Chapter 9- The Triplets of Laquaria

Glaze- Good guess, and you're close…but no cigar. : D

Lulai- I'm glad you're enjoying it, and you'll find out this chapter.

EarthAngel- Kudos! More explanation will be in the next chapter! I promise!

Korey.G. - Lol! I agree! You'll get your wish! Thanks for all of the reviews! (I feel loved)

It seems, that my updates are messed up, but I feel like writing another chapter! Mystique my lovely pink tiger of a muse is working overtime! Enjoy!

Arya's POV

I met Varien at his door and we proceeded to the carriage waiting to take us to the ballroom Lord Zane had rented for the occasion. Varien looked absolutely splendid, for a lizard, in the baldric, and Della had sewn a beautiful ivy pattern on the sleeves with gold thread. But he looked on edge, and kept shifting in his seat. I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright Varien? You seem unwell." I asked.

"I'm just a little nervous I guess…" He answered quietly. Giving him an assuring pat on the back, I tried to find the best words to express what I was feeling.

"You'll be fine, everyone will love you if you act the way you do around me. And for what its worth, it doesn't really matter what they think, they aren't the ones you're getting married to."

He looked at me intensely, and I found myself blushing when I realized the double meaning that my words could have taken on.

When our carriage arrived at the grand hall, I was surprised that I didn't see any others. Della and Narie each had separate carriages, and had already went into the hall. Taking Varien's arm once again, we emerged into the main room. I was uneasy, for not one candle was lit, and the area was pitch black.

"Did we get the wrong information from the steward?" I asked Varien. "No one seems to be here."

"Strange. I was sure this was the spot, and where would your sisters have gone?" He replied, eyes narrowing. " Shall we look from the balcony?"

"Good idea. We should be able to see where the party is actually located from there." We began to make our way to the terrace, when I felt hands clamp over my mouth. I struggled to get loose, but found myself being tied with thick, itchy rope. I couldn't see Varien, and as I was frantically looking around, my world went dark.

When I awoke, I found myself on a canopied bed in a strange room. Where was I? I tried to scream for help, but realized I was gagged. I rolled around on the bed, trying to get loose from my bonds, until I fell off. Now I was in an even worse position, with my chin tight against the stone floor and my arms stretching behind my back when I noticed something gold, glinting underneath the bed. Curious, I slithered my legs under as far as I could go until they touched the surface of the shiny object, and pulled it out to examine.

I was amazed to find a stunning gold pendant in the shape of a heart. It looked like it could open, but in my current situation, I was unable to check. Using my mouth a turned it over and saw an engraving.

To our adoring mother,

V & Z

Hmmm, perhaps this could help me identify my location. But I didn't know any children with those initials. I heard the creaking of a door, and quickly hid the pendant underneath me. To my extreme astonishment, Lord Zane walked in the door. He smirked at my pose and I glared at him.

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" I demanded.

"My dear Princess Arya, no need to shout." He replied nonchalantly.

"How dare you kidnap me? Where are my sisters, and Varien and where am I?"

"Settle down, one question at a time. First of all, you are now in my manor on Darin; secondly, your dear sisters and fiancé are in much the same predicament as you."

My mind raced. What? No!

"What do you want from me?" I commanded.

"It's very simple Your Highness, and I'm sure you won't mind at all."

"Just get with it, as you have probably noticed, I am rather uncomfortable right now." I snapped.

"Alright, in a very short amount of time you'll be my wife. Simple enough for you Princess?"

My mouth hung open. What?

"And I'm afraid if you disagree, my men will have to dispose of your sisters."

"Well Lord Zane, I'm afraid you have your Princesses mixed up. Marrying me won't improve your social situation at all because, in case you haven't figured it out, I'm the youngest." I sneered back.

"You flatter yourself Princess, I'm not doing this for myself, but rather, to make someone else suffer."

"Who, Varien? Why would you want to make him suffer?" I felt hot tears drip down my eyes. And then it hit me.

To our adoring mother,

V & Z

Varien and Zane? Could it be? Understandably I was now very angry, with Zane for kidnapping me and holding my family hostage and with Varien, for hiding his true identity from me.

"Arya you look positively feral. I'll give you some time to make your decision." With one final smirk, he turned on his heels and exited the room.

I began to cry. I couldn't help myself. I was trapped on an island with a vengeful courtier out to get his, I could only assume, brother. What was I going to do? Bent on discovering a plan, I rolled around again to face the opposite way of the door. Maybe there was another way out? I shimmied around the floor in what seemed to be a hopeless attempt at locating another exit. I heard a door creaking again, and cringed in fright for Zane's arrival, however the sound was coming from the opposite direction of the door. I reverted my gaze to a large portrait of a beautiful woman with all too familiar blue eyes, and was amazed to see it open.

Sorry, another cliffy! I guess you'll just have to wait till next chapter to find out what happens… Yay to EarthAngel for figuring it out! Next chapter will describe Varien's 'journey' so there will be more background info!