A/N: I meant to put this up over the weekend but I was really busy, I threw a graduation party for my friend so this weekend was really crazy. Anyways, thanks for reading and please review! Btw...i forgot to put a Disclaimer: I do not own Roswell but I'd like to:)
Goodnight?
Vilandra sat on the bench, waiting for Rath to return with her drink. The meeting with her father was a little intense and although she immediately rejoined the party, she wanted a moment to herself.
She looked up as she felt a hand rest on her shoulder but it was not who she expected.
"What are you doing out here alone Princess?" Kivar asked, still standing behind her.
"I needed a moment; it's not easy being the life of party." She laughed slightly. "Rath is getting me something to drink."
"Then I don't have long," he rested his other hand on her free shoulder and began to massage her. "You're very tense this evening."
"It's an important night," Vilandra allowed herself to relax for a moment, than caught his hands with her own. "That's not a proper way to touch a lady sir, especially a princess."
"Really," Kivar leaned down to whisper in her ear. "When have you ever been proper?"
She jerked away from him playfully as a smile danced around the corners of her mouth. "Are you saying I'm no lady?" Vilandra turned to look at him.
"No," Kivar smiled down at her. "You are quite a lady." He came to the side of the bench and taking her hand; the Princess rose and stood before him. Kivar glanced around before stroking her cheek.
"Don't," the statuesqueblonde grabbed his hand. She enjoyed flirting with him but it never went any further than that and she didn't want anyone getting the impression that it did, especially the Lt. General. "Rath will be back any minute."
"You don't really want him Vilandra," Kivar whispered rather confidently. "Not the way you want me."
"Stop," she took a step back and put on a fake smile as she saw Rath approaching the doorwhere she and Kivar were.
Rath was at her side within a minute, handing her a goblet of champagne.
"Thank you," she smiled pleasantly, trying her best to hide how uncomfortable she was. It must have worked.
"Are you having a nice time?" Rath looked in Kivar's direction as he put his arm around the beauty in the red dress.
"I am," Kivar paused briefly then asked. "Are you?" He sounded almost cocky.
"You know," Vilandra put her hand on Rath's chest, seeing the fire starting to flare in his eyes. "You haven't danced with me all night."
"Please excuse us." Rath nodded at the other man before retrieving her glass and setting it on the bench. "Shall we?" He put his arm up and she gladly accepted it as he led her to the middle of the dance floor.
Vilandra wrapped her arms around his neck lightly, allowing her fingertips to barely brush the nape of his neck. His embrace was a bit tighter as he placed his hands firmly against her hips.
"You don't like him much, do you?' She asked softly, already knowing his answer.
"I don't trust him Loni," came his reply.
"My father does," Vilandra replied as she pulled back to look at him. "And so do I."
"I know," Rath looked her straight in the eye before he said anything else. "I have a good sense about people."
"I know," she smiled. "And I trust that Rath, I really do but I don't know…" she took a deep breath. "I trust him as well."
Rath looked at her inquisitively.
"We're friends," Vilandra said, feeling the need to justify her statement. We're just friends.
"By the way he looks at you; I don't think friendship is all he's after Loni." Rath said before twirling her around and pulling her back to him.
"How do you know that general?" she questioned playfully.
"Because it's the same way I look at you."
"There you are," Larek walked up to Zan and Ava and neither were sure who he'd been looking for. "I see you've finally met."
"Not really," Ava said as the prince pulled her back from the lake.
"Well then allow me to introduce you," Larek looked quite pleased with himself. "Prince Zan," he turned towards his friend. "This is Miss Avalena from Comoros." He smiled as he looked to the petite blonde. "Miss Ava, this is Prince Zan of Antar."
"It is an honor to meet you Your Highness," Ava blushed as he took hold of her hand, a bit embarrassed. I bet you meet lots of people while they're falling in your lake.
"It is my honor to meet you," Zan said before placing a soft kiss on the back of her gloved hand.
"We've been looking for you everywhere," Ema came from the same direction Larek had.
"This is my sister Ema," Ava's eyes never left him. "Ema, this is Prince Zan."
"It's lovely to meet you," Zan kissed her hand politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Prince Zan," Ema replied as he let go of her hand. "Let's go inside." She motioned to her sister. "They will be serving shortly and I'm famished."
"Actually, I'd like to continue showing Avalena around the gardens." Zan looked at her. "If you still want to look around."
