'Sky, please wake up.' Zed's voice was pleading with me and I tried to force myself to move or communicate but I couldn't. My body just laid there, my arm throbbing and the weight of Zed holding my hand. 'You cannot die, I won't allow it.' I wished I could have smiled in response at the command from the Prince but I couldn't.

'Give her time, son.' King Saul's voice was soft. 'She lost a lot of blood and removing the poison was quite complex.'

'It has been two days.' Zed's voice was strained. Had he slept? His voice was hoarse and gravelly, not soft and velvety like it normally was.

'The doctor said it may take some time for the body to heal itself.'

'What if she does not wake up?' His voice cracked and I wanted to tell him that I was fine, that I could hear him, that my arm ached and head was fuzzy but I was alive- at least I thought I was.

'She will.' The King's voice was strong, just as you would expect from a ruler. 'Sky is a fighter and now is no exception.'

'I should have stopped her, got her to safety.'

'She helped us fight the rebels, son. There would have been more of them without her and we may have lost more of our men.'

So it had been rebels. And how many men had the Royal family lost in the brutal attack? What about the other Royals and nobility in attendance? Some of them had to have been killed too.

'How could we let this happen?' Zed's voice was strained, filled with more emotion than I'd ever heard from him before. He sounded tired, anxious and upset.

King Saul paused before replying, his voice now lower, 'We have not let this happen but it is our responsibility to ensure it will not happen again.'

'Why did none of you see this?'

'I wish I knew.' The King replied, 'It's as if a shield or mental block was put on the attackers…' What did that mean? What were they talking about? 'It's getting late son, you should get some rest.' The King said and I could hear the movement as he got to his feet.

'I am not leaving her.' Zed said, his voice stern.

'I thought that might be the case.' The King's footsteps sounded as he walked across the floor. 'Goodnight, son.'

'Goodnight dad.'

I must have drifted back completely into unconsciousness after that as I didn't remember anything else. Either that or it was completely silent, with no one but Zed beside me. I heard him speak again several hours later and I could feel his thumb rubbing against the back of my hand.

'Please come back to me, my love.' Zed said, his voice barely above a whisper. 'I will end this selection. It has only ever been you and it only ever will be.'

I tried to move my hand in his, to show him I was listening but it felt too difficult. Even a flick of the finger felt too much. I pushed my weight down as much as I could but nothing. And somehow it knocked me back unconscious again.

I could hear birds singing and I knew it was almost dawn. Zed's hand was still in mine but this time it was relaxed and his breathing was slow; he was asleep. The ache in my arm was more painful now and I wondered if I was due some more medication or something. I wriggled my left fingers, the hand Zed was not holding and surprisingly I felt the movement and the sensation of something sharp in my hand; a needle. I was on a drip, feeding me water and feeding me my medication. But that wasn't important- I had moved and I had felt the silky sheets below my fingers. I moved again, wincing at the deepening pain in my arm again. Did that mean…

I opened my eyes slowly and warily. The lids opened, despite feeling heavy and I found myself looking at my bedroom instead of the hospital I was expecting to wake up in. The windows of the room were open and the net curtains blew gently as the sky turned a dark shade of orange behind them. Sunrise. I spotted the drip to the left of me, keeping me hydrated as the tube sent liquid into the back of my hand. My strappy nightgown revealed a large bandage on my upper arm and I winced as I remembered why it was there; I had been stabbed by a dagger. I found myself wincing as I remembered the pain of the sharp blade going into my arm- how deep had it gone? It had felt like it had almost touched the bone. I shuddered as I felt bile rising in my throat. Then I reminded myself of the hand loosely in my right and I turned my head. Zed was on the chair beside my bed wearing a loose shirt and leather trousers. I spotted a dressing on his arm and swallowed. Had he been hurt too? His hair was messy and dishevelled and the usual stubble on his chin was turning into facial hair. His cheek was pressed against the corner of my mattress as he slept in an uncomfortable-looking position. I moved my hand from his and reached out to touch his hair, gently running my fingers through it.

