AN: Llamaaacorn I'm still a teacher, yes, but like to cosplay on the side! Being a teacher is definitely rewarding and I do enjoy it a lot, but it's very tough work and it's more of a life choice than just a job really! I've been teaching five years now and have only just started getting the work-life balance right and it's tough, but if you're willing to work hard then you'll be fine!

Sorry for the chapter delay folks! I've spent the whole weekend in Cosplay- Live action Belle at a con on Saturday and then three photo shoots as Rapunzel. I got home super late last night and then had to be up at 6am for work today! Currently about to crawl into bed. I'm PrincessLuceiaCosplay on instagram if anyone wants to see pictures. The sleepover shoot, University shoot and Harry Potter shoot pictures will be posted soon!

We hardly slept that night, even with Amelie and I laying side-by-side with a sword either side of us, placed on the bedside tables and ready to be used. When Abby and Chloe came by the following morning, neither of us told them why we were sharing a bed, nor did we tell them what we had found out that night. They didn't pry and we let them bathe and dress us, trying to disguise our bags under our eyes with plenty of make-up.

'I'm going to go into town,' Amelie announced after breakfast. 'I'd like to pick up some fabric for the ball. Would you like to come?'

I shook my head, 'no thank you.'

She gave a small nod before heading out of the doors, with two of the castle guards flanking her and Abby at her side. She was my Lady in Waiting now and was therefore entitled to some extra protection.

'You look like hell,' Rowan drawled as he walked into the music room that morning. I was sat at the piano in my usual leather pants, blouse and corset combo.

I narrowed my eyes at the white-haired man in front of me. 'Not in the mood, Captain.' I told him and his eyes and posture softened as something resembling concern danced around him in a light turquoise aura.

'Are you in the mood for gifts?' He asked and I raised an eyebrow. 'You'll like them, I think.'

'I do not need any gifts from you.' I replied.

'But you do,' He smiled. He placed two packages wrapped in brown paper onto the piano. One was a long, thin box and the other was a large square-shaped one.

'It's not my birthday nor is it Winter Solstice yet.'

He rolled his eyes, 'Most girls are excited to receive gifts.' He pushed the packages towards me. 'Stop being so dramatic and open them.'

I sighed and reached for the long package. I opened it carefully, well aware that Rowan was watching me with his emerald-coloured eyes. The paper came off easily, but the box was slightly more challenging. I opened it with a tug and gasped at the contents. Inside was a silver sword sheath, decorated with engravings of stars and moons and the Royal Crest. I spotted a sword's hilt poking out of the top and I gawped at the sapphires and aquamarines decorating the hilt. A silver royal crest was in the middle of the hilt and stars had been moulded around it, the symbol of Aldheim. With caution, I pulled the sword out of the sheath, surprised by how light it felt. I held it in my hand, turning it over carefully as I admired the shiny metal, a far better upgrade than the sword I had been using.

'The Royal Guard's blacksmith has been working on this over the last two days,' Rowan said and I looked up to meet his eyes, 'It's silver and platinum and it should be easy to swing as it's a lightweight design.'

'It's beautiful.' I said and he smiled.

'Open the other package.' He tapped the larger box and I carefully placed the sword on the piano, reaching for the other package. I opened it carefully again and inside was a breastplate of armour; a silver almost-corset piece with whorls and swirls and stars hugging the armour and spiralling over where my shoulders would be and across my hips too. The silver armour was curved and feminine and white tulle fell over either hip, making it more girly.

'It's lightweight, again,' He said as I lifted it carefully, 'and sturdy stuff. Should be blade and arrow-proof.'

'I'm not sure I've seen girly armour before.' I said and he simply smiled.

'A princess shouldn't wear armour like the rest of us.' He said and his eyes bore into mine. 'Why don't we test them out?'

I didn't hesitate. Within ten minutes, I was in the courtyard wearing my armour over my blouse and my sword was tucked into its sheath on a leather belt Chloe had found me. With my hair braided back and the silver starry circlet Chloe had insisted I wore, I looked like a warrior princess and it was clear I looked the part; guards bowed as I passed them in the courtyard and when I finally reached Rowan, he lowered himself into a bow before I could object.

'My princess,' He said with his head bent.

'My lady.' I corrected him but he shook his head as he slowly rose.

'You are definitely a Princess, Sky, even if the title is not yet official.' His eyes met mine with an intense stare and I swallowed, breaking eye contact.

'Thank you for the gifts.'

'Thank the blacksmith,' Rowan said with a smile. 'We could not let our princess be inadequately armed.'

