I should let me FFN readers know that I have a new original story on Fictionpress called 'Bride of Darkness.' It is under EarthFae, same as on this site. I have two chapters so far and I hope you might enjoy it and leave a review, it you would.

Gabrielle could still not believe she was in a royal suite, but she was. She had enjoyed her bath that night and the soaps and perfumes that had been in the washroom. She found a nightgown that was made of a soft material that she did not recognize Later, when a maid came with her dinner she was shocked by the amount of food.

"I can't eat all that." She had told the maid. She was use to small meals and not even regular three meals a day, somedays she just ate breakfast and nothing else.

"But, what will I do with this extra food?" Asked the maid. Gabrielle thought for a moment and then picked up a plate from the tray. She left the dessert and meat alone.

"Take the rest back to the kitchen and share it among the staff." She told the maid. The maid looked shocked and didn't say anything for a moment.

"Yes, I am." She shut the door, before the maid could argue more. That night she slept in the softest bed in her life and woke up to the bell toll. She wanted to sleep in, but decided against it and left her comfortable bed and made it out of habit. Last night she had discovered the rooms closet held many beautiful and court worthy dresses. However, she decided not to wear them and dress in the plainer dresses that had been given to her yesterday. She put on the pink one today, it had the same white lacing as the previous yellow one.

Then she went to the vanity. She started to brush her blonde locks, as she noticed their was make-up on the vanity. She had applied plenty of make-up to her stepsisters, but however never to herself. Should she put some on? How would her stepsisters react, or the prince? She blushed at the thought of Prince Adrian noticing her wearing make-up. She finished brushing her hair and picked up the powder. Perhaps just a little bit. She carefully added a light powder and blush to her face. She added a light pink to her eyelids and as a final touch she added a peach color to her lips.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She was far from overdone, compared to the court ladies she had seen in the garden and Rosella. Still, perhaps she should wash it off. But, before she had the chance to think it over more, she heard a knock at the door. She rose from the vanity and opened it to see the maid from last night. She had her breakfast tray and once again it was too much. Gabrielle frowned.

"Is this too much?" Asked the Maid.

"Sorry, but it is...I am just not use to eating such big meals."

"I thought nobles had big appetites."

"Well, I haven't been noble for a long time." Gabrielle admitted. The maid looked at her with curiosity. Gabrielle wondered if she had given too much away. As Gabrielle, wondered what to say next to the maid, she heard soft footsteps. She looked over and gasped; the queen. She immediately bowed, and the maid followed suit.

"You may rise." The queen said, both of the girls rose.

"Good morning, your majesty." said Gabrielle, a bit nervously. The queen's hazel eyes scanned her and Gabrielle's nervousness grew.

"Good morning, Lady Gabrielle." returned the queen. "My husband was right. You certainly do resemble your mother." There was something in the queen's eyes that flickered for a moment, but Gabrielle couldn't name what it was.

"Thank you, your majesty." She meet Queen Alisha's eyes and smiled. The queen nodded,

"Well, good day." The queen then left them. She gave a breathe of relief, not knowing why the queen seemed to make her so nervous. She turned back to her maid and looked at the tray, taking what she wanted.

"Give the rest to the staff." She told the maid, and went back in. She finished her breakfast, now she was ready what should she do for the day. Gabrielle knew she should soon go see Estelle soon, but didn't want to right now. In the end, she decided to read more of Beauty. She was sitting on a soft couch in the parlor of the suite, when she heard a knock at the door. She gently closed her book and went to the door. She opened it to see the white haired prince. She gasped, but immediately bowed.

"Your highness, good morning." Oh, what did he want and in the morning? He gestured her to rise and she did so.

"Good morning, Lady Gabrielle." He took her hand and kissed it. She was a bit surprised at the sudden action, but didn't protest it. His pale blue eyes meet her green ones. He gave a smirk and suddenly, she felt like she had been caught in a hunter's trap.

"What is it that you want from me?" She asked, to fast to consider it rude from a minor noble to talk to a prince like this. He just gave a laugh.

"I would like your company this morning to judge my warriors." Gabrielle blinked,

"Judge your warriors?"

"Yes, see their competence in battle and such. I usually don't invite women to see it." He added.

"Yet, you are inviting me?" Gabrielle asked hesitantly.

