Adam

They were here. I was watching them arrive through my bedroom window which overlooked the entrance of the palace. Each arrived dressed the same as the others. Some were overly excited, evident by how they almost bounced into the palace. Others were nervous and overwhelmed staring up at the palace, daunted by its size. However, I was certain I was more nervous than all of them. This was my final chance to find her. I needed to speak to the girl from Likely and I could barely contain my anxiety waiting for her to arrive.

I had been staring at her face all week. It sat along with the magazine photo's I had stolen of the girl I danced with from Amberly's collection. Looking at them both side by side I could see something similar in them I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. In almost every way they were different but if you looked at them at just the right angle you could see they had similar noses and an equally similar smile even if this other girl's was waning slightly. She had to have the answers, I needed her to have the answers.

All of a sudden there she was. The last to be helped from the cars. She looked frailer than the other girls. I tilted my head in thought as I watched the small girl get helped up the stairs by one of the butlers. Who was she?

Once she was inside I quickly raced down the stairs to the bottom floor searching for the room they had their make overs in. When I heard the excited giggles from the women's room I felt my heart rate increase. This was it. My hand was on the door when I heard my mother's outraged voice behind me.

'Adam!' She shouted coming up beside me and taking my hand. 'What do you think you're doing?'

'I need to speak with the girl from Likely.' I answered trying to gently pull my hand from hers.

'You aren't meant to meet them till tomorrow, after they have all settled in a little.' She instructed pulling me away from the door.

'Please mom, what if she knows?' I begged, looking back at the doors longingly.

'Adam, give them time to settle in first.' She repeated firmly as she dragged me around the corner.

'Mom, please, if she knows can I go after her? Please?' I pleaded stopping in the middle of the corridor, willing to get on my knees if it would help my cause. I watched as she thought it over. I could see in her eyes that her mind was torn.

'Fine,' she sighed looking at the ground and I quickly ran over and lifted her off the ground in a tight hug.

'Thank you,' I breathed setting her back on the ground, feeling my heart lift with a lightness I hadn't felt in days.

'Adam,' she said solemnly. 'Even if you can find any information I can't promise you can go.' My face fell as I heard her words.

'What?' I asked in disbelief, the exuberance of the previous minutes rushing from my body.

'I will help you try to convince your father but he still might not let you leave.' She continued sadly taking both of my hands in hers.

'Why won't he let me go?' I asked, looking down at my mother.

'It's dangerous Adam, I won't tell you how bad it truly is because I don't want to worry you but out there, outside the palace walls, it's not as safe as we thought it was.' I always new there was unrest in Illea but I didn't think it was so dangerous that they wouldn't let me out.

'I have to find her mom and if this girl has the information I need to to achieve that I'm going.' I answered firmly.

'I know Adam,' she sighed sadly.

'Can I speak with her today?' I asked in a soft voice trying not to push her too far.

'I'll see what I can do,' she answered weakly.

'Thanks mom,' I smiled, bending to place a kiss on her cheek. She shook her head at me, muttering about charming sons getting her to do things she really didn't want to do as she walked back down the corridor to the women's room.

Five minutes later she returned with the girl and she was even smaller than when I saw her from my window. She walked slightly behind my mother and I could see the fear in her eyes. I felt sorry for singling her out so early into her stay but I needed to know or my heart was likely to explode.

'Adam, this is Flora from Likely, but I guess you know that.' My mother introduced trying to coax the girl out from behind her.

'Hello my dear,' I smiled warmly trying to set her at ease and I saw something flicker in her eyes, I just wasn't sure what it was. Taking her in I knew I had never seen her at any of the balls, especially, Likely but I was very distracted at that one I'm not sure I would have seen a lion dancing in a tutu, let alone recognised any of the other girls from the night. A certain, green-eyed blonde kept my attention captive for almost the entire ball.

'Good afternoon your highness,' She replied in a sweet, airy voice that almost wasn't there at all. Everything about her seemed so fragile.

'Would you mind if we spoke for a moment?' I asked gently taking a small, tentative step towards her, afraid I might startle her.

'I think I know who you want to talk about.' She smiled and I stepped back in surprise and looked up at my mother who was wearing an equally surprised look. She knew.

I looked at her closely afraid I may have misheard her words as my heart tried to leap out of my chest and ask her itself.

'You know her, don't you?' I almost whispered too afraid to move incase the girl disappeared. She nodded her head slightly and smiled at me. I noticed it was strained, as if the action was absorbing all her energy to maintain it. In her eyes I saw a tiredness that was more than just a lack of sleep. It was as if her soul was tired of living and just barely clinging on.

