Darkness (AU,M/L.PG/MATURE) Pt 27 - AN 11/02/04 [WIP]

[attilathehoney]

Part 20.

The banquet hall was packed tightly with guest from every walk of life, banners of red, yellow and orange, the official colours of the Antarian royal house hung from the high ceiling billowing slightly in the warm early evening breeze.
The grand entrance opened up into the larger rectangular hall, to the left was several large ornamental doorways inlaid with precious metals, a tribute to the wealth and ostentatious splendour of Antar. All of these doorways had been opened up to allow the air to circulate around the hall and led out onto a balcony overlooking the unsurpassed beauty of the royal gardens.
As the sun began to set servants moved busily around the grand chamber lighting candles, adding a soft ambience to the room as soft music drifted on the breeze and a low murmur of guests could be heard rippling throughout the hall.
At the far end of the hall on a raised dais was the royal table. Seated at that table was the king, to the kings’ right sat Zan and Rath, to his left sat his queen and his far left seated Vilandra.
Servants streamed down either side of the hall carrying large platters of fine cheeses, fruits and delicacies, followed by even larger steaming platters of meat and rice, a spicy tantalizing aroma wafted around the room followed by the appreciative groan of the hungry guests.

All the tables were laid out in a huge rectangle around the outskirts of the hall, leaving the centre floor free for entertainment during and after the meal.

Zan half listened to the fragmented conversations carrying on around him, everyone was still talking about the dark haired mystery woman that had bested Galain’s warrior.
Zan smiled to himself, she had caused quite a stir amongst the court. He couldn’t wait to meet her properly, it was obvious his father knew her but how?

“Do you hear them? They’re still talking about her,” Rath whispered to Zan excitedly, “I mean I knew she was good, but I wouldn’t have thought that Lilly had it in her to beat Drakor, his eyes glowed with pride.”

“Lilly?” Rath now had Zan’s full attention, “you know her?” He asked intently.

“Know her?” Rath smirked, “hell Zan have your brains gone soft? Of course I know her she’s my sister!”

“That’s your sister!” Zan choked, “Lilly…”of course he mentally slapped himself… “Lilly short for Ilyila…”

Zan barely remembered Ilyila, the last time he had seen her she had only been five years old and he had been little more than eight.

“Sorry Zan,” Rath smiled, “I should have realized you wouldn’t remember her, after all she’s been away for a long time, Mother always said I was a bad influence on her, she was always far more interested in coming to play soldiers with us then learning how to hold a fork correctly, Mother finally gave up and sent her away to learn how to be a lady, I guess it was a futile gesture…Man,” he shook his head laughing, “Mother is going to hit the roof when she finds out about what Lilly did to Drakor.”

“My goodness, did you see the spectacle that girl made of herself?” Lady Avaria sneered to her companion, “I mean her hair,” she emphasized her point by stroking her own carefully sculptured blonde hair, “it was positively wild and fighting like a man? Good god was she raised in the gutter?”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Lady Koralia responded, “and did you see what she was wearing, has she no pride in her appearance?”

“Well, I didn’t get a close look,” Avaria smirked “but there was no shape to her at all, you have to work with what you are given and that awful body amour did absolutely nothing for her. She’ll never find a bonded mate looking like that and besides, she concluded haughtily who would want her if she goes around behaving…well…like a man.”

“Oh I don’t know, some men might find that appealing, the prince seemed awfully interested,” Koralia smirked at Avaria’s expense.

“Oh Please!” Avaria rolled her eyes tossing her blonde curls over one shoulder “as if that guttersnipe is even in the same league as myself,” she smiled arrogantly, “besides everyone who’s anyone already knows that our families have intended Zan and I as life mates since infancy.”

“Fine,” Koralia smiled coolly “you keep telling yourself that Avaria, but I think you may have some competition,” she replied her gaze firmly rooted to the entrance.

A hush instantly fell upon the whole hall as if someone had weaved some kind of magical spell. The entrance doors were flung open with a loud crash As Lilly entered the great hall and paused to be announced.

THE LADY ILYILA, DAUGHTER OF THE 5TH HOUSE, SECOND CHILD OF THE LADY ODESSA AND LORD KYILAN, BELOVED SISTER OF LORD RATH, JEWEL OF THE EMPIRE, HEART OF….

“Okay,” Ilyila cut in with a bored expression, “I think they get the picture,” she replied as she strode purposefully down the centre of the hall, leaving a very flustered and indignant announcer to close the doors behind her.

As Ilyila swept down the hall, all eyes turned to watch her with great interest, her midnight hair was swept away from her face to fall in soft ringlets spilling down her slender back, her gown was a deep crimson red, perfectly complementing her olive complexion and dark eyes, the gown itself was swept off her shoulders revealing her smooth tanned skin, the sleeves were long and finished in points slightly covering the backs of her hands, the bodice was tightly fitted accentuating her slim waist, following into a full skirt with a slight train that swayed slightly with her confident and fluid movements.

Zan watched her intently like a tiger sizing up its next prey, his gaze wandered up and down her alluring figure, who would have thought she had so many curves hidden under all that body armour. His eyes involuntarily turned black with desire as his tongue snaked out to wet his parched lips, he suddenly felt like there really wasn’t enough oxygen left in the room, hell if he was honest, the way her smouldering gaze locked with his, who was he kidding there wasn’t enough oxygen left on the whole damn planet.

Rath watched Zan with great amusement he’d never seen him so blatant in his obvious approval of any woman, and now here he was, he couldn’t have been more obvious if his tongue was hanging out. Rath turned his attention to his sister, damn but that girl knew how to make an entrance, barely an hour ago she was twice the man of anyone here and now…now she was twice the woman.

However the look of pure lust that Zan was sending in Ilyila’s direction was definitely not lost on Avaria, her cold blue eyes narrowed with venom and she practically hissed as Ilyila swept regally past her. She didn’t like the way Zan was looking at Lilly, he’d never looked at her like that before. She clenched her fists in fury her long perfectly manicured nails digging painfully into her palms, drawing small rivulets of blood. Zan was hers, maybe not formally yet, but there was no way this trash was taking her rightful place as queen.

As Lilly approached the dais, Galain smiled wryly watching the red faced retreating form of his chief announcer muttering to himself.

“It would seem Imar is somewhat put out,” he chuckled.

“It would seem so your majesty,” her eyes glittered with mischief, “my apologies but I believe that if I hadn’t stopped him when I did it’s quite possible he would of continued all night.”
Galain watched her in amusement, “who would have thought you had so many titles,” he replied.
“Indeed,” her lips curved into an adorable smile rolling her eyes and sighing dramatically, “it’s a curse when you’re running late.”
“Lady Ilyila,” he greeted her formally and loud enough for the crowd to hear.

“Your majesty,” she curtsied gracefully giving him her most winning full-blown smile.

“Please join us,” Galain replied, “I can see your brother is anxious to speak with you,”
Indicating the vacant seat beside Rath.

“Thank you your majesty, it would be my honour,” she smiled genuinely, before moving to take the seat next to her brother.

“Lilly!” Rath grinned, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”

“I wanted to surprise you,” she squeezed his hand fondly.

“Surprise? Shocked was more like it,” he laughed openly, “you do realize how much trouble you’re going to be in when Mother catches up with you.”

“Not as much trouble as you’ll be in when she finds out in was you that taught me how to fight,” she grinned back mischievously.

Rath yelped as Zan elbowed him in the ribs.

“Lilly,” Rath coughed slightly, “you remember Zan, you know crown prince and heir blah, blah, blah.”

She turned her attention to Zan, studying him for a moment, he was handsome, there was no denying that, there was a kind of boyish exuberance in his smile, that she instantly warmed to, his shoulder length ebony hair was tied neatly at the nape of his neck, making her curious to see how it would feel running through her fingers and his eyes, deep amber with tiny flecks of gold, they burned into her soul.

“Your highness,” she smiled warmly.

“My lady,” he returned her smile, up close her beauty floored him, she glowed with a kind of inner fire he had never seen before and he was enthralled.

The dinner passed quickly, with various performances and polite chatter, Lilly and Zan couldn’t seem to keep their eyes off each other much to Rath’s obvious amusement.
Soon enough the tables were cleared away and several couples took to the centre of the floor to dance, whilst the rest circulated around the edges of the room talking and laughing.

“My Lady Ilyila,” the deep smooth voice startled Lilly from her reverie, turning around she found herself looking up into the amber depths of Zan’s expressive eyes.

“Your highness,” she raised her eyebrow questioningly.
He said nothing, he simply smiled boyishly holding out his hand.
“Is that what you call an invitation?” She teased as he led her to the centre of the floor.
“My sincerest apologies my lady,” he replied grinning, still holding onto her hand he bowed, “My Lady, would you allow me the great honour of this dance.”
“I would be honoured your highness,” she curtsied, “let’s give these gossips something to really talk about” she added mischievously.
He laughed as he swept her into his arms.
“And by the way it’s Lilly,” she whispered.
“Lilly?”
“Yes Lilly, when you say my lady it makes me feel old and only my mother calls me Ilyila and usually when I’m in a lot of trouble,” she replied.
“I take it you got into trouble a lot?” Zan asked curiously.
“All the time,” she shrugged.
“What sort of things did you do?”
“Me? Everything they told me not to…”she laughed as he spun her around.
“I can’t believe I never had the chance to get to know you before,” Zan gazed down at her speaking softly.
“Well then your highness,”
“Zan…”he interrupted.
“Well then Zan,” she smiled “It would seem I have the advantage.”
“How so?” He asked in confusion.
“You may not remember me, but I remember you,” she replied quietly.
“What…how?”
“Mother didn’t send me away until I was six years old, but I was kept in the house, most of the time, because it wasn’t proper for a daughter of the 5th house to play in the dirt,” she mimicked her mothers haughty expression and tone of voice, earning a snort of laughter from Zan, her voice dropped to a conspiratory whisper “but when she wasn’t looking I would sneak out and follow you and Rath.”
“Really?” He asked in surprise.
“Yes,” she smiled “I would watch you two get up to all kinds of mischief, I wanted to be just like you, it was so boring being a girl, having to sit quietly and learn to be a lady. I remember one time I followed you and Rath into the forest, you had found a tiny little wolf cub that had been injured by a hunters trap, Rath kept yelling at you to leave it in case the mother came back looking for her cub, but you,” she smiled warmly gazing at his face… “You refused to leave it all alone to die, so you healed it and it ran off to find its mother. That’s the Zan I’ve remembered all these years, the little dark-haired boy who refused to leave an injured cub to die regardless of his own personal safety.”
Zan gazed down at her in surprise, “I can’t believe you remembered that, I’d forgotten.”
“That sort of selfless act leaves a mark, an impression, that time can’t erase Zan, it says a lot about the person you really are,” she smiled back at him, her gaze swept over his shoulder and she groaned.
“What is it?” He asked in concern.
“My mother…”
Zan turned in time to see Lady Odessa striding across the floor and she definitely did not look happy.
“Your highness,” she greeted Zan.
“Lady Odessa,” he inclined his head politely.
“Forgive the intrusion your highness, but I must speak with my daughter.”
“Not at all, my Lady,” Zan threw Lilly a sympathetic look.
“Come Ilyila,” she commanded sweeping past Lilly.
“Ooooh,” she grimaced, “there it is, the full name, I am in so much trouble,” she whispered to Zan.
“Ilyila NOW!” She snapped.
“If you hear someone screaming in complete agony, don’t worry…”she turned to follow her mother… “It’s only me…”
Zan watched her retreating form with an amused smile playing on his lips, turning back to the room, he noticed a very determined Lady Avaria heading his way, he really didn’t feel much like dealing with her right now, so he slipped stealthily out the nearest door and out onto the balcony, revelling in the cool fresh night air. But it wasn’t long before two voices in the garden below disturbed his solitude.

