Adam

'Mom?' I asked cautiously from her office door. There wasn't a surface which didn't seem to be covered by wedding preparations. It had been two weeks since I made my announcement and we all decided that it would be best if we had the wedding as soon as it could be organised.

For a moment, seeing everything I felt my heart drop, images of green eyes and a white dress filled my vision but I quickly suppressed them knowing she wouldn't be the one walking down the aisle. I wondered if she would ever disappear from my thoughts but then I felt a strangled heart beat reminding me that I never wanted her to disappear. I knew having her with me could never happen but the memories of were mine to keep. Still, I knew my duty meant more than my own selfish need for her love.

'Adam,' mom smiled and I could see the way she tried to hide her pity from me. She had made it very clear that my choice had been the wrong one but was refraining from telling me anymore now that the wedding was only days away. 'What's on your mind sweetheart?'

'I just wanted to make sure all the preparations were going well,' I answered woodenly, not moving from where I stood in her doorway.

'Yes, everything is ready for your big day,' she frowned contradicting her bright tone.

'Good,' I nodded, lingering in her doorway uncertainly.

'Sweetheart?' She prompted getting to her feet and moving around her desk.

'Did the Italian's reply?' I asked, trying to sound uninterested but even I knew my mother could see the pain behind my words.

'Yes, they won't be able to make it,' mother answered cautiously.

'Oh,' I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

'Adam?'

'I miss her,' I whispered, hating that I couldn't keep my emotions hidden. I didn't want to miss her. This is what she wanted and it was what the country needed. They needed me focused and I couldn't do that with Aisling by my side. Russia may be contained for now but the threat of New Asia still loomed, not to mention the added pressure of knowing there were two different rebel groups trying to attack my family. The second even more worrying because their motives were unknown. 'That's good I guess.'

'Oh Adam,' my mother gushed hurrying to me and wrapping me in her arms as I stayed stiff in her hold. 'You don't have to do this, no one is forcing you.'

'You're wrong,' I said shaking my head and pushing away from her hold.'I need to do this. I have to grow up and stop acting like a boy.'

'Adam, no one thinks that. We just-'

'It doesn't matter now mom, the decision is made and I will go through with this even if I never love Medea. She will be a good princess and Queen for Illea.'

'Lady Medea,' mom announced a little loudly stepping back and looking at the girl behind me.

'Your majesty,' she greeted as I slowly turned to face her. 'I thought we could discuss some wedding arrangements.' I cringed at the look on her face.

'Medea,' I began but she cut me off before I could fall deeper.

'I'll come back later,' she announced before turning from us both and walking determinedly down the corridor.

'Adam, you need to go after her,' my mother frowned and I felt my jaw tick in frustration.

'I know,' I ground out before storming out of her office and following after Medea.

I caught a glimpse of her dress disappear around a corner and increased my pace until I could reach out and take her hand.

'Medea, let me explain,' I almost growled and I couldn't even muster the guilt I should have been feeling for hurting this girls feelings.

'There is no need to explain Adam,' she answered emotionlessly. 'I know why I am here.'

'I didn't mean to upset you,' I sighed, hating myself for using her when even now all I could see were green eyes and golden hair. 'I do care for you,' and it was true I just didn't care for her in the way that a husband should care for his wife, but I wasn't her husband yet and in my mind the concept of being one was foreign. It seemed too unreal, too much in the future. Yet, it was less than a week away and after that I would be bound to Medea for the rest of my life.

'I know you don't love me prince Adam,' Medea continued in her emotionless voice. I remained silent as I still clutched her hand, not sure what to say to her. I wouldn't lie and tell her something that wasn't true and I wouldn't give her false hope that one day I could ever love her. My heart was across the sea with a girl who had never been able to give me hers.

