AN: I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas! I'll try and upload one more chapter before the end of 2017!

It was Christmas Day. Christmas Day and I had spent an hour watching people being whipped, watching their skin split and hearing their cries and pleads for mercy ringing around the palace. I had vomited when I had finally got back to my room. Those people who had been punished had only tried to protect their families. They'd stolen a loaf of bread or two or had traded things that were classed as illegal, only to provide food and shelter for those they loved. And it made me feel sick. There had been a time when Sally and Simon were almost that desperate. Almost, but not quite. But I knew they would have stolen food for me if they had needed to because that's what families did. They looked after each other. They did not force their daughters to watch innocents being whipped until they bled. When Arkane had excused me, I had run back to my rooms as fast as I could and had emptied my stomach of the breakfast I had eaten that morning. Jamila had said nothing as she had held back my hair and rubbed my back and when I'd excused her so that I could nap, she'd dragged Amina away with her.

I couldn't sleep though. I'd spent my two hours of peace and quiet sobbing uncontrollably, ruining my make-up and hair and staining the freshly laundered satin sheets with my tears. How could a country be so cruel? How could it punish those who struggled for money? Yes, there was equality back home but it wasn't this bad, was it?

The door opened without a knock and I glared and let out a low hiss as Azriel walked in, carefree and with a relaxed face. He closed it behind him with a thud, 'Good afternoon, Your Highness.'

'Don't call me that.' I hissed. 'I don't want anything to do with this country.'

He sighed and placed a platter of fruit and bread on the desk in the corner before taking in my appearance, 'You look like hell.'

'Go away.' I said bitterly.

'That's not the Christmas Spirit.'

'I command you to go away.'

'You command me?' He laughed softly.

'If I'm the princess then you should be listening to my orders.'

'You're being ridiculous.' He told me and I narrowed my eyes again as he leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

'Were you not there in the throne room two hours ago?' I asked. 'How can you want anything to do with this place?'

'Unfortunately that is not uncommon,' His cocky grin vanished and he frowned. 'I've already told you how I feel about the laws in this country in regards to punishment and there is only one way that it will change.' His eyes darkened as they met mine and I glanced away. 'And currently the only hope we have at change in this god-awful place looks like she were dragged through the desert by an ankle.' I let out a low growl and he gave a small smile. 'At least you're angry, it means you still feel something.' He pushed himself off of the wall. 'I'll see you at the parade.' He walked towards the door but paused before he reached it. 'Think about what I said, Your Highness.' He was gone as swiftly as he arrived in my chamber.

The parade and party being held for me was enough to make my stomach churn again. It took four hours for Jamila and Amina to be happy with how I looked. I bathed in the lotus-flower bath for almost an hour of that time and then my hair was dried and styled in a curled half-updo with a tiara of red rubies pinned into it. My right hand and arm was painted with a special golden dye that wound around my skin in lotus flowers and stars and golden cuffs and bracelets decorated both of my arms. I wore a deep red crop top covered with golden embroidery and gems hanging from the hem just above my waist and a matching red skirt that fell low on my hips. A red sheer wrap draped across one shoulder did not cover my modesty, not did it cover the sparkly gem that had been stuck through my bellybutton and was still causing it to throb. A belly button piercing was something I had never imagined having but Amina had told me Prince Arkane had insisted and it was something that all noble girls in the country had. And I hadn't had the energy to argue.

I hardly recognised myself as I looked at the red and gold-clad girl in my reflection in the mirror. Even with the golden shoes on my feet, with the stars that reminded me of home, I looked nothing like the girl from Aldheim or from Ascot or even the girl who had grown up in Whitesbridge. My eyes burned with tears and Jamila tutted.

'No tears!' She said in her thick accent. 'You cannot ruin the make-up!' She swotted away my hands as I tried to touch my eyes and I tucked my hands into my lap as I bit my tongue, fighting the tears. The make-up had taken nearly an hour in itself so I knew why she was frustrated. She'd had to ignore my sniffs and sobs as she had covered my eyelids with some sparkly shadow and had thickened my lashes with some product before covering my cheeks with something that added sparkle and sheen and my lips with a deep red colour. I was a jewel or gem to show off, I realised.