Zed bolted upright, looking startled and then his eyes met mine and relief washed across his face, 'Sky.' He breathed before smothering me in a hug. I groaned, my arm throbbing and he released me, keeping just his hand in mine. 'You are awake.'

'So it would seem.' My voice was croaky and hoarse and he passed me a glass of water, which I drank quickly, glad to moisten my mouth and throat. 'You weren't going to allow me to die, were you?' I murmured as he took the empty glass. A smile played on my lips and he smiled back.

'You heard that?'

'I tried to wake up but my body just felt so heavy.' I looked over at the bandage on my arm. 'I was stabbed, wasn't I?'

His expression was grim and he winced at the memory, 'She's dead.'

'The flames?'

'The flames.' He confirmed.

'Zed what happened that night?'

He ran a hand through his hair, looking pained. 'Rebels got into the palace. We believe that perhaps someone in the palace helped them as they managed to find guard uniforms and disguised themselves as our troops and our security for the evening.' He looked down at our intertwined hands. 'They attacked towards the end, when they knew all guests were in attendance and we had our guards down as we had been drinking champagne and enjoying ourselves. Maximum impact.' His voice was angry and a red aura was surrounding his body, confirming the emotion. It looked almost as if he were on fire. 'They set off a bomb first, which injured a lot of our guests and then they moved to attack. More rebels were let into the palace as the fight began. That should have been your cue to run and get to safety with the other girls.'

'I wanted to help.'

'You did,' he murmured. 'Father said you were helpful to us but then… then you were attacked.' His eyes looked up to meet mine. 'Yves got to you before I could and he fended off the girl. The fight ended shortly after that. Some of the rebels fled, others were arrested and others were killed by our guards and security when reinforcements arrived.'

'How many?' I asked and he frowned.

'We lost about nineteen.' He replied. 'Many were wounded, some seriously, but some nobility and royals have been killed… not ours but our guests.' He shuddered. 'The enemy lost more.'

'What did they want?'

'They do not believe in a monarchy.' He sighed. 'They have not done for many years now and they are unhappy about the inequality in this country.'

'I can understand that.'

'As can I.' His eyes met mine. 'But there are ways to get what you want without a massacre.' Zed reached forwards and tucked a curl behind my ear. 'You lost so much blood and the poison… I…' His voice cracked.

'Were you injured?' I glanced at his arm and he shook his head.

'We have the same blood type and I had to do something.' His face was sad as I let the news sink in; Zed had given me some of his blood so that I could live. I really was afraid I had lost you my warrior princess. His mouth didn't move and it was as if he were in my head as he spoke.

'How do you do that?' I asked, my hand moving to touch my head.

'Telepathy,' he replied.

'Like a sorcerer or something?'

He laughed, a warm melodious sound that I had missed. His smile met his eyes and they sparkled, making me relax slightly. 'I suppose it is. We can communicate on our own wavelengths… in the battle, I called out to you but I never expected you to respond.'

'I didn't know I could.' I paused for a moment. 'Zed, what you can do… well… I can do it too.' I looked at the empty glass cup on the bedside table and pushed my energy towards it. At first it did not budge, but then it did and it moved into the air. Zed watched it as I moved it back towards the bedside table again and it landed with a clunk as glass hit wood. 'That's not normal, is it?' I asked him but he simply smiled.

'In my family it is.' He pulled my hand up to his mouth and kissed it gently. 'You are a savant, my love.'

'A savant?' I raised my eyebrows. 'What is a savant?'

'Someone with super-human abilities, like a sorcerer I suppose. We can move things with our mind, just like you and I, speak telepathically and sometimes we have an extra ability too.'

'An extra ability?' I widened my eyes. 'What can you do?'

'I can see the future… but my gift is… well it is not all that useful. My mother can see into the future clearly but mine tends to only be moments before, which is not all that helpful.'

'Did you see the battle was going to happen?'

