Adam

I felt like I was floating. My mind was blank and the world seemed to be fuzzy around the edges. Then I opened my eyes and I realised that the world in my mind and the one that I was surrounded by were very different places.

I let out an uncomfortable groan as I tried to push myself up but my body was too weak to carry out the action. Instead, I slumped back against the pillows and scowled at the hospital room I found myself in. How had I ended up here?

'Adam?' Came a familiar voice and I looked over to see my mother looking down at me worriedly. How had I not noticed her before? 'Oh Adam, you're awake.' Suddenly, I was wrapped up in her arms.

'Mom,' I groaned, as a dull pain began to gain momentum in my side.

'Be quiet,' she shushed, hugging me tighter. 'A little pain never killed anyone. Let me hug you.'

I rolled my eyes at my mother and wrapped a tentative arm around her shoulders trying to offer her the comfort she obviously needed.

'Mom, I'm fine,' I sighed when she still refused to let me go. She pulled back and before I knew it she'd hit me across the head and was standing at her full height staring down at me.

'I am your mother Adam, it is my right to care and worry about you.' She sighed as her shoulders slumped before she fell back in the chair and for the first time I realised how worn out she looked. 'I was scared Adam. You've been out for two days.'

'Two days?' I almost shouted in shock as all the memories from before I blacked out started to flood my vision. 'Where is she?'

'She's safe Adam, I promise,' my mother assured me but I couldn't be certain until I saw her with my own eyes. I made to get up from the bed again but my mother's arm quickly came down to trap me in. 'Don't you dare get out of that bed Adam.'

'Mom, I need to see her.'

'I know Adam, and you will, but right now you need to rest.' She answered firmly and I knew there was no way of getting around her.

'How is everyone else?' I asked nervously. I had checked out of the battle pretty early on and there was no telling how many tragedies had been suffered after I lost consciousness.

'They're dealing,' my mother answered cryptically before letting out a tired sigh. 'Adam, a lot of people died in the attack.'

'How many?' I asked, feeling the ruler inside me start to stir. How was this going to affect my people? How was this going to affect our relations with the rest of the world?

'Too many, but Adam your grandfather…he-he didn't make it,' she admitted regretfully.

'What?' I gasped, as a surreal feeling swept through my body. It just didn't make any sense that my grandfather could be gone.

'He was shot by Kota,' she explained angrily.

'Uncle Kota?' I frowned. What had he been doing in the palace?

'Yes, he was the leader of The Elites.'

'What? That can't be right,' I frowned. 'They were the ones trying to kill us.'

'Yes.'

'Mom, where is he now?' I demanded feeling an uncontrollable fury begin to grow inside of me.

'Dead,' she answered, emotionlessly. 'One of the guards shot him as he let the shot which killed your grandfather go.'

'How's Amberly?'

'Not good, she thought she was the one who shot your uncle.'

'What?'

'She was trying to protect Aisling-'

'What? You told me she was fine,' I shouted, throwing the covers back and gingerly swinging my legs over the side of the bed. A wave of dizziness washed over me but I ignored it.

'She is Adam,' my mother tried to placate as she moved to shove me back in the bed.

'I don't understand,' I frowned making no move to get back under the covers.

'Kota did shoot at her,' my mother started cautiously before moving on quickly as she saw the anger bloom across my face. 'But, your grandfather jumped in front of the shot, saving her life and losing his own.' I slumped back against the pillows, suddenly feeling exhausted.

'I have to see her,' I muttered, I knew I wouldn't be satisfied of her safety until I could see her, until I could feel her breath against my skin and the heartbeat just beneath, reminding me there was life inside of her.

'I'm not going to able to convince you to rest for a day am I?' My mother smiled in defeat.

'Would you have stayed in bed if you needed to be certain of dad's safety.'

'No,' she chuckled shaking her head at me as I sat up again ignoring the strain on my side. 'I think she was put back in her old room.'

'Thanks mom,' I smiled, leaning over her and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

'You should probably put some clothes on Adam, I'm not sure the rest of the palace will be as pleased to see so much of you as Aisling might be.'

'Right,' I answered looking around the hospital room helplessly.

'Top drawer.'

'Right,' I muttered, as mom opened the drawer and took the clothes out for me. I liked seeing the amused look on her face as she handed me the clothes because it meant she didn't look so tired. She looked more like the mother I had grown up with.

'I love you mom,' I smiled, taking the clothes from her.

'I love you too Adam, always.'

