CHAPTER SIX
The next two weeks were exactly as Queen Sabina had said, extensive. The Royal Four started their lessons after breakfast and went until late hours of the night.
All four of them had different duties with their position in the Royal Four. They had different advisors, and underwent different classes.
The King was the international power; he dealt with other planets and overlooked the diplomatic and trade affairs of his own planet. He had ultimate power over the rest of the Royal Four, though. No law became a law and nothing happened without his approval. The Queen was in charge of domestic affairs – education, poverty, balance of governments.
Vilandra's official title was the Queen's Right Hand. She was the financial advisor, dealing with taxes, trade, surplus, and balance. At first, Rath thought it would be a dry topic for Vilandra, but as time passed, he came to see she had more of a technical mind than he had realized before. She saw how certain factors came together; she could see the details as well as the bigger picture.
The General, Rath himself, handled security, the army, the offensive and defensive. It was what had had been doing his whole life, fighting and protecting. He felt like it couldn't be more right for him.
After a long day of classes, training, and too many people, Rath couldn't sleep. He lay in his bed, moving restlessly. He tried to still his mind, but he was spinning. He was thinking about Vilandra, and the tactics the general went over with him today, and how tired Zan looked, and being fitted for his wedding clothes.
Thirty minutes later, he went to the kitchen in an attempt to clear his mind. He pulled on some slippers and stood up. He would only be in these quarters for another week or so, and then he would move into larger ones. He and Vilandra both insisted John didn't need to move, but both John and Sabina knew the laws. There were certain quarters reserved for only the Royal Four. The bedroom in which Talia and John had stayed before was one of them. John and Sabina had moved out and were in new living quarters while servants prepared their old rooms for Zan, Ava, Vilandra, and Rath. In one week, he would be sharing a room with Vilandra . . . he would be married to her.
As these thoughts were running through his head, he gabbed himself an apple. He sat on the counter, looking around thoughtfully at the kitchen. There were various kitchens throughout the palace, but this was the only one he had been in. It was probably the one in the best shape.
He had first come here with Vilandra. They were flirting one night while he was staying there and she took him here. He had only been a soldier for about a year, so he felt improper for being alone with the princess. She thought the idea was absurd, but he left after a few moments. Later, she had told him she admired him for taking their honor into account and not trying to take advantage of her. It was only the start of a series of flirtatious episodes, admirations, and, of course, tension between the two of them.
"Sir Rath?"
Rath jumped a mile at the feminine voice. He stood on the floor of the kitchen, his hand going to his spare dagger.
"Oh, I'm sorry," a servant with dark hair started to say. She backed away, blushing furiously. "I'm sorry, sir. I was just cleaning, and I was surprised to find you."
"Don't worry," Rath said, shaking his head. "It's fine." He looked at the clock. "You clean this late?"
The girl nodded, blushing harder. "I'm sorry, I'll leave," she said.
"No," Rath said. "I won't be long. You can work around me."
The girl nodded again, setting her bag of things down. She wore a brown and blue dress with the sleeves rolled up. She had tan skin and dark hair. She looked about twenty, maybe older. Rath looked away from her, trying to return to his thoughts. Unlike Zan and Vilandra, and to some extent, Ava, he had never gotten used to servants. They were always there, and always helping, and they distracted him a bit. He was as friendly as he could be with them, and some courtiers had frowned upon it.
"Do you usually clean this kitchen?" Rath asked.
"Oh, no," the lady replied. "I'm usually in the washing rooms. Recently, though, I've sort of filled in for anyone who's sick. I was in Lady Ava's room for a while, and now I'm helping with the kitchen duty."
"It must be a lot of work," Rath said.
"Oh, it's nothing, really," the lady responded, shaking her head. "I'm sort of used to long days, anyway."
"How long have you worked here?" Rath questioned, tossing his apple core in the outpost.