'Only the people who were going to attack you, hence the warning.' He shuddered at the memory.

'What else can your family do?'

'My father can sense danger, as can my brother Will. We're not entirely sure yet why my father's ability wasn't working that night. Trace can see the past of any object he touches and he would probably be a police officer if he weren't heir to the throne. Uriel can read a person's past by going into someone's mind. Victor has the power to influence people through telepathy…'

'That would be dangerous in the wrong hands.' I murmured.

'It certainly would,' he nodded in agreement. 'Xav can heal… he tried to heal your wound and he has repaired some nerve damage but it will still scar.' I nodded mutely. 'And Yves can create fire.'

'That explains the fireballs flying around.'

'Exactly.' Zed nodded. 'This must all sound quite… far-fetched.'

'It does.' I agreed, 'and I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't been able to move things without touching them. I thought I was going mad.'

'Not mad, my love.' He said, softly. 'Can you do anything else?'

'It will sound useless and lame compared to your family's abilities but… well I can see colours around people.'

'Colours?'

'I think maybe it's their emotions… like earlier, you had a red aura around you when you were talking about the battle and you were…'

'Angry.' He interrupted. 'I suppose it makes sense. You can see emotions. That is a useful trait to have.' He leaned across the bed towards me, his face inches away. 'Tell me, what colour am I right now?'

I looked at his edges, his outline, carefully. 'A pinky colour. What does that mean?'

He smiled and then, instead of kissing my lips like I'd hoped, pressed a kiss to my forehead, 'you will find out in time, my warrior princess.' He stood up and stretched. 'I am going to tell the doctor you are awake and then I am going to shower and shave and sort a few things. I will be back soon, though, I promise.'

And with that, Zed was gone.

That day was a dull one. I watched movies from my bed as I was fed soup and then proper food whilst doctors and nurses dropped by every hour or so to check my medication and run a few tests. My drip came out that afternoon and I was allowed to walk, but only to go as far as my bathroom and back again, although even that had to be done with close supervision of Chloe or Abby. They helped me to wash and redress and I was thankful the following day when I was allowed to have a proper bath and I was allowed to dress in normal clothes. I wore the outfit I had worn to the beach with Zed, not caring about proper etiquette as I was stuck in my room, and I was surprised when I had visitors that Thursday morning.

'Sky, you're okay!' Amelie pulled me into a hug and I released myself before she could squeeze my arm too much. 'Sorry,' she murmured, 'too much?'

'Only a little.' I laughed softly as I turned to Tina and Zoe, who also pulled me in for a hug. 'Where is Lucie? Was she okay?'

'She was fine… Zed sent her home yesterday.' Amelie explained. 'Just four of us left now.'

I thought back to what Zed had said when I had been in my coma-like state; he'd promised to end the selection if I woke up. Did he still mean that?

'I think we already know who the winner is, though.' Tina murmured and the other girls nodded as they looked at me.

'Zed stayed with you the whole time you were unconscious. He only left when the poison was removed and no one was allowed in with you.' Amelie told me. 'And then he insisted you were brought to your room to recover instead of the hospital wing where the injured soldiers and guests were.'

'Really?'

'He cares for all of us,' Tina said, softly, 'he's told us all that, but with you… well he looks at you different to all of us… like the sun and moon shine out of your eyes.' Sadness tinged her voice and I felt guilty for it. 'He has two weeks left to make his decision now there are four of us left, but it may not be that long.'

'Does that change this, though?' I signalled between us. 'Because I would hate to lose you girls.'

'Of course not,' Amelie said. 'I wasn't sure of you at first, Sky Bright, but you're amazing and I couldn't think of a better girl to be a princess.'

'Even though my etiquette is shocking?'

'Was shocking.' Tina corrected with laughter. 'You're quite the lady now… when you want to be anyway.' She winked.

'I'm sorry to interrupt ladies,' Lady Evelyn said as she strode into my bedroom, 'but your dresses for the photoshoot and live programme have arrived tomorrow and you are all in need of a fitting,' she spotted me then and gave me a small smile, albeit an awkward one. 'Lady Sky, you are looking well, how is your arm, dear?'

