I found Orion while walking through the halls after I got dressed in a simple light blue gown for tonight's ball. I decided since I had nothing better to do, to get his outlook on things. If there was anyone that would tell me the honest truth it would be him, a former demon.

We went to my old chambers to talk in private. "You're going to leave him a note?" Orion scuffed after I told him my plan, "You are a coward."

"I am not," I growled, maybe just a little. Now I was the one pacing.

"You cant run from this," he shook his head. "He'll just come for you," he was right. "For a killer you are very weak just tell him what the witch said," he gave me a look of what seemed to be judgment. "What is up with Fae and their lies, since the beginning of time the fae have been known for their tricks," he rolled his eyes.

"I am weak for not wanting to hurt the man I love?"

"He'll understand and if he doesn't then he's a fool. The witches sight was specific and that's rare. Believe it or not Ive grown to like you and I dont want to see you dead because of a selfish King."

"Why would you call him that? He's been nothing but kind to you and the elves..." I frowned.

"Why do you think that is? Because you were kind to us, even to me considering everything I did to break you," he swallowed down the memories. "Look, Rone is great he is but right now the two of you have two different lives and they just dont go together. You are supposed to rule over all of Valkri not the king and his heart, you have always been so much more then him."

"I love him."

"I know, we all know it but how far will you go for that love? As I said before if he loves you truly and endlessly, he would release you."

"Because I am a creator I will never know happiness. How is that fair?" I hated when the childish side of me wanted to burst out but I couldn't help it, I was just so tired of being the person that had to be relied on. Perhaps I wasnt meant for this, in all reality who would be?

"Thats what my mother once said, till she fell in love again.... I dont know to whom but I seen it in her eyes one moment she's trapped the next she is alive and brand new, you'll feel that way someday."

She fell in love with Ash, though I kept that little bit of news to myself. I wiped my tears and stared at myself in the mirror, the blue ribbon corset brought out my tan skin especially with the short white lace sleeves that ruffled around my shoulders. I took the curlers out of my thick black hair and they came lose in waves around my waist, "I guess I might as well look my best if I'm breaking more then one heart tonight," I said sorely staring at my sunken in cheeks. In the past I was able to cover my small horns but now that was impossible as they now stand four inches tall.

"Life is too precious, especially yours it might not feel like it but you're doing whats right."

"I feel like I'm betraying him."

"Thats how he'll feel but if you married him you'd be failing all of your people," it was a harsh truth, one I didnt want to hear.

.............................................
"Are you sure your King is even coming?" Ash asked finding me in front of the door to the ball room. I had been standing in the hall by myself more or less praying for a miracle. Ash let himself look me over though he said nothing about my appearance. "As it looks you have no one to walk you inside, may I?" He asked offering his arm. He looked incredible in his dark suit. For once his unruly dark hair was slicked back making him look so much younger and dashing. His grey eyes had a bit of a glow to them, his normal tinged aura a bit brightened—

Snapping out of the weird fixation I remembered exactly why I've been waiting so long and Ash knew it too. This was embarrassing I fumed with humiliation and regret, I cursed Rone into oblivion. Metaphorically of course.

I grabbed his arm and walked inside of the ball room where everyone awaited the king, I was waiting too and I wasnt happy about it. I had just seen him a couple hours ago and though he might have looked a bit hungover he was fine.

Ash and I received warm and welcoming smiles from everyone but as we meet up with Ashs Generals and Elders I could tell they weren't pleased, they practically ambushed us. "I thought you were to make entrance with your fiancé?" An older woman with reptile shaped green eyes asked. "I'm starting to think the king doesn't take his people very seriously at all. I heard that the young King had claimed he never wanted to be King before his father was taken off the throne."

"The King had some pressing needs to take care of. There was a group of humans found on the shore that is why he's been so absent," Ash lied shocking me completely because I couldn't think of one reason why he would help Rone.

"He should be here any minute now," I said pinching my arm painfully.

"Its kind of him to even let those woman within his walls, they seem a bit beastly," the woman sighed dramatically. "Mind my manners I am Loreanna one of the Generals leading Dragon Mountains army," she purred raising a silk glove up. "Do you have any eligible fae men to accompany me for a dance?"she blushed.

I pursed my lips in amusement as Gregory came out of nowhere from the crowd. "Of course! Actually you know what? This is one of my closest friends Gregory, he would love to dance with you," I said pulling Gregory to my side. He gave me an questioning look then looked over to Loreanna. It wasnt like I was doing him a disfavor, she was breathtaking and from his reaction he seemed to have no problem with dancing with her.

Gregory grabbed her hand and kissed it gently, "Enchanted to meet you General Loreanna."

"Please call me Loreanna," she purred as he whisked her onto the dance floor. Instantly lips began flapping away as people watched them dance. Loreanna was a beautifully skilled dancer, just as Gregory and well... they looked amazing together. Loreannas men ventured off looking for dancing partners as well. It was fascinating to watch our people mingle together, blushing at the touch of a hand.

"Everything seems to be going well, more then well actually," Ash said a hint of a smile at the edge of his mouth. "Now we just need the King."

"I'm going to kill him," I hissed under my breath. I was glad that Ash's people were forgiving, I was even more great full for Ash being on my side.

