands. These people fascinated me when I was twelve and now they're real, not characters in a book. My duty comes first to my planet, then when I am married, my husband will come first...he will come first...

"Mistress! We must be up! You've dreamed of this day! Now, let's get you washed and dressed."

Raven ran down the winding stairs made of cedar. If she had laid down sideways on one step, her feet would not touch the other side of the step. She pushed open the huge door and stopped short, breathless.

Trees surrounded her, the bigger than the tallest skyscraper in Metrion. Leaves bigger then her hand crunched under her soft slippers. Green sunlight kissed her skin warmly and the air smelled so clean. No giant buildings chugging smoke, no automobiles, and no Metrions to be disgusted by her emotions. She laughed and spun around. Her arms were out at her sides, level with her shoulders and her head was tilted back.

"Raven?" asked an incredulously voice. She stopped and met Briston's eyes.

"Briston, 'tis more holifbey than I ever dreamed!" She ran towards him and threw her arms around his neck. He smiled.

"I'm glad you like it." Briston murmured.

"The Great Mother Filde hasn't rejected you." Tilde said one morning sewing the hem of the white gown.

"Excuse me?" Raven twisted around to look at her.

"Do not move, Highness!" Jin chided sharply. Raven straightened.

"If Great Mother Filde rejected you, you would be sick and hard of breathing. You would be paler than you are now and needing a yellow sun. But the green sunlight agrees with you."

"You glow, glow brighter than your Mother's people, Madam!" Jin announced. Raven blushed. "What are you going to wear for shoes?" Jin asked concerned.

"Well, maybe...barefoot? I've seen so many E-Arthians do so, I thought I might." Raven suggested.

"That is very good, Shrena." Tilde smiled proudly.

"'Tis not improper for a wedding?" Raven asked nervously.

"Improper?" Tilde threw back her head and laughed uproariously, "Fildenay!" The laughter slowly quieted to soft chuckles, "Our marriages, in fact, always require the urchi to be barefoot. It is one with our belief." Tilde answered.

"Your belief?" Jin questioned.

"Ayn, yes. You see, our faith is very important to our ways. Filde is our Mother Earth, you see. We believe that women were created to care for the little growing creatures and flora. But Mother Earth saw the women had none to call her own. Father Sky built men to protect women and work alongside women so they can have their own children.

"Women get married barefoot do they can feel Mother's strength holding her up. Then, they would stay strong through the day they leave behind the life of a maiden and become a wife and mother of days to come." Tilde said eyeing her stitches.

"'Tis a beautiful belief, is it not, Jin?" Raven murmured. Jin nodded.

"Thank you, Shrena, Jin." Tilde smiled.

"I will need Filde's strength in a two months time." Raven mumbled. Tilde's eyes sharpened.

"Do you not love our Shrenarar?" Raven looked at Tilde, and then away, walking towards the windows, her gown swishing.

"Back on Metrion, I was raised without understanding emotions. My sister, being heir and blessed with the powers of my mother's people, was able to unlock emotions within her, but not I. I take after my father's people; people who consider expressing emotions disgusting and wrong.

"As a child, I was able to laugh and cry with abandon, but not for long. Unable to tap into most simple emotions, I thought it impossible to feel love..." Raven trailed off. She pushed open a window.

"Ever since meeting him at my family's table, I've felt something I've never felt before. His laughter is contagious, and if his smile can make me fly, then his eyes make me soar...like a broken star." She raised a hand out the window, watching the glimmering patches of shadow and green sunlight play upon her small gray hand. "If this is not love, I could never be able to love, for I'll never be able to contain more joy and pain in my heart than now.

"It scares me, this feeling of being so full I'll explode, but so light I could float like a dust mote." Raven stopped, her hands falling. Tilde smiled.

"You will make the Shrenarar very happy and he you. I look forward to the day you become Shrenan." There was a small flinch from Raven.

"Thank you. I, um, wish to change into more suitable clothes for dinner." Raven said, adverting her eyes.

Tilde nodded and grabbed her sewing kit. Raven looked up as the door opened.

"Wait, Tilde."

"Yes, Shrena?"

"Th-thank you." Raven blushed, looking to the floor, a fist held over her heart, "For knowing what is inside of me."

"Oh, telle, I don't know what you're feeling, but the way you describe it, it is much like how I feel about my Kylos. Remember, love is always different in each heart." The door closed.

Jin helped her out of the unfinished gown and Raven quickly pulled on her other gown of black. She left her shoes behind and rushed to the large oak where the dinners were held.

