I HUNCHED OVER the desk, racing through the paragraphs of my book. I needed to have this chapter done in the next five minutes, start the writing prompt, and read the manuscript concerning the riots in Kinston so I could begin to craft an essay regarding the best possible solution.

My head was pounding as I took a sip of my tea, letting out a soft sigh as I flipped the page. I needed to practice my Ferian as well even if I didn't see the practicality in knowing such a rare language. Be prepared for everything, I could hear Parisa's scoff in my head which only made my temper flare.

I underlined different quotations and excerpts before turning my attention to the outline of my prompt, adding in quick notes as I turned my attention to the manuscript.

Food was the cause of the outbursts, and I'd studied the economics as well as the regime of the area, making a note in pen that their farmers population had dwindled in the past years with the rise of the industry and the lack of proper irrigation.

It was no surprise that without enough water and working hands that food production had dropped significantly. The prices in the market had risen to such an outrageous degree with the lack of supply and excess demand. I'd pulled up the records of the average income in Kinston, and fruits, vegetables, and even common grain had risen to at least 45 pilfers from its original price of 10.

Buying three bundles of apples originally would have equaled 30 pilfers, but with the rise in price it could now be 135 pilfers. The average family doesn't produce enough of an income to support their food intake, and this is on fruit alone.

I started to write a first note, quickly drafting a rough paragraph regarding the salaries and prices in the industry before skimming down to make a remark on the possible solution.

Money would need to come from the kingdom's treasury to support more farmers in the area. With this support they could produce their crops and help return the market to its equilibrium. In the present time, families unable to support themselves should have access to both kitchens providing low cost meals as well as food cards allowing them to purchase goods. Irrigation needs to be set in place to help the growth of the crops and increase production levels in local farms to help feed the people. 

I set down my pen, rubbing my eyes. I'd been working on these essays and readings for hours, and my eyes had started to burn. I took another sip of tea, blinking as I tried to keep my eyes from watering. My head was starting to pound, and I couldn't take much more of this work if I didn't want to suffer from a migraine.

Pushing my chair back from the table, I rested my head on the edge of it, letting my wings drape around my body as I looked down at my lap. I gazed at my hand, letting it lie flat on my leg as I looked at the giant ring that rested on my finger.

What a day it had been.

The diamonds glittered under the light, and I ran a finger along them, feeling their cold, sharp edges. They were stunning, and I was reminded throughout the day of my new jewelry by how heavy it was. How did women wear rings like this? How was I supposed to wear this ring?

My stomach twisted as I looked at the brilliant gems. Wasn't I supposed to be more excited than this? Maybe I would have been if it had been my choice, but Parisa's face burned into my memory every time I looked at it. She'd given me no other option except for yes. I liked Xavier, but we weren't in love. He knew that too, and I found his kindness endearing. 

The proposal was as magically as a fairytale. Xavier and I went on a walk in the gardens, and when we'd reached one of the largest gazebos, I realized what a scene had been laid out for me. Golden lights covered the entire structure and were wrapped around the trees, shining lanterns hanging from the branches as music played in the distance. 

Flower petals were laid out for the both of us to walk on, and in the center of all the lights Xavier got down onto one knee. He presented me the ring, and I said yes because I believed what he'd told me.

"Cybele, will you marry me?" He'd said, giving me a sweet smile. "I know it's so soon, and we haven't know each other long but I want to spend all the time I have left getting to know you. You fascinate and inspire me, and you're the woman I want to fall in love with every day little by little. You're the queen I need by my side, and I hope you'll bless me by accepting my heart and my crown." 

One day I'd fall in love with him, and I was content knowing that when I married him. 

What was prodding at my side was why on earth Parisa had allowed this in the first place. It had happened so suddenly, one moment forcefully opposing the idea of Xavier and the next giving her blessing for him to propose to me in the same week.

Something had happened, an event that she hadn't told me about that had made her switch sides so quickly. Parisa wouldn't have forced me with Xavier this suddenly if it hadn't benefited her, but how it helped her was a mystery to me.

She'd wanted to stay out of the war as long as possible, and marrying me off to Xavier clearly drew a line in the sand. The Confrontation wasn't going to be happy, and their hellfire would be turned towards our planet now as well. Aligning ourselves with the Holy Order was choosing sides, the very thing Parisa had fought to avoid so that we could reap the benefits.

What made her change her mind, I wondered as I looked down at the ring. What had Fortis done that had won her over, or what had Pluto said that had offended Parisa so greatly that she decided against Venus?

