CHAPTER ONE

The sun was sweltering hot. The three moons in the sky hung low, the sun's heat waves ripping through the air, drops of sweat falling down sticky brows. The boys ran, stripping off hot, constricting clothing, skin exposed to the sun, soon turned so hot one touch burned. Feet fell against the hard, hot ground as a body carried them towards the water, sweet, cooling water.

Zan cheered, running and jumping off the ledge into the lake. The red water surrounded his young body, relieving his tense nerves, cooling down his muscles immediately. He came to the surface, grinning. He looked up at Larek. "Come, come, man!" he exclaimed. "What are you waiting for?"

Larek stood on the land for a moment, smiling. It was not often they were given permission to go swimming at a public lake, especially with a private swimming area at the palace already. But the king was in good spirits as of late, and here they were, at the lake, with guards and officials and soldiers. They were princes, after all. Larek had gotten used to it. He ran and jumped into the lake, also cheering.

The two boys swam about, forgetting the duties of two highborn princes with two powerful kingdoms at their fingertips. Larek started singing a well-known Antarian song as Zan swam around on his back, humming along with him with his eyes closed. Guards walked along the edges of the lake, silently moving in the overwhelming heat. People at the lake were scarce given that the highbred nobles that lived around the lake were much too proper to leave their well-conditioned homes.

Zan looked at Lark, smiling. "Don't you think this is great, when we can-" he turned in the water, meaning to continue, but the words died on his lips.

Ahead, Dimaras Rock jutted out over the lake. When he used to come here, he would hide under it from his sister and did flips off of it with her. Now, a girl sat on the rock, glimmering in the burning sun. A wave of golden blonde curls cascaded down her back and over her slender shoulders. She had a heart-shaped face and silky skin. The skin over her high cheekbones was flushed with heat to make her look even more beautiful. She wore a white petticoat and her dainty feet were dangling in the water.

Zan stared at her unabashedly for a moment, and then realized it was improper. Larek hit him on the shoulder. "Larek, she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen," he told his friend, keeping his eyes on the girl.

Laughing, Larek looked at him as only Larek could. "Go to talk to her," he said. "She's probably noble of high-blood."

"Are you mad?" Zan asked, looking at Larek now. He kept his voice low. "You cannot just approach a girl in swimming clothes-"

"You're the prince," Larek insisted, grinning. "I'll go do it-" he started to swim forward. Zan grabbed his arm and a laugh bubbled from the older boy.

"No, no, it's fine," Zan told him.

The girl looked over at the two boys and stared for a moment, her face turning red. "Your highnesses," she said, sounding embarrassed. She scrambled up unto her feet, showing them a flash of leg. "I'm so-sorry, please let me excuse myself." She gathered her dress up in her arms and walked away, but she did not run-for a lady never ran in the presence of a man, unless she was in danger.

Zan stared after her. Larek laughed again. "You should have let me talk to her for you," he said, his eyes twinkling.

Zan only shook his head and turned away from the rock and the beautiful maiden. "Where were we?" he asked, and then started to hum again.

Back at the house of Duke Canlier, Ava had been dress by her maids and rebuked by her uncle. She was not to leave the manor without proper escorts and guards. She knew that. She was used to spacious land and leaving her old castle because it was all safe. Now, however, she lived with her uncle, in the royal country of Persan and it was far from her old home.

Her parents, Nobles Terrence and Lillian Pier, were very high in the hierarchy of Sielta. When approaching eighteen years old, they felt their daughter needed to go to Persan to be acquainted with her uncle and aunt, and to have a chance and being accepted at court. Or so she had been told. Her mother had given her a lengthy lecture on the ambition of the Pier women and all of her opportunities she had before her. She had heard how her parents were so proud of her many times from both of them, but she always felt like something else was afoot. But, now she was here, and she had just been seen by the prince of Antar and prince of Odiel in her petticoat.

She was sitting in her parlor when a maid came in. "My lady, there is a man here to see you," she announced with wide eyes.

Ava stood and walked into the front room, giving her thanks to the maid. With her ladies-in-waiting behind her, she entered the front room. There stood. . .Larek, the prince of Odiel. She started, and curtsied. "To what do I owe this great occasion, your highness?" she asked, her ears getting warm.

"You are Ava Pier, niece of Duke Canlier?" Larek asked. He was dressed in nice clothes, if not wrinkled and his sandy blonde hair was damp.

"Yes, your highness," Ava curtsied again.

"Well, I'm sure you know who I am," Larek said, waving his hands. "But, I am Larek Genotia, prince of Odiel, son of Dechane Genotia. Anyway," he waved his hand again, "please sit."