'Your Highness, are you ready?' A guard said as he appeared in the doorway with a bow. He gave my outfit a once-over I realised and smiled as I blushed.

'As I'll ever be.'

I was led to the entrance hall at the front of the palace and through the gaps in the shuttered windows, I could see crowds already lining the street and facing the front door. Facing the room I was stood in as were many dancers and musicians in their best outfits, most of which were colour-coordinated to each other. I glanced around, looking for any sign of the Prince or King but they were nowhere to be seen.

'In their seats, ready to watch the whole performance.' A familiar voice said and I turned as Azriel strode towards me dressed in gold with red embroidery. He pointed through the gap in the window and I spotted the Prince and King, ready on their raised platform, sat behind a table filled with food and golden goblets and jugs. There was an empty chair to Prince Arkane's right and I knew it was waiting for me. I turned back around as Azriel's eyes trailed across my body and then back up to my face. 'You look gorgeous by the way.'

I wasn't sure I wanted the compliment. I avoided his gaze and watched as dancers stepped into place and musicians tuned their instruments.

'I should get to my seat,' Azriel bowed. 'See you out there, Your Highness.' And then he disappeared into the shadows, as if he were a shadow himself.

Zed.

The city centre was packed, perhaps more packed than I'd ever seen Ascot or maybe it felt busier and more cramped because of the unbearable heat. How did men wear trousers and tunics like this on a regular basis? And how did the women cope with fabric scarves draped across their skin or over their heads? With my four days worth of facial hair and my scruffy hair, I was sure I was almost unrecognisable, especially in Silvanian attire. The palace stood before me, looming over us all dangerously, creating a haunting shadow over me and the citizens of the country. They all chatted amongst themselves, most curious and most excited as they spoke quickly in their thick Southern accents. A lost princess returning was all they seemed to speak about and my stomach churned at the words that would taste like ash in my mouth if I spoke them myself. She was a lost princess in one respect and one only; she was my lost princess. My lost bride. My lost soulfinder. But where was she?

My dry eyes scanned the crowds where noble and poor people gathered, their outfits very different from one another, and I spotted guards woven between them, all with a royal crest embroidered onto their clothing. They were armed too with spears at their sides and swords in holsters on their belts and I had no doubt that some of them were savants. I kept searching and came across a podium where a group of men sat at a table, all clearly noble from their attire. They drank from their golden goblets and laughed together as the last man, who must have been a similar age to myself, sat down. He ran a hand nervously through his dark hair and I didn't miss the awkwardness of his stance before he relaxed into his seat with a completely blank face. I raised a bow and continued my search, stopping on another podium, one which was sheltered with red curtains either side. Two men sat on wooden seats resembling thrones and drank from their goblets as they laughed together. From the heavy guard presence and the silver hair, I had no doubt who they were; Prince Arkane and King Caspian. I narrowed my eyes at the two men who seemed so carefree and joyous as I resisted the growl attempting to fight its way out.

Suddenly, music started up and drew my attention away from the Royals and to the steps of the palace. The doors had opened and a band were now sat to the right of the steps on a raised platform. They held some familiar instruments, but some stringed instruments I had never seen before and traditional Silvanian music filled the air as people in the crowd smiled appreciatively at the slow, winding notes. Through the open doors danced eight girls dressed in white and gold, with beading and coins hanging from their costumes as they danced around in time to the beat and the whole thing was almost mesmerising. They moved in perfect unison with entrancing movements that would have set Zed from a year ago on fire. But now… Yes, it was impressive, but none of them were Sky. I watched as the dancers made their way into a single-file line and their hands and arms moved at different angles and then they burst away from their line, one after the other in a blur of gold chiffon fabric. And then my breath caught in my throat.

Some of the people around me gasped. Others cheered. Others waved their country's flag. For there, stood on their stage for the whole crowd to see, was my soulfinder. She was dressed in red, the colour I had always loved seeing her in during The Selection process, and from where I stood I could see the midriff and the sparkling gems on her outfit, including on the tiara on her head. Her face was blank, serious, as she moved in time to the music, in the middle of the girls as they danced a rehearsed routine together. She didn't look at the crowd. In fact, she didn't look at anything or anyone in particular as she moved through the steps, twisting her painted hands and moving her hips, her gold slipper-clad feet moving with perfect grace.

