Pretty much the BIGGEST CHAPTER EVER! Now, brace yourselves. Only a few things I have to make a point of. This is one of the couple chapters that are left, so I really want to thank my awesome reviewers. You have all made me happy! Thanks for the awesome comments! I am really glad this story is coming to an end, and this chapter will take some turns to the worst, but more to the best. I am so excited for this night of excitement... (if any of that didn't make sense to you, just let me know, because I'm sure none of it made sense to me.)

There is a poem in this story that is not my own; it's my very good friends. I would like to thank her for the very awesome poem. I mean, it fits in perfectly with the story! It's so great. It's by Marcy. THANKS MARCY! I love you and thank you again for letting me use your poem! The poem is in ITALICS so, you'll be able to tell what it is, hopefully. I am trusting that you're not stupid.

AND I have another poem in it at the end, and just to let you guys know, that is by Cortlain, and her Pen name is Queen Tigeress. You guys should check out her stuff! It's all awesome. Thanks a TON Cort, you're awesome! I love you and your poem is great and I can't thank you enough for letting me use it!

I am going to stop rambling now and let you get to the story! Thanks guys, and enjoy.

Oh, and the nickname Kaddy for Kaden is new, I think. I wanted something easy to pronounce and easy to write. And Kaddy is pronounced like Katie or Katy. Whatever you prefer. Anyways, on with the show!

- Abiona Marchand

The sound of music rang through the halls as castle servants bustled and worked for the afternoons activities. The Midsummer's festival was upon everyone in the city.

Fresh summer air wafted through Kaden's room that day. It had been a very long day, and a hot one at that. The castle had been so busy that Kaden didn't bother to leave the room when she didn't absolutely need to. Most of the day was used for relaxing and getting ready for the festivities. Kaden even offered to help out a few times, but often got turned down. The servants just told her that they needed to get it done without interruptions, and that they were already too busy for another body to be in the way. Kaden just took it as a day she didn't have to do any work. She enjoyed it.

She tried not to worry during the day. Worrying took up too much space in her mind and she needed to free it so she could enjoy tonight. She would have to think about good things to enjoy it; not things that would consume too much time.

The clock struck noon and she got off her bed and walked down the hall. She knocked on the door and a friendly face answered it.

"Kaden! Nice to see you again. Did you enjoy the book I loaned you?"

"Yes I did, thank you very much, Edvard. Now, by any chance did Ambrose come back with my dress yet?"

"No, actually, she's supposed to be back in a few. Actually, you wouldn't mind if we went to get her? She'd just be in the stables by now."

"Sure. That sounds great." Kaden smiled at her friend's fiancé and her short time friend. Her and Edvard hadn't gotten much time to befriend each other, so, this would be a time to talk to him. He seemed like a great person, and if Ambrose liked him, Kaden would too.

They were just in the hallway, when Kaden knocked into a servant and made her drop everything she was holding.

"Oh, I am so terribly sorry! Here, let me help you pick it up."

"No, Milady, you don't have to waste you're time on me. I'm fine." Edvard picked up the lady's box that had spilled some sort of confetti all over the floor. "Thank you kind sir."

"You're going to need a doorman for that." They left the kind maid to work it out with another fellow servant, and went on their way.

"The palace is so busy today."

"Well, it is the busiest day of the year. The Midsummers festival is always the best and the most worked for. The King and Queen make a big fuss about it. Every year."

"How do you know all of this?"

"Oh, just something I've known for a while."

"Wow. You must have spent a lot of time in the palace as a kid." He nodded and they walked through the doors out into the burning sunlight. The sky was perfectly blue. It didn't seem like anything would ruin the days festival.

"So, you and Ambrose will be getting ready together?"

"Don't worry, we'll do it in my room. You can have yours to get ready in."

"Oh, that's alright. I'm getting ready with a few friends, so our room will be free tonight."

"Thanks." They walked on and arrived at the stables where Ambrose was just unsaddling her mount.

"Hey, guys! Kaddy, you ready for tonight?"

"Well, not without your help, I'm not! We're getting ready together, are we not?"

"Oh, sure! I was hoping you wouldn't forget."