"Mistress!" Jin called after her.

"Leave my shoes be, Jin!" Raven tossed over her shoulder. She pulled the skirt up into her hands and lifted them almost to her knees and she ran. Her feet pounded over dead leaves and thick grass. "Briston!"

Briston turned and blinked. Cyrin cocked his head to the side.

"I want to get married a month early!"

"What?" Briston choked.

"I love you and I want to get married next month." She panted. Raven looked up at him.

"YES!" Briston grabbed her and swung her around as she laughed.

"BOOYAH! THE WEDDING'S EARLY EVERYBODY!" Cyrin proclaimed. A loud cheering echoed through the overly large forest-city of tree houses.

>>>

"Sister!"

"Star! Rhoben! Selio!" Raven waved.

"You are glowing, sister!" Star said happily, "You take after Heliosons, too. You glow when you've found your love."

"Oh, that's why you glow? I thought you have since birth." Star shook her head.

"You are silver, my sister. You shine brighter than me." Star told her.

"No, you and Rhoben are the most in love people I know." Raven demurred.

"Raven, just agree with Star. I'm hungry." Rhoben laughed.

"Welcome to my home." Briston said walking up. Raven smiled up at him.

"'Tis beautiful." Star said.

"'Tis gween, Mama." Selio giggled.

"Yes, little son, 'tis green. Like Mama's eyes." Star agreed.

"We need to talk." Raven said. She looked at Rhoben and Star and they nodded.

"Is Selio asleep?" Raven asked as Rhoben and Star re-entered Briston's rooms.

"Yes." Star sat next to Rhoben and lay her head on his shoulder.

"Are you sure, Rae?" Rhoben asked. Raven's eyebrows snapped together.

"More sure than anything."

"What is going on?" Briston demanded. Raven spun around and fell to her knees in front of him. She lowered her head and clenched her fists.

"I betrayed you, Briston." She whispered.

"Wha?"

"My parents agreed to the marriage contract so they could use me to get into E-Arth's trust and during the wedding, attack. They want the untapped resources within E-Arth." Raven explained. "I was chosen because I was younger and because I was more like my father's people who train all their lives not to feel emotions. I'm not supposed to feel love for you. I'm sorry."

Briston felt slapped.

"But I'm changing it! The date that my parents know is the date our wedding was supposed to be! Our wedding is a whole month early. I would have told you sooner, but...my duty comes first to my home planet until I am married. We are married in two days. Close enough." Raven closed her eyes and waited for what seemed like an eternity before Briston fell to his knees in front of her.

Hands grabbed both sides of her face and forced her to look up. Briston's thumb wiped away the tear falling down her cheek.

"I believe you, sedh, do not cry."

"'Tis one tear." Raven objected.

"What do you intend to do, Shrenarar? Your people are peaceful, one the reasons the Majesties sought this contract." Rhoben pointed out.

"My people are peaceful, but we can defend ourselves. Do you know their plan of attack?" Briston asked.

"Yes. Star knows almost everything." Rhoben answered. She straightened.

"I will help. I learned much because I am heir to throne until Raven's son is born." Star shook out her skirts as she rose.

"Maybe you should sleep. It's been a long day and the wedding is...tomorrow now."

"Yes, I am tired. Let's go to bed." Star yawned.

"Do you know your way?" Briston asked rising, pulling Raven up with him.

"Yes, I have an excellent memory, come." Star smiled. Rhoben held her hand and they left.

"Time for you to go to bed too. You still don't know the steps to one of our most beloved dances." Briston teased. Raven blushed.

"I don't dance." She mumbled. She looked away embarrassed. Fingers lifted her chin.

"You'll be great, just practice some more. Tilde was the best dancer of her teenage years."

"Uhm." Briston smiled and kissed her softly. She smiled against his mouth and kissed him back.

Raven twisted and strained to see behind her.

"Stop it, Shrena! You will tear your dress! Don't you make me fix it an hour before your wedding." Tilde reprimanded. Raven stilled.

"I wanted to see the back." Raven muttered chastised. Tilde shook her head fondly.

"Use the mirrors, Shrena." Raven blushed and moved to see her reflection on each side.

"You are beautiful." Star clapped.

"Yes, Shrena. Your silver glow shines brighter in this dress. Tilde did a great job." Jin praised.

"You did most of this embroidery, Jin. Your stitch is finer than mine." Tilde disagreed.

"The dress is beautiful. But 'tis much too fine for me." Raven shook her head.

