A/N: Sorry it's been a while...I just got a promotion so work is kinda crazy right now. Thanks 4 reading and please review, review, review!

Thank You

Ava sat in the backyard of her aunt and uncle's house, drawing the scenery in front of her. Rath dropped her off before he went to the Palace and she'd come here, hoping she would escape Zsar for a little while. He hadn't told her what was wrong, only that there was some kind of emergency. Ava knew she should've just went inside and that Zsar must be wondering what was keeping her but she wanted some time to herself.

She picked up several shades of orange chalk as she begun to work on the sky. She loved the way it looked this time of day: burnt orange, no clouds, and exceptionally still. Like a painting. As she picked up a piece of black chalk and started outlining the figure of a man, she felt a presence behind her.

"How long have you been out here?" Zsar came to stand at her side.

"A while now," she replied, looking up at him. "I was working on my artwork." She flipped the pages in her book.

"I came looking for you earlier," Zsar stared into her. "I've been waiting for a long time." He had an irritated look on his face.

"Did you check the shed?" Ava questioned innocently, knowing that he wouldn't have. "I was in there getting my chalk and my books." She gave a fake smile as she looked up at him. "I keep them there since I do most of my drawing outside."

"Oh," Zsar kissed her on the top of her head, then looked down at her picture. "It's beautiful, like you."

"Thank you," she mustered up another smile.

"I spoke with Kivar earlier," he sat down next to her on the bench.

Ava said nothing, continuing her sketching.

"He told me he saw you at the Palace," Zsar stated casually but she was sure he was fishing for something.

"We spoke briefly," the artist picked up a new piece of chalk.

"He said you disappeared for a while," Zsar pressed. "Kivar also told me that the Prince was missing for a good part of the evening as well."

"Are you trying to ask me something?" Ava turned to look at him. "Or has your spy already reported everyone I spoke to?" She squinted her eyes at him. "How about Vilandra? I talked to her too."

"I just don't want you getting to close to them," Zsar stated firmly, as if it were his decision.

"I didn't know I needed your permission," she stood up to leave but he grabbed her arm.

"Things are happening with this government," Zsar's voice was raspy as he attempted to whisper. "Its best you stay away until the changes are made."

Ava looked at him, her blue eyes wide. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing, you'll just have to trust me." Zsar said as he loosened his grip.

"Well I guess that's the problem," Ava replied as she pulled her arm from his grasp and walked away.

As soon as Rath arrived at the Palace, he looked for Jabari. He found him in the den area looking out of the window.

"Jabari," the Lt. General's voice was forceful. "I have some questions for you."

The older man turned around slowly, an uneasy expression on his face. He'd told Zan everything he knew but wasn't going to protest answering anything again, especially from Rath.

"They said you spoke to Princess Vilandra several hours ago," It was almost a question.

"Yes Sir," Jabari answered. "It's been almost three now."

"And she made no mention of stopping anywhere else," Rath walked around him in a semi-circle.

"No," the servant shook his head. "She said she would probably return within the hour."

"And when an hour came, did you alert King Zaid or anyone else?" Rath was still walking around him slowly.

"No," Jabari replied softly, guilt plaguing his mind.

"Why not?" Rath stopped to look Jabari directly in the eye.

"I saw the guard she left with," he paused briefly. "Faraje; I thought she'd come back with him."

"So the guard came back within an hour?" the interrogator crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes Sir," Jabari nodded. "If I had any idea that she hadn't come back with him…"

"I know," Rath tried to remove the scowl on his face. He knew that Jabari was a good and loyal worker. "Did you see anything in the background that gave you any indication of where she might be?" He paused briefly. "Anything at all."

"She was standing in a yard," he remembered seeing the vast acreage behind her. "A large estate but all I could see were trees and huge white flowers."

"Ice lilies?" Rath almost whispered to himself. Charis.

"Maybe," Jabari answered.

Rath shook his head and then asked, "Where is that guard now?"

"He left but I saw him return not too long ago," Jabari replied. "I am really sorry."

"It's okay, you've been a great help Jabari." Rath turned around as he heard someone else enter the room.