"Oh, and your fiancé has offered your room to us. Mine isn't really ready for us right now... it's a little messy."

"Like it isn't always." She laughed at her friend and then looked at her mount. "I still have to groom her, she's all sweaty from the ride..."

"I'll do that, sweet. You two go get ready. It doesn't take me that long." Ambrose smiled at Edvard, and Kaden could see the love they had for each other. She smiled and turned her head away while they kissed, giving them a little privacy.

After Ambrose and Edvard had said their goodbyes until tonight, she took Kaden by the arm and they ran up the hill to the doors.

"It's so warm out! I can't beleive they're still going on with the festival!" Ambrose gasped.

"Well, it is basically the most important festival of the year. Besides, at least it's not raining."

"You've been hanging out with Edvard way too much, my dear. Now, lets talk." A smirk rose on Ambrose's face that made Kaden suspicious.

"About what, may I ask?" She asked, one inquiring eyebrow poised on her pale face.

"About tonight, silly! Do you have a date this year?"

"Sadly, no." There was silence.

"You don't? Why not?"

"Well, seeing as my last, I don't think I want to try that out too soon again. I think I will stay away from men after tonight."

"What? So, there is someone?"

"No, there isn't, but I want to be dancing with them, don't I? At least for tonight." Ambrose laughed.

"Well, I guess you do. A Midsummer's festival just isn't the festival without the dancing OR the men, now is it?"

"I'd say you have been the one hanging around Edvard too much!"

As they reached their room, Kaden passed by a familiar face. He waved to her and she smiled at him.

"Are the festivities giving you a nice, relaxing day off?"

"Yes, Milady, they are. Having a nice day yourself, then, I suppose?"

"Of course, as always." Ambrose whispered something in her ear and she smiled and waved goodbye to her friend. When they finally got to the room, Ambrose ran in, jumped on the bed and raised an eyebrow at Kaden. "What?"

"Oh, you know, he's cute! Why aren't you two..."

"Involved? Oh, no, Ambrose, that's sick!"

"Why? He's really cute, and nice, and... handsome... He's your type!"

"Ambrose, he's young!" Kaden looked crazily at her friend.

"But does that even matter? Think about the Wildmage and her husband! Did it matter to them?"
"It matters to me. Besides, I am staying away from them for a while, remember?"

"Do you like him?" Ambrose asked, being the nosey person she was.

"Shut up!" Kaden smiled, tackled her friend and started tickling her madly. Ambrose just gave in and laughed and laughed. "That'll teach you to STOP TEASING ME!"

When they had settled down, Kaden sighed and looked out the window. It was still clear, but it was cooling down finally. She was thankful for that; the past few days had been way too intense.

"Are you ready to try that dress on?" Kaden turned around to see Ambrose opening a plastic covering over a flat package. "I'm hoping the seamstress did everything I asked of her. Otherwise, this dress is not going to fit you properly."

"Won't I look akward in a dress like that? I always have in the past."

"Oh, stop putting yourself down. You've always looked gorgeous in them, Kaddy. Now, just try it on for me? Please?" Kaden thought for a minute about it and then a bright idea popped into her head.

"You first." She smiled schemingly. "I want to see you first."

"Okay." Ambrose stopped opening the package, walked into the closet and closed the door. Kaden just had to wait. She tried looking out the window, but there was nothing interesting that caught her attention to make the time pass, so she made her way to the bed and started tearing the plastic covering off of the package and ripped the box open. Inside was the same dress she had tried on a week ago, except with a few changes and alterations. She picked up the thin yellow fabric and ran her hands over the embroidered skirt. The cut was just the kind she wanted, it was almost perfect, and the thin straps that were there before were now thicker and more covering.

"What do you think?" Ambrose said from the doorway. The dress she had on was a beautiful mauve color with no straps at all and a long, full skirt. Kaden went over to her friend to get a closer look.

The fit was almost perfect; it gave Ambrose just enough room to breathe and move. The bodice was mostly lace, but there were random little beads sewn into the fabric. The skirt was enough to fill the whole dance floor. It was full and had a sheer of white fabric underneath a light purple one.