"X years," the lady said. She moved about the kitchen; putting away food, moving dishes around, taking rags to the counter.
"Wow," Rath said. "You've lived here longer than I have."
The lady smiled. "If you need to know anything about this place, you can ask me," she said. "Where the secret passages are, who's on duty when."
"I'll be as good as you in time," Rath replied, taking her statements to note. As a soldier and someone who had fought for something his entire life, he was naturally a suspicious person, thinking of the dangers of every situation. With the murders of King Tristan and Lady Thalia still fresh in everyone's mind, the danger of an invasion or attack was apparent. The servants of the palace knew the building; its secrets, its rooms, its passages.
"I'm sure you will be, Sir Rath," the lady said, laughing softly.
Rath started to walk towards the door. "It was nice to meet you," he said. "I hope you get into bed soon."
"I hope you do, too," the lady said. "You have a long day tomorrow."
"Another one," Rath said, sighing. "What's your name?"
"Krysta," the lady said. "I'm Krysta."
"Goodnight, Krysta," Rath said. He nodded at her and left the room. He walked through the palace, taking the long way to his quarters, thinking more things over.
He walked into his quarters, yawning, and something moved in the corner. "Who's there?" he called, drawing his dagger.
"It's just me," Vilandra said, coming out of the shadows. She wore a robe over her nightgown. "I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you. It scared me that you were gone."
Rath walked over to her. "I just ran to the kitchens," he said. He half-smiled at her. "You sat in here waiting for me?"
Vilandra didn't reply at first. She sighed, touching Rath's arms. She looked up into his eyes. "What if . . ." she trailed off. "What if we can't do this?"
"What do you mean?" Rath asked.
"What if we - us, the Royal Four," Vilandra said, "what if we can't lead a planet?"
"Oh, Lonnie, of course we can," Rath said. He walked closer to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Look, we're all nervous. But how hard could it be?"
Vilandra laughed. "You're joking, right?" she said. She pulled away from him and started pacing around the room. There were a few candles lit around the edges, but for the most part, the room was dark. "Rath, this is an entire planet. With so many countries and people. And they want us to make sure . . ." she paused again. Rath tilted his head at her. "What about Zan?"
"What about Zan?" Rath asked, his brow furrowing.
"What if he can't be king?" Vilandra asked. "Oh, just forget it, I'm being stupid. I should be in bed."
"Wait," Rath said, taking her arm as she tried to leave. "No, it's not stupid. We're all worried. You've got to have confidence in the four of us, though."
Vilandra walked into Rath, wrapping her arms around him. The gentle gesture shocked Rath at first. She was not one to willingly show her affection. He hugged her back, holding her to him. He stroked down her hair. "It's okay," he said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"No," Rath said, laughing softly.
"Okay," Vilandra said. "That's okay." She pulled away. "I'm going to go to bed."
"You sure?" Rath asked.
Vilandra smiled at him, touching his hands. "Don't worry, General," she said. "It'll only be a few hours until you can see me again, bright and early tomorrow morning when we're called to breakfast."
"Please, don't remind me," Rath replied. He shook his head. "And I'm not general yet."
Vilandra kissed him lightly on the lips. "You should have a bodyguard or something," she said. "I could have been anybody, and I could have just snuck in and killed you or dismembered you or – well, or anything."
Rath smirked at her. "I can take care of myself," he said.
Vilandra sighed, an annoyed expression coming unto her face. Over the past few weeks, he had watched Vilandra when he wasn't busy with training or his own thoughts. She was tired lately, but she did well in hiding it. "Don't say things like that," she said. "You have no idea who is out there."
"And you do?" Rath asked.
"Maybe I do," Vilandra said seriously. She paused for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm going to bed now." She started to walk towards the doors. "Get some sleep, you look a little tired."
"Goodnight," Rath said, giving her a smile.
