Wilky spun in front of the mirror, admiring the way her emerald green dress fanned out around her ankles. Her own wide blue eyes peered back at her from the mirror, for once not shaded by unruly curtains of auburn hair, which was neatly pulled back away from her pale, freckled face and braided.

"I think I'm ready," she told her two younger sisters, Winifred and Willow, who watched excitedly.

"You look so pretty," Winifred gushed, beaming. Winifred was half Wilky's age, Wilky's youngest sibling, and by far the sweetest little flower anyone had ever known. Everyone called her Winnie, and together dreaded the day she outgrew the nickname. She was brightly coloured but delicate, like a butterfly, with short dark hair, freckled cheeks, and eyes that matched Wilky's in their shade of stunning blue and pure innocence.

"Thank you," Wilky replied, smiling.

"What if you don't like him?" Willow asked, fidgeting with a lock of her pale blonde hair. Willow was three years Wilky's junior, and at the age of fifteen, very cautious and suspicious about everything. Wilky knew that Willow was unsure about whether or not she wanted to get married, and for the past few weeks, had been peppering Wilky with questions about the process, about which Wilky didn't know much more than Willow did.

"Then I'll tell mother and father after he's gone." Wilky said simply. "I'm sure they'll understand."

"What if they don't, and force you to marry him anyway? Would you run away?" Willow challenged, a mischievous gleam flashing in her dark eyes.

Wilky laughed, turning away from the mirror and sitting down on her bed, bouncing a bit on the soft mattress. "If he was horrid enough, I'd run away."

The doors to the girls' bedroom swung open, and their older sister Weslyn, often nicknamed Wesley, stalked in. She was a year older than Wilky, and had only met with two suitors before deciding marriage wasn't for her, and turning her full attention to studying combat, a decision their parents accepted with some hesitation. At the moment, her pale skin glistened with sweat. She threw her twin practice swords to the floor and collapsed on her bed.

"Hard workout?" Willow asked, scrunching up her nose.

"No kidding," Wesley groaned.

"Wilky looks very pretty," Winnie told Wesley, hopping up onto the bed beside Wilky. "You should see her."

Wesley managed to sit up and shot a glance Wilky's way. Her sweaty face broke into a grin, and she wiped a hand across her forehead.

"You look nice! Good luck tonight, and let me know if he's too much of a jerk, I'll gladly take him out." she mimed a punch at the air.

"Hopefully that won't be necessary," Wilky laughed. "It can't be that bad, right?"

Wesley grew less serene.

"I've met some bad ones. The first wasn't interested in me, only the dowry and grand fortune involved, and the second was already in love with someone else. Gods, he would not shut up about this other girl who was apparently so perfect for him and all." she made a face. "If I ever get married, It'll be because I fall in love. There's no need to force it. Besides, with things as they are with the war in Cordia and Horitzor, they're going to need more border guards than babies."

"The war might be over before you get there," Willow pointed out, nudging one of Wesley's wooden practice swords with her toe.

Wesley sat up and shrugged. "Border guards are always needed. It can't hurt."

Wilky slipped on her green shoes and stood, striding confidently to the door. Winnie and Willow tagged along behind her as she left the bedroom and went downstairs to the sitting room, where their parents waited. Their mother was reading, and their father was writing a letter at his desk. Both looked up when the girls entered.

Wilky's mother beamed at her, setting down her book and standing crossing to place her slender hands on Wilky's green cotton draped shoulders.

"You look wonderful, dear. I'm sure Destin Cantari will find you stunning."

"Thank you, mother," Wilky replied. Her father nodded his approval.

"Very nice, Wilkynn. Very nice."

Wilky smiled. Her father didn't say very much, and coming from him, this was high praise. She had come so far in her studies and etiquette, and now, it was time to show it all off and see what the boys her age had to say. Wilky had to admit she was a bit nervous, especially after what Wesley had told her, but there was certainly a chance that she might like this Destin.

Wilky then retreated to her room, where she waited alone to be summoned. Her sisters, along with her two younger brothers, William and Warner, would eat their supper before Destin and his parents arrived. Then, Wilky would be alone with her parents, Destin, and his parents. It had been the same back when Wesley was meeting suitors, but now, Wilky was the center of attention.

Wilky stood by the window, staring out at the backyard and the river that flowed by, the water brushing over the ground at a brisk pace, not in a hurry, not taking its time, just moving, and never stopping for anything. Wilky could get lost in the changing patterns of the river, and just pause everything for a moment to think.

Right now, she thought about her future. She thought about the possibilities of who Destin could be, who she wanted him to be and who she dreaded he might be. She was nervous, but she was also excited. This was a new chapter of her life she was now entering, and she was anxious for it to begin.

Her sisters returned to the room, and a few minutes later, there was a knock at the front door. Wilky hurried out of the room and down the hall to the top of the stairs. Three strangers stared up at her as she came down to meet them.

Destin's father was tall and stern, with a tight smile and bony hands. He seemed to be quite a bit older than his wife, who was still young, pretty and slender in form, and who moved with a care and grace that only a woman on the early side of life could hope to achieve.

Wilky then shifted her gaze to Destin, standing in between of his parents and doing his best to look comfortable in an unfamiliar place.

The first thing Wilky noticed about Destin was that he slouched, and every minute or so, he seemed to realize his posture was lacking, and immediately straightened, wearing a guilty expression on his elfish face. Wilky had to admit it was kind of cute.