"You look so nice, Ambrose. So beautiful."

"Now you! Go on!" Kaden hesitated, but smiled and ran into the dress room. She was excited and scared at the same time. She didn't even know why. When she had finally gotten the dress on (but not completely) she ran out of the dressing room.

"I need a friend's help, Ambrose. Will you?"

"My pleasure." Ambrose zippered the back of the dress up and everything was finished. Kaden turned around. Her dress was the color of sunflowers, golden yellow. Her skirt, like before, was smaller, but on her it was flattering. It was just the right fullness, and was silk all down. It had embroidered flowers on the skirt on the side. They were done in a creamy white. In the back, there was a deep neck, and it went down showing half of her back. The bodice was simple and sheer material. It was yellow, like the rest of the dress, but it had a daring neckline, showing off Kaden's beautiful collarbone and neck.

"How do I look?"

"Stunning. It's almost perfect. Now, for shoes!" After they had picked out perfect shoes for their outfit, Ambrose disappeared into her dressing room. Kaden looked around for her, and realized she was shuffling around in her closet.

"Ambrose, what in the Gods names are you doing?"

"Makeup! I almost forgot!" She popped her head around the corner with some shadow and lip rouge.

"I don't usually do makeup..."

"But this time you will. I am doing your makeup for you tonight, Kaddy."

"Okay, but promise me you will not kill me."

"I promise. I even promise it won't hurt." Ambrose came out and put on some brown shadow on Kaden's eyelids to make her eyes stand out, and some black stuff that Kaden didn't know the name was applied to her eyelashes. After that it was only some blush and sparkles. Then she was done. "I didn't do lip rouge just because I know how much you hate it. But here is some balm you can put on your lips to make them smooth and not plain, okay?"

"Thanks," She applied the sticky substance to her lips and checked herself out. She decided that she didn't look too ridiculous. Then there was a knock at the door. "I will get that for you, my dear." Kaden called out, using the name as just a joke. Ambrose was busing applying her own makeup so that she would be ready for when the ball started in a few hours. It was still light out, but the ball was almost ready. When she opened the door, a surprising face was on the other end.

"I need to see you, just for a few minutes."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be using messengers?"

"I heard how much you hate those. Just tell Ambrose you're going out for a few minutes and will meet up with her at the ball." Kaden looked at her mother worriedly. "I have a surprise for you."

"Ambrose?" She called, her eyes never leaving her mothers.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going out for a few minutes. I'll meet you in the lobby, okay?"

"Who's at the door?"

"Just an old friend. Thanks for everything! I'll see you there!"

"Okay, have fun!" Ambrose cried. The Queen smiled at her and Kaden just looked anxiously at her mother.

"This better be good."

"Oh, it is, honey. Don't you worry."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Follow me." Thayet said as she went through a door that was never in the office before. Kaden had never seen it from all the times she had been there.

"Where is this place?"

"No one knows about this. Not even Jon. Your grandmother, Jons mother, had this room set up for when she needed to get ready for balls. This is a secret room that only I can access when I need some jewelry. All of my valuables are in here." Kaden looked around and saw shining jewels and sparkling silvers and golds. There were creamy pearls, crimson rubies, diamonds, onyx, agate, turquoise, amber, moonstone, jade, quartz, sapphires, aquamarine, peridots, topaz's, opals, emeralds and amethysts. Kaden was overwhelmed by all the jewels and their intensities. She was especially drawn to a simple neckstone that was called a bloodstone. It hung on a silver chain. "You can choose one to wear for tonight if you wish."

"Why tonight?"

"Because this is one of the biggest festivals of the year. It is the most important."

"I shouldn't have even asked. I know that." She laughed as she examined the gemstone.

"I want you to feel like royalty even if you aren't allowed to be known as it." Thayet came and fastened the necklace around Kaden's small neck. Kaden looked at it and smiled.

"Thanks, mother."

"You look beautiful." She smiled and hugged her daughter, and then began leaving the room. "Now, what are you doing with your hair?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ambrose did wait in the lobby for her, and when Kaden arrived, they donned the staircase together. Ambrose said that Edvard could wait until their wedding for the opporunity to do that. And, plus, Kaden didn't have a date, so she needed to feel special.