I pulled my sword out of the sheath and Rowan did the same, holding his sword out in front of him as I stood in the correct stance for a duel. Rowan's body language reflected mine and he smirked as the guards in the courtyard turned their attention towards us with curiosity. Very few of them had seen me training before, but now that I looked the part, they seemed interested in what I could do. I stabbed towards him and Rowan ducked out of the way with excellent speed. Our swords met with a clash and I spun around him, moving with the greatest amount of speed I ever had in our training sessions. This sword was lighter than the one I was used to swinging and it allowed me to duck, dive and pivot with more precision than I had before. I moved my way through the training like a dance with perfect timing and choreography. And then my opportunity came. With a quick turn, I noticed Rowan was unguarded, his movement slightly behind mine and I lunged towards him. The tip of my blade tapped the armour in his stomach.

He let out a low whistle and held up his hands, dropping his own swords as the guards around us applauded. 'Nice work, Your Highness.' Rowan said to me with an impressed expression. I didn't bother correcting him. I wasn't a princess. Yet. I curtsied to him and my audience and slid my sword back into its sheath.

'I'm impressed.' Jade said as she moved to stand by me. 'Perhaps you don't need us after all.'

The scarred man drifted into my mind and my expression became solemn as I swallowed. I definitely still needed my guards, even if I had a sword and was pretty good at swinging it.

'Everything okay?' Rowan asked me, appearing in front of me.

I nodded but he raised an eyebrow, not believing my lie.

The castle gates to the left of us opened swiftly and guards stood to attention as my hand automatically moved to the hilt of my sword. I noted that Rowan, Jade and Theo did the same. A horse was ridden through the gates and my eyes widened as I spotted Zed atop his horse. His hair was dishevelled but he looked unharmed and I released a brief I didn't know I was holding. I ran towards my fiancé as he dismounted his horse and as his feet touched the ground, I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist and pressing my lips firmly to his.

Zed held me against him, kissing me back and smiling against my lips. 'Hello beautiful,' He murmured, for just us to hear.

'I missed you,' I told him and his eyes sparkled.

'I missed you too,' He kissed me again and goosebumps spread across my body as my heart fluttered in my chest. His right hand moved to the sheath attached to my belt and he held the hilt of my sword. 'Where did you get this?' I slid to the floor as he pulled out the blade and inspected it carefully.

'It was a gift from the blacksmith,' I replied and he glanced over my shoulder. I knew where he was looking before I'd even turned my head. The Captain approached us and I moved to stand at Zed's side as both men glanced at each other.

'Your Highness,' Rowan bowed to the Lord of Aldheim, his leader and Prince.

'Captain Thornbern.' Zed tilted his head in a nod, something which was not quite a bow. 'You gave my fiancée a sword?'

'Your fiancée just beat me in a duel.' Rowan said as his eyes flicked to meet mine.

Zed's head turned to look at me, 'You did?'

'Captain Thornbern has been training me,' I replied. 'Only, I needed a sword and some armour so the blacksmith welded me some.'

'Why am I not surprised?' Zed rolled his eyes and then laughed, a sound I had missed. 'Still determined to fight dragons.'

'There are plenty that need slaying.' I said, my words more truthful than ever.

'Wait until my brothers hear you now know how to use a sword.' Zed murmured. 'I will never hear the end of it.'

'Not when they hear I've beat you in a duel,' I challenged and Zed raised his eyebrows.

'Oh really?' A crooked smile appeared on his face.

'Really.' I challenged as he threw me my sword and I caught the hilt with ease.

'Can we duel later?' Zed asked as he ran a muddy hand through his hair. 'I would really like a bath.'

Although I had felt tempted to sit beside the bath whilst he washed, catching up and kissing him and cleaning his messy hair, I bathed myself in Amelie's bathroom and then Chloe styled my hair into smooth curls as I dressed in an outfit I hoped would catch Zed's attention; I'd chosen a black halterneck dress with cut-out waist, paired with heels and my star circlet. It was definitely an Aldheim fashion statement. I lifted the skirt as I carefully walked down the stairs but I hesitated at the sound of voices.

'There was no sign of the bastard,' Zed's voice growled and a growl came from someone else in the room.

'You should've let me come with you.' Rowan replied, claiming the growl as his own.

'I needed you here for Sky,' Zed said, 'I need her safe.'

'I don't think she needs protecting,' Rowan scoffed, 'or even wants protection.'

'She might be trained but I need my soulfinder safe, do you understand?'

'Yes, Your Highness.' Rowan replied. 'But you must find him and he must die for what he did to my father and all those other innocents.'

