Dear Readers, don't you hate it when you get most of the way through writing a story and only then realize the perfect title for it? In this case I wish I could have called this "Written in the Stars" instead. I've come to that conclusion after repeating a certain phrase in this story and after rediscovering the song of the same title by Elton John and Leanne Rimes, I've listened to it several times while writing this chapter actually, consider it the theme song of this story.

Anyways, enough ranting, back to the story! Again, thanks for the kind reviews!

Preparations began at once for the Prince's arrival, the castle became a flurry of motion with servants running about. The organized chaos allowed the Princess not to be missed to much when she arranged to go riding with Sir Booth the morning after the banquet. Neither had spoken since she had retired to her chambers, they could not risk sneaking out that night.

Both mounted their horses in silence, the stable hands not picking up on the dark mood that hung between the two. Booth kicked his stallion hard rearing it into action first, tearing away from the castle. Temperance followed suit, her mare breaking into a run as soon as she was safely away from the stable hands.

There was no air of competition or fun that normally dominated their rides, today they kept a furious pace both losing themselves in the race. Booth's stallion was faster but she knew instinctively where he was headed and she forced the horse to a break neck speed to get there.

Sweating, panting, her mare nearly foaming at the mouth Temperance slowed as she entered the clearing, their spot. He had beat her by mere minutes, he was waiting, walking his horse in circles to cool it. Nosing her mare beside his their eyes met.

"Did you know?" she asked bluntly, her hands tightening on the reins.

"Of course not," he replied curtly.

"But he writes to you, did you not have some warning?" her voice sharpened.

Booth jerked his reins roughly forcing his stallion to stop, "Do you think I would have kept that from you?"

Dismounting quickly he led the horse away from her to the stream, his frustration was evident. She slid off and did the same approaching him cautiously, "No," she said softly, "But we made our choice knowing this day would come."

He turned to her then, his eyes pleading, "I believe in this Temperance, I believe in giving us a chance."

"We have a week-"

"No," he cut her off, "Forever."

Swiftly, Booth pulled her to him and kissed her. She yielded to him then stopped, pushing him away.

"We can't, no, I can't do that..." she trailed off, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Why?" he grasped her shoulders, "You're the one, I've known it since I met you, we could be together, we could make it work!" he was desperate now.

Tears blurred her vision as she answered, "I want to, believe me Booth, I do, oh please don't look at me like that..." his eyes were red with his own unshed tears, "But in a week I must accept the Prince's offer of marriage for the sake of my country, it is not by my own choice," she swiped at the tears now flowing down her cheeks, "You said we cannot change our stars."

Booth took a breath trying to compose himself, "We tried," he squeezed her hand, "I still believe in fate, no matter how cruel it is."

"I still don't."

He gave a half hearted laugh and embraced her, she leaned her head against his shoulder. They stood together, letting the tears come in silence, wondering what fate had in store for them.

"What now?" she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head, "We cherish this week, then we move on, we must move on."

"Will you leave?"

"Not until I have to," and in his heart he knew leaving her would be the hardest thing he would ever have to do in his life.

It truly was an end to their beginning, each day of the week brought them one step closer to an inevitable fate. The lovers began to seize any opportunity to be together, yet knowing what was to come created a new tension between them.

"So this is where you're hiding."

Temperance jumped then spun around to face Booth, "I'm not hiding and don't sneak up on me!"

It was a sunny afternoon and he had been told that the Princess had her head stuck in her dusty old books by Angela. Intending to take her riding and possibly get her alone, Booth had tracked Temperance to the library.

"What are you doing in here? It's a lovely day, let's ride out."

"I can't, there are matters to attend to here," she didn't meet his eyes.

Booth walked over, snatched the book from her hands and shut it with a thump.

"I was using that!"

"You're avoiding me," he dropped the tone of his voice.

"And you're avoiding me! Where have you been these past two nights for supper?"

"Away," he shot back, "Finding taverns to eat at next week."

Her eyebrows shot up, "You mean to stop dining with us next week?"

"How can I watch you sit with him, dance with him, knowing that I no longer have that same privilege with you?"

The comment was successful, he saw the pain flash through her eyes.

