Chapter 2

"Explain it to me so I can understand." Tre is leaning on the refrigerator across from his sister who is sitting on the counter.

Moving her hands from her face, "I was training with Issac and he kept attacking me and I got so angry. Then everything was covered in blue flames and…"

"Blue flames? You managed to use blue flames?" Tre cannot help interrupting her. Blue flames were not easy and took more heat from the user. They were very hard to maintain after it left the user's hands. The fire users who managed to make blue flames had years of practice.

Letting out a huff moving her hair from her face, and behind her ears she nods her head. "It was an accident. I did not mean to get so angry. But the flames went everywhere and the statue." Her voice was getting higher as she got to this part of the conversation, she was scared to tell him. Taking in a deep breath she uses water to cool herself down. "I completely destroyed the statue of Queen Tatina. I burned it so hot that it melted."

His mouth dropped open, "You…" Placing his hands together pointing them at his sister, "You melted the statue? Melted it? Like ice cream melts and turns to liquid, you took the statue of Queen Tatina and turned the solid into a liquid?"

"Yes thank you for that grand definition on what melting means." Nwaeah says sarcastically. "Soon everyone is going to know about it, and while it can be fixed, it is not an easy fix, and father is going to kill me. He is going to come back and he is going to. He is, I do not know what he is going to do. But he is going to do it and…" Nwaeah starts to panic, her breathing becoming irregular at the thought of her father's punishment.

Walking to his sister he pulls her into a hug. Making shushing sounds he just holds her. "You will get through this." Hating that that is all he can say he just holds his sister who begins to cry. He cannot say it will be okay because he is not sure if that is true. He cannot say not to worry because they both should.

"We went weeks without father having any reason to punish me. Weeks without him having any reason to punish you. It is all because I want to use fire. I should have never asked Issac for one on one practice. This is all my fault." Nwaeah sobs into her brother's shoulder.

"Nwaeah it is not your job to protect me. I know you are scared that one day father will go too far, but…" Tre can feel footsteps on the earth coming closer. The footsteps were heavy but very calm. Feeling the vibrations of the steps he could tell when they walked through the door of the Ozikill wing. "Nwaeah stop crying." He quickly wipes his sister's tears pulling her off of the counter. "Father is coming, you cannot be crying."

Nwaeah turns on the kitchen sink and rinses her face before drying it with a towel. She turns to her brother, both siblings understanding the fear in each other's eyes, but unable to do anything about it.

Father walks in the door, his grin shining so brightly it makes Nwaeah's stomach turn.

Tre stands in front of Nwaeah trying to gain her more time to get her emotions under control. He bows, "Good afternoon Father." His hands are in fists by his sides, hating that he bows to the person who brings his sister so much pain.

"Zaifrontre, a speaker of the Bronds family is doing a presentation on the Human stock market and investing. You would be wise to attend it." His voice is cold, calculating leaving no room for disagreements.

Tre places his hand behind his back to squeeze his sister's hand tightly. That is all he can do before he leaves to go to the meeting. When he reaches the door he hesitates. He desperately wants to turn and spare another glance to his twin; but what good would that do? All it would do is aggravate their father. He hates that they are so close. Reaching down he rubs the cuff, this is all the comfort he can give; before he walks out the door.

Feeling the warmth from the cuff Nwaeah forces herself not to touch it. She calms her breaths knowing her brother no matter how far is still with her. She will not have to face this alone.

Zaivon goes to his room beckoning Nwaeah to follow him.

Nwaeah hesitantly follows, her footsteps quiet not wanting to give any other reason for angering her father.

Sitting on the sofa he points to the floor which Nwaeah immediately kneels on. Zaivon adjusts all of the rings on his fingers, taking his time enjoying the growing fear his daughter is showing. "What is your name?"

Her chest hurts; she feels like someone is squeezing her heart. It hurts to breathe and her father has not even begun to manipulate the air around her. "Nwaeah Ozikill." She does all she can not to stutter and to keep her voice strong.

"And what is my name?"

His voice is smooth, causing the hair on the back of Nwaeah's neck to stand. "Zaivon Ozikill Havain." Her breaths are shallow, not knowing when he will hit her causes her more anxiety than anything in the world. She knows her father cannot manipulate the emotions in the air, but the room feels so tense. Every breath she takes she is afraid will be her last. She sometimes wishes it was, but she promised her brother she would never leave him.