Vilandra opened one of the large doors and left the room without looking back. Rath walked over to his bed, thinking of her serious tone of voice and the look of worry in her eyes. He left his slippers by the nightstand and looked at his extravagant bed, knowing it would only be two weeks until he had a new one in a new room.
It still felt odd to Zan to sit at the Head of the Table. All of his life he had sat on the left side of his father, next to his mother. He hadn't even been allowed to joke about sitting in his father's seat. Now, he would start for his old seat, and a servant would clear his throat, or Ava would nudge him on the elbow, or his mother would cough. And then he would take his rightful seat, the throne-like chair at the Head of the oblong table in the immense dining room.
He presently sat in the throne, overlooking the relatively quiet dinner taking place before him. Ava sat in the chair on his left. She was chatting with Lady Sabina about the education taking place in Antar today. She wore a thin light yellow dress. Her dresses got more and more casual with the passing days, because she said her dresses were very uncomfortable to sit around in for hours at a time.
To his right were Rath and Vilandra, teasing each other. They were going to be married in only a few days. He felt protective over his sister; giving her to Rath in marriage seemed to be the last affirmation that Vilandra had grown up. Even if she was older than him, he had been the male, and, naturally, the stronger one.
Ava's parents were talking with Sir John. John looked amused with Lillian's extravagance, which was better than the usual annoyance he had around the older, dramatic noble.
Zan felt eyes on him, and looked at Ava. She was watching him, smiling. "What are you smiling at?" he asked.
"We're getting married in a week," she said softly, touching his hand.
"A week and three days," Zan corrected her.
Ava's smiled brightened. "Three days makes all the difference," she said.
A servant walked over to the two of them and offered more water. "No, thank you," Ava said, looking up at the dark-haired girl. "Zan, you've barely eaten anything."
"I'm not hungry," he said.
"It's been a long day," Ava said.
"And it's not over yet," he replied. "We've got an Astronomy course tonight."
"You look tired," Ava said. "You should eat something."
"Don't worry," Zan told her. He leaned towards her, a small smile on his face. "We're not married yet. You shouldn't start worrying sooner than you ought."
Ava gave him a look, then returned to her meal. His smile faded when he heard Vilandra laugh and began thinking about the upcoming wedding.
Vilandra sat in her class, gazing out the window. An instructor, one whose name Vilandra had forgotten at the moment, was talking dryly about other planets and their species. She couldn't concentrate; she had given up trying within the first few minutes of the lesson. After this lesson was over, the four of them would join her mother in helping with preparations with her wedding, which took place tomorrow.
Over the past two weeks, many people had been getting ready for the two weddings and the coronation while the Royal Four underwent their training. It had killed Vilandra to know that while she was given practice after practice of financial situations, her mother, Sir John, Ava's parents, every obscure person in the palace, and even the servant boy from the stables were doing something to prepare for the event that she was dreading, welcoming, and waiting for with baited breath.
After the lesson got over, she was the first one out of the room. She waited for Ava, Zan, and Rath to be polite, then took Rath's offered arm. "I don't know about you three, but I didn't hear a word he said," Vilandra said, setting the quick pace towards the back courtyard, where her mother waited.
"Me, neither," Zan and Rath said in unison.
There were many things to be done, many people to talk to, many lists to check. Her mother had done a terrific job with everything. There were numerous flower orders put in, all of Vilandra's favorites. The royal persons had been fitted for wedding clothes earlier on in the week, and the clothes would be arriving early tomorrow morning. They were welcoming into the palace all guests coming from far distances, most of whom would be staying for at least a week, for both weddings.
Lady Sabina informed them of everything that needed to be done, and the night was history from there. They only paused for dinner, which lasted for an hour with new guests and more exciting conversation than they had had for some time. After dinner, they continued, entertaining the guests of the palace, going again over the lesson to which only Ava listened, speaking of tomorrow, and planning out the schedule.
"You need to get some sleep," Rath told Vilandra.
