Adam

'What do you see when you look at the stars?' I asked, feeling Medea brush up against me as we were both bathed in soft moonlight. I had been staring at the stars from my balcony for the last hour and it was hard to keep that first night we met from my mind. The night Aisling wove herself into my heart.

However, by this time tomorrow I would be another woman's husband, I would have a wife and I couldn't help by feel terrified. We would be joined in the eyes of the nation and she would be my princess. Yet, there was so much I didn't know about her. I wondered if my parents knew everything about one another before they got married but I quickly dispelled the thought knowing they had something I now knew I could never have or ever imagine to hold onto. How could I clip the wings of such a beautiful bird? Eventually, they would grow back and the bird would once again break free, craving the freedom of the sky. Why did I ever think I could keep her here with me when she was made to soar high above?

Thoughts like this only reinforced my decision and helped to squash any fantasies I had of seeing her tomorrow.

'They're just stars Adam,' Medea answered, breaking me from my thoughts and I felt her answer ring hollow. How could the world seem duller without her in it?

'Do you have dreams Medea?' When I looked at her I saw a frown on her face but I couldn't read what she was thinking.

'You mean like when I'm asleep?'

'No, what is your greatest dream? When you were young what did you always want to be?' I asked desperately craving her magic but knowing it could never be replicated.

'Dreams are foolish,' she answered with a chuckle. 'They are childhood fantasies, no one ever gets what they dream of when they are young because they are absurd fantasies made for minds who don't yet understand the world.'

'Yes, foolish,' I agreed distractedly looking back out at the stars wishing the moon would come out from behind the clouds.

'Are you alright Adam?' she asked resting a hand gently on my forearm. 'You seem a little unfocused tonight.'

'No, I'm fine, just thinking,' I dismissed, giving her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. She smiled in return and leant up, placing a warm, gentle kiss on my cheek. She smiled up at me when she leant back, her eyes dull under the starlight and I felt a hollowness in my chest before I squashed it down, along with the green eyes that seemed to hold all the wishes of the sky. Dreams weren't for princes. I had always known this, but for a time the girl with all the dreams had convinced me I could have one of my own.

Leaning down I cupped Medea's delicate face in my hand and she looked up at me with wide eyes. I hadn't kissed her since the day we argued but I knew once we were married I couldn't be as selfish as I had been.

I gently brushed my lips against hers and felt her arms wrap around my neck pulling me closer. I obliged and wrapped my own arms around her waist so she was flush against me, deepening the kiss, shutting all thoughts from my mind and letting my body take control.

When I pulled away I watched as her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at me with a happiness I had never seen in them before. A wide smile spread across her face as she kept her hands wrapped around my neck. I rested my forehead against hers, my heartbeat already returned to normal.

'Thank you Adam,' she murmured and I realised it was the first time I had heard my name from her lips without my title. It sounded strange but I ignored all stirrings in my heart until it was a dull noise in the back of my mind. It was simply an organ which kept the blood flowing through my body.

'I'm sorry for the way I've acted this past week,' I replied, bringing a hand up to push back her midnight black hair from her face.

'Its fine,' she smiled, running her delicate fingers along my collar bone.

'We should probably get to bed, we have a big day tomorrow.' She nodded in agreement but didn't let go.

'Adam, I know your heart isn't mine,' she began and I pulled back to say something but she silenced me with her next words. 'I don't blame you but I hope you can one day return the favour because I know I'm falling in love with you Adam.'

'Medea-'

'We still have time,' she smiled sadly pressing a barely there kiss against my lips. 'We have our entire lives together.'

'I won't promise you I can ever love you,' I answered guiltily.

'I know, but can you promise me one thing?' she asked her eyes hopeful.

'I can try,' I sighed.

'That's all I want Adam, can you just give me a chance?' She pleaded and I looked at her, taking in her dark eyes and even darker hair. Her grace and something intangible that was entirely her own.