Feeling an uncontrollable smile spread across my face I strode confidently through the palace, only feeling a slight pang in my side as I moved towards her room. I couldn't wait to see her beautiful eyes again. Everything else for right now could wait. When her door finally came into sight I felt my heart stutter in my chest. She was just behind that door.

'Aisling,' I called as I pushed the door to her room open, only to find it empty. Confused I looked around wondering if maybe she was hiding but after several minutes I still couldn't find her.

Sighing heavily, I walked from her room wondering where she could possibly be. Of course she wasn't where she was meant to be, when had she ever made it easy?

Looking out one of the windows as the palace staff rushed around setting everything in it's right place my eyes rested on a tall tree and I smiled at the thought of her up some tree surveying the world with her quizzical eyes. Of course she would be in the garden, looking down on the world as if she were the light that kept it going.

I rushed for the gardens, nodding at the guards who looked at me in surprise as I passed. However, as I moved around the gardens I was again met with disappointment. I was beginning to feel panic rise in my chest at not knowing where she was and wondering if maybe she had landed herself in some sort of trouble.

'Where are you?' I muttered, walking back into the palace, stepping out of the way of maids as they moved past me with large bouquets of flowers, heading for the great hall.

Without realising it I found myself heading to the guest quarters and I knew I was looking for her in the last place she could possibly be. If she wasn't here, I feared I would never find her. This should have been the first place I looked but I had been busy remembering her the way she was, anything could have changed in the time since I sent her away. If she wasn't here, I was set to search every room in this palace looking for my lost princess.

I knocked lightly on Tony and Nicoletta's door but instead it swung open gently under the force of my knock. Tentatively, I took a few steps inside their room to see a sight that almost melted my heart. I found both Tony and Nicoletta asleep above their covers but that wasn't what made the image so beautiful because between them under the embrace of both of their arms was a sleeping Aisling. Her face was more peaceful and calm than I had ever seen it before and I couldn't help but think they were the perfect family. Their bonds were of love, not blood and it seemed there was nothing that could have been stronger.

Gently, I closed the door behind me as I left, unable to control the smile that spread across my face. My little dreamer.

'Father?' I asked curiously as I limped down the hallway, absently playing with the buttons of my suit jacket.

'Oh Adam,' he greeted, dismissing some of the men by his side. 'I've been looking for you. Your mother said you were awake.'

'What is it?'

'If you are well enough I need you in the meeting room. The world is a mess and you, as the future ruler of this nation need to be there as it begins to rebuild.'

'Aren't we heading towards war?' I frowned, remembering all too vividly the lengths New Asia was willing to go, to rule over us. Then a sudden thought hit me. 'Where is Medea?'

'Locked away,' father answered harshly, shaking his head. 'Her as well as her family on our soil and that of all her conspirators. They are now our prisoners of war.'

'So there will be a war?'

'Of course there will be war Adam. This has gone on long enough and I, as well as the rest of the world are tired of their nation's antics. We seek peace and only through subduing the power of New Asia can the rest of the world prosper.'

'How are we to manage a war?' I frowned, knowing the state of our own finances and resources as well as my father did, if not better. 'We still have no means to fight with the hope of winning.'

'The funny thing about hope Adam is it's usually the only thing we have left when the storm has ripped through.' I frowned deeper at his words, wondering if maybe in all the madness my father had somehow contracted it. He seemed to find my silence amusing as he cuffed my shoulder with a youthful smile.

'Dad, what are you going on about?' I finally asked as we both started to walk in the direction of the meeting room.

'Aisling, son,' he chuckled.

'What? What are you going to do with her?'

'Nothing, she is going to do it all on her own.'

'You know I generally believe you and my mother talk nonsense most of the time but today you have really outdone yourselves,' I muttered.

'No time to bring up the mental stability of your mother and I we have a room full of nations ready for us to make some very serious decisions. Are you ready?' I paused for a moment, looking hesitantly at the tall white doors which led to the meeting room. At one time in my life, before all of this I would have found them intimidating. I may have even felt a need to run from them, to turn my back on my responsibilities, but thinking about Aisling and everything she had been through before she met me and everything she has suffered since I couldn't help but feel empowered to do more. To stand before my own people and those of other nations and demand more of them. In the light of Aisling's eyes I could see a world not as it was but as it should soon be, a world full of dreamers who were always one step away from happiness if only they were brave enough to take a chance, but first someone need to offer them that chance.

'I'm ready.'

Anthony

'What's got you all twisted?' Someone asked from beside me, but I couldn't pull my eyes away from her.

'She hasn't moved in hours,' I muttered, leaning heavily against the steel balcony of our room. She had been here since before the longest meeting of my life and she was still here now.

