Roswell Fanatics

Here it is! The latest and greatest, well maybe not greatest... but that's all relative. I just wanted to say, that I am NOT a Khivar fan but I think he was misunderstood, I mean the poor guy, so I invented a REASON why he would attack these people and I mean COME ON if Zan loved someone like Ava in his other life, then something was messed up! And anyways this is an AU FIC so I can make it anyway I want!!! But rest assured this fic is 100% dreamer!! And there might be a sequel.... I know it's soon but I just wanted to throw that out there! SHOULD I DO A SEQUEL?

Thank yous to:
purpleant
ayznshorti
roswellluver and my new reader:Angel Eyes You guys are what keep me going! So thank you and I LOVE YOU!!



Part 10:
Aline, known to her friends and fiancé as Lina, looked out the carriage window at Antar, it was her family’s favorite vacation spot. Her family… she sighed and felt tears come to her eyes. It had only been three short years since the horrible accident that had taken her parents and her memory. She felt a movement across from her.
“Are you alright, darling?” her handsome fiancé, Khivar asked her solemnly.
“Yes,” She sighed, she smiled at him, “Just thinking.” He nodded and went back to his paper. She looked out the window again. She couldn’t believe it had been such a short time, she still remembered waking up and not knowing anything. She also remembered the day Khivar had broken the news about her parents. She had moved in with him, although he had hired a chaperone so she could maintain her reputation. She smiled, he had been so gentle and so understanding. She still had not recovered her earlier memories, but she didn’t know what she would do with out him. He had told her after she had started sobbing in frustration trying to get something back, some small glimmer, that they would start making new memories. He had told her to let go of the old, and had filled in many of the blanks. She adored him, but she felt like something wasn’t right, she had held their marriage at bay for the last three years. She had been of age but Khivar had understood, they were getting married in a month. She still felt like something was off and had asked him if they could go back and he had agreed. He was the leader of Xelan, a planet neighboring Antar. It was a democracy and Khivar had won the election in a landslide a year after they had returned. He had received an invitation to the coronation celebrations for the Prince of Antar. So he had agreed that a change of pace would be good for both of them. They had left the wedding preparations to a planner that had also been hired, although Lina would have liked to do it herself. Khivar had told her that she had wanted it this way before the accident and planning a wedding might cause her undue stress. He was always so worried about her. He treated her like porcelain doll always afraid she would break. She bit her lip. Antar was beautiful, she had regretting leaving three years ago and she would regret leaving in a week. The celebration was to take place over the course of a week. They had missed the first day, but it was solely for the Royal Court of Antar, so they wouldn’t have missed very much, the later festivities, as Khivar explained to her, were for outsiders. She let those thoughts slide away and relaxed trying as she had been for three years to access the part of her brain that held her memories. Sometimes she could see things in her dreams, like shadows or blurs of people. She remembered feelings, for a man. She knew that this was Khivar, who else could it be? Those were the best dreams when she remembered him, he was kind and smart and gentle and she loved him. Sometimes, when Khivar was was short with her she wondered if it really was him, but she knew that it was. Although, something nagged at her when they were alone together, she wasn’t completely comfortable, but she loved him and she had grown accustomed to him. She smiled at that, she was excited for her upcoming wedding. She knew that Khivar was a very important man to Xelan and countless ladies had told her how fortunate she was. She smiled, they had not known her, she had apparently been a wealthy country born noble. Her father had supported and helped Khivar rise to his position, in society and she had fallen in love with him and he her. She had the mannerisms of a noble lady, so she knew this was true, but certain things confused her, like the way the ladies moved their hands as they spoke. She knew this was another language, a way to get the real conversation across, but she didn’t know it. It seemed to be ingrained in the ladies of Xelan. She wondered about this, but she had never questioned Khivar. Treason was very dangerous ground on Xelan and she assumed the hand speaking had been developed to avoid any tricky situations. She furrowed her brow, she wished that she understood that hand speaking. Why didn’t she understand it? She could remember the intricacies of all the court dances, like they were second nature. So why did the hand speaking evade her? It was obviously second nature to the court ladies. Why wasn’t it second nature to her? This was another thing that bothered her, she didn’t understand why it did or why it should, she just knew that something was off, it was in the way the ladies looked at her or spoke to her. She shook her head, she was acting like a silly girl with an overactive imagination.
“We’re here,” the driver announced. Serena, her chaperone looked at Khivar, as if asking him a question. Lina stared at them. Khivar got out of the coach and held out his hand to help Lina down. She must have imagined that look, what was going on in her imagination lately? She stepped out and looked at the massive palace before her. The palace in Xelan was grand but she had never seen anything this grand before. She titled her head back trying to see all the way up.
“You’re going to have a sore neck if you keep that up.” Khivar laughed and placed his hand behind her head and rubbed her neck, gently pushing her head level. She smiled at him, “I feel like quiet the country bumpkin here.”
“Yes,” Khivar nodded, still rubbing her neck, “That’s it purpose.” He didn’t say it with any real malice but she could tell there was something, in the way he said it. Like he didn’t like it here, there goes the overactive imagination Aline. She shrugged off Khivar’s hand as the Royal family came out to greet the arriving dignitaries. She kept her head down, as she had been taught. She curtsied and stuck close to Khivar as he introduced her.
