The months leading towards October went by without a hitch. Plans were made. For the wedding as much as for my escape. The planning went by smoothly as well. So smoothly that everything was set a whole week in advance. And I was as nervous as ever.

"Nico." Will tried to take my hand, trying to shake me of my reverie as he did so. His touch brought me back, snatching my hand away, scared of the burn it would bring with it. I still didn't know what caused it. I hoped it wasn't anything serious.

"What is it?" I brought my knees up to my chest and crossed my arms atop them.

"Reyna? Where is she?"

We were having a meeting in the gardens, hiding behind a couple of cherry trees and berry bushes that were now yellow and orange due to the season. It was the last meeting left after everything, to make sure we hadn't missed anything because next week, everything would be set in motion and guests would start arriving, making it that much harder for us to meet. This was our last chance to go over everything. Especially now that Ethan had been gone for two days on business. He would return the following day.

"Reyna will be here. One of my knights from Inferos appeared out of nowhere with her dogs. She'd left them in his care but they hadn't stopped whining for the past two months. They sent her a letter and she replied telling them to leave them at home, but I guess they missed her too much."

"Why didn't she bring them with her?"

"We weren't sure Ethan would be okay with it. And we would not have been okay if he mistreated them."

Will nodded, "So what are their names?"

"Argentum and Aurum."

"Hello," Reyna's voice drifted towards us from wherever she was in the gardens, "Have you perhaps seen Prince Nico?" She must have been asking a gardener.

"Oh, yes. He walked somewhere there, looking quite nervous. Poor boy, he must be nervous about his wedding. A walk is sure to help those nerves."

I resisted the urge to snort as we listened.

"Right. Thank you."

"Dame Reyna, you mustn't worry so much about him. Your prince can take care of himself I'm sure. And no one here would dare harm him."

"Apologies. I don't mean to make it seem you are untrustworthy but it is my duty to watch over him."

"It's quite all right. I understand."

Reyna didn't say anything after that and we heard footsteps coming closer and closer until she was right in front of us with her greyhounds at either side of her. As soon as Argentum and Aurum laid eyes on me, they jumped to say hello. It was a good thing I was already on the floor or they would have pushed me down. That would not have been pleasant.

When the dogs let up and I was sitting again, Reyna was sitting between Will and me, making a complete triangle. She smiled at her dogs as they positioned themselves behind her. Then she turned back to us, "Nico, you can't go wandering without me." She was keeping up the pretence. The gardener was probably still there.

"I'm quite fine Reyna, as you can see. I simply wanted a little nature."

There was the soft rustling as someone took steps on the grass but they were getting further. Reyna took the liberty to peek over the bushes and when she was positive the gardener was out of earshot she asked, "So Will, how's everything?"

But still, both whispered.

"Everything is well. Lou is set to arrive in the next three days. Posing as another servant, they won't take a second glance. Especially with the glamour she'll be wearing."

Reyna nodded.

I gingerly let go of my knees and straightened out my legs, I would not let them know I was feeling nervous. Having them ask about it could make it worse. "Anything else?"

"Just a reminder that everything will be set to go as soon as the servants start handing out the champagne and wine. You have to be ready. I'll be waiting for you as soon as you're out the door to the back gardens. Please remember to run. They will only be asleep for 20 minutes."

I nodded. "I'll be ready."

Reyna reached back to pet her dogs. "I wish to accompany you both to the next town."

"Reyna," I said.

"Yes?" She acted oblivious like she didn't know what would come out of my mouth in the next seconds.

"We spoke of this. You are to drink the potion as soon as you make certain everyone in the ballroom is asleep. That way no suspicion will come to you."

She shook her head, "I am your guard and your friend. I must see that you arrive safely into the next town."

"If Ethan takes this the wrong way, I will not have him come after you too. I will not."

"I've told Lou Ellen to do the same." Will cut in, "And she has a glamour. She's a fantastic friend to me and I would rather they come for me than for her. She wished to accompany us too but I refused. I will not have her hurt or hunted down, not for something I dragged her into."

I looked at Reyna with a "Do you see?" expression. I would not let her accompany us.

She shot me a glare but I knew she had given in. "Very well. But if I get any news that you've died or have been captured, I will murder you all over again."

"We will arrive without harm. You've nothing to worry about."

"I hope so. You will send me a letter, to Inferos, as soon as you are able."

"I promise."

Will clapped his hands, "Then we are done." He smiled at me, "I'm glad you aren't going through with it." With that he carefully stood and took a couple turns and exited the garden, leaving Reyna and me alone behind the bushes.

"I would not be surprised if some time from now I received a letter from you telling me you two have become lovers."