“Mother, you can’t keep doing this to me,” Lilly snapped.
“Do not speak to me in that tone of voice young lady, I am your mother, I deserve a little respect.”
“You may be my mother, but I am no longer a child, you can’t keep treating me like one.”
“Well then you should stop acting like one, what did you think you were doing fighting like that?” She demanded angrily, “and in front of the entire court, god the shame of it!”
“You’re ashamed of me?” Lilly bit out, “God you can’t just be proud of me, I beat the Kings champion! I proved I am every bit as worthy as a man, but you can’t just accept that can you, you can’t just say Lilly I’m proud of you, no you’re more concerned with what everyone will think of the family,” her eyes began to well with tears of frustration.
“Rath would….”
“I might of known you’d drag Rath into this,” Lilly cut her Mother off bluntly, “you’re golden boy, I’ve heard the speech a thousand times, why can’t you be more like your brother.”
“Well your brother understands the traditions and ways of the empire, he would never make such a spectacle of himself.”
“That’s enough Mother, I’ve heard it all my life, do you know what it’s been like for me to grow up knowing that you always loved him more than you loved me, that is of course if you even loved me at all.”
“Lilly, that’s not true,” her mother seemed genuinely shocked that was what Lilly believed.
“I’m never going to be good enough for you am I mother,” she asked sadly, “Never pretty enough, never sat straight enough, never held my damn fork the right way. All I ever wanted was for you to say just once that you loved me and that you were proud of me…just once…Well you know what Mother, it doesn’t matter anymore, because I’m going to live my life the way I want to live it, no regrets, no doubts, I’m going to live the life you’re afraid too live and you can disown me for all I care,” She turned her back abruptly on her mother and began to walk away.
“I am proud of you….”
Lilly stopped dead in her tracks, to afraid to move or to even breathe in case she had imagined the words she had waited her life to hear.
She felt a hand on her shoulder turning her around until she came face to face with a mother she didn’t recognize, gone was the disdainful look, the haughty superiority, and Lilly found herself gazing into the true face of her mother, not the mask she wore for the rest of the world.
“I am so proud of you my little Lilly,” she eyes shone with sincerity and her voice was soft and warm, “I’ve always loved you, my sweet little girl. It’s just…”she bit back the tears… “Every time I looked at you I saw myself, I saw the person I so desperately wanted to be but never had the courage, but you do, I can see the woman you’ve become and I’m so proud, but I’m so afraid for you, We live in an empire that has very little tolerance for women especially women in positions of power, I know that right now the king tolerates your behaviour because he’s loved you ever since you were a child, you seemed to have wormed your way permanently into his affections, but don’t push it Lilly, he will have to draw the line somewhere because when all is said and done he is the king and we’re just…”
“Women?” Lilly finished for her.
“My darling child, I’m not asking you to be untrue to yourself, all I’m saying is you have to be careful, we live in uncertain times. I would never be able to live with myself if something happened to you.”
Then for the first time in her life her mother completely shocked her by pulling her into her arms and kissing her forehead tenderly.
“I will always love you Lilly, just the way you are, never forget that…”
And with that she walked away leaving Lilly alone, Pulling the combs from her hair she left it fall free tumbling about her shoulders, running a shaky hand through her silky locks, she headed off into the gardens for some time alone to think.


“Lilly?” Zan approached her quietly
“Zan? What are you doing here?” She asked in confusion.
“I…well…”for the first time in his life he was actually lost for words.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, “Zan you weren’t listening were you?”
“I…well..I didn’t mean to I went out to get some air…and…”
She turned away from him and sighed…
“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked gently.
“I don’t know, what is there left to say, maybe she’s right, maybe I’m trying to be someone I’m not.” She mumbled.
“And maybe you’re trying to be someone you are,” he turned her back to face him, “Lilly I’ve never met anyone like you, I see fire in your soul, I see passion, and I like it, don’t ever change, everyone loves you just the way you are.”
She smiled, “fire eh?” The mischievous glint was back in her eyes, “so Zan you think you’re the man to tame me?”
“Well,” He grinned happy to see the fire back in her eyes, “never let it be said that I backed away from a challenge.”
“Zan,” she whispered seductively.
“Yes,” he replied, as they naturally gravitated closer to each other.
“You don’t seriously expect me to be as easy as your previous conquests do you?”
“I’d be hugely disappointed if you were, besides the chase makes the capture much sweeter,” He licked his lips in anticipation.
“Well Zan you can chase me all you want,” her lips were mere inches from his own…. “But I can’t guarantee you’ll catch me and I don’t think you’ll ever be able to tame me….”
And with that she swept past smiling secretly, leaving the crown prince grinning.
“Well Lilly,” he whispered, “I believe the chase is on………….”


Part 21.

Michael walked slowly through the backdoor of the crashdown, pausing at the door leading out into the restaurant and gazed out of the diamond shaped window.
There she was, sitting in a booth talking to Max and Isabel.
He raised his hand to the door, his foot talking a small step forward, but his hand dropped abruptly and he found himself hesitating.
God why was he so nervous? This was the moment he waited for all his life, the moment he’d dreamed of so many times, but his hands trembled, his step faltered, his heart pounded and his mouth was dry. Closing his eyes momentarily he took a deep breath before pushing the door open and striding purposefully down the restaurant.
“Hey Michael,” both Max and Isabel greeted him happily.
“Hey guys,” he mumbled, scuffing his foot absently on the hard floor.
Liz turned her head in the direction of his voice, her silky hair swinging slightly with the motion, chewing her bottom lip gently her eyebrows creasing into a small frown, “what’s wrong Michael?” She enquired.
“Uh..Nothing…nothings wrong,” he replied.
“Yes there is,” she replied pointedly, “I can hear it in your voice.”
“I…”he gazed at the expectant faces of his friends… “Liz, can I talk to you for a second…alone?”
Max and Isabel looked at each other in surprise.
“Uh… sure,” she smiled genuinely, holding out her hand to him.
The moment her hand slipped into his own he felt a calm sweep over him, her hand was so small and warm, he could almost feel her strong steady pulse as he helped her to her feet, smiling openly his body visibly relaxed as he led her towards the back room.
“What was all that about?” Isabel asked quietly.
“I have no idea,” Max shrugged although deep down he had a pretty good idea.

“So Michael,” Liz smoothed down her skirt as she sat down on the old tattered sofa, “what’s bothering you?”
“I…why didn’t you tell me?” He asked bluntly.
“Tell you what?” She asked warily.
“That…”he closed his eyes taking a deep breath… “That you’re my sister.”
“Oh Michael,” she breathed softly holding her hand out to him and drawing him gently down to sit beside her, “I …I don’t know where to start, most of my life I believed you were dead, I thought about you every day, I cried for you everyday. Being born with all of my memories intact has been hell, because I remembered everything about you and I missed you so much, there were days when I just wanted to curl up and die. Days when I would have given anything to hear your voice again, but slowly I learned to live with the pain, with the loss and just when I thought I’d got it under control, you guys came crashing into my life, once I found out who you where, I wanted so badly for things to be the way they were before, I wanted my brother back, but I realized you didn’t remember me and I couldn’t tell you the truth, I’m not even sure if you would’ve believed me, there are just some things to needed to find out for yourself. I knew I had to let your memories surface in their own time.”
“All these years” he shook his head sadly, “Max and Issy always had each other, and a bond that I couldn’t share and a part of me hated them for that. I’ve felt so alone and all this time you were out there with no-one, I should have tried to find you,” he sighed “I should have been there for you.”
“Michael,” she stroked his hair absently, “don’t beat yourself up over it, you didn’t know.”
“But,” he continued “I wasn’t there for you last time either, the times when you needed me most and I failed you.”
“What exactly do you remember?” Liz frowned.
“I remember how you died,” he breathed painfully, “I remember watching you die, right after Geren was born.”
“Oh God, you haven’t told Max yet have you?” She asked urgently.
“No,” Michael replied in confusion, “why?”
“Because Zan never even knew I was pregnant and he died believing that I had betrayed him. He wouldn’t be able to handle the truth yet.” She replied, “Please promise me you won’t tell him.”
He studied her briefly, “yeah okay I won’t say anything, but Liz, at some point you are gonna have to tell him the whole truth, I may not have regained all of my memory yet but I do remember one thing…lies is what destroyed us all, it tore our lives apart a piece at a time, I don’t want history to repeat itself…I don’t want to lose you again.”
“Michael,” her eyes misted over, “I don’t want to lose you either,” she pulled him close and held his trembling body in her slender arms, “I’ve missed you so much…”she whispered as a lone tear slide down her soft cheek, she bit her lip… “I love you Rath…I’ve always loved you.”
Michael tried valiantly to choke back a sob, followed closely by another, after all the years of being a stone wall, his walls began to crumble, before finally crashing violently down against the tide of raw emotions coursing through his soul. Finally admitting defeat he crushed his sister close and cried like a lost child.

“Hey guys!” Maria approached Max and Isabel, “have you seen Michael?”
“Yeah, he’s out the back talking to Liz,” Isabel replied.
“Oh Okay,” she turned towards the back door, but stopped abruptly as she felt Max’s hand on her arm.
“Why don’t we just give them a minute?” Max suggested.
“Why? What’s wrong?” Maria asked worriedly.
“Nothing’s wrong, I’m sure they’ll be out in a moment,” he smiled gently.
“Hmmm,” Maria slumped into the booth eyeing Max suspiciously.


“Feel better?” Liz smiled softly.
“No, I feel real stupid actually,” Michael replied wiping his eyes roughly with his fist.
“Hmmm,” Liz grinned, “I guess I’m the only girl you cry in front of?”
“Er…well…no actually” he admitted bashfully, “Maria…”
“Well, I never thought I’d live to see the day…”Liz replied semi seriously.
“What?” He asked in confusion.
“The day you found a woman to tame you, who’d have thought my brother was actually capable of falling in love and not lust,” she laughed playfully.
“Yeah well don’t let Maria hear you say that or she’ll be making sappy eyes at me for a month.” He smiled back.
“I’m so proud of you Michael,” Liz whispered.
“No one’s ever said that to me before,” he replied quietly.
“Well I’m here now and things are gonna change.”
“Yeah,” Michael gazed at her happily and somewhere deep down inside he began to finally heal, “Lilly?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“I love you,” he whispered shyly, “I don’t think I used to tell you that often enough.”
“It didn’t matter how often you used to say it,” she stroked his face tenderly, “I always felt loved, I know you think that you failed me before because you weren’t there to protect me…but…I want you to know one thing, you were there when I needed you there the most and Geren would never have survived the birth if it weren’t for you.”
“Thank you for saying that,” Michael smiled.
“It’s the truth,” Liz replied….”now I think we’d better go back out to the others otherwise they’re gonna start to think we’ve disappeared due to some weird freaky alien crisis.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” he grinned, “so..um..Liz?”
“What?”
“Can I tell them?” He asked cheekily.
“Yeah,” she rolled her eyes, “you can tell them.”
“Come on then,” he grabbed her hand with all the excitement of a five year old that had just been given the coolest toy and just had to show it to all his friends.