"I'd like that very much," Ava smiled, then turned to her sister. "I can walk you back if you'd like."
"I'm sure Prince Larek would be happy to escort you back," Zan said as he looked to his friend.
"Yes of course," the other prince smiled knowingly as he offered his arm.
"It was an honor to meet you Your Majesty," Ema gave a small curtsy before taking Larek's arm and walking across the yard to the palace.
Zan reached up and retrieved the flower Ava had been reaching for earlier and pulled it from its branch. "This is what you were after, isn't it?" He handed the flower to her.
"Yes," she nodded. "Thank you."
He studied her for a moment.
"What?" Ava looked up at him with sapphire eyes.
"You're quite adventurous, aren't you?" Zan elaborated after he saw the questioning look on her face. "You go to palaces and try to pick flowers out of royal gardens, even though it's hanging over a lake. You jump off of rocks that are fifteen feet over the water, which is something I've never seen a girl do before. And you tend to lead a bit when you're dancing." He smiled. "You are quite interesting."
"Interesting?" she repeated as her nose scrunched up slightly. "What exactly does that mean Your Highness?"
"I didn't mean to offend you," Zan tried to clarify.
"I'm not offended," Ava gave curt nod. "Thank you for the flower but I should probably join my sister now."
Zan caught her by the arm as she started to walk away. "I just meant that you were not like other girls I've seen or met. That's not a bad thing." He released his grip on her.
"You were watching me then?" Ava looked at him, a smile dancing in her eyes.
"Uh-no," Zan shook his head, somewhat embarrassed.
"No?" her expression change to a cross between shocked and slightly annoyed and she could tell Zan was trying to figure it out.
"I mean yes," Zan felt stupid as soon as the words exited his mouth but by her pleased look, he couldn't help but grin and she returned the smile.
There was a comfortable silence for a few moments before either of them spoke again.
"Come with me," Zan extended his hand towards her.
Ava rose her eyebrow and looked at the prince, unmoved.
"Please," Zan smiled. "I want to show you something."
Ava lingered for a moment before placing her hand in his and following where he led.
Vilandra stood talking with four other girls, including Viala, who was telling them a funny story about a man she met on vacation. The Princess laughed at all the right moments but she was distracted as she scanned the room for Rath.
She hadn't responded to what he said earlier and when the song was over he'd mumbled something about checking on how things were going in Candala and walked away. Vilandra hadn't seen him since. She wished she'd said something, anything but somehow words escaped the usually talkative princess.
She looked to her right where Graceilda was laughing hysterically and suddenly saw Rath across the room. He was with Larek and two young women; the daughter's of a wealthy man the king often did business with. Vilandra peered over her friend's shoulder, watching how the eldest daughter kept placing her hand on her chest and giggling. Could she be any more obvious? She's falling all over him.
Vilandra tried to get back into the conversation but found it hard to control herself after she saw the girl hanging all overRath's arm. "Oh, that's it!" she said before stomping off.
"Vilandra," her cousin called. "Where are you going?"
The statuesque princess rushed over to the group she'd been staring at. "Rath," she smiled as she stepped between him and the pushy redhead, pretending to accidentally bump into the girl's arm. "I need you to come with me." She tried to sound as if it were business.
"Of course Princess," he gave a small nod to the others. "Please excuse us."
"Princess Vilandra," the redhead smiled. "It's always a pleasure to see you."
"Yes I'm sure," she replied quickly as she walked away with Rath following closely behind.
"Is it Candala?" Rath questioned. "Has something else happened?"
"No, nothing like that," Vilandra said as she stepped into the room they'd met with her father in earlier.
"Where are your brother and the Queen?" Rath looked around the empty room.
"I needed to talk to you," she closed the door behind him and then paced for a moment. "I'm sorry." The usually confident woman was a bit nervous. "I should have said something before when we were dancing but I didn't know what to say."
"Is that what this is about?" Rath was a bit taken back. "Look Loni, its fine." He wasn't a man who shared his feelings often and what he'd said had been a lot for him. When she offered no response, he wanted to forget the whole thing ever happened.
"No it's not," she ran hand through her hair. "If it were fine you wouldn't be avoiding me."
"I'm not avoiding you," Rath crossed his arms over his chest. "We should get back before they get worked up." He glanced at the door. "You probably have Prince Larek, Alanis, and…"
"Alanis?" Vilandra couldn't stop the look that spread across her face.