Him? I swallowed. We weren't thinking of the same person, were we? Despite my shaking legs, I walked down the rest of the stairs and into the living room. Both men turned their heads to look at me at the conversation immediately stopped as they got to their feet. Zed's eyes scanned my body as he gawped whilst Rowan stood with a smirk on his face.

'I think it's time I headed back to the barracks.' Rowan said, excusing himself. 'Your Highnesses.' He bowed his head and walked out of the room, leaving Zed's eyes still trained on me.

'What is that?' He asked, his voice hoarse.

'The dress?' I did a slow twirl, aware that he was watching me. 'A little Aldheim fashion. You didn't tell me that people here dressed differently.' I fluttered my eyelashes in a playful manner as I walked towards Zed, purposely swinging my hips as I walked towards him.

'Lady Evelyn would not approve.' Zed's voice was low.

'But do you?' I gazed up at him with what I hoped was an innocent expression and his eyes burnt into mine.

'There was a reason I did not tell you about Aldheim fashion,' he said before grabbing my bare hips and pulling me tightly against him. He pressed his lips to mine in a passionate kiss and I melted into his embrace as his warm hands sparked against my bare skin. He tilted my head to gain better access as his lips moved against mine, sending fireworks shooting through my body. My cheeks felt flushed as I ran my hands over his tunic-covered chest, suddenly wishing he was shirtless so that I could trace the details of his tattoo again.

Suddenly, Zed swooped me off my feet and was carrying me like I weighed nothing at all. 'What are you doing?' I squealed in surprise at the broken kiss.

'Holding my fiancée hostage,' He murmured, carrying me out of the room and up the stairs. He carried me into our bedroom and kicked the door shut behind him before placing me on my feet and leaning his body against mine so that I was pressed against the door. 'Privacy… much better.' He whispered as he leaned his head towards mine. 'You can take off my tunic now if you'd like.' He smirked and I blushed. He'd been in my head again. I really needed to learn how to shield.

Nonetheless, I reached for the buttons of his tunic and unbuttoned them carefully as my lips crashed into his again. Fire burnt through my as my fingers removed the tunic and then the shirt and I only broke lip contact to pull his undershirt over his head. It fell to the floor and Zed smiled down at me as I returned my lips to his and ran my fingers over his bare chest and back. He shivered under my touch as I moved down his spine and I smiled into the kiss, backing him up towards the bed. He sank down to the mattress and I straddled him as his hands brushed against my bare hips and then across my bare back. I moved my lips to plant kisses across his face and his neck and shoulders, even kissing my way across his tattoo. Zed shivered under my touch and I smiled as I kissed back up his neck and then his face, planting kisses on the corners of his mouth but not on his lips.

'Tease,' he groaned and I smiled down at him but then he flipped me over so that he was above me, pressing lips to my own neck. My breath caught in my throat as he moved along it and my heart thudded so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest.

'Now who's the tease?' I whispered, my voice hoarse. He smiled, placing a hand on my bare hip and stroking it gently.

'You wearing these clothes makes it very difficult for me to be a gentleman,' He murmured.

'So don't be,' I challenged and he swallowed as his eyes scanned my body again.

'Sky-' His voice was husky and I resisted swooning.

'We're engaged.' I reminded him. 'I am your soulfinder and I am going to be your wife.'

His eyes sparkled as they met mine again and a slow smile crept across his face, 'Which is exactly why we should take things slow. I fear you would only regret it if we rushed things.' He pressed his lips to mine again, the kiss gentler and less passionate this time but it was still enough to make the hairs on my head stand on end as his fingers brushed against my hips.

'Sky, I'm back!' An interrupting voice called from the other side of the bedroom door.

Zed froze as he looked down at me with a raised eyebrow, 'Why is Amelie in our home?'

'Funny story…' I gave him a sheepish grin. 'Amelie is my new Lady in Waiting.'

'So basically, once again, Sky has saved my life.' Amelie said over dinner that evening. Zed sat opposite Amelie and I and glanced between the two of us as Amelie explained just how she had ended up in Aldheim and how she had ended up becoming my new Lady in Waiting. He took a sip of his wine as Amelie beamed at me. 'I sent word to my father this afternoon about my new position and to tell him I would not be returning.' She paused and looked back at Zed. 'I have a feeling he won't take it very well.'

'Your father would not argue with the Royal Family, I hope.' Zed said, 'considering we provided a new home for your family.'

'Of course he wouldn't,' Amelie replied. 'He's stupid but not that stupid.'

'Well welcome to our court, Lady Amelie.' Zed raised his glass in a toast. 'Aldheim- a court of stars.'

'Stars?' Amelie asked with a glance at me. 'I like it.'

'As do I,' Zed smiled, 'I assume you will be helping us prepare for our Winter Solstice party?'

