A/N: Here's another chapter...thanks for reading and please review!
Lost
Zan and Vilandra sat behind the long wooden table listening to their tutor's lecturing on the Intergalactic Council and what they oversaw in relation to the planets in their solar system: Antar, Vanay, Lantis, Crite and Harpo.
"Let's talk about how many members there are on the council," the tutor stood up from the edge of the desk where he'd been sitting. "Princess."
"Ten," Vilandra answered. "Two from each planet." Sometimes she wondered why he reviewed, in her opinion, such elementary lessons.
"And how are our members chosen?" He paused as he looked to the third person in the room. "Prince Zan."
"I'm sorry, what?" Zan asked as he heard his name. His mind had been elsewhere all day.
That's why. Vilandra smiled as she thought to herself.
"I was asking how the council members are chosen," the tutor said then looked towards the door where a servant was standing. "Hold that thought." He followed the girl out of the door.
"Zan, what's wrong with you?" Vilandra pressed. "You've beenlost all day."
"I know," he ran a hand through his hair. "I've just had this strange feeling all day."
"A bad feeling?" she turned to look at him.
"I can't seem to shake it," he replied thoughtfully.
"I think the attacks in Candala have everyone on edge," she placed her hand on his. "Including you little brother."
"Maybe," Zan said, then changed subjects. "Do you have any plans for lunch? Ava was meeting me and I thought you'd like to invite Rath."
"Ava?" Vilandra said a bit taken back. "You two are moving a little fast, aren't you?"
"It's a lunch," he said slowly. "You don't like her very much, do you?"
"Why would you say that?" her voice sounded aloof as she flipped her hair back.
"You were a bit rude to her last night," Zan said.
"I was annoyed that I had to look for you," Vilandra paused briefly. "I was kind of in the middle of something."
"Like what?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter," Vilandra quickly added with a smile on her face. "Everything turned out alright but I'm actually meeting Sanaa for lunch."
"You never answered my question Lon," Zan looked towards his sister. "About liking Ava."
"I don't dislike her; I just don't know her." Vilandra smiled slightly. "I hope she is someone you can trust."
"Zsar should be here pretty soon," Nadia took a sip from her teacup and returned it to her saucer on the table. "Your uncle and I are very grateful."
"You've done so much for me and my sister," Ava said plainly. "I'd like to help you now."
"We love you both," Nadia said as she turned and held her niece's hand. "We love you just like you're our own."
"I love you too Aunt Nadia," she tried to force a smile.
"I know this is hard for you but you've made the right decision and your family appreciates it." Nadia smile genuinely.
Family. Ava thought. It was the most important thing to her and why she was doing this. I have to remember that, this is what's best for my family.
"Please excuse me ladies but Lord Zsar has arrived." Lili, their maid, entered the room.
"Miss Nadia," Zsar entered the room. "How are you this afternoon?"
"Splendid," she replied as he took her hand and kissed it.
"Miss Avalena," Zsar had a way of saying her name that made her skin crawl. "I hear you have some good news for me."
"Yes," she gave a small curtsy and forced a smile as he took her hand.
"I shall leave you to it," Nadia gave an airy wave and left, followed by Lili.
"Shall we sit?" Ava walked over to the couch and took a seat.
Zsar did the same.
"My aunt and uncle have made your intentions towards me quite clear," Ava's tone was formal; almost business like.
"I have loved you since the very moment I saw you," Zsar replied simply. "I want to take care of you Avalena."
"But I don't want to be taken care of," she countered. "I want to be independent; I want to have a life outside of being someone's wife."
"My dear," Zsar took her hands within his own. "I want to give you anything and everything you want and if you agree to marry me, I will make sure you have that. If you must work than I will support it."
"And my Uncle Evan's business?" Ava questioned. "If something isn't done soon, they will lose everything. And Iwant to make sure Ema's future is taken care of."
"I will take care of it for you," he replied. "Anything else?"
Ava shook her head no.