"Maybe we should explain that there's not some kind of crisis going on," he stated, not realizing what her problem was.
"I don't need to explain myself to her," Vilandra's temper was flaring. "I mean do you see the way she acts!"
"What?" Rath squinted his eyes as confusion spread across his face.
"I mean that laughing, who does that?" She'd become very animated with her hands and occasional pacing. "Couldn't you see what she was doing?"
Rath scratched at his eyebrow, still looking confused.
"She was falling all over you," Vilandra started her pace once again.
Rath just shook his head and then looked to the ground as he failed to suppress his laughter.
"What!" Vilandra yelled then calmed as his laughter erupted more. "What is so funny?"
"You," he laughed. "You're jealous."
"I am not jealous," she crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. "What could I possibly be jealous of her for?"
"You are right Princess," Rath now sounded very official; the laugh in his voice was gone. "If there's nothing else…" he let the sentence drift off as he walked to the door and put his hand on the knob.
"Rath," she pleaded, not wanting him to go.
"Have a good evening Your Majesty," Rath replied while opening the door.
"Okay," Vilandra almost shouted. "You win."
"Okay what?" he turned around.
"Okay," the princess rolled her eyes as she mumbled a bit inaudible. "Okay I was jealous."
"I couldn't hear you," he gave a smirk. "You were kind of mumbling."
"Okay I was jealous," her words were much clearer now. "Can you shut the door now?"
He did as she requested, then stood in front of her with a big grin on his face.
"And would you stop smiling like that," Vilandra tried to sound miffed but her face gave her away.
"You were jealous," Rath shook his head as his laughter subsided. "I like that."
"Do you?" the Princess said flirtatiously, putting her hands against his hard chest. It made her a bit nervous the way her was looking into her eyes right now, as if he could see who she was deep inside. Vilandra smiled softly and let her eyes fall to the floor.
Rath said nothing. He let one hand rest on her curvaceous hip as he used the other to raise her chin so he could look deep into her eyes once again. He tilted his head and began to move in slowly.
Vilandra came closer to him as she parted her lips and closing her eyes lightly; she caught her breath and waited for his lips to meet hers.
But it never happened.
When she opened her eyes she found that Rath had stepped back from her and was now looking towards the door.
"What?" Vilandra said softly, confusion written all over her face as he mouthed words that she didn't understand.
"Loni," Queen Maya entered the room. "Have you seen your brother?" She turned to Rath. "Either of you."
"No," Vilandra shook her head, still in a bit of a trance.
"We are going to start serving soon," Maya looked displeased but still very much composed.
"Don't worry Your Majesty," Rath nodded. "I will find him."
"Thank you Rath," Maya smiled as she returned a small nod.
"Shall I help you?" Vilandra asked, trying to hide the real reason she wanted to go with him. "I know a few places my brother likes to go."
"Very well," the Queen replied and the two of them set out on their search.
"It's beautiful," Ava's eyes lit up as she looked around the garden. "Why do you keep it hidden?"
"It wasn't always like this," Zan remembered when he'd first come across it. "When I was younger, I sort-of discovered it."
Ava just looked at him, waiting for him to continue his story.
"When I was young I just wanted to be this normal kid," he took a deep breath. "I wanted to be like everyone else who ran around playing games and sports but when you're a prince," he walked around. "You don't get to run around like everyone else."
"That must be hard for a child," she said sympathetically as she walked up to him and took his hands within her own.
Zan shook his head. "You must think I'm self-centered, complaining about being a prince."
"No," she smiled softly. "Everyone wants to be a royal because they only see the glamour of it all. They don't see all the responsibilities and sacrifices that go with it." She paused briefly. "That is, if you're a good leader and I believe that you are Prince Zan."
"Just Zan Avalena," he replied. "My close friends call me by my name only, especially when there's no need for formality."
"Okay just Zan," she smiled again. "Then you should call me Ava."
"Well Ava," the Prince paused for a moment. "You seem to have a lot of faith in me."
"I do," Ava nodded. "Will you tell me more?" She walked over to the white bench in the middle of the garden and sat down, patting the empty space next to her. "Tell me more about that little boy."
Zan smiled as he sat down next to her. . He continued to tell her how he used to sneak out of the Palace to play with normal kids and one day when he'd run off again, he'd discovered this place.
The vines were overgrown and hid the gateway to the forgotten garden. Zan crawled into a hole in the stone wall that encompassed it and entered a barren place with a cracked clay floor, empty trees whose brown leaves had fallen to the ground and dead vegetation and flowers.