'Isn't she the girl engaged to that Scandi prince?' Someone said behind me.

'She was in the papers.'

'Perhaps she'll marry a nice Silvanian man.'

I clenched my fists at my sides and gritted my teeth. Breaking through the crowd was not part of the plan, I reminded myself. I had to do this carefully or I would never see my soulfinder again.

Sky.

It wasn't easy ignoring the thousands of people crowding the front of the palace, watching me dance. Some were cheering and looked overjoyed, others looked uncertain and were probably waiting for me to mess up. The councilmen sat on their podium, drinking and nodding, most smiling at me and on the opposite side of the stage sat the Prince and King, watching me completely expressionless. With every move, the grapes Jamila had forced down my throat as she'd got me ready threatened to reappear and I tried to ignore Amberle's narrowed eyes from where she stood at the bottom of the steps watching us. We moved into our last positions and danced in perfect unison before the girls crouched down in a circle around me, finishing the routine on their knees as they looked up at me. My arms shook as I held them outwards and I prayed people couldn't tell. The girls scattered away as the crowd applauded and cheered as I made my way to the podium where my father and grandfather were waiting. They both were on their feet, applauding with expressionless faces and I swallowed as I walked towards them, aware that thousands of pairs of eyes were watching me carefully. I reached the front of the podium and curtsied to them, a low, strong curtsy. When I straightened up, they each bowed to me and a small smile appeared on the Prince's lips. Well, he was pleased then. They signalled to the empty seat as the musicians began to play again and I took my place, sitting down as a goblet of wine was poured for me. I took a big sip as Azriel's eyes met mine from his space across the seat and he raised his cup slightly, as if toasting to me.

The parade lasted for about an hour and citizens of Silvania watched as the best dancers, fire dancers and acrobats moved through their streets with the musicians. Even those less fortunate, in scraps, seemed to be looking the entertainment and some sang along to songs they knew as others danced and I watched as small children pushed their way to the front to watch the performers pass them. When the performance was eventually over, people moved away to celebrate in their own way, whilst we headed into the palace ballroom.

Musicians were already waiting for us when we arrived and servants led us to the Royal booth, which was heavily guarded by the guards I recognised from the throne room. Prince Arkane lounged across his chaise longue comfortably, whilst I sat on the edge of mine anxiously. The King had already excused himself, going to mingle with the guests, and that left me alone with my father. Outside our curtained booth, nobles moved around talking and dancing and drinking and smoking herbal things like I'd seen in the bar a few days previously.

'Relax,' My father drawled in his thick accent, 'This is all for you.'

'Is that supposed to make me feel better?' I asked but he ignored my comment as he looked at my outfit.

'I didn't buy you those shoes.'

I tucked my feet under my long skirt. 'They were a gift.'

'Oh?' A sly smile crept across his face and it was my time to ignore him.

I reached for my goblet of wine and took a big sip, hoping maybe I could consume enough to be sent back to my rooms. It was probably easily done; the wine was annoyingly delicious.

'Is your tiara to your liking?' His eyes were on the top of my head, 'I can send it back or have a new one made if you dislike it.'

'It's fine.' I moved to stand up, goblet of wine in my hand, but his voice stopped me.

'You did well out there,' He said. 'I think you'll fit right in, my darling.'

I didn't give him the joy of a response. Instead, I slipped out of the curtained booth and into the party, which was equally as terrifying. Dancers in tiny coined fringed skirts and tops little more than bras danced around the room and drunk noblemen watched with pleased smiles. Some men and women sat by the pipes, arms draped lazily around each other. I tensed as I wondered if I could escape unnoticed. I spotted a new of the councilmen across the room, Azriel's father included, and they watched me with wary, judging eyes. No, it was too early to be able to escape. Not enough wine had been poured.

