Valdor's sleep was not restful. He was up before the sun broke the horizon, and the day did not get any easier.

No sooner had Valdor left his room before he crossed paths with his mother. Her rhetoric was a similar version of Landros's, with the addition of motherly guilt. On top of which she piled her insistence of his marital prospects. This inevitably led to an argument they'd revisited more and more often. The only difference was the twist his mother added at the end.

"You better not have any intentions with that girl you brought. She has no rank."

"What?" Incredulity at his mother drenched his voice.

"You heard me. You are not about to toss your rank aside and choose a commoner. A human no less. You have responsibilities and a duty to uphold. Your father---"

"Do not bring Father into this Mother, for as I recall he did not allow others to choose for him. And neither will I. I will choose whom I please, when I please. Excuse me, Mother."

He stormed off infuriated at her accusations. Regret at returning was already gnawing at the back of his mind. Maybe he was trying to escape his responsibilities, and Landros was right. He stopped in mid stride. Landros, right? He shook his head to clear it.

Valdor knew what his true responsibilities were. The world was much larger than court politics and family disputes. But how had his mother found out about Lily? Surely the maids wouldn't have gossiped in her presence? When he reached the courtyard and saw Lily sitting with his sister deep in conversation he had his answer.

Thia smiled sweetly at him from where she sat sipping her tea. "Good morning, brother."

"Good morning, Lily, Thia." He took Lily's palm and kissed it, at which Thia raised an eyebrow. "I just spoke with Mother." The comment was tossed at his sister.

Thia grinned widely into her tea. "Did you? How is she this morning?"

Valdor sat across from them. "In top form my dear Thia. Just as you intended." She abruptly set down her cup. "But we'll talk later." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Am I missing something?" Lily spoke up.

"Childish games. Nothing important." Valdor reached across the table and grabbed a few grapes. They spent the early morning talking and getting to know one another. On occasion, Valdor would answer a question by his sister toward Lily, creating a history of their relationship. She was a quick study and soon began to answer before Valdor in vague responses.

Soon a page announcing the Crown Prince was expecting them interrupted them. Thia rose with Lily and her brother, "You have an audience with him? What ever for?"

Valdor wrapped Lily's arms around his. "We're off to make your dream come true and give you a sister." He beamed.

Thia hugged them, grinning like a child. "Congratulations! This is all very sudden, but I'm glad you are betrothed afterall."

"What?!" Lily dropped her arms beside her.

"No!" Valdor glared at his sister as he pulled away. "You are as obsessed with matrimony as our mother. Lily is becoming part of our family but as my ward."

"Oh. Well, that's still wonderful. Besides you cannot fault me for thinking that. Remember, it is your duty to one day produce an heir."

He looked at his sister thoughtfully. She was sounding like an amalgamation of his cousin and mother. Perhaps his absences had been far too long of his influence on her.

They left Thia behind and waked across a maze of elegant hallways. "I apologize for my sister. For her badgering and assumptions."

Lily nodded in acceptance. "It's understandable. Lady Kiethia's never met a human before."

"Call her Thia like she asked. But I'm surprised she told you."

"No, there was no need. I treated Nim much the same."

Wanting to avoid discussing him, he returned the attention to his sister. "Thia is very sheltered. She follows court etiquette, but she's never been beyond our borders."

"I can see you're very protective of her, as any older brother should. It seems to me you're afraid she won't be able to face the world. And you are keeping her from living."

"The world is cruel and harsh. Is it so wrong that I want to keep it at bay?"

"She may not thank you for it one day."

"Then let us hope that day never comes. For now we must focus on my cousin." They turned another corner and arrived at an elaborate door. "Before we go in, I just want to warn you that Landros can be a real as---"

As he was finishing, the door suddenly opened, "asset. I'm sure that is what the prince was about to say." Holding the door open and allowing them to enter was Elithin, one of the king's attendants, and personal champion of Landros.

Valdor was nonplused. "Actually, I can guarantee that was not what I was about to say. But I will not offend your ears at the moment." He took a step forward but was blocked from entering. "What's this about? My cousin is expecting us."

"Yes, indeed my prince, but you are to wait. The human girl must come in first. Alone."