"Yes." He responded, simply

"I have no interest in battle." She started to take a few steps backwards, "But thank you for inviting me." She hoped he would go away, but to her shock he suddenly graved her wrist and pulled her back toward him.

"I see you are a country bumpkin who knows little of the court." He whispered in her ear. She shivered at the feel of his breath on her neck. "But let me give you advice, Lady Gabrielle, you do refuse an invitation of royalty. Not if you want to survive in court." Gabrielle's mind came back to Annetta's warning; a pit of vipers.

"A pit of vipers." She said, softly.

"That's right." Answered Adrian, he was still holding her close and she could still feel his breathe on her neck.

"And the most poisonous one is by my neck." She stated, in a voice colder than usual. She did not see Prince Adrian's face, but she didn't have too. She knew he was grinning. He released her and she pulled back and confirmed his expressions was to her suspicions.

"You surprised me. For a girl who allowed herself to become a slave in her own household is starting to catch own quite well." He gave her a small clap. Despite not wanting too, she felt a small pride in surprising him, or at least stunning him for a moment.

He offered her his arm and she took it, feeling oddly brave. Then she looked him dead in the eye.

"Yes, I did allow myself to be a slave in my own house and you seem to love reminding me. I have lived many years under the fear of my stepmother. However, I refuse to live in fear of another. Even if that is the prince of war." When she finished, she wished she could stuff those words back into her mouth, she did not know where that had come from. She looked at the prince, expecting a warning glare, but instead he just grinned.

"Then I look forward to seeing that." He said. Gabrielle didn't know what to say and ended up not saying anything, as she was lead by the prince down the halls. She knew people would see her on the Prince's arms, but she couldn't be afraid of what others might due to her. She had to be brave. If she could walk among this viper pit and come out alive, then perhaps she could come back to her stepmother and demand not to be treated as a servant. Her green eyes widened, where had that thought come from. Had she really thought of standing up to Isodara? She couldn't even stand up to Rosella. Had being in this palace made her delusional...or perhaps braver. She didn't know

They passed down the seemingly endless halls in silence. She knew she caught a few looks from the guards, servants, and courtiers as they passed by. Well, why wouldn't they? She was a country bumpkin walking with the prince. She kept her face neutral as she continued to walk with the prince to their destination. Finally, they were lead to an outdoor area and she saw soldiers, knights, and guards preparing for battle. She caught a few curious looks and remember what Adrian said about not usually inviting women to these affairs.

He lead her to a covered area where several chairs were. He offered her a seat next to him and she took it without protest. Sitting down, she saw before her was a large stone arena. This must be were the fighting is held. Gabrielle started to notice the men started to gather around and prepare for the fighting. She heard the sounds of footsteps approaching to her right and turned to see a man in noble clothing. Gabrielle suspected he was not here for fighting and that was confirmed when he walked before the prince and bowed.

"Greetings, your highness."

"As to you, Lord Rosesmith." The man took a seat to the left of the prince, but Gabrielle's mind was whirling; Rosesmith. That was the family Annetta was from.

"I see you brought a beautiful young lady with you, your highness." Said Rosesmith.

"Indeed, I have." responded Adrian.

"Would you mind introducing her to me?" The Prince looked at her and said

"Lord Rosesmith this is Lady Gabrielle and Lady Gabrielle this is Anthony Rosesmith." Rosesmith looked at her and smirked, and Gabrielle wondered if she had another viper to deal with.

"Aw, Lady Gabrielle I believe you meet my sister, Annetta." Gabrielle gave a nod and Anthony laughed,

"You are as innocent looking as she said, but I am bit surprised to see you out here. I didn't take you for a woman who had a taste for watching battle." Before Gabrielle could say anything, the prince spoke.

"I invited Lady Gabrielle out here." He responded in a sharp tone, "She has never been here before and came on my invitation."

"Oh, I see." Anthony just smiled and didn't say anything else, as preparations for the battle began.

Soon they started, the clashing and the sound of metal rang throughout the air. The men were fighting hard and it seemed so difficult, as she saw blood. Gabrielle kept her face neutral not wanting to show any weakness at the sight of the fighting. She had been under Isodara for nearly a decade and she was no delicate flower. However, it seemed so harsh, though she could understand why the prince would enjoy such an activity. He was not called the prince of war, for no reason. Gabrielle took several glimpses of Adrian throughout and too her surprise she didn't see blood lust in his eyes, but a cold concentration. Like he was calculating the warrior's every move, looking for mistakes and weaknesses.

