MY STOMACH SWIRLED as I stared at myself in the mirror, running my fingers along the front of my grey dress. I looked different in some way, my hair pulled back from my face in an elaborate updo that was both braided and curled. A few strands hung by either side of my face, and I looked down at my shoes, the shimmering silver of my heels catching the light.

Taking a breath, I looked back up, my blue eyes leaping out from the smoky eyeshadow and complimenting my red lips. My make-up was much stronger than I was used to, my cheekbones sharp due to a lovely contour and sparkling highlighter. I felt beautiful as I ran the backs of my fingers along my jaw.

My engagement ring sparkled on my hand, and I paused to look at it in the mirror, still unsure if the jewel was real or if I was living in a daydream. If someone had told me that I was asleep, I would have believed them with all the events of the future hanging in the air.

The wedding date was finalized, looming only a month away. Xavier had gotten a thick letter from his father, and the message was obvious: the sooner we were married the better. In less than thirty days, I'd be a Fortis on the planet Opes in the capitol city. The palace that I knew here in Viridis would only be replaced with an even greater, more extravagant giant: Imperia.

I could imagine the castle Imperia, seeing it clearly in my head after viewing its splendor on the television. After so many years watching the broadcasts and news reports related to the war, the overthrow of Crudelis, and the Fortis reign, I'd become an expert on the political sphere taking place on planet Opes. 

I'd learned Xavier's face and his entire family's from studying, Parisa hovering over my shoulder and shouting questions as she tested me. I knew the laws like the back of my hand, the family, and the capitol's history; I knew everything a leader would be expected to know. 

Would the rest of his family accept me? I wrapped my wings around my body, feeling the feathers under my fingertips. Would the worlds accept me with my feathers broadcasted for the entire universe to see? Goosebumps rose on my skin as I felt my chest tighten, closing my eyes while my heart hammered against my ribs.

The Fortis family wouldn't care what I looked like; this was a political alliance, and that was the extent of it. The only way to tie Viridis to the Holy Order was through me because I was the only candidate, the only eligible woman for Xavier to marry from our planet.

I opened my eyes, staring at myself hard in the mirror as I made myself stand up straight. Imperia would be my home one day, and I'd wear the heaviest crown in the universe. I was a future Queen, and it was time I acted like one.

One of the fairies, Delilah, buzzed to my side, hovering over my head as she dusted me with the softest touch of silver glitter. I watched as it fell around me on all sides, bejeweling my hair and falling on my eyelashes and feathers.

In the glamor of it, all I could see was Nocen and his silver storm spinning around me, making my stomach churn and throat tighten.

Parisa's plan was in effect, and I was just a piece on her chess board, about to be slid across the checkers into a new playing field. The demons hovered at the edges, ready to cut me off from each corner. Tonight I needed to discover the game that was circling around me before the mystery man Shax said checkmate.

Delilah took a few silver-dipped flowers and placed them in my hair, tucking the stems under the thick braids at the back of my head. I watched her work, gazing at one of the flowers by my ear. 

The floral arrangement was a Sylph custom, silver being the color of the elegant moon that each bride hoped to emulate during her engagement. I'd wear silver for every formal occasion up to my wedding day just as any Sylph groom would wear gold. He would be the mighty sun to the bride's enchanting moon, the perfect pair.

The door creaked behind us, Delilah fluttering down softly to her feet as I caught sight of a familiar face in the glass. Slowly I turned around, meeting Xavier's warm eyes.

"Silver...." He said softly, standing in front of me now. Carefully he raised a hand, brushing along one of the silver flowers. He twirled a strand of my blonde hair around his finger. "Among the gold."

I couldn't resist wrinkling my nose at him, smirking down from where I stood on my pedestal. "You do realize that you're saying my hair is turning grey?"

"Your hair is the color of gold, and the silver only compliments it. You're my gem, so precious." Xavier responded, making me go quiet.

I looked away from his eyes down to his suit, black and very formal. Something inside me seemed to break just a little; he said that he'd wear gold for me, but not a single piece of what he wore was anything but black.

"Ready to go?" He asked me, and I looked back up into his eyes. "We need to make our entrance, and they're expecting us already. I'm ready to show off my fiancée."

He lifted a hand to me, and I took it, his fingers wrapping around mine as he led us towards the doorway at the side of the ballroom. The music was faint, but still hummed in my ears as I glanced up to Xavier.

With a face betraying not a single emotion, he smoothed his suit, squaring his shoulders as he clenched his jaw. The look on his face betrayed an expression that was not unknown to me. I reached my hand up, resting it on the front of his chest. His deep eyes flickered as they met mine, and I offered him a shy smile.

"I understand what you're going through right now," I whispered, leaning in closer to his side. "Know that I believe in you."

