They grinned at each other for a few seconds, knowing that time was limited Phabel dropped his bag and pulled her into his arms.

'I don't expect anything, we can sit on the lounge and nothing more.'

'I know but I want for you to have the same memories as I do.'

'It can not be forced, I have tried. They will come to me when the stone dictates and not a moment sooner.'

Phabel could see the look of rejection on her face again, he didn't want it to sound like he was rejecting her, just that the memories couldn't be forced. He took her hand and led her to the bed, laying beside her.

'Stop me if it becomes too much, ok?'

She nodded as he pulled her onto his lap, sitting up to her. His fingers found a path to the skin of her waist as they kissed, her arms draped over his shoulders. Phabel worked his way up the buttons of her shirt, slowly pulling the sides apart. When he was done with the buttons, he slid his hands to her back, finding the eyelets of her bra. Olive gasped as his lips dragged over her sternum, much to their disappointment, nothing happened when he reached the stone. He continued onward, hoping that another attempt later on would work. With the bra undone, his hand moved to her stomach, slowly etching higher. Olive could feel her mind working over time, waiting for his touch, desperate to feel his soft caress. Her heart was beating frantically, Phabel could hear it thumping through his mind as her heart pumped the blood around her body. He ached to taste her sweet blood but knew that this was not the time for it. His fingers reached the curve of her breast, slowly moulding around the underside. A frantic knock at the main door roused them from their moment.

'Your highness.' a woman's voice quietly called out 'Your father is here.'

Phabel sighed, hearing Elena's voice in quite a state. Lucian had obviously worked out some kind of system with his staff, to warn them while he distracted his parents.

'Thank you Elena, we will be down in a moment.'

He offered Olive a sympathetic smile.

'Tonight aui leabu.'

She nodded and returned the smile, though she felt like throwing a tantrum. Everyone was getting in the way of their love.

'I will leave you to dress in peace.' he shot her a dirty smile 'I fear I would be unable to control myself if you happened to be prancing around in your finery.'

Olive giggled at him.

'What if I didn't want you to control yourself?'

'Maybe later then.'

He gave her a reserved kiss on her cheek, leaving her to change for dinner.

'Miss Matheson?' a woman called out.

Olive looked through the lounge area to see Elena the maid waiting for her.

'Her highness asked me to assist you in readying for dinner.'

'Who?' Olive frowned.

'Uh, Danika.'

'Oh, right. Sorry I'm not used to this.'

Elena nodded and followed her into the bedroom. Olive hadn't much of a chance to look at the entire room but now that she had, she could see there was a dressing table filled with things. As she sat in front of the mirror and Elena started fussing around her, Olive heard the door open and close again. The other maid, Rosa entered and hung a dress in the walk in robe, curtsied and left.

'Why did she do that, are you royalty too?'

'Not me.' Elena laughed 'You and his highness are what our world calls courting. Essentially it means that you are on the road to becoming married. You are only a step away from being royalty too so it means that all below you bow and curtsy. And yes, if you are wondering, I did.' She smiled at her in the mirror. 'Your back was already turned.'

'Oh that stuff doesn't bother me. You don't need to do it.'

'Of course but you must remember that around his parents, they expect it so do not chastise the staff if they forget themselves.'

'Ok. Are you going to be teaching me things?'

'Some things, I suppose. I believe a hand maiden will be arriving for you tonight.'

'I don't need staff.' she turned to Elena 'Can I refuse staff or will it be considered rude?'

'You don't require a hand maiden?' Elena grinned 'How will you ready for times like these? What would you do now when a certain level of dress is expected of you?'

Olive turned back to the mirror feeling anxiety about the situation.

'With time you will become accustomed to this life, much like her highness has. She never wanted for any of this kind of treatment and I know she still accepts it reluctantly but this is the life that you will lead. For a while you won't need it so much, while you are in university it won't be so necessary. Maybe your life might be like it is here, the staff go about tidying the house and maintaining it and our beauty expertise are only called upon for functions.'

'I think I'd prefer that.'

Olive looked at herself in the mirror, during the whole conversation Elena had been fussing over her hair. She had pulled it back and tied it, then curled the hair as she pinned it down into a curly messy bun. Olive wondered if her new hand maiden would be so adept at styling her hair.

*********************

Danika looked at Lucian as Eris, Islana and a maid stepped through the rock face. Phabel stepped through the back door to greet his parents, looking at the concerned face on Danika. She wasn't impressed. The maid was young and pretty and she wondered what Islana was thinking in bringing her here.

'Say something.' she muttered to Phabel.

'I will, don't you worry about that.'

He kissed his mother on her cheek.

'Unacceptable, send her back.'

'Why?'

'Because I will not have Olive fearing temptation on my part. I want things to be running smoothly and I will not have her getting upset over.... other women.' he muttered.

'Fine.' Islana sighed.

'Reia you may return to the castle.'

The young maid curtsied and left through the rock face.

'You know the alternative isn't much better. She will have to become used to staff and as we hardly age, we are all pretty much young and beautiful darling.'