Ambrose and Kaden got to the bottom of the stairs and then applauded themselves, and laughed. Then they complimented each other.

Ambrose's hair was up, which was different. It was put in an elegant bun, curls falling out, and jewels fastened in a clip in her hair. Her makeup was perfect and simple diamond earrings donned her ears. Kaden had her hair done in ringlets. It was done by her mother, which she didn't mention, but it was dark like black ink and it looked like it was dripping from her head, in an elegant sort of way. The silver chain with the gemstone hung around her neck and she had one simple silver band on her right hand.

"How was your 'old friend'?"

"She was good. She helped me do my hair."

"I could tell. And that necklace is gorgeous! It looks like it cost a fortune!"

"I don't have a clue how much it cost. Don't ask me." By that time, Edvard had appeared, and Ambrose was completely consumed in him. Kaden didn't mind and walked to the punch table to get herself some wine.

"You haven't started drinking again, have you?" A voice said from behind.

"No, just for pleasure, Adish." She turned around and hugged her brother, giving him a sloppy, wet kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, watch the face! I've got a girl here, and I don't want her thinking things."

"Oh! Who is she?"

"Just a friend, nothing more." He smiled and took his sisters hand. "May I have this dance, though?"

"Oh, certainly my prince charming!" He swept her up in a slow song of sadness. Although the mood of the song was sorrowful, Kaden was full of joy. Tonight was going to be good.

"Oh, I've missed you Kaden. My nights at home were nothing without the little sister to bug me all night. You were always there to make me laugh, and now that you're all grown up, you won't crawl into bed with me and tell me jokes about the difference between fishermen and pirates." Kaden giggled.

"Well, you know, you're not here to give me growing advice or sword lessons. I am losing my touch, I believe."

"I thought you would one day. But that's because we've grown up and turned into the zombies of this world." They both laughed as the sorrowful song turned into a joyful one. "I do hope we can outgrow this and go back to the loving, joyful people we used to be."

"Me also, my favorite brother. Oh, and don't tell anyone I said that. But it's true." She laughed. "Promise?"

"Promise." Suddenly, Adish turned his head, and then slid away from his sisters grasp. "Duty calls. My lady needs my assistance." He kissed her hand romantically, as just a joke, and ran off into the crowds of dancing people. Kaden sighed and walked back to the drinks table and grabbed another glass of blood red wine.

The night passed by quickly, Kaden being busy yet laid back. Many people came to visit her. She saw Markus and Lalita, Galen and his lady, and Ambrose and Edvard many times. Edvard had even danced with her and introduced her to his friend. The work of Ambrose, Kaden guessed. He was a nice man, named Alem, with light blond hair and a short, stubby body, but he was not what Kaden wanted at the time. She just wanted to be alone.

She escaped onto the balcony at one point during the dance, and found herself right next to the king.

"Hello, dear young lady. I am glad to see you again." He smiled and kissed her hand. She almost looked embarrassed.

"Da, stop!" She whispered.

"May I dance with you?" She nodded and he stepped in gracefully, and kingly. He looked like he knew what he was doing, more than any man there that night. Maybe it was just his presence, because he was the king, but maybe it was just that he was good at almost anything. They talked about the night as they danced, Kaden complimented him on the nice work, and he said it was the work of the Queen. After a few dances with him, she finally wandered further onto the balcony for more privacy; to be alone. In a corner all by herself, she was startled by yet another familiar voice.

"Any luck tonight?"

"Isn't that Midwinters?" She asked, turning to see not a boy, but a boy who'd grown into a man all in one night. She looked at him and realized how good he looked.

"It could be. Maybe it is." He looked her over, which was very nerve wracking. "You look lovely, as always, Milady."

"You look like a man, Damek! It's amazing how much I didn't recognize you in a tux!"

"Why, thank you."

"Oh, stop it." She hit him playfully. "You know you can talk normally around me. You've known me for long enough. Start calling me Kaden, and not 'Milady'."

"If you say so." He leaned on the railing of the balcony, and looked out at the stars. "They're beautiful tonight, aren't they?"