"Quiet you." I blushed and turned away so she wouldn't take notice. There was no doubt it might have crossed my mind once or twice before I'd fallen asleep. With time to myself and nothing to do, my mind would drown in those cerulean blue eyes.

However, I knew that wasn't going to happen. Will might have had a slight crush on me when we were children but not anymore. And, I had no feelings for him now either. So with no feelings both ways, nothing would happen. Just because I might have wondered a couple of times if our relationship could become more than platonic during the time we would spend traveling and hiding (if necessary) alone did not mean I automatically had feelings for him. Sure, he was handsome but I refused to believe I had been gathering feelings for him in the past couple of months.

"Well, I think it's safe for us to head back now. I tire of whispering."

I nodded, "Let's."

Lamentably, as soon as we were free of the gardens and a couple of feet from the doors into the castle, Ethan stepped in our path. He smiled my way and ignored Reyna, like usual. "Prince Nico, wonderful. I was looking for you."

"May I ask why?" I frowned at his presence. He had surprised me, he wasn't supposed to be here yet. I tried my best not to let the surprise show, especially because it was something he had no doubt done on purpose.

"In a week, we will be married. I don't think we've yet celebrated the fact that we are engaged. I wanted to spend the rest of the day with you. To celebrate. I had Maxwell inform the cook to make something exquisite for dinner tonight."

I didn't want to. Not with all my nerves. But there was a week left. Just one. I put up with four months, I can do one week. I smiled, sarcastically of course, "Then shall we?"

He didn't catch my sarcastic smile and grinned in return, "Yes of course. I'm glad to see you're looking happy to be celebrating with me tonight."

"Of course." My sarcastic smile didn't waver. I even took his arm when he held it out to me.

Then he did something completely surprising as he led me away from Reyna and into the castle. He actually turned to my knight and smiled at her, "Have a good afternoon Dame Reyna."

She and I were speechless as we left her behind.

When we entered the castle, Ethan smiled at me, "No need to be so surprised, my sweet. If we are going to be wed, I must get along with your dear friend."

That's when I knew he was excited about letting her go. Because as soon as the wedding happened, I would be under the watch of Vindectae knights. Reyna would no longer be of service here, she would go back home immediately. Someone else would be assigned to me as my guard.

Thankfully, she would be returning home but not because I would be married to a rebarbative king but because I wouldn't be and she simply belonged back home. Safe.

Bothered, I didn't reply and let him lead me to where we were to celebrate. Too late did I realize that where we were heading were his chambers. We would be alone there. Unless Maxwell was present as well, to answer to Ethan's every need. I prayed that he would. We entered his parlor. My prayers were not answered.

That was what I had formerly thought. But as soon as we took a seat, Maxwell entered the room as well. I didn't bother to hide the relief on my face. I caught a glimpse of Ethan from the corner of my eye as I folded my hands politely in my lap and he looked my way. For a millisecond, I thought I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes but it was gone just as quick. I concluded I had been imagining it. Even if it had been there, it was of no consequence and would not have mattered. Nothing he could do would bring a change within me. I would leave and he would not be stopping me.

"So Nico, what would you like to drink?" Ethan asked, gesturing toward the table before us. There was champagne, wine, and tea. "I was not sure which you preferred so I had Maxwell set out these. Maxwell will serve you your beverage of choice."

Unbelievable, he couldn't even serve me himself, on our "date". He must have been pampered more than I growing up. "Tea is fine. Thank you, Maxwell."

As soon as Maxwell served my tea, Ethan began trying to make conversation. "So Nico, are you excited?"

"For what?" I knew what he spoke of but I pretended not to, hoping maybe he would get the hint and drop the subject, like so many times before. I didn't want to speak of our upcoming wedding. But as always, he didn't understand. He never did. Just another reason to add to the long list of why I would not marry Ethan Nakamura.

"Our wedding of course! We will finally be married after all these years!" He grinned and held his glass of wine out to me. "Shall we toast to it, my dear?"

"After all these years? Excuse me, if you would, but I only learned of any engagement ten months ago. There were no years involved, your majesty. I have spent no time of my life awaiting this arranged wedding. If anything, I wish it weren't happening." I had not meant it to but my true feelings arose as soon as his words slipped past my ears. I simply hoped he wouldn't start wondering what exactly I was doing with my time when he wasn't looking.

He clenched his teeth and his lips set in a tight line. "You should be grateful a king has any interest in you."

"I should be grateful? Why? Because I'm so undesirable? I should be happy someone wants to marry me?" I didn't know how but Ethan always managed to get a rise out of me whenever we were together.