'Would you like to sit down and talk with me, my dear?' I asked, almost desperately.

'I would like that very much,' she sighed, her body sagging slightly. I quickly rushed to her side and took her arm in mine, taking most of her weight, although, there wasn't much to take. I led her into the closest room and set her down in one of the chairs. My mother waited patiently outside so I could have a private talk with the girl without any interruptions.

I sat across from her in one of the armchairs and looked at her in wonder. Still trying to believe that she might have the answers I desperately needed. I had hopes she would but I still held the doubt that she wouldn't.

'Are you all right my dear, you don't look well?' I asked concerned for the frail creature that had almost collapsed in the seat across from me, her pale pink dress hanging from her skeletal form.

'I'll be fine,' she assured me. 'Why don't you ask me the questions you truly want to know the answers to?' I felt guilty asking these questions, knowing she had be called here to the palace to spend time with me.

'What is your name, really?' I asked, confused as to who was called what anymore.

'Flora Avery, your highness,' she answered with an amused smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

'Are you sure?' I asked skeptically.

'It's been my name since I was born, I'm certain of it.' She laughed but she quickly broke into several coughs before she could compose herself again.

'All right,' I continued when she was quiet again. 'Were you at the ball that night in Likely?'

'My name was on the guest list,' she offered vaguely, watching me closely, assessing me.

'But did you attend?' I asked a little desperately.

'No, but that doesn't mean someone didn't attend in my place.'

'I knew it, who is she? Who's the girl with the green eyes?' I demanded sitting on the edge of my seat, looking desperately at the tiny girl across from me.

'The girl you met that night is my greatest friend, Aisling Zander. She attended the ball that night in my place. She refused to apply so I faked I was too sick to go on the night and forced her to go in my place.' She beamed, and I saw a life in the girl that wasn't there before. She had to know the girl I danced with that night because only she could inspire a smile as bright as the one she wore now.

'Aisling,' I rolled her name around in my mind trying to match it with the girl I danced with that night. I found it fit her perfectly. It was as mysterious and enchanting as the girl herself. I felt my heart rate increase again, my mind racing with possibilities. 'Who is she?'

'She is the girl you danced with that night.' She answered simply.

'Why didn't she apply to go to the ball herself?' I asked a little confused as to why she needed to be tricked into going.

'Aisling is tricky,' she smiled and I lost her as she thought about her friend. 'She never wanted to attend the ball. She only reluctantly agreed to go that night and it was only after I played the dying friend card.'

'You're dying?' I asked alarmed for the weak girl sitting in front of me.

'Don't worry prince Adam, I have known my entire life that I would die young. I came to terms with my fate a long time ago. However, I refuse to allow Ash to fall victim to a fate worse than my own. All because she is unwilling to take the opportunity I'm sure you will offer her.' She suddenly broke out into gut wrenching coughs, that shook her entire body viciously. I cringed watching as she suffered, wishing there as some way I could make it better for her.

'Is there anything I can do for you Flora?' I asked quietly when she is silent again.

'Find her,' she whispered.

'Will you take me to her?' I questioned hesitantly.

'That is the only reason I am here.' She smiled weakly, looking up at me with her tired brown eyes.

'But you need to promise me one thing.' She answered seriously, pinning me with a stare so piercing I could feel it puncture my very soul.

'Of course, anything.' I said inching closer to her, afraid to miss a word. I was so close to finding her and Flora was the key.

'You need to promise me that you will not judge her for what she is.' Flora said with a ferocity she shouldn't possess. I looked at her for a long time wondering what she meant before I answered her.

'She means a lot to you, does't she?'

'She is everything to me. Without her I'm certain I would have given up a long time ago.' She answered softly, looking down at her hands. 'I need to see her happy. She deserves that more than anyone.' I watched as a darkness crossed her eyes and anger lit them from within before she continued, 'My mother is horrible to her but I can't stop it, I never could. Ash deserves more than life has given her. She deserves someone who loves her and can protect her like I couldn't. Her light is still so bright even after all these years of my mother's harsh words towards her and… she just deserves more.'

'What has happened to her, who is she?' I asked quietly, desperate to find out more about the girl who I danced with that night but every time this pale girl before me opened her mouth I only became more and more confused. Why does she need protection?

'You will see when I take you to her and only then will I know if you are where her happiness lies.' She answered cryptically.

'What do you mean?' I asked, getting a little frustrated, why wouldn't she just tell me?

'You will know when you see her. If I see any judgement from you or distain for what she is I will not help you get her here and trust me you're going to need it. She isn't going to come here willingly.' She laughed hollowly looking around the room.