'Of course,' I nodded, admiring her courage. I leant down and brushed a tender kiss against her temple before wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her into my side. 'Now why don't I escort you back to your room so you can get some rest.' She smiled demurely and I lead her from my balcony back inside, uncertain of the strange thoughts in my mind.

Harmonia

'Justin, quick, I'm going to be late,' I whispered, pulling on Justin's arm to get him moving.

'The Australian's can wait,' Justin smirked looking over the rooftop again as the palace staff set up for the ceremony. It seemed odd that today there would be a new addition to our family. I had barely said two words to Medea but I still felt uneasy towards her. Sometimes, I would catch her watching Justin and I with what appeared to be a disgusted look on her face but as soon as she saw me looking it would be gone with a fake look of innocence falling across her face and I couldn't help but think there was something more to her. Some dark secret that she was keeping, but Adam wasn't listening to any of our opinions anymore. Not since he sent Aisling away. You couldn't even say her name without getting your head chopped off.

'Come on Justin,' I groaned impatiently.

'Fine,' he sighed letting me pull him back from the edge and towards where we had the door propped open. I hurried him down the stairs and through the palace until we were at the edge of the entrance foyer, my family already waiting for the Australian royal family's arrival, the first of many arrivals today. Even Marinda was there before I was.

'Look you made me look bad, even Marinda is here before me,' I complained.

'Alright I'm sorry,' he answered nervously and I looked at him in confusion.

'Justin?' I asked before he ducked down and pressed his lips against mine for a second before pulling away, a deep blush on his cheeks.

'I-I'll see you later,' he stuttered before disappearing down the corridor. I smiled to myself as I approached my family and was met with the familiar arguing between Marinda and my father. Stepping up beside him I slipped my hand in his, like I always do. Adam and Medea were absent as they prepared for the wedding but I couldn't shift the unease I had woken with that morning. Something felt off about today and I was sure it wasn't all due to the scheming look Marinda had in her eye.

'Mom, I still don't see why they had to be invited,' she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest for effect and dad looked at me with a knowing smile as my mother ignored her. 'Fine, but I refuse to spend any time with him when he does arrive. He's a complete bore.'

'Now come on Marinda, you don't really believe that about me?' A man smirked and I looked at him curiously as another two people walked in behind him. He had the strangest accent.

'Dad, who's that?' I whispered, but he didn't have time to answer before Marinda was running her mouth.

'David,' she seethed and I looked between the two, wide eyed as Michael shot out a hand to restrain our sister.

'I see you haven't lost any of that fire in you,' David smiled ensuring to keep his distance.

'I see you haven't lost any of your arrogance,' Marinda growled. I looked up at dad and saw him sharing an odd look with mom.

'King Maxon, queen America it is a pleasure to see you again after all this time,' the woman smiled before turning her attention to me. I vaguely recognised the couple as the Australian royal family but it was rare that our two families ever crossed paths, but it was obvious Marinda and their prince had a history.

'We haven't seen you since you were just a little baby,' she cooed and I tried to hide my disgust. I was thirteen, not a child. 'Haven't you grown? Look how big she is now Jon.'

'Yes, soon we'll be here to attend your wedding,' the man winked and I felt my eyes narrow. 'I bet the princes will be lining up for miles for a chance to be your husband.'

'I don't need a prince,' I answered bitingly and my father gave my hand a warning squeeze. The Australian king seemed to be amused by my outburst as he wrapped his arm around the Australian queen.

'My Tamra felt the same,' he smiled down at the queen who looked back at him with a smile of her own. 'I guess that was why you somehow fell for a cattle farmer like me.'

'How could I resist you?' She joked, bringing a hand up to the king's cheek, seemingly unable to pull her eyes from his. However, the moment was ruin by the shriek which came from my older sister as a loud slap rang out around the entrance foyer. All heads turned to where Marinda was disappearing in a flurry of skirts and pure anger. Everyone stood frozen, the sound of the slap still echoing off the palace walls. Prince David was clutching his cheek with an odd look on his face as we all turned our attention to him.