Maria stared with great interest as Michael came striding through the crashdown, with the biggest smile on his face, curious, she thought, she never knew he had so many teeth.
“Hey guys,” Michael grinned, swooping down he planted a huge kiss on Maria’s surprised face.
“So what’s going on?” Isabel asked curiously.
“I have something to tell you,” he replied as he helped Liz into the seat next to Max and settling in next to Maria.
“Well?” They all asked expectantly.
“Liz is…”he glanced over to see her smile encouragingly, “Liz is my sister.”
“Oh my god!” Maria choked, “you’re kidding! No way! How do you know?”
“Our Memories have started returning,” Isabel replied, “but only a little at a time, I mean I don’t remember much yet and I didn’t know about Michael and Liz, she admitted.”
“Wow,” Maria breathed, “I certainly didn’t see that one coming.”
“Maria?” Michael frowned slightly, he wanted her to be happy for him.
“Cool,” Maria registered the frown on his face, “Hon I think it’s great.”
“Really?” He asked
“Yeah, I know how important it is to you to find out who you really are, I know how much you wanted to know about your family,” She smiled gently.
Michael pulled her close… “I love you…”he whispered quietly.
Maria looked surprised for a moment before locking her lips with his.
“EEW gross,” Isabel yelped do you guys have to do that while you’re sitting next to me?

Max gently caressed Liz’s hand, “you okay?”
“Yeah,” she smiled, she sat quietly listening to the happiness in her brothers voice, it was nice to hear it after so long, finally she breathed a sigh of relief, she was home, she was with the people she loved, including Maria and Alex, she was content…but most importantly…she was happy.

“Hey Guy’s what’s with all the love?” Alex grinned sneaking up to their booth.
“We’re celebrating,” Isabel smiled lovingly at the human that had captured her heart, “we’ve just found out that Michael and Liz are brother and sister.”
“Cool,” Alex laughed, “but then that doesn’t really surprise me she has a temper to match Michaels.”
“Very funny Whitman,” Michael smirked.

Liz sat quietly, a small humming had begun at the back of her head, she tried to shake it off, but it soon became a persistent nagging ache before finally settling into a dull thudding pain. Rubbing her eyes she breathed slowly, she didn’t want to ruin this for Michael but all she just wanted to do was just lie down.

“So I hate to break up the party,” Alex interrupted “but Maria you and I are running late, you know you’re mom wanted us to pick up some supplies for her.”
“Oh Yeah, I forgot,” Maria frowned, “hey you guys wanna hang out later and celebrate properly?”
“Umm sounds good,” Isabel smiled.

“Liz are you okay?” Max asked in concern, she looked a little pale and was very quiet.
“I’m fine Max,” She smiled weakly, “I…I’m just real tired, it’s been a hectic few weeks, I think I’m just gonna go home and lie down for a while.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” He squeezed her hand gently placing a feather light kiss on her forehead.
“No Max I’ll be fine, really you stay here I know you wanted to talk to Michael and Issy on their own, I’ll just catch a ride with Maria and Alex.”
“Uh…okay…well if you’re sure,” he replied hesitantly.
“Yes I’m sure,” brushed his lips against his gently, “Maria?”
“Yeah babe,”
“ Can I get a ride back home?” She asked her bubbly friend.
“Sure you can, come on we’re gonna have to hustle or my mom’s gonna hit the roof if I’m late back,” she smiled grasping Liz’s hand fondly.

The moment Liz closed the door behind her a searing white hot pain shot through her head, crying out in pain she dropped to her knees breathing heavily, the world was spinning, she had to get to her room, she just needed to lie down, she struggled to get to her feet, slowly inching her way up the wall with trembling hands, she fought against the tide of nausea, she could barely move, with every step she took the pain sliced through her head so intensely causing her stomach to churn violently.
“Max,” she cried out weakly as the bottom fell out of the world and she crashed into the darkness below.

[attilathehoney]

How can I possibly refuse when you guys ask so nicely, so here you go the next two parts, enjoy!

Love Wendy x



Part 22.

“Liz….”Max’s eyes glazed over momentarily and in an instant he was on his feet tearing through the crashdown with Michael and Isabel in his wake.
“Max? What’s wrong? What happened?” Isabel rushed breathlessly as she tried to keep up with her brother.
“It’s Liz, I have to find her she needs me,” he breathed heavily.
Michael and Isabel barely had time to leap into the jeep before Max peeled out of the parking lot.
“Jesus Max!” Isabel blanched at his reckless driving, but one look at her brothers’ frantic face told her one thing…that the words red light meant absolutely nothing to her brother when Liz needed him.
“I don’t care Issy,” he hissed “I have to get to her.”
“Max, just slow down and tell us what happened,” Michael interjected anxiously.
“I don’t know what happened,” he snapped, “but I can feel her, I just know she’s in pain and she needs me…”
Max made it home in record time and barely had time to switch the engine off before leaping out of the jeep and running towards the house.
Throwing open the front door roughly, his gaze landed on the petite figure laying motionless face down on the soft cream carpet, her dark hair fanned around her head and her slender limbs remained limp.
“NO….”Max cried as he rushed to her side, “Liz? Liz?” He pulled her gently into his arms turning her over and smoothing her tangled hair away from her face. Her skin was so pale it was almost transparent and a small stream of bright blood flowed from her nose.
“Oh my God!” Isabel gasped as her hand flew involuntarily to her mouth.
Michael stood frozen in the doorway pale with shock, what kind of sick cosmic joke was this? He finally found his sister and now…now he felt like he was losing her all over again.
“Max, can you help her?” He pleaded as he dropped to his knees beside them.
“Liz, come back to me,” Max chanted quietly, grasping her cold hand trying to force a connection to find the damage, but he was met with nothing and he growled in fear and frustration.
Liz was drowning in a river of pain, flailing her insubstantial limbs wildly she kept trying to claw her way to the surface, but the darkness threatened to pull her under, she was so tired and the pain was too strong, she just wanted to let go, to stop fighting it and then maybe the pain would stop, but through the darkness came a light… a voice… softly at first that gradually louder and louder, she knew that voice… “Max…”she breathed…then suddenly the pain dulled, it was still there but it was pushed to the background and she concentrated on that voice, it tugged at her awareness… beckoned her home.
“Max…”she groaned as she slowly opened her eyes.
“Liz?” Max breathed in relief.
“Max?” She winced at the painful thudding in her head, “what happened?”
“I was gonna ask you the same thing” he asked worriedly.
“My head hurts,” she raised her fingertips to gingerly touch her face and felt the sticky substance, “my...my nose is bleeding,” she asked in confusion.
“It’s gonna be okay baby,” he cooed softly to her as he tenderly stroked her hair, “I’m here now and I’m gonna take care of you.”
“Isabel,” Max called get me a damp cloth, and Michael go get her a glass of water, he instructed as he swept her into his arms and carried her gently to the sofa.
“Liz, what do you remember?” Max coaxed softly as he gently wiped the blood from her perfect skin and soothed her forehead with the damp cloth.
“I…I don’t know, I wasn’t feeling well at the crashdown, I had a headache and I just wanted to lie down. “
“Why didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t you tell me?” Max interrupted his brow creasing in disapproval.
“I knew you wanted to talk with Michael and Issy about your memories, I didn’t want to bother you,” she replied quietly.
“Liz, I want you to listen to me,” Max stroked her face lightly, “I want you to bother me, I want to be there for you no matter what, I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t tell me anything.”
“I know,” she smiled weakly, “I just…all I wanted to do was lie down and it wasn’t really all that bad.”
“All that bad?” Michael interrupted, “Liz people don’t pass out for no reason especially not us, we don’t get sick.”
“Oh Michael, I’m sorry,” she reached out blindly for his hand, grasping it she breathed painfully, “I probably scared the life out of you guys.”
“God, that’s an understatement,” Isabel replied.
“It didn’t get bad until I got home,” Liz continued, “the minute I closed the door behind me I was hit by a wave of pain and the more intense the pain got the more sick I felt until I guess I just passed out.”
“Has this ever happened before,” Max asked agitatedly as he got up and began to pace the living room anxiously.
“No, never” Liz replied quietly.
Isabel watched her friend with concern, she had turned even whiter if that was possible and her hand moved to her stomach.
“Liz, are you okay?” She asked quietly.
“No, Isabel would you help me to the bathroom?” She replied urgently.
“Sure,” she grasped Liz’s arm and pulled it around her shoulder helping her to her feet.
“You need some help?” Max and Michael asked in unison.
“No,” Isabel smiled “we’re good, come on sweetie, let’s get you to the bathroom.”
They had barely made it to the bathroom, before Liz dropped to her knees and began retching violently into the toilet.
“Oh sweetheart,” Isabel held her hair back and rubbed her back soothingly, “don’t worry honey, it will all be okay…”

“Hey guy’s, what’s going on,” Alex asked as he and Maria entered the Evans living room.
“Liz is real sick,” Michael frowned in concern.
“But I thought you guys didn’t get sick?” Maria asked in confusion.
“We don’t,” Max replied simply.
“Okay, where is she?” Maria asked.
“In the bathroom with Issy,” Michael replied rubbing his face tiredly.

Isabel looked up from the floor, kneeling next to Liz as she heard the door open.
“Hey Chica,” Maria dropped to Liz’s side, “you got three very anxious guys pacing the floor out there, anyone would think you where giving birth in here by the way they’re wearing a hole in the carpet,” she joked lightly.
“Oh Maria,” Liz sobbed, raising her red tear stained face to her friend, “It…it hurts so much and…I…can’t…”she hiccupped slightly… “I can’t…stop…throwing up.”
“I know sweetie…don’t worry we’re here for you…”she tried to soothe her while exchanging concerned looks with Isabel over Liz’s back.

Max was going insane, he could feel her through their connection, she was in a lot of pain and she was crying. He was torn he so badly wanted to go to her, to take the pain away.