"I can't ride with you this afternoon," she turned from him to adjust books on the shelves, "Lady Angela is asking to many questions about how much time we spend together. We cannot risk anyone else noticing."

Even though he couldn't see her face he heard the strain in her voice, saw how she clutched at the bookshelf.

"Does that mean you do not wish to see me today Princess?" he used her formal title for emphasis.

"No," she rounded on him.

"Will I get to see you at all?" his tone was sharper than he intended.

She took a deep breath before answering, "Do you not think this is hard for me? We cannot risk getting caught-"

"And this is not hard for me either?" his voice rose an octave, "I know the risks Princess, if anyone finds out I am put to a traitor's death for betraying a Prince who sees me as a brother! The consequences haunt me yet I would face death a hundred times over to be with you!"

Blue eyes dropped to the floor, "Even when I am his wife?"

His jaw tensed, she knew her comment had stung. Booth reached out placing his fingers under her chin so she had to look at him;

"When you are married, my impure thoughts will damn me to an eternity in hell but I will not tempt you into adultery, I will not let you burn with me. Just know that I will never love another after you."

He held her gaze, his own as fierce as his words.

Her words were soft and warm so close to his mouth, "I already live in hell knowing that I must give you up, knowing that when I must kiss him I will be thinking of you."

He kissed her then, roughly, shoving her up against the bookshelf as her fingers pulled at his hair. Several books toppled to the floor, the resounding crash in the quiet room startling them apart.

Booth picked up the books and placed them back on a shelf then reached for her hands.

When she had caught her breath she softly said;

"I did not believe in love before I met you, I did not believe that it could consume you, that one person could change another's life, but you showed me that was possible," she took a breath, "Sometimes I wish," her voice hitched, "I wish...that I had never learned that from you."

He pulled her into his embrace but before he could speak she continued;

"Yet I look back on our time together and I would not deny you for the world."

A tear fell down her cheek and Booth wiped it away before capturing her lips again, softly this time. They held each other then, wondering why fate was so cruel when the library door opened and they quickly moved apart.

"Sir Booth?" it was Lance Sweets, moving among the shelves until he found them.

"Yes Sweets?" Booth's reply was tough, to the point.

Yet Lance did not miss the way Booth forced the bravado, he noticed how the Princess was smoothing her hair, his eyebrow went up in question.

"You are needed in your study, there are plans to go over for the Prince's arrival," Lance's eyes shifted between the knight and the Princess, "My lady," he gave her a critical stare as he nodded his head to her.

"I'm coming," Booth said as he patted Lance on the shoulder and steered him out of the library. At the door he turned back and gave Temperance one last longing look.

Later that evening the court mingled after dinner, conversation and laughter filling the air.

The Lady Angela, her husband and the Countess Cam talked amongst themselves when Lance joined them with the Lady Daisy on his arm.

"Good evening Master Sweets, Lady Daisy," Lord Hodgins greeted them, "How are you both?"

Daisy smiled and answered sweetly, "Just fine, nothing could be better when I am with my Lancelot."

Angela rolled her eyes at Cam who smothered her laughter.

Sweets squeezed Daisy to his side in return, "Might you fetch me a cup of wine my love?"

She nodded enthusiastically and scurried off. Lance's expression immediately shifted to concern and he lowered his voice as he addressed the group;

"I need to talk to each of you about a sensitive matter, one which must stay between us."

"About what?" asked Cam.

"Each of you are close friends with the Princess and Sir Booth, it is them I must speak of. Am I able to trust that you shall keep what is said a secret?"

"If you ever tell us we will," Lord Hodgins mocked him.

Angela swatted her husband's shoulder, "Go on Sweets, what is your concern?"

The group huddled closer together as Lance began, "Has anyone else noticed how close the Princess and Sir Booth have become over the summer?"

"Of course we have," Angela grinned, "He is here to court her for the Prince and somehow she has not hated him as she has other suitors."

"I know that, I am aware of what mission the Prince sent Sir Booth on, I am his man after all," Sweets was slightly annoyed, "What I mean is their friendship, it seems rather intimate, does it not?"

Cam shifted nervously, she knew of Booth's fever dream as well as her reason for being at the castle but she had told no one of what she knew.

