A/N: This chapter's back to my normal length because my brain apparently works at about 400 words at a shot.

Zephrine found Xavier staring at her the whole way down, which she didn't mind, as she stole glances at him every once in awhile. It was rather humorous to see Xavier so speechless.

"Before we go in there," Xavier stopped in front of the Great Hall, "my father did tell me that the queen we're making an alliance with arrived early, and she's in here. Word of advice, Vana is terrifying. I wish I was joking."

"I'm sure she's not that bad." Zephrine raised an eyebrow in a smirk.

"You know, maybe you're right. Nope, she's definitely that bad." Xavier shuddered.

"You're scared of her!"

"Who wouldn't be? Just stay on her good side. It's minuscule, but it's there. Ready to meet her?"

"Let's do it." Zephrine nodded.

"Here we go." Xavier whispered as he swung open the great oaken doors, allowing Zephrine a view of the hall. A long table sat in the middle of the room, with people filling every seat.

All heads turned as the door opened, forcing every eye onto Zephrine and Xavier.

"My fellow comrades, and those from the realm of Callenda, I present to you, Lady Zephrine of Ithia." Xavier swept his arm to the side, directing all eyes toward Zephrine. He moved his head ever so slightly to signal her, as she had become frozen in place, to acknowledge those in the room.

Zephrine gathered a handful of cloth from her dress on either side and curtsied, "My Lords and Ladies."

"My Lady." Those around the table bowed their heads and chorused back to her. All except two men who stood behind the king and queen.

They were paler than snow, slack-jawed, and wide-eyed, shocked and unable to move. The taller one regained his senses and moved toward Zephrine, who, as soon as she had seen him, had frozen just as he had.

The second man had made his path to Zephrine, following the taller, and two pairs of arms, from two people she never thought she'd see again, wrapped around her.

END OF BOOK 1

A/N2: Yayyyyyyyyyyyy book one complete!!! It took for-frickin-ever to do this. (I actually had the first six chapters, including the prologue, on my google docs from like a year ago, then I had a bout of writer's block for a whole year.) Get ready for book two to take forever and a day because I have no clue where to go with it, but I have a few scenes, so make sure your fans are ready, cause shit's gonna hit em. K bye!! Thanks for reading!!