We both just looked at each other for a long time before suddenly she pressed forward, her arms wrapped around my neck and her lips pressed against mine. It was the first emotion I felt from her in this entire exchange and it was desperation. I was shocked at first, letting her kiss me, wishing I could reciprocate but I couldn't muster anything to dampen my thoughts of this whole encounter feeling wrong and almost like a betrayal. My arms didn't lift from my sides and my heart barely gave a flutter at having a woman so close to me, nothing like when I kissed Aisling. I was afraid that nothing would ever compare to that moment and I would have a lifetime to lament over the ghost of her lips on mine.

Abruptly, Medea broke from me and I saw the disappointment and rejection in her eyes but I had no words to comfort her. I had never thought in this selection that I would find love but it never crossed my mind that I would need to let it go.

'She didn't even care for you Adam,' Medea whispered, anger filling her eyes. 'She was unfit to be queen and you knew it.' Suddenly, her emotions evaporated from her eyes leaving only a cold determined look. She muttered something but I couldn't hear what she said before she turned from me and started off down the corridor again, her march even more furious than before. I held back my anger for the words she spoke about Aisling because I knew I had hurt her. However, on the inside all I could think of was how good Aisling would be as queen of Illea. She may not be as regal or as well read as Medea but she had something Medea would never have. She had hope…and dreams. Two things this country was sorely lacking yet still I couldn't bring myself to think my decision was wrong. I needed Aisling safe.

Marinda

That was painful to watch. I thought as I spied on my brother, his fiancé storming away from him down the corridor. How could he ever consider marrying her? She was the complete opposite to Aisling and I knew she was the only one he wanted walking down the aisle. If I had my way and Aisling hers we would have that in under a weeks time.

I stayed hidden as Adam let out a frustrated breath his fist clenching at his side and for a moment I thought he was going to punch something but then he simply turned and walked back down the corridor away from his future bride.

Why did my brother have to be so stubborn and blind? Anyone could see him and Aisling were meant to be together. Even the crazy girl who had always been hanging around Aisling before Adam sent them all home.

Finally, he disappeared and I crawled out from where I had been hiding and rushed down the corridor to follow Medea. This girl always made me feel uncomfortable and sneaking around the palace as much as I did I had noticed certain things about her. For instance she was always disappearing and knew more about this palace than almost anyone else in it, except me of course. I considered telling my dad about her, but…then I would have needed to explain why I was in those places. However, now that she had weaselled her way into getting Adam to choose her as his future wife I decided I needed to watch her more closely.

Rushing through the halls of the palace I quickly found her in the gardens a guard by her side, both talking in hushed whispers. I quickly slipped outside and hid in the bushes but I was too far away from them to hear what they were discussing so I ducked behind a large tree that was a few metres away from them. Yet, still they were too far away. Looking up I saw that if I climbed the tree I could get close enough to hear them. Looking between them and the branch I decided that it was worth the risk if I could postpone or even stop the wedding long enough for Aisling to get here and convince Adam of his mistake. I was almost certain just her presence would alter his mind but every little bit helped.

Placing my foot carefully on the lowest branch I hoisted myself up the tree until I was covered by the deep green leaves. Slowly, I edged along the branch until I had positioned myself exactly over the top of the two and immediately I felt my heart sink. They were speaking Mandarin.

If Michael had been with me it wouldn't have been a problem but I was too busy devising new plans in our Mandarin lessons to learn more than 'hello' and 'No, I did not set your hair on fire.' Surprisingly, that last one came in more handy than hello.

However, now I was kicking myself because I couldn't make neither heads nor tales of what they were saying and to make matters worse I had gotten myself stuck up a tree to listen to this meaningless conversation. My father always said my trickster nature would get me in a sticky situation one day.

I was just about to start to climb back down when I heard words that I did understand. They were talking about Aisling and from the expressions on their faces it didn't sound good. What could they want with her, she's not even here anymore? I leaned closer despite my inability to understand them and then finally Medea seemed to lose her temper and fell back into English.

'I want her gone,' she fumed and I felt my eyebrows raise in alarm. Was she talking about Aisling because as far as I knew she was gone? All the way across the ocean to Italy. How much more gone could you get? The other man seemed to be arguing that same point only in a language that seemed to always be angry.