Maria was soothing a cool cloth gently over Liz’s swollen face, wiping away her tears when she heard a tentative knock at the door, “I’ll get it,” she told Issy handing her the washcloth to take over where she left off.
Opening the door she slipped out and closed it behind her, coming face to face with a very concerned Max.
“Is she okay?” He whispered
“No, Max I’d say she was pretty far from okay,” Maria replied.
“Can I see her?”
“Um… I don’t think so honey”
“Why?” He asked in confusion.
“Look Hon, the girl loves you to distraction, but the last thing she wants is for you to watch her throwing her guts up,” she told him bluntly.
“Oh,” he replied not too sure what to say to that.
“Look Max, why don’t you guys go sit down in the other room, we’ll be out soon.”
He nodded and walked back to the living room his head hung low and his feet scuffing the ground, he looked so lost, so defeated, Maria’s heart ached as she made her way back into the bathroom.
Liz was slumped on the floor, her head resting on her folded arms on the side of the bowl as she dozed, exhausted from the pain and from retching solidly for half a hour.
“How’s she doing?” Maria whispered to Isabel.
“Not good, She’s burning up,” Issy replied in concern, “we need to get her back into the other room and see if Max can heal her.”
Nodding in agreement, Maria shook Liz gently, “Honey…”Liz opened her eyes slowly…”we need to move you into the other room so Max can help you…is that okay?”
Liz nodded weakly.
Max and Michael leapt to their feet to help Isabel and Maria as they struggled into the room with Liz hung over both their shoulders.
Laying her gently down on the sofa, Max took her hand gently.
“Liz…baby…I need you to open your eyes…I need you to let me in so I can help you,” Max told her gently.
Abruptly he found himself pulled into her mind, he reeled from the sheer force of the pain threatening to overwhelm him, he couldn’t believe how much pain she in, that she had shielded him from. He tried to push it aside to get to the source and assess the damage but just as suddenly as he was pulled into her mind he was abruptly thrown out.
Opening his eyes, and breathing heavily, he gasped with a horrifying realization.
“Oh god” he breathed painfully, “Liz…”
“What is it, what’s wrong with her?” Michael asked frantically.
“I know why she’s blind…”he squeezed his eyes shut trying to shut out the awful truth…”and it’s slowly killing her…”

Part 23.

“Talk to me Max,” Michael hissed, “what exactly do you mean it’s killing her?”
“Exactly what I said Michael, it’s killing her, what part of killing do you not understand?” Max snapped uncontrollably.
“Max…”Isabel interceded, “I know you can’t think straight when it comes to Liz’s well being but we’re all hurting, we all care about her.”
“I know...you’re right Issy,” he ran a shaky hand through his raven hair, “sorry man…”he glanced at Michaels anxious face.
“Why don’t you just tell us what you know?” Michael replied.
“The damage that Nicholas did to her mind all those years ago…”Max began sadly…”Liz once told me that all she saw was darkness…but the darkness comes from her…”
The others all looked on in confusion.
“The reason she can’t see…”he tried to explain, “is not because her eyes are damaged in fact it’s just the opposite, her eyes are fine, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them, the darkness, comes from inside her mind, the moment Nicholas tried to attack her mind, she must of subconsciously thrown up some kind of shield in her head to protect herself, she’s probably not even aware of its existence let alone how she did it, but it blocked all sensory impulses from her brain to her eyes, causing her to only see darkness and it has remained firmly in place all these years, with running from the FBI and hiding from aliens who wanted to kill her, she has subconsciously been protecting herself, but since she met us and came face to face with Nicholas, her need for it has begun to decrease, she’s letting us in, letting us get close, she’s not so afraid anymore. But it comes with a price, as the shield begins to break down, it’s leaving a trail of destruction in her mind, eventually the key areas of her brain that control the vitals organs of her body, such as heart and lungs and blood flow will cease to function correctly.” He laughed bitterly... “Ironic isn’t it? She brought the shield into existence to protect herself...and it’s going to end up taking her life instead of saving it.”
“Oh god,” Maria gasped, “The tears building in her eyes, can’t you heal her?”
Max shook his head slowly, fighting down the urge to scream, to lash out in uncontrollable fury, he wanted the world to suffer the way his love had been forced to suffer, if Liz died…there was no such thing as justice or fairness. If he lost her now…god just the mere thought made him want to die right by her side, he couldn’t see his future without her, she had changed him, made him look at the world with new eyes, made him become the person he knew he wanted to be, she had completed his soul and now it was being torn…ripped away from him and there was not a thing he could do to stop it. He only knew one thing, with Liz in his life his world had been a beautiful place, full of colour and warmth and love, real tangible love that you could wrap around yourself like a thick cosy blanket during a bleak winter, it was being inside pure contentment and without her, it was him that was trapped in the darkness.
“No,” Isabel hissed, “No…This can’t be…this is not going to happen…we are not going to lose her.”
“Isabel,” Alex tried to comfort her, “you heard what Max said, he can’t heal her, there’s no way…”
“You’re wrong...there is a way,” Isabel rushed… “The damage is too extensive for Max to heal…on his own…”she emphasized the last few words… “But there is a way.”
“Isabel what are you saying?” Max grasped her gently.
“Michael?” Isabel asked “do you remember yesterday when I told you about my vision?”
“Huh?” Michael stared at her blankly.
“My dream? The memories?” Isabel prompted him, “the healing stones?”
“Yes, I remember”, the light suddenly dawned in his eyes “but….”
“What are the healing stones?” Max interrupted.
“There are six stones, they are small and oval almost the size of a baseball and orange coloured. We used to use them on our home world they amplify our healing powers.” Isabel continued, “If we combine our powers and use the stones we may be able to heal her.”
“But Isabel,” Max replied sceptically “that was on our home world, we don’t have any stones.”
“God think about it Max,” Isabel pointed out, “do you really think they would send us here with the means to heal ourselves if we were seriously injured, I can’t explain it Max, I just have a feeling I’m sure that they are there...in the pod chamber, we’ve never really explored it properly, isn’t it worth a shot at least? I mean look at her….”
Max turned to Liz, she was lying curled up on the couch, she looked so small, so fragile, her slender frame trembling, her skin was pale and drawn and her breath came in short painful erratic gasps.
“Max, we have to try…”Isabel met his concerned eyes with her own.
Max didn’t think twice, gasping a blanket from the back of the couch he threw it over Liz and scooped her shaking body into his arms… “Get the keys, Michael you’re driving.”


“Michael drive faster,” Max yelled, “we’re running out of time.”
Michael put his foot down as he tore through the dark deserted streets of Roswell, followed closely by Maria’s Jetta, Max cradled Liz in his arms, her breath was shallow and her heart began to falter and her eyes remained closed.
“Hold on Liz…please hold on,” Max squeezed his eyes tightly shut willing every last ounce of strength into her fragile body.


They tore through the entrance of the pod chamber as Max laid her out on the floor, “search everywhere,” he commanded, “I don’t care if you tear this damn place to shreds…find those stones, or we’re going to lose her…I’m going to lose her…”he whispered quietly.

Michael, Isabel and Alex began to take the place apart a piece at a time, in a frantic race against time, as Maria slid to the floor beside Max.

“Liz…”he held her hand gently, “please don’t leave me…”the tears slid silently down his face, her chest rose and fell almost indiscernibly, barely even drawing a breath and then…it stopped…
“NO…”Max frantically touched her throat trying to find her pulse…no pulse… “NO”…He cried.
“Max, Max listen to me, do you know CPR?” Maria grasped his arm firmly.
He nodded his head, not being able to speak.
“Okay,” She began compressions on Liz’s chest…one one thousand…two one thousand…three one thousand…four one thousand…five one thousand…breathe…
Max tilted her head back, pinched her nose and covering her mouth with his own forced air into her still lungs.

Nothing…

One one thousand…two one thousand…three one thousand…four one thousand…five one thousand…breathe…

The stillness was suffocating...

One one thousand…two one thousand…three one thousand…four one thousand…five one thousand…breathe…

The only sound was the desperate clatter as the others tried frantically to find the stones…

One one thousand…two one thousand…three one thousand…four one thousand…five one thousand…breathe…

“Come on Liz…”Maria silently pleaded…

One one thousand…two one thousand…three one thousand…four one thousand…five one thousand…breathe…

A small cough…

No wait…a small cough...a faint intake of breath…Max reached for her neck…a pulse…weak, but there was a pulse, Max and Maria both laughed in relief as the tears fell unashamedly down their cheeks.

“That’s our girl…”Maria breathed as she smoothed Liz’s hair and pulled the blanket back over her.

“I think I’ve got them!” Alex practically screamed, “Isabel…”

Isabel took the objects from Alex, turning them over in her hands… “YES!!! I knew it!”
“Max, we’ve got them,” Michael rushed breathlessly, as they returned to Liz’s side.
“How is she doing?” Alex asked.
“We almost lost her”, Max replied “if we’re gonna do this we have to do it now!”

“Okay everyone get in a circle around her,” Isabel commanded handing each of them a stone and placing the last one on Liz’s chest.

“But Isabel, Maria and I don’t have any healing powers, what use will we be?” Alex asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” Isabel replied, “you love her…you can give her your support and your strength, she needs you as much as she needs us.”
Alex nodded in acceptance and took his place in the circle.
“Now what?” Max asked his sister.
“Close your eyes,” Isabel instructed, “allow all your thoughts and feelings and strength to flow into the stones and let them do the rest.”

As they did as they where told, each allowing their love for this small dark haired girl to manifest itself through the alien stones a soft honey coloured light bathed the pod chamber, the stones themselves began to glow with an unearthly light and they found themselves standing in the middle of the desert…only it was the desert of Liz’s mind…

The air was chill and the sky was clear a million stars sparkled brightly in the dark skies, they watched in silence as the bright headlights of a car pierced the darkness, the beam highlighting a small lifeless figure, a dark haired girl, lying naked and beaten unconscious on the harsh desert floor.
But before any of them could react the scene around them shifted and changed melding into the stark bleached white walls of a sterile hospital room, a small beeping reverberated through out the room, the source…a small girl lay bandaged and bruised on a high bed, hooked up to several machines, a tube inserted into her throat allowing her to breathe.
Max’s heart broke, as he watched the tiny little figure, he averted his eyes from the small child, his gaze falling on the same girl standing unnoticed in the corner although she was identical in every way she bore none of the horrendous bruises or cuts of her attack. She merely stood watching herself lying on the bed surrounded by cold hard machines keeping her body alive.
The others all turned to stare at the little dark haired girl in the corner wearing a long white cotton nightdress with short sleeves, her tiny feet bare and making no sound as she turned to face them.
“I could not allow anyone else to hurt me like that…”her voice was small and sad as her timeless gaze locked with Max’s.
“You…”Max breathed quietly as dropped to one knee, to her eye level… “You are the part of Liz that created the shield aren’t you.”
“I could not allow anyone else to hurt me like that,” she repeated firmly.
“Liz…wait…”Max reached out towards her but the scene once again shifted and they now found themselves in a dark place staring down into a deep pit and at the bottom of the pit, the same small girl sat huddled up, her knees pressed tightly to her chest as she rocked herself back and forth crying.
“Liz,” Max dropped to his knees at the edge of the pit… “Liz?”
She raised her small angelic tearstained face to his… “I’m scared…”
Her soft frightened voice tore at his heart, “you don’t have to be afraid anymore,” he reached out his hand towards her… “I won’t let anyone else hurt you I swear…”
She regarded his hand for a moment.
“Please Liz…trust me…let us help you.” He coaxed her gently.
Slowly almost hesitantly she reached for his hand allowing him to pull her out of the pit.
Wrapping her tiny arms around him, he held her tight in his comforting embrace.
Lifting her into his arms he carried her back to the others, as he set her on her feet she changed, no longer a six year old child, their Liz stood before their eyes holding on tightly to Max’s hand.
“Liz, it’s time to leave this place behind you,” Michael told her gently, “you can’t live in the past anymore, it’s killing you, please come back with us.”
“Liz,” Maria took her other hand, “we love you.”
“You’re our family,” Alex continued.
“And we’re yours,” Isabel concluded.
“See Liz, you don’t have to be afraid anymore, you have us and we will never leave you,” Max kissed her temple softly.
Liz took one last look at the dark cold foreboding landscape behind her, and then turning back to her smiling family she whispered quietly “I want to go home now…”

[attilathehoney]

Part 24.