"Ozikill and Havain." Opening and closing his fist Nwaeah can feel the air disappear before appearing again. His voice getting louder, "Ozikill the strongest elemental family. Havain the best air users to be known to history." ripping the air from his daughter's lungs he stands grabbing her by the hair. "Our families are the most respected royals in history and you go and disgrace it."

He throws her into the wooden table. Nwaeah can feel the wood corner stab into her back and flinches. Her face is turning red on the lack of oxygen as she collapses to the floor.

Granting her the air back he watches her cough and sputter kneeling down in front of her, "The way you look now. You look weak and pathetic. You do not deserve your name. When you go and make a mockery of who you are and who you should be, I in turn will treat you the way you so beg to be treated." Zaivon plays with her, taking the air and thrusting it back to her so fast she is unable to breath even when the air is given to her. "If you wish to look like a fool, I will treat you like a fool Nwaeah." His voice is calm as he watches his daughter choke on the floor.

Tears are falling from Nwaeah's eyes, she can feel it just below the surface. The fire that is always fighting for control. Her vision is disoriented as she tries to blink the tears and fire away so she can see clearly. She cannot use it, she cannot fight back, never she must never fight back. Her elements are fighting, pleading to let them protect her, but she can't. She can hear her father telling her to stand up and she tries to get herself together. Her legs feel like jello as if they are not connected to her body, as if it never could hold the wait of her on them. Refusing to collapse she climbs the table to get herself standing. Once she is standing her father slaps her. Again and again he hits her. She can no longer differentiate where one hit ends and another begins.

"You are disgraceful!" Another hit. "You do not deserve your name." A hit to the gut. "You do not deserve to be a royal." A kick that sends his daughter to her knees. Puffing and catching his breath he yells, "Stand up!"

The sobs escape her before she can stop her. It was a domino effect, once one sob made it out the other sobs came too. She was sobbing on the floor, just wanting her father to stop, everything hurt. The fire was too hot, the need to use her elements was too painful to hold back. Her lungs hurt. Her stomach hurt. Her head hurt. Her back hurt. Her feelings hurt. She can feel the warmth of the cuff on her arm letting her know that her brother is there and that just causes her to sob more.

"Kicking his daughter to the other side of the room, "You are weak!" Kicking her again and again and again. "You are just like your mother. You sit here and sob. Crying will do you nothing. Crying will not fix your mistakes." Taking a pause he steps back. He can see the cuts and bruises covering his daughter's form. He will give her time to heal and come back in a few hours. Not saying another word he leaves locking the door behind him.

Whimpering she tries to hold in her sobs. Her mother, how did her mother manage to take this? Her body is shaking from fear or pain she is not sure. The cuff is so warm that her brother must be constantly rubbing it to let her know he is there. He has not left her alone. She wishes that could comfort her but it does the opposite. Tre should be able to live his own life. Instead he has to worry about her. Instead he sticks close to her hating that there is nothing he can do. Her sobs get louder as she cries wishing everything would be over but knowing she cannot do that to her brother. Her brother had saved her before. When she was at her breaking point her brother had come and saved her. She owes him her life. "I won't leave him. I won't leave him." Her mind runs through different ways she could end it. Different things she could do so she would not have to endure this anymore. "No!" She screams at her thoughts, "I Will Not Leave Him!" She rubs her cuff bracelet dropping her voice to a whisper, "I won't leave you."

The meeting is over and Tre sits in his room on the floor. His bracelet is warm and he rubs it back. "Nwaeah we will get out of this. This will not last forever. It cannot last forever." resting his arm on his leg he rubs his forehead moving the hair out of his face before resting on the bed behind him.

Hours passed dinner was eaten and Zaivon goes back to the room with his daughter. Stepping into the room he turns the light on. She is shriveled up in a corner and he can see that her bruises are mostly healed. He walks over and kneels in front of her. Tilting her face so she is looking at him, he moves curls out of the way. Grinning, "How lucky you are. I will end your punishment early again tonight." Picking her up from the floor he walks her to a bench. He grabs a brush and brushes her hair gently. "You are going to be married. Nathan's son Naain is going to marry you. The Yeatho's are the proudest guardian family. They have not been tainted with human blood and are distant relatives of the royals family. "You are going to marry him, and you are going to be the perfect wife, because if not." He pauses so he can look her in the eye. "He will do much worse than I ever could."