Ava took a seat in the armchair closest to her. Larek sat down next to her as servants came with a tray of small sandwiches. "So, you remember seeing Prince Zan and I at the lake?" he asked.

Ava felt her face flush. What was he here about? Hopefully not to embarrass her. "All too well," she said with a forced laugh. "I do apologize, it was very improper of me."

"Oh, don't be so old-fashioned," Larek shrugged. "It is not as though you knew we were going to be there. It is the lake closest to your manor." He smiled. "Now, the prince was very taken with you."

Ave felt her face get warmer and looked away from Larek, clearing her throat. She folded her gloved hand in her lap and warily looked back at Larek. "Sir, if you don't mind me asking, what is your meaning?" she asked in a calm, controlled voice.

Larek stood up, laughing. "Tonight, there is a party at the palace," he said. "I am allowed two guests. I am bringing a wonderful Odielan woman named Deana. I will also bring you, if you would be so kind to attend."

Ava sat in shock for a moment. He was inviting her to a party at the palace?

"I realize it is short notice," Larek said. "But after the way Zan stared at you the way he did, I thought for sure that he needed to meet you."

Warmth came to her face yet again. "It's perfectly all right," she assured the prince. "My aunt will be able to find a dress." She gave Larek a bright smile, her heart started to thump. "I would be honored."

Grinning, Larek nodded. He took a fancy invitation out of his park. "I'll send a carriage at eight," he said. With a friendly smile and a flourish, he left the manor.

Still in shock, Ava looked down at the invitation. It was a beautifully crafted invitation to a masquerade party at the palace, exclusive only to very high nobles. She picked up her fan and started waving it through the air, suddenly very heated. This was her chance, and it would not have been given to her had she not gone swimming today. She stood up and called her aunt. She needed a gown fit for a masquerade.

That night, at about eight o'clock, Ava was in the sitting room, surveying herself in the mirror. She and her aunt had gone to their summer manor and produced a beautiful dress for Ava that wasn't too elegant or too revealing. Then her aunt, Duchess Beatrice, gave her advice the entire time the maids dressed her. She sent a herald to tell Ava's mother of the event and found a fragile mask for her.

Now, Ava waited in her crimson red and black gown, the sleeves sheer black and hooked to her middle finger. Her gown ruffled and folded and she wore small slippers. Dangling from her ears were ruby-red earrings and a matching necklace lay on her breast. Her favorite part, however, was her mask. The black mask felt like silk and had feathers from the top.

The carriage was announced and Ava was escorted outside. Larek was waiting for her. "Miss Ava, you look exquisite," Larek said. He let her enter the carriage first, then came in after her. He introduced Ava and Deana to each other. Deana was a dark-haired, outgoing woman, wearing a dark green dress that Ava learned always had something to say.

"I love your dress," Deana said. "I don't like it how people always follow the fads and this sheer sleeves thing is quiet unique, very original."

"Thank you," Ava replied, smiling. "It's my Aunt Beatrice's."

"I've met your aunt, she's wonderful," Deana said. "I really admire her."

As the carriage ride went on, Ava grew mixed feelings about Deana. She was very friendly, but almost seemed too friendly. Not a bad word came out of her mouth and Ava wondered how she managed not to be trampled all over by scheming nobles. You had to have a backbone in this high-bred world. But Ava was only eighteen. Maybe she knew nothing. She had taken from her own few experiences and how her parents dealt with problems.

When they arrived at the castle, Deana and Ava were announced, and then Larek separately. The palace was positively radiant, and the party room was richly decorated. There was an orchestra playing, a luscious food table, and a grand chandelier. Nobles were mingling around, holding wine glasses and small plates. Larek walked over to Deana and Ava. "Deana, can I trust you to introduce Ava around?" he asked.

"Of course," Deana said. Larek whispered something to her and Deana hooked her arm around Ava's. "Come, come. Have you ever attended a royal event before?"

Ava shook her head. Her stomach was tying itself into knots, but she kept her appearance calm and serene.

"Well, you aunt and uncle and parents are well-known, so you should be accepted cordially," Deana said. "But, of course, no one wants nobles to be cordial. We all want other nobles to praise us and love us." They approached a couple.

"Lady Deana!" the woman said. She had red hair and a tiara on her head. Pearls adorned her neck and freckles were scattered about her face. Her partner had on a matching outfit and light blonde hair. She kissed Deana on the cheek and smiled at Ava.

"Lady and Lord Hailey and Xavier, this is Lady Ava, the niece of Duke Canlier," Deana said.