'It's getting there.' I replied as her eye wandered over my bandage.

'We will find a dress with long sleeves for you to wear.' She said and I tried not to wince at the words that made me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. I was going to have that scar forever. Would I always have to wear long sleeves to hide it? Lady Evelyn strode out of the room without a second glance and Amelie frowned.

'I think you should wear a sleeveless dress just to spite her.' She said.

'I'm not sure people will want to see a wound.' I murmured. 'I've not even seen it yet.'

'Scars show you are strong.' Amelie said as she turned to face me. 'It shows that you were a fighter and you fought to protect the monarchy.'

'I agree,' Tina nodded. 'Don't hide it, show it with pride.'

I listened to the advice of the girls. The following day, Chloe and Abby laced me into my dress, which they had cut the sleeves off of. The dressing had been removed and a red wound was evident in my upper arm. It had started to heal so looked less gruesome, but it was visible nonetheless, despite the beautiful dress; I was wearing a silver, strapless, fitted dress with silver sequinned whorls sewn to the bodice and falling down to the top of my thighs. It was a similar style to the dress I had worn to the ball, only it lacked the princess-like cape. My curled hair was pinned back so that it fell down my back and the only jewellery I wore were some sparkling dangly diamond earrings.

'Still an elven princess.' Abby commented as I looked in the mirror. She adjusted the tied-corset at the back of my dress slightly and then smiled as she looked at my sparkling silver make-up framing my blue eyes. 'Maybe more of an ice queen today.'

'I am still not sure what I'm expected to do today.' I said as I turned away from my reflection.

'It's just a photoshoot with Prince Zed this afternoon,' Chloe replied as she scanned my itinerary. 'The final four girls in the contest will have their own photoshoot with HRH Prince Zed for promotional purposes and to allow the public to see how the candidates photograph. And as for your interviews on the report this evening, you will be absolutely fine.'

'I hate cameras.' I murmured as my stomach twisted. A knock at the door made me tense and Chloe moved to answer it.

'Is Lady Sky ready for her photoshoot?' A voice said.

'Yes,' Chloe replied and I took a deep breath before following the camera assistant along the corridor.

Zed was already there, as I expected as I knew I was the last girl to be photographed with him. He stood wearing a black military uniform with two medals attached to his jacket. He put down his cup of tea as I entered and he stood up straighter as his jaw dropped slightly and he gave me the same look he had at the ball a few days previously. I blushed and my hand self-consciously moved to cover the scar on my arm.

'Hello, my love.' He whispered as he walked towards me and pressed a kiss to my forehead. 'You look exquisite.'

'Not so bad yourself.' I replied, honestly. There was something about seeing him in uniform that made me feel warm and a little flushed. He moved my hand away from my scar and his fingers circled the mark embedded in my skin.

'I am glad you decided not to cover it,' he said softly. 'This scar shows you were much stronger than what was fighting you.' I blushed at the compliment and he brought my hand to his lips, kissing it softly. My heart fluttered at the affection he was showing me. 'Are you ready for the photographs? We have about thirty minutes before we need to head down to the studio for the interviews.'

'I am ready.' I nodded, although I was anything but. Zed led me over to the area of the library that had been set up for photoshoots and we followed the instructions as the photographer asked Zed to put an arm around my waist and I to put a hand on his chest.

Relax, my love. Zed said into my head and I found myself smiling a more natural one. It is just you and me… and the photographer with the really dodgy haircut. I looked at the bowl cut of the photographer and burst out laughing as Zed did the same, both of us looking ridiculous as photographs were snapped away.

'Let's try on the chaise longue.' The photographer said and that's how it continued for the next thirty minutes. Zed sending me telepathic messages to help me get through the photoshoot I had been dreading.