"Our guests are still awake," Vilandra said, yawning. The four of them sat in Zan's quarters.
"You're not with them, anyway," Rath said.
"Mom and John are there with them," Zan said. "She already told us we wouldn't be able to join them."
"You know what I won't like?" Vilandra asked. "We won't be able to move in to our new rooms until the coronation."
"You can still sleep in my room," Rath told her. "Tomorrow, we're going to get married."
Vilandra looked up to the ceiling, an indistinguishable look on her face. "You're right," she said.
"I was expecting a little bit more excitement," Rath said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, it's not like I didn't know this before you said it," Vilandra looked at him sharply.
Ava laughed softly with Zan. The two of them sat on a couch, holding hands. "I'm so tired," she said. "Honestly, I don't think I've ever had such a long two weeks."
"I know," Vilandra replied.
"I don't know," Zan said. "The next week is going to inch by."
"Why?" Rath asked.
"Because I have to wait an entire week to get married to Ava Pier, the most amazing woman in Antar," Zan said. Ava smiled up at him.
"You two disgust me," Vilandra said, rolling her eyes with Rath.
"The next twenty-four hours is going to inch by," Rath said.
Vilandra rolled her eyes again. She picked up one of Zan's pillow and threw it at him. She sat on Zan's bed, quite comfortable. "You know, you three and my mother are the only people I can just around whom I can sit like this," she said. "With my shoes off and my legs out in front of me. I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship."
"Just completely disregard my comment," Rath said. "I understand now."
Vilandra laughed. "Rath, I don't think that any twenty-four hours will move slower than the twenty-four hours ahead of us," she said. "Does that make you happy?"
"Sleep would make me happy," Rath said moderately.
"Just completely disregard my comment," Vilandra repeated. "I understand now."
"All right," Ava said. "You two are finished. And I'm exhausted." She stood up. Zan looked up at her with a pitiful look. She laughed softly, touching the side of his face. "No, I can't sacrifice any more sleep, not even for you."
"Lady Ava," Zan said, tilting his head.
Ava smiled. She looked from Vilandra to Rath. "You two are the only ones in front of whom I can kiss my fiancé," she said. She bent down to Zan's level and kissed him on the lips. Zan touched her face, and Ava deepened the kiss. Vilandra groaned. She threw another pillow at Rath for laughing at them, and another at Zan and Ava.
"Goodnight," Ava said, throwing the pillow back at her. "I will see you tomorrow, bright and early, to prepare you for your wedding day!"
"I'll be back," Zan said, getting to his feet. "I'm going to walk Lady Ava back to her quarters."
"Don't the two of you get sick of each other?" Rath asked.
"Goodnight, Virgin Vilandra," Ava said in a sing-song voice. "Goodnight, General Rath. Soon to be married!" She left the room with Zan, laughing.
"Why did you throw another pillow at me?" Rath questioned.
"You were encouraging them," Vilandra said, throwing another.
"Vilandra, breathe," Ava said in a soothing voice.
"Breathe?" Vilandra repeated. "How can you ask me to do something like breathing right now? I'm going to married . . . this is my wedding day . . . I can't breathe."
"Vilandra," Ava said. She put her hands on Vilandra's shoulders, shaking her a bit. "It is vital that you breathe. You may not be conscious or much less alive for your wedding."
"I am breathing," Vilandra snapped. She fiddled with her hands as the maids fitted her bridal veil. There were guests gathered outside, talking and taking their seats. Her mother was running around, and the males of the wedding party were on the other side of the palace. Her dress was massive, full of velvet and fur, silk and satin, jewels and gems, the folds falling over each other, giving her an immense weight on her back and shoulders. She was a princess, though, and she had practiced holding herself with books on top of her for the last week, because her mother warned her it would be a heavy dress.
"You look beautiful, Lonnie!" Sabina said, walking into the bridal quarters. "Oh, my little girl, you're getting married!"