"A close friendship may seem intimate," she chose her words carefully, "I share one with Sir Booth as well, what is your point Sweets?"

Lance gave a frustrated sigh, "Based on observation I think their friendship may be too intimate, think about how much time they spend alone together."

Lady Angela was not stupid, she knew exactly what Sweets spoke of, just the fact that the Princess went missing some nights was enough evidence for her but she was also not one to betray friends.

"You make dangerous assumptions Master Sweets," she gave him a critical stare, "What you speak of," her voice dropped to a whisper, "is treason."

"Do you have any proof?" Hodgins asked.

Sweets shook his head, "Not yet."

"Then it would be wise not to observe any more or speak of your findings," Cam's voice was harsh, "The Prince arrives shortly, she'll be with him then."

Sweets was acutely aware of the group withholding information from him, he was sure they had seen the way the Princess and Booth acted around each other, much less how often they disappeared together.

He saw Daisy returning with the wine and decided to wrap up the conversation, "Perhaps you are correct Countess, my apologies."

Despite what sounded like orders from Cam, Sweets was not ready to give up his theory just yet.

"Oh Lancelot," Daisy cooed coming up behind him.

"There you are," he beamed at her.

With a nod to the group he steered his lady away for some privacy. He would figure out what to do about the Princess and the knight later.

It was a wonder no one else from the court had made accusations against the Princess and the knight, just watching the two dance, the way they held each others eyes, seeming to speak with no words, lost in their own world, was enough to make assumptions about their relationship. Cam knew that despite her efforts, the two still found a way to be together. Yet it wasn't as if Cam had been trying lately, ever since Booth's fever dream and seeing how the Princess reacted she had been reluctant to tear the two apart. The Countess knew it was wrong but she had never seen a man and woman more right for each other. It made what she had to do next seem even worse to her.

The song ended, Booth bowed to the Princess and Cam swooped in.

"Princess, the Lady Angela wishes to speak with you."

Temperance thanked the Countess and went off in search of her friend leaving Cam and Booth alone.

"Care to dance?" he asked, giving her his best charm smile.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "We need to talk alone, now."

Booth gave her a quizzical look, "Is something wrong?"

Resisting the urge to drag him by the ear she pointed to the hall, "Outside," it was an order.

Once out in the hall, Cam made sure they were alone, taking him down the hall and around the corner.

"What is the meaning of this Cam?" Booth was getting annoyed now.

She stared him down, "You're in love with the Princess," her tone was matter of fact.

His mouth gaped, opened and closed like a fish but no words came out, it didn't matter, Cam pressed on.

"Don't even think about lying to me Seeley, I was there when you were mad with fever."

She did not miss the guilt that flashed through his eyes. He sighed, "I am."

"She cares about you too, doesn't she?"

Booth's jaw tightened, he crossed his arms, "We're friends, why all the questions?"

Cam poked him squarely in the chest, "Because you're a fool Seeley Booth, a fool who will lose his head if anyone else has noticed how you act with the Princess! Sweets openly accused the two of you of being lovers tonight!"

Brown eyes widened in shock, "He did what? To who?"

"Only to myself and the Lord and Lady Hodgins, which means you are a lucky fool! Now I don't know if you're having an illicit affair with the Princess, but if you are I suggest you stop immediately and leave this kingdom for I will not see you die a traitor's death!"

The knight leaned against the wall, shock on his face. He ran a nervous hand through his hair and Cam had her answer.

"I warned you Booth," her voice softened but she still glared at him, "It is bad enough that you love her, it is worse that you act like lovers-"

"Stop," he cut her off, "Stop it Cam! I berate myself every day for this, it is torture, but believe me when I say this will end. I plan to leave when the Prince arrives."

His shoulders slumped as he leaned back against the wall, defeat and pain etched in his face. Gently, she reached out and touched his shoulder, "I'm sorry Booth, I should have done more."

"No," he shook his head, "It is not your fault, there was nothing more you could have done, what happened, it was our fault alone, our choice."

Cam rubbed his arm, "Then I'm truly sorry, for both of you, for I know how you love each other, I see the way you look at her Booth. I wish and pray that there was a way you could be together."

The great knight gave the Countess a small smile, "Thank you Cam, you are a true friend."

