Annaliese finds herself strolling through the gardens of Bulovia. Zorander will arrive at any time now. She is simply trying to keep herself busy. She twists her hands in front of her and nearly trips over a stone bench. Ahead of her, Annaliese sees her Mother also walking the gardens.

"Oh Annaliese!" She smiles warmly at her daughter. "If I'd known you were taking a walk I would have asked you to join me."

"Hi, Mom, I was just enjoying the gardens."

Queen Aramina looks her over. "Were you? You seem a little lost in thought to me."

"Maybe a little," she admits. Her Mother can always see through to her.

"I was just thinking about Prince Nicolas and..." she hesitates. How to finish? She decides she can be vague and still pour out her heart a little. It would be nice to talk to her Mother like she did when she was younger.

"What is it, Annaliese? Do you like him?"

"Not really... He's sort of smug and difficult and over bearing. I mean, he is good man, but marry him? I just..."

"I don't want to." She looks at her mother waiting for a reaction.

"Then, Darling, you don't have to." Her Mother keeps smiling and takes her daughter's hand as they walk. "Your Father and I did not choose a suitor for you. You are a beautiful, smart, charming lady and there will be countless offers for your hand."

"What if... what if I already have someone in mind?"

"Well then that would make this a lot easier wouldn't it?" She laughs a little and then realizes how serious Annaliese looks.

"Honey, what's wrong? There's something else isn't there?"

"Yes..."

Annaliese drops her Mother's hand and sits down on the stone bench.

"What if I don't want to marry a Prince?"

"Oh..." Queen Aramina sits down next to her daughter. "Is there someone special in your life?"

"Yes and no. Not officially. Not even... unofficially. But I want there to be."

"Annaliese, if you want, you can tell me who it is. One of the lesser Dukes? A Baron? A-" she breathes in, "-a boy for the palace?"

"I'd rather not say. Beyond being a Prince, I don't think it will matter, right? I mean either it's ok if I choose a man to love... or it's not. Giving me any rules to follow basically says I'm not choosing."

"If you are really serious, Annaliese, if you have an offer you are considering, we should probably talk to your Father. He will know better than I will what is acceptable."

"But that's it, Mom. I don't see why there should be a question!" Her voice has risen.

"Because your Father is the King," she says quietly.

They sit that way for a while before Annaliese speaks. "Forget I said anything ok? I'll work it out on my own." She rises and walks briskly down the path.

"Annaliese wait I-." Her daughter doesn't turn. Doesn't even slow as she walks away. A fear for her daughter begins to simmer in the Queen. Fear of what her adventurous and head-strong little girl will do when it comes to matters of the heart.

Zorander climbs down from the carriage and scans the palace. In front of the palace door, a figure stands dressed in sapphire blue. Annaliese.

He sees the figure move toward him and he picks up his pace. His heart is racing. He wonders if she is as nervous as he.

As they come together they both stop, a few feet away. In front of the kingdom, in front of the castle doors, he is careful not to appear too familiar to the young Princess.

He bows to her, "Princess Annaliese."

She giggles and bows back, "Royal Sorcerer Zorander." She rises and tilts her head. "Can I show you to your room? I found out where it was so I could do the honor."

He offers his arm and she takes it. "The honor is mine, Your Highness."

They stroll through the halls oblivious to the kingdom around them. The palace is a buzz with activity. Servants race from tower to tower making preparations. But nothing in the world is as exciting for Zorander in this moment than feeling her hand on his arm and watching her face light up as she speaks.

A hallway with many doors reveals itself as they turn the corner and Annaliese leads him to a room at the far end. She stands in front of it and motions, "Tah dah! This is you! And I'm just right over there!" She points back the way they came to another door. "Let me show you the room. Their furniture here is amazing!"

He opens the door and waits while she enters first. She walks to the center of the floor and spins around to look at him. Zorander slowly shuts the door behind him and leans against it. He never wants to let her out. If he could help it, he would keep her here with him forever.

When Annaliese turns she sees the door as it just latches shut and the broad smile fades from her face. For a moment she isn't sure she can breathe, her heart heavy like a stone in her throat.

Within a beat they both move. Annaliese steps toward the door and Zorander stalks toward her. They meet half way between them and collide. His arms wrap around her and his face buries into her hair. Annaliese clings to him as if he will vanish and presses her face to his chest. She doesn't know how long they stand that way but it feels so complete, like she has never been anywhere but in his embrace for her whole life.

Annaliese feels his head shift slightly and then his mouth is at her ear, warm lips touching her earlobe as he whispers, "I didn't realize how much I've wanted this."

She whimpers and clutches his back harder, trying to make them closer. Closer than together, closer than touching.

When she feels him pull back, she does the same, looking up at him, searching his face. His arms still encircle her.

Annaliese moves one hand from his back to his chest, resting her palm over his heart. One of Zorander's hands lifts from her body and brushes her face, coming to rest with his fingers in her hair. The fingers twist into her locks and she feels him pulling her neck toward him, his eyes half lidded and his lips part slightly.

A knock separates them like a strike of lightening.

"Sir Mage, I have your bags!"

"Erhm, uh..Yes, yes.. just a moment."