A smile broke out unto Vilandra's face. "Yes, I am," she said.
Sabina looked at her with a proud look on her face. "Oh, this day will be wonderful," she said, her voice hushed. She turned to Ava, her eyes shining for a moment. "Ava, you look beautiful as well."
Ava smiled. "Thank you," she said. "So do you, your highness."
Sabina smiled at them all brightly. "Well," she said. "It won't be too long now."
Only Ava, Vilandra, Sabina, and the maids were in the bridal quarters. Unlike most weddings, only royalty would stand with the married couple. Because it was a royal wedding. She was the princess of Antar, soon to be a part of the Royal Four. Vilandra stared into her reflection and at her cascading wavy blonde hair. With this wedding, she could never become queen. After her and Rath united in marriage, she was subjected to him and the king's law, even more so than before.
"This is it," she said in a quiet voice.
"This is it," Ava repeated.
But she had no idea. Vilandra thought of talks with Kivar late at night about the throne and the power that came with it. She thought of all of Zan's weaknesses – his emotions, his short attention span, his arrogance. Her mind spun, and she felt dizzy for a moment.
She wondered what would happen if she threw off her bridal veil and left behind her skirt so she could run out of the wedding freely, deserting her guests, her family, her friends, her fiancé. She could run to Kivar, finally embracing him like she had wanted to for so long. The two of them could fight together, raise a rebellion, and start a war against her brother.
Vilandra thought of all of this in only a few seconds, felling desperate and weak and ambitious and confused and faint all at once. She looked up at Ava, who was looking over Vilandra's rich jewelry on the vanity. She wore a rich burgundy dress, and there were flowers in her striking blonde curls. Her heart shaped face was adorned with earrings that matched her dress and a necklace lie on her fair skin.
Ava said something, but Vilandra didn't comprehend. She blinked, her mind coming back to the present. "What?" she asked.
"I just can't believe we're here," Ava said, looking up at Vilandra. Her blue eyes sparkled, and there was a pang in Vilandra's stomach. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be at Princess Vilandra's wedding."
Vilandra swallowed. "I'm horribly nervous," she said.
"Things are going to be fine," Ava reassured her. "Don't worry, Vilandra. Rath really cares for you."
"I know," Vilandra said. That's not what she was worried about, though.
Twenty minutes passed, but it felt like only seconds to Vilandra. She stood at the back of the courtyard, her guests chatting quietly and marveling at the decorations and the clothes. Falling from the stone archway was a semi-sheer curtain of lace and silk. Two servants opened it for Ava and her mother. The orchestra started playing and they entered the courtyard.
The curtain fell back, hiding Princess Vilandra again. Everyone stood from their seats, turning to look at Ava and Queen Sabina. She was alone now, only a maid behind her to hold her dress. She could leave, if she really wanted to.
Ava and Sabina reached the altar. A priest stood by them and the males, a sacred text by his hand. Vilandra could only see the outlines of Rath, Zan, and John. Her heart was thumping. It was now or never.
The trumpets and orchestra started playing the piece Vilandra had dreamed about, during which the princess would walk towards her fiancé and her future.
The servants waiting to open the curtain paused, looking at Vilandra. "Wait," she gasped.
They looked at each other, confused. "Your highness . . ." one of them trailed off.
"Shut up," Vilandra snapped. "Open the curtain."
The servants opened the curtain sunlight shone down on her. She took a deep breath. She tried to take a step forward, but her feet seemed frozen in place. The royalty beamed, the guests craned their heads to get a glimpse of the princess, and the servants around Vilandra gave each other furtive looks.
Vilandra looked ahead at her fiancé, General Rath. He was staring at her unabashedly, his cool demeanor forgotten. Their eyes met, and all of her doubts vanished.
There was an immense serenity in the room, one Zan hadn't experienced for quite some time. Over the past few weeks, he had been stretched too thin, grieving his father's death, and trying to think about ruling an entire planet. He had watched his sister marry, watched his mother try to hold herself together, and watched his life change before him while he had no control over any of it.
