A/N: Here's the next part to the story... enjoy and please review!

Jumping to Conclusions

Vilandra stood in the lush grass on the east side of the estate, staring at the huge tree before her. Its leaves were a deep purple with tiny lavender flowers that adorned the branches. She remembered how she used to spend hours underneath and playing around this old tree while Zan would be hauled up in his garden.

Once a year, her father would invite all the young girls in The Royal Families to spend the day there. It was one of the only times Vilandra felt normal; when she could be carefree the way other children were. It was a time she looked on with fondness even though over time and political stances most of the young Royals friendships' became that of an acquaintance. Vilandra had really only remained close with her cousin Viala and Princess Sanaa of Lantis. It broke her heart that the later friendship turned out to be a lie.

"Princess Vilandra," a familiar male voice spoke from behind her.

She breathed out deeply. "Kivar," she turned around. "Please do not start this again; I haven't the energy to argue with you today."

"I'm not here to argue with you Loni," he replied, sounding a bit stung.

"Then why are you here?" her tone was filled with annoyance and exhaustion.

"All the ambassadors were called here for a meeting," Kivar quickly added in a business tone. "I am sorry to hear about Princess Sanaa; I know you were close."

"Apparently not," she ran her hand through her hair. "She betrayed me; she betrayed my whole family Kivar."

He said nothing, just gave her a sympathetic look.

"How could she do that to me?" The Princess began to rant. "How could she look me in the eye and just lie to me, my best friend. Why didn't she just tell me?"

"I don't know," Kivar was just about to reach out to her when he heard someone walk up behind them.

"Ambassador," Ava said sternly. "Bidding The Princess a good evening before you leave?" She gave him a fake smile.

"Thank you for your condolences Ambassador Kivar," Vilandra cleared her throat. "Good evening."

Kivar took her hand and kissed the back of it softly before staring into her eyes for a moment. "Good evening Princess." He kissed Ava's hand for show. "Good evening Your Highness."

"It isn't what you think," Vilandra turned to her sister-in-law after he walked away. "There's nothing going on."

Ava peered at her. "Was there before?"

It was not a question she wanted to answer but felt if she didn't Ava would misunderstand what she walked up on. "It was never very serious but yes there was." She quickly added. "But it's been over for a long time, okay."

"Okay," the petite blonde nodded.

Rath walked downstairs into the foyer. "Vipan," he held his hand out.

The shapeshifter took the hand he was being offered. "General Rath."

"Why don't we go into the sitting room," Rath motioned towards the room with his hand before leading Vipan there. "So, do you have any news on the investigation?"

"I have people watching him but Kivar still looks clean," he replied.

"Did you have someone on him the night of Prince Zan and Avalena's wedding?" Rath crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes Sir but they never saw him leave." Vipan continued, "I even checked with Courtney since you said she was with us on this."

Rath reached up to scratch his eyebrow, then crossed his arm again. "What did she say?"

"That she rode back with him and that he insisted on having a late dinner with her," Vipan held his chin with his thumb and forefinger. "She found it suspicious and so did I."

"You think he was creating an alibi?" Rath shook his head. "From someone he knew we'd believe."

The shapeshifter nodded as he lowered his arm. "That could mean he knows what his sister's been up to."

"And that means she could be in danger," he uncrossed his arms. "I should have never let her get involved." He balled his right hand into a fist and hit it into his other hand. "If he hurts her…"

"Let's not jump to conclusions General," Vipan replied. "It is common knowledge that you and Courtney are friends; he may very well be playing it from that angle."

"You're probably right," Rath calmed down. "Maybe we should expand this investigation?"

"What did you have in mind?" Vipan peered at him. "You do still believe Kivar is involved?"

"Absolutely," Rath answered. "That's why I want you to start looking into Nikolas; if Kivar is involved, so is he."

"I think you're right," he replied. "I'll start checking into his whereabouts on the night of the wedding immediately."

"Just make sure it's discreet," The General quickly added. "And leave Courtney to me. If Kivar doesn't know what she's up to, we don't want to arouse his suspicions."

"As you wish," Vipan gave him a respectful nod. "Have you questioned Zsar about Kivar yet? I saw your lieutenant on the way in; he said he'd been taken into custody early this morning."