'Of course,' She nodded, 'it's the most important time of the year.'

'Exactly.' Zed sat back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. He looked exhausted and I wasn't surprise. He'd been riding for a day and a half to return to our court and he'd not yet filled me in on what he'd been doing on his mission. 'The party planners are coming tomorrow to share their ideas so far. I will need you both in attendance if we are to make this party as successful as the ones my mother has thrown in the past.' My stomach twisted with butterflies at the thought; living up to the standard Queen Karla had set was going to be hard, especially when Winter Solstice was the most-celebrated holiday of the year. Most people came to the most Northern court to join in with the festivities outside of the castle- the ice-skating, the gift-giving, carols, the winter market and to dance under the meteor shower that passed overhead. The Nobles would be invited to the annual party held in Aldheim castle and Queen Karla had previously organised the whole thing but, now that Zed was eighteen and living in the castle full-time, it was his responsibility and that would be shared with me.

My head was still spinning when we headed to bed that night, slightly earlier than usual but mainly because Zed was falling asleep in his armchair. After washing and changing into my nightgown, I returned to find Zed already lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. The silk sheets were around his ankle, showing his bare chest and sleep shorts. I tried to ignore the heat flushing in my cheeks as I walked towards the bed. Zed's deep blue eyes moved to meet mine and then they swept across my body, taking in my nightgown. I bit my lip as he watched me climb into bed beside him and I pulled the sheets to cover our bodies.

'I'm surprised you're still awake,' I said softly as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.

'I was thinking,' he replied and I tilted my head.

'Penny for your thoughts?'

'You look irritatingly sexy in that nightgown,' he whispered in his velvety voice and I swallowed before shaking my head.

'That's not what you were thinking about,' I replied. 'Tell me, what happened when you were away?'

'I do not wish to worry you.'

'Please,' I pleaded, my eyes meeting his, 'I need to hear it… I'm your fiancée.'

'That you are,' He smiled, bringing my left hand to my lips and kissing the finger just below the ring. 'We heard of a rebel attack several hours North of Ascot.' He tensed and he squeezed my hand. 'My brothers and I thought that perhaps we could sneak in and arrest them but… we were too late. They had already destroyed a village.' He looked down, unable to meet my gaze.

'Was it the same group that attacked the palace?' I asked.

'Yes,' he choked out, his voice sad. 'We are not sure what they are calling themselves but they seem to be led by the same man.'

'The man who killed Rowan's father.' I said and Zed's eyes widened. 'Rowan told me yesterday that his father was killed.' I explained. 'That he was killed when Rowan was only three years old.'

Zed gave a nod, 'We were not sure it was him at first as there were no witnesses to the murder but over the years things added up… Prince Arkane of Silvania always disliked our country especially as his Great Grandfather went to war with us in an attempt to take our country as his own. Do you remember that from your history lessons?'

I thought back to my time at school and nodded, 'That was how the country ended up split into different provinces and courts.'

Zed gave a grim nod, 'We are still not sure why he killed Lord Thornbern but the way the life was drained from his body… we know now that it must have been him.'

I shuddered, 'So why is Prince Arkane still out there?'

'We cannot enter his country and he should not be able to enter ours.' Zed murmured.

I thought back to school. 'The treaty?'

'The treaty,' Zed clenched his teeth. 'But somehow his men are getting in and causing havoc. We thought all of the protests were people rebelling against the lack of equality but now we believe it is his doing. Prince Arkane's men are trying to destroy our monarchy by turning our people against us and against each other.'

I thought of the scarred man from my dreams and tensed. Was he Prince Arkane? If he was, why was he after me? I wasn't a powerful asset… my abilities were nothing compared to his.

'I want to help,' I said to Zed and he sighed.

'I am not sure how much you can do, my love.'

'Take me with you next time you go.' I told him and he flinched.

'If something happened to you-'

'I can handle myself, Zed.' I assured him. 'Please, don't leave me waiting around in a tower like a damsel in distress again.'

'I need you safe,' his eyes clouded over, 'If something happened-'

'So you keep saying,' I moved myself closer to him. 'But surely I'm safest with you.'

'Sky-'

'No, Zed.' I frowned at him and he flinched at my expression. 'When you asked me to marry me, you knew that I wasn't the kind of girl that sits around waiting for her man to come home.' Despite the fear filling my veins, I took a deep breath before I spoke the next part, 'I want to help you hunt down Prince Arkane.'

'He is dangerous.' He said, his voice hoarse as his eyes met mine.

'But so are we.' I replied and he gave a nod as our fingers intertwined.

'So are we.'