Liz tossed fitfully in her bed, slowly she opened her eyes, and clamping them shut again tightly she winced. There was light, she could see light! Tentatively she opened one eye followed by the other, she was no longer surrounded by darkness, her room was filled with a soft light and she could vaguely make out blurred objects.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she pulled herself to her feet. She swayed slightly as she steadied herself against the wall and taking a deep breath she fumbled her way into her bathroom.
Splashing her face with ice-cold water, she found herself staring at her hands, her eyes were now beginning to focus as she raised her gaze nervously to the mirror.
Sucking in a deep breath she took an involuntary step backwards from the face she didn’t recognize.
“This can’t be me…” she whispered… “It can’t be…”
Her brow furrowed as she chewed her bottom lip, she looked so different from how she remembered, her eyes were so different.
She took a small step forward, staring silently at her reflection reaching out her hand uncertainly as her soft fingertips grazed the cool hard surface, tracing the contours of her unfamiliar face.
But suddenly she caught a glimpse of familiarity, her eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a smile and beneath the human face she now wore she could still see herself, she could still see Ilyila.
“It is me…”she smiled.
“And you are still as beautiful as you were the first time,” a soft rumbling voice startled her.
“Max…” She breathed as she closed her eyes and turned to face him.
“Liz…”she could feel his soft breath against her lips… “Liz…look at me.”
She opened her eyes slowly, powerless to resist the soft sexy voice, her eyes instantly met his own and she gasped slightly, his eyes were a deep amber with tiny golden flecks, that almost seemed to swirl and change with his rapid heartbeat, gazing into those amber depths was almost like seeing an Antarian sunrise for the first time, it was so beautiful you almost couldn’t breathe.
Finally breaking the silent stare, she found herself studying his face, he hadn’t changed much at all, he was still very much her Zan, she found herself unconsciously licking her lips as her heated gaze travelled down his body.
He was only wearing a pair of grey sweat pants, without thinking her inquisitive fingertips found themselves trailing a fiery hot path down his lean torso.
Max found himself groaning involuntarily, her eyes had darkened and practically smouldered with barely restrained desire.
He could feel her body calling to his own and he was powerless to resist, growling softly his arms snaked out encircling her like a hunter seizing its prey as he was greeted with the soft heat of her body pressed against his own.
Capturing her mouth in a soft but insistent kiss, he lifted her easily as she coiled her legs around his waist pushing her back gently against the bathroom counter, his hand slid up her shirt as his tongue slipped past her parted lips, tasting her as if she was something precious and unique.
“Max…”she sucked in a sharp breath as his soft hand grasped at her naked breast.
Max almost groaned in satisfaction as he felt her nipple harden against his palm, her lips were beginning to swell as he began his descent, gently nipping and kissing a trail down her neck as she arched languidly against him.
Pulling her shirt back from her shoulders, revealing her soft tanned skin he licked his lips as he lowered his head to graze her nipple gently with his teeth before sucking gently.
Liz was in heaven and she was in hell, the sensations running riot through her body demanding more, needing more. The evidence of obvious arousal pushing insistently against the most intimate parts of her body left her aching for more.
“Max…”She gasped.

“OH MY GOD!” Another voice intruded on their passion-induced haze.

“Maria?” Liz asked in confusion as she pulled her shirt back over her shoulders, she knew that voice but she couldn’t place the face that accompanied it.
“Oh god I’m so sorry, I just went to get a drink and I thought I’d check on Liz, you know cause she hadn’t woken up since we brought her home and that was like five hours ago and I um yeah okay I gonna go cause I’m just gonna go…”she rambled aimlessly as she indicated the door taking a small step backwards… “Anyway so…yeah…bye…”

“Maria…wait…”Liz hopped down from the counter, causing Maria to turn back.

Liz came to stand before her friend, studying her closely, she was so beautiful, her eyes were as green as Jade, her skin a fine pale shade of porcelain flushed slightly at the intimate scene upon which she had earlier intruded and her long soft blonde locks fell in graceful loops around her shoulders. So this was the girl who had finally claimed her wild brothers heart.

“Wow,” she whispered as she raised her small hand to gentle touch the tumbling blonde curls, “you’re even more beautiful than I expected you to be I can see why Michael fell for you.”

“You can see me now?” Maria’s eyes widened as her lips parted in a soft gasp.

Liz said nothing she simply smiled and nodded her head in confirmation.

“Oh my god!” Maria broke into a wide smile, her eyes misting over slightly.

Liz pulled Maria into her arms, kissing her cheek lightly and holding her tight,
“Thank you for being my friend…” she whispered gently… “Thank you for being my family…”

Max stood smiling lightly propped up against the doorway, he’d never seen Maria speechless before, Michael was gonna be so sorry he missed it…

Maria pulled back slightly to gaze into Liz’s eyes, gone was the dull unfocused blank stare, instead her eyes shone with life, it was a beautiful thing to see.

“Oh honey I am so glad you’re okay we were all so worried you weren’t gonna make it,” she wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I have you to thank for that, all of you…”Liz smiled.

“How…how much do you remember?” She asked cautiously.

“Everything,” Liz replied… “I remember what you all did for me and I don’t think you’ll ever be able to understand just how much it means to me.”

“Oh the others! They are gonna be so happy…”Maria jumped excitedly

“Maria,” Liz interceded, “Please do me a tiny favour?”
“For you Chica…anything…”

“Um…don’t tell them just yet, please? Let them sleep, I just want to spend some time with Max on my own for a while, after all I have my sight for the first time in ten years, I just need to adjust slowly.”

“Adjust slowly?” Maria raised her eyebrow slyly, “I know exactly which parts you were adjusting to…”

“Maria!” Liz blushed furiously.

“Yeah…yeah okay I won’t tell…Kids enjoy yourselves and Max…” she regarded him sternly pointing her finger at him… “Don’t take advantage of her…”

“Um yeah sure…”he tried to hide a smile… “Nite Maria…”

“Nite…”she smiled as she slipped back out of the room.


Liz found herself smiling, sighing contentedly as she felt familiar arms slipping around her waist as he nuzzled affectionately at her neck.

“Erm…excuse me Mr Evans?” She breathed slowly “but didn’t Maria just tell you specifically not to take advantage of me?”

“Uh…don’t know I’ve suddenly got developed a selective hearing disorder,” he mumbled against her skin breathing in her scent as she twisted in his arms to face him smiling happily.

Pulling her in closer he drew her lips into a soft kiss… “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too…” she smiled against his lips.

“Come on…”he grasped her hand pulling a blanket from the bed… “I’ve got something I want to show you…”

“What?” Liz smiled shyly.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed her.

“Um…okay…”She complied as she allowed him to guide her to the window, climbing out of his window he lent over and carried her gently over the ledge.

“Max? What are you doing?” She laughed gently.

He set her on her feet as he laid the blanket out on the ground… “Lie down,” he instructed her softly.

“Max I thought we’d already discussed the no taking advantage rule?” She laughed as she allowed him to ease her to the ground, causing a smile to grace his lips.

“Okay…open your eyes.”

“Max? I…” but the words died on her lips as her eyes opened… the pretty dots in the sky…there they were just were she had left them…her eyes misted over and she choked back a sob.

“Liz…”Max’s brow creased in concern, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You haven’t,” she whispered grasping his hand, “this is just perfect …”

He pulled her into her arms stroking her hair tenderly, at she watched the tiny diamonds sparkle in a silken blanket of indigo.

“Max?” She purred, her soft voice breaking the perfect silence.

“Yes,” he mumbled into her hair.

“Do you remember the night we swam amongst the stars?”






Zan crept quietly into the guest chambers, the night was dark and still, the palace slept soundly the only sound to be heard was that of the slim raven haired beauty who lay twisted in the silken sheets.

He crept forward silently, halting abruptly as she turned slightly, the sheet falling away to reveal her olive skin, her thin linen nightshirt had ridden up slightly to reveal a smooth thigh of honey coloured silk. His breath caught involuntarily in his throat as he watched the slow even rise and fall of her breasts through the thin fabric.

She lay on her back, her arms thrown back behind her head, one hand partially obscured by the plush pillow, her chocolate hair splayed out like a dark halo. He moved slowly, leaning over her until he could almost feel her soft breath against his lips, so close he could almost lean forward an inch and taste that soft inviting mouth.

“See something you like your highness?” Her soft voice purred as her lips curved into a sly smile.

His mouth dropped open in surprise as he felt cold hard steel pressed against his throat.

Her eyes fluttered open as she regarded him with her intense liquid gaze, “I’m surprised at you Zan, I thought you’d have more style than to simply slink into a lady’s chambers and pounce on her.”

“You sleep with a dagger under your pillow?” He stated dryly, “I should have known.”

“Well, you never know when the heir to the throne may decide to make a surprise visit,” she grinned sweetly.

“Why do you sleep with a dagger under your pillow? Wandering monarchy aside you are quite safe within the palace walls,” he smiled curiously

“Habit,” she shrugged, as she released him.

“Habit?” He frowned in confusion, she was a highborn lady, a daughter of the 5th house, why would she need to sleep with a dagger beneath her pillow? It only served to remind him just how little he really knew of this fiery young woman.

She raised her leg and kicked him off her bed, as he landed unceremoniously on his royal behind she slipped the dagger back under her pillow.

“What is it you want Zan?” She murmured sleepily as she snuggled back down into her bed, “some of us are actually trying to sleep.”

“Rath sent me,” he grinned, damn but this woman was proving a challenge.

“Really, and what was so important it couldn’t wait until morning?” She yawned.

“He said to remind you it’s the duel full moon tonight, whatever that means?” He replied, but barely had time to complete his sentence when Lilly’s eyes flew open and she practically leapt out of bed and flew to the window to see for herself.

“I can’t believe I almost missed it,” She grinned, grabbing a pair of loose fitting trousers from the floor and roughly yanking them on.

“Missed wha…”but his voice died in his throat as he watched her pull her nightshirt over her head revealing her soft smooth naked back to him.

“You’ll see…”she replied as she pulled a light cotton shirt, slipping her boots on she grabbed his hand pulling him to his feet, “come on Zan or we’ll be late…” she laughed breathlessly in excitement.

“Late for what?” He laughed as she pulled him from the room.

They crept silently through the palace grounds, laughing and giggling like children as they hid in the shadows when the few servants who were still awake hurried about to complete their chores before turning in for the night.

