I exit my last class and look for Annie.

After spotting her, I walk quickly to Annie, making sure not many people are around. "You ready?" Annie ask.

"Actually, I have to stay back and help with prom stuff," I mumble, avoiding eye contact.

Annie giggles while shaking her head, "Navi, you don't have to lie. But don't worry, I'll cover for you."

I raise a brow "Wha-"

"Did you forget my best friend is on the prom committee, they aren't doing anything today." She smiles at me.

I make an 'o' with my mouth as she giggles. "Don't worry. I will tell them you had to go shopping for the decorations we need last minute. Though prom is Saturday, I don't know what excuse you are going to use after."

I shrug, "Something will come up, or I can join the debate team, they always have practice and are traveling."

Annie nods. "True, will you need a ride home wherever it is you are sneaking off to?"

I shake my head, no.

Suddenly Annie smiles widely at me, causing me to raise my eyebrows. "What?"

"I'm happy to see you are actually living, making friends, it's refreshing." I don't reply, having nothing to say as Annie then quickly hugs me, and we say our goodbyes as we walk off.

"Who was that." I jump and turn to see Daniel.

"That is my older sister Annie," I reply to which he raises an eyebrow.

"Aren't you a senior?" I sigh, not really wanting to explain.

"Yeah, her birthday is late in the year, so she had to start a year behind."

He nods as he takes my arm. "Well, let's go."

I climb in his truck, and we take off.

We arrive at the same castle the royal ball was held.

"What are we doing here," I ask nervously.

"Well I live here, you'll be getting dressed here, the dinner isn't here, it's at Dons." I nod my head as I examine the castle. "Don't worry; Bain won't be here till later." I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding at his words.

He parks the truck, and I get out, we head in, and Frazier meets me. "Ah, my beautiful canvas!" Frazier engulfs me in a hug, making me giggle.

"Let's go; we must hurry!" Frazier drags me down the hall and into a room with a bunch of mirrors. He hands me a bag and pushes me into the nearest changing booth. "Hurry, hurry." He commands.

I took my clothes off and put the gorgeous simple black dress on.

I admire how it hugs my curves. Smiling at myself, I walk out. Frazier smiles in approval and hurries me to sit down. He does my makeup, a glittery dark smokey eye with nude lipstick. He puts my hair in a high ponytail and curls the ends of my hair.

"I look pretty," I say.

Frazier rolls his eyes. "Don't insult me, dear, you look marvelous." I smile at his words as he stands me up. Daniel comes in and looks me up and down. I notice both Daniel and Frazier in black suites, completely black suites.

"Why all the black?" I ask.

Daniel grabs my hand and leads me out of the room "Well it is Zerro Day, so the balls for the rest of the week are dress coded black, in her honor. "

I nod as Frazier closes the door. "That makes sense."

"Now," Daniel starts as he points down the hall. " Go past that hall, past two doors, and the third door on your right is where you need to wait on me. I have a few things I need to finish up." I nod as Frazier and Daniel turn and walk away. I walk towards the first hall I'm supposed to past and look down it and gasp stopping in my tracks.

In the hall is the portraits of all the former Kings and Queens. My eyes widen as I start my way down the hall.

I reach Zerro's portrait. I gasp at her beauty.

Her eyes clouded with complete confusion, but she smiles beautifully, yet I still see the uncertainty, she looks like she belongs, but her eyes tell a different story.

A sigh escapes my lips; she must have been so scared.

I touch the picture and whisper, "How did you survive your demons Zerro."

My eyes widen as my hand sinks into the picture. I tilt my head and then lean forward. My head goes entirely in the image, and I find myself in a room. I pull myself up the rest of the way. I look around and see a bunch of vanities. I go to the first one on my left and look at it. I tilt my head in confusion. What is this place, and how did it get here? Does anyone here know about it?

Why are there so many vanities?

Suddenly Zerro pops up in the mirror, making me jump.

"Ah!" I yell, jumping back.

