Auphine's P.O.V

     Queen Mara is at the front of the gates to greet me. The veins on her forehead are present and I can almost hear her shouting at me before she does. The guards close the gate behind me and the queen approaches me.

"Had fun?" She squints her eyes angrily.

"Sure did," I say sarcastically.

"Well then . . . maybe you'll have fun locked up in your room for the day. Guards, carry her out of my sight."

She walks away and the guards grab onto my shoulder. They clench their firm hand and I flinch. It's extremely uncomfortable and their grip is so tight that I can feel my shoulders throbbing.

They lead me into the castle and up the stairs. I'm not a baby, I can carry myself, but after what I just pulled, I'll never be able to leave these walls.

They approach my room and one guard lets go of my shoulder to push the door open. The guard that is holding me, pushes me in and locks the door.

I don't even bother to bang my hands against it. No one is going to help me. I might as well just lay down and get some rest. I step more into the room and of course, it is half the size of my home. I didn't take time to really look at it much when I first came in here with Kian. We were busy bickering.

The room is dim lighted and it creates a somber mood. Tall candles stand on each corner of the room and the canopy bed is big enough to hold three people. The four thin columns of the bed contain a design of leaves growing out of a thin branch. It's quite beautiful.

I hear the door open and I quickly turn around. It's Kian. I have to admit, seeing someone with hair white as snow, is quite awkward. I never thought anyone would have the same hair as I do, unless they were old or a witch.

His black clothing makes his eyes pop. It's like the bright moon shining over the dark sea.

"Must you be in at this very moment? I need to rest," he sighs and walks over to the window. The square windows contain diamond shapes in them, how different.

"Sorry. Your mother put me here." I walk towards him and look outside.

I see Kynn and Firefly laughing in the garden. I look at Kian's face and he seems lost.

Perhaps he's jealous . . . envious? It doesn't concern me either way.

He looks at me with a look of disdain. "What?" He walks away from me and sits on the bed.

I smile and shake my head. I close the window and say, "Nothing. Jealousy is nothing more than greed."

"Jealousy?" He says with a confused look. "No one is jealous," his eyes roll.

"Maybe not of their relationship, but their happiness."

"Look," he gives me a serious look, "don't try to figure me out. There is nothing to figure out. I'm not jealous, just in thought."

"And what does that mean?" I ask walking towards him. I lean against the bed's column.

"Nothing for you to concern yourself with. If you must stay here, find a spot to sleep. The bed would be way too cramped with you on it."

I gasp and he buries himself in the silky brown cover. It's not like I care if I sleep on the floor or the sofa. I'm used to it anyways.

The sun seems to be setting and there is nothing productive for me to do in this room. This gown is going to be troublesome to sleep in, but I don't want to ask for anything else. I lay on the sofa and place my hands underneath my head. My eyes close slowly and I drift off.

* *                                            * *

Kian's P.O.V

My eyes open slowly and my vision begins to adjust. The room is dim and I cannot tell what time of day it is. I sit up and stretch my arms as far as they can go. Cracks sound down my spine and my neck.

I look over and see Auphine laying on the sofa. She actually fell asleep there. It must have been uncomfortable. I've only sat there once and it made my back ache.

I get off of the bed and walk over to her. Even in a gown, she still seems to be shaking. It is a bit cold in here. I let out a soft sigh and grab the blanket off of my bed.

I walk over to her and place it over her body. Her body untenses and her face seems more at peace. I leave my room and see two guards beside my door. They must be guarding Auphine. My mother is pretty serious about her.

I ignore it and continue down the stairs. I get to the last step and see my brother walking inside.

"You're up early," I point out.

"So are you," he crosses his arms.

"I just got up. It seems like you woke up hours ago. What are you up to?" I begin to size him up.

"I had business to attend to. I am next in line. There are many problems that I will face. I am just preparing myself. How are things with you and Auphine?"

"There is nothing between that peasant child and I. I cannot believe you love Firefly. She's weak. You need someone strong by your side."

"Stop living in the past," he walks toward me and pats my shoulder, "brother."

"I am not," I look down.

"If you weren't, you wouldn't be talking the way you do. Peasant," he laughs. "You haven't used that word in a while."

"The reason I can't forget the past is because I have to look at your face everyday and remember why she's gone. You really want me to forget?" My eyes widen and I can feel my throat clenching. "Drop dead."

I walk right past him and through the front door. I lean my back against the tall door and take a moment to catch my breath. People often say words they do not mean, but I meant every word I said to him. I lost someone dear to me and it's all his fault.

I'm sure my mother has nothing in store for me today, so it seems like a good time to go out into town. I walk down to the castle's gate and a guard stops me.

"What do you think you're doing?" I scoff.

"You are not to leave castle grounds without your mother's consent."

"Ha!" I shake my head to this nonsense. "I am not a child and she has no right. She isn't the king! She isn't all that powerful."

"Sorry prince, queen's orders." The guard goes back to his post.

First my mother destroys my heart, then she pairs me up with some peasant child, and now she's keeping me from leaving home?! It's time I have a very long conversation with her.