"Pleased to meet you," Ava said, smiling warmly at them.

"Yes, thank you," Hailey said in an off-handed tone. "Are you not the daughter of the Sieltans Terrance and Lillian Pier?"

"Yes, I am," Ava said, nodding. "I have come to live with my uncle."

"Oh, how nice," Lady Hailey said. "He's a nice man, his wife is such a fashionable woman, very pleasant."

Ava nodded, thinking quickly of something to say. "I've heard much praise of her and am lucky to be so closely related to her," she said.

Hailey smiled sincerely, but seemed done with the topic. "Such a wonderful dress," she said kindly. She spun a bit, her dark yellow skirts flaring out. "I got mine from Lady Marie, she went to Tiandem to learn her skills with threads and fabrics."

"Lady Marie?" Deana repeated, raising her eyebrows. "Hailey, darling, you do need to mention my name to her."

"Of course," Hailey said, waving her hand. "Although, I'd love to be in league with Madam Rebecca Faust. I hear she's the best, even the queen orders dresses from her."

"I know Madame Faust," Ava said, trying not to sound haughty or aloof. "She is close friends with my mother and I."

Hailey gasped, her blue eyes widening. "Oh, you must convince her to visit Persan," she said. "She would make much money. There are many ladies of court that admire her work so."

"I'll certainly write a letter to her," Ava replied, smiling. "I dare say you would look great in her dresses."

"Hailey, we'll see you and be back later," Deana said. The two of them walked away as Hailey beamed at them. Ava felt a small sense of pride grow in her chest. "Don't let nobles use you for your connections. You have no idea how many ladies come up to me only because I am a friend of Larek's. It's absurd, you need to make sure you aren't just a tool."

Ava nodded, listening to her advice. Deana seemed to be only in her twenties, but she acted much older and wiser. A well-dressed man approached them, his hands folded behind his back. Deana and Ava both curtsied low. "Is this the niece of Duke Canlier?" the man asked. He had golden brown hair and a friendly face, but hard eyes.

"Yes, sir," Ava said, curtsying again.

"I'm Rath Aldous," he said.

"The soldier?" Ava asked.

"But of course," Rath smiled. His skills were well-known throughout Antar.

"Pleased to meet you," Ava said, extending her hand.

Rath bent down and kissed her hand, his hazel eyes locking with hers. "The pleasure is all mine," he said, his breath warm against her sleeve. He stood up straight and surveyed Ava for a moment. His eyes flickered over her head for a moment, then came back to Ava's face. "Excuse me, lady," he said kindly.

Deana and Ava curtsied again as he stepped beside them, nodding his head. Deana smiled at Ava, her dark eyes lighting up. "I am quite sure he likes you, lady," she said in a low voice.

"No," Ava said, flushing. "No, he doesn't."

Deana waggled her eyebrows at Ava. "Well, rumor has it. . .that he is to be betrothed to the princess. . .but there is competition. . .of course," Deana said, pausing at times to smile or wave at people throughout the room. "Kivar of Cardinaeu, for example. And also Selvra, although she certainly isn't interested." She cut off, almost abruptly, as they approached a small group of people.

Deana introduced Ava to everyone standing there, five noble ladies Caroline, Molly and Liana, with two knights, Daniel and Perseus. Daniel and Perseus talked more than Xavier, but eventually excused themselves after the usual exchange was made. The girls started to admire each other's dresses and marks and jewelry.

Liana had made a joke about the well-known noble Nicholai that made most of the girls laugh. "Oh, dear," Deana said, laying a hand on Ava's arm, her eyes sparkling. "Nicholai is a noble who certainly gets around in court." She glanced around and spied the noble talking to the queen. "I'm sure he'll introduce himself to you tonight, with your beauty."

"Yes, and recently he has been quite taken with blondes," Molly said in a knowing voice. "Of course, he's always wanted Princess Vilandra, but obviously she is very high above him. But, still, he's working his way up the hierarchy." She dropped her voice. "Rumors are floating about even Lady Jennifer."

"No!" Caroline gasped a bit.

"My ladies, what is the gossip tonight?" they heard a good-natured voice. The ladies looked up and found that Princess Vilandra had joined their small circle, wearing a royal blue dress, her mask in her hand.

"Your highness," Molly gasped, curtsying with the rest of the women.

Vilandra looked at Ava, and newfound interest sprung up in her face. "I don't believe we've met," she said.

"Your highness, this-" Deana begin.

"Deana, let her introduce herself," Vilandra said, waving her hand, not in a rebuking manner, but in a firm one.

"I'm Ava Pier," Ava said, "the niece of Duke Canlier."