Now, as he lay on his bed, Ava sleeping next to him, looking like an angel, none of those thoughts plagued him. Her arm lay draped over his chest while her head rested on his shoulder. He felt her soft breath against his neck with her breaths as her back rose and fell. He touched the back of her head, closing his eyes.
Ava stirred awake, mumbling something. Zan opened his eyes as Ava pulled the covers higher up to reach her shoulders. She smiled at him, wrapping her arms around him. "Good morning," she said.
"Good morning," Zan replied. "How are you?"
"I'm your wife," she said quietly. Her smile brightened a bit. "How do you think I am?" She leaned over and kissed him on the jaw lightly.
"We really are married," Zan said, playing with her curls.
Ava drew herself closer to him, sighing in content. The two of them lie in silence, soaking in each other. "I need a bath," Zan said.
Ava laughed softly, her body moving against his. "You don't smell that bad," she said. She propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at him.
"Are you lying to me?" Zan asked.
"Of course not," Ava said. "What do you take me for?"
"Beautiful," Zan said.
Ava smiled. She leaned down, kissing him lightly on the lips. "How early is it?" she asked.
Zan looked outside of the window. "It's barely past dawn," he said.
They could hear yells from the corridors and both of them looked to the doors. There were numerous bangs on the large doors, and Zan sat up. Ava pulled the covers over her chest, and the doors swung open.
"Your highness!" Rath said, coming into his quarters. He had hastily put on his clothes, and his sword was banging at his side. "Zan – there's been an attack."
"An attack?" Zan repeated. He peered over the edge of the bed, grabbing some pants. He pulled them on, then got to his feet. Sir John came in after Rath, along with two large guards. "What do you mean?"
"Knight Perseus reported – when he traveled home yesterday after the wedding with the other knights, they found their home village ravaged," Rath said. "All of the women and children are gone, and all of the men were killed."
"Where is he?" Zan asked, searching for a shirt. He banged on a bell and servants rushed in. "Did they find anyone? What time was this?"
"They followed the trail as well as they could, and found a camp of them," Rath explained. "They sent two men back, and the four others infiltrated them –"
"How many were there?" Zan questioned, standing while the servants dressed him quickly.
"Knight Matthew said at least fifteen," Rath said.
"And they took an entire village?" Zan asked.
"Matthew said five escaped, and they killed the rest," Rath said. "He led the women and children to the palace. They're downstairs now."
"Where are the other knights?" Zan asked. He wrapped a belt around his waist and picked up his sword. He looked up at Rath after he didn't receive an answer. "Where are they?"
"They were killed in the battle," Rath said in a quiet voice.
Zan paused, then put his sword in his sheath. "I want to talk to him," he said. He looked back at Ava as the other men left. "I'll be back."
Her eyes wide with worry, she shook her head. "I'm going to get dressed, then I'll join you," she said. "Go on."
Zan jogged to the side of the bed and kissed her quickly. She returned the kiss, then pushed him away. "Go on," she repeated.
There were at least one hundred women and children at the palace, having come from the village of Neron. The palace guests were shocked at the sudden wave of commoners, some of them injured, some of them crying, all of them tired from their journey. Ava administered care while Vilandra was in charge of setting up tents and camps on the outskirts of Persan. The men were questioning the knight and some of the women to get details on the attack. There were soldiers taking women and children to the camp by the group.
Ava had gathered a handful of details and stories from different women and children. They had been attacked yesterday afternoon, and, after all of the men of the village had been killed, they all were kidnapped. One of the girls said there had been at least forty men who had attacked, and then at least thirty after the slaughter.
"They didn't kill with swords or their hands," one of the women said, her face firm. "They used their powers, like barbarians. Didn't even warn them – it wasn't right, wasn't proper."