'She does look beautiful sitting their in the afternoon sunlight,' he mused and I turned on him with narrowed eyes.

'David, you better watch yourself. That is my fiancé,' I all but growled.

'Oh, the one you let slip through your fingers. Is that the one,' he teased and I felt my eyes narrow on him. 'Too soon?'

'What are you doing here David?'

'Don't treat me like that, I'm here for my friend in this trying time.'

'And?' I asked, waiting for the rest of his proposal, he was more cunning than I was most of the time.

'And…I need your help convincing Marinda in the virtues of Australia and well…'

'You,' I smirked, watching as a blush started to creep up my old friend's neck.

'She is…resistant to the idea,' he shrugged, trying to play down his frustrations and despair.

'Have you even ask her?'

'In so many words…' he trailed off and I couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter.

'You're utterly useless mate. How is she to come to terms with something when you haven't even asked her?'

'I thought maybe she would come to the conclusion on her own,' he shrugged.

'Don't you think maybe she's a little young and besides I thought you hated each other?'

'Hate? I've been enchanted by that girl since the day she released that snake in my room. She's-she's got this…untameable fire in her. It's…impossible to ignore her.'

'I think it's a family trait,' I mumbled casting another glance into the gardens where Amberly still sat staring at the stump of a tree. It looked black and sickened as if a poison had strangled it at it's very roots.

'They are impossible to ignore,' he mused coming up beside me.

'I don't know what to do. She's shut me out, she's shut everyone out,' I breathed in frustration.

'Maybe she just needs a little time mate,' he suggested as we both looked down on the garden.

'I don't want to give her time, I want everything to be the way it was. She's not the same girl and it frightens me,' I admitted, feeling my heart beat uncontrollably.

'Do you love her?' He asked gently and I answered without hesitation.

'Everyday I feel my love for her grow.'

'Then what is the problem?'

'If she has changed will this new Amberly still love me?' I asked, my emotions raw and exposed as I clutched the balcony so tightly my hands turned white and my arms began to tremble. David was silent beside me for a long time and I wondered what he might be thinking but like Amberly I had no ability to see his inner most thoughts so instead I let all my focus fall to her again.

'I have a most brilliant idea,' David announced clapping his hands once and jolting me from my reverie.

'What are you going on about?'

'I think its time we all had a little fun around here. If war is on the horizon we should be carefree while we still can. It is definitely time for a little of my brand of fun,' he smirked dangerously and I felt my eyes narrow on him.

'What are you thinking?' I asked cautiously, keeping my eyes focused on the volatile Australian prince.

'Something crazy,' he smirked. 'Now where is that devilish brother of yours? Jared always knows how to have a good time.'

'Does everyone know about Jared's mischievous streak except father and I?' I ground out, looking over to see Amberly's brother, Adam, sit beside her on the bench.

'He does have a far more devious mind than you can ever hope to achieve, but fear not old friend, I'm sure he'll be willing to teach you a trick or two.'

'Brilliant,' I grumbled, following after him in search of my brother.

Amberly

'Adam, everything is such a mess,' I sighed, glaring down at the poisoned tree. 'I-I nearly killed our uncle.'

'But you didn't Amberly and even if you did no one would think any less of you. In fact I would love you even more because you were doing it to save the woman I love.'

'Adam, how can you bare the sight of me after what I did?' I asked, disgust dripping from my tone as I spun on the cement stool to face my brother.

'Amberly, what are you talking about?' He frowned, looking down at me with his confused brown eyes.

'Adam, I killed our grandfather,' I whispered, letting the tears that had been building behind my eyes for the past two days since the attack.

'Amberly?'

'If I hadn't have tried to be brave and just done as they had asked he would still be alive,' I sobbed.

'And Aisling would have died,' he shot back. 'You made a choice that day Amberly, as did our uncle and as did grandfather. You chose to be brave and stand against those who threatened the people you care for and grandfather chose to risk his own life to save an innocent girl.'

'I miss him Adam,' I sobbed and instantly he pulled me into an embrace whispering words of comfort as I let all my worries escape me until all I could do was hiccup weakly into my brother's shirt.

'Amberly?' He finally asked gently. 'Where is Anthony?'

'I told him not to bother me,' I answered guiltily, remembering the look on Anthony's face last night when I had refused to return to our room and instead returned to my old one near my parents. Like I had the night before. Ironically, all I wanted was to curl up in his arms.

'You can't do that Amberly, as much as I don't like him he…he does care for you.'

'Why?' I hissed.

'What?'

'Why would he want me, especially after what I did?'