It was a turn of events he had not anticipated. Elithin, with his haughty stature and plain face, stretched out his arm, and thus effectively blocked him. Purposefully he led Lily in. The door closed behind them, and Valdor stood and waited.

He had no idea how much time had elapsed while he paced the floor until the door opened. Lily stood at the door guided by Elithin, her eyes still veiled. Valdor took her hands and pulled her aside to whisper. "Use my sight. Did he refuse you? What did you tell him?"

"He will see me shortly in the Healers Quarters. And I told him the truth." She smiled and walked past him.

The word caught in his mouth. "T-truth? But I thought we'd agreed."

"To protect Aurora. I've become a quick study of your manipulations. Beware should I develop a fondness for them." She smiled coyly.

He could not discuss it any further. "If you will permit us, my prince, I am to escort the lady to the Healers Quarters." Elithin skillfully guided Lily and turned to Valdor. "His grace is waiting for you, Prince Valdor."

Valdor watched them leave down the hall before he crossed the threshold, and closed the door.

The River Room was decadently furnished with lavish murals on two walls. The rest were wide windows that boasted a magnificent view of the three rivers intertwining throughout the city. The glossy floors resembled smooth waters as he walked towards Landros. There were tables with crystal surfaces like bubbles and the walls were tinted with aquamarine hues that resembled light moving across water.

At the far window wall, Landros stood looking out, ignoring his cousin's approach. "What was your involvement in her rescue?"

"Will you deny her?"

"Answer the question, Valdor." Landros remained eerily immobile, hands behind his back, eyeing him over his shoulder.

Choosing his words Valdor answered, "I guided her to safety after Nim fell." His reply held no emotion.

"I see. For how long were you chased?"

"Not long. A few I eliminated. The rest Munbata out distanced."

"The girl mentioned a forest. Given her condition I can understand how she has no idea of where she was when you all were ambushed. She also mentioned you had convinced Nim to return and that is why you were escorting them. Is this true?"

Ambushed? What exactly had she told him? Valdor simply nodded.

"What of these friends with whom they traveled? What are their connections? Are they merchants? Are they reputable?" Valdor quickly pieced the story together. Lily had concocted a different story. Better than his but far closer to the truth. It was clear to him now what Lily had told Landros.

Apparently they had journeyed together for safety when they had been ambushed in the forest. It was now his job to fill in the blanks using the bits they had practiced on Thia. The story quickly formed.

"Yes. When I visited Nim, I discovered he had a charge, the girl, Lily. After weeks of persuasion, I finally convinced him to return with me, but he would not leave without his charge. But rather than take the longer desert road, we decided to travel through the Murmurwoods, a much faster route, but more hazardous as it turned out.

"Before we left we met up with other travelers. One known to the girl, the others to me." Valdor took a nearby seat when he saw Landros lower his hands.

"The former Protector of Armindia was traveling with his group through the forest as well. I thought it best to travel along with them. Afterall, there is safety in numbers and his skill is renowned." Valdor noticed that at the mention of the Protector Landros's attention piqued.

"We were caught in a skirmish between Mithoranian guards and the Fox's men. The guards were led by the Sorceress Mimika. She is the cause of the girl's condition and Nim's death."

He paused to gather his breath and judge Landros's reaction before pressing on. "That is why I feel responsible for the girl. I also offered the Protector and his companions shelter as my guests. They should arrive within a few days."

"And do you think it really is that simple? To welcome them into the kingdom. Do you have any idea of the mischief that you have caused?" Landros's voice carried a thinly veiled anger. "You may have lunged us into a war that is not ours."

"What are you spewing about?" Valdor shot up from his seat.

"If there is a chance that anyone realized who you are, seeing you with the Protector of Armindia and fighting against Mithoranian guards sends a clear message of allegiance. And now we are to receive them as guests!" He practically choked on the last word.

"All because of your meandering and meddling. I do not know how King Prathios will react to this." Landros approached the door and paused without turning. "Your actions may have endangered us all. I hope you realize what you have done." They were his last words before leaving in a flourish.

"Perfectly." But only the silent, shimmering room heard his reply.