"Would you like to dance? Everyone's staring at us," he whispered into my ear. He was right everyone was waiting for us to dance, to see if we trusted each other. I couldnt say if we did or if I ever could, look where thats gotten me.

Hesitantly I put my hand in Ashs and we plunged into the dancing circle. Ash must have practiced our way of dancing. He respectfully laid his hand on my waist, his other gripping my right hand and we waltzed. He took long strides that were hard to catch up with but I managed. "You are a clumsy dancer," he chuckled.

"Dancing comes from the heart," I gritted my teeth, every time I looked at him I wanted to punch his smug face but then I would feel sorry for him. Ash and I both stopped in our tracks as Rone walked in, Nixin following behind him in a black and red gown. Was he trying to make a show for the people. My face felt hot, I could feel my envy boiling up. I wasn't jealous of Nixin... at least I wasn't at first but how could I not be now? I felt like I was on the outside looking in.

"That does not look good," Ash clucked his tongue. I caught Berellas scowling gaze she was giving Rone and Nixin as they walked in. I noticed Rone was paler then usual, no warmth in his face at all and oddly the glow I always felt around him was gone entirely. He wasn't himself.

"I dont trust her," Berella said into my mind.

"That makes two of us," I spoke to her. "Excuse me," I told Ash. Before he could question me I made my way to Rone. I grabbed his arm and dragged him back into the hall, surprisingly he didn't fight me.

"Is everything alright?" His breath smelled sour, his touch a bit shaken.

"You're drunk," my entire body fumed.

"Ive only had one drink. Nixin found me on her way here and she had a bottle of wine so we got to talking and I must have lost track of time. Please don't be mad," Rone said towering over me. He tried to touch me but I flinched backwards, "You cant be that upset?"

"Oh I'm more then upset, I am disgusted with your behavior. You are engaged Rone... you are a King not a boy who can do whatever he pleases," I paused, was he even really listening? Things between us haven't always been easy but we at least got through things together. There was something he wasn't telling me.

"I dont know what's wrong with me," he mumbled leaning into the wall, his eyes now distant, his violet eyes smoked over with a grey tinge. He looked sick.

"Its Nixin-"

"She's my friend," Rone growled, too forcefully for my liking.

I scuffed feeling a ball of anger rise up that I couldn't control, "I dont even know who you are anymore," my lip curled. "If Nixin is that important to you then fine but just so you know if she was your friend, if she cared about you.... She'd let you be a King first," I hissed. "I'm done helping you. I've done everything I could..." there was nothing more to say, I walked away.

Even when he called my name, even when he begged for me to come back.  I couldn't listen to anymore that he had to say, I was tired of being disappointed. I didnt know what was in his heart or on his mind because for the first time I couldn't read him. I couldn't feel his love and I couldn't see the man I fell in love with. I wrapped my arms around myself and ran as fast as I could, out of the castle, past the gardens and far into the empty field.

I sank to my knees and just stared up at the sky unable to move my legs any further. I couldn't cry or scream and I guess that was okay because I didn't want to. I just wanted to be lifted up and taken away to somewhere I didnt have to be me. Leaving Rone was going to be hard but leaving him lost and alone felt like a betrayal. Something was wrong with him, I could feel it. There was no doubt that something was off with Nixin but I couldn't do anything about it, not without having Rone hate me. Somehow Nixin dug her claws into him right behind my back...

If he had me than why did he need her?

....................................................

   I didn't know how long I had been gone but it must have been long enough for Orion to worry. "I thought I'd find you out here," he said sitting down beside me in the empty field. "After your chat with Rone he finally made himself useful and appealing to the people. Oh and Gregory has finally gotten Nixin and her women out of the castle."

   "We should have never let them in," I sucked in my breath. "Nixin is their leader she'd do anything for her people and I must say finding a way in Rones heart is smart. Do you think he's fallen for her?" I asked as my mind took me to the worst assumptions.

   "I think he's lost and he was looking for a friend," Orion said as he plucked the grass, choosing his words carefully. "It could have turned into more... I wouldn't know."

   "How? I don't understand none of this makes sense... ruining everything all for what? A girl?" No, there's something else, a missing piece to the puzzle. "You havnt known him as long as I have but even you know thats not him..."

   "Some people cope differently. His father betrayed him, he recently found out the woman he once loved was only using him. And now the woman he is in love with left him, he's a king thats all on his own."

   "I didn't leave him. I had to for our people, for his future as King," I snapped instantly regretting taking my anger out on him.

   "That's just how he sees it... he wants you to fight for him he doesn't understand you, not this new you. But if you told him the truth... he'd understand."

   "At least he's come to his senses as a King... Thats all I want for him," I said trying to move the conversation elsewhere.

   "Ashs people are rather friendly people, Rone took liking to them immediately." When I didn't say anything he added, "You should come back it's your last night here and Berella was looking for you." He was right, he was always right.

   "Thanks for being my friend," I smirked at Orion, "That reminds me I didn't give you my full congrats on becoming lord of-?" I eyed him.

   "Orion"he grinned as he helped me up off the grass. "It may seem a bit vein to name the meadows after me but thats what my people decided on. Cant say I'm not flattered. I want to be the best leader to my people, I will be fair and kind I promise you."

   "I know thats why we chose you," I said as we walked back to the palace side by side.