"Oh," Vilandra said, nodding. "I heard that he had a niece, but why haven't you graced us with your presence before?"

"I just moved here, from Sielta," Ava explained. "I've come to live with my uncle, however long that might be."

"Wonderful," Vilandra said, giving her a smile. "I'm sure you've heard this a thousand times, but your Aunt Beatrice, she certainly is something. I wish I could have invited her tonight, but the list was full." She paused. "The party was meant for the younger nobles, anyway. Sort of a social for my brother and me."

"It must be a nice change, though," Ava said politely.

"Yes, it is," Vilandra replied. "Did you get that from her? Your aunt, that is?"

"Yes," Ava said, smiling. "How did you know?"

"I dare say I've seen it before," Vilandra said, a laugh bubbling from her lips. She winked at Ava, then laughed again, her blonde hair stirring around her beautiful face. Ava chuckled with her, the other women laughing along to look polite. The three new ladies had never seen the princess so friendly around such a new noble before. Perhaps it was her blood, and the fact that Vilandra was close friends with Beatrice?

"You know. . ." Vilandra trailed off. "I do think that I've heard your name from somewhere." She paused. "I've met both your parents, of course, when my family came to Sielta this winter, but I don't remember telling us your name." She paused again, thinking.

"I've lived in Sielta all my life," Ava said. "I was invited to the ball by Prince Larek. Perhaps that's it?"

"No, it was Madame Faust!" Vilandra exclaimed. The three other noble ladies looked at Ava in a new light. "Oh, of course, when I went to Sielta this summer for my usual weekend with Rebecca, she was talking about her friends and clients and mentioned you."

"Did she?" Ava asked, letting herself laugh. "What did she say about me?"

"Just that you had a wonderful figure to make dresses for," Vilandra said, smiling. "Well, she also mentioned that you and your mother had always been wonderful friends and she thought you were the most clear-headed and intelligent eighteen-year-old she had ever met."

Ava blushed, looking away from Vilandra. "Oh, dear," she said. "That's a lot to live up to."

Vilandra laughed, then winked. "You seem to be doing all right so far," she said.

"You are too kind, your highness," Ava replied, smiling warmly at her.

"Come," Vilandra said, taking Ava's hand. She looked at Deana. "You don't mind, do you, Deana?"

"Of course not, your highness," Deana said, giving her a bright smile.

"Come, we must dance," Vilandra said, walking away with Ava. She left the other ladies to immediately discuss the way the princess has picked up her new friend so quickly, then to go talk to other nobles about it. She brought Ava into the middle of the room.

"Your highness, I am not fit to dance with you," Ava said, laughing as she blushed.

"You blush too much," Vilandra said. She turned to the orchestra. "Play the Hoppus!" She looked at Ava. "You know the Hoppus, yes?"

"Yes, but your highness-" Ava began, putting up her hands to protest.

"Miss Ava, I will have none of your obstruction," Vilandra said. "I'm the princess of Antar, I shall dance with whom I like." Ava nodded, looking to the ground. Vilandra laughed. "Do not take me seriously for a moment, Ava. I know you will be splendid at dancing."

The music started and the two girls started dancing. Ava felt like she was going to explode. She was dancing with the princess, the princess of Antar, Princess Vilandra. She felt like her gown had suddenly gotten very heavy and her mask was getting in the way of her vision. Her slippers didn't slide fast enough against the floor, she was used to the ballroom at her own manor. Stop it, she told herself. She allowed the music to sweep her up off of her feet, she danced quicker than she had before with her cousins, her feet were lighter, she grinned at Vilandra as the two of them danced together in synchronized harmony.

More nobles joined in and soon three fourth's of the party was dancing, spinning, moving, laughing. Vilandra caught Ava by the arms, laughing. "I'm going to dance with Soldier Rath," she said. "You were splendid, Lady Ava." She skipped off to join the handsome brown-haired soldier and Ava left the crowd to get a glass of water.

Before she got there, Larek was by her side. She nearly jumped out of her skin. "Your highness," Ava said, blushing after being startled so.

"Take off your mask," Larek told her.

Ava did so, without asking why. She felt her face breathe again and touched her cheeks, sighing. "This is a masquerade, you know," she said, smiling at him.

Larek shook his head, looking over her face. He held out his arm for her and she latched unto him. He started to walk towards the snack table, where Prince Zan stood. Ava suddenly felt much more nervous than she had at all tonight. Her heart started to pound against her ribcage and her feet felt heavy. She swallowed, playing with her hair with her free hand to make sure the curls fell just right. The prince was watching the dancing, a smile on his handsome face. Very handsome and such a nice smile. . .