'David?' The king finally prompted, seeming to pull his son out of his trance.

'What did you say to her?' Michael asked, unable to contain his question.

'Well…' He began looking nervously over at our two sets of parents and shaking his head as if thinking better of telling them. 'I think I should go apologise,' he muttered making to move after my sister and I felt both my parents move towards him as Michael reached out a hand to stop him. We all knew what would happen if he followed her.

'If you enjoy living I'd suggest not following my sister right now.' Surprisingly, we all watched as a confident smile spread across David's face before he replied.

'I think I can handle her.' Reluctantly, Michael let go of the prince's arm, watching him cautiously as he again moved after our sister.

'Your life,' Michael muttered before turning his attention back to the king and queen. They were still standing in the same spot with bemused looks on their faces as they watched their son disappear.

'I'm terribly sorry for how my daughter acted,' my father apologised and the king and queen simply smiled before replying.

'No need to apologise, judging from David's fear of telling us what he said, I'd wager that he deserved what he got,' king Jon chuckled.

'I suspect it's not the last time our son will suffer princess Marinda's wrath over our stay.'

'I'd say he is suffering it right now,' Michael muttered before excusing himself as the two sets of parents chuckled about their children's antics.

America

'Adam, sweetheart?' I called into his empty room. When I received no answer, I edged the door open and crossed the room, knowing exactly where he would be.

'Trying to catch your breath?' I smiled sadly, watching my son with his eyes closed against the sun, barely able to draw enough air into his lungs. At the sound of my voice he turned to me with a hollow smile and I felt a crack spread through my heart. Looking at him, I wondered how I had let it come to this. How had I let my son fall into the trap his father barely escaped all those years ago?

'I'm fine mom, this is the right choice,' he tried to reassure me as I crossed to him and looked over at the gardens I once viewed as a prison. Now, they were my oasis, my safe place. They were the calm sanctuary I had used with Maxon to raise our family, but looking at it now all we had done was shelter them from the troubles which had always been there. In the end there was no defence for a broken heart because those with the power to break them weren't deterred by walls or defences. They crashed into our lives with the strength of a wrecking ball, leaving a hole only they would fill and Adam had learnt this lesson the only way people do, through experience.

'Do you remember when you were younger, you would always be running from your tutors,' I reminisced as we both stared out at the peaceful greenery, blowing lightly in the autumn breeze.

'I don't remember,' he murmured, clasping his hands in front of him over the banister and taking a long breath.

'You were very young, but you were determined and had most of the palace out looking for you,' I smiled at the memory. 'But, do you know where I always found you?'

'No, where?' I could tell he was indulging my trip down memory lane but I wanted to take his mind off everything, especially on his wedding day.

'Here,' I shrugged and he looked at me with confusion.

'Why did no one find me if I chose such an open place to hide?'

'No one looked out here for you and you were so quiet, sitting out here in your own world as the palace searched high and low,' I laughed remembering how frantic Maxon had been the first time he had gone missing. 'And do you know what you said when I came out here and asked you what you were doing?' I asked and he simply shook his head as he gazed back out at the gardens, his breathing finally returning to normal.

'You told me you were trying to catch your breath. Whenever you got scared or overwhelmed you would come here, just to take a breath.' He remained silent beside me and I gave him his space but I wasn't through because I knew this might be my last chance to convince him of his mistake. He was still gazing out across the trees when I spoke again but unlike all those years before he didn't look at me with his wide blue eyes, he continued to stare straight ahead and I knew there was nothing I could say to change his mind, but it wasn't going to stop me from trying.

'Adam, the only time I've seen you stand up for your beliefs was when Aisling was here. It was the only time I saw you lose your breath and not be afraid. That girl stole more than the air in your lungs the day she walked into your life and you can't let her keep it while you promise yourself to another.'

