My fiancé was handsome. His skin was brown like mine, and his hair was closely-shaven. He stood unsmiling in his military uniform. Nine war patches decorated the right side of his jacket, declaring his strength and stratagem. He was eighteen to my almost seventeen.

I dipped into a low bow. My father nodded his approval. "The people of Verium welcome you and your guests, Kassel. May you find all that you need within the walls of our city, Celestia." When he finished his speech, I breathed a sigh of relief. Slowly, I rose.

Kassel Elijah clasped my hand in his. "Your hospitality is greatly appreciated." He placed one dry kiss on my hand and then withdrew. Pivoting to face the sixty attendants he brought with him from West Pacifica, he clapped his hand twice. The crowd of men sunk to their knees and bowed to my family as we stood on the steps that led to the palace front entrance.

As his men stood, Kassel Elijah and I headed inside, hand in hand. We walked in a formal procession. My parents led the group to the ballroom, following them were my fiancé's parents, Analiese and her betrothed, King Philippe of Elbonia, and finally Kassel Elijah and I. On all sides, the noble families of the city bowed as our families passed. I sucked in my stomach and pasted a bland smile on my face.

All of my city was watching, except the most important person of all, but I couldn't think of that. Not now. I pushed all emotion away.

A few feet ahead, there was an elevated platform with eight chairs. My mother and father and Kassel Elijah's parents took the middle four. After the elders were seated, my fiancé and King Philippe sat on the last two seats to the left, while Analiese and I sat to the right.

A long table was placed in front of us, holding the best of Verium's cuisine, but I wasn't hungry.

I watched as my parents stood. My father raised his hand for silence.

"Citizens," he began, "we are here today to celebrate the continuance of our great state through the engagement of my heir, Filia Principia Analiese Navarie, and my second daughter, Filia Principia Celeste Navarie. Since the creation of Verium in 3046, our state has been gifted with peace, prosperity, and great wealth. May we always rise." He lifted his glass in toast. "For the good of the Citizens," he said.

Music erupted from the south end. A piano played the first notes of our state anthem. Afterwards, the dancing would commence while we sat and dined. At eleven, there would be fireworks and entertainment. The party had just begun, and I was already tired of it all. As the piano drifted to a close, my father bade us to take our seats once again.

Analiese delicately sipped her wine. Her black hair was separated into six long rows and flat braided down to the middle of her back. She wore an elegant red dress, the colors of her fiancé's state, just as I wore olive green. When she noticed me staring, she gave me a slight smile.

"I'm glad you decided to cooperate, Celeste."

"I didn't have much of a choice."

"Still," she said. "I know you never wanted this, but it means a lot to me and our parents that you're here today, proudly representing Verium. Cookie would be so proud of you."

"How would you know, Analiese? You never bothered to understand her."

She closed her eyes tightly. "Forget I said anything." I watched her turn away.

Unfolding my napkin from my lap, I excused myself.

"Where are you going?" Analiese asked.

"I'll be back shortly." I refused the footman's help and soon disappeared from the ballroom. I didn't stop walking until I couldn't hear the dull thud of the music. When I glanced up, I faced the life-sized portrait of Marabella Navarie, with her hair covered in a headdress, as it always was. In her features, I saw my father's implacable eyes and strong jaw. I didn't see condemnation, though. There was a gentleness about her, even with her stern position. It was something my father lacked. Maybe that was why he was able to kill so easily.

I didn't know what to think about Dr. Mathers' proclamation, but I did know my father. Maximilian Navarie protected his own interests. Flora and Cookie must have crossed him. There must have been a reason.

I was about to turn back the way I came when I remembered the journal. It was hidden in my room, underneath the broken tile. I knew that, but I wanted to see it.

I'd be quick, I told myself. Lightning fast. No one would even miss me.

When I reached my bedroom, I rolled my carpet away and pulled the marble tile from its place. Below, my journal sat wrapped in cloth and bound in twine. Uncovering it, I toyed with the heart-shaped key. Too bad it didn't open. It was simply decorative.

I started to place the journal back in its hole, but before I could fully release it from my grip, I retracted my hand and held the journal tight against my body. From the corner of my eye, I saw my coat hanging off my bed—but the last place I'd left it was on the floor. Maybe the servants...but no, not the day of Analiese's and my betrothal ball. They would've been too busy to clean upstairs. If not them, than who?

My father could have done it, or he could have sent someone. I didn't know why he'd want my journal, but I didn't doubt the far reaches of his power or his willingness to retain what was his.

Journal in hand, I left my room. I needed a safe place to stow the journal, someplace no one else would look. Someplace like...the alcove. I could stash the journal in the alcove until the end of the ball when I could retrieve it. Lost in my thoughts, I almost didn't catch myself from turning the corner where Anne carried bags of ice in her arms. Spinning around, I walked in the opposite direction. I didn't need her seeing me and spreading rumors. I was taking the long route. Up ahead, I saw the entrance to my father's study, where a light streamed in through the closed door.

I stopped short as I hid the journal behind me. Father had forgotten to turn off the light. I debated for half a second before twisting the knob and pushing the door open.

Father's study was just as it always was. Crisp and orderly, lacking any personal affects. Bracketing the long window on each side was the Verium flag and a world atlas. His expansive, mahogany desk held a computer, a stack of books, and three pens. On the wall were the keys, directly above the three chairs slated for guests and colleagues.

I moved to the desk, to switch off the lamp when I caught a flash of gold from the corner of my eye. It was a new key. Hands trembling, I picked it up from the desk and raised it to my eyes. It was smooth with rounded notches and a shimmering gleam. Unconsciously, I placed the journal on the desk and slid the key into the clasp. I held my breath.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Startled, my hand lost grip of the key and it fell to the ground. I whirled around, expecting to meet my father and his cold stare. Instead, a young man stood by the door, his expression grim.

"Nathaniel?"

"Celeste..." For once he wasn't calm, cool, and collected. His eyes were wild, and as he pressed his lips regret crossed in his face.

I didn't ask what he was doing here. I didn't want to know. Stepping backwards, I said, "I'll just go."

He followed my movement. "You know I can't let you do that."

"Nathaniel, it's me. Celeste." He was silent. "I would never judge you or tell anyone that you were here." As I spoke, I inched closer to the door. "You have my promise."

I didn't wait for his reply, I ran straight for the door handle, but skirted to the left when I saw him lunge. He grabbed hold of my ankle. We went down hard, hitting the floor in what was becoming a pattern. As my body fell, my head slammed against the doorway. Through the pain, I saw Nathaniel kneeling over me.

I heard myself saying, "We have to stop meeting this way."

And then all went dark.