'Your Highness!' Two girls cooed as they appeared in front of me. They both curtsied and, from their outfits of blue and green, I could tell they were from a noble family. They were covered with jewels from their necks to their ankles and they too had jewellery decorating their belly buttons. One was a similar height to me, the other a fair bit taller, but they both had thick, dark hair, which had been pulled into a stylish updo.

'I'm Katilya but you can call me Kat,' The shorter one said.

'And I'm Xena,' The taller added. They both grinned at me, their hands held out, waiting for mine. I shook their hands reluctantly.

'Princess Sky,' I said, trying to ignore the taste of ash in my mouth when I said it.

'Our father is Lord Omar,' Kat signalled to a man I recognised as one of the councilmen. He wasn't watching us because he was busy talking to a woman I assumed was their mother. 'How are you finding your country?'

'It's beautiful isn't it?' Xena beamed, not letting me reply. Her sister elbowed her in the waist and they narrowed their eyes at each other before turning to me with big grins again. 'Have you been to the desert yet?'

'I can't say I have.' I replied.

'We have to take you. There's this spa at the oasis and it's to die for. Seriously, the most tranquil place in the country and the best masseuses and the natural mud is really good for your skin.' Xena grinned and I tried not to wince at her enthusiasm.

I took a sip of my wine and it was automatically filled up by a nearby server.

'Hello ladies,' A voice purred and Kat and Xena visibly swooned.

'Azriel,' Kat breathed, 'How are you?'

'I'm very well, and yourself?' Azriel replied smoothly and I found myself rolling my eyes. The girls didn't notice, but the corners of Azriel's mouth twitched as if he were perfectly aware of my facial expression without even looking.

'Excellent,' She sighed, 'Just excellent.'

'You're drooling sister,' Xena said and her sister narrowed her eyes at her once more.

'Would you like to dance, Your Highness?' Azriel asked, holding out his hand. Both girls turned their attention back to me, eyes wide.

'Of course,' I said, more to escape the irritating twins than anything else. He led me to where people were dancing, not in a waltz or a tango but dancing how I had on the stage outside, without even touching their dance partner. I almost sighed with relief at not having to stand close to him. We wove in and out of the other dancers in time to the music as I rehearsed steps I'd performed earlier that evening in my head before doing them. I was surprised how quickly I had become a confident dancer.

'You're welcome,' Azriel said with a grin and I raised an eyebrow. 'For saving you.'

'Saving me? When you came along they were far more interested in you.'

'Can you blame them?' A teasing smile, which would have been Zed's response too. My smile faded and Azriel's smile went too. 'The shoes look nice.' He said. 'They match your outfit.'

'They do,' I replied. 'How did you-'

'Royal colours,' He explained, signalling to the curtains and other decorations in the room. 'Red and gold have been the royal colours for a long time.'

'Thank you for letting me have a piece of home with me.' I said quietly and he gave me a small smile.

'Come with me,' He held out his arm and I raised an eyebrow.

'Where?'

He moved his mouth close to my ear, 'I'm getting you out of here.' He paused as he glanced around, 'If you leave with me, no one will follow or question… besides, your father seems to be quite busy.' I didn't need to turn my head to know the girls who had been eyeing him up had probably clambered into the booth beside him. I shuddered at the thought.

I took Azriel's arm and let him lead me away from the party and up a staircase. Azriel led me onto a small balcony that overlooked the city and the streets the parade had taken place on earlier. I sighed as I looked out at the lit taverns and homes in front of me.

'Goodnight, Your Highness.' He said before he left me to my own thoughts, disappearing into the shadows before I could even thank him.

I looked around and smiled slightly when I realised I was alone. No guards. No servants. No irritating noble girls. I glanced up at the sky, looking at the stars that were visible, shining lights on a black canvas. I wondered if somewhere, Zed was watching the same stars too.

'But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious.'

Zed.

I froze at the sound of the familiar singing voice that filled the air as I walked towards the tavern I booked a room at, just a stone's throw away from the palace. I turned my head and glanced up at the palace, spotting only a silhouette on the balcony. Sky.

Her voice sounded sad and as I glanced up at the lost princess, my soulfinder, I prayed that maybe she could see me too.