"Why must you be so cantankerous? I'm doing you a favour!"

"And what favour is that? Ripping me from everything I've come to love? Forcing me to marry someone I don't?"

"For taking you out of that dreadful place! Everyone knows your father would have preferred your sister over you!"

I stopped. Yes. Everyone knew. If he didn't say it outright to other nobles it was obvious in the way he treated me and avoided her name. But no one had ever said it to my face. And it hurt. The reminder of my father telling me this not even a year after her death hurt too. I didn't even bother saying anything else to Ethan before I rose from my seat and made my way out. He didn't try to stop me.

I ignored Reyna when I reached my chambers. I went straight to bed and slept for the rest of that day. My anxiousness was forgotten as I slept through the night as well.

♛☠♛

Through the next week, I not only had to ignore my nerves but Ethan as well. If he so much as saw my shoe, he would follow behind me, apologizing for what had happened the week before. Even if I hadn't already detested him, I would not have forgiven him. Reyna had to get creative in how to get rid of him multiple times. Although, most of those times consisted of her dressing in clothes similar to mine and wandering the castle on her own if I had anywhere to go. So if he saw her, he might think it was me and try to go after her instead.

He had not come after me right then though. He wouldn't dare when he had a ballroom to inspect for aberrations. And he wouldn't find anything out of place. Of course not. Not when it was in less than an hour. That was another good thing to come from that ball.

At that moment, I was heading back to my chambers after picking up my boots. Ethan had insisted they be cleaned for tonight. His message had come from Maxwell and I hadn't been able to say no.

As soon as I opened the doors, Reyna came noisily chiming into my room wearing her full decorative armour. It had been a while since she wore it. But I guessed it was a special occasion. Kind of.

"Nico." She said as I closed the doors. "This is bullshit."

I smiled wryly and repeated what I had thought, "Special occasion."

"He wants us to look pretty. It's a ball. There is no need for pretty. We are there for protection. Not pretty. We are knights guarding a ball, not Knights going to war." She frowned.

I took a seat on my bed and slipped on my boots, the last necessary thing to complete my outfit. "Reyna."

"Yes?"

"I'm going to miss you."

"Of course I'll miss you as well. You are my best friend after all."

"What if I never see you again?"

"Don't be absurd. We will see each other again." She came to stand before me and placed her hands on my shoulders. "In fact, we will see each other again before you even have time to miss me."

I smiled but before I was able to answer, a knock and a voice came from the other side of the doors. "Your Highness, guests have begun to arrive in the ballroom and His Majesty asks that you come down."

I looked at Reyna and sighed. "Showtime."

Before we left, I looked myself over in the looking glass one last time. A black coat with silver trim over a black vest with silver buttons and a black shirt, fitted black trousers, and black leather boots. My black and silver outfit. The colors of Inferos. Colors I most likely wouldn't wear for a long time after the ball, if ever again. This time it wasn't a request Ethan had made. I had decided this on my own. Because I didn't know if I would ever go back and if I didn't, I wanted to represent Inferos one last time. If not for my father, then for my mother and my sisters.

(A/N: I don't know guys, something like this? Would a prince wear this? Except of course the gold trim would be silver instead but I guess something like this?)

Together we exited my room at Invidia for the last time. Maxwell had left already. He couldn't leave his master alone for more than he had to.

Upon entering the outstandingly full ballroom, the first thing I took note of was Will. Not, surprisingly, Ethan, who I expected to be waiting for me at the doors. I didn't mind this. The less of Ethan I saw, the better. What did surprise me was how the party was already in full swing. The only thing missing was servants walking the ballroom with appetizers and drinks on trays to offer the guests. They must have been still setting up as guests were not supposed to have been arriving for another twenty minutes. Even as I tried to scan the ballroom quickly to get a hand on how things were going, my eyes kept retreating back to Will.

Will was chattering away with another noble, whom I did not recognize. They were laughing. Will's joyous laugh could be heard over all the other guests' jabber and cheerful music. I didn't understand why but his laugh made everything else fade into the background and all that could be heard was his laughter. I was faintly aware of Reyna trying to tell me something but all I could make out in my hazy bubble was Will. Will in his gorgeous beige and golden outfit. The intricate golden designs shimmered when he moved in any way. The only other golden thing to rival his clothing was his hair. I couldn't believe someone could stand out so much and be the only light in a room so big. When his eyes finally met mine did I realize I had been staring for an inappropriate amount of time. I quickly averted my gaze. Although, it did not matter as he had already caught me staring. He had directed himself toward us.

