Awaking from her deep slumber, Princess Xzara stretched her arms, only to find her husband was not in their bed. She sighed, drooping eyes staring lazily at the ceiling. This wasn't the first time she had woken up without him by her side and she knew it wouldn't be the last. After the fight they had had last night, Xzara was sure he wouldn't go near her for days.

With a huff, she removed the duvet, shuddering at the sudden cold air. She figured she'd get ready, as she had a long day ahead of her, with meetings and signings and such. Placing a simple gown on, Xzara reluctantly left her room. "Oh!" She had nearly knocked over her handmaid, Lucille. "My lady! I was just about to fetch you!"

Xzara cocked her eyebrow. "You were? It's only morning, I have not meetings till noon."

Lucille did not make eye contact, keeping her head and eyes to the ground. She fiddled with her hands as she spoke. "My lord wishes to speak with you in the throne room. He was very urgent about it, said to wake you if you were not yet up."

"Oh," Xzara stiffened. This couldn't be good. He was in one of his moods, she knew this. But asking her to the throne room, it was far too public for his tastes. He normally beat her in their room — in private. "Thank you, Lucille." Xzara nodded and keeping her head high, walked through the halls of the palace, the wary eyes of servants diminishing what little confidence she had.

The two guards standing post at the throne room doors opened them as Xzara approached. She thanked them as she passed through, sudden dread filling her as she saw her husband, King Darren Marco, sprawled out on the throne. "You beckoned me, dear?" Xzara squeaked out, her voice was suddenly gone under the harshness of his glare.

Darren scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yes, that's why you're here. God you're daft," He laughed, so did his sisters standing on his far left. "I'd like to talk about your letter."

Xzara froze. How could he have found out? She trusted Lucille with her own life, never had she thought she'd betray her. She coughed. "I hardly know what you're talking about, love. I never send letters without your approval."

Darren stood up suddenly. He shook his head in annoyance. "I hate it when you lie to me, Xzara," He took two large steps closer to her. Suddenly she felt small. "Just tell me what was in the letter and you won't be in trouble."

Standing straighter, she shook her head. "No."

Darren laughed loudly. "No? What do you mean no?"

"I mean no, Darren," Xzara spoke louder, her voice returning to her. For far too long had she been overshadowed by her idiot of a husband, treated like trash whereas at home she was beloved. "I don't have to tell you what I put in the letter. It was to my brother if you must know something."

His face turned red and livid with anger, Darren stalked forward over to Xzara, his 6'3 figure towering over her 5'6 one. He dropped his voice to a harsh whisper as she grabbed her wrist, bringing her closer. "Which brother?" He spat.

Xzara stiffened, avoiding his gaze. She didn't want to tell him. He knew all about her family, and which out of seven brothers would come and rescue her from this prison of a palace if she as so hinted at any wrongdoing.

"Tell me!" He screamed angrily, his grip on her wrist becoming almost unbearable.

She trembled underneath his hot and fiery gaze, slowly cracking. "I-It was..." Xzara took a deep breath. It was too late for him anyway. "Seth." She hissed at him.

He backed away quickly, eyes wide with horror. "Lock the doors!" He told the guards. But that wouldn't stop him. Xzara was getting out of her living hell today, whether Darren allowed it or not. "You can't do this! You're mine! I wed you in alliance with our kingdoms! If you do this...it will mean war!"

Xzara glared at him. "I have been at your mercy for far too long, Darren. You don't own me and never will. This ends today!"

A cackled sounded from the other side of the throne room. One of Darren's sisters, Vala, stepped forward. "Ye'll be dead before he can reach ye." Drawing a sword, she slowly made her way towards the defenceless Xzara.

Darren stopped her. "No, sister," For a brief moment, Xzara believed he might have been sparing her. "I shall be the one to do it." How stupid she had been.

Same as his sister, Darren drew his sword and took a running swing at Xzara. Placing her hands out in front of her, shutting her eyes and all Xzara could hope was his blow was smooth and her death quick — but the blade never hit. Slowly opening her eyes, she was amazed to see him frozen in the position of a jump, sword raised over his head. Xzara stared into shock. Was she doing this?

Darren let out a scream. "Devil woman!" He tried his hardest to release himself from whatever held him, but nothing he did worked.

The other sister, youngest of the three siblings, Annalise, let out a gasp. "Jedi!" She pointed at Xzara in amazement.

Tilting her head at the accusation of her being a Jedi Knight, Xzara moved her hand and in result, Darren went flying across the room and into one of the many pillars.

He let out a groan and there was a crack on impact. Vala rushed over to him. "Brother! Are ye okay?" She shook him, but Darren stayed silent. He was knocked out cold. Vala turned to Xzara in a fury. "Ye witch! Ye'll pay for this!"

But Vala couldn't do anything, for, with a loud crash, a large starship had blown through the throne room wall. Xzara's eyes winded as she jumped back. The three Marco siblings were crushed by stone. Immediately, Xzara spotted the face of her brother, Seth and she smiled. "Took you long enough!" She laughed, wasting no time to run to the ship.

Seth rolled his eyes with a smile. "Hurry sister! Before the guards arrive!" With an outstretched hand, he helped Xzara up and signalled the pilot to leave.

After they entered light speed, Xzara finally let the tension drop from her shoulders. She sat silently next to Seth, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you," She whispered. "Thank you so much."

•

Weeks later, Xzara was happily at home on her planet, Aquilae. Though what happened on Nibiru haunted her — she never wanted harm to come to the Marco's, as much as they harmed her, yet she watched them get crushed with her own eyes.

She once again was training, a battle was the only thing that distracted her mind from weeks ago. Using her bo-staff she effortlessly won every competition she entered. Her training session was cut short, however, when her eldest brother, Kennex, came barging in. "Do you mind?" She scolded him.

Kennex was out of breath, panting heavily. "Sister....you must hurry...it's urgent." It was his frightened eyes that scared Xzara.

She knew why Kennex was so out of breath. He ran from one end of the palace to the other. They entered the dining room and were greeted by their entire family. Xzara's father and her five other brothers. "What's so urgent?" She asked, walking over to her father. "I was in the middle of training."

Her father sighed. "Xzara, darling. It's a threat of war." He pointed to the paper on the table they were all huddled around.

Her second eldest brother, Trent, places a hand on her shoulder. "We're getting the best men for your protection."

Xzara felt extremely confused. "Protection? What is on that damn paper?" Snatching it, she scanned its words over and over. Vala was alive, Darren and Annalise were dead and Vala had placed a bounty on Xzara's head for the murder of them both.

"No," Xzara shook her head. "She's dead, I saw her die!"

Seth rushed over, removing the paper from her hands. "We thought so too, Zar. But she's alive and seeking revenge."

After only a few weeks of freedom, with the tight grasp of Darren gone, it had come right back, taking control of Xzara's life once more.