"Zan, my boy," Larek said in a jovial tone.

Zan looked over at Larek and Ava, smiling. He saw Ava and his smile vanished. Ava felt her heart skip a beat. She was hideous, he hated her, she wanted to crawl somewhere and die. But she soon realized he was staring at her with a mixture of open shock, amazement and admiration. Larek and Ava approached the dark-haired prince and Larek introduced Ava, but neither of them heard his words, only his voice. Ava felt Larek's arm detach from her own and looked at the prince. He was saying something. . .something about dancing and Deana. . .

Ava looked back at Zan, swallowing. She blushed when she realized his eyes were still on her and looked down at her feet. "I'm very pleased to meet your highness," she said gently.

Her voice seemed to snap him back to reality. "I'm very pleased to meet you as well," he said, straightening up. "Would you like some water?"

"Oh, yes, please," Ava said. She watched as he poured her a glass of water, then held it out for her. She let her fingers grasp the glass and brought the rim up to her lips. "Thank you, your highness."

"You're welcome," Zan replied. He brought his golden brown eyes up to hers for only a moment, then he looked away, clearing his throat. "You're a wonderful dancer."

"Thank you, your highness," Ava repeated. "I was afraid I looked like a fool, dancing with the princess of Antar."

"Don't be ridiculous," Zan said. "My sister never attended dancing lessons when she was younger, she would much rather skive off and play with dolls. You were beautiful out there."

"Thank you, your highness," Ava said again and she partially closed her eyes. She let out a small laugh. "I'm sorry. I just. . .I seemed to have lost all words."

"Words could not express. . ." the prince trailed off, his eyes traveling over her face.

"Your highness?" Ava asked, her face flushing. The princess was right. She did flush too much.

"Yes?" the prince asked.

"Words could not express. . .what?" Ava asked. Perhaps it was rude to press him on like this. She hoped she wasn't being foolish. He had started a sentence, he should finish it, right?

"Your beauty," Zan said in a voice that made Ava weak in the knees. "Words could not express your beauty."

The two of them stood there for a moment, staring at each other in silence, the music around them, nobles around them, completely oblivious to it all.

The rest of the party was amazing. There was much dancing and fun. Ava was introduced to the Royal Four; King Tristan and his wife, Queen Sabina, the king's younger brother, Lord John and his wife, cousin of Sabina, Lady Thalia. Ava stuttered and blushed her way through her conversation with them, but they didn't seem to mind. She had danced with Prince Zan, which was simply brilliant. Rath and the knight Perseus also asked her to dance. All three of them were skilled dancers. Nicholai had introduced himself to Ava, as Deana had predicted. He was a handsome man, but very flirtatious and forward.

Afterwards, Larek called a carriage for Ava as the nobles dismissed themselves. Vilandra walked over to Ava, smiling, her cheeks flushed. "We must go to lunch," She said. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Just my studies," Ava said, fanning herself with her fan.

"Well, I shall come by your house at noon and take you to lunch," Vilandra said. "Goodnight, lady."

"Goodnight, your highness," Ava curtsied. She thought for a moment of thanking her or asking her a question about her sudden lunch, but decided she was fine with what she had already said. The princess didn't want a spineless girl kissing her feet, she wanted an intelligent companion.

She curtsied to the Royal Four as they passed her and gave them smiles. Rath walked past her, smiling. She smiled back at him, curtsying again. Prince Zan approached her, a shy smile on his face. "Hello, your highness," Ava said, folding her hands in front of her.

"Would you like me to escort you home?" Prince Zan asked.

"Oh, no, I'll be perfectly all right," Ava said, smiling at him. "Prince Larek is sending a guard with me, since he couldn't escort me himself."

"Well, I had a wonderful night," Zan told her.

Ava smiled, nodding. "So did I," she said. "I didn't expect the prince to be such a nice gentleman."

"I aim to please," Zan joked. Ava laughed. "Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?"

"Perhaps a kiss?" Ava asked.

"Excuse me?" Zan asked, his eyes widening a little bit.

Ava extended her hand. "I was not able to receive a kiss earlier on tonight," she said, her smile dancing on her lips.

Zan looked a bit relieved, and leaned forward, taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles softly. He looked back up at Ava, gently letting go of her hand.

"Thank you," Ava said quietly.

"You're welcome," Zan said. He gave Ava a small bow. "I must go. I trust I will see you in the distant future?"

"One can only hope," Ava replied, smiling.

Zan nodded his agreement, and then walked past her. Her carriage was announced and she was giddy the entire way home.