“This is my fiancé, Lady Aline of Sercha.” She curtsied again. The King looked at the woman with Khivar, she resembled someone, he couldn’t place his finger on it.
“Welcome, I am very sorry my son could not be here to greet you as well, he was detained earlier by some important business.” The King was lying through his teeth and Khivar knew it. He couldn’t have been happier, the boy apparently didn’t want the throne, or he was unhappy about something. Taking the girl away was having an added bonus, he knew, he could feel it in his bones, that she had something to do with this and now she was his. He hadn’t wanted to bring her here, it had been so much easier to make up small details in Xelan, those fools had been too afraid to argue with him and they had benefited as well since they were now making more money than they had before. But… Aline was perfect and he couldn’t deny her anything, even though he knew it was a huge risk, he had given in to her will. She didn’t even look the same, oh yes, her features hadn’t changed but she was different. Her hair was lighter, Xelan was a desert planet so her skin had darkened and her hair had lightened. Age was another factor, her features had changed as she had gone from shy eighteen year old to a graceful woman. Her mouth was fuller and redder, gone were the baby cheeks to be replaced by smooth tan skin and silky features. She looked all in all like some mysterious woman from the desert and he knew that all he had to do was keep her as far away from Zan as humanly possible. Three years was a long time and the others might recognize her but they would ignore it and call it coincidence. No one knew who he was, his last encounter with Zan having been years ago, and he had manipulated his looks then, so that Zan would remember him as a middle aged gentleman, not the young man he really was. He was a few years older than Aline but not that many and not enough that anyone would be shocked that they were to be married. Zan, however, was another story, he would not ignore his feelings about his girl he would follow through until he had figured out why she was so familiar and Khivar just couldn’t have that. He didn’t worry too much because there were hundreds of dignitaries visting, many of the nobles from his planet had been invited and he had, as was expected brought his own entourage. So he didn’t think that keeping Aline away from Zan would be too difficult, after all, many people would be clamoring for the attention of the new King of Antar. He just would make sure that Aline wasn’t one of them. He smiled as they were shown to their rooms, he even smiled as the servant shut the doors informing them that tonight’s celebration would begin at
10PM and they must arrive within fifteen minutes in order to be announced. He nodded and the servant left. He went to the door connecting his room to Aline’s, she was sitting on a large chair looking out at the palace gardens. He placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Hmmm?” She looked up, “Oh, it’s you. It’s so beautiful here.” She smiled, a quiet smile.
“Not as beautiful as you,” He murmured his hand moving to caress her cheek, she leaned away from him slightly, not enough to be noticeable to outisiders, but he noticed it and it made him angier than usual for some reason. He stormed off. Leaving Aline to think what she wanted.
She hadn’t meant to move away from his touch, but it felt wrong. It felt more wrong than it ever had before, she knew she had hurt him, even if it was unintentional. She decided to go after him, she loved him. She shouldn’t shy away from his touch she wanted to be with him, she wanted to marry him, she just wasn’t prepared to be touched by a man, so… so intimately. She rushed through the halls looking for Khivar, she somehow knew her way around. In Khivar’s home, she got lost looking for the dining hall, but she knew her way around this massive palace. She knew that Khivar had probably gone outdoors, he liked to be outside when he was upset, he told her once it soothed his soul to be outdoors. She walked out into the gardens just as it started to rain. She didn’t care if she got soaked to the bone, she was going to find him and tell him that she loved him. What had started as a quiet little drizzle was now pouring on her, her skirts were soaking and her hair was hanging down her back in disgusting strings. She saw him then, sitting on a bench, getting equally soaked, she wasn’t used to this weather, it hardly ever rained in Xelan. She liked it, even though she was cold and her teeth were chattering.
“M-m-my Lor-d-d, I am s-s-sorry.” She knelt in front of him and placed her hands on his. He looked at her, “I l-l-love you! I d-d-do!” She cried, her teeth chattering. “I j-j-just c-c-can’t- I’m-m n-n-ot read-d-dy.” She looked down, “P-p-please understand.” She whispered. He titled her chin up.
“Aline, I will love you until the day I die, I’m sorry I was so rude and inconsiderate before. Why didn’t you tell me how you felt?” He asked her quietly.
She rested her head on his knees, “I was afraid you wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh…” He stroked her hair, “Darling, I want you to know that you don’t have to ever be afraid of me, I will never hurt you. I swear to you.” She looked up at him them, he was so sure of himself so passionate, he really did love her and even though she had doubts, she had never doubted his feelings for her. She nodded.
“Now, then. Let’s get out of this rain, before we catch out deaths out here.” He pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her, she snuggled into his warmth. He was so protective of her, she felt safe and very loved when she was with him. That would have to be enough for now. “I hate all this bloody rain,” he muttered, more to himself than to her, but she answered all the same.
“Do you? I love it!” She exclaimed laughing and she ran out of his arms and danced a small circle in the pouring rain, she titled her head up towards the sky. “It’s so refreshing! It makes me feel so- so-“
“So wet?” Khivar mused dryly.
“No! It’s not like that.” She grabbed his hand and spun herself away from him and back agan. “It’s like a new beginning each time it rains, it’s clean and fresh and new!” She laughed. He loved her laugh, and so he decided to play in the rain with her. He had rarely seen her this happy and it was over something as simple as rain.

