Summer strikes hot and fast. Annaliese's relationship with Zorander on the other hand, continues, never really progressing beyond the flirtations of the first day in the mirror. However, she is ever grateful for each moment they steal to be together. Usually at the end of the day, Zorander is often the last person Annaliese sees before bed.

Most evenings they discuss the magic he has learned. Sometimes it seems he has tedious boring days. Other days it's as if the council is preparing him to go to war. Regardless of the spell or potion, it is obvious Zorander has grown in his power and confidence.

Later in the day, Annaliese enters the dining hall for lunch and finds her whole family. Talking and looking over the guest list for Ashlyn's wedding, now only 2 months away.

"Oh good, Annaliese, I'm sooo glad you're here!" Ashlyn greets her sister, "Take a look at this guest list and make sure I haven't forgotten anyone important!"

Annaliese looks over the list and sees all the names she expected royal families that she knows and does not. Continuing to look over the list.

"You forgot Mr. Zorander."

"Oh, Annaliese, he works for the throne. We may as well invite Constable Ivan."

"But you have Fabian here." She points to his name on the scroll.

Queen Aramina speaks up. "Annaliese, Fabian is practically family. Right hand of your father"

"I know... I mean I'm glad you included him I just think Mr. Zorander is..." She has no idea how to finish it without blurting out some ridiculous emotional attachment and revealing her deepest truth. Instead she looks to their father and appeals to his pride.

"I mean Mr. Zorander is such an important figure to the kingdom, especially now with his time at the council. And you know King Kieran's royal sorcerer will be there..."

"That is true enough" King Randolph considers. "I agree. Ashlyn, why don't you add Zorander?"

She sighs, "If you say so, Daddy. It's not as if I have a limit on guests anyway. Annaliese, do you know where I can send the invitation."

Annaliese knows exactly. "Oh just give it to me and I can send it. I know how to get in touch while he's away."

In thought, Annaliese is delighted. She will see him! Well, I guess I can already see him, she thinks. But HEAR him... Touch him... She shivers a little. No one seems to notice.

That evening, Annaliese bounces down the stairs with a book. She lights the lantern and settles on the bed, keeping an eye on the mirror. He isn't in his room yet. She hopes this isn't one of those days, where his work keeps him away.

Some time passes and Annaliese is dosing on Zorander's bed lightly. She has fallen asleep here often, finding it a lot more comfortable than her Princess chamber. She doesn't notice him enter the room.

Across the world, Zorander is exhausted. The days are long here. Yet as tired as he is, looking at her at the end of the day is his blessing.

Tonight, he slowly slides the robe off his shoulders and looks to the mirror immediately as he enters. And there she is. Sleeping on his bed no less. He likes the look of her there. He can imagine walking across the stone floor and climbing in next to her. Snaking an arm around her and nuzzling his face into her warm neck.

It has taken a massive amount of self-control to keep their relationship "proper". She flirted hard in the beginning and his willpower nearly lost the battle. How could he deny this impossibly gorgeous and intensely clever girl?...... Because he rather enjoys having his head attached to his neck.

But he doesn't see the harm in THINKING about her. It's not as if anything could be done about it.

In his mind, he brushes the hair away from her neck and shoulders so he can kiss her lightly, allowing his lips to part, he tastes her skin and she moans softly in her sleep...

Movement snaps him back and he realizes she is sitting up, looking his direction. He smiles a sheepish smile and waves. Across the room/mirror/kingdom, Annaliese grins at him and grabs her parchment from the table beside the bed.

She already has a message ready for him and holds it up, "You are invited to Ashlyn's wedding in Bulovia in 2 months."

She waves her hand over the paper and mumbles another thought. "I will finally get to see you".

Zorander is taken aback. He begins to respond but she has beat him to it.

"It won't be a problem right? The council will understand".

Her face is... pleading? It's not the right word but it's the first word that comes to mind. Her excitement makes him feel guilty at his own hesitation. He's very nearly terrified to see her. The thought of being in a room with her makes his knees weak. Giving her an answer: "It's an official royal event so it's possible. I will inquire tomorrow."