"Then it is done," Zsar said frankly. "As soon as the marriage is finalized I will take care of Evan's business." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small box. "This is for you."
Ava retrieved it from his hand and then removed the top. Inside there was a dark grey jewelry box. She pulled it out and opened the lid slowly. "It's beautiful," her words were genuine. It was a huge canary yellow diamond on a sarron band, a metal that was very much like gold in color but was much more rare and expensive.
"Do you like it?"" Zsar said as he took the box out of her hand and retrieved the ring. "Let me put it on you."
Ava held out her hand and let Zsar slip the ring on her finger, the symbol that she now belonged to him. She stifled the cry that wanted to be let out, instead smiling weakly.
Zsar reached over and held her face in his hands as he reached over to kiss her. Ava accepted it, knowing this would be part of her trade. She closed her eyes and tried to relax; hoping to feel something but there was no passion, no longing, no flashes. She counted the seconds until he pulled away from her.
"I have business I must attend to," Zsar said as he stood up. "I will see you in a few hours; we can have dinner."
"Okay," Ava nodded.
Zsar placed a kiss on the top of her head and let himself out.
Vilandra sat near the entrance of the café, looking up at the clock once again. Sanaa was fifteen minutes lateand the Princess was becoming a little irritated. Just as she was about to begin lunch without her friend, the mini-communicator on her wrist started beeping softly.
Whenever she or Zan left the grounds of the Palace Queen Maya insisted that they wear them so they could be reached or could reach her and the King at all times. This was despite the fact that there was always security with them that had their own communication devices.
Vilandra pressed the button on the side and a beam of transparent blue light came up in a V shape about four inches high with a small figure of a woman inside.
"Princess Vilandra," the tiny figure inside the light waved. "I'm sorry but I have to cancel our lunch date."
"Is everything okay Princess Sanaa?" Vilandra questioned. "Nothing's happened on Lantis?"
"No," Sanaa answered. "But with the recent attacks from the rebels on your planet, my mother is concerned for my safety."
"That's ridiculous." Vilandra looked irritated.
"My mother thinks…" Sanaa stopped abruptly, mot wanting to say anymore. "Look, I'm sorry but I'll see you soon." She smiled awkwardly.
"I'm sure," Vilandra said calmly but her tone betrayed her true feelings. "Princess Sanaa." She gave a polite nod and then pressed the side of her device to end the call.
"PrincessVilandra," Kivar was walking towards her. "What's troubling you?"
"Hello Kivar," she was surprised by the smile he brought to her face. "I was stood up for lunch."
"Rath's a fool," he said sternly.
"Rath?" The statuesque princess stood up. "No, I was meeting Sanaa."
"Queen Kathana'sdaughter; well then, how dare she?" Kivar gave a slight smile. "Come," he held out his hand. "You shall join me then."
"Here you are," a waitress from the café came around the counter with a bag full of food. "Your Highness," she turned towards Vilandra and curtsied.
"Thank you." Nicolas, Kivar's assistant, walked up and retrieved the bag from the young woman.
"Shall we?" Kivar's hand was still out.
"We shall," the Princess smiled as she took his hand and they followed Nicolas out of the restaurant.
Zan stood in the garden located outside of the dining hall. It was early yet; the sun beamed high, casting its rays through the burnt orange sky. There were no clouds and everything in the heavens seemed surreal, like a painting.
He was still reeling from the night before. He couldn't believe he felt this way so soon. She's the one. Zan smiled to himself. He had only met her yesterday yet it felt like a lifetime. He couldn't stop thinking about her: her sapphire blue eyes, her golden hair, her soft skin, her laugh, her smile. For the first time in his life, Zan was in love.
"Excuse me Prince Zan," Jabari walked through the door from the dining hall onto the balcony area. "Miss Avalena of Comoros is here."
"Ava," the Prince turned around as a big grin spread across his face. "Thank you Jabari."
The butler took a bow, then returned through the door he'd entered with.
"Prince Zan." Ava tried to control her excitement to see him but her expression said it all.