"I'm sorry darling I didn't mean to scare you." Zerro's musical voice floats through the air. I gasp.

"Is it-is it really you- but you-you're dead." I stutter in disbelief.

"Yes, I am dead. I've been dead for quite some time. And when I was alive, I created this place. For queens to escape, like you and me." She says as she gives me a gentle smile. "Though I only used it once, but that is okay." She gives me a beautiful smile; she looks the same as in the picture. Except there is a sense of clarity in her eyes, happiness as well.

"So how are you handling being queen, I know it's tiring I get a lot of Queens running in here crying from the stress, and that's why we are here."

I raise a brow, "We?"

Zerro giggles, "Yes, we, every Queen or princess depending on the circumstance, that has passed, their souls come here in a mirror of their very own vanity."

"So, they are stuck here?" I curiously ask as I look around at the vanities around me.

"Yes and no, when not needed, they are resting peacefully, or in the heavens with their lovers." She smiles.

"But I'm not a queen." I stammer.

"That's fine. I'm sure they will crown you soon." Zerro responds, brushing it off, but I shake my head.

"No, you don't understand. My mate doesn't even know, we met at a masked ball, and I ran." I say.

Zerro tilts her head confused. "What? Why."

I sigh, "My queen. I'm a glitch." I say, my stomach turned the realization of talking to a queen, my role model, well dead role model, is shaking me to my core.

"What is a glitch? Is it a new species?" Zerro questions confused.

I shake my head "No, I'm the third daughter of a two power family. My powers glitch."

Zerro looks at me with sympathy. "Oh dear, I know those wolves and powers have torn you apart."

I nod, "I'm scared he will reject me."

"Rejection has happened, but I think every generation gets better with accepting their mates. the rebelling against mates happened in the 70s you should be good, and you are so gorgeous, and I can tell you have a kind heart." Zerro says. "You will be amazing for this kingdom." She then adds the softness in her eyes that had so much confidence in her statement staring into mine, willing me to believe her.

But yet, I couldn't seem to believe.

"Now, I think Daniel is looking for you." She says suddenly.

"How do you know that," I say, tilting my head.

Zerro smiles at me "When I'm awake I sense everything in the house. Now I'm going to go back to my mate and child. And Navi."
I look Zerro in the eyes, "Follow your heart."

I nod and turn and jump out of the picture. I land gracefully, surprisingly. I turn towards the image staring into the eyes of Zerro confusion filled eyes. I shake my head at what just happened.

"Navi?" My eyes widen at Queen Remington.

I drop to a curtsy "Queen Remington."

She smiles at me as she grabs my hand. "Athena honey. I believe Daniel is looking for you." She smiles. She then looks at the picture and then back at me, almost knowingly. Yet I can see a bit of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Oh-yeah right, do you know where he is," I ask.

"I'll take you to him." I turn and see Bain in a black suit with his black hair spiked up. I gulp at Bain's sexiness in black. My toes seem to curl, and I feel a heat that makes me blush.

"Oh, uh, okay." I look at Athena, who is observing me. I walk towards Bain, and we head down the hallway.

"If you were my mate, I would be furious if I couldn't find you," Bain says, giving me a pointed look. I roll my eyes, thinking it amusing he still thinks Daniel and I are mates.

I laugh, "Bain, Daniel, and I are not mates." He raises a brow.

"Really? Then why does he take you everywhere." He asks.

I sigh, "I think he pities me, or at least he did, and he took me out because I have no friends, and I think he took a liking in a friendly way." I explain.

Bain nods his head, "Alright, I believe you."

I send him a smile, "Good, you and Frazier were making him uncomfortable."

Bain chuckles as he rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, he is to easy to mess with sometimes."

I nod as we get to the front door of the house, and I spot Daniel pacing, he stops and looks at me and sighs a relief.

"Navi, where have you been." He asks.

I shrug. "You know around," I say, smiling. Frazier and Bain laugh at Daniel, glaring daggers at me.

****

Edited