Sneaking like two thieves in the night they crept into the stables, saddling their horses, Lilly swung confidently up onto the back of her steed.

“Race you…”Lilly laughed as she tore out of the stable.

“Hey no fair,” Was Zan answering laugh as he to swung up into the saddle with the confidence of one born to ride.

The clouds swept across the night sky partially obscuring the vibrant twin moons, the tantalizing breeze swept through the ancient trees as they raced through the forest.

Lilly came to an abrupt halt forcing Zan to rein in beside her, his ebony hair whipped loosely around his shoulders as his shirt fell open slight revealing the lean muscles of his chest. Lilly found herself fascinated by the way even the slightest movement caused them to ripple beneath the soft fabric.

“See something you like my lady?” He smirked throwing her own words back in her face.

“Very funny,” Lilly’s eyes narrowed as she dismounted tethering her horse to a nearby tree, “come on Zan we don’t have all night.”

“That’s a matter of opinion,” he replied nonchalantly as he too swung out of his saddle tied his mount up next to her own.

Taking his hand in her own, biting back the jolt of energy she felt whenever their skin came into contact, she forced her whirlwind of emotions back to some semblance of order as she led him through the underbrush.

“You know, my lady if you wanted me all you had to do was say, we could of stayed in the comfort of your room,” his brow arched and his amber eyes gleamed in suggestion “you didn’t have to drag me into the wild, to have your wicked way with me.”

“In your dreams Zan,” Lilly rolled her eyes.

“You know in yours too, admit it.” He smirked.

“I do not have to admit anything,” she smiled secretly.



“Lilly? Is that you?” A muffled voice came from the other side of the brush.

As Zan and Lilly came through to the other side, they found themselves standing on a small wooden platform overlooking the rippling expanse of the lake.

“Wow, I didn’t even know this was here,” Zan’s eyes widened.
“Believe me Zan…” he felt her teasing breath against his ear… “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
His body involuntarily shuddered as he felt her fingertips trace his spine through his thin shirt.

“Lilly you took your time,” Rath snorted impatiently.

“Calm down Rath, you’re the one who sent his imperial highness to ravage me in my sleeping chamber,” she kissed his cheek sweetly.

“HE DID WHAT?” Rath turned on his best friend, his eyes blazing, “WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY SISTER?”

“Nothing I swear,” Zan held up his hands in defence, “Lilly would you please tell him the truth.

“Well I’d love to honey, but I don’t think he needs to know exact details…”she smirked… “Oh hi Lonnie.”

“Hi Lilly,” Vilandra returned trying to hide her grin behind her hand.

“Zan, I swear if you have laid a finger on her,” Rath grabbed Zan roughly.

“I didn’t, Lilly, this is not funny will you just tell him,” Zan replied.

“I can’t I’m exhausted Zan, you’ve worn me out…”She sighed dramatically… “Who would have though you had such stamina…”

“Rath, I can expla…..Ahhhhhhhh”

Zan was cut short as he hit the cold water, he kicked as hard as he could and as he broke the surface gasping for air, his ears registered laughter and a lot of it.

“Sorry Man,” Rath was holding his sides almost as if in pain, his eyes glistening with tears of mirth, “I was just messin with you, but you…”he gasped for air… “You should have seen the look on your face.”

Zan hauled himself back onto the platform scowling, closely resembling a thundercloud as his piercing gaze registered Lilly and Vilandra also crying with laughter, ignoring his sister and best friend completely he advanced on Lilly his eyes gleaming with fury.

“Zan…Zan…”Lilly laughed as she ducked behind her brother, “I know you’re a little upset right now…”

“Upset?” Zan raised an eyebrow… “Lilly you’ve never seen me very upset…”

“Zan…Can’t we just talk about this?” She pleaded.

“I don’t think so,” He smirked as he grasped her firmly ready to throw her into the icy lake.

“Zan…wait…”she shrieked, trying to contain her laughter.

“Give me one good reason,” Zan quirked his eyebrow mischievously.

Thinking quickly she threw her arms around his neck and locked his lips with her own, he stiffed for a moment in surprise before relaxing and pulling her closer. He was drowning the touch of her body pressed against his own the addictive taste of her lips and the softness of her tongue as it slid past his lips made him groan slightly.

“You think we should break it up?” Lonnie whispered to Rath smiling in amusement.

“No, Lilly knows what she’s doing,” Rath smirked.

Lilly pulled away abruptly as Zan tried to focus through the desire-enhanced haze his mind had become lost in.

“Too easy Zan…”Lilly tutted shaking her head slightly… “Far too easy…”

And Zan found himself once again back in the water.

“I told you Zan…”Lilly smirked leaning over the edge… “That you wouldn’t be able to tame me…”

She danced back out of the way as he moved to grab her, hauling himself again out of the lake Lilly shrieked in delight as he chased her across the platform.

“Hey you two…”Rath intervened.

Lilly struggled playfully as Zan swept her into his arms and strode purposefully to the waters edge.

“Hey!” Rath’s voice snapped them back to reality… “You are going to miss it…”

Zan dropped Lilly back onto her feet as they gazed up at the sky, the clouds moved across the inky sky sweeping away from the moons, as the full twin moons came sharply into view the reflection hit the rippling lake it almost seemed like the water was filled with stars.
Zan was still gazing at the water in fascination when he felt a sly movement behind him.

Not again! “LILLY!” He took a deep gulp as he hit the water, only this time he was joined by Rath as Lonnie and Ilyila stood side-by-side laughing.

Lilly pulled her boots off and slipped her trousers down her slim legs as Zan watched in appreciation before diving gracefully into the water followed a moment later by Lonnie.

As she broke the surface taking a lungful of air she felt Zan grasp her firmly around the waist.

“Now you’re mine,” he growled playfully, she barely had time to suck in a deep breath as he pulled her beneath the waves.

Spiralling down into the sparkling depths, they clung to each other, their lips locking tenderly, floating in their own heaven. But all too soon the insistent need for air drove them back to the surface.

“I never knew about this…” Zan breathed.

“What the lake at full moon?” Lilly smiled fondly as she floated languidly on her back, “Rath always used to bring me here, as soon as our parents were asleep we’d creep out and swim until we were exhausted, then we’d build a fire in the forest and sleep till dawn.”

“Thank you, for sharing this with me,” Zan replied his intense amber gaze meeting hers.

“You’re welcome Zan,” she whispered genuinely.

“This is just …”he looked out over the water… “It’s like…”

“Swimming amongst the stars…”she finished for him.

[attilathehoney]

Hello everyone, Just to let you know that the next few parts are going to be more or less exclusively Zan and Lilly simply because I need you to understand their past before I can go back to Max and Liz.


Part 25.


Lilly growled softly in frustration as her blade skittered across the polished floor, clattering loudly in the still room, the hour was late and she couldn’t sleep, her mind a whirl of confusion and mixed emotion.
Usually when she had a restless night she would train but not this night, she just couldn’t seem to find her form and that was something that had never happened to her before.
Retrieving her blade she began again, trying to clear her thoughts but once again they strayed to something else…or rather someone else…
“Damn it,” she cursed as she twisted her blade clumsily. She didn’t need this right now, she had too many important things to focus on, the last thing she needed was to be distracted and Zan was definitely a distraction.
She couldn’t allow this to happen, although at first it had only been a bit of fun, some harmless flirting, a playful challenge, but it was becoming increasingly clear to both of them that they were playing with fire, skirting around the edges of something deeper, something powerful and to be truthful something dangerous.
She knew that sooner or later one of them would have to turn from this path before it became binding for both of them.
He was the crown prince and heir, he had to make a politically expedient marriage one that would secure the future of their world, and as for herself…she had too many secrets.
She was not what he thought she was and that bothered her more than it should have.
When she was alone she could think of a hundred and one reasons why she should stay away from him…but when he was near…she sighed and raked a frustrated hand through her hair.
When he was near she felt drawn to him and it was unsettling to say the least, she began her training form again, shifting her weight on to one foot, she twisted gracefully, her blade dancing through the silent air, the smooth metal glinting in the soft light.
She resolved herself to complete the business she had returned home for and then leave again as soon as possible and in the meantime…she had to stay away from Zan.

“Couldn’t sleep?” a soft rumbling voice disturbed her silent reverie.

This was of course if Zan would stay away from her.

“No I couldn’t, not that it is any concern of yours.” She snapped irritably, god why couldn’t he just leave her alone.

Zan cocked his eyebrow in amusement at her hostile demeanour, “My we are grumpy when we don’t get our sleep, aren’t we?”

“There is no we about it Zan, I am not in the mood to play, so if you are just here to cause mischief you can leave right now.”

“Mischief? No that is not why I’m here.” He shook his head, a small smile curving at the corners of his mouth.

“Then why are you here Zan?” She turned to face him, glaring at him in challenge.

“I thought you might like someone to work out your aggression on,” He smirked pulling a blade from an ornate display at the side of the room, “that is of course if you think you are up to the challenge?”

“Fine, if you want to be beaten by a woman,” She shrugged, “Just don’t expect me to go easy on you because you’re the prince.”

“I wouldn’t expect you too,” there was that damnable smile on his face again, “I hope you don’t expect me too go easy on you because you are a woman.”

“Then we understand each other,” her eyes narrowed in irritation.

“Perfectly,” he moved in as they circled each other slowly.

“So are you going to tell me why you are in such a foul mood? Or are you going to make me guess?” He moved to block her opening swing.

“No, It is none of your business” Lilly returned as the shrill ring of steel on steel rang throughout the stillroom.

“Then I’ll guess” He grinned.

“God,” she breathed in exasperation, “do you always talk this much when engaged in a fight?”

“This is hardly a fight to the death Lilly,” He replied.

“Then how about we make this a little more interesting,” Lilly challenged lowering her blade.

“What did you have in mind? He asked curiously.

“This,” Lilly smirked as she pulled a twin blade from her belongings, as she spun them gracefully in perfect unison before dropping low to take an aggressive stance.

Zan said nothing he simply drew another blade from the display mirroring her stance.

“Your move My Lady.” He challenged.

It was not long before, the ring of steel once again echoed around the room, as their blades danced and flickered through the air. Lilly dropped to her knees narrowly avoiding one of Zan’s blades as it whistled through the space were her neck had been a few seconds earlier. She blocked a swing from his second blade as her nimble body twisted under his arm, flicking her wrist, causing one of his blades to skitter across the floor.

“Impressive,” He cocked his eyebrow in surprise.

“Thank You,” She grinned.

“So tell me my lady,” he ducked to avoid another blow, “What troubles you?”

“I told you Zan,” Their blades moving with incredible speed and grace as Zan now had to block two blades with only one. “That is was none of your business.”
“In that case I shall have to guess,” Zan smirked, “it has something to do with me, doesn’t it.”

“Don’t flatter yourself Zan,” She returned, her voice low and controlled.

“I am right aren’t I,” He pushed, his breath coming in small gasps from the exertion.

“God you are so damn arrogant,” She panted as they once again circled each other, like a hunter stalking its prey, the trouble was you couldn’t tell who was the hunter and who…was the prey.

She made her move, their blades locking as the faced each other, their faces mere inches apart. All traces of humour now gone from his face as he regarded her intently, his breathing ragged as their eyes locked.