'Amberly, love?' I started at hearing his voice so near and nearly spun off the bench to see him standing behind me holding an odd assortment of objects.

'Anthony?'

'Love, what are you talking about?' He frowned, anger starting to build behind his eyes.

'Anthony, you don't understand,' I started but he had already dropped everything he was holding and was striding over to me with a strangely determined look on his face.

'Oh, I understand enough Amberly and you're not doing this. You are not pushing me away again,' he all but growled before his hands captured my face, his lips finding mine without even a moments hesitation.

I hadn't realised he had pulled me to my feet until I stumbled against him when our lips broke apart.

'Anthony-'

'No, love, I'm going to talk this time and you're going to listen,' and I couldn't help but look up at him in shock. I was about to open my mouth to speak again but he cut across me. 'Nothing you do will ever make me love you any less love, nothing.'

'But, I could have killed someone,' I reasoned, playing with one of the buttons on his jacket anxiously.

'A man who was just as ready to kill you and that peculiar little girl your brother seems so enchanted with.'

'Aisling,' I smiled, rolling my eyes at his ridiculousness. 'And she is the future queen of Illea so I recommend you start learning her name.'

'I have you for that love,' he smirked, tugging lightly at the curls that were perfectly coiled down my back. 'Besides you're the only queen I'm going to be worrying about.'

'Anthony,' I began all humour escaping my voice as I looked up at him again. 'D-do you think I am different?'

'Entirely,' he confirmed and I felt my heart sink in my chest. I didn't want to be different. I wanted to be the strong girl he had fallen in love with all those years ago. 'You are more than you have ever been before and I love every little freckle on your nose.'

'I don't have freckles,' I frowned, swatting his hand away when he tried to tap my nose.

'Oh you do love, no matter how hard you try to hide them from me.'

'Why are you so impossible?'

'Because I know how much you like a challenge,' he smiled, leaning down and placing a kiss on my nose instead.

'I'm sorry for how I've behaved Anthony. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just afraid and ashamed and sad. I miss him terribly,' I whispered, a fresh wave of tears threatening to fall and instantly I felt a wave of anger flash through me.

'Love?'

'I hate you seeing me cry, I hate anyone seeing me cry,' I scowled, tugging harshly at his suit jacket.

'Amberly, look at me sweetheart,' he coaxed as several tears slipped through my defences and splashed against my cheeks. 'You have nothing to be ashamed of, especially in front of me. You are stronger than any woman I have ever met, with a fire inside of you that rivals any in existence. If you can't see that, then everyday, for the rest of our lives I will remind you of this because Amberly, you are my strength, you always have been.' He finished in a whisper before his lips fell to mine again in a sweet and tender kiss, his hand holding my head in place and the other on my hip, scorching my skin through the flimsy fabric of my blue dress.

I only broke away when I heard a strange noise start to break through the daze Anthony's kisses had left me in.

'Love,' Anthony groaned, trying to pull me back.

'Can you hear that? I think-' I broke off when I saw what was creating all the commotion.

'What are you-oh dear,' he broke off and I turned back to narrow my eyes on him.

'What have you done?'

'Now love, you can't blame me entirely for this one,' he began raising his hands defensively. 'This was David's plan and Jared encouraged it. I was simply there because they believed it might lighten your mood.'

'You thought this would lighten my mood?' I asked in a deathly calm voice.

'Admittedly, now I believe the plan may have been doomed from the beginning.' He shrugged.

'They're riding-'

'Yes.'

'How did they-

'I have no idea.

'Marinda,' I growled, before storming off muttering obscenities about my middle sister.

'Now, love I think you need to calm down,' Anthony all but pleaded as he chased after me.

'They are riding ostriches Anthony. Ostriches! Through the palace grounds.'

'I am aware.'

'And what are you going to do about it, love?' I challenged, placing my hands on my hips and tapping my foot at him impatiently.

'Wait for the explosion,' he smirked, then suddenly the air was filled with a series of loud bangs. I instinctively ducked thinking we may be under attack again but when I turned to face the commotion I saw that the palace grounds were instead filled with colourful fireworks. This however, did not bode well for the ostrich riders as their mounts seemed to become spooked by the loud noise and began to throw their riders.

I watched as David, the Australian prince, tumbled to the grass, laughing like a hyena the entire way as my own sister tumbled beside him. Almost instinctively I watched as he pulled her on top of him, her face alight with laughter and playfulness.

'Are they-'

'I believe my friend might be entirely under your sister's spell. However, if you ask me I'd say I got the better sister.' He smirked as I looked on in shock.

'The last I heard they hated each other, Marinda said he was a boring old stick in the mud.'