"He won't betray him yet but we're still working on it. I may ask Her Highness Ava to help with him," Rath replied. "Well I should go check in with Courtney just in case; I'll be in touch."

"General," Vipan shook his hand.

"I'll walk you out," Rath said as he turned around. "Vilandra," he looked at bit taken back.

"Hello boys," she smiled. "Where are you off to?"

"I have to go take care of a few things," he stepped closer to her and took her hand, kissing the back softly. "I'll see you later."

"Princess Vilandra," Vipan gave a bow before following The General out the door.

Courtney. Vilandra had come in at the end of Rath and Vipan's conversation. Why would he be going to see her and why is he hiding it?

Ava walked down the long, cold corridor. The walls were a gray colored metal called stealic, which could not be manipulated by powers. After they rounded the corner, the guard motioned to the last cell.

"On your right hand side Your Highness," he said. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"

"No, I'll be fine." Ava smiled up at him. "Thank you Misael." She walked up to the cell the guard had motioned to. "Uncle Evan."

"Avalena," he got up from his cot. "I mean, Your Highness." He walked up to the bars.

"I won't ask you how you are," she stepped closer, surveying his living quarters. "But I trust you're being treated okay."

"No one's abusing me but I deserve this for what I did to you and Emilia," Evan paused briefly as he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "For what I did to Kristoff and Iselda."

"And what about to King Zaid, Duke Hansan, and Duchess Anash?" Ava questioned. "What about their families and the people of Antar?"

"I swear to you as your uncle that I had nothing to do with the deaths of the Royals," he replied.

"It's too late to lie now," she retorted.

"And that is why I have admitted to what I did to your parents but killing royals…" he shook his head as he left the rest of the sentence hanging in the air.

"It holds a death penalty," Ava shook her head in disgust. "Well so does killing the parents of a Royal."

"That wasn't what I was going to say," Evan looked her straight in the eye, determined for her to hear him. "I had no reason to kill the Royals; I swear to you that I did not do this Avalena."

Ava stood frozen. Something rang true in his voice and by the way his eyes stared into her own, still she couldn't bring herself to believe him after all his lies and deception. She couldn't trust him after what he did to her family.

"I know you can tell I'm telling the truth," Evan spoke again. "This is a mistake and if I die I want it to be for what I've done. Think about it Ava; if I'm telling the truth then someone is still out there with a vendetta against your new family."

Ava stared back at the eyes that looked intensely in her own while backing away from the cell. "I shouldn't have come." She shook her head. "This was the mistake."

She hurried down the hall of red clay as the dust soiled itself on her slippers and the bottom of her tan colored dress. Just as she was about to round the corner, another prisoner grabbed her arm from inside his cell.

"My Avalena," a raspy voice whispered.

"Get your hands off of her," the guard yelled as he charged towards them.

"Zsar?" confusion spread across her face.

"Thing are not what they seem," he whispered right before he was attacked with an energy ball.

"Wait!" Ava yelled but Zsar had already been blasted into the wall. She looked up at the guard, wondering if he'd prevented her from hearing something. Had at least some of this been a misunderstanding and if so, who knew what was really going on?

Vilandra sat alone in her room, still trying to figure out what Rath and Vipan had been talking about before she entered the room and why her betrothed was being so secretive about going to see Courtney. Their friendship was no secret to her but the fact that he was hiding some secret meeting unnerved her and lead her mind to think the worst.

After she could no longer sit still with her thoughts, Vilandra made her way to Zan and Ava's sitting room. As she came closer she could hear their voices through the crack in the door. She wasn't sure why but she stayed back to listen to what they were saying.

"So you saw them talking in the yard?" Vilandra could see Zan's shadow pass the door.

"Yes," Ava answered before pausing for a moment. "What's that look about?"

"I don't trust Kivar, especially with my sister," he replied. " Who knows what he's planning?"

"Maybe she could," Ava quickly added. "He trusts her Zan; maybe she could get it out of him."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," his shadow passed again.

"I felt him out and if here's anyone he'd let in, it would be Vilandra." Her shadow walked passed the door as well.

Zan sighed. "She's friends with him Ava."