'What do you mean? Why not?' I demanded in alarm. Why would she not come with me? I thought my biggest problem would be finding her, not convincing her to come back with me.

'She is stubborn, like I said, it was exceptionally hard to get her to go to the ball in the first place. Aisling is a dreamer-'

'I know.' I smiled remembering the night when she explained her theory about the stars to me. Flora returned my smile but her face turned serious again when she continued.

'The problem is Aisling's dreams never included you or a palace or ruling a nation. Hers were always to escape, to be free of Illea. She wants to go to Italy. She's got it in her head that she can be free over there. Foolishly, I encouraged her, believing she would find her happiness away from Illea, away form my mother.'

'What has she done to her?' I asked quietly but Flora shook her head.

'It's not my story to tell.' She answered ominously and I felt my heart lurch. How could the girl from the ball with the brilliant, bright eyes be suffering?

'Prince Adam, she's really close now to leaving. We planned to leave together but I knew I never would. She's been saving since I can remember. She's been dreaming of this since she was nine. It's going to be really hard to convince her to go with you. I would have given her to money sooner but she wouldn't accept it. She had to do it her own way. She spends a lot of time daydreaming,' Flora smiled, her eyes misting over as she thought about her friend. 'I would give her whatever I could just so I would be able hear her tales but she wouldn't let me give her more than what she thought she deserved. It was never enough.' She answered sadly.

'How can I get her here?' I asked in a low voice, fear flooding my heart.

'You need to go to her with an open heart and I promise I will help you but if I see you lay judgement on her in anyway or make her feel small and worthless like my mother has almost everyday of her life I will keep her as far away from you as possible. Any hope you thought you had of getting her here will vanish. I will send her to Italy away from you, away from Illea and away from my mother. She can't take the pain anymore and neither can I.' She finished in a whisper, her words barely reaching my ears.

'I could never think of her that way, please help me.' I begged.

'We will see.' She answered guardedly as my mother came back into the room.

'Adam?' She asked expectantly, looking between Flora and I.

'I know where she is, or at least Flora does and she has agreed to take me there.' I answered looking back at Flora nervously for confirmation. She nodded slightly at my mother but kept an eye on me. I fidgeted under her appraising gaze, afraid I would somehow fail the test without even knowing I was taking one.

'Let's go see your father then,' my mother answered brightly coming over and helping Flora to her feet.

'Father,' I announced barging into his office without knocking.

'Adam, I'm busy,' he answered angrily getting to his feet and motioning to the three men sitting in front of him.

'I know and I'm sorry but this is important.' I said as mom came in with Flora.

'Please Maxon, just hear him out.' My mother implored helping Flora onto the sofa in the room, where she sat heavily and rested her head against the back. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, she looked completely worn out.

'America, what's going on?' My dad asked and I could see his concern for Flora who looked almost as pale and unmoving as a corpse. I was afraid for her too but I couldn't think about it now. I needed to convince my father to let me go.

'Maxon, this is important.' Dad looked at my mother for a minute and I knew they were having their own private conversation that always left those around them out of the loop, even their children.

'We will need to finish this later.' My father instructed turning to the three men who quickly got to their feet and bowed, before hurriedly leaving the room.

'What is it Adam?' He asked his eyes darting between Flora and I, then recognition crossed his face as he sank back in his chair. My mother quickly walked to his side and took his hand in hers.

'I know where she is.' I announced confidently looking only at my father.

'Where who is?' He asked rubbing the bridge of his nose already knowing where this conversation was going.

'The girl, from the ball. I know her name and I know where she is.'

'What's her name Adam?' My mother asked curiously.

'Aisling Zander,' I said and a look of shock crossed my mother's face.

'It can't be,' she whispered in disbelief.

'What?' I asked confused.

'It's nothing, never mind.' She dismissed as dad looked at her searchingly. I didn't have time to question my mother's odd reaction, I needed to get to Aisling as quickly as possible which meant convincing my father.

'Dad, you need to let me go after her.' I begged stepping closer to his desk.

'Adam, we already discussed this,' he sighed running one of his hands roughly through his hair. 'You can't go running across the country looking for her. It's too dangerous.'

'But, I know where she is. All I need to do is go there and then I'll bring her right back.'

'It's too risky, besides you need to be here with the rest of the girls.'

'No,' I yelled. 'I need to go and get Aisling.'

'No, Adam, your responsibilities are here and you need to carry them out.' Dad answered firmly, an angry edge in his tone.

'Maxon, please,' my mother said quietly looking at dad meaningfully.

'America, don't do this,' dad answered softly, turning to face my mother.