Zaivon let his daughter go back to her room after that. The wedding was set for 3 months on November 12th. Guardians untainted with human blood was rare. When the first Tarians came to earth they brought some servants with them. Those servants' bloodlines became guardians as well. Unable to wield elements they were just as strong as the royals. They brought names for themselves. Yeatho's were the best Guardians, their lineage going on for 100's of years. Naain Yeatho was an excellent choice, he was strong; commanding an army of 500 guardians. Marrying the Princess would make his army Nwaeah's army. It had been years since the Ozikills had their own private army. This would be the first step of showing the strength of the Ozikill line one more.

"You are getting married?" Tre is shocked, father had actually done it. He planned on going through with this. "To who?"

Nwaeah was sitting on the couch in Tre's room. Her legs were crossed with her hands holding the blanket that Tre had thrown across her. Her throat hurt her crying and was sore, but she still spoke trying to answer her brother's questions. "Naain. Naain Yeatho. The son of the man who sent his daughter to be married and she killed herself. Father says Naain will treat me worse than he does." Looking at Tre her eyes red from the tears. "There is no escape. Don't you see? Our lives will always be full of pain." Her eyes are puffy and she rubs the cuff on her wrist out of habit.

Pacing the room Tre tries to figure out a way to comfort his sister. "No, I do not believe this. Naain, maybe he will not be bad. Maybe he is a good person. Just because he is a strong guardian does not mean he will hurt you."

Nwaeah gives a look of utter disbelief. "He is the son of Father's best friend!" Her voice cracks as she yells. "Do you really expect niceness from him? Do you really expect anything less than father's idea of perfection from him?" She loves her brother more than anything in the world, but his optimism is not what she needs right now. If she was being honest with herself she has no idea what she needs.

Sitting down in the chair across from Nwaeah he moves his hand through his hair, letting out a sigh. "We have not met him yet. Until we meet him we do not know anything." He looks his sister in the eye, the twins saying more than their words could ever portray. Both knowing what Tre just said is crazy, yet both hoping that there is a slight chance it is true. Both hoping that there is a ray of light in the dark world they live in.

"Naain Yeatho? This is unbelievable, you are going to be married to Naain Yeatho? He is only a legend. The best guardian in years." It is the next day and Nwaeah has finally decided to tell Zase about her marriage. Moving his hair out of his face trying very hard to control his disbelief Zase keeps covering his face, then smiling again. "You are going to marry my idol. The person, the guardian I want to be like." Holding on to Nwaeah's hands he does all he can not to jump up and down like a child. His voice is awe, "Naain Yeatho." collapsing in the seat behind him, "That is unreal. That is, wow. If there was anyone who would be good enough to marry you, this would be the guy." Jumping back up from his seat, "I mean he is amazing, he controls his own division. He is a leader, charismatic. He oozes out authority and, and…" Looking at his friend in the chair he realizes she hasn't spoken a word. Gosh he is such an idiot. He was so excited he did not stop to think about how Nwaeah was feeling about all of this. "Hey," kneeling down and holding her hands, "how do you feel about all of this?"

Nwaeah looks at Zase, her face stoic. She had a day to think of it. Her father had told her Thursday night, being Saturday she should be adjusted to the idea by now. "It is an arranged marriage Zase. I feel as much is to be expected of me to feel." It is silent for a moment and Zase gives her this look that breaks the stoic expression on her face. She cannot help but smile, here she is telling Zase that she does not want to marry his idol, and he is going to take it all in stride, because that is the kind of friend he is. "I do not know the guy Zase. I have only heard stories from you and while they sound great we do not know what his personality is like." Rubbing her face tiredly, "I do not even know what the guy looks like!"

"Well…" his voice is hesitant. Zase is not sure if his words will ease his friends worries. "I have seen him once." He watches as Nwaeah's head shoots up, her eyes giving him that continue talking look. "It was a few years ago maybe 3." Trying to conjure up the memory so it is fresh in his mind, "He is taller than me. Probably 185cm," Rushing to defend himself, "The only reason I am saying this is because I know height is a big thing to you. So I am letting you know he is taller than you by a lot because I am a friend and am trying to ease your worries."

Smiling at Zase's antics Nwaeah nods, "Okay keep going, what does he look like?"