'I don't care, she still holds his heart. If we kill her there will be no chance for her to interfere.' She emphasised and my heart seemed to be trying to beat right out of my chest, adrenaline pumping desperately through my body.

They wanted to kill Aisling, but she was meant to be safe. I knew that was why Adam sent her away. I tried to get closer but the two had slipped back into Mandarin and I felt the familiar frustration wash over me. Where was Michael when you needed him?

I clung to the tree tightly as the two continued to argue and then seemed to calm and start discussing something other than how best to off Aisling. Then suddenly the anger returned to the man and he shot out a hand, wrapping it tightly around Medea's arm. He spoke quickly into her ear before reaching for a chain around her neck and drawing it out so the end was visible. It appeared to be a crest of some sort and he was gesturing at it animatedly as Medea cast her eyes downward. When she nodded weakly he let her go roughly and straightened his uniform before looking around quickly. Then he said one final thing before disappearing from the gardens leaving Medea standing alone.

I watched as she stood there for a long time and then I saw something surprising. Her shoulders slumped and I saw a single tear roll down the side of her face. She didn't bother to wipe at it so it fell from her chin to her chest, disappearing beneath her dress. She took a steadying breath before she too turned from the gardens and disappeared leaving only me stuck up in a tree like a possum.

I clutched the tree for a moment longer trying to process everything I had just seen before my body was calm enough to begin my descent.

I was slowly shimming my way back along the branch when I heard more feet approaching and I almost groaned knowing I was going to be trapped up here even longer. That was until I saw a bright head of red hair and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was only Michael.

'Michael,' I called and he almost fell over as he spun to look up in the tree.

'Marinda?' he asked in confusion. 'What are you doing up there?'

'Practicing my spying skills.'

'I'd hazard a guess you don't need any practice,' he muttered as I started to move more quickly along the branch. 'Marinda, be careful,' he chided as I placed my foot on a thin branch.

'You worry too much,' I laughed, moving down another branch.

'You don't worry enough.' I had just placed my foot on a lower branch when I felt it give way underneath me and suddenly I was propelled backwards and landed with a thud on a warm body.

'Marinda,' Michael groaned. 'Why is it that I'm always the one that gets hurt?'

'You're just lucky, I guess.'

'What were you doing up there anyway?' He asked as I pushed up to my feet and straightened my dress.

'I was spying on Medea and one of the guards.'

'What?' He asked in concern.

'It would have been helpful if you had been with me,' I frowned walking away from him and in the direction of the doors.

'Where are you going?' He asked in frustration.

'I need to speak with Adam,' I answered.

'Why and why did you need me there?' He questioned hurrying up beside me as I walked determinedly down the corridor hoping to find Adam in his office.

'They were speaking Mandarin.'

'But, we both learnt Mandarin years ago,' He frowned.

'No, you learnt Mandarin I planned the great chicken heist.'

'You didn't learn anything?'

'Not a word but thats not the point right now. I think Medea and this man have something to do with the attack on Aisling.'

'Marinda,' Michael sighed. 'You need to stop this. Adam has made his choice and nothing you say or fabricate is going to make him change it.'

'But, I telling the truth.'

'Do you have proof?'

'Well…no, but I did hear them talking about it.'

'But you admitted that you don't know any Mandarin so couldn't you have easily misinterpreted what was being said.'

'No, I know what I saw and Adam needs to know too,' I answered firmly, turning down he corridor that lead to Adam's office.

'Marinda don't do this to him. I know you want Aisling back but this is his choice and hers. She could have stayed but she chose to go with Nicoletta and Tony.'

'Only because Adam made her,' I argued turning on my twin.

'She could have fought to stay but she chose to leave.'

'Don't blame her for Adam's mistake. He shouldn't have told her to go in the first place. He's being childish.'

'No, you are Marinda and you are meddling in things which don't concern you.' Michael warned and I felt my frustration begin to grow.

'Do you not want Aisling to come back? Do you want Medea to be our new sister?' I accused and I watched as his face hardened.