Lord Rosesmith seemed to confirm her theory, because every time he tried to talk to the prince; Adrian seemed annoyed, like he was interrupting his concentration. Soon Lord Rosesmith gave up on conversing with him and just sat back and watch the battle. Gabrielle never spoke a word as she watched the fights, that was until the very end.

At first she thought the matches were ending, but one of the largest and strongest warriors was not leaving the arena. He had his sword ready, pointing toward the crowd. He looked like he was waiting on someone. Then it happened a figure emerged from the crowd, but shorter and smaller than the rest. Selene gasped, it was a woman in armor, but her skin was dark.

Then she realized who it was, the black woman from yesterday. The one Annetta had said didn't belong there.

"A woman." Gabrielle let out a gasp. A woman in armor, but she was not armed with a sword, but a metal staff.

"Yes, a woman." Answered Adrian, she looked back to see the prince had a wicked grin on his face. What did this mean? She turned back, she had read of women warriors in stories, even knew a song about one. But to really see one. How could a little woman take on such a big man. Well she was about to see...

The two warriors stood before each other on the arena and then suddenly the male warrior raised his sword to strike the female one. Quicker, than the eye the woman raised her staff and blocked the sword. She held the staff with her two hands, as the sword bared down on it. The woman's knees buckled under the strength of her opponent. Gabrielle bit her lip, would she be over powered? But then, quicker than the eye, the woman suddenly pushed up, knocking him off balance and went to his side and in a lighting quick move she jabbed his shoulder. The man gave a cry in pain and dropped the sword. The woman didn't waste anytime and struck the man down with the staff across the jaw. There was a moment of silence before the man fell back and hit the arena floor. He had been knocked out.

"She was fast...and amazing." Gabrielle said in shock.

"Do you want to meet her?" Asked Prince Adrian. She turned to see look at him and thought about it before saying,

"Yes, I do." She admitted, meeting a real warrior woman. What an opportunity! Adrian called a guard over and whispered to him an order. The guard went into the crowd and later came back with the warrior woman beside him.

"I will warn you." Whispered Adrian to her, "She is suspicious of noble women." Before Gabrielle could ask him why the knight and the warrior woman arrived before them. The warrior woman bowed before Adrian.

"Your highness, you summoned me?" It was the first time Gabrielle had heard her voice and it had a notable accent to it. One that she had never heard of before.

"Yes, I did Kianda." The prince gestured over to her and Kianda's eyes followed to meet her's. "Kianda, this is Lady Gabrielle and she wanted to meet you." Gabrielle looked into Kianda's eyes and saw them narrow. The prince was not kidding. She could sense this woman was not happy to be brought before a noble woman. She remembered back to seeing her in the garden and how Annetta had said she didn't belong.

She must have gotten a lot of trouble from the noble girls; she was a foreigner, had dark skin, and was a warrior. She was so different compared to the pale skin noble women trained in the lady's arts. It was no wonder she would be shunned. At that moment, Gabrielle made a decision, no matter how hard or long it took, she was going to become Kianda's friend.

"Hello, I'm Gabrielle." She gave her a smile, and Kianda did not return it. She thought for a moment, trying to think of what to say. "You were amazing out there, so fast and strong." She saw something flicker in the warrior woman's eyes, like she wasn't use to flattery.

"Thank you." Kianda, replied briefly.

"Can you tell me how you learned to fight?"

"I was taught by my father, in my village."

"Oh, what is your village like?" At that question Adrian gave a cough and something flashed in Kianda's eyes a kind of pain. She then decided to leave questions about her past to a minimum. Prince Adrian stood up,

"You may go on, Kianda, thank you for spending a few moments with Lady Gabrielle." The warrior woman nodded and left. The warriors then began to clear out. The prince then offered her his arm and she took it, again. She wondered if he would say something about Kianda, but he said nothing and she decided not to ask. When they were back in the palace, she turned to him.

"Thank you...that was interesting." She admitted.

"You are more than welcome." He replied, and Gabrielle nodded.

"I want to go find my stepsisters now, if you don't mind." He released her from his hold.

