"Where do you think you are going, woman?"

"Release me!" I cried, pulling against my captor's grip. He refused to let go, only chuckling at my feeble attempts to reach my husband who lay motionless on the floor. "Alastar!"

"Your husband angered the wrong person, my dear," he said, pulling me to his side with a hard yank. "Now you can watch as the life's blood slips slowly away from his body."

"You're a monster!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face. I felt his hand press harshly against my neck, causing me to choke.

"I am the future king of this country and I will not tolerate disrespect!"

I clawed at his hand, attempting in vain to loosen his hold on my throat. I could tell he enjoyed my struggle and relished in my fear. He let go suddenly and I began coughing, overjoyed at the mere act of breathing. My eyes returned to that of my beloved, still laid out on the ground. The blade he had been stabbed with was without a doubt poisoned, a cowardly way to win a fight.

"Please," I begged, my voice weak. "Let me go to him."

"You wish to hold his hand while he dies?" the prince whispered, snickering as he spoke.

"Y-yes."

"Yes, what?" he snapped, gripping me tightly.

"Yes your Highness, please let me say goodbye," I sobbed, relaxing my body in defeat. He loosened his grip, turning me around to face him. I glanced up for just a moment before casting my eyes downward in an attempt to keep up with royal etiquette. Prince Friednot wore his usual dower expression, only now his pale face was splashed with blood. There was a strange look in his eyes that chilled me. The prince raised his hand to brush aside a lock of hair that had fallen into my face. Without warning he released me, shoving me away from him with an angry grunt.

"Go, say your farewells," he commanded.

I bowed my head before rushing over to the fallen figure of my husband. He was almost too heavy to move but a rush of adrenaline flowed through me, giving me the strength to turn him onto his back. A small groan escaped his lips and I knew he was still alive. The tears continued to rush down my face and I choked back a sob. There was so much blood on the ground that I feared he could not be saved. Yet still, I hoped for a miracle.

"Alastar, please don't die..."

He looked up at me, and a small smile crossed his lips. "S-Selene..."

I knew I could not heal his wounds but I could draw the poison from his body and give him some comfort in his final moments. I placed my hands above his stomach and they soon began to glow, a soft silver light emanating from my palms. The poison began to pull from his body, a sickly purple mass, growing quickly in my hands.

"What are you doing?!" the prince shouted. He came up behind me, dragging me away from my husband. With my concentration broken the poison ball slipped from my fingers, spattering between my hands and onto my skirt. I cried out, reaching desperately toward Alastar. He heard my screams and rolled over, his arm now outstretched towards me. Even so close to death, he wanted to save me. I threw out my elbow, jamming it violently into Prince Friednot's ribs. He released me and I stumbled to the floor.

"Selene!" he groaned, his body shaking from the effort to reach me.

"Alastar!"

Our hearts reached out, connected at that moment as our fingertips touched. I smiled at him, whispering "I love you" as I watched the light fade from his eyes forever.

I gasped as I awoke, a jolt of terror rocketing me out of bed. It was the dream of my husband dying, haunting me once again. Only this time the scene had played out more vividly and with even more details than before. The most astounding part was that I could understand every word they spoke. I rubbed harshly at the tears streaming down my face, taking in large gulps of air to calm myself.

It's okay, you're okay, I told myself as I glanced around my bedroom.

Zola stirred slightly in the bed next to me but did not wake. Sunita and Maayan were laying on the floor in sleeping bags, both sound asleep as well. I knew the next part of my dreams would be the one where I was stabbed and that usually ended in screaming and pain; so I grabbed a pillow and a spare blanket, sneaking out to the living room to resume sleeping.

I shuffled over to the couch, glancing out the window to look at the pond across the way. It was cold in the living room, as the fire from the fireplace had long since died out. I stretched out on the cushions, wrapping myself in my blanket as I sighed. The sight of Alastar dying on the floor was haunting me even more now, especially since I had recently witnessed other love scenes between the pair.

I guess Selene really is the woman from my dreams, I thought. But why does Casimir know her? This was something I would have to ask Casimir if I ever managed to catch him alone again. He didn't seem so responsive the last time I asked. Maybe it's a different Selene?

Alastar reminded me of Azar with his burgundy hair and gruff expression. Comparing the two caused the memory of Azar being beaten up in the nightclub to come flashing back to me. Unlike Selene, I was able to help the person I cared for, but as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, my imagination began to run away from me. I groaned and rubbed at my eyelids, which felt puffy and heavy with sleep. I could feel a headache hiding just behind my temple, pulsing lightly. I felt tired but no matter how I tried I found I could not sleep. I didn't want to wake anyone by turning on the TV, and I felt too brain-dead to read or draw, so I just sat there, bored. It wasn't long until the sun began creeping in through the curtains. I heard my grandfather stirring in his room so I decided to sneak back into my own bedroom, slipping into the bed as quietly as possible. I was finally drifting in and out of sleep when I heard my friends awaken, ready to start the morning.