"Are you talking about girls or stars?"

"What do you think?"

"Most likely girls." She said jokingly. They both laughed and everything went silent for a few minutes. It was nice to just listen to the fading music in the background, and the dim chatter of a dying crowd. Kaden exhaled and looked at the open sky, seeing a shooting star. She smiled in awe.

"You get to make a wish, you know."

"Really?" She said, surprised. She looked into his perfectly blue eyes. They were glowing almost in the moonlight.

"Yes, if you see a shooting star. Didn't you ever hear of that?" She didn't answer, for at that moment she had her eyes closed, and she was smiling. After a few minutes, she turned to him and answered.

"No, I haven't actually." The music slowed to a waltz, and Damek looked back. Then he looked at Kaden with the same look she'd gotten all night. She smiled, curtsied, and took his outstretched hands. They began dancing, and to Kaden's surprise, he wasn't as bad as she had thought. She had actually thought he would be horrible, being a squire and all.

After a while, too, she began to get more comfortable, and leaned her head on his chest. It was nice to just dance and have silence, listening to the almost sad music.

Kaden began to let everything fade, and almost fell asleep in the arms of the boy. He was taller than her, but he was still as young as he was. She began to move away from him, and did the thing she probably shouldn't have done; looked into his eyes. He had such gorgeous eyes; almost even better than King Jonathan himself. As soon as she did that, she found herself leaning in towards him, and before she knew it, his lips were on hers, and she was enjoying it.

"I'm," She said when they had broken the kiss. "I'm so sorry. I have to go to the ladies room, will you excuse me?" He nodded, embarrassed a little. Kaden ran off into the crowd, so ashamed of herself. Why would she think of even doing that? She found herself worrying more about what she had done than what she was doing, and almost knocked a servant off his feet. "Sorry, I'm sorry." She said, moving out of the way quickly, not even looking at the man she almost tossed around. When she looked up, finally, after getting stuck in the mess of dancers and partyers, she saw the doorway, and she also saw someone very familiar. 'Well, at least I'm not the only one trying to have a good time.' She tried not to worry about seeing him kiss another woman. She tried not to worry about what he might do sometime, trying to ruin the country. She pushed her way through the crowd saying polite "Excuse me"'s and "Sorry"'s. When she finally got to the doorway, she ran down the hallway and finally found the privy where she sat on the floor and hit her head up against the wall until it felt like it was going to bruise. Then, she washed her mouth out with water and came out of the privy.

Who did she see walking strangely down the hall then Eadulf himself. "I hope he's not up to old tricks again." She muttered out loud. Then she looked to the left of her and to the right of her. She took her shoes off, slipped them behind a plant in the hallway, and tiptoed after him.

Then, she thought about what she was doing as she saw him disappear through a doorway. Why was she following him without someone with her? It kind of hit her that this could be dangerous, but what would dying for her realm be if she wasn't doing it for something of worth? At least she was doing it for the good of Tortall. She ran through the doorway silently, and saw him go through another just in time.

After following him for a while, she passed this statue of Mithros in the hallway for what she thought was the third time. It probably wasn't a good thing she didn't know the palace so well, even though she knew she should. Then, when she opened the door Eadulf had disappeared into, he was no where to be found. He had vanished somewhere behind one of the many doors in that room, and Kaden was not about to guess which one. She stood in the doorway, wasting time thinking about it, and deciding whether she should just go back to the ball. She was about to turn around when somebody from behind covered her mouth with their hand. She almost screamed, but muffled it.

"Shh, quietly." The person didn't say it harshly, but almost friendly.

She was led into another room, where the man sat her down, and sat beside her.

"Kaden,"

"Eadulf?"

"Why are you doing this?" He asked, worry knit in his brow.

"Eadulf, I have something to confess." She took a deep breath, and looked into his eyes. He nodded, as if to say 'Go on'. "Please don't kill me." He lifted her chin, and she shyed away, trying not to cringe as much. He looked away, almost ashamed. "I told the King. He knows now, and I know you didn't want me to tell, but I had to be truthful once to him. I haven't been very truthful."