Lady Angela hated being lied to but tonight it was all the worse. When her friend excused herself from the night's festivities Angela knew exactly where she was going, she had seen Booth leave not ten minutes earlier. Temperance was smart, she knew that too well but in this instance her ignorance could cost a man his life. So Angela excused herself as well, hurried after the Princess and caught her in the hall.

"Temperance, don't go," she called, her friend froze.

"I said I did not need anyone Angela," Temperance tried to keep her voice calm.

The artist quickly checked over her shoulder for anyone who might be listening, "This is not a good idea," she hissed.

The Princess raised an eyebrow, "What is not a good idea?"

Angela answered by raising her own, "You know exactly what I mean."

"Come to my chamber," it was a royal order and Angela obeyed.

They walked in silence through the halls and once inside with the door barred, Temperance rounded on her friend.

"What is going on Angela?"

"You tell me! You sneak off nearly every night whether from dinner or from bed, do you not think I notice?"

"Am I not allowed to have some time to myself?"

"I don't believe you're spending the time alone," Angela's accusing tone challenged Temperance.

"And who do you believe I'm with?" she accepted the challenge.

Her friend gave a short laugh, the irony evident in it, "Do you truly not hear the gossip, the whispers of even your own ladies? Do you not notice how you are watched, especially when you are with him?" she stressed the noun, watching for a reaction, "You give me thin excuses about where you're off to but I'm not a half wit, I see the way you watch each other, tell me the truth Temperance, tell me you don't sneak off with Booth whenever possible."

The Princess' face paled, "People whisper about us?"

Angela nodded, "It is a popular topic."

"Have there been any accusations?" a note of panic crept into Temperance's voice.

"Master Sweets made his suspicions known tonight."

Blue eyes widened in horror, "No...to who?" she gasped.

"So it is true."

Temperance grabbed her friend's hands, "Angela, you are my dearest, closest friend. I beg you to keep my secret, our secret," she pleaded, "Please..."

"I already did. When Sweets made the accusation the Countess and I made it clear that he was treading on dangerous ground. Sweetie, I would never betray you like that."

The panic on the Princess' face subsided, "Thank you," she breathed.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Not long," she wouldn't meet Angela's eyes.

"But long enough," she chose her words carefully, "Sweetie, you know this is wrong, right?"

Temperance's lips pursed into a thin line, she nodded, "It will end when the Prince comes."

"I don't think it will."

The Princess' eyes flashed, "It will, it has to."

"And you'll not be tempted to sneak off while the Prince is here? You cannot just turn the feelings you both have off by saying it has ended. You'll still long for him and if he does not leave the jealously will drive him mad!"

Temperance clenched her fists, "He'll leave, I'll marry the Prince, it will be fine," she tried not to yell.

"Until you decide to meet one last time, get caught and Booth loses his life," her words were harsh, "You love him, don't you?"

Temperance tried to steel herself against those words, against her feelings, but she couldn't. Her silence answered the question.

"If you love him," Angela spoke slowly, "then send him away now, before the Prince comes, before Timothy asks Booth to stay for the wedding, before there are more accusations."

She knew her friend was right but would not admit it.

"Send Booth away before he sees you with the Prince, before jealously eats away at him, if you love him then you know this is the only option."

"I don't think he'll go," she whispered.

"Then make him."

Temperance gave Angela a peculiar look, "How?"

"Lie to him, tell him you never loved him, make him hate you."

Fear flashed across the Princess' face, "I cannot, I could not, he wouldn't believe me."

"It would be better to send him away full of hate then still pining for you, he'll never move on with his life if he still loves you."

"And how would I move on with mine?"

Angela sighed, sorrow evident on her face, "You just do. You're the Princess, as much as I would do anything to help you stay with Booth, you can't, this is how it must be."

Temperance slumped onto the bed, she stared at the wall, her face pale, "We cannot change our stars..." she whispered.

Holding back her own tears Angela sat next to her friend, "Go to him now, tell him. Do it because you love him, because this will save his life."

Numb with the icy truth she nodded in reply. It would have to be harsh and cruel, she would break his heart, her own already crumbling with the knowledge of what she had to do.

To be continued...

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