Part 11:
Zan was angry. Angry was putting it lightly, he was being forced into a marriage to a person he didn’t even want to be in the same room with. He wandered through the palace halls and saw Khivar the leader of Xelan embracing a young woman, he couldn’t see what she looked like he had heard that the leader of the newest “democracy” was betrothed he assumed the woman must be Khivar’s great love. Zan had heard rumors that Khivar went to any length to please her and gods forbid someone treated her ill, Khivar was not known for his mercy especially in regards to ill treatment of his young courtier fiancé. Zan shook his head and stepped back into the shadows to watch the young couple. The girl still had her back to him, she was small and very petite. She didn’t even look old enough to be out of the school room from this angle. Zan watched as she twirled in the rain. He wished he could have gotten a better look at her face something about her was familiar. He didn’t know why he felt compelled to watch them. She laughed, and Zan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Why was Khivar’s fiancé causing such a reaction in him? He shook his head to clear his thoughts and watched as Khivar took her hand and led her away from the small garden that had been his favorite spot to be with Alyssa many years ago. He had been thinking of her so much lately he hurt, he ached for her. He knew after almost four years it would be impossible to find her, but he knew in his heart that she wasn’t dead. He would know if she was dead, he would feel it. He had stalled his impending marriage to Ava hoping that somehow fate would be kind and restore Alyssa to him. He would give up his kingdom just to hold Alyssa again.
“Zan!” Ava’s shrill voice pierced his thoughts, “Zan! Darling! Where are you?! This running and hiding in solitude is getting rather ridiculous! Don’t you think you should just be an adult?!” She whined. Zan retreated farther into his alcove, hopefully she wouldn’t notice him. How he wished he could become invisible, that would be a power worth having. As it was he was strictly Antarian and that was nothing special. He held his breath. She walked right past him, still whining although admitting in a lower volume. She didn’t like being evaded or put off, but right now he couldn’t handle all of the demands she made on him. She was so demanding. She demanded everything of everyone, the only person she didn’t try to coerce or demand anything from was Vilandra and that was because Vilandra could freeze her with one look of contempt. Vilandra had long ago accepted Ava’s place in her life but she refused to be treated like one of Ava’s future subjects, until Ava married Zan she was just another princess and as far as Vilandra was concerned even if she did marry Zan that didn’t give her any more power over Vilandra, it was Vilandra’s birthright to be Princess of Antar whereas Ava was only marrying into the family. Zan sighed and chased away the thoughts of the political power struggles going on amongst the royal family. He had much more important matters to attend to. He sought out his advisor to see what was on the agenda for the day.