"Have a good day, Lady Gabrielle" He took her hand and kissed it again, before leaving her. She watched him leave, before turning and beginning her search for her stepsisters. As she journeyed through the palace, she noticed more looks, but tried to ignore them.

Of course, news of her walking around with the prince would spread and she didn't expect Lord Rosesmith to keep his mouth shut about seeing her at the arena. She had to ignore this and try to find her stepsisters. They may not be together. Then she looked up at the clock and saw it was a bit past twelve; lunch. They were likely in their rooms having their midday meal.

She had to ask a few servants and maid to find her way back to her stepsisters' room and she finally arrived at her Estelle's door. She opened it to find Rosella sitting for lunch. When she turned to see her; Rosella immediately rose up and walked right up to her; fury in her eyes.

"You!" She pointed her finger right in her face. "I heard what you did! The whole palace is talking about it and don't deny it!"

"What are you talking about?" Gabrielle asked, but had a good idea what Rosella was talking about.

"You and the prince. People saw you walking arm-in-arm with him." Rosella's fury made Gabrielle's courage shrink. Her immediate reaction was to apologize, or make excuses. She opened her mouth to do that, but then closed it, remembering her earlier words to the prince. If she couldn't stand up to Rosella then there was no way she could stand up to her stepmother. She had to make a stand now.

"I do not deny that. The prince asked for my company and I gave it to him." She said, firmly.

"You little...how dare you. How dare you steal my prince."

"I can't steal what was neither yours." Gabrielle responded, bluntly. Then Rosella raised her hand, she was about to strike her, but before she could do that Gabrielle caught it. Rosella gasped in shock and Gabrielle was surprised too. Then Gabrielle narrowed her eyes and roughly pushed her elder stepsister away. This caused Rosella too stumble and then fall.

"Try to strike me again and I will not hesitate to strike back." Gabrielle threatened, shocked at herself. Was something possessing her body. Rosella looked up and a look of fear flashed in her eyes, before fury took over.

"I am writing to mother about this!"

"Go ahead, I won't stop you." Gabrielle turned to leave.

"When mother hears about this you are going to get it!"Rosella threatened again

"I'll deal with Isodara when the time comes." Gabrielle said as she walked away. Once she was far enough away. She stopped herself, had what happened, just really happened? Did she just stand up to Rosella? Had she threatened her? She decided to wonder around, looking for Estelle, but didn't find her. Likely, Rosella would know where she was, but there was no way she was going back to her older stepsister, after that. In the end she decided to go to the library.

To her surprise she found someone she was not expecting there; Kianda. She was no longer in armor, but a blue dress. The warrior woman must have sensed her presence, because she turned to meet her eyes. Brown and green stared at each other for a moment before Gabrielle cleared her throat and walked over to Kianda.

"Hello," She greeted the woman. Gabrielle looked to what Kianda was staring at and saw it was a map of the world. Gabrielle searched for her country; Vardoria and found it. "Are you looking for something? Something I can help you with?"

Kianda looked at her for a moment, as if she was trying to sum her up.

"I am looking for my home country." The warrior woman finally said.

"Oh, let me help you." responded Gabrielle, "What's it's name?"

"Asase."

"Can you spell it?"

"No."

"Well, I can still probably find it." Gabrielle looked at the map of the dark continent and found a country that was named Asase.

"There, found it!" Kianda looked over her shoulder.

"Yes, that's the shape. Thank you, Lady Gabrielle."

"You know you don't have to call me lady; Gabrielle is just fine." Kianda might be more comfortable around her if she didn't have to be reminded that she was was a noble.

"Gabrielle..." repeated Kianda.

"Yes." She turned to Kianda, "Why were you having trouble finding your country?" Kianda looked away.

"Because I can't read your language." She confessed.

"Really, but you can speak it so well. Why has no one ever taught you?"

"I am either told I don't need to learn it, or they don't have the time to teach me." Gabrielle looked at Kianda for a moment and got an idea.

"I think everyone should learn to read and I have the time." Kianda looked at her with her dark eyes.

"What do you mean-" She paused "Gabrielle."

"I am offering to teach you to read." Replied Gabrielle. Kianda's mouth gaped for a moment, "But there is something I want from you as well."

"What is that?" Kianda sounded suspicions.

"Teach me how to staff fight."