"All the more reason that she could do it," the petite blonde countered. "If he's up to something I'm sure she's want to know and if not she gets to prove his innocence."

"You don't understand," Vilandra could see him run his hand through his hair.

"That there was something between them you mean," Ava knew what he'd been thinking. "She told me and she assured me it's over now. She can do this."

"And what if it backfires?" Zan asked her. "I can't take that chance."

"Backfires?" she repeated, confusion in her voice. "You almost sound like you don't trust her." She moved closer to him. "Zan?"

Hurt by what she'd heard; Vilandra turned away from the door, unwilling to hear the rest of the conversation. She rushed away from the door, her heels clicking against the parquet floor as she ran down the hallway.

Zan poked his head through the door but couldn't see who it was, only catching a glimpse as the young woman turned down the corridor.

"Who was it?" Ava asked as Zan came back inside.

"Probably a nosey maid," he replied as he shut the door.

"You never answered me Zan," Ava looked up at him. "About trusting Vilandra."

"You misunderstood what I was trying to say," he ran a hand through his blue-black hair. "I meant what if it backfires and she gets caught or something happens to her; I could never forgive myself. I can't lose anyone else."

"Okay," she conceded as she wrapped her arms around him and looked up at her husband's face. "Then we'll find another way."

Maris was coming around the corner carrying a tray from Maya's quarters just as Vilandra rounded the corner from the other direction. The upset Princess, not seeing the maid, ran directly into her and the silver tray and all its belongings went crashing to the floor.

"Maris!" Vilandra yelled as the maid began gathering the items from the floor.

"I'm sorry Your Highness," Maris looked up at the towering blonde.

"It's alright," she tried to regain her composure. "I really wasn't looking."

"It's my fault really," Maris stood up with the tray in her arms. "Excuse me if I'm overstepping my bounds but you look upset. Are you alright Your Highness?"

"I am still upset about Princess Sanaa's passing but I thank you for your concern," Vilandra replied.

"Her sister sent a calling card for you earlier," she said. "I left it in your sitting chambers."

"I should go see her," Vilandra was almost talking to herself as a thought ran through her mind. "Will you do something for me Maris?"

"Of course Your Majesty," she answered.

"Have the yard prepare me a ship with a driver and two Royal Guards; I will be along shortly." Vilandra gave her a smile.

"Yes Madam," she curtsied. "I'll get to it right away."

Vilandra watched the maid walk away before heading to her room.

Courtney sat at her desk writing in a journal about everything she'd seen her brother doing today. She tended to write everything down, even if it seemed unimportant just in case it would be of any use later. She finished her last note and closed the book before standing to look at herself in the mirror. Sometimes she wondered how she could with what she was doing.

It ate at her to have to watch Kivar like this, knowing that with every small detail she was giving Rath, she was betraying her own brother. Somehow though, she knew what she was doing was right and whatever it was Kivar was involved in was wrong. Even though he was a good bit older than her, Courtney had always wanted to protect him, even from himself. She often wondered if she'd done something when her mother threw him out long ago if he would have turned out different.

"How could you do this?" a pale woman with fierce topaz eyes and hair the same shade as Courtney's yelled. "Embarrassing us all like that in front of everyone! Your father would be so disappointed in you!"

"In me?" A young Kivar yelled back. "What about you? My father's been dead a month and you're already carousing with another man." A disgusted look washed over his face. "Looking for the next rich husband Camile?"

She pointed her finger in his face. "How dare you speak to me like that you little ingrate!"

"I'll speak to you any way I please," he shot back. "You are not my mother!"

"You're right Kivar; I am not your mother." A spiteful smirk came across her face. "Your mother left you because she knew your worth. You are an ungrateful…"

"Shut-up," he yelled but she kept going.

"…waste who's brought nothing but misery and embarrassment to this family and I'm glad that before your father died he saw you for what you were!"

"Shut-up," he repeated but not quite as loud as before.

"It was the last thing he said to you, wasn't it?" Camile asked.

"Shut your mouth," Kivar hollered.

She smiled arrogantly. "He finally told you what I'd concluded all along," she paused briefly. "You are nothing and you will amount to just that, nothing."

