Hey everyone! How are you today? 

I'm going to be busy this weekend so expect a late update probably on Sunday. I'm sorry I did not update yesterday, I've been sick (ugh) and trying to catch up on a crap ton of homework. 

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Also, I've been trying to hide pop-culture references in the story, so see if you can find them and tell me in the comments! (These Include: Qwalt Fisney, Feathers, and several other things.)

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Remember to be good to each other!

BYEEE

Word Count: 2035 

Not edited

Chapter Nine: 

The maid curtsied before me, her blonde head bowing in some sort of submission before she stood straight again, eyes fixated on the wooden floor. 

"Evening ma'am." She said softly, her voice as pretty as she looked. She had these ice blue eyes that I was jealous of - mine were more of a stormy ocean blue I hated - and perfectly straightened hair, with the shorter pieces tied back. 

"Good evening," I smiled softly at her timidness, "Why are you here?" 

I glanced warily at the golden clock that was beside my bed and cursed, realizing it four-twenty and I'd soon be forced to be escorted to the heart of Drendann with the three princes of Aldmist.

Panic, fear, and worry were the only emotions swirling around my head and my heart. How could be so stupid as to tell someone about me being unmarked? That, and the fact that I told a fifteen-year-old! I could be killed for this. I'm a walking target with a sign on my back that says 'Shoot me', so that all the royal guards can practice shooting. Fate, I am so going to die. 

"Prince Adrian sent me to make sure you are ready for your outing tonight. Do you need anything?" The maid stared at the floor as she spoke,  I frowned. "Why aren't you looking me in the eyes?" When I had to write a report on Drendann, the castle, and the Royal Customs, I never learned anything bad about the place, it was simply a beautiful oddity, and the staff seemed to love working there. 

The woman coughed uncomfortably, before scurrying towards the closet, her knee-length dress flowing behind her. The maid was short and pale, an unusual trait for those living in Drendann, and the state of Sallion. Most people had tan skin because the State of Sallion was hot, in the sun, and by the water, so everyone here had tanned skin, unless you were from the colder states like Fyria and Nerarand. When the maid emerged, she held a short, intricate summer dress.

"I'm not allowed too." She said softly, before holding out the dress to show me it.  There were little flower designs all over it, in pinks and blues and purples, making it  more beautiful than most dresses I had ever seen. Lace was wrapped around the waist of the dress, giving it an intricate sort of design. Obviously it was hand crafted, for the stitches were meticulously done to make the entire dress look seamless. 

"Why not?" I frowned at her, tilting my head. Ignoring my question, shee cleared her throat uncomfortably and shifted back and forth on her feet, still staring down at the floor. 

As I opened my mouth to speak, she interrupted me, "Wear this, Madame." The maid bowed and left as quickly as she'd come, resting the dress on my messy bed. 

Weird.

---

Thirty-two minutes later, I was awkwardly sitting on my bed waiting for the Prince of Bel Asshole  to show up. I had found a pair of clean and neatly polished white converse in the closet, and nearly cried out in dear joy. From my excursion earlier in the day, I had yet to find anything to put on my poor, poor feet. Hastily pulling them on, I tied the white laces, and put my hair into a messy bun, hoping I didn't look like too much of a mess. 

I sat up quickly when there was a knock at the door. "Jade, love?" Prince Adrian. I knew it was him because only his voice could send those damned shivers down my spine and make my stomach feel like butterflies were exploding inside of it. His voice was smooth like honey, yet at the same time rough and husky. It was a strange combination, and an even harder thing to explain. 

Internally groaning, I stood from the comfortable bed and called out, "Come in." The door flew open, and in waltzed a six-foot something mouth watering prince. I stared at him in surprise, while he smirked.  Prince Adrian wore a tight black muscle tee, a leather jacket, and dark-blue jeans that made his butt look amazing. 

What the hell am I thinking? I'm checking out the prince! Damnit. 

"Like what you see?" The Prince smirked at me, snapping me out of my trance, and making my eyes go back up to his face, instead of gazing at his chiseled abs that I could very clearly see under his shirt. 

Coughing and blushing I feigned a surprised look, "You wish, the boys in Esterhaven make a hell of a lot better Jen Dolls then you do. But they all have Carbies...unfortunately." I smiled proudly at my comeback and watched as he grew agitated, his eyes darkening. 

"Good, I don't wanna be a Jen Doll. I'm too sexy for that." Prince Adrian winked at me and held out his arm. "My brothers and I are escorting you to the heart of Drendann, are you ready for that?" He raised a dark feathery eyebrow and sent me a breathtaking smile. Taking one moment to quickly appreciate how stunningly beautiful the prince looked right now, I took his arm. 

"You may not be as sexy as a Jen Doll, but you do look quite dashing. I'm sure your brothers look better than you though." I teased as he led me out of the room, and towards a flight of stairs, spiraling downwards. 