"Rath," Zan walked over to him, followed by the Queen, Jakub, and a palace guard. "Faraje said he left her at Kivar's."

"Kivar's?" Rath's face tensed up. "What was she doing there?"

"He said they met for lunch," Jakub replied. "And that Kivar said his guards would usher her here. Mateis and I," he motioned to the other guard, "were going to go check it out."

"What are we waiting for?" Zan said as he moved towards the door.

"No," Maya's voice was firm. "If these are terrorist attacks by the rebels, I will not let them have both of my children."

"Mother," Zan looked at her. "Loni is out there, I have to go."

"Your father is out there too," Maya looked more vulnerable than usual and Zan noticed her hands were shaking as she grabbed his.

The Prince realized how scared his mother was of losing all of them. "Okay," he nodded. "Rath…"

"I will find her," he was unwavering. "I promise both of you that."

"I just don't think Kivar would actually hurt her," the Queen's face still looked worried. "He's an Ambassador; he's been very loyal to us." She looked up at her son. "You don't think he has something to do with this?"

Rath and Zan exchanged looks, disagreeing with her statement but saying nothing. Rath and the two soldiers gave short nods and then left the Palace in search of the missing princess.

Vilandra wandered around Charis. At the time, she thought she'd be fine when she left Kivar's on her own but now that she was roaming around farmland she'd never seen, she realized what a bad idea it was. She wished that she hadn't run out so abruptly but the kiss with Kivar shook her.

Vilandra couldn't stop thinking about it. There were always quiet flirtations between the Princess and the Ambassador but they'd never kissed before. It was amazing and unsettling at the same time, I felt so alive but what about Rath? He makes me feel so safe and protected. Her mind kept flooding with thoughts of both of them.

She was jolted out of herdaydreams as she saw smoke a few feet ahead of her. It was very thick and the fog seemed to rush around her very quickly. Vilandra coughed as some of the ash in the air flew into her mouth.

The statuesque blonde held her arm out in front of her, trying to clear a path but the smoke continued to rush back in. That's when she knew it wasn't an ordinary or accidental fire; this was a fire created by the powers of someone who was very skilled.

Within a few moments, as she pressed on and tried to walk out of the smoky haze, she could see fields of crops emblazoned in the flames. It was spreading rapidly to the next group of vegetation as a group of Skins stood nearby, cheering. Rebels, she thought as her eyes grew wide and she froze in her tracks.

"Hey," one of the women yelled as she pointed towards Vilandra. "It's the Princess."

"Stay away from me," Vilandra held her hand up, fear coursing through her body as several rebels began to approach.

Rath and Jakub walked up to the front door as Mateis waited in the glider for the other soldiers to arrive. A man answered the door, then led them to the foyer to wait for Kivar.

"To what do I owe this pleasure gentleman?" Kivar descended down the steps.

"Where the hell is she?" Rath stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Where is who?" Kivar questioned.

"Vilandra," he met him at the bottom of the stairs. "Don't bother lying; I know she was here."

"Yes she was," the Ambassador smirked.

"Don't play games with me," Rath grabbed him by his shirt. "Where is she?"

"I'd advise you to remove your hand off me," he sneered.

"She never arrived back at the Palace," Jakub walked over to the two of them. "Please, if you know…"

"What do you mean?" Kivar cut him off. "She's not at the Palace? She left hours ago."

"I swear if you've done anything to her," Rath let go of him forcefully. "I'm just waiting for a reason to crush you."

"I would never hurt the Princess," he now looked genuinely concerned. "I think you know that."

"What happened?" the spiky haired general stared into him.

"Nothing," Kivar decided to avoid the kiss. "I had a call so I left her in the yard. When I came back, she was gone."

"If I find out you're lying Kivar and something has happened to her because of you, I will make you pay." Rath replied coldly and then turned to look at Jakub. "Kivar has agreed to let you look around. I'll send a few more soldiers in to assist you."

Two of the soldiers joined Jakub in his search of Kivar's estate while the other joined Mateis, who'd been ordered by Rath to check the neighboring cities. Rath, letting them use the glider to cover more distance and leaving the other for the men at Kivar's, searched on his own through the fields he'd grown up in.

