I flop on the feminine four-poster bed; I cannot believe how amazing my new room is. The bed is on a raised area with an armoire and dressing table. There is a lower, generous seating area and an attached bathroom, with a large claw-foot bath.

If that wasn't good enough, there is a glass door leading out on to a balcony. The views over the semi-formal gardens and woods beyond are gorgeous. It seems surreal to be staying in a castle. The place is huge.

Deciding to pamper myself, I run a bath and sniff the various coloured jars and pots before settling on lavender-scented salts. The warm water is delicious, and laying back, I close my eyes in peace. It is not until I wash my body that my mood is soured by the sight of the silvery lines forming an 'N' against my reddened skin.

Feeling tainted, I wrap a bathrobe around my trembling body. Part of me wants to crumple on the floor and sob, but a stronger part rebels. I refuse to let him rule me.

As the hour for dinner draws closer, I start to fret, firstly about meeting the king and secondly what I'm going to wear. The ball gown Aren got me has not yet materialised and I need a back up plan, so rifle through my bag.

The gorgeous green velvet dress Oren gave me would probably be fit for dining with royalty, if only it wasn't so severely creased. There's also the red silk dress which Zane bought me, but that is in an even more crumpled state and is possibly a bit slinky.

There is a knock and flushed girl enters carrying a large box half as big as she is.

She bobs a curtsy. "M'lady, apologies. I have just finished with Lady Tabitha."

Placing the box on the bed, I sigh a breath of relief as she pulls out the missing ball gown and a pair of matching claret coloured court shoes. It is strange being dressed by someone, nevertheless I am thankful to have help navigating all the various petticoats, laces and buttons.

The girl stands back to admire me and beams. "You will be turning heads tonight, no doubt."

She seems to have second sight, for she ducks out of the room just moments before Aren arrives.

He is looking incredibly dashing, dressed in a well-cut dark suit, white shirt and a waistcoat matching my dress. His normally unruly hair is pulled back and he is freshly shaven. The butterflies flutter excitedly.

"Elissa, you are breathtaking." He holds out his arm. "Will you allow me the honour of escorting you to dinner?"

Feeling as if I'm in a dream, I place my fingers on his proffered arm. He leads me down the grand staircase and along a wide corridor to a set of gilded double doors. Two retainers simultaneously open the doors, allowing us to sweep into the grand hall beyond.

The hall is the size of a church with a vaulted ceiling far above and stained-glass windows lining the walls. At the far end of the room, set on a dais, is the high table. Over a hundred richly dressed people are milling around, engaged in polite conversation.

As we walk towards the dais, the chatter falls to a hush and I try not to squirm under the scrutiny. I find it hard to feel like I belong amongst such opulence.

A pretty girl, about my age, flings herself at Aren. Catching her, he swings her about, causing her strawberry blond curls to bounce, and happily calls out her name. "Tabbi."

There is such a look of affection between them that I take a step back.

"Con mentioned that you were here, but it seems too soon," Aren says, beaming at the newcomer.

"Aren, I turned twenty-one this summer," Tabbi reproaches.

Leo walks over to them. He is a good head taller than Tabbi and playfully ruffles her hair, causing Tabbi to mock scowl up at him.

He offers up his arm. "Please say that my favourite cousin will be my guest for dinner."

Before accepting his arm, Tabbi stands on tiptoes and kisses my cheek. "Thank you for bringing Aren back to us." There is genuine warmth in her brown eyes and I get the instant impression that we could be friends.

No sooner have they walked away, than a second woman approaches; well, more like slinks. I feel overshadowed by her beauty; she has dark brown hair falling in glossy waves, crimson lips and nails, and a figure-hugging dress.

The woman places her hand on Aren's arm and purrs seductively, "Will you honour me tonight?" Unless I am mistaken, her eyes seem offer to more than just to be his guest at the high table.

"Belinda." He smiles, though it seems a little tight and then he proceeds to untangles himself from her.