'I believe your sister had quite an effect on the boy, poor lad.'

'What are you saying about my sister?' I demanded defensively.

'Nothing love,' he chuckled, winding his arms thought mine and reeling me in until I was pressed firmly to his chest, his chin resting against my head as we both surveyed the chaos.

Jared was trying to wrangle his ostrich as another streamed right passed him and I marvelled at how the small girl in the blue dress managed to hold on with one hand whilst she waved the other in the air jovially.

'Who is that girl?' I frowned.

'I don't recall, I think she was with your brother.'

'Adam?'

'No, Michael.'

In that moment I saw Michael streaming across the grounds after the girl a worried look on his face.

'Alice!' he cried in distress but I didn't think the girl was ready to give up her fun.

'We must run Michael,' she insisted and I realised Michael had almost caught her. 'You can't allow the madness to settle in one place, otherwise it'll get the wrong idea.'

'And what idea is that Alice?' He gasped, taking hold of her arm and puling her from the energetic ostrich so they both tumbled to the ground.

'The idea that I might be sane,' she beamed, pushing up from him and extending her hand for him to take.

'I think I've been away too long,' I mused lightly, absently playing with Anthony's fingers that were loosely wrapped around my waist.

'And why's that love?'

'Because I think that girl just made sense,' I chuckled, spinning in his hold and resting my hand gently against his cheek.

'Oh love, I think the madness has gotten the better of you,' he consoled, bringing me impossibly closer.

'I'd have to be mad to agree to spend the rest of my life with you,' I smiled mischievously.

'And I thank all that is good that you lost your marbles the day I asked you to marry me.'

Michael

'Are you hurt?' I asked anxiously, checking Alice over as she had already started to float away.

'Not in the slightest,' she smiled, heading back for the palace.

'Do you think we should catch them?' I wondered, looking back at where the ostriches still ran wild.

'They'll find their way home,' she shrugged, pushing the door open and floating inside. I wondered what it was about her that made it look like she was walking on a bed of clouds rather than the hard marble that ran the length of the palace halls.

'Where are you going Alice?'

'To find Aisling,' she answered simply without explanation. They were friends after all.

'Alice, we need to talk,' I said suddenly, feeling my mind finally snap back to the matter I had been attempting to discuss with her before the large bird fiasco.

'We are talking Michael.'

'No, I mean…would you stop, please,' I all but begged as she tried to turn another corner, her mind intent on finding her friend.

'What is it Michael?' She asked, a quizzical look on her face and not for the first time I found myself craving to know what was going on inside her mind.

'We…before…you know…' I fumbled trying to find the words I needed to express myself best but coming up empty as my discomfort increased.

'Michael, why don't you take a breath?' She suggested, resting a hand gently on my forearm but that only made my mind descend further into chaos, or was that my heart. Her touch had it pattering a rhythm that seemed almost impossible.

'Alice,' I began again, settling myself before I looked down into her strikingly blue eyes. 'We kissed.'

'I am aware,' she nodded, as if prompting me to continue but I had nothing else to say and there in lay the problem.

'Don't you think we should talk about this?' I frowned, my cheeks heating as I remembered how she kissed me just before the crowd started to gather for Adam's false wedding. It had taken me completely by surprise and by the time I realised what was transpiring she had already pulled away and was skipping down the aisle to her seat as if she hadn't just turned my world upside down. What was she thinking?

'What would you like to say on the matter Michael?' She prompted.

'Well, why did you do it?' I asked, my eyebrows drawing even further together.

'I wanted to know what it was like,' she shrugged, resting her hands in one of the pockets of her dress. The entire blue day dress was covered in small white rabbits and over it she wore a bright red waistcoat, with a pocket watch attached. I had seen her withdraw it from the pocket before the ostrich escapade and seen that there was an image of her family on the face and wondered if maybe her time conscious brother had given it to her.

'Oh,' I answered, dumbfounded by her answer as she turned away from me to start down the corridor again. 'Wait.'

'Yes, Michael,' she answered patiently, turning to face me again.

'Well, what does this mean…for us?' I asked awkwardly, feeling my palms become slick with sweat, my cheeks becoming impossibly hotter.

'Nothing or everything,' she shrugged nonchalantly. 'A kiss is only a moment in time. You can't replicate the one you may have had before but you can choose to enact the action again if that is what you wish.'

'What are you saying?'

'Do you want to kiss me again Michael?' She asked bluntly and I felt my palms become impossibly more clammy and uncomfortable.

'I-I…well…I've…' What was it with these girls and their forwardness. Would I never be allowed the time to think before having a kiss thrust upon me?