It had been a long time since he'd roamed the grasslands of Charis and it brought back memories from his childhood. It was not too far from here that he first met Zan. Even though he hadn't been through the farmlands since he joined the Royal Army, he moved through the acreage very quickly, as if he never left.

Suddenly he began to smell sulfur in the air. Rath stopped abruptly and looked up to see a dark cloud of smoke rising through the distance. "Loni," he breathed out loud, then raced towards the gray haze.

"Miss Ava," the elderly maid tapped gently on the bedroom door. "It's me."

"Lili," a voice whispered through the door.

"Yes Miss," Lili replied.

Ava peeked through a crack in the door, making sure she was the only one outside before opening the door and letting the maid inside. "Hurry."

Lili reached in her apron and fiddled with the pocket. "You have a call from the Prince of Antar."

"Does Zsar know?' Ava questioned as the maid pulled the device from her pocket.

"No," the woman with the bright white hair shook her head. "Should I leave?' she asked as Ava took the shiny orb from her.

"No, I trust you." She took a breath. "Besides if Zsar comes, you'll be here so he won't think I'm in here talking to myself or taking a call from people I should stay away from." She rolled her eyes, and then motioned for Lili to take a seat as she concentrated on letting her energy flow into the smooth rock.

A few seconds later, a hologram of Zan projected from the stone, illuminated in a ray of blue light.

"Ava," the image spoke first.

"Zan" she paused briefly as she tried to remove the smile that crept on her face from seeing him."You really shouldn't be calling."

"I know," Zan replied. He looked visibly upset.

"Are you okay?' Ava asked, suddenly noticing his demeanor. "What's going on?"

"Is he still there?" Zan quickly clarified. "Zsar, is he with you?"

"He's downstairs," Ava replied. "I'm with Lili; you can speak freely."

"Vilandra's missing," he looked stressed.

"She's missing?" Ava questioned. "How- How long has she been gone?"

"Hours now," he ran a hand through his hair and took a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do. My mother is convinced it's the rebels." Zan shook his head in frustration. "She's terrified of me going to look for her so I'm doing nothing."

"You're watching over your mother and keeping things together until they find your sister." Ava reminded him. "And that is important."

"Thank you," the tension in his face lessened.

She smiled slightly. "Is there anything I can do for you?"'

"You can come here," Zan stated. "I'll send a driver immediately."

"Zan," in her heart she wanted to be there for him, be with him but her head kept telling her it was a bad idea.

"This isn't about us," the Prince knew that wasn't completely true but he did need her for a greater purpose. "You can reach out with your mind?" It wasn't really a question. "I need you to reach Loni."

"I don't know Zan," she shook her head. "I've only done that with my sister."

"You can do it," Zan's voice was firm. "I felt your strength when we kissed."

"I'm not very advanced," Ava looked worried. "They didn't want us to relay on them much when I was in school."

"Ava…" he started but she interrupted.

"Don't you have people who work for you for things like this?" her voice rose.

"Yes but this may be an inside job and I can't risk someone else finding her first, not with my sister." He spoke frankly. "It is you I trust; will you do this for me?"

Ava nodded slowly. "Send the driver to the back. I'll find a way around Zsar."

"Thank you," Zan gave a half smile before ending the transmission.

"You love him," Lili walked over to the young girl and clasped her hands in her own. "Then you must go to him."

"I hope I can make it around Zsar," Ava bit the corner of her lip.

"Don't worry about him child," Lili replied as she let go of her hands and put the communicator back in her pocket. "I'll take care of the distraction; you just get to that palace."

"Thank you Lili," Ava smiled as she hugged her longtime maid.

Ava looked down from the upstairs window at the vast acreage of the Palace. She worried about Lili and if Zsar had discovered that she was gone but Lili assured her that everything would be fine. I sure hope so.

"Miss Ava," Maya said as she walked in the door followed by Anash.

"Your Majesty," Ava turned around and smiled as she curtsied. "Good evening Duchess."

The Queen and the Duchess both gave their hellos.