Alyssa sighed as two servants fluttered and tittered about her, this was the only thing she disliked about being nobility, and all of the formalities that went with it. She loved to dance, Khivar was a fair dancer, it was clear she was much more advanced than he and he often sat out many dances at balls in order to discuss politics with some noble or another. So she was left partnerless for much of the time. Khivar was displeased when she danced with anyone but him, which left her feeling bored and distinterested at most balls and parties. She hoped Khivar would relax his hold here and dance with her a bit more. Sometimes she wondered what had attracted her to him in the first place, he seemed to dissaprove of all the things she loved to do. She loved to dance and ride horses, and she would often wish she could join the men training for combat in the courtyard of their estate. She was strictly forbidden to do so, she knew it was unladylike and dangerous for her but she had been bribing a young guard named Niko to train with her. He was a patient teacher and he never underestimated her skill under his tutelage she was almost as good as any solider Khivar had ever recruited. She kept that skill to herself and Niko would be punished with discharge or worse if Khivar found out. She bit her lip and sighed.
“My lady, you seem unhappy. How can this be? Antar is famous for being one of the most beautiful planets in the galaxy. Some say it is impossible to be unhappy here” the older of the maids nodded
“I’m not unhappy,” Lina smiled for the benefit of the maids, “I’m just anxious to make a good impression on his Highness and his fiancé.”
“Oh! But my lady is beautiful and perfect! You will make the new King fall in love with you at first sight, like many men before him must have done!” The younger maid gushed. Lina blushed.
“I hope not, I sense my lord, Khivar would dislike that. No?” She giggled.
The maids nodded and turned her to look in the mirror at herself. Aline barely recognized herself. She rarely dressed this opulently. There was little reason as Khivar only went to those social events that were required and the dress style in Xelan was much simpler than here on Antar. She wore an ivory gown with intricate beads that glittered as she moved. She also had a small tiara made of clear crystal and white pearls.
“Oohhh…” she breathed. She had never felt more like a princess, she knew she wasn’t but the dress was fabulous. She had bought the fabric on a whim and her lady at home had insisted she bring this dress she was glad now that she had. She felt breathtaking. She knew she would surely impress all of the foreign dignitaries as she stood by Khivar’s side. She turned at the knock at the door, what perfect timing, she thought. She smiled and turned to greet her fiancé.
Khivar scowled as he watched Alyssa turn to greet him. She looked too lovely to be real, and he knew Zan would take notice the minute she walked into the room. She was so damned beautiful. She hesitated as she noticed his scowl, her smile turning into a look of confusion.
She curtsied low, “Did I displease you, my lord?” She whispered.
“Change out of that damn dress! It will cause heads to turn if you wore it! What on earth were you thinking putting something like that on?” He demanded before he turned on his heel and walked out of her rooms. Not before he noticed the tears well up in her eyes. He hadn’t meant to be so harsh but like it or not he was going to keep her away from Zan and that meant making her as unnoticeable as possible. It was impossible already not to see her great beauty but to wear such a glittering frock that would cause so much attention was too much for him to bear.
Lina waited until he had shut the door behind him before she let any tears fall. Sometimes she didn’t understand Khivar. She turned to the two shocked maids and they hurried to get her out of the ivory gown. The maids surrepticsiouly glanced at one another behind Aline’s back, wondering what could have been the cause of Khivar’s outburst. He seemed like a madman at that point. Aline chose a simple dark red gown she felt complimented her dark skin and hair. As the maids were finished doing her dress up, she heard another knock. She flinched fearing another verbal attack but Khivar merely nodded at her choice and she took his arm as he offered it to her. She silently let him lead the way to the main ballroom. As they were about to enter he turned to her and began to speak
“Lina, darling I didn’t mean-“ he was cut off by the herald announcing their arrival