"Well…" not used to describe guys Zase struggles, "He has black hair, and looks like a soccer player and MMA fighter mixed together. He was very agile, walked with his head held high and all that stuff. He was not scary but had that air about him. Like you know to never cross him. They say his best weapon is daggers although I did not see them on him. He usually wears black, he looked like a general, but he was just a captain at the time. Did you know that? He is a general now, the youngest only being 23 years old."

Letting out a puff of air, "Zase you are not telling me what this guy looks like. I have, he is tall, black hair and looks athletic, or big? That is not much to go off of." If Nwaeah was being honest what Zase was saying only made her worries grow. She is going to marry some big guy who everyone is afraid to cross.

"He was tall. This was a few years ago." Zase shakes his head pulling his friend from her chair. "All the stuff I know is in the past or stories I heard. You are the girl who always tells me to not listen to rumors till you assess the person first. Assess him and judge yourself what kind of person he is." Still seeing the doubt in her face, "Look it is not like he is the coolest person in this marriage." Waving his hand towards her, "Have you forgotten who you are? You are not only a princess but the only one from the Ozikill line. You were gifted with 2 elements. You are known throughout the world for fighting for what is just, and defending everyone. You treat everyone equally regardless if they are human, guardian, or royally." Looking in her brown orbs, "You are known to be fierce yet beautiful, determined yet compromising, calm yet raging. The world knows not to cross you just like they know not to cross Naain. Out of this marriage you are the most powerful. He will not cross you, he cannot not, the world will defend the person who dares to hurt you Nwaeah. You are the Princess that aided in wars, saved Japan from tsunamis. No one would dare to hurt you." His expression grows fierce, "I will hurt anyone I have to to protect you."

"Thank you Zase." Placing her hand on his cheek, "You are my greatest friend. I do not know what I would do without you."

Walking out of the room together Zase cannot help but wish he could be more.

It was now Monday and Nwaeah refused to hide out in her room. She had not left since she talked to Zase. "I am not gonna let some guy stop me from going out and living my life." Speaking to no one in particular she picks out an outfit. She feels irritated, which could be due to her situation or the lack of sleep. Nevertheless she wants to wear a bad girl vibe. Pulling out her leather jacket and shoes she fills in the rest of the outfit going to the kitchen to grab a bagel. Her brother had left around 9 for some meeting, while she was laying in bed drowning in her sorrows. No more pity party Nwaeah. Walking to the guardians quarters Nwaeah looks for Lelean, seeing Josh she smiles, "Hey Josh any idea on where your senior is?"

Happy to see Nwaeah Josh grins ear to ear. "Sorry Princess Nwaeah, but you just missed him. Apparently we will be getting a new General here and Lelean is trying to make sure everything is ready for when he arrives." Josh stands hands in his pocket shaking his head. Lelean was going to become captain but lost that when he went on the mission. Lelean was hoping that by making the General happy he could get back on the pedestal of good in the Queen's eyes.

"A new general coming?" her eyebrows squint trying to understand, "Why are we getting a general at the palace? Has something happened?" Generals were very valuable and were kept out to fight the demons. Their expertise and skills always kept them in the field. "No nothing bad has happened Princess, I assure you we are doing our job." He gives a sly smile to Nwaeah his childlike innocence shining through in that moment. "General Naain Yeatho has been called in. He will be coming to the palace, everyone is nervous about it. No one knows why he is coming yet, but it must be important, because this is his first time voluntarily leaving his base. The 2nd in command will watch over his troops till he returns."

Nwaeah's skin grows cold. Freaking Naain. Not even here and everyone's lives are being turned awry. Giving a tense smile to Josh she says her goodbye and walks away. Walking to the training area she flops herself on a low tree branch. This is infuriating! Her hands grow hot and she can feel the fire just underneath her fingertips begging to come out. She had not used fire since the day she burned the stature. It seemed so far away when in reality it was only a couple of days. Holding a small flame in her hands she plays with it a bit, making it bigger then smaller. It feels good to get it out, it is almost as if her anger fades when she uses fire. As if fire was her anger outlet.

Closing her eyes she lets herself soak under the warm sun and falls asleep.