"What are you working on?" A voice echoed and I jumped in surprise, turning to see Nocen as he leaned against a bookshelf. The demon looked hardly bothered or much less concerned with anything, most definitely not with anything I was working on. He had mostly likely come to scare and intimidate me with his hard stare. The deep green of his eyes made me suck in a breath as I stood to face him, licking my lips.

"Work."

"You're working on work? Fascinating." He snorted as he strolled towards me. I held my breath as he leaned closer to me, peering over my shoulder to read my writing. We were nearly chest to chest, and I felt my feathers begin to twitch. "I know the Kinston riots."

"You do?" I said in surprise.

"Oh yes, I was there when it turned ugly." Nocen took a bite from the apple I hadn't realized was sitting in his right hand. He watched me as he swallowed, "We demons feed off violence and chaos. You would know that as it seems."

His eyes hinted behind me as I felt my cheeks begin to burn. I knew without a doubt he'd seen the open book resting on the table revealing a chapter regarding the capabilities of the demonic 'night children. I needed to know as much about the enemy as I could; knowledge was power, and Parisa had barely given me anything to work with so I'd come to acquire it on my own.

"Don't forget to include the King's Silver in that paper of your's as well." Nocen said with a smirk.

"King's Silver?" I raised an eyebrow.

"The golden girl hasn't researched well enough it appears." He chuckled, pushing past me to the table. He flipped the pages in my manuscript before pausing on one specific page. His eyes caught mine as he coaxed me forward with his finger. Hesitantly, I stepped closer to look at the pages. "This section here will inform you all about it, and it should affect your totals. You almost made an unfortunate mistake; always double check your work."

Taking my pen, he starred the section for me before standing straight again. I took the packet in my hand, reading intently at where he'd bracketed the start of a lengthy section in the manuscript. Just as he said, the King's Silver was important, an added portion of the text specifying that the king was allowed to take from the people their finest possessions to add to the castle treasury for the purpose of adding to the royal museum. I glanced up to Nocen as he gave me a mischievous smile. Shaking my head, I said exactly what I was feeling even if it surprised me. "Thank you."

"You did well enough. Dilligent and very perceptive even if you're sloppy." He took another bite of the apple. "Though, you do appear far more intelligent than most of the diplomats I've come into contact with from this world."

I couldn't help but smile softly. I was far more intelligent; Parisa hardly ever told me I did anything right. "Really?"

"I guess, for a princess." Nocen winked, making me scowl as I narrowed my eyes.

"And for once I thought you were sincere."

"You don't know a thing about me." He said deeply, making me shiver. I wrapped my hands around myself, and in the next second Nocen's eyes had focussed on me like a sniper centering in on their target through the lens of their scope. "Is that a... ring?"

"Yes, it is." I said, raising an eyebrow. "What do you want to know?"

"Who's stupid enough to try and marry you." Nocen said, his eyes seeming to burn a hole in my hand as I slid my ringed finger underneath my other arm.

"Fuck you." I said, my eyes widening when I'd realized what I'd said and who exactly I'd just said it to.

Nocen's gaze flashed up as he met my eyes, the color in them darkening. "I didn't mean it like that, and you better watch your mouth. Trying to be bold is only going to get you killed."

"By you." I said, biting my bottom lip as I took a step back from him.

"I'm the least of your concerns." He said, taking a breath. Nocen took two steps closer to me, and I swallowed as he towered over me, a shiver running up my spine. "If I meant to kill you, I would have already."

"Get away from me." I stammered, leaning back against the table as Nocen narrowed his eyes at me. "Get away from me, Nocen."

He listened to my protest and took a few steps away from me, those curious eyes that changed colors still trained on me. Nocen took the final bite from his apple, and I watched his lips as he chewed. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. I pulled my eyes away, looking at his face as he gave me a frown.

"Congrats on the engagement. I'm sure Prince Whatever-His-Name is just plain overjoyed to have you." He said with fake enthusiasm that made me glare at him. "Don't be disappointed when this falls through because it will. This plan of yours won't work as well as you think it will; I'll make sure of it."

I opened my mouth to question him, but Nocen didn't stay around. His entire body burst to life in a monsoon of glass, making me yelp as he dissolved into the air. I panted as I felt my heart beat rapidly inside my chest, flustered as my papers settled after being scattered around the library from Nocen's silver tornado.

Looking around the room, I saw that he truly was gone. I gripped the edge of the table in disbelief. Why had he come at all? What had he meant by my plan? Right now I had no plan.

The dots connected, and I furrowed my eyebrows. It wasn't my plan I realized; he knew Parisa's.