"Ok great! Let me know ok? I should go to sleep. It's really late."

She waves it off and sends a short "Good night, Zorander." She had dropped any sort of title before his name completely.

He responds in kind. "Good night, Annaliese. Sleep well."

The next day, Zorander meets with the council. His plea is earnest and they do not hesitate. This is a matter of state and they are simply pleased the Royal Sorcerer is viewed with enough respect to be invited.

Preparations are made for his departure. He spends the next few weeks focusing on his studies and trying to not mentally count the days before he can see her.

A week before the event, Zorander enters to room to find Annaliese in the mirror waiting for him. She sees him enter and smiles, lifting her parchment toward him.

"Our family leaves tomorrow for Bulovia. When do you arrive?"

He walks across the room to his own parchment. "The evening before the ceremony."

She nods and then looks away, the smile fading a little.

When she doesn't move for some time, Zorander asks "what's wrong?" He walks closer, hoping to get her attention. She looks up and sees the message. Her mouth opens then closes and she just shrugs. Zorander lifts the message higher and scowls a little.

He sees her take in a breath and then her mouth moves. She stops but no message appears. She speaks again but still nothing. Finally she looks away, speaks, and holds the parchment toward him. She squints her eyes closed, showing him.

"A prince has asked permission to court me and he will be at the wedding. My father gave his blessing."

Slowly she opens one eye, then the other, and turns toward him. Zorander is stunned into silence. His mouth hangs open a little.

When he makes no reply, Annaliese waves the message away and hastily shouts out, "I don't have to accept." Another wave, "But Dad says I have to at least give him a chance."

After another moment of silence Zorander whispers to his paper, "Yes of course you should, Princess Annaliese." He waves it away. "It's been a long day here. I will see you in Bulovia. Good night."

He snuffs the candle in his room and walks away from the mirror.

Leaving the tower, with her head down. She enters her room, and finds a trunk open on her window seat with a note from her maid.

"I took the liberty of packing some necessities but assumed you would choose your own wardrobe. Please ring the bell if you need any help and I'll be here. Violet "

Annaliese begins laying garments into the trunk, carefully choosing her gowns for each day. The last thing she packs is a small vile of yellow liquid.

As soon as she confirmed Zorander could attend, she started a potion. He had given her 2 amazing gifts of magic and she felt she was past due with a proper gift. The yellow liquid was simply a magic message in a bottle. Not the most complicated potion but she had been short on time. When poured out into a bowl, her voice would recite aloud "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."

Annaliese changes into her nightdress and slips into her bed.

The royal coach makes the journey to Bulovia and arrives without incident. Ashlyn and Queen Aramina vanish, so much to prepare! Annaliese and Daniel spend the first 2 days mostly together. It's refreshing actually. They had been close as children. And she loved his vibrant company. But they both had spent the last year sneaking away to secret lives: She to a lonely stone tower, Daniel to Evangeline's warm embrace. Yes- her brother was secretly in love and courting Princess Evangeline.

She is a little envious of his romantic secret compared to her own.

As the evening ends, Annaliese bids her family a good night and begins to depart for her chambers. A voice stops her just outside of the door. "Princess Annaliese?"

She turns and is face to face with Prince Nicolas. And he happens to be the same prince who asked for the opportunity to win her hand.

"Oh... uh... hello, Prince Nicolas." She gives him a sunny smile but it is artificial. Most likely he can't tell.

"I was hoping to ask if you would allow me a dance with you after the wedding. Maybe we can find some time to talk as well?"

Annaliese stammers a "sure" vaguely in his direction. Nicholas is handsome, and the little that they talked during various balls and galas. She discovered that they shared a passion for horses, and helping people. On the surface it seems a decent match. It would be untrue to say she doesn't find him attractive.

But that nervous feeling in her gut is not like it is with Zorander. After some conversation, she politely retires for the evening. In two days, Zorander will arrive. She no longer knows what to expect or even hope for.

In a strange bed, she has anxious dreams.