"Does it fit?" Isabel ran down the chocolate corridor, her fingers nipping at the thin fabric that draped quite beautifully across her upper torso, cascading down to the floor. "Because I don't think we have time for any alterations!" she huffed as Ela, her handmaiden, followed closely behind her.

"Yes, Mistress."

"Good!"

"But perhaps you should not run?" Ela suggested, a tinge of concern in her voice. "You still have not recovered fully from your battle wounds."

"Don't fuss over me now!" Isabel dismissed, her sole focus to get to Tess' room, as the big event was just a few minutes away now. "I didn't spend hours and hours pouring over details of food, decorations and invitation lists just so we can be late!"

"I know, Mistress," Ela replied hesitantly. "But what good would you be if you were to pass out during the ceremony, or have one of your attacks?"

Isabel slowed down and met Ela half-way. "I understand you mean well. And I agree it wouldn't be helpful if I passed out, but I've got certain duties to attend to and I know I can count on you to keep me on my feet. Right?"

Ela reluctantly nodded. "Yes, Mistress."

"Don't look so gloomy!" she exclaimed, grabbing Ela's hand. "We've got a wedding to get underway!"

"So this is it, huh?" Michael coughed, tugging at his collar. They were dressed in the uniform of the Royal army.

"Yeah," Max nodded, staring at his reflection in the portal mirror hovering in the far right corner of the room. "This is it."

"Do you think you're ready for what's next?"

"Does any guy think they're ready?"

"Well, I know this isn't your typical wedding," Michael replied, brushing Max's shoulders with his gloved hands. "Do you both think you're ready for this next step?"

"I guess it should make me feel better that this isn't our first time?" he joked, laughing nervously. This isn't what he imagined his wedding would be like. Things weren't as simple as, 'I love her'.

"But seriously..."

Michael had several conversations with Tess. She was different from the Tess he had gotten to know on Earth, and even during the war. She was closed off, detached.

"We'll be fine, Michael," Max answered confidently. Almost too confidently, if he were to be honest - as if trying to convince himself that this was the right thing to do.

"We've been through a lot, Max," Michael said, looking at his friend's reflection. "We've argued probably over almost everything."

"True, very true."

"But I respect you and the things you try to stand for."

Max felt himself getting a little choked at the sudden sentiment coming from Michael.

"And I want you to know that I know it wasn't easy for you," he paused a moment, trying to compose himself. "It wasn't easy for you to go through the things you have. There was a lot of pressure on you. And you've lost a lot."

"Michael, you don't have to..."

"No, just let me say this." Michael cleared his throat and met Max's gaze in the reflection. "I am proud to stand beside you. And though I never thought I'd see the day when I'd say this, but...You definitely have the makings of a good king."

Max knew how hard that was for Michael to say. If he tallied up all of the things Michael had done to get their people to where they are now, Max knew Michael had done far more than he ever had. Just because he had been given the right by inheritance, didn't mean that Michael in his own right didn't deserve the throne. Sometimes he imagined Michael would make a better king than he ever could. But it wasn't his choice was it?

The past year and a half had taught him a lot. The strange experiences and encounters he had had which could only have been described as mystical or spiritual had a profound impact on him. Never more had he truly felt like this was where he belonged.

He had gone back after the war had ended. Gone back home to say his goodbyes. Maybe, possibly just to see those he loved just one last time. It had been one of the hardest things he had ever done. But in the end, there was a sense of closure. There had been a sense of peace wash over him as he said goodbye to his adopted mother and father, to Liz and Maria, Kyle and Valenti.

Isabel and Michael had joined him. He wasn't sure whether it would be the same experience for them, but afterwards, as travelled back to Antar they had expressed the same sentiment. There were no regrets.

"Thanks," Max smiled, turning around and facing his best man. "I'm glad you're here to stand up for me. I know this must be hard for you."

Michael stiffened at the subtle reference. "It's not about me today, Max," he said, dodging the silent inference. "It's all about you. It has always been from the start."

"You know I couldn't have done this without you, right?" he said quietly. "I don't think I would be here if you hadn't been your stubborn self."

"Well, you know," Michael clucked his tongue. "I try." He shook his head and patted Max on the back.

"Do you think the girls are ready?"

"I'm sure Izzy's right on top of it."

"You look beautiful, Tess," Fadilia crooned, standing behind the woman who, in a way, would wed her son for a second time. "Your mother would be proud and pleased."

