Zan was sitting up in his room studying when a light knock on his door interrupted him, "Come in."
"Hey little brother, what are you doing?" Vilandra asked sitting down on Zan's bed.
"I thought you were out with Rath," Zan asked avoiding Vilandra's question.
"Oh, he promised his mother he would go home for dinner, so I figured I would spend the evening with my dear brother, by the way mom told me about your two's conversation today."
Zan sighed, "I thought I told her to drop it."
"Well you know mother, won't rest until her children have found happiness," Vilandra replied.
"I have found happiness," Zan said, "I am very happy with Elizabeth." Zan then sat down next to his sister on the bed.
Vilandra turned to look Zan in the eye, "Are you really?"
"Don't you start with me too," Zan stood up angry.
"I'm not, I just wonder..." Vilandra cut off.
"Wonder what?" Zan asked.
"Do you realize Ava will be back in 3 weeks?" At the sound of her name a shiver ran through Zan, it had been the first time in awhile he had heard that name. For the most part he referred to Ava as "her."
Zan quickly snapped out of his thoughts, "So what, she's coming back, good for her. It's not like she has anything to do with me."
Vilandra stood up and stood right in front of Zan, "You've spend the last 4 years trying to convince yourself of that, but it's a lie Zan, nothing but a lie, and real soon you're going to have to realize that." After saying that Vilandra walked out leaving Zan alone to think.
Zan walked over to his window, from there he could see Rath and Ava's house. "Ava, why? Why do you make me feel this way...why?"
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Ava was taking a short nap when the same dream as always invaded her. It had been Vilandra's 18th birthday party. The whole kingdom was celebrating; it was one of the biggest parties the planet had ever seen. Dignitaries, princes, and lords came from all over the galaxy. Ava dressed in a light blue dress that accented every curve and perfectly matched her eyes was standing out on a balcony overlooking the palace gardens. Ava wasn't really big on huge social occasions. She'd have taken a small formal dinner over this any day. Suddenly a voice from behind startled her out of her thoughts. She turned around and came face to face with Zan. With his dark hair, dark eyes, and mysterious aura, Zan was the most handsome man she had ever seen. A smile immediately formed on Ava's face. She and Zan had a light comradery going. They flirted, they insulted, and they confided with each other. They were good friends and had been for many years, but recently Ava wished that they were more, but she figured Zan only saw her as a little sister.
"What is a beautiful girl like you doing out here all alone?" Zan asked coming to stand near Ava.
"You know I dislike parties like this, if it wasn't Vilandra's birthday I would have faked some illness."
Zan laughed and leaned close to Ava. "And dearest Ava how do you intend on finding a man if you stay out here all night,"he teased.
"For goodness sakes Zan, you sound like my mother," Ava sighed, "besides you being out here with me isn't helping your bride search any."
"Touche," Zan replied holding his had over his heart like he had been wounded.
"By the way what are you doing out here?" Ava asked.
"I was getting tired of being passed around like a piece of meat, so I figured I would find you and have a real conversation," Zan replied once again leaning near Ava.
"Well I guess I should feel flattered that I am worthy of conversation with the Prince," Ava joked.
"You should be, it's not everyday that I associate myself with the common folk." Ava smacked Zan on the arm.
"You did not just call me "common folk", did you?"
"Yes I did and what are you going to do about it," Zan retorted.
"Well I could always..."Ava leaned in to whisper in Zan's ear. Then Zan did the unexpected and reached out to touch Ava's cheek. At that moment everything else disappeared. Ava's heart started to pound and butterflies entered into her stomach. Zan's eyes met hers and she was shocked by what she saw there, warmth, kindness, and desire. The next thing Ava knew Zan's lips were on hers and every thought flew out of her head. The only thing she knew was that this felt right and she never wanted it to end.
"Knock, Knock," a pounding on her door awoke Ava from her dream. "Who is it?" Ava asked groggily.
"It's me, darling," Laurel replied.
"Hold on mother," Ava quickly got up and looked in the mirror. She was still obviously flushed from her dream, she then splashed some water on her face, in hopes of losing the redness in her cheeks. Ava then walked over and opened her door.
"Oh darling, I am sorry I didn't realize you were sleeping, but I just wanted to let you know that Rath just entered the front gate."
"Rath's home,"Ava said as she ran down the stairs and flew out the front door. "Rath," Ava yelled as she ran towards her brother.
"Ava?..Ava," Rath ran and swung Ava around in his arms. They hugged for what seemed like an eternity. "What are you doing home?" Rath asked.
"Yeah it's wonderful to see you too," Ava replied mocking Rath.
"I'm sorry, you know I am excited to have you home, I just wasn't expecting you for three more weeks."
"I know I was just teasing," Ava reached out to hug her brother again. "God, I have missed you so much Rath."
Rath smiled and returned the hug, "I missed you too Avie, now promise me you will never leave for that long again." "I promise Rath, I promise."