He then offered me his arm and we walked along the corridor to the studio together, still laughing over the photographer's ridiculous hairstyle and his bizarre choice of clothing, which Zed had assured me was designer. We stopped laughing when we reached the studio and we both took our seats in silence; I was sat on a chair in a row with the other three girls and the Royal family sat on the opposite side of the stage of us with Diamond and Phoenix in tow. In front of us, on a slightly lower part of the stage, were two armchairs and in one sat Jacob Freeman, a famous presenter who often presented shows about the Royal family. He straightened his jacket and glanced our way, nodding to each of us as we adjusted our legs so we were sat in our trained positions, not that you could tell under our ballgowns.

'On air in thirty seconds.' Someone called out and I made myself sit a little straighter.

You can do this… it will be easy. Zed's voice said into my head.

Easy for you to say, you've had years of practice. I murmured back.

And you will have years to practice too.

What did that mean? I glanced his way but the lights came on and suddenly the cameras were rolling.

'Good evening and welcome to the palace.' Jacob Freeman said to the camera in front of him. 'I am Jacob Freeman and I am here to bring you the Report this evening after what has been a difficult week at the palace. Tonight we will be speaking to the final four ladies of the selection process but first, King Saul has some announcements to make.'

King Saul didn't move to sit in the interviewee's chair. Instead, he walked to the podium I had seen him stand behind many times before when I had watched from the small television in our kitchen at home. 'Thank you, Jacob.' The King said into the microphone. 'This week has been a very difficult one for our country. As you will be aware, just four days ago the palace was attacked during the Harvest Ball, when many other Royal families from around the world as well as nobility were in attendance, celebrating the beginning of Autumn. Rebels were helped into the palace by an insider, who is now being charged with treason, as are many of the rebels we were able to capture. Unfortunately, nineteen innocents lost their lives and if it were not for the bravery of our guards, police force and even my sons, not to mention a candidate of the selection process, I feel that we would have lost far more.' The other girls looked over at me and Amelie squeezed my hand from the seat beside me. 'I would like to honour those lost with a two minutes silence now if you would care to join me.' Silence fell over the studio, where many workers of the palace, including soldiers and guards were sat. The girls and I joined hands together, united, and we sat there together with our heads bowed until the two minutes was up. 'The rebels will be defeated,' The King said when time was up, 'and rest assure, we will not be living our lives in fear, nor should you.' He stepped down from his podium and applause filled the studio.

'Thank you for your kind words, your majesty.' Jacob said as he sat up straighter in his chair. 'This week, the final five of the competition was cut down to the final four and within two weeks, his royal highness, Prince Zed, will have to make his final decision as to the girl he will make his princess. Let's have a look at what they have been up to over the last few weeks.'

We all sat still as we watched the moments from the last few weeks, including my date in the observatory with Zed and us dancing in the rain together. I blushed and fiddled with my fingers in my lap when the footage ended with our pamper session with the Queen the night before the ball. I guessed the footage of that particular night would never be shown out of the respect of the families.

Everyone in the studio applauded once more as Zed made his way down to the interviewee seat, adjusting his suit jacket as he sat down opposite Jacob.

'Good evening, your highness.' Jacob said as he shook Zed's hand.

'Good evening.'

'Let me be first to say,' Jacob said, 'how far you have come in the last few months. I have known you since you were barely a baby and I feel that in the last few months you have grown up a lot.'

'I agree,' he nodded. 'I did have my doubts to begin with but I think that the selection has really helped me to grow up and make some more mature choices.'

'And here you are, three months later.' Jacob smiled. 'Tell me, your highness, how close are you to making your decision?'

'Very close.' Zed replied.

'Interesting.' Jacob beamed as Zed crossed one of his legs. 'Can you give us any hints?'

'All I am going to say is that every girl we have had in the competition has been lovely and they are all very different. I have enjoyed getting to know each of the girls and I have learnt a lot more about their dreams, ambitions and hopes for the future and I am sure that even when this contest is over, we will be still hearing about the wonderful things these girls are doing.' Zed said.