"My son says that you can create mental links," Maya looked poised as she spoke to the young woman. All traces of her earlier vulnerability were now gone. "He has assured me that we can trust you."

"Yes you can," Ava replied. "And I will do my best to find Princess Vilandra."

"Thank you," Maya replied.

"This takes someone who not only has the gift of this power but someone of great mental strength and endurance as well." Anash spoke. "Are you up to the task?"

"She can do it," Zan walked in the room. "Here," He handed a photo of Vilandra to Ava. "You said you used a picture to link to your sister."

"Yes," she nodded as she took the photograph.

"You'll need to find out where she's at and who else is with her," Maya said as she looked at the young girl. "Then we'll contact Rath so he can find her."

"We will leave you for a while," Anash said walking towards the door. "The less conflicting energy in this room, the better."

"I'd like to stay," Zan replied.

"Zan," Queen Maya said sternly.

"It's okay," Ava paused for a moment. "I mean, if it's okay with you Your Majesty, I'd like him to stay."

"Very well," Maya nodded. "We'll be back shortly." She walked towards the door and the turned around. "And Avalena, thank you." With that, she and Anash exited the room.

Ava sat on the floor in the middle of the room, staring into the picture. She'd never attempted to link to anyone but Ema and hoped that she wouldn't let everyone down. She took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly, clearing her mind of all thoughts except the Princess. As she continued to concentrate, sweat beads began to from on her brow and her eyes rolled up into her head before her lids closed heavily.

It was unlike linking to Ema; she was open to it right away but Vilandra was fighting back. Ava kept running into mental barriers and blocks. It was exhausting and seemed to take hours even though it had only be minutes but finally Ava found herself in a nebulous place.

"Princess Vilandra," Ava called mentally. "It's Avalena, from the other night. I'm here with Zan." She continued to put out feelers as she tried to strengthen the connection. She was still on the outskirts of Vilandra's subconscious and didn't know how long she could sustain the link without her target's cooperation. "Let me in, show me where you are."

Zan watched as Ava's head suddenly fell forward. He wanted to rush to her side but had seen others do the same thing as they made the connection.

"Avalena," Vilandra's form appeared as she and Ava found themselves in a white open space. "I'm in the grasslands of Charis. There are rebels chasing after me. Please help me." Her image blinked out of the space and back in suddenly.

Ava suddenly saw flashes through the Princess' eyes. It was only around three seconds of images but she knew she had enough to direct them to Vilandra's location. "We'll find you, just hang on."

"I can't hold on to the link any longer…" Vilandra's words faded.

"Vilandra," she called as she felt herself returning to consciousness. "Vilandra!" she yelled out loud.

"Ava," Zan was at her side. "Did you find her?"

Ava nodded. "Contact Rath immediately, we don't have much time." She stood up from the floor and braced herself against the wall as she started to feel dizzy.

Zan did as she said, quickly contacting him on the communication device.

"Zan," Rath appeared in a hologram. "I haven't found her yet."

"Where are you?" Ava questioned as she stood beside Zan.

"Ava," the hologram looked surprised. "I'm in the grasslands, a few miles east of Kivar's."

"Good," Ava replied as she somewhat took over. "Can you see the smoke in the distance?" She watched him nod. "There's a huge formation of jasper rock, it almost looks like a mountain."

"I know it," Rath recalled how he used to climb it when he was younger.

"Vilandra is very close to it," Ava said in a rushed voice. "Find her."

"I will," Rath replied before ending the call.

Ava took a deep breath and placed her hand on her head as it started spinning again.

"Here," Zan steadied her and helped her to the chair. "Are you okay?" He placed a loose curl that had fallen in front of her face behind her ear.

"I'm fine," she smiled up at him.

Rath ran as fast as his feet would take him. He only slowed for a moment as he contacted Jakub to meet him in the grasslands. The fog of the smoke was thick but he maneuvered around it quickly and soon found himself in front of the red rock formation.

To the right, he could see a crowd of people, mostly Skins, crowding around something. Or someone. Rath caught sight of Vilandra on the ground, dirty and dress torn.

