A/N: this is the REAL end of chapter 6. I didn't put this in before because I had already submitted the last chapter and didn't feel like replacing it. enjoy!

"Actually," Callida went on to say, half drunk. "King Peter has indirectly invited me to some ball. I have not yet decided if I shall go or not."

"Oh, but you must!" Fantine insisted. "It does not matter whether or not this has any political value. Indulge yourself, for once."

"Alright, I will go."

The ball was actually a grand event. No real special occasion, just some noble's birthday. Peter was not even entirely sure whose. In fact, he was hardly paying any attention to anyone or anything except the doorway, anxious to see Callida walk through. When she did, he could have sworn that his heart stopped. Her hair was pulled back away from her face and her eyes, those black orbs that took in and analyzed everything around her. She wore a flowing green silk dress with a low back, embroidered with designs too complicated to follow. She looked around, quite uncertain whom to go to. Then she saw Peter and walked purposefully yet gracefully to him.

"Good evening, you're Highness," she said, dipping her head.

"Ambassador," he returned the greeting. "I know you have only just arrived, but I find myself unable to resist asking if I might have the next dance."

"You most certainly may, sire," she replied after a moment's thought.

So they danced and danced. He led her out to a terrace decorated by a large fountain.

"I must say, Ambassador, you are quite the dancer." She chuckled.

"Well, I am not positive about that, but thank you. And please, Callida works just fine."

"As you wish, Callida."

"But I daresay you are a very talented partner, Peter," she grinned, ignoring formalities all together.

"Ah! Peter, Callida!" Edmund stumbled up to the, his arm draped around Elaina's shoulders. His speech was slightly slurred. He could hardly walk. "So wonderful to see you both!" he waved around a crystalline goblet, half empty, as he spoke. "Tonight is just one of those nights. A night to be incandesantly happy, eh? Hurry, drink up before all the wine is gone and rejoice in the fact you need not pay for it!" he laughed hard and downed the rest of the glass' contents.

"There will be no more left because you drank it all, you pompous fool." Elaina said, rolling her eyes and leading Edmund away. Callida looked at Peter quizzically then burst into laughter.

"They are quite a pair." She said after a few moments.

"Well, after seeing her as she usually is, I am somewhat surprised that she is not drunk as well."

Callida sat on the edge of the fountain with a sigh. Peter joined her and for a moment, was unsure of what to say and was left staring at her.

"What? Have I something on my face?"

"No, it's nothing. Something. I know not." Without thinking, he tried to kiss her. She put up her hand and he instead kissed her palm.

"You know," she put down her hand. "Not every woman is so easily swayed by your charm and rugged good looks. Try not to be so vain." She stood.

"You think me vain?" he rose too.

"Yes, I do." She stated very matter-of-factly.

"Well, one would expect such a remark from a Calormene." Whoops. At the mention of a Calormene in their presence, several bystanders turned, eyes wide, then began speaking in hushed tones, periodically looking over their shoulders.

"And what, pray tell," she walked closer to him, almost in a butch way. "Does me being a Calormene have anything to do with thinking you are an egotistical, conceited brute?"

"I, egotistical? Ugh, you are the most pig-headed woman I have ever met." He spat.

"I've never in my life—you swine!"

"Wench!"

That one earned him a backhand across the cheek. They glared at eachother for a moment. If he thought that asking her to dance was hard to resist, then this was inevitably hard to resist. Next thing he knew, he had his arms around her and hers around him, in a kiss so passionate and fiery as neither had known existed. His hands trailed through her hair, in the process pulling out the two pins that kept it up. Her midnight black locks spilled onto her shoulders. Either they did not realize what a scene they were making, or they did not care. All of the spectators gawked at them. They weren't even drunk, for heaven's sake! After about two minutes, they let go of eachother, reluctantly. Very reluctantly. They stared at one another, trying to catch their breath.

"I...I have to go. I promised that I would be back before dawn and…I had best keep that promise." She took a quick look around.

"Oh, of course." They made hasty goodbyes, again all formalities lost. Peter licked his lips and smirked. A gnome gaped at him. Peter met that with a slight nod then walked inside.

For about twenty minutes, he walked around aimlessly, saying hello to random subjects who deemed it their personal duty to speak to him once in a while outside the castle. Eventually, Edmund (now alone) swaggered over to his brother, grinning widely. He was still incredibly drunk, but at least Peter could understand what he was saying. Amazing what twenty minutes could do.

"I saw you with Callida, my dear brother, and quite frankly," he propped his elbow on Peter's shoulder. "I am shocked that High King Peter the Great would willingly kiss a foreign woman from an enemy country in public without making some kind of crazy excuse."

"And your point is…?"

"I…uh…I forgot."

"Well, where have you been, Ed?"

"Nothing, just…talking with Elaina."

"Talking?" he chortled. "And where, just out of curiosity, were you 'talking' to her?"

"Well, not talking, per se, but we did have some lovely…er…conversation."

"You did not answer my question."

"We were in…a…um, a coat closet."

"Making out with Elaina in a coat closet. How original. For some reason, I am not surprised." He laughed then joined his brother in another drink.

A/N: i used the phrase "making out" for lack of a better verb. "kissing" just didnt seem to do it justice.