'Aisling didn't steal anything I wasn't willing to give her,' he answered in a soft voice as he looked down at the ground beneath our feet.

'Then why are you letting her go?' I demanded, frustrated with my son's stubbornness.

'It's a necessary loss mom and if I can't put her behind me then I will never be the king or husband I need to be,' he answered, looking up at me with cold eyes that caused my heart to freeze. He may have my eyes but the look I saw in his now was the same as the one Maxon gave me all those years ago when he was ready to let me go, when he had decided to give up on us. The words got stuck in my throat as my son turned from me and walk for the door to his balcony holding it open for me.

'Now, I'm sorry mother but I have a wedding to prepare for,' he dismissed and for a long moment all I could do was look at him. Finally, I moved to him numbly before wrapping my arms around his stiff body, whispering,

'You're making a mistake Adam.' Then I released him giving him one last look before moving to leave my son's room. Just as I reached his door I could have sworn I hear his voice drift across the space and his words nearly tore my heart from my chest.

'I know mom, I know.'

'Maxon, I think this is a mistake,' I said walking into his office.

'America,' he sighed obviously tired of this conversation.

'Come on Maxon you can't think this is good for him,' I glared, 'or the country.'

'You know how I was raised America. I see no problem with him marrying a girl because she is best for the country.' He answered emotionlessly. 'I support his decision.'

'What about Aisling?' I demanded.

'This is a choice Adam needs to make not only for the country but for himself. If he believes this girl is the best choice then you should trust his decision.' He answered firmly and I barely restrained my eye roll.

'But, he's our son and he needs our help.'

'No, America,' he yelled getting to his feet and bearing down at me from across his desk. 'You will not tell our son who he wants to marry. No one should have a say in it but him. You believed that once too.' He answered poignantly and I felt my eyes narrow on him.

'I want our son to be happy,' I hissed, hating that I was so powerless, when all I wanted was my son's happiness.

'Adam knows what will make him happy.'

'You don't believe that.' I asked incredulously. 'You don't believe that Medea is the woman who will love our son?'

'I'm not having this discussion anymore America,' he answered in that tone which suggested nothing I said was going to change his mind.

'So you're just going to sit there and let this happen? You would condemn our son to a life without love?' He remained silent and looked down instead, at the papers on his desk. 'This is you Maxon. He gets his sense of duty from you.'

'If I recall I married you, an act which went against my duty,' he answered in a low voice, not even looking up to meet my gaze and I felt fire burn through my veins.

'What are you saying Maxon?' I growled.

'Don't get angry America, you knew the pressure I was under when I chose to marry you.' He answered calmly. 'All I'm saying is I refuse to put the same pressure on my own son to make a decision which better suits our interests.'

'This is for everyone's best interests,' I shouted. 'You've seen how everyone fell in love with her, our family, the country, the staff and you can't deny that Adam loves her too. Don't you see his face every time her name is mentioned or the way he looks at Medea like she's missing something. Don't sit there and tell me this isn't in everyone's best interests.'

'Like I said before, I will not force my son to change his decision because of something I believe. If I let my father do what you are asking of me then we would have never been married. I refuse to cause the same turmoil in my son.' He answered calmly and I felt my rage grow. Yet, despite having nothing to say in reply I would not admit to being wrong. Instead, I let out an indignant huff before storming from his office.

'Mom?' Michael asked as I stormed down the corridor past him.

'He's your father,' I grumbled before leaving my confused son behind.

I was almost at our room when I heard Marinda's hushed voice in her own. Immediately, I felt suspicion wash over me as all thoughts of Adam and weddings flew from my mind. What could she be planning?

Silently approaching her door I tried to hear what she was saying or even see who she was talking to but her room appeared to be empty and the conversation one sided. As my suspicions began to grow I knew I couldn't let her go unchecked. Marinda, when allowed to run free could cause a certain Australian prince to disappear and at a time when allies were at a premium we didn't have the luxury to lose any. They may have been understanding this morning but I think their patience might run out if she succeeded in the ultimate disappearing act.