'You don't understand. This is not you choice. For once in your life just stay out of it otherwise you're going to hurt a lot of people, including Adam. Is that what you want?' He almost yelled and I felt my own temper flare.

'No, I want Adam to marry Aisling why can't you understand that?' Michael was just about to respond when Adam came out of his office.

'What is going on out here?' He asked tiredly, rubbing at his red eyes.

'Adam-' I started but Michael quickly cut me off.

'Marinda stop,' he growled and I narrowed my eyes.

'What is going on with you two?' Adam sighed.

'You can't marry Medea,' I said quickly ignoring the glare Michael was giving me.

'Marinda I'm not doing this again,' Adam answered weakly turning to go back into his office.

'Please Adam, why did you send Aisling away?' I demanded and Michael groaned loudly beside me as I pressed forward. 'I know you didn't want to so why did you do it?'

'Its none of you business Marinda, it's between Aisling and I.' He answered.

'But, it doesn't make any sense.' I pleaded and finally Adam turned back to me, sadness filling his eyes.

'I'm not explaining myself to you Marinda but if it will fill your curious mind, she didn't want to be with me,' and I saw the pain flash across his face before a stoney expression replaced it as he glared down at me.

'You're wrong,' I answered emphatically.

'No, I'm not,' he sighed.

'She does want to be with you Adam,' I shouted as he started to retreat back into his office. 'I know she does.'

'How do you know?' He demanded spinning around so fast I was surprised he could stay on his feet.

'I…I just do,' I answered trying to back track. I had promised I wouldn't tell.

'Have you spoken to her?' Adam pressed and I shifted under his gaze.

'No.'

'You're lying,' he hissed. 'When did you speak with her? What did she say?'

'Nothing, I haven't spoken with her.'

'Why are you doing this?' He asked, furry lighting his eyes.

'I just want to see you both together,' I answered simply. He looked at me for a moment before he let out another tired breath shaking his head and turning back for his office.

'This time you're not going to get what you want Marinda.' Then his door slammed shut leaving only Michael and I alone in the corridor again.

'Why do you do this?' Michael asked softly.

'Because I'm right,' I retorted, glaring at Adam's door.

'Sometimes you should just keep your nose out of it.' He replied firmly before turning away and walking angrily down the corridor.

I glared at Adam's door for a moment longer before I walked away in the opposite direction my mind reeling with everything that had just happened. One thing was abundantly clear. I was going to have to do everything on my own until Aisling could get here with Nicoletta and Amberly. If anyone was going to change Adam's mind it would be those three.

Amberley

'Why is she coming here?' Anthony whined, following me through the corridors of the castle as I rushed to meet Nicoletta, Tony and Aisling.

'She needs reinforcements,' I answered hearing him groan behind me in frustration.

'I don't see why thats our problem.'

'Because Adam is my brother and this girl has affected him in a way he doesn't understand. He can't just give up.' I frowned.

'Why not, it seems he's already found another girl to fill her place,' he mumbled and I turned back to level him with a stare and almost smirked as he squirmed in front of me.

'Anthony,' I growled. 'Did you give up on me when I tried to push you away?'

'No,' he grumbled and this time I did let the smirk break through.

'And if you had have given up on me?'

'I wouldn't,' he answered emphatically, looking up at me with that intensity I loved.

'I know,' I smiled, cupping his cheek in my hand. 'Which is why I know you will understand why Aisling is trying so hard to get back to Adam.'

'But I thought she didn't even like him. When she was on the report-'

'Some of us aren't as certain of our feelings as others,' I chided, shaking my head at him.

'I'm confused love,' he frowned.

'Just know that Aisling needs our help and I'm going to give it to her and if you love me you will too,' I challenged and I saw an easy smirk spread across his face.

'You're playing dirty love,' he murmured, his familiar arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me close.

'If I recall, I think I learnt that from you,' I whispered against his lips as my eyes fell closed.

'I should have kept that trick to myself.'