"What are you talking about? Sister, 'tis your wedding gown. Nothing is too fine for you on this memorable occasion!" Star exclaimed.

"Shrena Star is correct. It suits the day, and it suits you." Tilde touched her hand comfortingly.

"You are beautiful, even if you the look of Metrions, you have the passion of Heliosons. It shows most when you are near...Shrenarar...Briston." Jin forced out.

"You accent is atrocious." Raven laughed. The others laughed with her, even Jin. "Are you trying to learn because you know you will live here the rest of your life, or maybe because of Cyrin, man-of-arms to Shrenarar?" Raven poked at Jin. Jin flamed red.

"'Tis not the reason, Mistress! Cyrin is only my friend..." she trailed off playing with the hem of her bodice.

"Of course. That is why you color red, yes?" Star asked smiling. Jin pressed her hands to her cheeks, her eyes closed tight.

"You are all so cruel to me!" Jin cried embarrassed. The women laughed. The door flew open.

"MAMA!" Selio cried.

"Selio! Why are you not with your papa?" Star asked throwing him up in the air and catching him.

"Papa says I must stay and make Waven smile. Papa says Waven mustn't wun away!" Selio shook his finger at Raven. All the women laughed.

Briston stood in front of the priest shifting anxiously. Cyrin's large hand fell on his shoulder. Briston looked up and grinned at Cyrin who was grinning back. The crowd cheered, petals thrown into the air. Briston straightened and his eyes widened as he saw Raven turn the corner. Her hand was in the crook of Rhoben's arm and she was blushing, her eyes to the ground. She raised her head and smiled brightly, her eyes meeting Briston's, still blushing vividly.

Her dress was white and the skirt was decorated in green leaves the same shape and size as the leaves that grew on the mammoth trees they lived in. The leaves were lined in silver and silver vines wrapped around her waist. Herfinger-lengthsleeves were loose and fell low on her shoulders. A silver gossamer veil fell over her hair, tied by a thin, white, braided string. Her forehead no longer had the red jewel. They had no bouquet because it was sacrilege to pick live flowers.

Raven let go of Rhoben and reached for Briston their hands clasped, fingers entwined.

The priest began to vows in ancient E-Arthian. The words flowed like music even though Raven could not understand them.

"Ordoun, jui sordhe." Briston whispered in Ancient E-Arthian. Raven gulped.

"Ordoun, jui...so...sordhe." Raven stumbled. Briston smiled. She smiled relieved.

Her eyes widened. A shock like lightning ran through her body. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and her body twitched. The crowd held its breath and Briston's fingers tightened.

"Do you mean the words you recite?" rumbled a frighteningly beautiful voice in her head.

"Yes. I do love him." Raven said aloud to the voice.

"How far will you go to prove it?" the voice asked. "I will not accept any Shrena, youngling. My Shrenarar and people deserve the best." Raven's eyes widened. "Yes, youngling, I am Filde. Now answer my question before I lose my patience."

"I would give my life for my Shrenarar and his people." Raven announced.

The people cheered and Raven could feel Filde nod. Briston grabbed her around her waist and kissed her hard on the mouth. He drew away and they smiled. Rhoben placed a small, round, white stone of quartz that shined mutely upon her forehead and lined it in black to make it stick.

"You said you didn't want a mined stone. Quartz is found without digging in many places." Raven explained when Briston glanced at it questioningly. He smiled and touched softly.

"You are perfect, my love." he whispered.

"You are more than, my love." Raven whispered back. She flinched in surprise as water sprinkled over her head. "I forgot about that!" Briston laughed.

"You're like a cat when it comes to water, Raven." Raven huffed and frowned up at him.

That night, Raven was moved into Briston quarters. She looked around and gasped in surprise.

"'Tis huge!" Raven exclaimed. She hopped onto the gigantic bed and laughed when she bounced.

"Like it much?" Briston asked jokingly. She stuck her tongue at him. He frowned in thought. "You're different." he said suddenly. She looked at him her face flushed from the ball and excitement.

"I am free, my love! Free to feel everything! I am no longer under Metrion's rules." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. "Now, what exactly are we supposed to be doing right now?" Raven asked, one eyebrow up with suggestive smirk. He blushed.

>>>

"What is it, husband?" Tern asked groggily waking from her slumber.

"She is married. She is a traitor. Our plan must become a reality a month sooner than planned." Sladen said. Tern frowned.

>>>

"A large fleet is fast approaching our planet astrobelt." said a small brown man with large glasses. Briston nodded.

"The time has come." Briston left.