'Thank you, your highness.' Jacob smiled, warmly. 'We will now be speaking to each of the girls in turn. Lady Amelie, if you could please come and join me at the front.' Zed headed back to his seat and Amelie replaced him. She smoothed out her princess-shaped black ballgown after kissing Jacob on each cheek and sitting down across from him. She was confident in these kind of situations and I'd begun to admire her for that.

'Welcome, Lady Amelie, it's lovely to be speaking to you today.'

'And you.' She smiled. 'My mother always sings your praises.'

'Of course she does, Janice Leelan has always been my favourite actress to interview.' He beamed and I reminded myself that Amelie had had practice. She'd been watching her Oscar-winning mother doing this kind of thing her whole life. 'Lady Amelie, tell me about your relationship with the Prince.'

'Prince Zed is kind, caring and compassionate,' she replied, 'and he cares deeply for each of us. The night of the attack, he was desperate for us to get to safety.'

'But someone did not follow orders, so I have heard.' Jacob leaned back in his chair. 'May I ask whom, Lady Amelie?'

Amelie glanced over at me and then back at Jacob. 'For the second time since I moved into the palace, Lady Sky saved me.' Chloe and Abby smiled at me in the audience as my cheeks turned crimson. 'Lady Sky acted quickly to usher myself and Lady Tina and Lady Zoe to safety, even fending off an attacker so that we could get away. She may be petite, but she is a true warrior and she helped protect the palace that night.' Her face smiled and I realised that now, even with the competition so fierce, Amelie was well and truly on my side and she had been for the last month or so, or at least since we had been locked in a saferoom together during the first rebel attack.

'Would you consider Lady Sky a good friend of yours?'

'Probably a best friend.' Amelie replied. 'I cannot think of many other girls who would do whatever they could to protect you.'

Tina squeezed my hand from the other side of me as I blushed. Thankfully, the conversation changed and I was no longer the subject of it as Amelie laughed and joked with Jacob. Then Tina was interviewed and she was just as animated. When my name was called next, I started feeling dizzy as I made my way down the steps and I was relieved when I had kissed Jacob's cheeks and sat down in the chair opposite him.

'The courageous Lady Sky.' Jacob said with a grin. 'How lovely to meet you.'

'I wouldn't say courageous.' I replied, blushing.

'You were fighting rebels in the palace, I would say that was a very brave thing to do, my lady.' His eyes spotted the wound in my arm. 'And you were injured doing so. Tell me, Lady Sky, why did you risk your life?'

'I wanted to help.' I replied. 'I wanted to protect the palace.'

'Was there anything or anyone else you wanted to protect?' He asked and I blushed, looking down. 'A certain prince, perhaps?'

'Of course.' I said, meeting his eyes again. 'Zed is very important to me.'

There were a few gasps and whispers and I realised my mistake; I'd called him Zed, not Prince Zed. I swallowed but Jacob seemed to find this entertaining and simply smiled at me.

'I am sure Zed is very important to you,' Jacob said, 'do you think you stand a good chance of winning this contest for the Prince's heart?'

'I am not sure.' I replied. 'The remaining girls would all make brilliant princesses. Amelie has excellent etiquette and is good with charity work, Tina is good with organising entertainment and Zoe's understanding and knowledge of history is outstanding. They are all supportive and hard-working, qualities I feel that a princess should have.'

'And what about you?' Jacob quizzed. 'Which qualities do you think you have?'

'I…erm… I am quite musical.'

Jacob quirked his eyebrow but before he could say anything, Zed spoke up.

'Lady Sky has shown great bravery, courage, resilience and ambition throughout the competition and I believe those are admirable qualities for any princess to have.' He said, 'unfortunately she is far too modest to admit it.'

Laughter sounded through the studio and I blushed, looking down at my feet and trying to regain my composure so that I could complete the rest of the interview.

A knock on my door startled me that evening. Abby and Chloe had covered my arm back up with new dressing and then I'd excused them for the night, telling them that I was planning on having an early night. I had taken my medication and was feeling a little drowsy as I read Jane Eyre when the knock on the door sounded.