Ava called the healers and servants, sending them to different injured people, making sure everybody got water. She helped the soldiers take groups of fifteen or twenty people, keeping families together.
A teenage girl with light red hair approached Ava, bowing. "Your highness, I have important information," she said. "Nobody else really noticed it, but the leader of the army left before the knights came with a few other men. I think they were planning for the knights to come and attack his men to get us back."
"What do you mean?" Ava asked.
"I think killing all the men and kidnapping us was a warning," the girl said.
"Why didn't they kill you, then?" Ava questioned.
The girl paused, shrugging. "To make more trouble for you," she said. "I know who the leader was."
Ava tilted her head. "We don't have any time for foolishness," she said firmly.
"His name was Kivar," the girl said. "Another called him by his name – he was a noble, I could tell, and his name was Kivar."
Ava soaked this in. She swallowed, looking towards the doors. Kivar of Cardinaeu. She remembered eating lunch with Vilandra, Rath and Kivar months ago, and Rath telling her he didn't trust him. Kivar had vanished from court for a few months, but it seemed Rath had been right. "Come, I will take you to the king," Ava said, looking back at the girl.
All of the survivors had been sent to refugee camps. Some of the nobles demanded answers from Zan and Rath, but they could give none. No one except for the Royal Four and the red-haired girl, whose name was Hope, knew the leader was Kivar. They tested her with truth potions, and she proved to be truthful.
Late that night, they met in Zan's quarters. Vilandra's eyes were distant, and Rath's face was hard. He wanted to fight someone, do something, but there was still a week until the coronation. Sir John and Lady Sabina had told them nothing drastic could be done until then. "This is ridiculous," Rath said. "We're the Royal Four. We should be able to take action against this."
"We're not the Royal Four for another week," Zan said. "We've got soldiers surrounding the camp and the palace. Rath, maybe we can find four or five of good knights and send them to Cardinaeu. We can see if Kivar is there."
Vilandra shifted uncomfortably. Rath looked sideways at her. She sighed tiredly, running a hand through her hair. "I don't think he will be," she said. "If there was a chance he could be found out, he wouldn't go back home."
"It's all we have right now," Zan said. He paused. "Unless you have another idea."
"Sir Nicholai is probably working with him," Vilandra said. "I think we could investigate him as well."
Zan looked at Rath, and they both nodded. "Should we tell our mother and John about Kivar?" he asked.
There was a moment of silence. "Right now, it's just the four of us," Zan said.
"Five," Ava corrected him.
"Five," Zan said.
"I don't think we should risk it," Vilandra said. "The less that know, the better."
"I agree," Rath added.
"Me, too," Ava said.
"Good," Zan said. He straightened his shoulders, glancing around at the three of them. "Then it doesn't leave this room. Let's get some sleep. We've got more work tomorrow."
The next week passed by, slowly at some times, quickly at others. The nobles who came for Ava and Zan's wedding left over the next few days, because it was tradition for the palace to be fairly empty for the coronation so the Royal Four could enjoy it for themselves. There were exhausting classes, weapon lessons, strategy, different tutors on different days, and Sabina made sure that the food was extravagant for their tiring week.
Tension and anxiety rose in the palace as time passed. Ava stared into the mirror when she had time, and had no idea how she was going to rule a planet. Rath wanted the coronation to come and pass so they could respond to the attack properly. Zan and Vilandra, who had prepared for this day since they were born, were somber, taking in all the seriousness of the situation.
The servants were still preparing the royal quarters in the West Wing to the best of their liking. Sir John and Lady Sabina showed the Royal Four their private quarters, their studies, the weapons chamber, and other rooms even Vilandra and Zan had never seen.
The night before the coronation, Vilandra was sitting on a balcony, looking up at the stars. Rath came out and met her after a while. "What are you doing, love?" he asked, sitting down on the rocking bench next to her.
"Looking at the stars," Vilandra said.