"I knew you would have told him. I'm not surprised."

"You did?" She asked, shocked. He just nodded.

"I have something to tell you also." He looked so upset, that it made Kaden change her mind about him for a second, but then she remembered what he had done, and she turned her face from him. "I should be truthful with someone for once. I'm going to try to explain to you why I acted so terribly to you." She looked at him, very suspicious. Was this just another trap? Was this just something to tease her with? "I am so sorry. I cannot say it enough. I will never be able to excuse myself from what I've done to you. And everything I'm saying is true; I'm not kidding you, Kaden."

"I don't know if I can believe you."

"I need you to. Kaden, I," He sighed, looking straight into her eyes. "I, I still love you." She looked at him, her brow angry, almost mad at him. She was more puzzled than anything. "It's true. I'm not lying!" He said in his defense.

"Why should I just beleive you? How do I even know you love me?"

"You should! It's true! I know I can't make you beleive, but just listen!" She got out of the chair and ran to leave, but Eadulf caught her arm and pushed her against the wall. His body was pressing up against hers, and it wasn't very comfortable. He was still calm, and not even a little bit angry at her. "Please, just don't let me get mad at you. Just let me explain."

"There's no proof of the Eadulf I used to know. He's gone." She retorted.

"The Eadulf you know is right here, and he loves you, but he wants you to know that he needs you to obey him. He wants you to trust him."

"How can I trust you, you beast!" She spit in his face, and he pressed harder. "You've never done anything that would make me want to trust you."

"Look into my eyes." She did, and what she saw was love. Deep, deep, deep down, there was love for her and hatred for the man he was now. "I still love you, but when my twin controls me, I have to accept. If I didn't, we would both die."

"Why are you hurting me, then?"

"Because I need you to obey me. If you don't, I have no other choice than to execute you. Destroy you. My twin doesn't approve of you, and she wants me to dispose of you, and I refused, because of how much I care about you." She shook her head as a tear rolled down her face.

"Do it. I dare you."

"I'm sorry Kaden." He said. He lifted her chin, and made her look into his eyes. "You have a choice. You can choose to listen to me or I will have to kill you, and you already know how much I don't want to do that." After a moment of hesitation, Kaden nodded.

"Okay. I'll do it. I will."

"Good, good."

"Now, what do you need me to do?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaden held the hand of the man she had loved a long time ago. She ran down the hallway with him, helping him do the one thing she would regret for the rest of her life. She chose life instead of protecting her realm. Maybe she could stop him at the last minute, but she doubted she'd be able to do that. Little Kaden, all by herself, trying to stop a trained shang.

I tell you things
I hope you keep.

Eadulf had poured his heart and soul out to this girl, and he hoped inside that she had beleived him, but somehow, he thought otherwise. He didn't think at all that Kaden was happy about him still loving her, or even beleiving him. He hoped that tonight everything would go right and he could go back to his old life; one without having to risk his life for his sister.

I trust you on the outside,
How do I feel on the inside?

He had told her how he hed felt on the inside. He trusted her enough to keep this last thing a secret. Maybe it was just fear that kept her going, but nonetheless, she was with him, and he was going to try to finish this the was he had started it.

Are you really my friend?
Can I trust you?

She had probably not have said the right things to him, probably not at all, but who could care less now? Now, as they ran down the hallway, hand in hand, running towards the one and only most powerful jewel in the realm. The one Eadulf was going to steal and bring to his sister. He was going to take over the world, and there was nothing Kaden could do about it. All Kaden could do was run as fast as her legs could take her.

She couldn't tell if he was telling the truth about things, all she could do was run. A tear ran off her face, and hit the ground paces behind her. She didn't know a thing about this man anymore, yet she was running behind him, sweat building on her forehead not only from running but from the fear of betraying her own country; her father, her King. It wasn't really her fault, but in the end, Kaden knew that she was the one to blame.

I guess I will wait and see.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of footsteps reverberated through the halls and Eadulf grabbed Kaden and pulled her into a closet. They froze while the man walked past them, Kaden almost gasping, and Eadulf turning to her, his finger over his mouth, a terrified look in his face. These were the halls that if they were ever caught in, they would be in big trouble.

