Summary

Aria is princess and she wants nothing more out of her life than to be able to decide what to do with it. But fate (and her mother) have another plan. What will our headstrong heroine do when she finds out she is betrothed to the prince of another land? And what happens when sparks fly between them and she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with him?

I think I'm supposed to respond to people who review my story here. I'm not really sure I'm new at this.

Well here goes

CharlyB: I'm glad you liked Aria and Marcus, I did take your suggestion to break up the paragraphs. I didn't know that it was that hard to read. Thanks for helping

Lulai: I took your suggestions as well, I tried to break up the paragraphs more I don't know you'll have to tell me if I did it right.

DragonBlade Goddess: I like Aria too. I really didn't realize that it was that hard to read, but I will write the rest of it like this one if you guys like it. But you'll have to tell me.

Fred Dagg: I thought my blurb kind of sucked, I will go back later and fix the first too. I uploaded them at school and I didn't know how to fix it. I'm still having a hard time fixing everything but don't worry, I'll learn. I also took off the anonymous reviews thingy, now everyone can review my story.

Thank you all for your reviews, and now enjoy the story.

I woke up feeling happy but I didn't know why. Then I remembered, I was having breakfast with Rigel. It was funny, I just met him yesterday, and he gave me butterflies.

I don't think I love him, yet. I do like him, (being drop dead gorgeous, as well) he has a nice personality.

I rolled out of bed and I saw the clock. AHHHHH! I had like three minutes to get ready. I sprinted to the closet and took out my favorite blue dress.

I love this dress it's the most comfortable one I own. I like the color too a light powder blue, mother surprisingly doesn't yell at me for wearing it, and I thought it would be best to wear something comfortable to breakfast.

Not that I would make a pig out of my self or anything but just in case I do something stupid, I want a comfortable dress to wear.

Well enough about the stupid dress I threw it on had my maid put my hair in a twist & put my sturdy hiking boots on. Don't look at me like that No one will see them, the dress covers them.

Well I dashed down the hall to Rigels chambers and I straightened my self out outside his door, I knew I must look a fright.

I went to knock on the door but in mid knock he open the door and uttered "you're late" sighed and inevitably let me into the room.

He gave me a dashing smirk, grabbed me by the waist and kissed me. When I caught my breath, he went to kiss me again but all he got was my palm.

"Rigel I thought you brought me here to talk, not to make-out, there are places we can do that besides your room." I quickly added in my mind 'in case we want to go too far'.

I saw he was disappointed I was too I really did like him, it's just that I didn't want to do 'that' with him.

Hey, I was being forced into an arranged marriage; I have a right to be stubborn. We both sighed at the same time; we looked at each other and started to laugh.

I saw that breakfast was already there as was a book on the table I assumed he was reading. He offered me his arm and led me to the table. As I sat down I caught the title of the book, It was one of my magic books.

It wasn't rare or anything, well ok it was but my dad usually buys whatever I want, after all, I am his baby.

So I asked Rigel "Where did you get that book? I have one just like it." He smirked that breathtaking smirk and laughed a bit, "Aria, it is yours, you don't recognize your own book?"

I was taken aback, "You went through my things?" I said in, what I knew was a strained voice.

Granted they were in the library but everyone knew not to touch them. If they did, they would face my wrath, oh you think it's funny, but it's not, a few maids quit their job because I was so bad.

He just shook it off and took his own seat. "Aria how am I supposed to get to know you, if I don't know what you like?" I scowled at him, and said in a tighter voice "That still doesn't give you license to go through my things."

He smiled and chuckled. "It was sitting in the library for everyone to read, besides my dear why are you so angry, it's just a silly book." I really have to talk to daddy about getting me a study with a LOCKED DOOR.

"Well Rigel dear it's my SILLY BOOK, and I'm so mad because that's my study, everyone knows it, and if you just asked I would have let you see it you stupid prick." I knew I crossed a line somewhere on my little tirade, but I didn't care. I could see the anger seething in his eyes.

Nonetheless, I stood up, walked over to where he was sitting, and reached for the book all the while his angry blue eyes bore into me.

Before I got to it he picked up the book stood and laughed. I am a short person, and when a tall someone holds something out of your reach it isn't very funny.

I screamed angrily, and he just laughed "RIGEL GIVE ME MY BOOK!"

"No not until you ask nicely love, that wasn't very nice."

I was steaming now, the nerve of that little prick, "Rigel give me that book or I'll...I'll..." "You'll what?" He said colder.

I smirked I had the perfect blackmail, "I'll tell my brother and he'll kick your ass." All right so I was bluffing.

Marcus wouldn't actually kick anyone's ass per say, if I didn't beg him too, though he might make an exception for Rigel. The sad thing about my little scheme was that he knew it too and he laughed right in my face.

"He wouldn't touch me." He said it so pompously and arrogant I just wanted to hit him. "He would too.." I protested indignantly.

He rolled his eyes at me "No Aria your brother wouldn't, he wouldn't risk beating me to a bloody pulp." I scoffed "Why ever not?"

He rolled his eyes at me again "Because he wouldn't risk a war." Oh, oh that's right I was only marring Rigel because the country couldn't bare another war. And the price for peace was my freedom, my happiness.

He saw it in my eyes at that moment; I realized Marcus couldn't beat him to a bloody pulp. "Well" I said, I hate it when other people are right and rub it in my face.

But he really didn't rub it in your face did he? that annoying voice in the back of my head said. 'Shut up' I told it.

"If Marcus can't beat you to a bloody pulp," I said breathing faster, readying myself, "then I'll have to!" And with that I lunged at him, ok I may be short and a bit stocky not pretty but people know when to stay out of my way.

