Coming Home

The aircraft slowly descended as it rapidly approached its destination. Beside the two pilots, there were seven others being transported. Towards the front of the aircraft sat three royals; two from the royal family of Antar and one from the royal family of Vanay.

The girl sat across from the two young men, staring out of the dome shaped window as they wized through the air. She was an unmistakable beauty. Her skin was a smooth peach color, softly bronzed and her hair, which flowed down to the middle of her back like silk, was a deep honey blonde. Her eyes were such a deep shade of blue that at times they appeared to be black and her valentine shaped lips were naturally stained a soft crimson.

She laughed, tossing her hair back with her arm as she noticed something funny her brother said to his friend. She was the envy of most women because of her obvious beauty but besides that she lived a life that most people dreamed of; she was Vilandra, the royal princess of Antar.

"We should be arriving in Ratna in a few minutes Your Majesties," one of the four bodyguards came to where they were sitting.

"Thank you," the young man with the dark blue-black hair said before retrieving his glass and settling back in his seat.

He was the envy of many himself. He was Prince Zan and was the heir to the royal throne of Antar. His complexion was a slightly lighter tone that his sister's and his eyes were an array of chestnut and pale green hues and looked like they could read inside of your very soul.

Zan was more reserved than his sister was. She'd always been more outspoken than him and sometimes he wondered if she'd make a better queen than the king he would make someday.

He glanced out the window, ready to finally be home but a little sad that their holiday had come to an end. Tomorrow would be back to their routine, classes and responsibilities. Zan had enjoyed the casualness of the last two weeks but he wanted to be a good leader and knew that all the training he was going through was necessary.

He turned back to look at his friend and sister who were now in their own conversation about the party Queen Maya would surely be planning for her children's return.

"We lost you for a moment there Zan," Larek smiled at him. He was a man of sienna complexion and had piercing, deep green eyes that gave the impression that he knew a secret that others weren't privy to. "Will this party be tonight or will we have time to go to Dimiras?"

"She'll throw it tomorrow, I'm sure," Vilandra said while picking at some wild berries in her bowl. "You're planning on going to the lake?"

"You're not coming then Vilandra?" Larek asked.

"People gawking at me while I'm in a swimsuit isn't my idea of a good time, thank you." Her eyes rolled upwards as she gave a slight laugh. "Besides I have much to prepare for if she does throw this party tomorrow. I don't even have an escort."

"I'm sure Rath will be happy to escort you," Zan smirked as he saw his sister blush.

"Shut up Zan!" Vilandra's eyes were almost bugging out of her head.

"Rath?" Larek said thoughtfully. "Have I met him?"

"Several times Larek," Vilandra replied as she shook her head.

Larek looked to Zan for an answer.

"He's in my father's royal army," Zan paused briefly. "He's a little taller than I am."

"That's a great description Zan," Vilandra turned towards Larek. "He's of fair skin and he has this short brown hair that kind of spikes up." She almost laughed. And his eyes are kind of slanted and they're this deep grey color."

"Slanted and dark grey?" Larek questioned. "That's an unusual combination for an Antarian."

"His mother is Antarian," Zan explained. "His father was a Skin."

"Oh," Larek replied. It was not common for the two races to mix but it was acceptable by most, although it had not always been that way. "I think I remember the hair." He chuckled slightly. "So he has a thing for our Loni?" He'd grown up with Zan and Vilandra and thought of them as his own siblings.

"Look at what you've started Zan," Vilandra pretended to pout but she wasn't really upset. She'd grown use to their teasing.

As Larek continued prying about Rath and his relationship to Vilandra, Zan's mind wandered off to the first time he'd met Zan. He was eleven years old at the time and once again, he'd escaped from the palace.

Zan ran through the lush indigo colored grass towards the open land on the other side. The sun shone above him as the light peeked through the clouds, creating a sky of brilliant crimson, coral and burnt orange hues that swirled above.

As he approached where the sand met the grass he heard the voices of several young boys.

"You stay away from us half-breed!" one voice yelled.

"Maybe we should help him up guys," another voice said, his tone less forceful.

"Don't be a wimp," the first boy pushed the other. "Do you want to be down there with him?"

As Zan came closer he could see the figures of five boys standing around the edge of Ravine's Cliff. One boy was shaking his head back and forth while the others threw rock over the edge and continued jeering at someone who was apparently hanging from the rock.

Zan began to yell in the deepest voice he could muster, "Hey, what's going on down there?"

"Someone's coming," the squirmish boy looked around, worried. "Let's get out of here."

The five boys ran off into the distance almost immediately and Zan, after he was sure they weren't looking back anymore, hurriedly went to the edge where they'd been standing. He kneeled down as soon as he saw the young boy dangling from a rock that protruding out slightly below the edge.

"Take my hand," Zan said as he reached over the cliff.

The boy looked at him with fear in his deep grey eyes. "I can't reach."