Xavier didn't respond, but he gave me a small smile as he took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. The doors opened, and the two of us together stepped out into the light of the chandeliers as the swell of applause echoed in my ears. Waves and waves of individuals filled the ballroom, many that I knew but plenty that I had yet to meet as well.

My stomach knotted; how had all these people gotten here?

Finally, the dots aligned as I looked at Xavier and I's joined hands, the ring blossoming under the light. We were pledged to be married, and now Viridis was open to members of the Holy Order. The elite and diplomats of the planet Opes had flown in for the engagement; my campaign as the future queen of the universe had begun now.

People smiled and greeted us on all sides as Xavier led me through the masses, delighting them all with a charming smirk while shaking hands with familiar faces. I caught sight of Bella towards the back of the room, and she gave me a sympathetic smile, raising her glass of champagne to me before taking a sip.

My eyes drifted upwards towards the balconies lining the side of the ballroom, a flowing marble staircase leading up into the dining hall where the banquet in our honor would be served. Among the velvet curtains and columns stood two figures, both pairs of dark eyes scanning the room like vultures.

I swallowed, meeting the chilling gaze of Diaboli who gave me a malicious smile before he stepped back from the balcony and out of sight. My eyes leapt to Nocen who simply flashed me a wink before following in Diaboli's footsteps. The two demons disappeared, and my heart started to hammer faster inside my chest.

Xavier guided us towards the raised area of the ballroom that elevated Parisa's throne over the guests, her seat empty and the woman with hair of fire nowhere to be seen. I scanned the room, searching for her and any other suspicious figures.

"I want to extend my thanks to my loyal subjects who have blessed us with your presence tonight," Xavier started, releasing my hand only to wrap a strong arm around my waist. I looked up at him as his gaze met mine, giving me a flirtatious smile that made my lips rise, "though the most lovely blessing I've been given stands beside me this evening."

Sweet sighs and applause rolled through the crowd, ladies exchanging adoring glances between themselves as well as looking expectantly at their significant others. Glasses of champagne were lifted into the air as signs of agreement before their owners took a respectful sip.

"From our marriage in the coming weeks, our universe will be altered forever," he said, his strong voice captivating the crowd with an impressive magnetism. He was their charming prince, persuasive and utterly charismatic; he was the type of leader Parisa had always wanted me to be. "Viridis will now be a member of the interplanetary Holy Order, under our protection and law. By our side, the war will come to an end whether it be with my father on the throne or by my own hands. This conflict that has cost us resources, wealth, and brave men and woman who have given their lives to this great cause.

"This Civil War with the Confrontation must come to an end if we are to ever achieve harmony among ourselves and end the slaughter of our people. I hope that when the day comes, when we are faced by the climax of this great war, that you will stand beside us as we walk into battle so that one day we may all peacefully live together. Next year at this time, I hope that when I wake up in the morning I'll be greeted by two things: the sweet realization that my planet lives another day free from bloodshed and the beautiful face of this charming woman who has accepted my proposal and accepted me for who I am. Nothing would make my existence happier; let's bring peace to the universe in this lifetime, not the next. Tonight, we celebrate the end of warfare and the beginning of a better life for us all under the Fortis Crown."

Cheers rung out through the ballroom, the clinking of glasses and delightful applause bubbling over like champagne as Xavier greeted them all with a handsome grin. His fingers slid off my waist, running along my body until his fingers captured mine. Like a gentleman he took my hand, kissing the back of it as his eyes locked with mine. I gave him a wink that made him chuckle as together we stepped down the stairs and into the masses of ladies of gentleman.

"Thank you, thank you," Xavier said, shaking hands with all who came towards us. He kissed my temple, more sighs echoing around us. "I'm a lucky man tonight to be here with you all."

"What will be your regnal name, Your Highness? Your wife's?"

"I've always preferred my middle name, Xavier. When I ascend to the throne, my new title will be King Xavier Octavian Fortis, for my grandfather." He paused, expectant eyes still on him and waiting. Xavier looked to me, "my wife's regnal name is not my decision to make."

I spoke without hesitation, "Cybele Viridiana Fortis."

"As beautiful as she is, isn't it?" Xavier said, flashing me a smile as the rest of the congregation nodded eagerly.

"Can we get a photograph, Your Majesty?" A man with a large camera asked, an equally as giant flash nearly in my face already.

"Just one." Xavier replied, waving the man back with his hand. I took a breath of relief as my fiancé pulled me flush against his side, one of my hands resting on his chest as we both looked up to each other. His blue eyes sparkled down at me as he gave me a lopsided smile. "You look gorgeous. I can't wait to be married to you."

I felt my cheeks warm as I gazed up at the dashing prince that stood in front of me. The flash went off, and our image in that moment became history.