'Could you at least give me until I have my memory back? Father has told you that she has my stone, right?'

'Of course dear. No maids until you've done the deed.' she winked at him.

'Mother please.' he gasped.

'Well what would you like me to say? No son, I expect you to follow tradition and not bed your mate until after you marry and oh, sorry about the missing chunk of your memory.' Islana scowled at him 'Don't be so ridiculous. Why would we care about what you do behind closed doors? We want for you to have a complete memory darling and if that means you have to break a stupid archaic guideline...' she raised an eyebrow at him 'Then so be it.'

'Just not while we are here, thanks.' his father added.

'But you are staying for the entire weekend, right?'

'Oh for love of... can you not keep it in your pants for the weekend son?' Eris snapped at him.

Danika grinned at Lucian, it was too funny for words.

'Yes Phabel, we will be here for the entire weekend, so that we can begin her education about our world.'

Phabel could see Danika and Lucian's gaze rise to the view behind him, his parents soon followed suit. He turned to see Olive standing at the doorway, he thought she looked breathtaking. Danika had picked a dress for her, knowing that a certain standard was expected. She didn't know what Olive had and didn't want to be left with nothing for her. Phabel thought she had done an amazing job at selecting a dress for her, a halter neck floor length gown that looked amazing on her. The colour seemed perfect, a rich green that highlighted her soft brown hair. He smiled at her as she stepped down the few steps, slipping a loose lock of hair behind her ear. Her hair was softly pulled behind her head, showing off her pretty features. But the stand out piece was the necklace that was glowing brightly, Phabel thought he could be a mile away and still see it. He could have hugged her with delight when she instantly curtsied, or rather he knew that hug was owed to Danika who would have told her to do it without question or thought.

'Mother this is Olive.'

Islana greeted her with a smile and a small nod. Olive thought that she was beautiful, her jet black hair swept up into a loose bun. Her skin was like Phabel's, it was luminous in the light and was a deep tan that was perfection. The woman had crystal blue eyes and a pretty pink pout.

'My mother Islana and of course you remember my father Eris.'

Olive smiled, unsure how many times she was expected to curtsy. Danika could hear the worries loud and clear, grateful that shape shifters weren't mind readers like the vampires were.

'Ok, now that the greetings are done with, how about some nibblies?'

Olive was back in the parlour, this time there were no tears. Though it was still just as awkward. This was a ladies only affair, the men had gone off somewhere discussing politics. Olive sat on the lounge beside Danika, Islana sat on a chair by the fire and the newest arrivals were two ghosts sitting on the lounge in front of them. Nicoleta and Stefania were floating above the chairs, Olive thought it was the strangest sight she had ever seen. Danika had already given Islana the quick run down of Olive's life, so she could avoid any poorly chosen words. Olive was from a middle class back ground that turned for the worse when her mother died. Through no fault of her own, Olive was barely making it above the poverty line and Islana was grateful for the warning. With careful instruction, she would turn this woman into a princess and she would have the confidence to walk into a room and not constantly look at the floor whilst doing so. She felt sorry for her, being thrust into this world would be daunting. But Olive was lucky, she had people around her that cared about her and with the time that she would spend in this world, she would learn all that she needed. She hoped that she could convince Phabel to return to their world and stay permanently but she feared he was too attached to this world. Islana thought that maybe the way to convincing her son was through his future bride, maybe she would see the beauty of his land and want to stay in it permanently. There would be no issue of her friendship with Danika, they would be moments away from each other and could visit one another when ever they pleased. The people of Loach Issralk missed their beloved prince and yearned for his return. Islana smiled softly as she listened to the women talk, she would strike a friendship with Olive and slowly bring her round to the idea.

Danika could hear the thoughts loud and clear of Islana's intention, she didn't know what to do about it. Alina would not be impressed if she lost Phabel but then again, it really wasn't her call. She knew who he was when she started the program, she knew there would be a day when he would be called back to his people. Eris was a long way off even considering retirement, especially considering the next candidate wasn't really interested in the job. Danika could see everyone pulling Phabel in every direction. His mother wanted him to return, his father expected him to take up political and royal duties, Alina wanted him to remain at the university, Lucian wanted him here for company and she wanted him around to annoy him. But the only person that mattered was the quiet woman beside her, Danika knew it wouldn't matter to her. So long as she was by his side, Olive would be happy. The only solution that Danika could see was the gates, if he could pass through the worlds and keep his job at the university, it would please both women. His life would be hectic if he were to take on duties like his father wanted. And as for her beloved Lucian, she knew that no matter what, Phabel would make time for him.

'I have created a schedule for your education Olive.' Islana smiled at her 'We can begin after breakfast.'

'Of course.'

'We will be starting with the members of the family and ancestors, then countries and their capitals. I brought a book of the animals that are different to the ones in this world. For the time being the plants aren't so necessary but I think the animals are. There might be a time where you and Phabel tour a country and it would be wise to know of our animals.'

The two ghosts agreed with her, Danika quietly sipped on her drink. Olive smiled and wondered what kind of nightmare was about to be unleashed upon her.