"Rath!" Vilandra screamed as she reached her arm out towards him.

Rath raised his arm and focused his energy on the jasper formation, causing the rocky hill to shake. Rubble and debris began to fall to the ground in a rock avalanche. The crowd of rebels began to yell and dash out of the way of the falling stone. Knocking them out of his path with a flick of his arm, Rath scooped the Princess up in his strong arms.

"Rath," she breathed out his name as she looked deep into his eyes, grateful.

"You're safe now," he whispered as he carried her to the royal glider that was approaching.

She reached her hand up and touched his face. "Thank you." She gave a half smile. "Thank you so much."

"I'd never let anything happen to you," Rath quickly climbed into the glider with Vilandra still in his arms. "Get us out of here."

And with that, the aircraft acending and took off towards Ratna.

Ava turned around to see the Queen enter the room and walk towards her. By the look on Maya's face, she knew it was good news.

"He's found her?' Ava hoped her instincts were right.

"Yes," she nodded. "My Loni's safe." As soon as she was standing face to face with the petite blonde, she embraced her. It was unusual for her to do such a thing but she was just so grateful. "Thank you so much," the Queen stepped back. "We owe you a great deal."

"I'm just glad I could help Your Majesty," Ava felt honored.

Maya noticed the ring on Ava's finger as she patted her hand. "My dear, are you betrothed?"

"Yes," she answered softly.

"To whom?" the Queen looked appraisingly at the yellow diamond.

"Zsar," Ava tried to hide the way she felt but got the feeling that Maya could tell.

"You are not in love with him," it was not a question. "I had an arranged marriage myself."

"Really?" Ava was a bit surprised. "You seem very much in love."

"Oh we are now," Maya smiled at the spirited girl who reminded her so much of herself. "But it didn't start out that way." She paused for a moment as she looked towards the settee. "Sit with me a moment."

Ava nodded and followed the Queen to the upholstered bench near the window.

"My father was the King of Antar before Zaid," Queen Maya began. "You see the crown has been in my family for generations but my father did not have a son to take over as heir." She paused briefly. "In order for a woman to take over, she must be married."

"Did that bother you?" Ava questioned.

"No," Maya shook her head. "It's all part of being a Royal. Sometimes we must make sacrifices or abide by rules but there are reasons for them and I accept that. If I didn't feel I was up to the task I could always step down."

"Step down?" her face puzzled.

"Yes," Maya nodded. "If a King and Queen feel that it would better serve the planet, they can step down and control of the government would go to the King's second in command. It's only happened twice in the recorded history of Antar."

Ava just nodded, waiting for her to continue.

"My father wanted to leave the legacy to me," Maya smiled as she remembered her father. "He wanted me to have my birthright so he arranged for me to marry Lord Zaid of Palayan. His father was my father's most trusted advisor and Zaid seemed to be following in his footsteps."

"Did you know each other well before you were married?" Ava found her fascinating.

"We knew of each other and were cordial but we weren't exactly friends," Maya answered.

Ava looked at her quizzically, one eyebrow arching up.

"He was a quiet man, still is." She laughed. "I thought he was aloof and a bit strange, although he was very handsome."

Ava stifled a giggle.

"But as I got to know him, I found that he was a very thoughtful man and although he was a man of few words, when he spoke it meant something." Maya went on. "I began to have a great admiration for him and a deep respect. And I learned many of our views for Antar were the same." She smiled warmly. "I came to trust him and by the time we were married, a deep friendship had evolved. Over the years, that friendship turned to caring and that caring turned into love."

"Do you think that's common?" Ava questioned. "To fall in love that way?"

"I think it can be," Maya looked her directly in the eyes. "Sometimes you go through things with another, feelings that you never thought could develop do but I think something has to be there." She reached over and held up Ava's hand as the diamond sparkled. "Zaid and I became friends very quickly because we shared common goals. He was someone that I not only liked but respected as well." Her voice became softer. "I don't get the feeling that you like Zsar nor that you respect him. This marriage is not something you want, is it?"

It was a bold question, one Ava knew everyone would be thinking but would never ask. "I have given my word."