Nwaeah was in her room, a wedding dress covered her body. It was so tight against her abdomen she could not breath calmly. The lace that was supposed to be beautiful was overdone. Upon her finger was a ring, it was heavy and seemed to weigh her down. The weight of the jewel made it hard for her to lift up her hand. She could see her goals and dreams forever tied down because of the ring tied to her finger. Attempting to take it off brought her pain, it was tied to her, embedded into her skin, never able to leave her finger. Molded into her bones, making a home on her body.

Standing up from her bed looking around her room, it is now empty. There is no longer a bed or her dresser or her paints, just her in a blue colored room. The walls are moving like water, she can see her father's face ripple through the wall just long enough for her to notice. Memories showed in the water, quick images going too fast for her to focus. She could see her mom, the last time she saw her before her father… not even in the dream did she want to think about it. She turns to the other wall. This one a dark blue but a bit of orange is seeping through it, it is as if the wall itself is angry. As if in any second it will explode. The door seems miles away but she can hear it, the door knob twisting.

In comes a tall man he is built like a bulldozer. His shadow covers hers in a way where she knew it would never stand a chance. The shadow is cold and all the heat leaves her body, the memories in the walls are gone as if they were scared away from this man's presence. Her shadow was jumping trying to be noticed. In the wall was a child hiding within the water. The child watched the shadow shaking its head.

Her little shadow was somehow in front of her now, trying to be noticed and make an appearance. It would jump trying to see if it appeared on the walls but it never did. But his gangly shadow sauntered over hers taking over the entire wall. Black and sketchy. The shadow never moved and simply watched her shadow jump. It was smiling, the shadow was smiling big, its teeth pointed and jaggared. Eventually her shadow gave up jumping and disappeared. Not knowing why but seeing her shadow give up brought tears to her eyes. The girl in the wall touched a ripple in the wall then disintegrated. The man was still standing by the door watching her, his head tilted as if he was confused. Against her every thought her body moved towards him and kneeled before him.

Smiling, this smile did not match his shadow's. His teeth were not even showing. Just a slight curve upon his face. The man ruffled her hair, and as he moved his hand back she could see the ring, the ring that matched hers.

"No! No no." Flopping her body so much she fell off the branch, and looked around. It was only a dream, but it was too terrifying. I will not be tied down to anyone. I am done kneeling before people as if I am their puppet. Standing up and fixing her hair she marches to her studio. If this Naain guy thinks for a second he will control me he has another think coming. I will die before I let another man put his hands on me.

Arriving at her studio, she turns on some music and she starts by making her paints. Making the color was always fun; and she loved experimenting with her element. Getting her easel ready and her paints on the table next to it she begins to paint her dream. The shadows, and the blue memory filled walls. Colors pile on top of each other, all shades of blue, ragged lines fighting against the smooth curves. Drawing her shadow, its desperation to be noticed to be acknowledged yet ignored, until it gave up. Molding the shadows into one she drew in a way that the bigger shadow absorbed the little one.

She drew the man's smile, nothing else of his just his smile; and for some reason as she drew it, it did not look intimidating. Thinking back to her dream, maybe the guy was not smiling in an evil way? Yet if that was the case Nwaeah would never have cried in her dream. Sitting down in a wooden chair Nwaeah stares at the painting before her. Angry blues, and nervous blacks, so many colors at war with the other, yet the smile in the corner is what she cannot get her mind off of. The smile is soft, not a grin, or a smirk more so… Shaking her head, if that big guy was supposed to be Naain then he would have a murderous smile, because he is a demon slayer, and an abuser. Stomping her feet on the ground like a child having a tantrum, come on Nwaeah you cannot think like that. That is rude. I do not judge people and I am not going to start now. Tre and Zase are right. I will not know what he is like until I meet him myself. Getting swiftly to her feet she gives the painting one last glance. I will not judge you, and while everything in her wanted that to be true, Nwaeah could not shake the fear she had about the man she was soon to marry.

The twins were forced to have brunch with their father Tuesday morning, which was very quiet. The twins are not speaking a word, both making sure they do not breath in some kind of insulting manner.

Nwaeah takes a bite of omelet from her fork forcing herself to chew. Being around her father always ruined her appetite. She sneaks a glance at her brother and he is drinking his orange juice. Nothing could ever take away his appetite, my brother is such a fatso.

As if he heard her thoughts Tre looks at his twin and sneaks a wink to her before biting into his toast.

Rolling her eyes she spears another piece of her omelet.

