Annaliese leads Zorander from the reception out onto the veranda, away from the crowd of people. Once out of the room, Zorander drops his arm away from her. Though she had been keeping a distance from him, she is immediately incensed that he would treat her coldly. Isn't he the one that was sitting with another woman? After their greeting yesterday, she had expected a much warmer reception than this.

She leans over the stone railing and stares out across the garden. "Having a good time, Mr. Zorander?" The mocking use of his title is beyond obvious.

He walks to stand beside her, his arms clasped behind his back. His tone is rough. "Yes. Lovely. And you, Princess? The wine seems to agree with you."

She looks over at him, her head swimming a little. She starts another rude remark but stops. This isn't her. With a pause, "Why are you acting this way? I thought-" She doesn't quite know how to finish.

"I thought you would be happy to see me," she finally continues, not sure if she is referring to tonight or this entire weekend in general.

He's quiet for some time before finally answering. With his head down, he growls a low, "What do you want from me?"

Annaliese furrows her brows and studies him, "What do I-?... I want everything from you.... I love you, Zorander"

She had envisioned that moment. Fantasized for months. And now there it is, spat out into the warm night unceremoniously.

He doesn't say he loves her. Instead, "To what end, Annaliese?"

She's stunned by his reaction. She could be angry, she could weep with hurt, but she's just too surprised.

"I don't understand what you're asking." She says simply. She wants to move closer to him but she is frozen in place, unsure where this will go.

"I really shouldn't be alone with another man's wife." He looks out into the gardens with an unknown expression.

"Now you're not making any sense." She pauses. "Is this about Nicholas? I told you I'm not betrothed it was just an offer. I'm allowed to refuse. I mean I WILL refuse." She tries to sound positive, confident. Instead she feels muddy and unfocused.

"And then what? You refuse this one and another will follow. You may not be Nicholas' wife, but you will certainly not be mine. Eventually, your Father will MAKE you choose. Best not turn away every handsome prince or you never know what you'll be left with." His voice rises into mockery and his smile is dark.

Annaliese, for her part is momentarily terrified. These are her own fears, thought so recently. But to hear them out loud, for someone else to say them, that gives power to the words. "But - but I don't want to marry a prince! I want you!"

He looks at her and the anger fades from his face. Now he just gazes at her sadly. Zorander approaches and puts his hands on her shoulders. Annaliese's breath catches. He leans into her and kisses her forehead. Her eyes close and she whimpers.

He pulls back, lips still almost brushing her skin and whispers, "If I could, Annaliese, Iwould be yours."

He releases her and walks away. Before he reaches the door he stops and, without turning around, "but we both know I can't." Annaliese is left standing alone, arms slack at her sides.

"But I-"

He's already back through the door headed to the ballroom.

Annaliese moves back inside and sees Zorander. Luciana has grabbed his arm and is leading him away. He isn't smiling, but he follows.

Then Nicholas is suddenly in front of her, annoyingly dashing and very much in her way. "Princess Annaliese I was hoping to get that waltz we discussed." He bows low then offers his hand.

She tries to look around him but has lost sight of the sorcerer. "I, um, Nicholas, I'm not sure I'm up to another dance. I think I may have had one too many glasses of wine. If you'll excuse me..." She needs to get out of the room. Between the alcohol and her broken heart, she's not sure she can play the part of a proper princess. She tries to move around him but he steps to his right and blocks her.

"I'm sure one dance won't be too difficult for such a naturally agile lady like you."

Is he mocking her? Flirting? She can't tell. But neither is welcome. "No really, I apologize but I think I need to sit down."

"Well then let me escort you." He bows and offers his arm.

"I-ok. I suppose. I just want to go back to my room for a rest please." He's tenacious and she doesn't have the strength to argue with him.

"That sounds like an excellent plan." He sounds different. She takes his arm anyway and tries to walk straight through the halls, though she occasionally bumps her hip into his. She mumbles "sorry" when it happens. Nicholas gives her a smile and pats her hand.

At her door, she opens it and turns to him, swaying slightly. "Thank you for walking me. Maybe I will see you back at the reception. I just need a moment.

She walks in the door and tries to close it behind her but Nicholas' hand shoots out and catches it. "I'm not sure you should be alone. Maybe I should stay with you. Let's sit by window for a while. Or on the couch. Or the bed... whichever is most comfortable." His smile is slick and curled. Suddenly he's in the room.