Rath took her hand in his, and the two of them looked up at the black sky together, marveling at the twinkling dots.
There was a festival outside of the palace with the coronation. The carnival, vendors, circuses and marketers had come to Persan, taking advantage of the occasion. The royalty from the other planets came to see it, their spots above the others. The dukes and the duchesses flocked to the open courtyard outside of the throne room, staying in extravagant inns or making up their own shelter for the night. Peasants gathered, throwing rice up into the air and making music.
"Those are your people," Ava said to Zan, touching his hand. They waited in the corridor which ran along behind the throne room as Sabina and John advised them.
"Yours, as well," Zan said.
"Are you listening?" Sabina asked the two of them sharply.
Vilandra and Rath walked out of the corridor into the throne room first. Vilandra kept her chin high even though her heart was thumping. Rath had a ghost of a smile on his face. This was it. This was really it.
The applause and cheers were deafening. Sir John entered the room, then Sabina, then Zan and Ava were to follow. The two of them looked at each other and walked together into the throne room.
Sir John raised his arms for silence. It took a few moments, then silence fell. Zan looked up to the sky, knowing his father and Lady Thalia were watching from above. The room was solemn as Lady Sabina read the decrees of Antarian law regarding royalty. Vilandra's eyes skirted around the room, recognizing some faces, others unfamiliar. Rath was perfectly relaxed next to her, and she wanted to curse him for being so easy-going. How was it so easy for him?
Ava saw Larek and Deana sitting with the royalty from the other countries. During the first few weeks, the four of them would meet all of them. She knew their names from a class a few days ago, and had seen holograms of them, but had never spoken to them. Her arm involuntarily tightened around Zan's as she thought of politics and government.
There were four crowns sitting on dark purple pillows in front of the dais. "Kneel," Sir John said to Vilandra and Rath. As one, they kneeled before all the people. Lady Sabina picked on up and turned to Vilandra.
"To rule diligently, to govern justly, to lead with integrity, to guide with care. All this you do swear with this crown, do you not?"
"I do," Vilandra said, her eyes locked with her mother's. She put the crowd on her head. It caught the light, its jewels twinkling.
"To rule diligently, to govern justly, to lead with integrity, to guide with care. All this you do swear with this crown, do you not?" Sir John said.
Rath raised his chin, his expression steely. "I do," he said, keeping his voice firm. Sir John set the corn on top of his head, the gold slightly heavier than he thought.
The crowd erupted into applause, welcoming Rath and Vilandra. The two of them stood, holding hands, and moved away from each other to sit in the two thrones on the end of all four.
There was silence again, and Zan and Ava kneeled before Sabina and John. Sabina picked up the third crown, silver with blue and yellow gems. She stood over Ava, her expression serious. "To rule diligently, to govern justly, to lead with integrity, to guide with care. All this you do swear with this crown, do you not?" she said.
"I do," Ava said firmly.
She held her breath as Sabina set the crown atop her head. John approached Zan and all eyes were on the two of them. "To rule diligently, to govern justly, to lead with integrity, to guide with care. All this you do swear with this crown, do you not?" Sir John asked, his voice carrying through the courtyard.
"I do," Zan vowed without hesitation.
The moment the words left his mouth the crowd was deafening. The fourth crowd was set into place on Zan's dark hair. He looked at Ava, the two of them standing together. They turned and were seated on the two thrones. Ava's hand found Zan's at the four of them looked out over the people, family, friends, royalty, strangers.
They were now the Royal Four.
A/N: Sorry this took so long…it's a slow chapter, so it took me a while to spit it all out. There were times when I was like, 'I just need to finish it!' but I wanted better writing than I knew I was going to have if I rushed it. I know, I know, excuses, excuses! Well, here it is, in all of its glory! Next chapter…I don't really have any plans for. Traveling, being the Royal Four, and we'll probably see Kivar again :)