Zan laid his body on the ground and extended his arm even further down. "Try to grab my hand now."

The boy looked at him with apprehension but he reached up and took the hand he was being offered anyways. It took a few minutes but Zan managed to pull the boy up enough for him to reach the edge and climb up. They both laid there for a few moments, gathering their breath and strength.

The boy turned to the side and extended his hand this time, "Thank you." He took a deep breath. "I'm Rath."

"Your welcome," the rescuer shook his new friend's hand. "I'm Zan."

"Zan," Vilandra called, bringing her brother back to the present day. "We're here."

"Guess its show time," he shrugged as they followed two of the security guards out of the aircraft and waved to the crowd of people and photographers behind the barrier.

A few feet down the strip, another ship had just landed as well, where two young women were now exiting. It certainly wasn't as grand as the royal ship but it was moderately sized and given that there were only two passengers, it must have belonged to someone of means.

The first girl was of very pale complexion with chestnut hair and light periwinkle eyes that drew you to them. Her lips had a natural pout and she was pretty but not as pretty as the young woman behind her. Her skin was a bit deeper than the other girls, a deep apricot, and her eyes were a brilliant shade of blue that shone like sapphires. She had the same pout but her lips were fuller and a hue a soft pink.

"It was nice of Zsar to let us use his personal ship," the first girl commented while descending down the ramp.

"I wonder what exactly he'll want in return Ema," she rolled her eyes as she followed her sister down the ramp.

"Ava," Ema turned back to look at her. "The guy's in love with you."

"He doesn't even know me," she tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

"Exactly," Ema laughed. "But seriously, he's rich, he seems really nice and…"

"Seems nice?" Ava interrupted.

"Yes," Ema continued. "He wants to take care of you and he can help Uncle Evan with his business and they've done so much for us. You've always said you wanted to pay them back."

"But an arranged marriage?" Ava shook her head. "We're not in ancient times anymore. Marriage should be about being in love."

"Lots of people still have arranged marriages," Ema rolled her eyes. "It's not so archaic and besides, Zsar's a good guy."

"If you like him so much, you can marry him." Ava laughed briefly then turned to look at the other aircraft across the landing. "Who is that?" Her eyes focused on the tall man with the blue-black hair.

"You really have been on Crite for a long time," Ema laughed. "That's Prince Zan and Princess Vilandra. The other man is Prince Larek from Vanay."

"That's Prince Zan," Ava was still staring at him, her heart fluttering. "He looks so…" She was at a loss for words which was uncommon for her.

"I forgot you had a crush on him when we were little," Ema said teasingly. "Didn't you get any magazines or a newspaper on that planet? Or is it just the school that doesn't get any gossip?'

"Yes but I wasn't much into looking at pictures, I actually read the articles unlike some people." She gave her sister a fake push. "I was focusing on my studies." Her face scrunched up.

"What?" Ema looked at the expression on her face.

"What use will all that have been if I forced to marry Zsar?" She bit at her lip, a nervous habit she'd acquired.

"May I take your bags ladies?" a gentleman in a brown suit walked up to them as another opened the shuttle door in an upward motion.

Ema got in quickly and after Ava gave one last glance at the Prince of Antar, she stepped inside of the hovering vehicle and it took off.

After taking several pictures outside of the aircraft Zan, Vilandra, and Larek soon arrived at the Royal Palace of Antar. It was a lavish estate surrounded by mazes of lovely gardens and there was even a personal lake located on the grounds. Each of the five worlds had their own beautiful palaces but the one on Antar was truly extraordinary.

It was cream with mahogany doors and accents and above the huge pillar shaped wing in the middle, it adorned what looked like a golden drop of rain. To each side of it there were two more pillared wings and on the top of their roofs you could not only see the grounds, but it sat up high enough on the hill that you could see all of Ratna below. Even Larek, whose own palace was quite lovely, was always impressed by its beauty.

As soon as the three of them walked in, different workers came up to them saying, "Welcome back Prince Zan and Princess Vilandra, Good afternoon Prince Larek", and other civilities of the same.

"My darlings," Queen Maya walked up and embraced both her children. "I've missed you both."

"Hello Mother," Zan kissed her on the cheek.

"Mom," Vilandra gave her mother a kiss as well. "We missed you too."

Maya stepped back to take a look at their friend. "Prince Larek," she smiled warmly and embraced his hand in hers. "It's lovely to see you again."

"The pleasure is mine Your Highness," Larek brought her hand to his head and gave a bow.

"I'm so sorry to hear your father's condition has worsened," Maya said sympathetically. "Please offer my condolences to your mother."

"I will," he nodded. "I trust you've received the invitation for the coronation next week."

"We have," the Queen replied. "We should be able to attend; it will be a very big day for you."

"I only hope that I can make my people proud and be half the king my father's been," Larek said. Since his father was mostly bed ridden, Larek was set to step up as king even though he hadn't passed yet.