Raven watched in sadness as he strapped a sword onto his belt and holster for a small gamma ray gun.

"I...I don't want our people to die, my love. I don't want any of you to fight." Raven twisted the dark green material of her dress in her hands.

"We have to fight for our planet and Filde." Raven shivered remembering that beautiful voice.

"I never should agreed to my parents' plan." Raven said vehemently.

"You had no choice, you were twelve." Briston gently assured her, and hand on her face.

"And brainwashed." she added wryly. Briston laughed. Her hand touched his face.

"I've only had you a month. I don't want you to leave me already." Raven whispered.

"I won't leave you...well...I have to, but I'll come back. I promise, my love." He left.

"Don't make promises you cannot keep." Raven murmured tears in her eyes.

A beam of light hit the ground and Queen Tern and King Sladen were lowered on a small floating platform. The people of E-Arth stood behind their Shrenarar, weapons tied to their belts.

"Your pitiful army cannot fight the skies." King Sladen smirked.

"Then fight on land, you cowards. Must you fight using only guns bigger than our trees?" Briston mocked calmly. Sladen stiffened angrily.

"Hold your tongue, greenie." Queen Tern snapped. "We are your betters."

"Actually, I don't even have to bow to you anymore. I'm married to your daughter, which makes me a King in your world." Queen Tern 'urk'ed.

"It means nothing. If my daughter is not pregnant with your spawn she still has to do as I command." King Sladen laughed.

"What?" Briston looked confused.

"'Tis true what he says." said Raven walking towards him. He spun around.

Her green dress blended with the deep green shadows of E-Arth and snapped with her step. He saw tears trailing down her face unheeded.

"Raven?"

"You heard my call, daughter." Sladen laughed in a higher pitch. Raven curtsied.

"Hello, monster. Come to take away my emotions once again, have you?" Raven goaded sweetly. Tern and Sladen stared at her, quieted instantly.

"What did you say, spawn?" Sladen hissed.

"You heard me, demon. I am free here. These people are now my people. I will give my life to protect them. I come with a bargain." Raven shot back.

"A bargain?" Tern asked incredulously.

"Take the life of my first heir, and leave my people be. If that does not satisfy you, take me instead." Raven said.

"Why would we want you or your spawn?" Sladen spat.

"My child will have the powers of Metrion, Helios, and E-Arth and will be very powerful. If you take my child you can train him or her in containment and use it to further your conquest of space. Or you can take me and beget a child of another greater race and use my untapped Metrion powers to annihilate worlds." Raven explained simply.

"Sister, no!" Star cried. Raven raised her hand.

"Or we could just take you. Come, Raven. Obey me." Sladen ordered her. Raven sighed. She took a step forward.

"No, Raven!" Briston begged. She took another step.

"Go to ogrubr." Raven said. She raised a gamma ray gun and shot her father.

Chaos reared. E-Arthians rushed forwards. Metrion soldiers fell from the ships to fight and lasers from the shipshit the planet from above. In the midst, Tern, mad with grief and confusion, raised a gun and shot her daughter. Briston watched as in slow motion Raven fell, back arched, head thrown back, and eyes wide. He rushed forward and gathered her in his arms. Blood flowed over his hands from her stomach and her eyes were closed.

"Raven, no, my love." He sobbed. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"He couldn't control me because I was pregnant. I'm sorry. I didn't think Mother would shot back." She tried to apologize.

"No, no, don't talk, you'll be better soon." Raven shook her head.

"I am dying. Even if your people healed my wounds, the radiation from the gamma ray entered my blood stream. I will be unable to have children and will die painfully and slowly. Your people do not have the proper medication needed to reverse the effects." She coughed. His eyes widened in deja vu.

"But...I love you." he whispered desperately. She smiled.

"Then move on. I want you to be happy, no matter what."

"I'll never be happy as I was holding you in my arms."

"I said I would die for your people. Kill my mother. This will end. Announce Selio heir to Metrion. I love you, my love. I'll die for you." She closed her eyes and passed into a coma dying slowly of radiation and loss of blood.

He yelled in fury and ran towards Tern, running her through with his sword.

VV V

Kitty: WHOA! 20 page long! That took forever! Translations: ogrubr- polluted water; a mean insult (big on clean) Shrena- foreign princess Shrenan- queen or princess Shrenarar-prince or King Ordoun, jui sordhe (ancient)- Forever, my love sedh- love Ayn, nay- yes, no telle-daughter urchi- bride Ki giu holifbey- You are beautiful Uo im nit o- I am just me. Touirs- earth. BEBO!