Hearing the sound of their father slamming his fork on his plate, the twins straighten the posture and keep their heads low. Not realizing it both twins were having the same thoughts. What did we do, what did we do?

"Be sure to come to the Greeting room at 1pm today. Naain will be arriving then and it is up to you Nwaeah to make him comfortable. Tre you will show him to his room, he will be sticking around you 2 for the upcoming days." Looking at his daughter, "Do not be scared I know he will just adore you."

Her father is smiling, but it is not the smile from the man in her dream. This is the smile of a killer before he slices someone's neck. The smile of a psycho before they push you into the flames. Her body turns cold and she can feel snowflakes forming underneath her fingertips. "Yes father." The ice is travelling up the underside of her arm, her body is cold and she can almost see her breaths. Don't panic Nwaeah don't panic. Please don't panic not here. Not here. She pleads to herself but she can feel her losing control. Control yourself, just breathe, inhale, exhale Nwaeah you can do it.

He can feel the distress from his sister and sneaks a look at her, trying to maintain his head bowed position. Looking carefully he can see the ice around the fingers of her left hand. Placing his arms under the table he discreetly rubs the cuff.

Her body is cold and it is taking all of her willpower to not turn to ice. Then she feels heat, her heart is racing as fearful that fire is ready to lose control as well. Finally locating the heat she gives a soft smile, her lips barely moving upward but so full of love towards her brother. Once again he has helped her, saved her even from herself. She is finally melting the ice fading away as heat returns to her body.

"I will be going to the west border for a few weeks. I am meeting with Naain's father and will be bringing him here when I return. Have all the preparations for 3 weeks time." tossing his napkin on the table he leaves the room.

Tre waiting feeling father's footsteps as they leave. Once the footsteps are out of the Ozikill wing he nudges his sister's foot and resumes eating.

Making a fish face Nwaeah holds the air in her cheeks. Placing her hands on her cheeks she feels for her body temperature. Letting out a gleeful smile, it was like she never panicked at all. Nudging her brother's foot she shrugs her shoulders, tilting her head before smiling and resuming eating. Now that father is gone her appetite is back and ready for everything in front of her.

All of her friends come to meet Naain in the meeting room. Zase was bubbling with excitement to meet his idol but was trying to keep it under wraps for Nwaeah's benefit.

Lana had made tea and set it on the table doing all she could to convince Nwaeah to drink it. "Honestly Nwaeah you can trust me." Thrusting the tea in her hands, "This tea will help you stay calm and steady, believe me I know I am a Zwanjae after all."

Accepting the tea Nwaeah drowns it in one shot and places it back into Nwaeah's hands. She accepts all that her friend is doing for her. Zwanjae's know almost everything about herbs, plants and medicine, and not wanting to admit it the tea does help Nwaeah calm down. She no longer feels the heat of fire scratching to get out.

Tre and Zase are sitting in the seats on the far end of the table watching Nwaeah pace back and forth. Jeremi and Issac walk up and slam 5 coins on the table.

"Bet you 5 Nwaeah gives him the cold shoulder." Jeremi wiggles his brows grinning.

"Really you 2? This is a serious situation and you guys are betting money?" Zase shakes his head in disbelief at his friends. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Tre slam 10coins on the table. "Tre come on!"

Giggling like a kid at a candy store, "It is just for fun no harm no foul." Turning from Zase he looks at Jeremi and Issac, "I bet you 10 she gives it to him like it is." Seeing the confusion on his friends faces he elaborates. Letting out a big sigh, "She is going to tell him that this may be a marriage but she doesn't want it. They may be married but they do not have to be friends. She will tell him to cut the crap and not try to be a friend."

Zase looks questionable at Tre, "You think Naain is going to try to be nice to her? What if he doesn't. What if he gives her the cold shoulder?"

Tre raises an eyebrow at Zase. "My sister is one of the most popular royals in the world. Amazing guardian or not, he would be a fool to give her the cold shoulder."

The boys laugh excited to see who will win. Zase refuses to bet and watches Nwaeah pace. She pulled her hair in a high ponytail leaving her natural curls. Her curls are just barely touching the middle of her back. He looks at the way her dark jean skirt molds itself over her curves. Tre is right. Naain would be a fool to give her the cold shoulder.