"It is noble to keep it but at what expense?" Maya held her hand. "What you have done for us Avalena, I will forever be indebted to you. If there is something you need, you need not but ask."

"Thank you Your Majesty but I don't wish for a reward," Ava smiled. "I'm glad I could help you."

"Mother," Zan stepped into the room. "Father and the Duke have arrived. He's asking for you."

"Please excuse me," Maya whispered before rising from the settee. "Think about what I said."

"Yes Your Majesty," Ava got up and curtsied before Maya left the room.

"She likes you," Zan moved closer to her. "I can tell."

"She must be where you get that from," Ava paused. "She's very perceptive."

"Lots of healers are but she's worked very hard to hone her powers," he replied proudly. "It takes a lot of skill to become an Empath."

"An Empath?" she repeated, and then nodded thoughtfully. "That explains a lot." Ava had wondered how the Queen read her so easily.

Zan looked at her curiously. "What exactly were you two talking about?"

"Nothing," Ava shook her head. "She's a very interesting lady; I admire her a lot." She looked at the clock on the wall and realized how long she'd been gone. "I should really be going."

"I'm sure my sister will be arriving soon," Zan didn't want her to leave just yet. "She'll want to thank you in person."

"Will you offer her my apologies?" Ava started to walk towards the door.

"Ava," he caught her arm and looked down at her.

"Please," she said in an exasperated breath. "We can't."

"I can't not touch you," Zan reached up and cupped her face. "You can't love him."

Ava reached up and grabbed his hand. "I'm betrothed to him." She stepped back from him slowly. "Don't make this harder Zan." She paused and then said in a rushed voice, "I have to go."

"On question," he held her hand. "And them I'll let you go."

Ava nodded.

"Do you," he exhaled deeply, "love him?"

She brethed out heavily. "No," she answered honestly, then walked to the door and opened it. I love you.

"Thank you," Zan called to her.

"Your Welcome," she called over her shoulder and left.

The King, Queen, Duke, Duchess, and Prince of Antar gathered in the sitting room awaiting Rath and Vilandra's arrival. They all hugged her, relieved that no real harm had come to her.

She explained that she left on her own and that it wasn't Kivar's fault but Rath, Zan, and even Maya still held him partly responsible. After they were sure she was really okay Hasan, Anash, and Zan excused themselves for the evening and Vilandra, exhausted from the day, asked Rath to walk her up to her room, leaving the King and Queen.

"I'm so grateful to Avalena for what she did," Maya looked towards her husband. "Zan's in love with her, you know."

"What?' he looked taken back. "Did he tell you that?"

"He didn't have to," Maya smiled. "A mother knows these things."

"Didn't you tell me she was engaged to Zsar?" Zaid questioned.

"That marriage will be no good for her," she shook her head.

"Honey, you've known her for two days." He found it endearing how much she cared for others but felt sometimes her heart was just too big. "How do you know what's best for her?"

"Because I spoke with her Zaid and I've known her longer than two days," Maya retorted."Don't you remember her mother?"

"Yes but she was a small child then," he continued. "It's been years Maya."

"I think she'd jell well with Loni and Rath," she replied.

Zaid looked at her strangely. "What is this about?"

"I just have a bad feeling," Maya looked at him directly in his eyes. "The rebels, what they did tonight, it's only going to get worse." She took a shaky breath. "What if something happens to me or you? We have to make sure our children will be alright, that they're prepared."

"Maya," Zaid held her hands. "It's going to be okay."

"No, we have to make sure there is a new Royal Four to step in," she pleaded. "I can't shake this feeling that something horrible is going to happen."

"Come here," Zaid wrapped his arms around his queen. "You're just shaken up from today. No one is going to hurt any of us Maya, I promise you that." He pulled back to look at her, his hands encompassing her shoulders. "Haven't I always protected you my sweetheart?"

"Yes," she smiled slightly.

"Everything is going to be okay," he reiterated. "I love you; I won't let anything happen to you."

"I love you too," she curled up against him. "You always know how to make me feel better, thank you."

"You're welcome," Zaid said as he held her close.