The guests cheered and congratulated Faisal and I, but I couldn't hear them. I couldn't even breath. I saw my siblings practically run to Fai so they could welcome him into the family. I tried to smile, and to be polite. I couldn't stand it. I stood up and left the banquet as discreetly as I could.

Once I was out I ran for my room. My heart was pounding and my heels weren't helping me run. The servants stared at me as I ran, but I paid them no mind. I slammed my bedroom door then buried my face in my pillows.

How could I marry Faisal? He was an arrogant, and idiotic brut! He always acted so entitled. I hardly thought of him as a friend, and now I'm expected to marry him. Was there a worse punishment?

I heard the door crack open, but I didn't bother to look up.

"Why'd you leave?" I recognized Popova's voice then sat up to face her.

"Because marrying Faisal is the last thing I want to do."

"What? I thought you liked Fai?" she tilted her head to the side.

"Maybe as a friend, but I'd rather throw myself in a river than marry him."

Popova moved to my vanity set and began playing with my perfumes, and powders. "I don't know what you're complaining about. I'd say Fai's handsome."

I let out a chuckle. She wasn't wrong, he was quite handsome. He had a strong jaw, and muscular build. He had dirty blond hair, and hazel eyes. "Yes, he's handsome, but he has the brain of a horse."

"See! You too have so much in common." She let out a giggle before getting it in the face with a pillow.

"Will your husband look like a goose then? You will look more alike him than me." We giggled as my mother poked her head through the door.

"They're missing you down stairs."

"Let them. I don't want to go back there."

"Aren't you excited? You found out who you are going to marry a year before most do."

"I'd rather wait a hundred more, if I could marry someone other than Faisal." I flopped back down on my bed in frustration.

"Well you have two years to make peace with him."

"I'll need closer to twenty actually."

My mother scoffed "Come, Popova. Leave your sister to sulk." She started heading for the door and my sister followed. I let out a sigh and began to take down my hair and get ready for bed.

The next morning my sister, Hazeal, and I got to watch the rest of our family as they tried to recover from the previous night of heavy drinking. Neither me, Popova, nor Hazeal liked to drink so it was always a pleasure to watch everyone stumble as a drunken mess. My mother was having trouble keeping her eyes open, Ramore seemed to still be drunk, Monty looked at everything like it was the most complex thing in the world, and my father's hands were trembling.

The three of us giggled as they each turned their nose up at their breakfast.

"Fun night? Or did you forget it all ready?" Hazeal joked.

Ramore groaned. "Zeal I would hurt you if I could see straight."

Popova and I chuckled before our father put an end to the shenanigans.

"We are all tired and I would appreciate if you would keep the noise down," he scolded.

"Yes, father," we said in unison.

A few minutes went by of us eating in silence until my father spoke up again. "Vivetta, I've arranged for you to spend the day with Faisal."

"What? Why?" I questioned.

"Because your mother told me of your... dismay involving your marriage to him."

I turned to my mother. "You told him?"

She gave a smug smirk then shrugged "I thought he ought to know."

My father sighed. "There is nothing wrong with Faisal. He will make a fine husband."

"But he makes a bad person," I muttered under my breath.

I went back up to my room to ready myself for the day. I dreaded having to spend the day with Faisal, but there was nothing I could do. I brushed out my hair and braided a section of the middle, but let the rest hang loose. I put on a dress with a green and black dress, that had a flowy skirt, and a slim top. I slipped on some short black boots, and headed down stairs.

I got into a carriage that was to bring me and Faisal around town, but first we had to fetch Fai. He lived in the country. He always thought he was so brace for living that close to Fithu, but there are many who live closer.

Fithu was a dangerous place. Every living thing would try to kill you. Going there without a Venandi as an escort would be a suicide. Fithu cut Savant off from the rest of Domiti, but it would protect it from invaders. The skib was a buffer of sorts between Fithu and Savant. Most plants were harmless, and the animals that would try to kill you were not as much of a challenge.