'Come in!' I called out, knowing my guard stationed outside was keeping me safe.

Zed walked in wearing a slightly-unbuttoned shirt and his tight trousers and I blushed as I wrapped my robe around myself, hiding the silk nightgown I was wearing. 'Good evening.' I said with a shy smile. 'I'd have stayed dressed if I had known you were dropping by.'

'Spontaneous visit.' He smiled. 'I just wanted to see you… I do not mind that you are in your nightgown.'

'Would you like any tea or anything? I can send a message to the kitchens?'

'Where are your maids?' He asked, scanning the room.

'They have been working round the clock to look after me so I sent them for an early night.' I replied. 'I excused them after they rewrapped my wound.'

Zed moved to sit on the bed beside me and he reached for my hand, stroking it gently, 'was today as bad as you thought it would be?'

'I don't interview well.' I murmured.

'Nonsense, I think you did just fine.' He smiled. He pulled my hand up to his lips and turned it around so that he planted a kiss on my palm. 'My mother finds your modesty an admirable quality of yours and I agree. It is something I love about you.'

Love? I was about to reply when he got up and walked over to my guitar. He picked it up and brought it back to the bed, perching beside me. 'Can I play you something?' He asked, his eyes nervous.

'Of course.' I nodded, thinking back to the time on the yacht when I'd listened to him singing and running his fingers across the strings. Zed smiled and started to play some chords and as he started to sing, goosebumps spread across my skin.

'I can't count the times
I almost said what's on my mind
But I didn't
Just the other day
I wrote down all the things I'd say
But I couldn't
I just couldn't.

Baby, I know that you've been wondering
Mmm, so here goes nothing,' his eyes met mine and he smiled at me. 'In case you didn't know
Baby, I'm crazy about you
And I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long, long time ago
In case you didn't know.'

I swallowed as my eyes watered and my body sank into the bed like I was a snowman about to melt into a puddle at Zed's feet. Somehow he didn't notice and he continued to sing, even though my heart was threatening to break my ribcage from thudding so quickly.

'The way you look tonight
That second glass of wine
That did it
There was something about that kiss
Girl it did me in
Got me thinking
I'm thinking

One of the things that I've been feeling
Mmm, it's time you hear them.

In case you didn't know
Baby, I'm crazy about you
And I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long, long time ago
In case you didn't know.'

He strummed on his guitar as his eyes met mine and my body felt ready to crumple, 'You've got all of me
I belong to you
Sky, you're my everything.'

A tear escaped and rolled down my cheek before I could stop it.

'In case you didn't know
I'm crazy about you
I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long, long time ago
Yeah, you had my heart a long, long time ago
In case you didn't know
In case you didn't know.'

He finished singing and looked across at me. 'I wrote that the night after we had been in the observatory when I realised just how much you mean to me.' His hand reached out and he caught another tear from my cheek. 'I should have ended the selection a long time ago.'

'You were worried I wouldn't accept you… as a savant.'

He ran a hand through his hair, 'it was not just that… with being a savant there is something else.'

'Well we're not invincible,' I laughed, 'I think I've proven that.'

He winced and I knew it still upset him that I was wounded. 'When a savant is conceived, somewhere in the world another savant is at the same time… their soulfinder.'

'Soulfinder?' I raised an eyebrow.

'It is like a soulmate, I suppose.' He replied. 'But that is the person you are destined to be with, your other half.'

'And I'm not your soulfinder.' I whispered as my heart sank in my chest.

'If I had been a normal human, I would have chosen you in a heartbeat but I had my doubts… what if you were not my soulfinder but one of the other girls was? Or what if I had booted my soulfinder out of the competition already?'

'That's why most of our birthdays were so close together.' I murmured and he nodded. 'I understand, you know,' I said, standing up. 'And I want you to find your soulfinder.'

He let out a small laugh and I turned to face him. His expression was amused and I frowned, 'Do you not see, my love? You are my soulfinder.'