Alani, rushes into the room 10 minutes before 1. Puffing trying to catch her breath, "Sorry, you know how America does that time change thing? I didn't realize that it was 12:40 and not 11:40." collapsing into a chair she still tries to get her breathing under control. Looking at Nwaeah, "Is that what you are going to wear to meet your future husband?"

Looking at her clothes, "What is wrong with my outfit?"

"I mean it is cute and all. Any other day I would say it was great the skirt, the black shoes, the purple shirt tucked in, you are crushing it. But this guy is gonna be your husband, shouldn't you wear a royal gown or sometin?"

Lana huffs, "You should have seen what she tried to wear earlier. The girl wanted to wear jeans, it is amazing I got her into a skirt in the first place." Lana takes a cup of her own tea. Convincing Nwaeah to dress up was not something she ever wanted to do again.

"It is a button up shirt, and it is silk." Motioning to her outfit in typical Nwaeah flair, "I am basically dressed business casual." pointing to her blazer on the chair. "Look I even have a jacket to go with it."

Alani looks at Lana who just shakes her head. Rubbing her hand over her chin, "I mean alright I guess. Do you lil mama. When is he coming?"

The doors open before anyone can answer. The boys stop talking and look at the door. In all his glory there he was Naain Yeatho.

Nwaeah had to admit he was definitely easy on the eyes. Zase was right, he was taller than her. He definitely had an aura about him. He was not big yet somehow looked like he could lift her up without blinking an eye. Wait a minute, this was the same guy she saw outside her class window weeks ago!

Walking in Naain surveyed the room. There were 7 people in the room. None of them looked armed. The boys were in the back corner and the girls were by the table. Naain did not even have to think to know which one was Princess Nwaeah. He had heard stories about her for most of his life. She was smart and helped the guardians make strategies for when they went out on missions. She convinced the element users to give guardians proper med care. Most of all she managed to help the Tzukre royals convince the humans not to fight the demons on their own, knowing they would die. The girl who did all of that was standing before him. She was beautiful and had grown since the last time he saw her. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in small loose curls. Trying not to look at the way her curves molded into her skirt, or the button she left open on her blouse. He keeps his eyes up noticing the subtle purple at the bottom of those curls. Naain gave a smirk she was not your average princess that was for sure. Naain stood soaking her in. All the stories he heard of her beauty gave her no justice. Her waist was small and the skirt went to her mid thigh allowing him to see her legs that seemed to go on for miles. She was tall and had to reach his neck. He could see the boys in the back walking towards his princess. Her eyes were hard, so brown they looked black. Her eyes, gosh all the stories he heard of the princess no one ever mentioned her eyes. They saw into the souls of whatever she looked upon. Her arms were crossed over her chest. She was angry, not like he had wanted this marriage either. She may be beautiful but marrying a princess would make him a prince. Prince's did not get to be general's of their own army. That meant his army would protect her, she would get to command all that he got to command. Well time to introduce himself. "Nice to meet you Princess Nwaeah. My name is Naain Yeatho." He extends his hand to shake hers.

Nwaeah can feel the fire in her eyes. Her brother was rubbing the cuff making her wrist warm. There is no way she is going to like him. Regardless of his looks and his voice. Gosh his voice was deep and soothing, It carried itself through the room latching onto her trying to carve its way in her ears. She could listen to him speak for days, without noticing time has passed. No! What was she thinking? Walking till she was an arms reach away from him. Gosh she felt so short she only reached his neck. Shaking his hand she kept her voice hard and firm, "Nwaeah."

Standing in front of him Naain could not help staring at her. Her eyes were ablaze, she seemed to be struggling with something. Those black orbs were even more stunning up close. Her long eyelashes curled up making it even easier to see into those orbs. "Are you alright?" Not even meaning to his hand reaches out to her, almost touching her face before she flinches away from him.

"Look let's get something straight. You are here because our fathers say you have to be. But they did not say you have to pretend to be my friend, nor do you have to pretend to be nice. Tre can show you where you will be staying. If you are hungry we eat dinner at 5." Walking off it takes all her willpower to not look back at him.

Lana and Alani hurry to follow after Nwaeah. Lana pauses for a second, "Sorry. My name is Lana. It was nice meeting you. Nwaeah is not a bad person she is just a little…"

Alani comes back into the room pulling on Lana. "Come on." Sparing a glance at Naain, "Sorry sexy but we can't be nice to you till Nwaeah is nice to you." the girls rush out the door.