'It's a simple question Michael.'

'Not for me.'

'I know,' she smiled almost sympathetically. 'You like to think everything out, right till the very last detail and once that is done you enjoy torturing yourself with everything that might go wrong. Why don't you just jump?'

'Jump?' I grimaced. 'What am I jumping from? More importantly, what am I jumping into?'

'Nothing or everything,' she repeated again just like when I asked her what her kiss meant. What was she trying to do to me?

'This is a ridiculous conversation,' I scoffed, rubbing my hands against my thighs trying to rid them of some of the perspiration.

'Don't all conversations hold an air of ridiculousness?' She challenged and I heaved a long breath.

'You, kissed me.' I reiterated.

'Yes Michael, no one is disputing that fact.' She answered, her eyes challenging me and in that instant I felt something inside of me I'd never felt before and it terrified me. My throat went dry, my hands even worse than before and my heart went so crazy I was afraid I would die from a heart attack at sixteen.

I pressed my hands against the coarse fabric of my trousers again before slowly, cautiously I reached out and took her perfectly tiny hand in my own. She felt delicate and almost ethereal as I tightened me hold, my eyes never leaving them as I considered how well they seemed to fit together.

I was started from my thoughts when I heard the jingle of her laughter ring against the walls of the hall drawing my eyes to her blue ones again.

'Baby steps little prince, baby steps,' she chuckled, tugging me along beside her as my body hummed with excitement. 'Now let's go and find Aisling.' But I didn't care where I was going, as long as she let me hold her hand the whole way there.

Aisling

I started to stir from my sleep when I heard several precise knocks on the door. Feeling groggy, I brushed the sleep from my eyes as a long yawn consumed me. I wonder how long I had slept. Last I remembered Tony was pouring tea and then everything becomes unclear.

Opening my eyes fully, I realised someone must have moved me to the bed but when I moved to sit up I found that I couldn't. Frowning I looked down to find two arms laid across me protectively and I looked beside me to find Nicoletta on one side and Tony on the other, both sleeping soundly and I couldn't help the warmth that spread through my chest or the smile that consumed my face.

I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard the knock at the door again and I was almost tempted to ignore them. Instead, I gently removed Tony and Nicoletta's arms from me, feeling a sense of loss wash over me as I moved over to the door, running a hand quickly through my hair incase it looked more like I had spent the day fighting a persistent breeze than tameable hair.

'Hello?' I croaked, opening the door slightly to find a palace maid, holding a note.

'A message from Prince Adam my lady,' she curtseyed. Thanking her I took the note and shut the door behind me a little too loudly causing Tony to sit bolt upright.

'Aisling,' he shouted in a panic, his eyes frantically searching the room when he couldn't find me right beside him.

'I'm here Tony,' I smiled, spinning the letter in my hands as I watched him visibly relax.

'Oh, mia cara,' he breathed. 'I thought…well…' He trailed off as Nicoletta stirred, her eyes immediately landing on the letter in my hands.

'What do you have there paserotta?' She yawned, stretching out before pushing to her feet and crossing over to me.

'A letter from Adam, he must be awake,' I announced excitedly. 'Do you think I could go and see him?'

'Of course mia cara, I will take you there myself,' Tony agree and I felt myself fidget under both of their gazes.

'You don't have to do that,' I muttered, stuffing the letter in the pocket of my dress. 'I'm perfectly capable of walking from one side of the palace to the other.'

'If that's what you want Aisling, but it is really no trouble,' Tony answered carefully and again I felt my chest swell.

'I would be perfectly safe...but I wouldn't mind the company,' I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. I didn't want them to know how rattled the attack had me and most importantly I needed to make sure Adam didn't know. I still wasn't sure if he was going to let me stay. Medea may no longer be an option but that didn't mean that he would choose me.

'Of course mia cara, I would be delighted,' Tony beamed, coming around the bed and placing a kiss on Nicoletta's forehead before coming over to me and taking my hand. 'Let us go before prince Adam gets himself into anymore trouble.'

I laughed lightly, feeling safer with my hand in his as we left the room and headed for the hospital wing of the palace. We had been walking for several moments before I remembered the letter in my pocket. I quickly grabbed it out and read the contents and was glad I did because we were heading in the completely wrong direction.

'Adam isn't in the infirmary Tony,' I frowned. 'He's asking for me to join him at the entrance of the palace. He says there is something we need to do.'

'What is that mia cara?'

'He doesn't say?' I answered stuffing the letter back in my pocket. 'But, I guess we should hurry,' I encouraged, tugging at his hand to go towards the entrance hall.