It was nothing like the lavish garden she was seeing now. Zan worked on it himself; turning it into the place it was now. The trees flourished with hues of golden leaves and the ground was now covered with lush shades of indigo grass. There was a fountain in the middle of the garden where the red water continuously flowed and there were flowers of just about every color spread throughout. It had become his special place where he could get away from everything. He'd never shard this place with anyone else besides his sister and Rath when they were children yet he felt so comfortable sharing it with Ava. He felt as if he'd known her his whole life and he could tell she felt the very same way.
After Zan finished telling her more about himself, he listened intensely to Ava as she shared some of her own experiences. Ava told him how her parents died in a tragic accident and how her aunt and uncle had been raising her and Ema ever since. She shared her time at school and what she dreamed of doing with her life. Zan wanted to know everything about her. It was like two old friends catching up even though they'd never met before tonight.
"We should be getting back soon," Zan said after he realized how long they'd been gone. He turned around suddenly as he heard muffled voices outside. "Shh," he said quietly. "We'll wait till they're gone."
Ava put her hand on his shoulder and leaned in close to whisper into his ear. "Thank you for sharing this place with me."
Zan turned to look at her and froze for a moment as his eyes met hers. He looked at her deeply and reached his hand up to stroke her cheek. Ava looked at him with the same intensity and they both started moving closer together. She kept her eyes open but allowed her lids to lay heavily as Zan brought his lips to hers. Within the instant their mouths touched, a deep passion erupted in both of them; a longing that neither of them knew existed before. They allowed their energy to mix and held nothing back as they saw flashes into each other's souls.
"Ahem," Vilandra cleared her throat as she ducked into the small opening, followed by Rath.
Zan and Ava broke apart and looked to where the voice was coming from. Ava was blushing slightly.
"Mother is ready for the guests to be served," Vilandra smiled. "That is if you two can pull yourselves away from each other long enough for us to start."
Both Zan and Ava stood up and quickly followed Rath and Vilandra out of the secluded area.
After dining the guests filtered between the ballroom area, the terrace, and the open gardens. Vilandra spent the rest of the evening with Rath, either alone or with other guests but they were rarely separated. She caught Kivar staring at her a few times but did her best to ignore it.
When the evening came to a close and most of the guests were gone or in the process of leaving, Rath escorted the Princess back to her quarters.
"Thank you for walking me back," she smiled at him teasingly. "You never know who could be roaming our hallways."
"Glad I could be of service," the Lt. General smirked.
"I really had a nice time," Vilandra smiled as she leaned against her bedroom door. "I'm just sorry we were interrupted earlier."
"How sorry?" Rath whispered as he leaned closer to her, resting his palm beside her head on the door.
Vilandra wrapped her arms around his neck as he bent down to kiss her. Rath kissed her slow at first then quickened his pace as his mouth delved deeper. A soft murmur came from her throat as she returned the passionate kiss he was giving her. After a few moments, they broke away from each other, their breathing a bit heavy.
"I should go," Rath said as he took a step back and grabbed her hand. "Goodnight my princess."
"Goodnight Rath," Vilandra smiled at him sweetly before entering her room and closing the door behind her.
Larek, Ema, a young man, and two young women stood off to the side as Zan and Ava talked, waiting for Larek's driver.
"This night has been amazing," Ava looked up at the Prince, her blue eyes sparkling. "I've never met anyone I've felt so at home with." She hoped it was the right word.
"It doesn't seem as if we've just met," Zan replied. "I feel like I've known you forever."
"So do I," Ava said while taking his hand. "I don't want this night to end."
"Will you meet me for lunch tomorrow?" Zan asked.
"But won't you be really busy tomorrow?" Ava questioned, knowing he'd have a lot to do after his vacation.
"I will make time," he said, assuring her. "We'll do it late, around two."
"Okay," her face lit up.
"Miss Avalena," one of the servants walked up. "Your driver awaits you."
"Thank you," Ava nodded at him then turned back to the Prince. "Goodnight Zan."
"Goodnight Ava," Zan lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Come Ema," Ava walked to where her sister was, then looked to the other prince and gave a small curtsy. "Goodnight Prince Larek and thank you for everything."
As they were walking to the glider that was waiting for them, Queen Maya walked up and stood beside her son.
"Is she the one?" she linked her arm with his.