'Marinda,' I announced and watched as she jumped from her bed, tossing down the phone she had been talking on and immediately I felt my eyes narrow on my cunning daughter.

'Mom,' she gasped trying to act calm but for once in her life she wasn't succeeding and it only made me more nervous for what she was planning. 'Have you heard of knocking?'

'Who were you on the phone to Marinda?' I asked, ignoring her question.

'No one,' she all but shouted at me and it did nothing to ease my suspicions. I watched as she seemed to scramble for a good excuse but it appeared for once her diabolical, scheming mind wasn't able to create a story to cover her antics.

'Marinda,' I sighed and she quickly cut over the top of me.

'Mom, it's not what you think, I promise. I'm doing something good.'

'Sweetheart, I've known you your entire life,' I frowned. 'You're never doing something good.'

'But this time I am, I promise.'

'What are you planning?' I sighed in resignation. I knew I could never stop her from doing these things but I could at least minimise the damage.

'Mom, I promise you, everyone will be grateful for what I'm doing.'

'I doubt that, but why don't you fill me in on how embarrassing the prince of Australia will benefit all of us?' I smiled sitting down on the bed beside my daughter.

'David?' She asked in confusion before her face changed to relief. 'Right, because that's who this plan is for.'

'Right,' I frowned. I couldn't help but think she was planning something much bigger than messing with the prince of Australia. That boy may have found more confidence over the years but it wasn't going to deter Marinda any.

'Trust me mom,' she insisted, trying to push me from her bed but failing.

'Not as far as I can throw you,' I smiled, knowing already that whatever she was planning was going to bring Adam's wedding down. Normally, I would have tried harder to stop her but maybe this time she was right.

After leaving Marinda with strict instructions to not hurt anyone in her scheme I headed back to my office already knowing what I would find. Falling heavily in my chair I pressed the message button on my phone and found my brother, Kota, had left another seven messages going between, aggressively demanding to see me and trying to plead with me. He had been trying to contact me since Harmonia's ball. Even Celeste had dared to call me and like all the calls before I had ignored them.

Whatever the two of them wanted, I wasn't going to give it to them. They didn't even deserve my attention especially after the threat my brother made at my own wedding. I would never forget his words and I couldn't help but thinking he was trying to make good on his threat. Even now I could hear his words he spoke on my own wedding day as if he were standing right beside me, The people will rise against you America. Money is power and those with it don't want this change. You have sealed your own fate. After hearing the first two messages I just deleted the others before listening to the final message.

'Good morning your majesty,' a muffled voice began and I immediately felt chills rush through my body. 'We understand you have been busy planning the wedding for your son but our interests will not go unnoticed. Consider this your warning. There will be no wedding, there will be no prince and there will be no royal family. The time of your reign is drawing to a close and we're going to ensure that none of you escape with your lives. The Elite will rise!' The voice rang out through my office and all I could do was sit, staring at the phone for long minutes after the message cut out, my body numb with dread and fear. I was startled from my dark thoughts when someone cleared their throat in my doorway and I slowly looked up to see Maxon standing there, an apologetic look on his face.

'America, I hate it when we fight but I won't apologise for something I believe in,' he answered firmly and I just sat there, staring back down at the phone as I heard him groan and start to cross the room for me.

'I know this is difficult and I know you love that girl, I do too, but I still believe that this is Adam's choice.'

'Maxon,' I choked, as he wrapped his arms around me but even they couldn't keep the chill out.

'I am sorry we fought America,' he murmured placing a gentle kiss on my temple. Unable to find the words to tell him everything that was running through my mind I reached over with a shaky hand and pressed down on the button for the message to repeat.

Suddenly, the silent room was filled with the muffled voice of one of the people who wanted to kill my family. Who wanted to take everything I loved away from me.

As the message continued I felt Maxon's arms tighten around me as I continued to stare disbelievingly at the phone. When it ended we both stayed silent until I couldn't take it anymore.