"I'm sure she would," she replied with a brief smile. Staring at herself in the mirror, Tess had never thought this day would come. She wore an elegant veil spun from serico was neatly pinned to the crown of her head, with delicately crafted designs threaded along its' hem. Her fingertips trailed the detailed beading and embroidery stitched across the stiff creamy fabric, with the skirt slightly poofing out, into a long flowing skirt that had a slight train. "Have you seen Isabel yet?"

"No," Fadilia shook her head, "but I am sure she is on her way. If I know Isabel well enough now, she would not let you be late to your own wedding."

"Yes," Tess rolled her eyes at the thought. "Heaven forbid."

"I'm here!" Isabel declared vibrantly, flinging the door wide open. Ela followed a few steps behind and bowed deeply, her cheeks slightly flushed at her Mistress' behavior.

"Seeing as you are in good hands," Fadilia chuckled, she bowed slightly and took a step to the door. "I must attend to the groom."

"Thank you for stopping by," Tess said softly. "It's good to feel like I have someone close to my parents for this day."

"To me, my child," Fadilia replied wistfully. "You already are my family."

Isabel signalled Ela to follow suit; the girl acknowledged her command and closed the door behind her. "How are you holding up?" she smiled happily. "Ready for your big day."

"Isabel," Tess turned and faced her excited maid-of-honor, "please don't make this harder than it has to be."

Isabel swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

"You both know that this is a marriage of convenience," she replied in a hushed tone, as if someone would be eavesdropping at this very moment. "So your cheer and your smiles just make this harder."

"You know that this is one-sided," Isabel answered, stiffening at Tess' sudden candor. "And you can't blame Max for this. He's doing his best to make this work."

Isabel had hoped things would change. She thought if they could pretend long enough things just might get better. But things only seemed to get worse.

Looking back now, ending the war had been the easy part.

As the war ended, the Royal Four had a decades' worth of work to do in trying to reassemble its' government and unite a people long divided by Khivar and his duplicitous ways. On top of that, they would be dealing with the long lasting effects of Khivar's Project Pilan. It seemed to have a biological effect on all Antarians; and architects believed it would take years to research the long term effects. Some had already arisen, with some Iturians having lost all of their powers and Kedrans receiving an overabundance.

But the biggest change in her life, Max, Michael, and Tess' was the divide that had formed between certain people.

When she had awaken from the battle, she had found herself limited in her physical abilities. Even though Max had tried with the help of several healers to mend her wounds, physically and mentally, it seemed there would be long lasting repercussions from Tess' rescue. The architects believed she would be completely healed, but it would take far longer than one could have possibly imagined in a world where 'human miracles' occurred every day.

Tess also suffered repercussions of the rescue. Though she would not suffer the kinds of mental effects from exiting Khivar's mind as Isabel had, Tess suffered physically. It took longer for her to recuperate from the amount of energy and power it took for Tess to enter and exit Khivar's mind the way she had. And then there was the reeling reality of the people she had lost.

Andaria managed to hold on a while longer; but in the end, Tess was forced to say goodbye as she had to her son. It was hard on her. Isabel knew. They all knew. However, no one knew how she would react in the long run.

Max had to take upon himself the mantel of king. He suffered daily from the stresses of daily routine as well as the not-so-routine things that came to him king. Isabel and Max had many conversations about the overwhelming task that lay ahead of them. It would have been impossible if not for Fadilia and General Steren, those of the old guard. Of course they had discussed how his reign would look and be implemented, with a lot of back and forth of what ceremony and pomp would be kept and what would be discarded for what Max thought would be best for the times and their people.

Michael continued on with the Royal Guard. He had found it had suited him. It seemed for the first time, Michael felt content in his position and whereabouts.

As time went on, they had managed to settle into their lives here on Antar. However, the consequences of the past had finally managed to catch up with them. And lines had been drawn. They would never be the same after the war ended. What had drawn the Four together only months ago, had managed to keep them apart.

"His best," Tess reiterated, biting back a bitter laugh. "At one time would have been enough."

"I don't understand. If you can't forgive him, then why are you marrying him?" Isabel exclaimed in bewilderment. "Why are you going through with this charade?"