“Lilly,” He breathed, “why can’t you just tell me how you really feel”

“Because there is nothing to tell,” She pulled away abruptly tearing his other blade from his hand losing one of her own in the process as she levelled her remaining one at his throat.

Striking out with the speed of a serpent he knocked the blade from her hand before grasping her around the neck twisting her body so her back was firmly pressed against his chest as she felt his warm breath against her ear, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Then why don’t I believe you?” He whispered.

“I really don’t care what you believe,” She replied as she hooked her foot around the back of his knees knocking them both to the ground, rolling with a catlike grace and agility she pinned him to the floor.

“Lilly,” He breathed, his lips mere inches from her own, “This thing between us…”

“There is nothing between us Zan, it was fun, but that is all it was.” She cut him off as she climbed to her feet turning her back on him.

“You can lie to yourself Lilly,” He grasped her arm firmly, forcing her to face him, “ but you can’t lie to me, I know you feel it to”

“No I…” He didn’t give her the chance to finish her sentence as his lips seized her own in a soft but insistent kiss, he felt her back stiffen as she tried to pull away, but he pulled her closer as he deepened the kiss.

Lilly had no choice but to surrender as she relaxed into his arms and began to kiss him back, all her firm resolve flew completely out the window as she felt her blood beginning to heat. Her lips began to swell from his ministrations as he began to trail hot fiery kisses down her throat burning her skin with desire.

“NO” She pushed him away abruptly, “I’m sorry Zan, I can’t”

“Lilly,” He breathed heavily.

“Please Zan, don’t do this to me, you don’t know anything about me, I can’t be what you want me to be” She let out a deep breath as she regarded him with sad eyes.

“What I want is you, the real you, I don’t want to make you into something your not.” He returned.

“That’s just the problem Zan, There are so many things about me that I can’t tell you and we can’t have a life together that is based on lies and secrets.”

“I don’t care Lilly,” He pulled her in and kissed her softly, “I’m in love with you, you must know that.”

“Sssush,” She pressed her fingers tenderly to his lips to silence him, “don’t say that Zan.”

“It’s the truth… Kielani…my love…” His lips took her again… “I need you Lilly.”

She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe…she could only feel, and she could only feel his soft lips, hear his soft words and she knew he spoke the truth because her mind could no longer deny what her heart desired…what her heart needed.

“Kielani…Tell me you love me…” He whispered, punctuating each word with a kiss, “tell me…”

“I…” Her eyes rolled as he began to kiss down her neck, nuzzling her shirt away from her shoulder and plant warm kisses on her shoulder causing shivers to run down her spine, “I do love you,” She whispered.

“Lilly,” He breathed as her once again seized her lips.

She broke the kiss abruptly, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts, “ I have to go…”

“But Lilly…” He began, but she had already grabbed her training gear and rushed out the door.

Watching deep in the shadows, a watcher lurked, witnessing the deep love they held for each other with sad eyes for he knew… this could not be allowed to continue.



A few hours later…


Lilly threw the doors open unceremoniously, as she padded into the chamber her bare feet making no sound on the marble floor. Her hair was in disarray, her crumpled nightgown covered by a long rich robe of pale blue which trailed along the floor behind her.

“I hope this is important Galain,” She regarded the King sombrely, “you know some of us were trying to sleep.”

“Come in Lilly,” He motioned for her to close the door, “I need to speak with you.”

“What is it?” She yawned as she slumped into a nearby chair.

“I will get straight to the point, considering the late hour,” He replied, “It has come to my attention that you and my son have become quite close.”

Lilly said nothing she simply waited for what she knew was coming next.

“Lilly” His eyes softened, “ you know nothing can come of this thing between you”

“Galain,” She rubbed her eyes tiredly, “You are not saying anything to me that I haven’t already said to myself.”

“My dear child, I would love nothing more than to see you bonded to my son,” He moved to sit beside her, taking her hand in his own, “I have loved you all these years, I saw something special in you, I saw your potential, but you cannot get involved with Zan, you cannot reveal to him what you are…not yet”

“What that I am your spy? That I intentionally leak information of your design back to your enemy Khivar so that I can worm my way into his trust?” She shook her head, “Believe me I have no intention of telling Zan or my brother for that matter.”

“Lilly, I am not trying to hurt you or my son, I can see quite clearly how you feel about each other, its just that you are the first woman ever to be trained for this, which is why Khivar will never suspect you, but he is not stupid either and the danger to you is very real if you are ever found out, once you leave the palace grounds, I can’t protect you.”

“I know Galain” She squeezed his hand fondly, “ I knew the risks when I agreed to build your spy network, My first loyalty is to you and to Antar, regardless of my personal feelings I shall not endanger my mission.”

“I know, I have every confidence in you Lilly,” He smiled gently, “I just had to be sure.”

“I understand, but why do I sense you have something else to tell me.” She questioned.
“Nothing ever gets by you does it?” He chuckled.

“That’s why you chose me though isn’t it?” She smiled in return.

“I have received a message from the third planet,” He frowned, “Khivar has arrived.”

“That’s odd,” She chewed her lip in thought, “It was my understanding he was not leaving the south-eastern province of Antar for another month, why has he suddenly turned up on the third planet?”

“Ambassador Kelar arrived two days later.” Galain informed her.

“That explains it,” Lilly mused, “I have suspected for some time that they maybe more than just casual acquaintances.”

“You suspect an alliance?” He questioned.

“I wouldn’t be surprised, but if it is so it does not shift the balance in our favour, there have been rumours of Kelar raising a secret army, everyone knows there is no love lost between you two but he has always remained neutral, he would never risk open war because our resources are so evenly matched, however if Khivar is offering him something that could give him a significant advantage, we could be in a lot of trouble.”

“I think so to,” Galain replied gravely, “That is why I am ordering you to the third planet, I need confirmation of any possible alliance and I also need to know what Khivar is offering him that he would be willing to risk his neutrality.”

“Very well,” Lilly agreed, “ I will leave at first light.” He got to her feet to leave

“Lilly, there is one more thing Zan and Lonnie are supposed to be arriving on the third planet in a week on a diplomatic visit, I can delay them for a while,” He regarded her intently, “You have two weeks, I can give you no longer, then you must leave with or without your answers, you cannot risk them seeing you there.”

“I understand,” Lilly nodded gently as she left the room.

[attilathehoney]

Part 26.

Khivar and Zan faced each other across the long rectangular table of highly polished marble. The silence was oppressive as each of the assembled lords regarded the two men staring intently as if looks alone could kill.
“Well, my lord Khivar, do you have a response?” The chief speaker questioned.
“As far as my father and I are concerned there can be no response,” Zan spoke directly, his voice dangerously low, his face a mask of cool authority, “your forces have no legitimate reason for being in the northern bore, pull them back.”
“Your highness,” Khivar replied smoothly, “The troops are merely there to lend assistance, should you need it in quelling the recent civil unrest.”
“Unrest which you probably instigated in the first place,” another voice cut in.
“The chair recognizes the lord Mailar of the Merin province.” The chief speaker intoned formally.
“That is unfair and unsubstantiated.” Khivar smirked.
“Point?” Mailar replied.
“Conceded,” The chief speaker agreed, “Lord Khivar, it is suspicious to say the least, that a province with no political grievances suddenly takes up arms against the crown, and two days later your private legions arrive to lend assistance, even the imperial troops do not mobilize that quickly without prior warning.”
“Gentleman, the crown recognizes the support of Lord Mailar of the Merin province, however I am not here to point fingers, I am here to resolve the situation, whatever the reasons, Lord Khivar, your legions are in direct violation of imperial law, which states quite clearly no force of substantial size may occupy ground in a foreign province without the express permission of the crown and since no such permission was granted, you will remove them immediately or we shall do it for you.” Zan commanded.
“Why of course your highness, I can assure you no offence was intended, I will of course see to their immediate extraction.” Khivars words dripped honey, but his eyes told an entirely different story.
“My Lords, I feel I must remind you that the crown allows you your own legions as we felt it would better serve the needs of each province to be able to resolve any internal conflicts, however,” Zan’s voice hardened, “I shall also remind you that the legions are a privilege and it will not bode well for any further misunderstanding to cause us to revoke that privilege.”
“You wouldn’t!” A gravelly voice interceded.
“The chair recognizes Lord Elkor of the Dantin Province.”
“We shall, make no mistake my lords, the crown will not tolerate any insubordination from any province, if anyone dares to step over the line, the legions will be immediately disbanded and all five planets will revert to marshal law under the imperial troops, do I make myself clear?” Zan raised an eyebrow in challenge.
There were several grunts of reluctant acceptance and one or two muttered comments of outrageous and disgraceful, but a forceful glare from Zan and they refrained from making any outright objections.
Once the Chief speaker had called the council adjourned until the following day, the lords filed out one by one, each with the look of a small boy who had just had his favourite toy taken away, all that was except for Khivar whose eyes glittered as if he had won some kind of victory.
“You play a dangerous game, my son,” A quiet voice startled Zan momentarily.
His intent gaze scanned the room to make sure they were indeed alone.
“I am not the one playing games Mailar.” Zan sighed.
“I know, but willingly or unwillingly you will be forced to play as all of us do,” He replied seriously, “ A word of warning though young prince, most of the Lords like you, even respect you, but if you revert the planets to marshal law, they will turn on you, they are very attached to their toy soldiers, in their own little private province they get to play king, you will be extremely unpopular if you go reminding them just how insignificant their titles really are.”
“I know, Mailar, but what would you have me do? We cannot allow them to start marching all over Antar or any of the other planets to throw their weight around backed by their legions, it will be chaos, we cannot live halfway between a monarchy and a democracy, if we rule we must rule completely,” Zan raked his hand through his hair in frustration, “This is of course our own fault, we allowed the lords to much freedom and now it is being used against us.”
“How so?” Mailar frowned.
“Khivar, that sly snake,” Zan almost spat in contempt, “His has us between a rock and a hard place and he damn well knows it, if we declare marshal law and move the troops in the lords will turn on us but again if we do nothing slowly one by one the lords will see it as a sign of weakness and slowly will unite under Khivars banner. Either way we are heading towards a civil war which none of us want.”
“There is always a chance,” Mailar replied gravely.
“I don’t see it Mailar, Khivar will not give an inch and neither will I,” Zan regarded the old lord with sad eyes, “We are racing towards a war that will tear our worlds apart and I fear that it is already to late to stop it.”