'Where are you going Aisling?' Tony smirked and I suspected that where I was leading us was in no way the direction in which we needed to go.

'The entrance?'

'This way mia cara,' he chuckled, pulling me off in the right direction. 'If this is to be your palace someday you better start to study what is where otherwise you'll always be lost.'

'I don't know that this will be my home one day,' I grumbled.

'Of course you do,' he said adamantly. 'That prince would be a fool to reject my daughter and I would be sure to inform him of his mistake and his parents. I would never stand for such disrespect.' I gasped at his words, my mind reeling as I looked up at him in shock.

'What is it mia cara?' He frowned, tightening his hold on my hand.

'You-you called me your daughter.'

'Is that not what you are Aisling?'

'I didn't know you thought of me that way,' I muttered.

'Of course I do and that means any boy who dares to break your heart gets to answer to me, prince or not.' He answered with a genuine smile.

'I've never had a father before,' I whispered, as thoughts of the one who ignored me for years flashed through my mind.

'Nor I a daughter, but I'm willing to try if you are.'

'I would like that very much,' I smiled as we finally reached the entrance hall.

'Io amo mia figlia,' He murmured, placing a gently kiss against my temple before leading me into the chaos that was the entrance hall of the palace.

'What's happening?' I asked nervously, pushing myself anxiously into Tony's side as people continued to run around frantically.

'I am not certain mia cara,' Tony frowned and I was just about to ask another question when I felt am arm at my back causing me to spin in fear. I stumbled in my haste to get away but Tony's strong arm reached out to steady me allowing me to look back and see who had startled me.

'Adam,' I breathed in relief. 'You're all right.' I continued, rushing into his arms quickly dispelling my fear and replacing it with excitement.

'I'm so glad you're safe Aisling,' he murmured against my ear as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

'I thought you were still in the infirmary,' I frowned, reluctant to step out of his hold afraid he would never hold me this way again.

'I woke up this morning. I came to see you but I didn't want to disturbed you,' he smiled, holding me at arms length, his eyes running over me.

'What's happening?' I asked distractedly, looking around the mayhem in the entrance hall of the palace. I noticed the king and queen standing to the side of the room speaking to the head of their guard, sombrely. Amberly was stood not too far away with her own fiancee, prince Anthony who seemed to be trying to get a smile out of her but was having little success. Prince David was with Marinda, their heads bowed together and I could only imagine what they were concocting.

'We are announcing the war with New Asia to the people,' he answered as I frowned, spotting Alice striding away from a red faced Michael with a very mischievous smile on her face.

'War?' I asked distractedly, watching Michael jolt before he ran after Alice, a perplexed, but frustrated look on his face.

'Yes, but it's nothing to be alarmed about,' he assured me, trying to regain my attention.

'No?'

'No,' he smiled, as his eyes found mine again. 'We are certain of a swift victory before we can finally put all this uncertainty behind us.'

'But, it's still war. Won't the country lose hope? I'm not sure how many set backs the people can take,' I sighed.

'I think our people will be just fine,' he emphasised,a strange smile on his face as he looked down at me. 'At least they will be if you answer my next question the way I think you might.'

'What do you mean?'

'My grandfather once told me that the hope inside of you was enough to spark something special from the people of our country, and who was I to contradict him?'

'What are you talking about?'

'Aisling, as Illea's new princess you would inspire change and give the people something over the years they have been sorely missing.'

'New princess? Adam what are you saying?' I sighed in frustration.

'Along with the war, we will also be announcing my engagement, again.'

'Wait, engagement?' My mind was reeling. I could barely keep up with what he was saying and it was sending me into a spin.

'Aisling Zander, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife, my princess and my one and only love?' Then suddenly he was on his knees, pulling a small velvet box out of his breast pocket. All I could do was stand there speechless, my hand still in his hand as he patiently awaited my reply.

'Aisling?' He prompted nervously, casting an anxious glance at the now silent room.

'Are you sure?' I blurted, frowning down at him. 'I mean, I'm not sure anyone is going to be excited about a tree climbing, directionless princess who has only recently learnt how to read. What can I possibly do to help the people of this country?'

'Aisling, you are the hope this country needs. It radiates from you, like a silent courage. It's infectious. You see the world as what it should become and not how it is. You aren't afraid to let anyone see exactly who you are and the people of Illea need the encouragement to be themselves again, to me more than themselves.'

'And you think I can do that?'

'Aisling, I think you can do anything,' he beamed, taking the ring from it's box and reaching for my hand agin. 'The only question is do you think you would be content to be my wife and this country's new princess and eventual queen?'