No more words were spoken as we slowly made our way down the staircase, the smell of fresh lavender and shoe shine filling my senses. The walls surrounding the staircase were a soft yellow, that melted into the light oak wood panels of the floor, which seemed to spin out as we got closer to the ground level of the castle. 

"Felix told me the two of you spoke earlier," Prince Adrian said thoughtfully, as we finally stepped out into a plain living room. 

My breath caught in my throat as panic rose in my chest. Did he know? Did Felix tell Adrian that I was unmarked? Was I going to die? Was this all a trick to get me into the executioners room? Was my death going to be a spectacle? 

Questions zoomed around my head as I worried whether or not the crowned prince new of my unmated status. Keeping my composure, I glanced up at the prince. 

"Indeed," I said shakily, before looking down at the floor, fearing that I would fall over because my legs were shaking so much. 

"What did the two of you talk about?" He asked skillfully, as he stopped and stood in front of me, his hard eyes focused on my facial features, ready for me to give away something important with my expressions.

Of course he knew how to interrogate people, he was a part of the Aldmist Civil War when he was only fourteen, they called him Torture Timmy for a reason. He was testing me, seeing if I would crack under his beautifully intense gaze. 

Taking a deep breath, I said softly, "Why would it matter? Prince Adrian, I am truly sorry but my private discussions with others - Including your brother - is none of your business. Would you tell me what you and your mistresses discussed when no one was around?" 

My point was proven, and by the look on Prince Adrian's face, he was not happy about it. "I do not have any mistresses, you are the only one my heart yearns for. And my name is Adrian, not Prince Adrian, stop with the formalities." He said sharply, before grabbing my arm and dragging me down a deserted hallway, which I realized was the same one he had led me through earlier that day. 

Oh, I just love getting under that prince's skin! 

Smirking with satisfaction, I followed behind him quietly, feeling the anger that he was having difficulty hiding. Who knew taunting a prince could be as much fun as it was? My only worry was that the Prince knew of my untainted skin, and that I should be executed on the spot. If he did, then he was surely leading me on. 

Once we arrive in the center of Drendann, I am so ditching them as soon as possible.

---

Two men sat in the dark of the room, as they eyed each other warily. It was a usual sight for all those who had looked upon it before, but for the two that stared at each other, it always seemed new. Almost everyday did the two have this standoff, always in disagreement, their ideas always differing. One was proud of the other, yet evil and greed lurked in his blood, and the other wanted to get rid of the blood that chained him to his senior, wanting to be rid of the evil he had been given. 

"Father, I am sure that she is my soulmate." Prince Adrian's voice was like smoke, thick, as it floated to the high ceilings of the throne room. His heart ached slightly, and his throat was raw, he was missing her already, and she had barely been away for more than a couple of hours.

"It is impossible." The man spoke, rubbing the golden scepter, encrusted with rubies, emralds and diamonds. It would be his sons one day, and he knew that day was soon, he feared that day. But as the king, he was not allowed to fear anything. "You're mate hasn't existed in a long time, dear boy." Unlike the prince's smoke filled gentle and powerful voice, the kings voice was cracky, like ice, sharp icicles flying from it to those who crossed its path. It was deep, dangerous, and threatening, erupting fear with those who dared cross it. 

"But father, my mark may have been taken away, but perhaps Fate has given me another chance." Prince Adrian's eyes were hopeful, more hopeful than King Favian had ever seen them. 

"Another chance at love? Son, how foolish can you be? Fate is not that kind." King Favian hated the idea of love. His wife, Queen Ivy III, may have been his true soulmate, but that did not deter him from hating the word. He believed it was unlawful, useless, and driven by nothing but pure imagination and recklessness. Unfortunately for him, his sons believed in it with so much passion, when they were as old as him, their children would be the weakest of the royal line. 

"Mother has told me countless times what it felt like when she met you. She told me about the tingles she felt when you touched, the jolt of electricity and the butterflies that erupted in her stomach when you hugged, the fireworks that appeared when you kissed, everything. That's what it feels like with Jade, Father. I know she is mine. I have struggled to prove it to my brothers, but they believe me as well, now. Please, Dad, just give me a chance to prove it to you."  Prince Adrian begged. It was rare of him to do such a thing, especially in front of his father. This made The King nervous, his son was already having feelings for a woman who might not even be Adrian's mate. 

"You have four months," the king said wisely, "before the earth will unbind the two of you as mates. If you can mark each other and complete the mating process, and neither of your bodies reject it within the four months, I will grant you your kingship and you may marry her off as your queen. If you do not complete the process within the four months, or your bodies reject each others marks proving the two of you not to be mates, you will never see the girl again. Am I clear?" 

Prince Adrian nodded eagerly, "Yes Father. Thank you." He couldn't believe it, his father was giving him a chance. This was something that happened once in a blue moon. 

Little did Adrian know though, King Favian wanted the girl dead, and was willing to do anything to be rid of the girl who had encircled his sons heart.