'Maxon-'

'The wedding is cancelled,' he cut across me firmly and I twisted in his hold so I was looking into his determined eyes that barely hid the fear swirling beneath.

'You can't,' I whispered.

'I will not let these people put my family at risk.'

'What will the nation think, if we back down? What will Adam do?' I asked not sure how I even wanted to proceed. If there was no wedding then I would get my way and I could have more time to convince Adam of seeing sense but if we did cancel the wedding it would show weakness and indecision. At a time where war might only be days away we couldn't show any kind of weakness, even if this was just a wedding. It was one the people had been anticipating for months and if we were to take it from them, there was no telling how they would react.

Most importantly, the wedding would be seen as a sign of hope for the future. Something, our people were sorely lacking. At some point when we were busy rebuilding our nation the people lost their hope, they lost sight of the future Maxon and I had dreamed up. It appeared our nation was in desperate need of a dreamer.

'You don't even want this wedding America, why are you looking for a fight?' Maxon demanded, releasing me and running a hand roughly through his hair.

'How can we call it off, the wedding is only hours away?'

'Not an hour ago you were telling me Adam couldn't go through with this, now you've changed your views completely. What are you trying to do America?' Maxon asked in exasperation.

'Nothing, I don't know,' I sighed, feeling my desperation start to take over. 'I just want to see my family safe. I don't want to lose any of you.'

'So do I and the only way I can see to do that is postpone this wedding until-'

'What?' We both startled at the sound of our son's voice and both turned our heads to see our son looking between us with a confused expression. He was already dressed in his wedding suit and I felt guilt wash over me. This was meant to be the happiest day of his and it seemed all I could do was think of ruining it. 'What do you mean postpone the wedding?'

'Adam-' Maxon began, but was quickly cut off by a determined Adam.

'No, nothing can stop this wedding,' he began. 'I need this day to be over. I can't have any more time to think this over.'

'Adam, please you don't understand everything that is going on here,' Maxon tried to reason but our son had a determination that wouldn't be swayed.

'Then explain it to me dad because I promise you the problems you have today will only multiply tomorrow if you postpone this wedding.'

'The rebels have made another threat and this time they intend to kill the entire royal family at your wedding. It only makes sense to postpone this wedding until we can ensure the threat is neutralised.'

'We haven't been able to do it yet, what makes you think we can subdue them in the future. Putting this wedding off only gives them more time to plot how they will kill us.'

'Yes, but it also gives us more time to prepare,' Maxon replied with less certainty than before and I knew Adam was only moments away from changing Maxon's mind.

'The palace has never been safer than it is now. With every attack we have increased security, and all the visiting royals have brought their own guards with them making this one of the safest places to be. We will never be more ready for an attack than we are now.'

'Maxon,' I said gently when he failed to respond. 'Adam does have a point.'

'I know,' Maxon replied shortly and I could tell he was getting flustered, truly uncertain of how he could protect his family. I needed to get him alone.

'Adam, why don't you continue to get ready. If we make a decision either way we will send word. Just put all of this out of your mind for now,' I attempted to offer him a supportive smile but I was focused on Maxon who was always so calm under difficult decisions. Adam nodded curtly before moving to leave the room but he paused just before he reached the door.

'Mom,' he began in a small voice. 'I meant what I said. The wedding needs to proceed today otherwise…otherwise I will not be able to convince myself to marry her.'

'I know sweetheart.' Then he left the room without another word. Taking in a deep breath I turned to my husband who still stood stoic beside me, seemingly unable to move, his face blank.

'Maxon,' I began and his eyes flickered to me and the pain inside them sliced right through my heart. I feared how much of it would be left by the end of today.

'I can't keep doing this. I can't keep putting my family in danger.'

'Maxon,' I breathed and made to move for him but he stepped out of my reach, his eyes glazed as he lost himself in his thoughts.