Kivar seethed. "I will prove you wrong."

"Yes, I'm sure you'll be king next week," Camile laughed cruelly. "Now do me a favor and get out of my house. Your father is gone; there is no place here for you anymore."

"You will regret this," he said as he walked to the door.

"Kivar," a young Courtney called from her seat on the stairs. She started to get up but her mom sent her a look that made her sit back down.

"I'll be back for you Courtney, I promise." He turned to glance back at his little sister before walking out the door.

"Lady Courtney," her maid's voice brought her back to the present day. "General Rath has come calling; he's waiting in the foyer."

Ava tapped on the guest room door before opening it a crack and calling inside, "Emilia."

"Come in," a soft voice said from inside the room.

"Hey," the blonde smiled as she walked in. "How are you?'

"I'm okay I guess," Ema shrugged. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you about Uncle Evan and Aunt Nadia."

"It's okay," she sat down next to her. "I didn't want to believe me."

"I feel like I don't have a home anymore," she looked up at her with periwinkle eyes as she exhaled deeply.

"You have a home here, as long as you want it." Ava grabbed her sister's hand. "And the house in Comoros is ours; it belonged to our parents."

"I can't believe that they helped murder the Royals too," Ema's mind was still reeling. "Why would they do that?"

Ava couldn't help the strange look that came across her face.

"Avalena," she looked at her inquisitively. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure but something doesn't seem right about that," Ava stood up and walked towards the window, glancing out of it before she turned back to her sister. "I went to see Evan today and he admitted what he did to mom and dad but he denies any involvement in the attack on the Royal Ship."

"And you believe him?" Ema asked.

She tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't know."

"Well that doesn't change anything right?" She paused before slowly asking, "They will still be executed?"

"I guess," Ava replied.

"But you could stop that?" the brunette looked up at her. "If they didn't kill The Royals then the real killers are still out there. Ava, you have to make sure a mistake isn't being made."

"And how do you suppose I do that oh wise one?" she gave a half smile.

"That's why they're not making me queen," Ema returned the smile. "You'll figure it out; you just have to follow your instincts."

"Thanks Em," she gave her sister a hug before leaving the room.

Vilandra walked up the path slowly, wearing a cloak over her head. She wasn't quite sure why she hadn't just walked up to the door instead of walking around the house but she couldn't stop the suspicion she was feeling and thought this would help her put it to rest. She stopped abruptly as she saw the figures of two people through the window of the sitting room.

At first it was hard for her to hear what they were saying but as she got closer she started to make out their conversation.

"I know this is hard for you," Rath walked closer to Courtney. "And I know what I'm asking is a lot."

"Don't worry about it," she replied. "I knew what I was getting into and I don't regret it." She glanced up at the clock. "My brother should be home soon; we should avoid the explanation."

"Everyone knows we're friends and besides, what if the maid says something?" He asked.

"I'll tell them I had a small shuttle accident in the fields," Courtney looked up in the air as if that's where she was getting her story from. "And you heard about it and came to check it out."

The Princess stood outside the window, listening to every word.

"Vilandra," a voice said softly as his feet crushed the leaves on the ground.

"Kivar," she did not turn around.

"What are you doing out here?" He paused as he looked in the window. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" She finally turned away from the window, already knowing what his comment was inferring to. "There's nothing going on in there."

"Then why don't you go inside?" He cocked his head to the side. "They just walked out of the sitting room; why don't you go see where they went?"

"I don't need to," her voice was husky. "It isn't what it looks like."

"Of course it is," Kivar continued. "Because it's what I've told you all along." He stroked her face with his palm. "He doesn't see you but I do. I would never lie to you my love." He took his hand away from her face and held it out. "Let me take you away from this, just for a little while."

Vilandra shook her head. "I should go home."

"Home to what, to people who are caught up in themselves?" Kivar questioned. "Zan is with Avalena and Rath is here with my sister. If you hadn't wanted to get away from there, you wouldn't be here in disguise." He looked into her eyes intensely. "I can see you're in pain; let me help you."

She breathed out deeply. "Kivar."

"Come with me," he said, still staring at her.

Vilandra hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his, hoping she was not making a huge mistake.