When he had finally passed, Kaden let the air out of her lungs. Eadulf looked at her with a glare.

"Be careful next time." He scolded.

"Next time..." She muttered under her breath, and just decided to follow him until they got there. They went through a long cycle to get to where they were last time. The room was stale and stuffy. On a summer night like this, the room ought to be a lot hotter, but Kaden was glad of the spells put on the room.

Spells. Kaden had just remembered them. Of course there were spells on this room. Every evil genius would try and steal the most powerful jewel in all the realm. There was definately going to be something on that jewel that would keep people from stealing it. How was Eadulf going to get it.

"Eadulf," She whispered timidly. He looked at her, surprised she was talking. "Can I ask you... how are you going to get through those spells?"

"My sister." She looked at him, puzzled. He sighed, knowing he was going to have to explain. "My sister can control my mind. That's how I can explain turning into a different person sometimes. When she controls me, I can't remember what happens during that time." He walked up to a table at this point and was examining it. "She's the one with the magic, also. So, tonight, she's going to use her magic through me to take all of these protection spells off. Then, all I'm hoping is that this will all be successful and I'll get out of here without being caught. If everything goes smoothly." After a bit of silence and watching Eadulf try to figure out where the jewel was, Kaden thought of another question.

"So, that's why you picked tonight." He looked up, surprised that she said that.

"Why did I?"

"You picked tonight because you knew that everybody was going to be involved in getting the festivities together and ready. You picked it because everyone was going to be too busy to think about putting guards up, and even if they did, you'd be able to fight them off. You also picked tonight because everyone in the whole castle is going to be having fun, downstairs, in the ballroom or getting drunk. Nobody would even guess. I didn't even. I should have. It's the perfect getaway." Eadulf smiled. "What?"

"You've been taught well. By the best, I suppose."

"What do you mean?"

"You caught me and my plans. You figured them out."

"I did. I guess I'm just that good." Eadulf had finally found the table by then, and he'd taken the cloth off of a big, round object. It shone in the moonlight, bright and white, magic surrounding it.

"Okay, Kaden, I don't mean to scare you, but my sister is going to control me in a while. I'm just going to try to explain to her that you're here and you mean no harm. Okay? Try to understand, it might be kind of hard, but she is really a nice person sometimes. Just try to befriend her."

"That doesn't sound too hard." She tried not to worry about sort of meeting his sister for the first time. After all, this was all kind of strange.

Suddenly, there was a weird sound, low and quiet, but still audible. She covered her ears; it was loud in her ear drums, but not in real life, and then it was completely silent again.

"Sister," Eadulf began. "I have something to explain to you."

"What is it?"

"Kaden is here, but understand that I caught her trying to follow me and-"

"Did you kill her yet?" Kaden gasped, and Eadulf shook his head at her.

"No, sister. Understand that she's here because I made her promise that she would never tell, and I trust that she would do that." Guilt mocked her through and through. She felt so bad for doing it, but she needed to keep her promise. Who knew? Maybe Eadulf really did love her and he would take her away with him. Maybe it would all work out, or was that just mock hope? "She's going to be here, watching you work, so this time, try not to hurt her. It hurts me when you hurt her. And just try to get to know her, or something."

"Fine." Her voice was gone.

"Will you be alright with her?" He asked. "I'll be gone in a minute or two, but I'll be back at the end." She nodded. He smiled at her. "Of course you will be. Just try to enjoy yourself, if that's possible."

The noise came back, only this time, stronger. He waved goodbye, and she did the same, and then he was still there, but there was a different look in his eyes. It scared her for a minute, but she realized why she recognized that look; it was the look he gave her so many times before. It was the one he gave her when he was in that mood, the bad mood. The mood where he did all the bad things to her. She cringed thinking about it, and tried to clear her mind of those unclean thoughts.

"Hello," Eadulf said, but really it was Eadulf's sister, Jemma. It was weird, for Kaden. Speaking to a different person in the same body of another person. Very strange.

"Hi, I'm Kaden." She said bravely, or, as bravely as she could manage.

"I noticed." Kaden blushed. "It'll probably be kind of weird talking to me since I am not my brother."