The carriage stopped outside of Faisal's home. The driver informed a servant that we were here and we were told to wait until Fai came out. He took his time to say the least. When he finally came out he wore a black vest, a white button up shirt, black pants, and black boots. He carried his favorite sword, as he always did, and had his hair brushed to the side.

"Good morning, Vivetta," he said, stepping inside the carriage. He seemed oddly cheery.

"Good morning, Fai," I muttered.

"Where are we going then?"

I turned away from him and yelled at the driver, "To the market!" I saw him frown out of the corner of my eye. He never liked that I would give the orders like that, I was a Sari. I couldn't afford to let others take charge.

The carriage lurched forward and we continued on in silence. Faisal, and I didn't utter a word during the entire ride. We pulled into the bustling market of Savant. There were shops, and businesses of all kinds lining the streets. The roads were too crowded to take the carriage through so we left it to make our way through the rough sea of people searching for a bargain.

Faisal and I walked through the large mob hoping to stay together. We wandered in and out of shops until, while walking in the street, Faisal grabbed my arm and pulled me into the nearest shop. It was a small store filled with nothing either of us would be interested in.

I ripped my arm out of his grasp "What was that?"

"A group of Venidi were walking by. They must have gotten done with a hunt." He looked at me like I was stupid for not being concerned.

"And your point is?" I questioned.

He raised his eyebrow and sighed. "You're a Sari, and I'm yet to meet a Venidi who wouldn't want your head on a spike."

"I doubt you've ever met a Venidi. Besides those are just myths." I stormed out of the shop, Fai running after me.

"No, it's not, Vivetta. You need to be aware of these things if you're going to help rule Domiti."

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Oh, I need to be aware of the things you've made up as an excuse to think you're better than the rest?"

"Vivetta, I didn't say that." he sighed. Fai was clearly buying into The Mad Queen.

"Then stop acting like it," I demanded.

"Vivetta, the lower Libres are dangerous. They could hurt you." he seemed concerned, but I couldn't imagine him caring about my safety.

I chuckle out of frustration then I spoke with a stern and demanding voice. "What about that Tulava? The poor girl who told you your future. What of her? Do you think she's dangerous?"

"She's a Tulava. They have tricks up their sleeves. They cheat."

"What was your Tulava's name?" I was wasting no more time with this man.

"Ariadne," he muttered.

"Well why don't we go pay her a visit? Then we can see if you still think of her as dangerous and beneath you." I set off in the direction of the tower with Faisal following like a dog.

We walked through the crowds until it seemed to disappear and we were walking down an almost empty road. As we came close to The Tower, Fai began to slow down, but I only sped up.

"Something wrong?" I asked even though I knew he would never admit anything.

"No." He sped up and walked with his head held high.

I giggled and approached the Ardeses at the entrance to The Tower. "We need to see Ariadne the Tulava."

One of the Ardes gave the other a confused look before she turned back to me. "And who are you?" she asked.

"Vivetta the Sari."

The Ardes' eyes widened and she turned back to her partner. They whispered a few things before they looked at me. "I'll lead you to her." She turned to the door and knocked. Another Ardes opened the door and we followed the guide inside. We made our way up the long stair case and I started to feel a little nervous. I knew Ariadne couldn't be dangerous, but I knew Faisal could be if he didn't get what he wanted. He was such a child.

We reached a door along the stairs and our guide opened it up for us. Inside was the most pitiful girl I have ever seen. She was unnaturally pale and thin, her hair was an absolute mess, she wore rags that had a few faded red stains on them. I'd seen a few Tulavas before but none of them have looked as bad as she did.

I glanced over at Faisal. His eyes were wide and his hand was over his mouth. I had never seen Fai like this. He has always held himself with such dignity and pride that he would never let anyone see him sad, but everyone has their breaking points.

I'm having trouble keeping track of plurals so sorry if that pops up at any point. I'm trying to fix it, but I think I'm failing.

Thanks for reading!