They proceeded to the dining room, where Wilky sat directly across from Destin, and the two teenagers' parents sat on either side of them.

As they waited for the first course to be served, Wilky observed Destin and his parents. Destin was busy looking around the lavish dining room, and didn't notice her gaze, until he turned back in her direction, and their eyes met, blue on blue.

Wilky recognized the emotions sheltered there, the fear and the anticipation, the desire for this evening to go well, and the dread that this girl might not be for him. And as the connection continued, those emotions faded away, to be replaced with wonder and admiration, and a desire to get to know this girl, and a dread that she might not like him for who he was.

Feeling awkward and intrusive, both turned their gazes to their plates, where, just a few seconds later, there was a salad that needed eating. They were grateful for the distraction from each other. Their expectations of the evening had changed, and for the better.

As she dug into their food, Wilky found herself sneaking glances up at Destin, and caught him adjusting his posture again, which brought a little smile onto her face for a reason she couldn't explain.

Until they had all finished their salads, the hall was silent but for the clinking of silverware on dishes. Then, Destin struck up a conversation, though based on how abrupt and awkward it was, Wilky suspected he had received prompting from one of his parents.

"So, ah, Miss Geodonna, what do you like to, um, do in your spare time?" Destin finished the question with a reach up to run a hand through his light brown hair, and he avoided eye contact until she answered.

" I like to study languages," she replied. Destin looked back up at her, eyes filled with relief.

"What, uh, languages?" he asked quickly, before the gap between exchanges could grow awkwardly long.

"Orian and Tarish mostly," she told him.

"Ah, ikari tuin Orian?" he shot back, eyes brightening, finding a spark and pouncing upon it like a cat upon a mouse.

*You speak Orian?

Wilky grinned, and the spark flared. "Ual, kaei tuin, haro ke wohlu."

*Yes, I do, but only a little.

There was a space of silence, in which the two basked in their joy. The main course hadn't even arrived, and already, they were beginning to appreciate each other's company.

The meal went on, and Wilky told Destin about her other language studies, and Destin told Wilky about his studies in herbs and medicine, and his interest in being a doctor, and Wilky told Destin about her ability to sew, and Destin told Wilky about his love of fishing on the river. Their conversation was somewhat restrained, seeing as their parents were watching their every move, but this didn't stop the two from talking excitedly to each other, telling stories that were funny and impressive and frightening.

Finally, the two had exhausted conversation topics, and thankfully, their parents took up the task of discussion at this point. They spoke of adult things, of politics and economy and the like. Cordia was apparently threatening to begin enslaving Tawnians near their border if Cordia didn't offer aid in the war against Horitzor, but Horitzor was threatening to destroy one of Tawnia's major cities if they gave aid to Cordia. The whole thing was a mess, and after a while, Wilky just sort of zoned out, and she and Destin began carrying their own conversation about having siblings, of which Destin had three, all sisters.

Wilky hardly noticed the food she was eating, as words flew back and forth across the table between her and Destin. Before she knew it, the meal was coming to a close, and they were moving out to the front garden. Here, the adults took seats on the porch, and Wilky and Destin were free to walk out into the garden for some more privacy.

"It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Wilkynn Geodonna," Destin said, as soon as they were out of earshot of their parents. "But I want you to know that if you are not interested in this marriage, then I am not interested in this marriage. I refuse to force you into anything you are not in agreement with."

Wilky's heart was warmed by this. Not only did they share interests, but Destin was understanding of the hardship of arranged marriages, and wanted her to live a happy life with whomever she married. She nodded.

"I would have you know that so far this evening, I would have no reservations about marrying you. We have many common interests, and so many things still to talk about."

"Yes, we do," Destin replied, adjusting his posture once more.

"Oh, and call me Wilky, please," Wilky added.

They sat together on a bench in the garden, and spoke freely, without the listening ears of their guardians, two best friends, two kindred spirits, and someday, two lovers.

The sky grew dark, and soon, it was time for Destin to return home. Before he and Wilky parted, he leaned forward, and Wilky realized he wanted to kiss her on the cheek. She didn't give him a chance to finish the gesture, gently embracing him instead. She felt his body relax, and his arms wrapped around her in return. When they pulled apart, he wore a satisfied expression on his face.

"I look forward to seeing you again, Destin Cantari," Wilky said.

"And I, you," Destin replied, smiling. He had a contagious smile, and Wilky smiled back at the sight of it.

"Figa," Wilky added with a grin and a brief curtsy. "Ilo quino lillino."

*Many thanks, friend. It has been wonderful.

"Fig, qu tawro," Destin returned, with a bow of his head. "I feel that this is the beginning of something, Wilky."

*Many thanks, and may we meet again in light.

Wilky leaned forward, telling her beating heart to calm down, and kissed him on the cheek, just gently, just for a moment. It was the most beautiful moment she had ever experienced.

"I would agree."

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed!

And don't worry, if you don't like Wilky now, she does change quite a bit over the course of the book.  She's kinda weak in the beginning, I know.

In the future, I am planning to release new chapters on tuesdays and fridays, as that is a schedule that works for me.  Also, the future chapters will probably be much shorter, the prologue was simply longer because I needed to set up a lot and couldn't bring myself to split it into two parts.