"Nicholas, this... you need to leave." She feels her heart beat a little faster. Nicholas begins to shut the door behind him when something catches it, preventing it from latching. The door springs back open to the hallway.

Annaliese looks up and Nicholas turns. Zorander is standing in the hall, arms crossed, just outside the door, with one foot firm across the threshold. "Good evening Princess Annaliese. Are you feeling out of sorts then?"

"Zorander is it? Well Zorander I will see to my lady's needs."

"I'm not your lady."

It's quiet and Nicholas doesn't hear. "I'm sorry, Princess, what was that?"

She lifts her head and tries to sound sure and strong, like royalty. "I'm not your lady." She had wanted to sound proper. The slight slur might have made her sound properly drunk.

She clears her throat. "I appreciate the escort but I think it's highly improper for you to be in my chambers when you have only just asked for my favor."

"Princess Annaliese, I-" He seems to think better and looks between her and Zorander. He bows. "Of course, my apologies. I only worry for your health. Perhaps I will see you at the party then."

As Nicholas turns to leave, Zorander bows to her as well. He offers her a curt, "Perhaps you should lie down. Good night, Your Majesty." He is back in his room and the door shuts loudly before Annaliese realizes he is gone.

When she is sure Prince Nicholas is quite out of sight, she goes to her trunk, retrieves something, and walks back into the hall approaching Zorander's door.

She knocks and waits. When it opens, he sighs down at her. "Annaliese, you're drunk and I am tired. Please go back to your room."

She puts her hand against the door and leans heavily against it, pushing him back and the door open. "I just wanted to give you something then I'll go, ok."

He breaths out once before throwing the door open. "Fine, fine, you stubborn girl. Come on in!"

She smiles and enters the room. This time, Zorander is still standing with the door open, arms folded at his chest. She sighs. "Can you retrieve a basin from the wash room?"

He glares a little. "... Sure." He leaves the room and returns a moment later, holding out the bowl to her a little dramatically.

She takes it and walks to a table by the door. Placing the basin, she also goes to close the door.

"Annaliese-"

"I just want it to be quiet ok. You need to be able to hear."

She moves back to the bowl and pulls out the yellow vile. "I made this for you, as a thank you. And because I'm so proud of you. It wasn't really hard magic. Not like what you do but... anyway this is for you." She splashes a bit of the liquid in the bowl and sets the vial down on the table. Her golden voice fills the room. A clear sober version of her voice.

"Congratulations, Zorander. I want you to know how amazing I have always thought you were. Now the whole world knows. But I will always love you the most. I can't wait for you to come home."

She has her back turned to him, her hands on the table before her and her hair falling over the basin, hiding her face. He doesn't speak and she takes his quiet as rejection.

A moment more, giving him every opportunity to accept her, she loses hope. Her eyes begin to tear and she wants to be out of his room more than anything. Never turning to face him, she moves along the wall to the door, her hand on the knob ready to turn when she feels his arms slip around her.

Wrapped around her shoulders, he lays his forehead against her hair. "Have I ever told you, Annaliese, that you will be the end of me?"

Her hands reach up, fingers wrapping around his tense forearms.

They stand that way for a long time when Zorander finally backs away and says. "I should go back. Nicholas might suspect-" He clears his throat. "the prince might wonder if I don't come back, knowing you are so close to my room. Get some sleep, Annaliese."

Her eyes snap open and she turns to face him. She shakes her head. "No. No way. I'm not letting you go back alone with that woman there."

"Woman? The sorceress? Annaliese please." He rolls his eyes. But the look on her face is pleading, tears still sitting at the corner of her eyes, threatening to fall. His defenses, years of coldness and sarcasm begin to crash around him. He loses his own battle and surrenders to it finally, fear and doubt giving away to relief and desire.

"Have I not been clear enough?"

Annaliese gasps as he moves fast into her, pushing her back against the door. His lips find hers and her knees buckle a little. She parts her lips, allowing him in. He needs no further invitation. Their first kiss is messy and desperate and deliciously wrong. They both pull back, breathing hot into each other's mouths, lips barely touching. He takes one last nip of her mouth with his before placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her a few inches away.

"I love you, Annaliese. There was never a question of that."