"You don't have to be so formal," Zan replied as he walked up to her and greeted her with a soft kiss against her cheek.
Ava felt like melting the moment his lips touched her face but she knew she had to stay strong. She'd come with the purpose of ending it before it really started, at least that's what she told herself.
"I have to tell you something important," she walked to the end of the stone and leaned against the railing. It was not something she was looking forward to saying to him.
"What is it?" he asked, concern spreading across his face.
"You remember how I told you about my aunt and uncle and their dealing with Zsar," Ava's voice was bit shaky. "And how he feels about me?"
Zan just looked at her inquisitively, wondering what this was leading up to.
"They have a lot of business dealings with him and they've done so much for me and Ema ever since our parents died," Ava began rambling. "They really have been wonderful. They believe in me so much and I can't let them down when they need me the most."
"Ava," Zan tried to look her in the eye but she turned away. "What's wrong?"
"It really is what's best for everyone," Ava finally let one of the stray tears she was desperately trying to stop fall.
Zan turned her face towards him and wiped the tear from her cheek. She rose her left hand up and cupped her hand over his. That's when he saw it. The sun's light hit the canary stone, causing it to sparkle.
She's engaged to Zsar. "You said yes?" Zan stepped back from her, his voice rising. "You said yes Ava? Is that what you did?"
"Zan," her voice cracked as she saw the pain in his eyes.
"What happened Ava?" Zan looked at her directly in her eyes. "When, last night when you left here?" When she said nothing, he began to yell louder. "Answer me! When Ava?"
"This morning," Ava said through tears.
"Do not cry," he was no longer yelling at her but his tone was still angry. "Is this what you want?"
Ava said nothing.
"Then why?" Zan stepped closer to her and grasped her face in his hands.
"I have to," Ava cried. "Please don't make this harder."
Zan pulled her towards him and kissed her passionately. It was rougher than the way he'd kissed her last night but it was filled with just as much longing; just as much fervor. Ava's whole body felt alive as he hungrily ravished her mouth. When they finally broke away from each other, they stood still for a few moments, their breathing heavy.
"I know you felt that," Zan held onto her shoulders. "You can't marry him."
"I have to," Ava replied. "You have to let me go, please." She took a step back from him.
"And what if I can't," Zan looked at her with sadness in his eyes.
"Then we'll both be wishing for something we can never have." She kissed her hand and placed it on his cheek as she tried to control the sorrow that was welling up inside of her. "Goodbye Zan."
"Ava," Zan called as she turned away and dashed towards the door. "Ava!"
She could hear him calling her name but she did not turn around; she couldn't or she might never leave his side again. Ava walked hurriedly through the palace, her eyes blurry from tears as she tried to find her way out. She came around the corner and bumped into something very hard.
"Oww," Ava stumbled back but felt the grasp of a hand on her arm.
"Ava?" Rath's voice was questioning. "Are you okay?"
The two of them turned to look at the corridor she'd just come from as they heard her name being echoed through the halls.
"Please," she looked up at him through bloodshot eyes. "I have to get out of here."
"Let's go," Rath said quietly as he led her by the arm.
Kivar smiled across the table at his guest who was taking a sip of wine from her glass.
Vilandra sat back in her seat, a bit unrefined as she placed her hand over her stomach. "I'm stuffed."
"But you haven't had dessert," he stared at her intensely, and then looked to the guards who were in the room. "Leave us."
His guard complied but the royal guard looked to Princess Vilandra for his orders.
"It's okay," the bronzed beauty smiled.
The guard nodded and followed Kivar's guard outside the dining room and closed the door.
"Here," the pale-toned man tore off a piece of sopheme, an Antarian dessert made of a spicy cake with sweet wild berries baked in the batter. He dipped it in cream before walking over to her and dangling the tantalizing dessert in front of her. "Just a little taste."
Vilandra shook her head. "Really, I couldn't have another bite."
"Open," Kivar said playfully as he touched her lip with the cream, smiling seductively. "Open."
