I hope everybody really enjoys this chapter, I certainly did. Please review and comment as usual, and read every last word, and I promise you will either be infuriated or in jubilation.

Enjoy! "No heart can ever be truly understood. No even your own."

Mare

Before I have a chance to move, Cal's nearly scalding hand grips my arm as he gives me a look that seems to say, Don't even think about it.

"I know you're here Mare, somewhere in the crowd. I was tipped off by a restaurant worker named Kile or something like that. He could see your true appearance, must be some kind of new power. Even if you aren't here, I'll give you one hour to come to me, because I'm positive you're in Archeon." At this he drags Ella, still with my face away, most likely taking her to the dungeons. "Now please, have some fun, this is a ball after all."

After a couple of minutes, the silvers fall back into the party, acting nearly normal. Cal and I begin dancing to a song more festive than the previous, almost as if Maven is celebrating his victory against The Little Lightning Girl.

I begin to cry without sound, my head tucked into Cal's shoulder, protecting me from suspectful, prying eyes. "He's too smart, Ella's will most likely die tonight even if I do surrender. I should've just done what he asked of me, and maybe I'd be a prisoner again but at least no one else would die for me."

"You're not going to surrender, and Ella isn't going to die. I'm sure Harrick will be able to figure out a way to get her out of here without notice."

"Maybe. But how much can he take? How many illusions can he handle without breaking? If my face suddenly appears in this crowd of people, I'll be dead before Maven even reaches me and-"

Before I have the chance to continue, Harrick saunters over acting is if everything is hunky dory and absolutely no one has been taken hostage.

"Lady Julianna, will you give me the honor of allowing me to dance with you?" Harrick asks in an anxious tone. While he appears extremely calm, his voice tells a different story.

"Of course, I'd be honored."

Cal murmurs something about going to watch Maven, as Harrick and I begin to dance.

I speak first. "So what's the plan, Mr. I can get us out of any situation with my mental powers?"

'Well I could try to make the sentinels to open the gates in some fashion, but my I'm already beginning to feel exhausted holding up four appearances, Farley doesn't need to have her face changed, since she's only a red servant. But if you allowed me to drop Ella's veil, I might be able to gather enough strength to manipulate the guards."

"If letting Maven sees Ella's true appearance saves her, do it. I'd really rather not have any more casualties."

"I won't let her die. I promise."

"You have no idea how thankful I am that I met you."

Cal returns holding two glasses of water, handing me one. The second I'm handed a glass, I down in nearly immediately, the cold momentarily soothing my stomach.

"Is Maven doing anything interesting?"

"Not in particular. He's in the corner sitting area making small talk with a couple of silvers. He seems anxious, keeps looking around every few seconds."

"Because he expects me to walk straight up to him, throw myself into his arms and apologizing for attempting to evade him," I say with a smirk.

"Did you and Harrick come up with a plan?"

"He has an idea and is trying to carry it through. I wouldn't say it's a plan."

"It's a start. But I am not going to let you give yourself up. Not again, you don't deserve that."

"Of course I don't want to go back to Maven. But if it comes down to Ella and me, I'll give myself up."

"I can't lose you again."

"I know. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go casually sit near Maven. You know ladies like me can get quite exhausted after all this dancing," I say the last part in a mock soft voice.

I wander my way through the crowd, all of which seem to be washing down their worries about Mare Barrow with alcohol. Every last dress is so lovely, with the finest silk and lace weaved carefully together to make a beautiful pattern. If I manage to not die tonight and start a revolution, I swear the first thing I will protest to change is the silk intake of every citizen of Norta.

When I reach my destination, I plant myself near Maven, but not so near to make myself suspicious. Acting casually, I sip on a glass of wine, careful to not enjoy it too much, while glancing around the massive area, taking in every detail, and every possible escape exit.

My eyes wander over to Maven, who's tapping his foot extremely fast while his eyes scan the room over and over again. Taking a bold measure, "So the girl you were waiting for was the Little Lightning Girl, Your Majesty. Why are you so intent on getting her, when she's an illegal criminal?"

Maven sighs, getting up from his position, to sit on the same sofa I am on. "Honestly, I don't know. It's her birthday today, and as pathetic as is, I've never been able to make myself fall out of love with her. She had every right to break my heart after what I did to her."

For a moment, I feel for Maven. After my stay with him for those six months, I realized it was his mother's doing for all the terrible things he's done. But the next moment, I'm disgusted.

"Why would you tell me this? You barely know me"

"Somehow you remind me of her, maybe it's the mysterious aura."

"I'm mysterious? How so?"

"That's what I don't know. Something about you seems so hidden away, I just can't figure out what it is."

You have no idea how right you are, my King.

"Well thank you, I guess. However, I'm not sure if being compared to The Lightning Girl is a complement."

"Oh it is, many people just don't realize it. Now if you excuse me, I must go order my guards to rip off every mask in this ballroom. And to think I thought a masquerade would be fun when it really just takes time out of my evening."

"Good luck on your search, Your Majesty. I do hope you're able to find her."

I find my way back to Cal, who seems to be in deep discussion with Harrick. Both of them wear worried looks on their faces, as they talk quietly in a secluded area of the dark room.

"Have you figured out a way to rescue Ella?" I say, desperation creeping in my voice.

Harrick shakes his head, the sadness showing even with his glamor. "She's in an area completely surrounded by mass amounts of silent stone. I can't get close enough to rescue her without letting down Cal's and your glamor, Mare to rescue her. I don't even know how the wretched King was able to acquire that amount of silent stone."

I nod slowly, "I will go to Maven in forty minutes. That's how much time before Ella would die otherwise. In the meantime, I'd like to spend these last minutes somewhere quiet."

Cal reaches out his hand, and I put mine in his. "I'll take you somewhere peaceful, I promise."

He leads me down the hall, taking lefts and rights with confidence, knowing exactly where he's going.

"Aren't you worried someone might see us. I don't think we're allowed down this hallway."

"Harrick was able to make us invisible and silent. Only I can see you and you make see me, in our real forms."

I look at Cal, not seeing Sir Christopher, but the real Cal. I had been too busy staring at the floor in despair to notice.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

We continue down a hallway I've never been in before, ending with a gigantic balcony. We walk on to it, the sleeting rain immediately drenching me.

"I love you Mare, and I promise on my life I will not rest until we save both you and Ella. But I want this to be a reminder of our love, that you are the only one I will ever love."

When he finishes his sentence, he drops to one knee, pulling a small box out of his pocket.

"Mare Molly Barrow, will you make me the happiest man on this earth, and marry me?"