'I still would have outsmarted you,' I smiled, melting against his chest in anticipation.

'Shut up and kiss me,' and he didn't need to tell me twice. My hands moved to the base of his neck to play with his tangle of brown hair as he pressed me closer until we were both gasping for breath. I leaned against him for support as my knees almost gave out on me. My bones replaced with nothing but jelly.

'Come on love, I believe there is somewhere we needed to be,' he smirked, brushing a gentle kiss in my hair as my breathing became more regular. I swatted at him before I pushed away on shaky legs. I tried to march down the corridor but I knew it came off as more of a stumble and his rumbling laughter only confirmed it.

'I got you,' he whispered against my ear as he wrapped his arm around my waist, sending shivers down my spine.

'You know sometimes I really don't like you,' I complained and I knew he was laughing at me again.

'I'll take that because I know you will always love me.'

'Always,' I confirmed leaning up and pressing a tender kiss against his lips.

'Lady Aisling,' I greeted. 'It's a pleasure to finally meet you.'

'Princess Amberly, prince Anthony,' she curtseyed, getting up from where she had been seated between Tony and Nicoletta and I watched with curiosity as the two of them looked at her with odd expressions then back at each other. They seemed almost, protective, of her.

'Please, sit,' I nodded as Anthony and I took a seat across from them. Aisling drifted back down to sit between the ever watchful Tony and Nicoletta.

'Thank you for agreeing to see me,' she began. 'I wasn't sure if you would help me.'

'Why wouldn't I help you?' I asked in confusion and I shuffled further forward in my seat until I was on the edge staring down at the small girl.

'I just thought because you were Adam's sister and you were always the one who was so serious that you wouldn't want me anywhere near Adam. I especially didn't think you would want someone like me anywhere near the throne,' she answered softly looking down at her hands clasped in her lap. I watched as Nicoletta wrapped one of her hands around them and whispered something in Italian. I couldn't quite hear but Aisling nodded before looking up at me again.

'But, I…I love Adam,' she said releasing a long breath. 'I know that now and I know that if I don't try to get him back I will regret it for the rest of my life. I'm just not sure if he wants me.'

'Why would you think that?' I asked knowing exactly how my brother felt about her and the reasons he had sent her away. From what I was hearing he had made a terrible error and they were both about to see the cost of not having faith in one another.

'He sent me away,' she shrugged. 'He couldn't even stand me being in Illea, he had to send me as far away as Italy.'

'Aisling, I think you have misunderstood why Adam sent you away,' I began but she shook her head vigorously.

'No, I didn't and he was right. I was unfit to be princess. I couldn't even read and I wasn't sure of him or…us. I wasn't sure of anything but I am now,' she said firmly. 'I know I love him and I know I can be the princess he needs me to be.'

'Pardon me for saying but you don't appear any less regal than any of the other princess's I have met,' Anthony interrupted and I watched as Aisling's eyes darted to his, confusion furrowing her brow. 'Sweetheart, if what Amberly has told me is true Adam is missing you more than you can imagine.'

'Then why would he agree to marry Medea?'

'Because he thinks he is doing what is right for his country,' Anthony explained and I watched as Aisling's eyes turned downcast.

'And that's not me,' she whispered.

'On the contrary,' Anthony smiled kindly. 'I think Adam knows you could be a wonderful princess. Now I don't know everything but if I've learned anything from love it's that it will make you do the strangest things. Right love?' He smiled, pressing a gentle kiss against my temple.

'Yes, you are a strange one,' I answered elbowing him playfully in the ribs.

'But how can I love him if he won't even let me go back,' Aisling cried in frustration drawing all the attention back to her.

'Oh boy,' I heard Anthony mutter before he gave me a knowing smirk.

'Aisling,' Tony interrupted spinning her so she was facing him. He spoke to her in slow Italian and I tried to hear him but he spoke low and just to her. I watched as he seemed to settle her nerves.

