Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who is still reading the story. I'm glad you're still reading it. I had a hard time writing this, I hope that it's a good chapter.

Attraction or Aversion?

Tori followed one of the servants down to one of the dining rooms, after spending a not so wonderful afternoon sitting and doing nothing but hear how the weather was and which material looked the best, Tori was relieved to get away. She had even noticed Marah with her eyes closed at one point. It was good to see friends and Tori was going to be here for a while which meant that she would be able to see Blake more and perhaps talk to him again.

They entered a well lit dining room with a long rectangular table. There was a fireplace on the side by the door where they had just entered, with a few doors on the other sides of the room. The tapestries glittered from the chandelier catching the little jewels sewn into them. The golden table was already laid out with a white tablecloth and all the place settings. The girls were all helped to their seats and Tori immediately found Blake among all the other princes who sat there. He was dressed in a dark blue outfit with a bit of white here and there. However he was talking with Hunter and so he was turned away from her.

Later that night Tori sat on her bed thinking about the evening. It seemed that no matter what she couldn't get his attention. She wasn't sure if he was ignoring her, or that's just the way it was, but she hadn't caught his eye once during dinner. Afterwards everyone took off in different directions leaving her with Marah and Kapri again. There hadn't been much to do since it was dark and the three just walked the hallways and talked. Cam and Leanne had disappeared again.

The blonde looked over at her door which was still closed; Kelly hadn't come in yet. It wasn't as if Kelly was ordered to be in her room, but Kelly was usually in her room at her own castle or whatever other castle they were at and they talked. She slid off the bed and slowly changed into her bed clothes then she went over and began brushing her hair. She could go looking for Kelly…no that wasn't a good idea. There were too many people in the castle and she would wind up having to explain herself a hundred times and she didn't feel like it. Still….she pursed her lips as she sat the brush down. She stood up and headed for the door when there was a knock at it.

"Who is it?"

"It's Kelly." Came a soft voice.

"Come in."

The older red head entered the room and quietly shut the door. She turned and saw Tori in her bed clothes he smile fading, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I meant to be here earlier."

"It's alright. No big deal."

"Tori, I feel awful."

"Please don't, I can take care of myself. Anyways, I'm tired, so I'm going to bed."

"Alright, I'll see you in the morning."

Tori nodded as she slid under the covers and slowly let sleep take over. Tommorrow she would worry about trying to talk to Blake.

However over the next few days Tori found the time for much else had been taken away. The rest of the Princesses and Princes and other royalty had arrived and a lot of time was spent in talking and getting reacquainted or even just being introduced. Shane had invited a lot of people for his birthday much more than normal, but it was still fun. The Queen tried to keep the girls occupied so that they couldn't go off to where the Princes were sparring, or fencing. Tori continually felt as though she was in a cage. She longed to feel the wind in her hair, to sit comfortably while horseback riding, but what else could be done.

Blake woke up early the day of the ball. He had gone to bed early since Hunter said he wanted to be alone and Blake hadn't wanted to walk down the hall and run into Tori. He now wasn't sure of how he felt about her. He thought he liked her, but it could have been just a thing, because of time spent alone together. He got out of bed and got dressed. Luckily the Princesses and other maidens had been off doing other things while the guys got to enjoy time outdoors. Outdoors that someone like Tori wouldn't care that much about. His thoughts were interrupted by his door opening.

"Hunter."

"Hey. Good sleep?" Hunter looked like he hadn't slept all night.

"Yeah, you okay?"

"A little tired."

"A little? Did you even sleep at all last night?"

Hunter frowned and walked over to the window. "Couldn't."

"Not tired?"

"Just couldn't. Shane told me last night that Elizabeth's Dad has been talking with King Kanoi. Shane thinks it's about revenge."

"Revenge."

"I killed his daughter." Hunter turned away.

"Hunter," Blake walked over and placed his hand on his older brother's shoulder, "It's not your fault. It was an accident."

"I was supposed to be there protecting her. I didn't. I killed her."

Blake knew his brother would conclude that way, it was how he saw things. He sighed as he moved his hand and walked to the wall leaning against it, "But I thought you said that he was okay."

"He said that."

"So, what's going on now?"

"I'm still not sure. No final news has been reached."

"Everything will turn out fine."

Hunter snorted, "Really? Have you killed a helpless girl before?"

Blake shook his head, "No. Sorry."

Realizing what he had done he shook his head, "No, I'm sorry. Come on, let's go."

And with that he two brothers quietly left the room to get something to eat.

Tori left the room where Queen Constance was talking to the other girls. She didn't really feel like having to listen to what colors she looked best in. Shane's mother meant well, but she was a little over bearing at times. The blonde figured she could hide out in her room until it was time to get dressed for the ball; although looking at the light coming from outside she knew that it would be too soon.

She quickened her steps as she turned a corner and ran into something and started to tumble backwards but was stopped by a pair of strong arms steadying her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She looked up into dark brown eyes that belonged to Blake! "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Sorry about that. I was just…in a hurry."

"Ball doesn't start for a while; I think you'll be fine."

"I know."

"Oh." All at once Tori realized how they were standing. She could feel her cheeks heating up as she noticed how very close they were, closer than she'd ever been to him; one of his arms was on her waist while the other gently held her arm. She in turn was holding onto his arms with a tighter grip from when she almost fell. She continued looking into his eyes for just a minute more when she heard a noise from the hall she had just exited; it brought Tori back to the ground. Blake must have heard too because they both let go and moved away.

Kelly came around the corner and saw them, "Forgive me for interrupting," She was looking closely at Tori and Tori hoped that Kelly wouldn't notice that she had been blushing. "It's time for you to get ready." She gently touched Tori on the arm.

"Right. I have to go."

"Yeah, I'll see you later."

"Bye."

After the two girls got in the room Kelly looked right at Tori, "What was that about?"

"What are you talking about?" Tori asked turning around; partly for Kelly to start helping her get ready and the other so she couldn't see her cheeks.

"Prince Blake and you? That close together?"

"We were as close as I've gotten with any other Prince—like Shane and Dustin."

"Sure." Kelly started helping Tori get into her dress for that night. "So why were you blushing?"

"I wasn't." Tori really hoped that Kelly would let it drop.

"Yeah? Could've fooled me."

"Can we not talk about it?"

"Alright."

"And no Kelly, I still don't like him."

"Whatever you say."

Blake watched Tori and Kelly walk down the hall. He was still unsure about what he had felt when she was in his arms. He liked it, but…he shook his head as he headed down the hall towards his room. It didn't matter. Even though he knew he could like Tori, that wasn't what interested him. She had insulted him and his Kingdom. She had done that without any real remorse. She was selfish and only cared about herself. Qualities that he wasn't interested in. Just because he had to marry her, didn't mean he had to like her.