'I am? But… how?'

'The gods decided it, not me.' He said, grabbing my hands. He pulled me towards him so that his legs were either side of me. He held my hands in his and smiled at me. 'I should have realised sooner but it was only when you heard me in the battle and then you spoke to me and you lit my world up like a million tiny fairy lights. And then I realised that perhaps that was why things always felt so right with you… because you were my soulfinder, my other half.'

'This all sounds so… so strange.' I admitted, my head spinning at the thought. Soulmates? Soulfinders? Why did they exist? And did that mean that savants had no choice who they ended up with?

'I know, I can understand that.' He said, softly, 'and I am prepared to give you as much time as you need. If when the two weeks is up, you are still not certain then I can wait… I can find an excuse… just know that I will be waiting for you until you are ready, my love. I am yours and I will always be.'

'Zed… if you were looking for a soulfinder… someone to speak telepathically too, then why not just do it?' I asked him. 'You would've found out so much sooner.'

'I agreed with my parents that I'd let nature take its course,' he ran a hand through his hair, nervously. 'And we wanted a way to distract the country from rebellion and a possible uprising… watching me fall in love, slowly and not instantly thanks to telepathy, was something they hoped would distract the public. There are many times, however, that I nearly gave in, out of curiosity and out of pure selfishness.'

'And if you hadn't found your soulfinder?'

'Must we worry about that?' He asked and his eyes sparkled as they met mine. 'When I have?' A slow smile returned to his face and my heart thudded at the sight; I was the reason he was smiling. Sky Bright from Whitebridge. 'You're my soulfinder, my princess, you are mine.'

'Even if I do not need you to slay my dragons for me?'

He smiled at that, 'sometimes the most dangerous woman of all is the one who refuses to rely on your sword to save her because she carries her own.'

'The public love you!' Abby sang two days later as my morning wake-up call. She practically danced into my room holding a newspaper and a magazine. The pictures of Zed and I from the photoshoot were there and I couldn't hide the smile that filled my face. The photos with the other girls were very posed and suitable for a postage stamp, but in ours we were laughing and we looked genuinely happy. And it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Me and my soulfinder, the soulmate the Gods had chosen for me. It seemed bizarre and also scary, but at the same time it felt… right.

'You make a lovely couple.' Chloe said.

'We do,' I nodded, running my fingers over the photographs. 'Will you cut these out and add them to my mirror?' I asked, signalling to the frame I had been filling with photographs of friends and family.

'Do you want to read what the press are saying?' Abby asked and my stomach flipped.

'Is it good?' I asked, nervously.

'Lady Sky has proven herself to be incredibly brave and caring towards fellow contestants and the Royal family over the last two months. A palace insider says that Lady Sky treats her maids like dear friends and that she is very supportive of the other contestants. She also fought the rebels who attacked the palace, earning herself a poisoned wound as a result. Lady Sky does not boast and her modesty shines through like a real lady.' Abby read. 'It's all very positive.'

'Good.' I nodded as I slipped my feet into my slippers and tied my robe around myself.

'Hopefully the prince will read this.' Chloe said. 'It might help him make his decision… although I've heard he already has.'

'Oh?' I kept a straight face as I unplaited my hair.

'Emmica said that he's been designing an engagement ring with some of the other designers.'

'Designing?' I widened my eyes. 'An engagement ring?'

'She wouldn't say what it looks like though,' Chloe continued. 'Apparently it's all confidential and all that.' She took my hairband from me. 'But I think you're his favourite.'

'I am.' I said quietly and both of my maids turned to look at me.

'Spill.' Abby said.

'He wants to end the selection,' I told them. 'But I need a little time with everything that's happened… it's all just so fast.'

'Oh my goodness!' Abby and Chloe squealed in unison.

'You can't tell anyone though.' I urged them. 'Our secret like many of the others before?'

'Absolutely miss.' Abby nodded. 'Now let's get our future princess washed and dressed for the day.'