Naain watches the guys moving money around before nodding their heads to him. They bet on this moment. These were guys he could get behind.

Tre walks to Naain and extends his hand. "My name is Zaifrontre but you can just call me Tre. My sister is not too keen on this marriage. I am sure you are not either, I have heard alot about you. By marrying my sister you lose the ability to guard the borders in South America and your army becomes her army. Any officer would not be happy about losing their power but I can assure you, if you get her on your side she will only help your army grow stronger." Gesturing his hand towards the door, "Allow me to show you where you will be staying."

The men walk together to the Ozikill wing. Issac hating the awkward feeling attempts to break it, "Did you come with just yourself? Any luggage you have?"

"I left it in my car." Naain keeps his words short. Just like the guys are trying to get a sense of who he is, he is doing the same. Also silence can make people uncomfortable, lots of people will fill that silence with information. Hopefully they will tell him about Nwaeah.

Jeremi breaks the silence next. "So," clearing his throat, Naain takes notice of the way he scratches behind his ear. "Nwaeah will be great once you get to know her. She is very honest, you never have to worry about her lying to you." letting out an awkward laugh he keeps going. "I mean you guys should have things in common. You are a guardian, she wishes she could be a guardian."

Tre elevates a rock in the ground causing Jeremi to trip and almost fall. On the ground he writes the words shut up. Jeremi gives Tre a glare but Tre ignores it. "If you want we can go to your car so you can get your luggage and bring it to your room."

"No thank you." Naain takes notice that Tre is an earth user and does not want his friends talking about his sister. Nwaeah wanted to be a guardian? What exactly did that mean? After the way Tre reacted Naain was sure Jeremi was not going to be talking about her in that way any time soon. He notices the guardian in the back. So far he has said nothing, which could be his training making him used to silence or he is about to break and speak.

Zase was quietly watching Naain. Even walking next to 3 princes he still managed to look like he was the man in the middle. Somehow he outshined the rest of them. General Naain was short lipped, not talking much. His idol was about 3 feet in front of him. I hope he comes to the guardians quarters and helps some of us train. It would be great to see a legend like him in action.

The rest of the walk was silent, Naain was proud to see that a fellow guardian managed to stay silent. Guardians should never break and give information. One of the first lessons for a guardian was to get used to silence. To get used to being inside of your own head. To get used to your own thoughts. Most guardians would mediate their minds for battle, many guardians in the early stages would have nightmares of the things they have seen.

"General Naain" Naain stops walking, closing his eyes for a moment he tries not to chuckle. Guess I spoke to soon he mused to himself. He turns to the Guardian behind him. Giving off a glare just to see what kind of reaction he would get from him.

Zase seeing Naain's glare gulps. Come on don't be scared you got this Zase you got this. "I understand you are here for specific reasons. But it would be an honor to learn from you." Letting out a steady breath he bows to the general in front of him. Not the bow to a royal, the bow to high level officers right fist over shoulder. Zase spares another glance at the general who is just looking at him. What is he looking for? Zase prays that his uniform is in order. Nwaeah always gave him crap for tying his belt hecticly.

Done watching the guardian squirm Naain nods his head. "It would be good to see how the palace guards train." He watches the guardian work hard to contain his joy.

"Thank you General Naain, my name is Zase Kordel when you come please train with me." Giving another bow Zase runs off to tell his brother about meeting the general.

The men watch Zase run off before continuing on to the Ozikill wing. Jeremi and Issac part off and go to their own wings promising to meet at dinner. It is only Tre and Naain left. Walking in the Ozikill wing Naain see's Nwaeah as they pass the kitchen. She had her hair down now and it was a beautiful blanket around her face. She looked to be finishing up a fruit salad. She senses him looking at her and glares.

Arriving at the room, Tre chose for the room close to him furthest away from Nwaeah's. "This is your room. We have a kitchen as you saw. There is a bathroom connected to your room. Like my sister said we will eat dinner, but we will actually eat in the dining room in our wing. I figured you would probably want to eat and go back to relax." Tre leaves closing the door behind him.

Naain waits listening to make sure that Tre has really left. He thinks back to Nwaeah. She was beautiful and had no fear in talking to her. Not that he wanted her to be fearful but most people were. Thinking of the way she glared at him Naain can not help but chuckle, "well this will be fun" he throws himself onto the bed. Nap time commence.