Khivar only had time to snap "Keep your head down! It's impolite to look Kings in the eye!" at Aline before they were presented. He knew he must have seemed like an irrational tyrant to her now but he would make it up to her at home once all the damn proprieties were taken care of and he could leave with his prize. He didn't want anyone recognizing her, he had found out about her connection to Zan shortly after she had awoken in his home. He couldn't believe that the future King of Antar had been residing right next to him for almost two years, but it hadn't mattered because once he had gained Alyssa or Aline he hadn't wanted rulership. He had fled Antar as quickly as possible once he realized the connection. His rulership in Xelan had come by chance, he had joined the army and risen through the ranks and eventually won through an election. He wished that he had never accepted that nomination now. Aline was sure to be recognized here, perhaps he could ban her to her rooms for the remainder of the visit during his peace talks or he could simply send her home saying there was no need for her here. He didn't know what he was going to. He distractedly bowed to the King and Queen and turned to Zan and his fiance a pretty young thing, Ata or something. She gave him a come hither smile he clearly interpreted as in invitation for something more adult later. He smirked in response, apparently Zan's fiance had some needs Zan wasn't filling. He bowed and turned to introduce Aline.
"This is my betrothed, Lady Aline of Xelan" Aline kept her head down, her dark hair acting as a curtain for her face. She curtsied and they made their leave. Khivar failed to notice the look in Zan's eyes as they passed.

Zan leaned towards Vilandra, "Lady Aline, do you feel as if you met her before from somewhere?"
"Zan! Please stop looking for ghosts! I miss her too, I know you don't belive me, but we have to move on, move forward. Lady Aline may resemble her but I doubt it's her, wouldn't she have said something?" She looked at him pleadingly. Zan nodded and went back to greeting his guests.

Aline looked out at the ballroom, Khivar had become distracted by someone who's name she couldn't remember and cared not to. He was so deep in his political discussion he didn't even notice her slip away. She walked the edge of the huge ballroom, just observing. This palace felt so familiar like she had been here before, it was like walking on the edge of a dream. She knew she was from Antar so maybe it was a childhood memory. She had stopped thinking about the empty blackness that was her past but sometimes certain things triggered it, like smells or places like this. This whole place gave her a strong sense of deja' vu. She wished she could get some memory just one small memory. That would be enough to last her the next thirty years of her life.
"Oh! Excuse me, my Lady! I apologize, it was my grevious error to not be paying attention to where my feet led me!" a tall lanky noble apologized after they collided. Aline laughed. She looked up at him, she knew his face! She remembered it clear as day, a lake him laughing up at her. Daring her... to do... She shook her head. That was impossible. This was impossible.
"Are you alright? Did I injure you when we bumped?" He took her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"N-n-n-noo..." She trailed off. He was staring at her in shock. He gripped her shoulders tighter.
"What did you say your name was Lady?"
"She didn't," Khivar interuppted smoothly, he pulled Aline from Lord Aiden's grip. He didn't know if Aline had had contact with him before her accident but he couldn't take any chances anymore. It was too risky, he had seen the dawning look of recognition on his face. He just prayed that Aiden would keep quiet until he had time to get Aline off this god-forsaken planet and as far away from her former life as he could get her. He should have known better than to bring her here, but she had looked at him with her big brown eyes so beseechingly and who was he to say no?
"My Lo-r-r-d-d-d?" Aline questioned as he dragged her out of the ballroom.
"I'm tired I wish to retire! Did you think to stay there without me?!" He snapped.
".. no! Of course not!" She cried.
"Good! I am going to retire and tomorrow you will be leaving on the first transport possible back to Xelan."
"Have I displeased you in some way? Please tell me, Khivar-"
"You are a distraction and an unwelcome one at that! Goodnight!" With those words he shoved her into her rooms and locked the doors.