Annaliese slips from the sitting room that sits at the entry of Zorander's quarters and hides in the separate bedroom behind the door, leaving it ajar so she can listen to the exchange. She hears him walk across the room and open the door. "You can just put them right here, I'll take care of my own things."

"But, Sir, at least let me put them in the bedroom for you.."

"No really, that's quite alright I can handle it."

"Please, Sir, it's my job. Allow me to do this or the mistress will think I shirked my duties."

Annaliese hears him try to walk across the floor and sucks in her breath, searching the room. She could maybe fit under the bed... maybe.

Instead she decides to be more bold and rushes out of the bedroom with a huge grin.

"Mr. Zorander your room is way bigger than mine. I like your tapestry..." She stops short in theatrical surprise. "Oh, hello! I was just showing Mr. Zorander to his room. I love how each has different art work."

She gives an awkward little curtsy and addresses Zorander. "Well I guess you're settled then so I'm off. See you at dinner!"

She nearly skips from the room and dashes into her own. Once inside she slumps against the door and sighs deeply. Her hand reaches to her neck and touches where his hand had been.

"So close!" Annaliese makes a firm decision then and there. Zorander is hers and hers alone.

"Let's start with the wardrobe," she mumbles to herself, opening her trunk. She shifts the skirts and toiletries aside and finds the first thing she packed. She lifts it out and holds it up. A gown of ruby red. The neckline glides off the shoulders and the front dips low. The basque waist defines her hips before the flair of the skirt finishes the dramatic look. THIS is her gown for dinner this evening.

In his room, after the man had left his bags, Zorander groans and flops down on his bed. He hides his face in his hand. How can he get through this?

He could just accept it... He lowers his hands. Could he? Maybe the King won't have his head on a plate. He pushes it all away. Dinner. He is famished, having barely eaten during his journey to Bulovia. He straightens his attire in the mirror and leaves his room. Finding a castle servant, he asks where he would find the dining hall and proceeds there.

On entry, he is greeted by King Randolph warmly. "Zorander! Excellent to see you! Come sit and tell me all about the council."

Zorander follows feeling numb. He is being invited to sit by the King?! He takes the seat next to him.

When Annaliese walks in the room, Zorander stops mid-sentence. He had actually been holding his own pretty well, telling interesting stories to the royal family. Now Annaliese locks eyes with him and he rises, as is befitting a lady of standing. King Randolph also stands and greets her. "Annaliese, you look beautiful! And look who's here! Zorander was just telling us of his grand adventure in parts unknown!" He claps the sorcerer on the back. He nearly falls forward, already unsteady on his feet.

Annaliese glides to his side and smiles warmly, "It's great to see you Mr. Zorander!"

"Uh y-y-yes. And you as well, uh.. Princess Annaliese.

"Sit down Annaliese, join us!" King Randolph gestures to the chair next to Zorander and she takes it happily. She rests her chin in her hands looks at Zorander sweetly. "I want to hear all about what you've been doing... Oh and your workshop looks great by the way!"

He gulps and laughs a small laugh, looking away from her. His eyes land across the table on Princess Ashlyn, who raises a curious eyebrow at him. His eyes try to find something else to focus on just as the first course is served. Thankfully, he drops his eyes and concentrates on his food, stealing quick glances at his alluring Princess. Occasionally she seems to catch him looking and smiles.

As dinner winds down to an end, the family speaks their fairwells and separate for the night. Annaliese and Zorander walk down the hall together in silence. Zorander looks down at her as they walk. She looks up at him slyly and sees him turn away embarrassed. As they round the corner to their rooms, Annaliese nearly runs into Prince Nicholas, apparently on his way to find her.

"Princess, Annaliese!" He bows and smiles at her. "I wonder if I might have a word." He gives a significant look at Zorander.

"Oh well yes. Anna- Princess Annaliese, good evening. I will see you at the wedding."

"Good night, Mr. Zorander."

Zorander begins down the hall and can't help but hear the beginning of their conversation.

"Princess Annaliese, you look enchanting."

"Oh, um, thank you Prince Nicholas."

"I was speaking with your Father earlier and I know I have only just asked for permission to court you but we were discussing the possible trade between our Kingdoms. ..."

Zorander enters his room and shuts the door. "That sniveling little twit."

He paces the floor and allows his fury to work into a lather of suspicion and envy. All the old bitterness floods back. Of course King Randolph would be chummy. He LOVES to show off pet magician. But for his little girl only the wealthiest most handsome Prince will do.

From the hall, he hears Annaliese laugh. And it doesn't sound forced. It sounds pleasant. Heartbreakingly sweet. And suddenly he sees the future she should have. She marries a Prince, has a family, grand balls, beautiful friends... He sees her in his mind holding an infant child with Nicholas' blonde hair and he is sickened by the beauty of it.

A vase mocks him and he throws the offending pottery across the room. His shoulders slump and he allows the rage to pass. A quick wand flick and the vase is back on the desk, fully reconstructed from the shattered bits.

He hears the door shut across the hall and he knows Annaliese is alone. He's just not sure if he should do anything about that.

Actually what he's pretty sure of is that he should NOT. But he wants to. Gods grant him the strength to stay away.

In the end, he retires to his bed and lays quite awake envisioning Annaliese in that red dress.