'He needs to do this Maxon, you know that.'

'I also want to see my son safe, what about you America?' He asked harshly and I saw my mother's anger spike.

'Don't you dare say that,' she hissed, taking her hand from father's. 'I want to see Adam safe just as much as you do but there's no point having him safe if he has an empty heart.'

'This is ridiculous America, we already decided he couldn't go.' He answered exasperatedly.

'That was when we thought he didn't even know her name let alone where she might be. Now he does.'

'Please your majesty,' came Flora's small voice as she tried to push herself up off the sofa. 'Let him go, she needs him.'

'Sorry, who are you my dear?' My father asked looking at my mother in confusion.

'This is Flora Avery, the real Flora.' My mother introduced smiling kindly at the ailing girl.

'Please, this is her spot in the selection not mine. I will take him back to get her. She lives in Avery Manor with me.' She coughed and my father looked alarmed and concerned for the girl who was struggling just to remain standing.

'Why did she lie about her identity?' He asked skeptically.

'That was my fault,' she answered guiltily. 'She took my place. Please let him go to her.' My father was silent for a long time looking at her tiny frame thinking everything over. Flora refused to drop her stare, begging my father with her eyes to let me go and I held my breath waiting for his answer.

'Adam,' my father finally said and I turned to face him. 'I'm willing to let you go but you need to take several guards with you.'

'Fine, as many as you want.' I answered eagerly, my heart doing excited summersaults in my chest.

'You have two days to get her back here, if you can't then the guards will bring you back whether you want to come or not. With or without the girl.' He warned and I nodded my head obediently. I wasn't going to need two days. I was certain I would be able to convince her.

'I want you back Sunday night. Go pack what you need and a plane will be ready to take you in an hour.' He instructed but all my mind could think about was Aisling. Aisling, it was nice to finally have a name that truly fit her.

'Adam!' my father yelled impatiently and I quickly shook myself trying to focus on what he was saying. 'You listen to everything the guards tell you to do otherwise they will bring you home immediately.' He warned and I nodded my head again.

'Is that all?' I asked eager to get out of the room and pack as quickly as possible.

'You should tell them you're coming. Can you call your parent's Flora?' My father asked gently to Flora who had fallen back in her chair. I watched in alarm as her eyes grew wide.

'No,' she almost shouted. 'I can't tell her we're coming. She'll know why.' She said hurriedly looking at me desperately. What was she so afraid of?

'Flora, my dear, what's the problem?' My father asked in concern.

'Nothing, just please don't make me tell my mother we're coming.' She begged.

'Fine.' My father agreed before turning to my mother. 'Can you take Flora to get ready to leave I need to speak with Adam alone.' Mother nodded her head and hurriedly helped Flora from the room. She was looking back at me in concern and I tried to give her a reassuring smile but it may have turned into more of a grimace.

'Something isn't right here Adam.' My father said when mother and Flora were out of the room.

'I need to go to her father.' I said in a low voice too afraid to look him in the eye.

'I know but I don't like it. Be wary of her mother, if her own daughter's afraid…' He trailed off and I nodded my head in understanding.

'I'll be safe, dad. I promise.' I said looking at him earnestly. I knew he was afraid for me but I needed to do this. He needed to let me do this.

'I know,' he answered absently trapped in his own thoughts.

'Dad, is there something wrong?' I asked confused by his pensive behaviour.

'No, I just need you to be safe.' He answered pulling himself from his reverie. I nodded before turning to leave the room.

'Dad?' I asked just before leaving the room and he looked up at me sadly. 'Thank you.'

'Be safe Adam, I love you.' He answered, his face breaking into a small smile.

'I love you too dad,' I smiled before disappearing down the hall. I was finally going to see her again. Nothing was going to get in my way now. Soon she would be here and everything would be perfect.

Okay, so this chapter is only from Adam's point of view obviously, it just felt better that way but it was longer when I was writing it, way longer. As in like more than double this and I just thought it was getting out of hand so I needed to split it which means there should be a new chapter up very soon. I hope you liked it so far.

Maxon's Rose, I'm so happy you're enjoying it and I promise I won't be killing off America. It would hurt me too much to do that. Don't worry about Anthony. He's got a lot of growing up to do. Unfortunately they, don't feature in the next couple of chapters because I need to focus on Aisling and Adam but the next time you see them I promise it will be enjoyable. All I can say is, poor Anthony :)

Thank you again to everyone who has been reading and reviewing, I'm glad for the most part you're all enjoying it so far, but by all means tell me if you aren't I'd love to improve it for you.

Until next time my lovely readers :)