Vilandra swept regally down the dimly lit passageways en route to hers and Zan’s’ apartments, a servant trailed behind babbling about something but she paid little attention, her mind was a whirl and rush of information and emotions.
Zan had told her and Rath exactly what had transpired at the council, her brother did not seem to be held by the same constraints as her mother and father, they had always tried to protect her but her brother held no illusions, they were so close, never lied to each other, never kept secrets from each other and he believed she should know the truth.
She was scared, although her imperious manner would never betray the turbulent emotions raging through her body she could and did admit it to herself she was terrified, her home, everything she had ever known stood on the brink of war and there was a very good chance she could end up losing everything and everyone she loved not to mention what would become of her. Because she knew enough of history to know that when empires fall people like her would be lined up and executed.
“My lady?”
It took a moment for her to tear herself away from her turbulent thoughts, long enough to register the fact that the servant who had been trailing along behind her was now addressing her directly.
“What?” She frowned.
“Will there be anything else, my lady?" She replied.
“Oh, well, please see if you can locate my brother and Lord Rath and remind them that their presence is required at the banquet tonight.”
“Of course my lady,” the young girl curtsied before withdrawing from her brooding mistress’s presence.
Lonnie sighed inwardly, she really didn’t feel like smiling for the crowds of nobles tonight, what she really wanted to do was return to her apartments have a long soak in the bath and worry quietly about their fate.
All of a sudden the hairs on the back of hair neck raised causing her to pause momentarily in her tracks, a shiver ran down her spine and her heart beat quickened slightly, she was no longer alone.
Forcing down the momentary panic and unreasonable urge to run, she realized that by dismissing her servants she had trapped herself in a long narrow hallway all on her own with no where to run, cursing her own stupidity, she began to walk slowly and inconspicuously trying to keep her breaths slow and even.
Suddenly she felt two hands reach out a grab her, the scream died in her throat as one hand was clamped firmly across her mouth and an arm snaked around her waist pulling her roughly into a dark alcove.
She felt herself pushed against as wall as she struggled with her captor.
“Lonnie calm down I won’t hurt you” A familiar voice intruded upon her mind.
As her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, her eyes widened in shock as she recognized her would be attacker, “Oh my god! Lilly?”
“Sssush,” Lilly held her finger to her lips.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Lonnie whispered.
“Listen carefully Lonnie,” Lilly breathed quickly, “ I don’t have long, I dare not be discovered here.”
“What the hell is going on?” Lonnie frowned in concern.
“There isn’t time, I’m not what you think I am Lonnie and I need your help.”
“What is it you want Lilly?” She asked, this situation was getting stranger by the minute but nothing could of prepared her for the next words for her friends’ mouth.
“I need you to pick a fight with your brother…”

[attilathehoney]

Part 27.

“What?” Lonnie replied incredulously.
“I need you to pick a fight with your brother” She repeated, “and I need Khivar to see you do it.”
“Khivar?” Lonnie frowned in confusion, “Lilly will you just tell me what the hell is going on?”
“I don’t have time, I can’t risk Zan or Rath seeing me,” She rushed on, “Two levels below us is an abandoned library in the west wing, meet me there in one hour.”
“Okay,” Lonnie replied whatever was going on was obviously important.
“There’s one more thing” Lilly breathed quietly, “You must not tell anyone you have seen me.”
“But…” She began.
“No Lonnie,” Lilly stopped her objection dead in its tracks, “no one must know, I will have your word.”
“Very well,” Lonnie conceded, “you have my word.”
“Good, remember Library in one hour,” and with that she was gone.


“Her imperial highness, Princess Vilandra of the house of Antar.”
The announcer intoned formally as Lonnie paused at the entrance to give full dramatic effect, all the assembled guests turned to admire the princess. Her head held regally, her eyes assumed a haughty superiority and her smile was set in a stone. Admired to the point it almost bordered on hate for her impeccable countenance and flawless beauty, the rich brocade of her gown rustled slightly as she swept regally down the hall to take her seat beside her brother.
“You’re late,” Zan hissed in her ear, “that doesn’t make a good impression with our hosts”
“Don’t start with me Zan,” she spat quietly as she hid her trembling hands in the folds of her gown.
She was trying desperately to assimilate all the information Lilly had divulged to her in such a short space of time, she knew what she had to do, Lilly had been very specific but her heart beat wildly in her chest as she forced a look of calm for the crowds.
Zan was rapidly losing patience with his sister, ever since she had returned to the apartments earlier this afternoon she had been nothing short of extremely waspish with him and he found himself wishing he had left her back on Antar.
But the unfortunate truth of the matter was he needed her, after throwing his weight around so spectacularly with the lords he needed at least some illusion of diplomacy.

Lonnie sat absently toying with her food, trying to look bored and every inch the spoiled princess as she cast annoyed looks at her brothers’ back every now and then.
A curious set of eyes watched her every move, every expression with a mixture of admiration, curiosity and a hint of lust. He wanted her and he was going to make damn sure he got her.

She was well aware he was staring at her, she almost had to stop herself smiling in triumph, mission one accomplished only now she had his attention she had to make sure she kept it. Rolling her eyes in mock frustration and audibly sighing in irritation she deliberately turned away from Zan while he was in mid conversation, her bored gaze swept across the floor at all the assemble nobles until they fell on her intended target.
His gaze locked with her own for a brief moment until she smiled shyly and dropped her eyes in apparent embarrassment as a faint blush covered her cheeks.
Slowly she once again raised her own gaze to look upon him, he own smile was almost an arrogantly triumphant. She breathed in satisfaction, god men were so easy to manipulate, this was possibly going to be easier then she and Lilly had thought.
Soon enough the banquet was finished and the tables cleared away to make room for the guest to circulate and dance if they so desired.
Lonnie swept quietly through the crowd until she spotted the person she was looking for, good he hadn’t seen her yet, she slowly made her way toward him, careful to avoid eye contact until she merely an arms length from him, as he turned and saw her she stumbled and fell towards him, Giving a startled “oh” he caught her in his arms before she hit the floor.
“Oh goodness,” she breathed as she gazed into his eyes, “Thank you my lord Khivar, my heel must have tangled in my gown, it was fortunate you were here to save from a mortifying fall.”
“It was my pleasure highness,” He smiled still holding her close, “I am glad you were unharmed.”
“Vilandra” Zan snapped harshly as he witnessed the interaction between his beloved sister and his most hated enemy.
“Zan,” She smiled, “Lord Khivar saved me from a most unfortunate fall,”
“Lord Rath is looking for you,” He voice was tightly controlled and menacingly low, “I suggest you go and find your betrothed.”
“Oh course,” She replied stonily as she threw an almost apologetic look at Khivar who had now released her.
“My thanks, once again my Lord” She curtsied as she withdrew.

“I suggest you stay away from my sister,” Zan grated from between clenched teeth as soon as his sister was out of earshot.
“I think it is up to your sister who she chooses to associate with” Khivar smirked.
“Don’t play the fool with me Khivar, if you dare defy me, I shall make you wish you’d never been born.” Zan whispered quietly as he turned and left.

Lonnie slipped down the corridor out of sight of the guests, as soon as she was sure she was alone she took a deep breath and smiled in deep satisfaction she open the palm of her hand, nestled sedately was a small golden piece of metal almost shaped like a blazing sun.
“Too easy,” She shook her head, “far too easy.”
“ Did you get it” A voice startled her.
Turning abruptly she can face to face with a young dark haired woman she didn’t recognize.
“Who are you?” Lonnie asked suspiciously.”
“What?” The girl creased her head in confusion, “Oh sorry,” she mentally slapped herself.
Slowly Lonnie watched in fascination as the girl took a deep breath and then exhaling slowly she began to relax the muscles in her face and all of a sudden her features almost seemed to shift until she was left with Lilly standing before her grinning impishly.
“Oh my god,” Lonnie’s hand went involuntarily to her mouth, “Lilly, you’re an Amshari, aren’t you?”
“Of course,” She shrugged nonchalantly, “Why do you think your father picked me? Its handy having a woman that no one would suspect but add into the equation one who can change her features at will and you have the perfect spy.”
Lonnie couldn’t believe it, she had heard of the Amshari but they were so rare only one born in every ten thousand children. That no one she had ever met had even seen one. The Amshari were extremely gifted children born with the natural ability to change their features at will.
“So did you get it?” Lilly asked again.
“Yeah” Lonnie replied handing it over, “ What is it?”
“A key” she replied.
“To what?”
“A secret computer he had hidden in his apartments, you need this key and a password to access it.”
“But do you have the password”
“Yeah, that wasn’t too hard to figure out, it was the key that I was having trouble getting.”
“But why come to me?” Lonnie asked in confusion.
“Because his password is Vilandra, I knew you’d be able to get close enough to him to get it and put it back before he realized it was missing.”
“Oh” Vilandra breathed quietly.
“Remember Lonnie, be by the east entrance to the gardens in one hour, I shall have the key back in your hand by then, you have to get it back into his pocket without him realizing it was missing.”
“I understand” Lonnie nodded, “I have to go now before I am missed.”

Lilly waited as Lonnie disappeared back into the crowd and then turned and crept back down the corridor, it was surprisingly easy to reach Khivars apartments most of the staff were serving in the great hall which only left two guards outside his quarters.
She stopped a few feet from his room concentrating slightly as the whisper of her will crept silently through the still air, one could almost have missed it, if not for the barely perceivable gesture of her hand, the look of mild concentration and the slightly glazed look of the two guards.
She crept forward once more stopped to regard the two men intently, passing her hand in front of their blank eyes they didn’t even so much as flinch, smiling in satisfaction she slipped around them a brushed the door handle lightly with the palm of her hand, a barely audible click and the door swung open slowly.
Once inside his quarters she slipped through the main room past the bedroom and into a small study at the back.
Stepping into the small room she noticed it was scrupulously neat, lines of well ordered books ran in neat lines along great oak bookcases, a small table sat sedately in the center of the small room and on it sat a single vase of white lilies.
No computer, damn, Lilly’s eyes scanned the room again, growling lightly in frustration she was about to exit the room when a picture caught her eye, it was a framed portrait of the royal family, ironic she thought to herself considering Khivar’s views on the monarchy.
Compelled by curiosity and a sudden suspicion she crept forward her feet making no sound on the soft richly woven carpet.
As she came to stand in front of the portrait her fingers lightly traced the handsome face of Zan, his golden eyes blazing almost out of the canvas itself, pushing back the momentary pang of emotion that caught in her throat she pushed those feelings aside and began to methodically run her fingers along the outer frame, still nothing, taking a deep breath she once again found herself staring out into the room until her gaze happened to fall upon the vase of innocent white flowers.
Smiling to herself she moved forward and feeling under the table her fingers grazed a still bump set into the wood, pushing gently there was a sudden click and as she turned she witnessed the portrait slide out of the way as the computer came into view, partially concealed by a glowing red force field.
Wasting no time in case she should be discovered she inserted the small metal key into the panel at the bottom of the force field twisting it to the left it abruptly disappeared and she began looking through his files.
She hadn’t been looking long before she inadvertently stumbled across a message from none other than Ambassador Kelar.
Smiling in triumph she opened the message but as her eyes scanned through the message the widened in shock and her mouth fell open.
“Oh my god,” she breathed fearfully.

[attilathehoney]

Hi Guys,
I just wanted to apologise for not posting recently, I haven't forgotten you I promise, It's just my daughter Anna has been really sick lately with Bronchiolitis and she's only five months old, so she hasn't let me put her down and I haven't had time to do anything but as soon as I get five minutes to myself I'll write the next part, I ended up spending about three and a half hours at the hospital with her yesterday and she was real poorly today but hopefully she should have picked up by the weekend so I'll try get the next part out by the beginning of next week.

Love Wendy xxx