'No,' I answered simply watching as a look of shock and fear swept across his face.

'What?' He asked, his hand falling from mine as I smiled down at him stupidly.

'I would never be content marrying you,' I answered seriously, barely hiding my giddiness from him as I reached for the emerald ring and slipped it on my finger. 'Marrying you would be like having all my dreams come true.' I couldn't stop the wide smile from escaping across my face as he looked up at me in puzzlement. His mouth opening and closing, incomprehensible words escaping as he struggled to understand.

'Adam,' I smirked, leaning down and gently pressing my lips to his before pulling away again. 'That means yes.'

'Yes?' He asked, getting to his feet in a daze. I nodded with a growing smile on my face before suddenly I was wrapped in his arms as he spun me right off my feet. The room erupted into loud applause as Adam pulled me in for another, more passionate kiss and suddenly I felt as if we were the only ones in the room.

'You have no idea how happy you have made me,' Adam breathed, finally pulling away from me, but not letting me step away.

'I love you Adam.'

'Not nearly as much as I love you my little dreamer.'

'Adam,' we were both broken from our little bubble by the sound of his father's voice. 'We must address the people now. Are you both ready? It's quite…intense out there.'

'Ready?'

'Umm…' I wasn't in love with the spotlight.

'You can do this Aisling, and I promise I will be right beside you the entire time. You are completely safe.'

'What if I'm not ready for this?'

'Then I'll make the announcement alone, you've been through a lot recently. The people would understand if you needed time.' He answered without hesitating, his hands gripping mine tightly.

'How is this time different from before? How can you be sure this time we'll win the war?'

'Easy,' he smiled confidently. 'This time the world is behind us, this time we won't be fighting ourselves and this time you're going to be there to remind the people that we haven't forgotten what its like to be one of them. You are their courage and their hope. They already love you and it will only grow when they learn that you will be their princess.'

'Okay,' I breathed, nodding my head certainly.

'Okay?'

'Let's go, we better not keep them waiting.'

'Are you sure you're ready?' He asked worriedly.

'Don't ask me again I might change my mind,' I breathed, grabbing his hand with mine and tugging him towards the doors of the palace where the king and queen were. King Maxon smiled as we approached before he leaned down to Queen America and gave her a quick reassuring kiss.

When the doors opened, the noise of the crowd was overwhelming causing me to stumble back in alarm, gripping Adam's hand tightly.

'Adam?' I said hurriedly and his worried eyes quickly found mine.

'What is it?'

'I need to ask you something,' I rushed out as he looked at me expectantly. I glanced out at the blinding sunlight, the king and queen getting lost in the glow as they stepped outside. I took a quick breath before I looked back at Adam and continued. 'What is your dream?'

'What?' He frowned.

'Your dream, what is yours?' I demanded hurriedly.

'I-I…can I answer this later?' He asked, throwing a quick glance towards the doors, his parents voices already ringing out over the now silent crowd.

'No, please just tell me,' I begged. 'I just…I need to know.'

'We're not going out there until you know, are we?' He smirked in defeat and I shook my head with a smile. 'My dream is that each and every person in my country has the same look of hope in their eyes that I see in yours every single day. I want them to be as happy as I am, no matter what sacrifices I need to make to achieve it,' he answered confidently and it was so easy in that moment to see the leader he was going to be. It was so easy in that moment to see the country he desired shinning back at me in his eyes.

'Good,' I nodded, tugging him towards the doors but he didn't allow me to pull him though. 'Adam?'

'What's yours?'

'We are the same Adam. We want the same things. We want a better, brighter Illea. I needed to know we wanted the same things.'

'Now may we go?'

'Lead the way,' I gestured.

'I'd rather you did, you do it so well.' He smirked and I pulled him though the doors, to the uncertain future I had chosen to have with him. Nothing in our life would ever be certain. We couldn't be certain we would win the war. We couldn't be certain our people would agree with our decisions. We couldn't even be certain that our lives would be safe until next week, but that didn't matter. All that did was that we were certain of each other. I was confident that in a world filled with shaky ground he was my rock, he was my home.

Then the light cleared and thousands of faces were staring back at me and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. This was only the beginning.

The End. Finally...I shall not mention how long it has been since I last updated because it is embarrassing but I will thank you all profusely for all the support and encouragement you have given me as I have created this story. You are all amazing little superstars. You kept reading even when I would disappear for months, so I hope you enjoy the last chapter and don't worry I have a very special surprise planned for all of you for the epilogue, I hope you all love it.

Thank you for reading beautiful people :)