I begrudgingly got up but found the effort to heave myself out of bed to be too much at the moment. There was a small traffic jam due to our single bathroom so we decided to settle the order with a game of roshambo; in which I lost spectacularly. Sunita and Maayan were sitting on my bed admiring each other's long hair while Zola went first. I yawned loudly glancing around my room as they talked. In the corner near my chair was the pile of presents from last night. I decided that while I was waiting, I would check out the book Casimir had given me. I darted over to the stack, grabbing the book before returning to my bed. As I opened the pages I passed over the unfamiliar text to begin staring thoughtfully at the beautiful art inside. I flipped through it slowly half listening to the conversation going on in my room. Eventually, my eyes lingered on the image of a large man, with a huge mane of golden hair, deep red skin, and four eyes. His posture reminded me of Alastar, and he even had similar horns.

Everything reminds me of him now, I thought bitterly. I think I was developing a bit of a crush. The symbol next to his drawing looked vaguely familiar but I couldn't place it. The giant man was fighting, a look of joy on his face. I wondered what his story was about. I flipped the next few pages of words until I came to the next picture. This was of a tall, slender man with three eyes, blue skin, and bright silver hair. He seemed so peaceful, standing above a crowd of people, reaching towards him in praise. There was something unnerving about this picture so I flipped the pages again, skimming past the words. I was so engrossed in the book I didn't notice that both Sunita and Maayan had left the room until my friend came back to get me.

"Diana, the bathroom's free," Sunita said, pulling me from my reading.

I closed the book, stuffing it back in the box hastily.

"Great, thanks."

I rushed through my morning routine, knowing that the boys would be up soon. As I came out of the bathroom, lost in thought, I almost ran straight into Casimir.

"Oh, sorry," I mumbled, stumbling backward.

"You're fine," he said.

We stood there, mere inches from each other, staring in silence. The noises of the group talking happily in the kitchen floated down the hall. It sounded like they were deciding on what to cook for breakfast. I was the one who spoke first.

"So where did we fall on the whole kiss issue?"

Casimir's face went red, and he glanced back down the hall. "Um..."

"Obviously you were dreaming and if you just want to forget about it and never talk about it again, I will respect that," I babbled, trying to get my thoughts out before I lost my courage, or someone came to find us.

"That might be for the best," he said softly, glancing to the side. A tiny bit of my ego was hurt as I had enjoyed the kiss, but it was clear Casimir did not. I hoped we could move past this and still be friends.

"Are you ever going to tell me why you were dreaming about Selene?" I added, trying to continue our conversation from last night.

"It's, uh, complicated..." Casimir trailed off, glancing behind his shoulder as Azar walked down the hall. The fier elemental was yawning, confused as to why we were just standing there, I'm sure.

He glanced between us as we both awkwardly stared at the floor. "Don't stop your conversation on my account kids," Azar remarked, shaking his head.

I let out a huff, slightly irritated that we were interrupted. I squeezed past Casimir, who moved out of my way very quickly. Azar didn't seem to be in a big hurry to follow, staring down at me as he blocked my path.

"Excuse me," I said flatly, pushing my way past him. I was in no mood for his teasing.

"Oof, she seems pissed. What have you said to upset her royal highness this time?" Azar asked Casimir.

I whipped around, glaring at the fier elemental for his comment. I could see Casimir's eyes go wide and he raised a hand to motion at Azar so he would stop speaking.

"Azar don't..."

"What? Is she still mad about the kiss?" Azar asked, realizing that I was staring at him.

I gasped slightly, glaring over at Casimir. "You told him about the kiss?!"

"I'm sorry-" Casimir apologized, recoiling from my angry stare.

"Did she just-" Azar spat out, obviously confused as to why I understood him.

"I can't believe you told him!" I whispered harshly, cutting Azar off. I didn't want everyone in the kitchen to hear so I took a few steps closer. "How much did you tell him? Agh, who else knows?"

"Diana I-" he began.

"Who else?! Please tell me you didn't tell Grandpa?" I pressed, crossing my arms in front of myself angrily. Casimir shook his head vehemently and I let out a relieved sigh.

"Did she just understand me?"

"Yes, I understand you, Azar!" I snapped, slightly louder than I meant to.

"How?" the fier elemental asked, looking over at Casimir with an astonished expression.

"Azar, just stop."

"Diana, get in here," Zola called. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Coming!" I shouted. I took one last look at the pair before stalking down the hall.

(To be continued in part 2)