"What one?" Zan questioned. "Who are you talking about?"
"Don't be silly dear," Maya replied. "The spirited girl with the golden hair; is she the one you were thinking of earlier this evening." He looked at her. "A mother knows these things."
Zan nodded in defeat. "Yes, she's the one." He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Mother."
Vilandra sat in front of the mirror as her maid brushed her hair and wrapped it before she retired to bed. She heard a soft knocking on the door but before she could answer, Queen Maya had already stepped inside.
"Darling," she said closing the door behind her. "Did you have a nice time this evening?"
"Yes," Vilandra nodded as the maid exited.
"I saw you with Rath," Maya waited for her daughter to elaborate but she didn't. "He's an upstanding young man. I think you are perfect for each other."
"Mother," Vilandra was a bit taken back.
"I only want the best for you and for this planet's future." Maya sat down next to her daughter. "I think Rath is the best."
"So do I," she agreed. "But sometimes I wish we could develop naturally without everyone trying to force us together. What if I wanted to see someone else?"
"Like who Loni?" Maya asked, her interest piqued.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "Kivar seems to like me."
"You want to date Kivar?" Maya looked concerned.
"No," Vilandra shook her head. "I'm just using him as an example. What would be wrong with someone like him?"
"I know this is going to come out sounding wrong but he's very different than you." Maya replied.
"Because he's Skinarian?" The Princess looked appalled.
"Well that is one difference," Maya said calmly.
"So is Rath," Vilandra countered.
"You're right but he is half Antarian and he was raised that way, like you were." Maya tried to explain. "He understands our culture and he's been groomed to be a leader. Kivar has not."
"He's an ambassador," Vilandra tried to sound nonchalant.
"Yes, but that's a lot different than being a member of The Royal Four," Maya continued. "There are certain things that are only shared between the royals and high ranking officials in our consult and military."
"Okay," she nodded. "What else?"
"The Royal Four has to be a unit," Maya explained. "They have to have the same basic principals and ideas and their must be a great amount of loyalty between them. Your father, Hasan, Anash and I are very different people but our goals are the same." She paused briefly. "I don't think someone like Kivar would have the same goals as you and Zan and whoever he may marry."
"You don't trust him or them?" she sounded a bit defensive.
"I don't trust anyone, regardless of race, to lead the people of Antar if I believe their first concern is not for those people but for themselves." Maya looked at her a bit strangely. "Are you sure you're not interested in Kivar?"
"No I'm not," Vilandra replied. "I was just curious, that's all."
"Okay," Maya wasn't sure she was convinced but decided to let it go. She rose up from where she was seated and placed a kiss on Vilandra's forehead. "Goodnight Loni."
"Goodnight Mother."
Ava and Ema walked in quietly, hoping not to disturb their aunt and uncle at such a late hour. When they stepped into the hallway though, they heard voices coming from the living room and slight sobbing.
"Nadia, it's going to be alright." Evan replied while he put a hand on his wife's shoulder.
The two girls crouched on the stairs and peered through the darkness at the two figures in the living room.
"It won't," Nadia shook her head. "We're going to lose everything."
"We'll get through it," Evan paused. "We got through it when my brother and his wife died; we'll get through this."
"Zsar is our only hope." Nadia wiped at her eyes. "And he'll never help us if Ava doesn't agree to marry him."
Evan took her hands in his own. "He may win her over yet and if not, we can't force her to marry him."
"I know," the brunette on the couch sniffed. "But we've tried everything and no one will help. If we can't find a way out of this in two months, we'll lose everything Evan."
"Don't say that," he reached over to hold his wife. "Let's not think about this anymore tonight, okay?" Evan watched her nod. "Let's go upstairs and get some rest."
At that moment, Ava and Ema hurried up the stairs to their room as quietly as they could. Ava immediately plopped on her bed and begun sobbing herself.
"Ava," Ema sat down next to her. "They'll find a way out of this."
"I know," she said through heavy breathes. "I know what I have to do."
"Huh?" Ema had gotten up and started to remove her dress.
"How could the best night of my life turn into the worst?" Ava wasn't sure if she was talking to her sister or just thinking out loud. "I have to marry Zsar."
"Ava," Ema knelled down beside her.
"I don't want to talk anymore, okay?" Ava didn't move as she cried into her pillow.
Ema stroked her hair before going to her own bed. "Goodnight," she said a bit uneasily.
"Goodnight?"