'I'm meant to protect you all. I'm meant to keep you safe from all which could hurt you yet all I seem to do, since the day we met is put you in danger. When you were hurt, when I thought I was going to lose you, I believed that would be the worst pain I ever felt. Then you gave me five beautiful children and I knew hurting them would cause me a pain almost too unbearable to imagine.' He took a steadying breath, the room filling with silence as he steadied himself but I knew he wasn't done and when he looked up at me with tears shimmering in his eyes I felt one of my own fall down my cheek. 'I feel so helpless, I want to endure it all. I want to give my life just so I know that you and our children will live, but I know they will not stop until our entire family has been wiped out. Why can't I protect you? Why can't I fulfil my duty as your husband and our children's father?' His tears threatened to fall but they never did and when I was sure he was finished I tentatively moved towards him and thankfully this time he didn't try to move away.

'Maxon,' I whispered into his chest and after a moment he wrapped his arms around me tightly, burying his face in my hair but nothing more was said. There were no words of comfort either of us could say that would ring true. We had stopped lying to each other before our children were born.

Aisling

I couldn't shake the feeling that we were going to be too late. As I sat beside Tony on the flight I couldn't keep myself from fidgeting and shifting until I felt Tony's hand rest lightly on my thigh keeping my jumping leg still.

'Mia cara,' he smiled, but I was too jittery to return the gesture. 'It's going to be fine.'

'How do you know?' I demanded, causing him to chuckle, which only increased my nerves.

'Aisling, we will make it in time. I promise you that because I know that you and prince Adam are meant to be together. What advantage would the fates have in keeping you apart?'

'But, what if we are too late?'

'You planned for this, Marinda is ready to delay the wedding as long as possible. We just have to trust that she will be successful,' he answered confidently and I nodded uncertainly, not ready to trust his words until I was standing in front of Adam and had convinced him that I was the one he should be with.

'Why don't you get some sleep, mia cara? We still have several hours until we arrive and I can't remember the last time you slept.'

'Maybe,' I mumbled, gazing over where Amberly and Anthony slept. I instantly, felt annoyance flood through my body as I remembered why we were so pressed for time. Anthony may love Amberly but that love had slowed my ability to get back to Adam and I felt a frown crease my brow at how long he had held us up at the airport.

'Amberly, what is he doing?' I asked impatiently watching as prince Anthony spoke with security for what felt like the hundredth time.

'He's making sure that what happened last time isn't repeated,' she replied and I could sense the impatience start to seep into her voice as she too watched her fiancé continue to hold up our progress.

'We should have been flying over an hour ago,' I grumbled, glaring down at my watch and then back up at Anthony as he followed a man over to where the plane sat immobile on the tarmac. 'If we don't leave soon we will be too late. I'm not sure how long Marinda will be able to delay the wedding.'

'Yes, I'm worried too. Even my sister has her limits and judging by the call I received from Michael just before we left it seems she has her hands filled with a certain Australian prince.' An oddly mischievous smile spread across princess Amberly's face and I frowned before turning back to where Anthony was making his way back to us, a very serious look on his face.

'How much longer Anthony?' Amberly demanded, a slight edge to her tone.

'Not long my love,' he assured her but it didn't seem to placate her.

'Anthony, you have checked the plane several times now, I think its safe to fly.'

'I don't want to take any chances,' he answered before placing a kiss on Amberly's cheek but she pushed him away and glared up at him with an anger I was becoming familiar with.

'I mean it Anthony, if we aren't up in the air in the next five minutes I'm going to fly the plane myself. I swear to any god that will listen, if you are delaying us hoping that I will give up on going home, then you are wasting your time and mine.'

'Amberly, you really think I would do that to you?' He asked, but I could tell the princess's words rang with a truth Anthony didn't want to admit to.

'Anthony,' she said warningly and he flashed her a sheepish smile before dropping a kiss on her forehead and whispering something I couldn't hear. When he started to walk away, Amberly looked down at me with a smug smile.