********
Aiden couldn't belive this, it was Alyssa! He knew it! He could feel it in his bones. He sought out to find out the name of Khivar's mysterious fiance. Aline. Her name was Aline. He wondered how she had come to be Khivar's companion. It didn't matter all that mattered was getting Alyssa back to Zan and Rath and her father. They would be overjoyed to know she was alive. He almost ran through the dancers to get to Zan who was being clung to by Ava, now SHE could be a problem. Aiden thought and changed track, he would find Rath and Reanna first, he knew Reanna would believe him but Rath was another question, once he got Rath to see the truth. It would be a simple process to get her back from Khivar, and all he needed was for Zan to see her for one moment. That's all it would take. WHY hadn't Zan noticed her before surely she had been introduced to him, since she was Khivar's fiance. Aiden didn't care he just needed to find Rath and Reanna, right now.

Ohk, so Zan and Alyssa will TOTALLY get together. Duh. And well there's lots of twists and turns coming, I think. I haven't written a lot of it yet, so be prepared... I think

Part 13:
Aline stared at the door almost in shock, she could have sworn she heard a lock click. Was Khivar going mad? She tried the door. He had locked her in her rooms! She wasn't a child! She was a noble lady, she was going to march right into his rooms and give him a sound piece of her mind! How DARE he? How dare he lock her up in here like an errant child he was punishing?! She wasn't a child, and she certainly wasn't HIS child to command and order about! She had had enough! She stormed over to the doors connecting their rooms. Locked! Now Aline was just furious! This was beyond insane. What had taken over Khivar. She thought he loved her, this was so unlike him. She sank to the floor, not caring about destroying the beautiful dress, she slammed her fists into the ground sobbing. Why couldn't she remember? Why did everything in her life feel so wrong? She had let her life get so out of control. She had thought that Khivar knew everything about her, from the way he described her she had been a gentle, kind and sensitive girl, now a woman, but sometimes she wanted to rage and rail against the injustices she saw. Khivar had made her seem and feel like an unconcerned courtier, she knew that she wasn't just a shallow court girl who flitted about from day to day. She wasn't! She simply wasn't! She need to find Khivar to tell him now. She couldn't go through with this wedding if he couldn't love her for her.
Aline stood up and wiped her eyes with her red gown. She needed a plan, plans were reasonable and she needed to get out of this room, find Khivar and tell him how she felt. The first order of business was getting out of her rooms.

****
Aiden pushed his way through affronted nobles not noticing or caring, when he did notice, that he was offending a lot of people. He was on a mission. He was going to find Rath and Reanna and they were going to find Alyssa, who had to be in the palace somewhere. He knew that it might take awhile to convince them but hopefully he would have enough time, he didn't know how quickly Khivar would react but considering how quickly he had gotten Alyssa away from him, he knew it would be soon. He spotted Reanna in a corner chastising Rath for something, he could tell by the way she was poking her finger at Rath. Rath was just shrugging and raising his eyebrows the more upset Reanna got.
"- you just think that you can treat-"
"Reanna, just be quiet! I have something important to tell you!" Aiden had to practically shout to get Reanna to stop talking. She and Rath turned to stare at him. "Well, here's the thing. I know that this sounds crazy but Alyssa's here. Tonight. Well she was, she's gone now. But she was here. I saw her."
"What?!" Reanna gasped, "Aiden... that's so not possible. I can't believe it! Where? How? When?"
"There's no time to explain we have to find her. She's with Khivar and he doesn't want anyone to know. I think he knows about her connection to us." Aiden looked around, noticing Khivar re-enter the ballroom and begin a discussion with Vilandra, he felt jealously boil up within him. There would be time to deal with that later. He had to get Alyssa and then they could all dispatch of Khivar once they learned how Alyssa had come to be with him.
"Aiden, you're starting to sound like Zan, seeing Alyssa at every corner. She's dead. Do you understand, my sister is dead." Rath said flatly.
"I'm TELLING you she's not!" Aiden wanted to strangle Rath, he could understand why Rath was so opposed to the idea. Rath had taken Alyssa's loss the hardest of anyone, besides Zan. Rath had closed off, he had become a stonewall. He wouldn't let anyone in. Aiden sighed. He should have known Rath was going to be a problem.
"Rath! Are you kidding me?!" Reanna unleashed her fury again, "If there's even the SLIGHTEST chance that this girl is Alyssa we need to take it! I'm her best friend! She's not dead! We have to find her! If she's here we have to find her! Aiden wouldn't lie or make connections that were false. PLEASE!" She grabbed his arm. Rath stared down at her, and slowly nodded.
"Let's go now! We have to find her, Khivar may notice our absence and if we don't move quickly he could hide her forever."