At last, I began to pay attention to what Reyna was saying in an attempt to evade Will's beryl gaze. "-and I could literally be telling you I have been a dragon undercover ever since I have known you because I'm running away from two evil little dwarves and you would not bat an eyelash because you are too busy admiring your lover."

"I-what?" What exactly was my best friend going on about?

"Who's lover?" Will appeared next to us sooner than I had anticipated.

"Nico's." Reyna replied.

Will immediately turned to me, "You're seeing someone?"

"No." I shot a glare at Reyna. "I'm not. There is no one astonishing enough to catch my attention."

Reyna smirked mischievously, "Oh, I could say otherwise."

For absolutely no reason known to man, I blushed furiously and turned away from them both to mumble, "No one asked you."

She grinned in triumph but said nothing else on the subject, instead of asking Will (who had watched our ordeal in great confusion), "When are the drinks coming again? I am absolutely parched."

"If I am correct, maybe another five minutes of waiting. But I suggest you hold your thirst until the toast. Champagne will be brought out and King Ethan will give a wonderful speech in honor of his wedding tomorrow." His eyes held a glint of mischief. I knew what they were doing. Will hadn't been able to disclose anything too obvious about the party, orders from Ethan. He had wanted it to be a surprise for me. Will would have told us of course, but with my history of blowing up in Ethan's face held him back. If I had said anything regarding the party, in knowing what was planned for that night for me from Ethan, he would have known instantly that I was speaking with Will and he would have become suspicious. We could not have that. So Will was letting us know then.

"I do pity the guards, they would miss the fabulously tasting champagne." I was saying this in case anyone overheard. If they did, they would think nothing of it if they caught me slipping out of the ballroom with a couple of glasses in hand. That and of course, of my rumoured hate of Ethan. If they were to see me leaving at the time of the toast, they would assume it to be true and ignore me. It was only a rumour because I have never done anything in front of them to prove my hate.

"Then I suggest you bring them a drink." Servants were finally roaming the ballroom with appetizers and Reyna reached out to take one as she spoke.

"He couldn't possibly take them anything on his own, there are guards posted at every entrance." Will pointed out as he too took a passing appetizer.

"Then you and I will help him. I shall go out front and you will go to the servant's exit." She popped the appetizer in her mouth.

"Good idea Dame Reyna." Will smiled. "I will help you then. For now, I must find my friend. He wandered off somewhere in search of wine I believe. He always did like coming to balls. Best wine he says. Now if you'll excuse me." He bowed and walked away.

"Who exactly were you calling my lover?" Now that Will was gone, I wheeled on Reyna.

"The only one you seem to have eyes for these days of course. Who else would I have been speaking of?" She was smirking again.

I rolled my eyes, "There is no one I have eyes for."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Your Highness."

It wasn't too long after that when the music stopped and Maxwell announced Ethan would be giving a toast and trays of champagne were going around. Ethan then rose on stage with a glass in hand. He began to speak almost as soon as he was sure he had every pair of eyes on him. We waited for him to begin before we slowly made our way to the kitchens to ask for glasses of champagne. The servants were curious as to why the prince and the main subject of the very speech being spoken would be in the kitchens instead of the ballroom but I pretended not to notice and made my way outside as Reyna went the opposite way. I desperately wanted to hug her and say goodbye before we parted ways but I knew that was not an option. Besides, we had promised no goodbyes. I would see my best friend again. I was not disappearing. Not entirely.

Everything seemed to pass by quickly. In my suddenly nervous state, I was unable to process exactly what was happening. It was all so surreal. I felt like I was dreaming or watching someone else take control of my body and get it done. To this day, I am still not entirely sure how I managed to do everything correctly and without arousing suspicion.

The next thing I remembered, Will was there and the Knights at our feet were sound asleep.

"Let's go. Everyone is asleep. Remember, we have fifteen minutes to be gone." Will took my hand and gently tugged when I did not move. "Nico. We can go. You can go."

I nodded and finally found the strength to turn and run.

A/N

So I'm posting this three days early. So there won't be an update this Wednesday. Maybe. I'm not sure yet if I can manage to write another chapter by then, I will try though. But anyway, I'm posting this earlier as a thank you to you guys for being awesome. I hope this wasn't too long or boring. But doesn't Check Yes Juliet just totally fit this? Like Will was telling him, in a way not to sell his heart and now they've run away together! It's such a great song.

Also, I now have an old shitty laptop. Well, it's not that sucky, it works (mostly) and that's what matters so I'm hoping that will help with writing because I find it so much easier to type on a computer than a phone.

But uh yeah, that's it. Thanks, guys!

Yours in demigodishness and all that, Onyx