And when she did he jerked it back from her. She clenched her teeth, a playful smile dancing across her face. "Teasing me?"
"Always," Kivar replied then brought the dessert to her mouth again. After she ate the sopheme from his fingers, he brought them to his own mouth and licked the excess cream. "Good?"
"Yes," the Princess gave a defeated smile.
"More?" he questioned slyly as he tore off another piece.
"You will be my downfall," she laughed before she retrieved another piece of his sinful dessert.
Rath came out of the kitchen carrying two glasses in his hand. He plopped down on the couch and handed on of the beverages to his houseguest.
"Thank you," Ava said before taking a drink. She'd calmed down since he left her alone in the room, resolving that this had been her decision and she didn't have a right to cry.
"How are you doing?" Rath finally broke his silence. Neither of them had spoken since they left the palace and he felt even more uncomfortable now that her sobbing had ceased. He couldn't figure out why she would be running away from Zan.
"I'm okay," she offered a bleak smile. "I'm sorry Rath."
"For what?" he sat his glass on the table.
"For breaking down on you like that and for putting you in an awkward position with Zan." She thought the reasons were obvious. "Am I keeping you from something?"
"Nah," Rath shrugged. "I was getting ready to leave the Palace anyway."
The heavy silence filled the room again.
"Ava," Rath turned to look at her. "Why were you running from Zan? He didn't hurt you," he stumbled over the words. "I mean he's not the kind of guy to…"
"Oh no," Ava shook her head fiercely. "Zan would never do anything to hurt me."
"Then why were you running from him?" he asked again. "If you don't want to answer…"
Ava took a deep breath before beginning. "You remember what I told you my aunt and uncle wanted me to do." She shrugged solemnly. "I guess they got their wish."
"You're talking about marrying Zsar?" Rath peered at her. "Ava, you didn't..."
"Agree to it?" she finished for him. "I had to."
"Why?' Rath questioned. "Are they making you do this?" The soldier in him was coming out.
"No," Ava replied although she wished she could blame it on something like that. "It's just the decision I had to make."
Ava went on to explain the events of last night and the conversation she overheard between Nadia and Evan. In the morning she'd spoken with her aunt and what Nadia told her only strengthened Ava's decision.
The last few years had been hard on Evan. His business had steadily declined after he was no longer able to keep up with bigger private owned companies as well as government owned ones. Evan and Nadia struggled to keep Ava in school and unbeknownst to her until this morning, Zsar had paid for the last year of her schooling. Evan had tried for outside funding but with his low profits, no one was willing to get involved; no one but Zsar and he had only one stipulation: Ava.
Rath listened intensely as she finished her reasoning.
"If I marry Zsar he'll take care of everything," Ava paused. "My uncle's business, Ema's future, my aunt's cherished home. How can I say no to that?"
"But if you told Zan, he would help you." Rath replied.
"I've only known him a day," Ava countered. "It wouldn't be right to take advantage of him and who he is like that." She paused for a moment then looked Rath directly in his eyes. "Could you?"
Rath didn't answer but she could see in his eyes that he understood why she was doing this and why she couldn't tell Zan. Rath turned back as he heard the communicator beeping.
"You better go in the other room," Rath said as he got up. "Just in case."
She nodded silently then walked into the kitchen as he picked up the shiny blue orb.
Vilandra didn't know how the time passed by so quickly but it had. She was standing outside of Kivar's house looking around the meadow of ice lilies, the province flower of Charis. She'd come outside to contact the Palace so they wouldn't know exactly where she was calling from. She told Jabari that she'd met up with a friend and would be home shortly. He promised to relay the message but that had been some time ago.
"Is everything okay?" Kivar stepped through the lush grass towards her.
"Yes," Vilandra replied. "I really should be going now though. Zan must be really mad at me by now."
"Why would he be?" Kivar was standing beside her now. "It's only a tutoring session; I'm sure he's missed one before."
"Zan?" she said in surprise. "No, he'd never miss a session. Being a good king is too important to him."
