Leyla swung the sword with all her might, pulled back, spun and jumped into the air before landing with the blade extended. Then she sliced the air, flipped the handle and put the weapon back into its sheath.

Sweat beaded across her forehead, her breath coming fast due to her elevated heart rate. Leyla had been practicing under the magnolia tree in the back garden of the crystal dome for the entire morning, and though her body ached for it, she was finally in control of her emotions.

Rolling her tired shoulders, she wondered if dimension travel had played with her nerves. Or perhaps it had been too long since she left her rigorous training at the Warrior Kingdom. Whatever the reason, Leyla couldn't remember ever feeling as out of control as she had since arriving back in Gaia. Thankfully, the sword practice had helped calm her mind and settle her thoughts: yes, she wanted to find her father, but not in exchange for a forced marriage.

Her word was her bond; Leyla would not be pushed into making a vow lightly.

The sound of applause broke into her thoughts and had her turning to see a beautiful woman approaching. A slim figure, delicate features and perfect poise; the woman's long hair flowed in perfect tandem with her intricately embroidered dress. It wasn't until the woman used a familiar malicious smile that Leyla recognised her as Raphael's mistress, Arabella.

"That was a wonderful show," The woman flashed her teeth. "But I'm afraid you'll have to let go of these...militant tendencies if you are planning on fitting in here."

Although some might have thought that she was speaking out of concern, Leyla could tell the woman was insulting her. What a nuisance. She had no intention of getting caught up in a cat fight over that jerk, Raphael.

"Rest easy." Leyla wiped the sweat on her forehead with the back of her dress sleeve. "I have no interest in fitting in. Nor do I have any interest in the Prorex." She shielded her eyes from the high-noon sun to look at the dome, then glanced back at the surprised expression on the mistress's face. "Now that we understand each other, I'm sure there will be no need for anymore of these pleasant encounters."

Leyla didn't wait for Arabella to recover form her temporary speechlessness and headed for Raphael's room. It occurred to her that she aught to change, wash her face at least before she went to speak to him, but now that she felt in control enough to face the double-crosser, she did not want to delay the conversation.

Raphael was behind his desk just as he had been the evening before. This time, however, he was wearing more clothes.

"Don't you know how to knock?" The Prorex asked without looking up.

Leyla had realised the morning that Raphael came to rescue her from the Warrior dungeons that despite being a High Thinker, he was a competent fighter. Perhaps better than competent, she admitted. His senses were well trained and with his impressive memory it was no surprise that he could recognise the sound of her footsteps.

"Your father knows who my father is." Since he was skipping the pleasantries, she was happy to get right to the point. "He says he will only tell me about him if I marry you."

Raphael put his pen down, taking his time to look up at her. When he merely gave her an expectant look, she became certain that he had known about it already.

"Did he tell you who my father is?"

Raphael shook his head. "No."

"Is there a way to change the Leader's mind?"

"No," he shook his head once more.

"You are certain?"

Raphael leaned back in his chair, "The Leader does exactly as he says. He will tell you what you want to know, if you marry me. He will not, if you do not."

There was no doubt in Raphael's voice, no leeway in the explanation and Leyla believed him. His father wouldn't change his mind and neither would she.

"Your father says you are willing to get married to me. I guess you gave up on getting out of this engagement, because you think it's a lost cause. But I have not changed my mind, Prorex. I won't marry you."

An emotion she couldn't name passed over Raphael's eyes as he watched her quietly.

"If the Leader knows about my parents, then other people must know too," Leyla went on. "I'll find him, one way or another."

"And if you can't?" Raphael asked softly.

She swallowed past the irritating lump in her throat and shrugged. "I wont be forced into a marriage, not even for that."