"I am sure you will be," She paused briefly, changing subjects. "I hope everyone is prepared for the party this evening."

"Tonight?" Vilandra questioned. "I thought it would be tomorrow night." She looked a bit panicked.

"You father has several meetings tomorrow and I wanted to make sure he'd be ale to attend," Maya looked to one of the servants walking by. "Please take care of the luggage in the foyer Jabari."

"Yes Your Majesty," Jabari took a small bow then went to retrieve the bags.

"Well I guess we better go now then," Zan said turning to Larek then back towards his mother. "We were planning to go to Dimiras."

"Make sure you are both back in ample time to get ready for this evening," the Queen said firmly. "There will be maids waiting at your rooms in two hours."

"Yes Mother," Zan gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"We will return promptly," Larek took her hand once again and bowed. "Your Majesty."

"Come Loni," Maya took her daughter's hand. "I have a surprise for you.

Ava ran up the sandy hill to the rock that jutted over the lake. She hadn't been here since she was a kid but it almost felt as if she'd never left. Ema had dared her to jump off of Dimiras Rock and she happily accepted the challenge, knowing she was planning on doing it anyways.

The sun glistened on her body, dancing off of the water droplets that covered her skin as she stood atop of the rock formation. Her cheeks looked sun kissed as her golden hair blew in the breeze. Ava waved down at her sister. She looked like a goddess but it wasn't just her outer beauty. Ava had an intensity about her; a fiery aura that radiated all around her.

She looked down below and caught a look at Prince Zan who'd arrive a little while ago. The blue eyed beauty stared for a moment and could've sworn their eyes met but she shook her head, deciding it had been her imagination.

Ava raised her arms above her head, took a deep breath in, and dove off of Dimiras Rock into the red water below. The thick liquid rushed around her as she broke through the surface and became encompassed in it. Ava glided across the lake underwater and within a few moments she rose up next to her sister and splashed her.

"Ava," Ema returned the attack and laughed as her sister swallowed some of the water.

Ava coughed briefly then splashed Ema once again. "Trying to drown me?"

The two of them continued to swim and play around, while Ava paused to dive off of the rock every now and again. She even got Ema to jump off of it once or twice. It was the first time in years the two sisters had spent so much time together and they relished every second of it.

"I'm so happy you're back," Ema threw her arm around her.

"Me too," she smiled.

Zan looked up at the beauty, who was once again preparing to dive off of Dimiras Rock. He thought he caught her glancing at him a few times but decided that he must be wrong.

"Do you know her?" Zan turned to his friend. "I can't remember ever seeing her before now."

"Maybe she's from one of the other worlds," Larek replied as he floated through the water.

"She's the most beautiful girl I've ever see," Zan was staring at her again, not noticing that his thought had been out loud.

"Just because they block off some of the lake for your personal use doesn't mean you can't go over there." Larek stood up in the water as he gestured to the common area. "Go talk to her."

"I can't," Zan shook his head.

"Of course you can," Larek paused. "You're the Prince of Antar." After he heard no response from him, he stuck out his chest in true Larek form and began, "Fine, I'll go talk to her."

"No," Zan grabbed the self-assured valiant by his arm. "We haven't the time; we need to get back to the palace."

He walked out of the water and was greeted by a young woman who waved her arms down the length of his body, drying him off. Larek followed and the same young woman used her powers to dry him off as well. She gave a curt bow and followed them back to the glider.

"Darn!" Larek exclaimed. "I forgot something down by the lake."

"One of the guards can get it," Zan replied, motioning towards the security standing around them.

"I think I can handle it," he stood up in a proud manner. "I'll be right back."

As soon as Zan's head was turned, Larek rushed over to the young woman with the golden hair that they'd been speaking of earlier. She had just gotten out of the water and was no doubt, preparing to dive off again.

"Hello Miss," Larek gave a curt nod. "I am Prince Larek of Vanay."

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness." Ava gave an embarrassed curtsy as the water dripped down her body. "My name is Avalena, Ava for short."

"I don't believe I have seen you before," Larek waited for her to elaborate on where she was from.

"I've been in school on Crite," Ava replied. "But I'm back home now, with my aunt and uncle, Evan and Nadia."

"Yes, of course from Comoros," Larek nodded. "There is a party this evening at the Palace, honoring Prince Zan's and Princess Vilandra's homecoming. Since you yourself are having your own homecoming, it's only fitting you should attend."

Ava was not often speechless but this was a time where she was at a loss for wordsand for the second time today. She smiled pleasantly and nodded.

"Very well," Larek returned the smile. "I will send a car for you about thirty after seven." He began to walk away, and then turned around. "You have a sister, yes?"

Ava nodded again, her voice still escaping her.

"She may attend too," Larek then added. "It's been a pleasure meeting you."

"The honor has been mine," Ava grinned happily as she regained the ability to speak. It's good to be home.