****
Khivar flirted with the young Princess of Antar, Vilandra. She was very beautiful, compared to his Aline her beauty was more adult. More mature. She batted her eyes at him and looked towards the dance floor. A clear hint. Khivar decided to take it.
"Would you care to dance, Princess?" he bowed.
"A dance would be lovely." She bestowed a smile on him. Khivar was such a charming man, he was also a talented dancer she noticed. She wondered if he would be as talented in the bedroom. She didn't have any doubts. Her poor younger brother may have remained pure and untouched on some flimsy hope his one true love would come back but she didn't even believe in true love, so why wait? Men, not many, but men had graced her bed. In truth she enjoyed it, unbeknowst to Reanna she had even dallied with Rath. She had found he had an endurance and stamina unlike any other man, she felt that they had suited perfectly, but guilt over Reanna had driven him back to the petite firery girl. She sighed inwardly, perhaps she should let Khivar grace her bed and see if he was worth his salt. She almost laughed out, by the end of the ball Khivar would be returning to her rooms with her and she would put him to the test. She cared little for his fiance, she hadn't cared for Rath and Reanna's love why should she care about some unknown girl?

****
Aline wanted to scream in frustration. She had tried everything, picking the lock, taking off the door handle, unhinging the door, simply breaking through it. There was no way, it was like the door was spelled. She could always scream, there had to be hundreds of servants wandering these halls, she could say she mistakenly locked herself in her rooms and couldn't get out. She began to yell.
"HEEEEEELLPP ME!! SOMEONE HELP!! PLEASE HELP!!" She would yell until she was hoarse if that was what it took. She began to pound on the door.

****

"Do you hear that?" Reanna asked. "Someone's making an awful ruckus." They were rushing through the hallways, they had no idea where Khivar's rooms were.
Rath stopped abrubtly. "Wait." He listened for a moment. "We need to see who is yelling, they may need help. This quest for Alyssa will have to wait. Someone could be in real trouble." He headed off in the direction of the sound. Reanna and Aiden had no choice but to follow.

****
"Please!" Alyssa was sobbing, how could no one have come near her way in almost an hour. This was impossible. Her hands felt raw, they were bright red from the beating she had been giving her door. She began anew, "PPPLEEEEEEAASE!! HELP!! I'M TRAPPED!" She felt her voice begin to give when she heard something. She found a second wind, "PLEEEEASE! HELP! HELP!! LET ME OUT!!" She pounded on the door with all her strength.

***
"It's getting louder, it's coming from the hallway on the left." Aiden, Rath and Reanna began to run.
"HOLD ON!" Rath shouted. They stopped at the door, it was girl.

***
She heard a loud voice say "Hold on" and she began to cry in relief. Someone had found her! Thank the gods. She couldn't have carried on for much longer.

"Please! HELP! I NEED to get out! RIGHT NOW!" She shouted throught the thick door.

"Ok! There are no keys! Where are the keys to your rooms?" Rath shouted back.

"I don't know! I lost them and locked myself in!" She bit her lip hoping that sounded plausible, she didn't want to share her and Khivar's dispute or whatever it was with someone she didn't know.

"Alright, step back, we're going to have to break the door down!" Rath turned to Aiden, "That chair, we'll have to use it to batter the door down." he and Aiden picked up the heavy chair. "I don't know how she could have lost the keys. Women" He muttered. " On my count, One! TWO! THREE!" They threw the chair at the door with their strength. The door went down with a loud crash. Rath knew it would bring company, household staff, hopefully the noise hadn't reached the ballroom. He surveyed the damage as the dust and splinters settled, the door was gone, so was the chair. Not a big loss. He looked into the room and walked through the doorway. Now to see about this silly girl. He waited as the dust settled, and he could see her. She was small, with dark hair and dark skin, she had her hands over her face protecting it no doubt.
"It's alright," he let her know. She slowly took her hands down peering at the damage before her.