When Tess had recovered from her injuries, she had known Max had been at her side every waking moment. When she was in and out of consciousness she could feel him, even if he was just in the next room. But for some reason it gave her no comfort. When she awoke, the first thing Tess had asked for was Zander. Though she knew the time and events that had occurred, part of her still held out hope that his death had been a dream. And when she realized it wasn't, she had to relive the horror a second time. Even now the memory was as clear as yesterday. And the pain stabbed through her heart like a million shards of glass.

Only now, she seemed to have the time and the opportunity to question her choices, the sacrifices she made so that her people might experience the freedom that they were living now. At one time, she might have thought it worth it, but as she looked around from the rebuilt castle tower, all she saw was suffering. Had it made a difference? Had it been worth her son and her mother's lives?

These were the questions that now ran through her head. And even more so as she began a daily routine of walking down to the lower level of the west wing of the castle, past the row of laboratories and pausing in front of the black metal door which had only one small sliding door through which a pair of eyes could peer through, grasping the thin narrow metal handle that allowed access into that room and then stopping. Not once had she opened that door and allowed herself to peer into that room. If she had, the reality that the great Unseen god, whom so many had placed their hope had allowed the man who had killed her child live. This was one whom she had put her trust in to lead her people and bring them safely home. This was the god whose destiny had arranged for her son's death.

It was then that she had decided that this was no god she wanted any part of. And so she would have to do it on her own. Tess knew she would have to pick up the pieces of her people's lives and carry them. It was all that she had left of the life she had dreamed about.

"I will marry Max because it is my duty," she responded stoically. "It is what is expected. He will be coronated today and we will be husband and wife. We will be King and Queen of Antar once more."

"Tess!" Isabel grabbed her by the shoulders and searched those blue eyes that had once held hope and purpose, and that were now devoid of any feeling whatsoever. "Stop this!" she cried, shaking her head. She had been praying that this phase would pass. After discussion with some of the healers about Tess' sudden change of character, there had been thoughts that it would take time to mend those wounds. Instead, Tess had pushed for the wedding and coronation to take place. "What kind of life is this?"

Tess had pushed for this union. It would solidify their people and bring them under one banner again. The prophecy would be 'fulfilled' and their people could move on. Once she had helped the people move on from the idea that their lives, and the fate of their people were intertwined with an old passage of scripture, there would be happiness and prosperity for their people. It would happen. She would sacrifice whatever she had to make it happen.

"It's the only kind of life that is left for me," she replied, pulling away from Isabel and walking to the window overlooking the garden. "Everything will be all right. It will be a true marriage of convenience. No strings attached. I have spoken to Max about this. I have informed him that I all I require is the facade of adoration and love. It would be for the peoples' sake. In private, I do not expect him to remain faithful. All I ask is that he be discreet."

Everything was without sentiment for Tess now. Isabel had first noticed it when Tess had brought up the subject of marriage and the crown. It was ironic really. Isabel was now witness to Max's sudden affection for Tess. She didn't really think it was sudden. The two had such a long history, literally. But the way he had been so attentive to Tess during her coma-like state had been hard to miss. So when Tess propsed this marriage of convenience she had watched Max agonize over this decision. There were many nights when she and Max had discussed back and forth about why he would possibly consider such a proposal. To her, it was insane. It still was. But Max had convinced her that it wouldn't always be like this. He really had convinced her that Tess was just grieving. And she kept believing until the day had come. "That isn't a marriage at all, Tess," Isabel said, her tone pleading. "Max doesn't deserve this and neither do you."

"Don't!" Tess spun around and glared at Isabel's presumption. "Don't tell me what I deserve!" she spat angrily. She had promised herself she wasn't going to do this, but Isabel just had to push her. "I know what I deserve. I was supposed to have the husband who loved me and promised to love and cherish me. I deserve to have my ch...my child in my arms, smiling up at me and laughing. I deserve to have my mother walk me down the aisle to the man I pledged my life and soul to in another lifetime."

"Oh Tess." Isabel felt her heart ache for the woman who stood in front of her, elegantly decorated and painted to face the masses, broken. She took a step towards her, wanting to comfort her. This had been the first time Tess had shown any emotion at all since they had defeated Khivar.

"Don't," she warned, the tone threatening. Isabel watched as Tess pushed down what little sign of human-ness back down in that cage she had created for it. "This isn't about that dream any longer. I used to be that girl who lived in that fantasy, but no more."

"But you don't have to subject yourself to this torture," Isabel sighed, taking a step closer. "I know you blame Max for all of this, but this isn't going to make it better. I know what it is to lose someone and wanting someone to push all the pain and guilt and anger onto, but all it does is hurt you."