'We'll be leaving in three minutes,' she announced, turning back to the others.

'I thought you said five,' I frowned in confusion.

'No, I said I would fly the plane in five. If he wants to prevent that, he'll have us on the plane in three.' She smirked and with barely a minute to spare we were all seated in our chairs, seat belts buckled as the plane taxied.

I smiled at how easy their relationship seemed to be, as if the two knew exactly how to handle each other and complemented one another perfectly. I wondered if it had always been that easy, their personalities seemed so different although the prince didn't seem to be as wild as everyone painted him to be. From what I had seen he was fiercely protective of Amberly and the times I had seen him I had only seen his serious side, making me wonder how he had earned the crown for one of the most mischievous princes to have ever lived. It appeared the loss of Amberly and then her return had deeply affected Anthony, I just wondered whether he would ever be the same again.

Looking away from where the two were curled around each other I returned my attention to watching the clouds pass beneath us outside the window.

The truth was, Tony was right. I hadn't slept in several days. Ever since learning of Adam's imminent wedding I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes because all I would picture was the two of them and how perfect they would be together. When I started thinking like that I wondered why I was doing all of this when I could have simply stayed in Italy and lived with Tony and Nicoletta for the rest of my life.

Then I felt the overwhelming hole left in my chest from where Adam used to be and my determination to get to him would intensify until there was so much energy pumping through my veins that I couldn't breathe. I just hoped he felt the same way, because no matter what anyone told me I wouldn't believe this was possible until I heard the words come from his mouth.

Wow, I'm a liar, a terrible, no good, rotten liar for not posting faster and I apologise but I have this for you now and the promise that we are so close to the end it's insane. Anyway I hope you all had a very happy holiday season and are well into your New Years resolutions. I myself didn't make any as I know I would never follow through with them and I hate disappointing myself with my laziness. Anyway, hope you like the chapter. Anyone wondering what David may have said to cause Marinda to act in such a way? ;)

T, I'm sorry I fully intended to make the updates more regular but then I was on holiday and then it was christmas and new years and I just lost all sense of time. You have no idea how flattered I am that you have been reading since the beginning of my first fanfiction, that means so much to me and I love that you are so attached to the characters. I promise I never stop writing I just can't seem to string together enough time to get the story together enough for you guys and it's frustrating. I'm refusing to make any promises for when the next chapter will be up because I don't want to get your hopes up if I can't get anything up before I go away again. I'll try my hardest to attempt to finish the story before I go but I make no promises. Thank you so much for your support, you are amazing :)

To the beautiful guest who can't wait for the end, I hope you enjoyed the little snippet of Nia and Justin in this chapter. I just love writing him as cute and awkward, it's a nice change from the smug and confident boys I generally write in my stories. I was going to make the prince of Australia awkward and geeky but I wanted someone who was going to annoy Marinda and I think she would walk all over a geek. I'm glad you're liking the story and I hope you enjoy the ending I have cooked up for you guys. I hope it comes off as dramatic as I've planned it to be :)

To the awesome guest with a quick story :), I'm super excited that you found me again. However, learning that you found me all the way back in May makes me feel even more guilty for taking so long to finish the story. Honestly, I don't know how people have stuck with me so long, yeesh! Thank you for your awesome review and I hope you see my story through to the end despite me being such an awfully slow author :)

SezusFromTheCult, I am so very terribly sorry for keeping you waiting so long. I know like I said before I'm a terrible person for getting your hopes up and then leaving you hanging :( Not going to lie though, did enjoy getting your reviews as you go more and more frustrated with me, again sorry. I hope this chapter makes up for such a long wait and I will endeavour to be a decent person and give you a faster update next time.

Again, I apologise to all you guys for being so bad at updating and breaking my promises. You have every right to be annoyed with me and you're all right it was too long between updates, especially when I promised regular.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who is still avidly reading and I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Happy reading beautiful people :)