"Yes, it is a little strange, but I am used to it. I'm guessing we have talked more than once before."

"We have." She, or he, smiled and then remembered what she was supposed to be doing. "Excuse me for a while, I have to work on getting this magic off of the jewel." And then she was off to work, not another word out of her.

It was at least an hour later before she was all through, and Kaden was tired. She had watched Jemma go at the magic all night, and it was mesmerizing. It almost made her fall asleep, but she managed to stay awake.

"All done. Now, I must say my goodbyes."

"Okay. It was nice finally meeting you."

"You too." Then the awful noise came back, and it was horrible for a second, but it went away and Eadulf was back. "How was it?"

"Not bad, actually." She smiled.

"Okay, now it's back to business. I need to get this out of here without being caught." There was silence as Eadulf tried to find something to hide it in. The silence carried on as Kaden thought about what would happen when he left.

"Are you leaving tonight with it?" She asked, almost worried.

"Preferably, why?" She looked at him with a strange look of hope.

"Eadulf, well," She stepped a bit closer. "Maybe there is still hope... for us." He looked up, surprised. There were many surprises that night. "If you still love me, maybe... I could come with you? I mean, I couldn't stay here, not with the people that I betrayed, and I wouldn't have anywhere else to go..."

"That might be a possibility," He was still trying to find something to put the jewel in. "If you want to. Yes, actually. That might be better."

"Only if you promise not to hurt me, ever again."

"I won't be hurting you." He smiled as he found a bag to put over the jewel. "Why would I hurt you? I love you."

Suddenly a white light shot from the jewel, as Eadulf touched it. Fire seemed to blaze all around him. White fire. Eadulf didn't scream, but there was a sharp pain through the ears and a sound that seemed like someone was screaming. Maybe it was the jewel. There was a crashing sound, and the light seemed to blind Kaden, white fire all around her. The room was so humid. She felt tears fall from her face.

"Eadulf! Eadulf, where are you?" She ran towards him, but the fire seemed to burn her if she got near.

Then it vanished.

It vanished as soon as it had came. She saw Eadulf, on the ground, the jewel still on the table, not budged.

"Eadulf... of, Eadulf..." She ran towards him. He was so weak. She trembled with tears, with fear for him. What did he do to deserve this.

"Kaden... Kaden, my dear." He whispered. He looked like he had just survived a fire, but maybe not survived for much longer.

"What? Eadulf? Are you still alive?" She held his hand, hot and burned, putting her hand arouynd his face, wanting to touch him but knowing it would hurt him. "Are you okay?" Tears were rolling down her face, one by one, faster than before.

"Kaden, I..."

"Yes, you, what?"

"I love you." And then he was gone.

Dead.

Eadulf was dead.

He was gone forever and never coming back.

Kaden realized it, and closed her eyes as she wept. She wept and wept, kneeling over him, her body draped over his chest. "Then she looked at his face, the charred remains of the man she used to kiss.

She leaned in and kissed him one last time.

One last kiss, before she said goodbye to the man she loved.

He comes tonight,

on this dark and dreary night.

He comes tonight,

and know I not why.

I know not why he comes or how,

but death be on the wind tonight.

It could be water in the lungs,

or a knife to the heart,

or even a sip of poison.

All I know is that he comes tonight.

You may miss me in the morning,

for you shall not see me evermore.

He comes tonight, as I wait.

The darkness creeping,

always in my heart.

He comes tonight,

silent in the storm.

He comes to take my breath away.

Miss me, I pray and mourn me,

as I was a friend.

Do not cry those tears,

they shall make you weak.

He comes tonight,

but I'll not go quickly.

He comes tonight,

a scream heard in the distance.

I perished by fire,

a blazing tempest.

It burned my body,

and burned my heart.

My soul purified, in the brilliant flames.

He came last night,

and took my breath away.

You hear the whispers of who I once was.

Not known who I shall become.

He came last night,

and I was freed.

He came last night,

and I was burned in my hell.

He came last night,

and I did not survive the blaze.

He came last night.

The fire shall burn evermore.

---------------------------------------------------------