"So what are you telling me, Isabel?" Tess walked towards her, studying the woman who was so convinced she had all of the answers. The tall blonde, once brunette, had been offering advice since she had awakened - about the anger and the bitterness and the loss. Like Isabel truly knew what she was going through. "To find a new life here on Antar?" she breathed, circling the woman who had once been her only connection to her past. "That I can once again be happy and find love after all of this?"

"If you want."

"Then tell me, Isabel," she hissed, as she came face to face with her. "What is stopping you from doing the same thing?"

"What?" Isabel was taken aback at her question.

"Michael," she answered in disbelief. "Michael, Isabel. That's what I'm talking about."

Tess laughed bitterly. "You're such a hypocrite," she spat. "Remember the guy who poured his heart out to you and you turned him down cold?"

"I..."

"You see, at least my marriage of convenience serves a greater purpose."

"How did you know about...?" Isabel was stunned that Tess was so familiar with the details of her life. "You don't know what happened," she blurted suddenly, turning on the defensive. "You don't even understand what Michael means to me. Why I did that because of what he means to me."

"Isabel," Tess said, turning around in her gown, the skirt swishing behind her. "I'm not here to judge you and your choices. All I'm saying is that we all have our reasons, Isabel. Why we do the things we do. They are the built on the consequences of our choices, past and present. Either you can decide you can live with them, or run away. Max knows what he's getting into. We can be great allies or greater enemies. I'm glad he chose the former."

There was a knock at the door. Ela peered her head inside the door. "Mistress, your Highness," she said sheepishly. "They are ready."

Tess stood tall, and picked up the pink bouquet of flowers lying on the end table near door. "Are you coming?" She stood, her back still turned away from Isabel.

"Another choice to make?" Her tone was sardonic.

She could choose to stand up for a woman who had just told her that this would be a loveless marriage, or walk away. Tess would give her that choice. Normally she would have walked away. After a short lifetime of tragedy and pain Isabel should have chosen to spare herself that, and moreso spare her brother that kind of pain. But there was something inside of her, something that still clung to hope in all of this mess. A still small voice that told her to trust that both Tess and Max knew where they needed to be - that Someone bigger knew what these two needed more than she did.

"You could say that," Tess answered slowly. "But there are always consequences..."

She turned her head slightly, her eyes not quite meeting Isabel's, hiding beneath the opaque veil.

"We both understand that now more than ever."

"Yes," Isabel replied softly, as the light from her wedding band caught her eye in that moment. "Some involve more risk than others. It definitely depends on the people involved."

Tess turned slightly and eyed her maid-of-honor questioningly. She could see that something inside Isabel had changed over the course of that past few minutes. Some of that sparkle and joy one would expect at a real wedding flickered inside those temperate eyes. It unnerved her.

"Mistress," Ela prompted, widening the entrance to the bedroom. She would say not a word more.

Isabel knew it was time to make her choice. Could she believe things could work out in the end? Would there be a happily ever after? Or would there be just more tears and misery in store for the Royal Four? Tracking her history...all of their histories, it didn't bode well. Hidden identities, unwanted pasts, lovers crushed, and a civil war - this was what they had left in their wake.

But at the end of the day, Khivar was defeated. Slowly, day by day her people were learning to live and trust in the light of day. She, Max, Michael, and Tess knew it would not happen over night, but it was actually happening. That was a miracle in itself, in a place that seemed devoid of them. There was hope in this world again. Something the Unseen had promised to his people. And therein lay her answer.

"Well?"

"What are you waiting for?" Isabel smiled met Tess' steady gaze. "We've got a wedding to make happen."

AN: I know. I know. Don't say it. I didn't say you'd like the ending. Mine is a story that loves tragedy and angst. I leave it up to your imagination whether these 4 could put a world and its' people back together again....Or do I?

I do have to say that this ending had always been planned. Not necessarily like this, but very close. There always may be intentions of a sequel. It isn't unheard of and it definitely hasn't been ruled out. Of course it wouldn't be nearly this long....I think. I really do hope that someday I may get to put it down on paper.

I have to say one last time as I say goodbye to you readers, for now anyways, THANK YOU! for being my encouragement and source of entertainment and humor throughout this process. You inspired me to be a better writer and storyteller every time you wrote. XOXO!