"Since he is younger than you, would you share that power?" Kivar questioned.
"Well I would be part of the Royal Four," Vilandra answered easily.
"That's not what I meant," he looked at her inquisitively. "I mean would you be queen?" He already knew the answer but asked anyway. It was common knowledge that Zan would inherit the throne.
"No," she said quickly.
"No," he repeated. "You should be heir to that throne Vilandra."
"It doesn't work that way," Vilandra ran a hand through her blonde hair; a bit uneasy to where their conversation was leading. "You know that."
"Well what if something happened to him after he was king?" Kivar continued. "Would you be queen then, in theory of course?"
"I guess," Vilandra shrugged. "King would go to his second in command, who'd be my husband. That would make me queen." She said the last part thoughtfully.
"But his second would have more power that you?" Kivar asked curiously. "What if Zan gave it up to you?"
"Why are you asking all these questions Kivar?" She looked at him warily.
"Curiosity I suppose," he tried to sound disinterested, then looked at her deeply with icy blue eyes. "I think that you my dear would make an excellent queen, that's all and I wish that they could see that."
"What do you mean?" She stared back at him.
"I think that they only expect certain things of you but they don't see who you really are," Kivar paused as he raised his palm up to cup her face. "I see you Vilandra."
Her heart felt like it stopped beating for a moment as she felt the intensity of his touch. "What do you see?" she asked him quietly.
"Great beauty, a kind heart, class that can not be taught and the privileged princess that everyone else cansee." Kivar paused as he started to walk around her. "But I see what no one else sees: a passionate woman with a fire within her, someone who doesn't always believe by playing by the rules, someone who takes risk and chances and isn't going to let herself be questioned for her motives." He stopped behind her and whispered in her ear. She could feel the heat on the back of her neck. "That's the person I see deep inside, struggling to break free of their conformities. I see strength in you." Kivar turned her around to stand face to face with her. "I see a queen."
Vilandra opened her mouth to say something but was caught off guard as he yanked her closer and covered her mouth with his own. Her whole body felt awakened by the forcefulness of his kiss. She wanted to protest but for some reason she couldn't help but give in and allow him to deepen his kiss as she lost herself to passion.
After a few moments Vilandra finally pulled away abruptly. "I can't do this. I have to go." She tried to regain her composure. "I'm sorry; I have to go." She turned around quickly and after she could not find her guard, hurriedly left the estate on her own.
Rath looked at the hologram coming from the communicator. "Zan," he said simply.
"When did you leave?" Zan questioned. "I've been looking all over for you and I haven't been able to get through to your mini-comm."
"I must've left it in the other room; you know how I hate wearing it." Rath took a moment to take in his friend's disheveled appearance. "No disrespect Your Highness but you look like hell." They'd been friends a long time and Rath rarely held his tongue.
"Thanks," the Prince almost laughed. "It's been a long day. I saw Ava." When Rath offered no response he asked, "Did you see her when you left?"
"Yes," Rath replied. "She looked pretty upset."
"I guess she told you she plans to marry Zsar," Zan cringed as he said the words. "I can't let her go through with it."
"Take my advice Zan," he said bluntly. "Let her go."
"I don't know if I can and on top of that, Vilandra's gone." Zan had almost forgotten the real reason he'd been looking for him.
"What do you mean, gone?" Rath perked up.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "Jabari said she called to let us know she was safe and on her way but it's been hours. She's probably fine but I still wanted to look for her myself." He paused briefly. "But my parents are convinced the rebels have something to do with it."
"So they don't want you to go," Rath knew well how the King and Queen thought.
"If anything is wrong, you are who I trust to take care of my sister." Zan replied. "My mother and father think so as well."
"Say no more," Rath nodded. "I'll be right there."
"I know this is not the right time but I still want to find Ava after we make sure Loni's okay." Zan took an exasperated breath.
"Okay," Rath agreed, hoping that Zan would not ask him too much since his loyalty was to the Prince but he promised Ava he'd keep her confidence. "Let's just find Loni first."