So back to beating Rigel to a bloody pulp. I lunged for his face I scratched his cheek and I knew I drew blood because I spent a hour cleaning out my fingernails.

Then I punched his jaw and I heard a crack. He grasped his jaw and threw me to the ground. I saw him physically restrain himself from hitting me.

I jumped off the ground and did what every girl does when she's in trouble; I kicked him in the groin.

He let out a girlish squeal and fell to the floor clutching his groin, I laughed, Yup I laughed; it was funny seeing this big guy on the floor crying like a baby.

He was gasping for air, wow that must have really hurt. He started to get up and I took off. I wasn't about to stay there and see what he was going to do to me.

He could've raped me for all I knew, unlikely as it was because it like a month I was going to be his wife and he could have me any time he wanted. That thought sent chills down my spine.

Or he would have punched me and I knew I deserved it. However, Marcus would have seen my black eye and then he would not only have beaten him to a bloody pulp but he would have killed him.

There is one thing you should know about Marcus, you don't mess around with his sisters or he'll kill you.

It's not will he kill you, it's when will he kill you, and the knowledge screws with most people, so they commit suicide and he hasn't had to kill anyone as of yet. I am of course talking about someone who tried to kidnap Aijia, but I don't want to get into that.

All right so I was running away from Rigel and I ran into Marcus I had him escort me to my room, I wasn't going to risk getting punched by Rigel, one smack from him could send me to the moon. It was for his own good (and mine).

I had Marcus wait in my room while I took a quick bath. (Quick for me is about an hour an a half, besides Marcus learned so he has books in my room he can read.) When I came out of the bathroom all dressed and ready, Marcus told me he had a surprise for me and to come see him after dinner.

I asked him "Marcus can I please spend the whole day with you?" He snorted and asked "Aria why would you want to spend the day with me? Don't you have better things to do?" he said the last part a bit angrily but he still wasn't done,

"I mean your getting married in six week" I winced, six weeks was way too soon, "You should be spending time with your fiancé" he spit out with more malice than he intended.

I sighed sadly and sat on the bed, Marcus sat next to me. "Aria I know something is wrong, tell me" he prompted. I sighed sadly again (I seem to be doing that alot lately) and told him.

"I went to breakfast with Rigel this morning because last night he asked me too come and talk with him, so he could get to know me better and not have to marry a complete stranger."

Marcus was still staring at me, urging me to go on, I took another deep breath and continued

"But talking was the last thing we did, we kissed a bit then we fought over a book, literally, and then I beat him." Marcus was silent but I could see that he was a little angry with me.

"Aria you need to apologize," I opened my mouth to protest, but he held up a hand silencing me, knowing exactly what I was going to say.

"Aria he won't kill you just give him time to cool off, and yes you can follow me around today, maybe you can even practice your magic. But before we go to dinner I expect you to do the right thing."

I groaned inwardly, the 'right thing' to Marcus was apologizing to Rigel, asking for his forgiveness and begging him not to tell my parents or his grandfather.

As much as I hated to admit it Marcus was right, I did need to apologize to Rigel.

The thing I loved about Marcus was that he didn't guilt trip you into doing things like mother did, he just told you what he expected you to do.

Marcus saw my sad face and said "Don't worry about it, as long as you give me your word you will ask him to forgive you and apologize, I won't say anything to father, and I will forget this and we'll have a wonderful day together."

I smiled and hugged Marcus; he was a pretty good big brother/best friend. He always knew how to get me to smile, especially when I needed it.

So instead of riding on Sundays like we usually do, we went on a Thursday, I packed a picnic and we rode to a hill that overlooks the palace.

Everyone knew about this spot it was one of the best in the vicinity of the palace. We could've gone to a more secluded spot but this one wasn't too far out and we could watch the ocean on the far side of the palace, I liked this one the best.

By the time I finished my lunch I had completely forgotten about my little spat with Rigel this morning. As the sun was going down we packed up the picnic basket (so did everyone else who was picnicking there) and rode back to the palace.

I had forgotten all about the little tiff, as I said before, yup that was me, totally oblivious to the world and all it's flaws (namely Rigel), that was until I saw him.

He was leaning on a post outside the barn and smirked at me as I walked by, no it wasn't that sexy smirk, it was an evil smirk.

Marcus saw it too, and if looks could kill Rigel would be one dead prick.

Marcus took my hand and dragged me all the way to my study and told me to practice my magic, he knew that I hadn't been and I really couldn't with Rigel here and mother up my ass 24/7 about the 'wedding'.

That was good for me I got my mind off Rigel & mother so I could study and practice a bit. I got through the Transformation spells book, and then I finished off the healing spells & potions book.

I was proud of myself, I had received those book's three months ago, it usually takes me four months to finish one and I finished two.

Now the fun part comes, I get to practice it I had my wand out and I was all ready to go. But a servant interrupted me before I could start and told me I had to dress for dinner per order of my mother.

I had to physically drag myself to my chamber and let my maid put all manners of junk on my face & hair.

Don't get me wrong I do like girly things but I just don't like them to the extreme that Christina was packing them onto me.

I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked like a clown. Oh, my mother would think I look beautiful. Regardless of that, I was ready for a ringmaster to come out of somewhere and announce 'let the show begin'.

In short, I was disgusted with myself, I thought I looked like a tramp, but if that's what she wanted, I would just do it. I lost the will to argue with her when Rigel came to the palace.

I was getting way to lazy to care anymore, funny thing that is, because he only got here yesterday. Married life is going to be soooo fun. Oh well, "Ladies and Gentlemen let the show begin!"

Well that was it all, Please Review my story. I can probably get two more up before Monday.