'Will you come with us? It's just I think I might need some help convincing Adam. He seemed pretty adamant that I wasn't to return.' She asked suddenly looking over at Anthony and I. I felt Anthony tense beside me but I ignored him as I smiled at Aisling.

'Of-'

'Amberly,' Anthony said worriedly, gripping my hand tightly in his own. 'Can we talk for a moment? In private.'

'Anthony, it's my brother's wedding,' I frowned as he stood beside me trying to pull me up with him.

'Lets talk about this in private Amberly,' he repeated and I sighed impatiently before looking over at the others.

'I'm sorry, Anthony appears to be having…a slight lapse in good manners,' or a mental breakdown I wanted to add but I withheld as Aisling looked between us in confusion. I didn't get a chance to say anything else before I was being pulled from the room.

We were halfway down the hallway when I grew tired of Anthony's silence.

'Anthony, stop,' I said pulling my hand from his and shaking my head in annoyance. 'What are you doing?'

'We aren't going back to Illea,' he replied in a low voice refusing to look me in the eye.

'Adam is my brother.'

'I'm not arguing with you Amberly. We aren't going.' He hissed, his eyes looking up and burning into mine.

'You can't stop me from going home,' I challenged taking a step toward him.

'Amberly, please be reasonable,' he groaned rubbing his hand along the back of his neck impatiently.

'No Anthony, think about what you're asking me?'

'What about what you're asking of me?' He shouted, his body humming with anger. 'I just got you back Amberly. How can you stand there and ask me to risk you again?' He finished leaning back against the wall as all the air seemed to gust out of him. 'I don't want you to go.'

'They're my family,' I answered sadly, taking a tentative step towards him.

'I know,' he sighed.

'I have to go, whether you join me is up to you-'

'You're not going alone,' he chuckled darkly.

'Nicoletta and Tony will be with us.'

'You're not going without me,' he emphasised, reaching out for my hand.

'I thought we weren't going.'

'Love, you won, now don't make me change my mind.' He warned playfully before pulling me into his chest and placing a gentle kiss on my temple.

'We'll leave tomorrow, we'll arrive in time for the ceremony.'

'But-' I began to protest but he quickly cut me off.

'No, I said we can go but we will do it my way.'

'Fine,' I frowned.

'Don't do that love,' he smirked, pushing at some of the loose curls from my face. 'You can't always have your way.'

'You obviously don't know me at all,' I smiled.

'Oh I know you very well my darling,' he smirked devilishly and I eyed him skeptically.

'Anthony.'

'I can't wait to get to know more of you, on our wedding night,' he whispered leaning in close so his lips brushed against my ear.

'Anthony,' I scolded, pushing away from him and trying to remember why we came out here in the first place.

'You know love, we should think about our wedding day. I think it should be soon.'

'Of course you do,' I answered rolling my eyes at the cunning prince.

'Maybe we should do it in the next few days?' He suggested flippantly but I could see his intentions hiding underneath.

'I know what you're trying to do Anthony.'

'And what's that love?' He asked in his attempt at innocence.

'It's not going to work.'

'Are you sure?'

'We are going tomorrow.' I said firmly, stepping out of his reach.

'Fine,' he sighed defeatedly.

'Lets go back in there then.'

'In a minute.'

'What?' I frowned and I hadn't realised how close he was until he had pulled me in again. His lips on mine before I could say another word. I could feel the triumphant smile on his lips but I didn't care. Who was really winning?

So, to say it's been a while would be a bit of an understatement but I'm back and this time the updates will be regular until we reach the end because I'm finally finished with all my studies for the year and I'm going away in a weeks time so I want to get you guys the end before I disappear again.

To the beautiful guest who was so ready to hit the next button I hope you enjoyed this and I endeavour to give you a reason to hit that button very soon :)

sezus, sorry I took so long and thank you for your reviews, hope you enjoyed this chapter :)

To the lovely guest who is excited for the next chapters, hopefully you enjoyed this one and thank you for your concern I'm all good now :)

Thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing this story, you're amazing and thank you for being patient. Happy reading beautiful people :)