"I already have a guest tonight." Turning away from Belinda, he searches me out.

Once more on his arm, we manage to reach the dais uninterrupted and I take a deep breath as we mount the steps. A hulking, blond-haired man with the visage of a viking king strides over to greet us.

Aren takes my hand and squeezes gently. "Elissa, please allow me to introduce you to King Torbjorn."

The king smiles warmly, dimples just evident under his well cropped beard. I curtsy politely and as I rise, get enveloped in a crushing bear hug. He kisses both cheeks before releasing me.

"Elissa, welcome to Arcadia. I owe you a great debt of gratitude for freeing my son."

Breathless, partly from the embrace and partly from the news, I cannot quite keep a slight quaver from my voice. "Your son?"

I look to Aren for an explanation and he at least has the decency to look abashed.

Leo comes to stand beside them and three sets of startling blue eyes regard me. How can I have been so foolish? Internally I feel crushed, but I try not to show it and attempt to portray a serene exterior.

Aren places a hand on my back and gently guides me towards a statuesque woman.

"Elissa, this is Queen Ulrica, my mother."

She too hugs me. "Elissa, I am delighted to meet you. Thank you so much for bringing my son home."

King Torbjorn puts out an arm to me. "Elissa, will you take a seat next to me? I shall be the envy of Arcadia, surrounded by the two most beautiful women in the kingdom."

I can see where his sons got their charm from.

Aren sits on my other side. I don't know what to say to him. I can't believe that he didn't tell me he was a prince.

The sommelier travels down the table pouring golden wine into cut crystal glasses. I raise a hand to refuse, but Aren encourages me to try it, saying how excellent their vineyards are.

"Ok, but only a little. I do not have much of a head for alcohol."

"I cannot promise not to use that knowledge to my advantage one day."

His dimples make an appearance, which is just unfair, because now the butterflies are back and my stomach already feels like it is tied in knots. Although the food is sumptuous, I don't have much of an appetite.

Standing, King Torbjorn gives a short but moving speech and calls for everyone to raise a toast to me. I don't deserve his praise.

Taking a seat, he gives a little frown. "What is amiss, my dear?"

"I feel a fraud, your Majesty. I did not like to see an eagle caged. I did not know that he was a prince."

"Freeing an animal does not make the act any less noble," he responds earnestly. "As you have lost the protection of your guardians, it would be honour to have you as my guest. I hope that you will consider the castle your home."

"Thank you, your Majesty. I wish I could get word to my guardian's but I don't even know their surnames or where they live."

I regret not knowing anything about Zane's family or where Darish's parents live, other than a wood, which is not very useful.

"Please call me Torbjorn." He pats my hand. "Well, I am sure that they would be reassured to know that you are being well looked after here."

......

After the final course is served, everyone rises and the dais becomes quite crowded with some of the diners from the lower tables coming up to mingle over a drink. The king introduces me to far too many people for me to recall all their names.

Looking around for Aren, I spot him ensconced in conversation with his mother and the brunette from earlier, who once again has her talons in him. I try to reason with myself that he is with the people he belongs with, but it does not lessen the ache.

Feeling overwhelmed, I seek leave to retire for the night. Leo asks if he may escort me to my room and I accept as I don't yet know my way around.

We walk in silence and it is a relief when we reach my door. "Thank you, Prince Leander."

Leo holds one hand to his chest, the other to his brow and staggers. "You wound me. I thought that we were friends, but then you 'Leander' me."

I can't help but be amused by his theatrics.

Leo gives a rueful grin, before turning more serious. "Aren truly cares for you. Please do not be too angry with him. Or with me."

"I'm mortified, Leo. I was so rude to you when we first met and it turns out that you do own the place."

"Elissa, I am not king yet and I deserved your chastisement. Respect should be earned through deeds, not social standing."

I bid him goodnight and slip into my room, my mind a muddle.

...............