Hearts on Fire

Aries?!

                                                                        *Hannah's POV*

                            The guards had marched me up many stairs, down long marbles floored hallways, and finally into a room with a big metal door. Before I could ask questions the door was slammed in my face. Looking around I couldn't believe my eyes. This had to be a mistake. The room was huge and magnificent, huge widows lines the walls of a gorgeous view over the palace grounds, and what looked like the glint of the ocean could be seen in the distance. The bed was huge with an even wider detailed metal head and foot board. The walls and all over the room was decorated with purple and gold decor. On top a dresser sat a statue of a beautiful women, out in front of she held her hands, and in them was a human heart, and the heart was on fire. I was so drawn to it. I practically ran over to it. Mesmerized by its beauty and its meaning I reached out to touch it. An inch away a knock interrupted, my hand fell to my side but I continued to hold my gaze on it waiting for someone to burst in the room. No one did however and another knock sounded on the door. "Come in..." It almost sounded more like a question but I was not used to people respecting my privacy. 

                            The door cricked open looking up I met two hazel eyes. A petite girl dressed like a servant enters sheepishly. "Good evening I am your servant Jennet I was sent to get you ready." I was shocked this really must be a mistake. 

                            "I am sorry Miss but you must have the wrong room I am a gladiator H-Aries." She looked confused but non the less entered all the way into the room and shut the door behind her. Turning to face me again she gave a small bow and a small smile.

                            "Yes Lady Aries I know who you are it's no mistake you are the Kings guest of honor for the Battle Royal and I was sent to get you ready for the celebration." Her voice was quiet and small but I could hear an English accent in her words.

                            I was taken aback the King himself had interest in me? "Forgive me Jennet for my ignorance on the situation I suppose on the first continent we don't hold gladiators in such...high esteem." I struggled to form my thoughts in a nice way but before I could continue she cut me off smiling. 

                            "You are very famous her the King loves you he announced you as his guest of honor weeks ago for your ruthlessness and your kill count was the highest..." She returned back to her sheepish tendencies I suppose she remembered who she was talking to but she continued when the look on my face still read confused. "Tonight is the first night of celebration, there is a week of festivities before Battle Royal." 

                            I was shocked at all of this, but I supposed I had to do what she said or it would be both our heads. Looking back to Jennet who was staring at the ground I spoke, "Well Jennet I certainly do need your help in looking presentable for the King because I have no idea what I'm doing. In fact I have never been to a party." The girl couldn't have bee more than fifteen and she let out a high pitched squeal when I said this. Practically running she disappeared into one of the doors in the room. As she reemerged I could hear water running. 

                            "If you would Lady take a bath and I will have you clothes ready for you once you are done." Lady...it was strange to my ears because I certainly was no lady but I was higher ranking than she at least in this country so it was out of respect. I nodded my head and went into the open door and shut it behind me. The bathroom was half the size of the room with a jet tub, huge clear glass fancy shower, and a mirror bigger than I am. She had turned on the bath filling it with bubbles. Undressing and getting in it the feeling of the steamy water was so pleasurable it sent a shiver up my spine. I undid my braid and leaned back in the tub sinking till the bubbles where up to my eyes. My wrist and ankles stung and so did the gash on my arm but I ignored the pain and focused on the scent of vanilla and lavender. I sat reclined motionless like that for about five minutes then unwillingly got a move on cleaning myself because I did not know how long I had until the party was to take place. Getting washed and out in a hurry I dried myself with a fluffy white towel Jennet set on a elegant chair next to the bath. Then I rapped up my hair in it and put on the robe also on the chair. Walking out into the room I found Jennet patiently standing next to the bed. Practically jumping up when she saw me she ran into the bathroom saying, "I'll give you some privacy to get dressed." 

                            Giggling I walked over to the bed picking up a lacy white underwear and strapless bra set. Between that and the flowing Roman style dress that lay under it they where the nicest clothes I have ever seen let alone touched. I put the underwear on but then let out a heavy sigh for I could not figure out how the dress was suppose to be worn for the life of me. I could hear the bath water going down the drain. "Jennet." I called before I could tell her what my dilemma was she came zooming into the room. She must love her work or be scared to death for her life. Her eyes widened when she saw me still half naked.

                            "Lady?" She asked approaching me, but as she did she stopped gasping. "OH my word! Your wrists-Your arm!"

                               "Its nothing really." I insisted.

                            "We must clean it!" She seemed seriously worried.

                            "Do you have hydrogen-peroxide and a towel?

                            "Of course" she stammered going into the bathroom so I followed. She handed me the supplies and watched as I leaned over the sink pouring the liquid on the my wounds gripping the sink in pain till my knuckles where pale white. She winced as I pealed the skin back slightly to clean it thoroughly. I clenched my jaw keeping an unbroken expression. Patting my self dry I turned to her.

                        "I need your help putting that contraption on." She smiled and nodded walking back into the room. She laced me into it and then sat me down in the bathroom on the big fancy chair. I didn't question I just watched and relaxed as she brushed my hair and lathered and brushed foreign products on my face. When she tapped my shoulder I opened my eyes.

                        "Done please look and approve." I got up and looked in the mirror my eyes widened as I saw myself. The white dress had one strap a low v cut top a tight banded wast and flowed out at all sides with two slits up each side almost to the hip. My hair was braided around my head in a crown with curls falling delicately around. My gaze went to my face I was astounded the light bruises on my jaw had diapered under concealer, my blue eyes where accentuated, and my lips where stained bright red.  

                            "Its...."

                            "Your stunning." Jennet said in a confident voice for the first time.

                            "Thank you." She looked at me again with shock in her eyes but nodded. She came up behind me putting on a large gold necklace. 

                            As she handed me two large earrings she spoke, "I wish I had your body." Turning I looked down on her. I was about 5'7" maybe 5'8" and she couldn't be taller than 5 feet tall. She had wild auburn hair and was tiny straight as a board. 

                            "I wish I had your body." I said matter of factually and she smiled at me.

                            "We must find something to cover up your wrist and arms." Before I could respond she exited the room and returned just as quickly. She held two huge golden cuffs. She handed them to me but I set them on the sink and began rummaging under the counter until I found some gauze. Rapping up the open wound I then snapped the cuffs on my arms. They where beautiful and huge starting at the wrist and ending mid way to the elbow. Most importantly they where solid so the bandage was hidden. The one strap covered my gash.Looking back to her I noticed she also had a pair of sandals. I sat down and let her rap the cords all up my calf. "All done Lady."

                                                                            *Lucas POV*

                            When I entered the banquet hall people where talking and laughing loudly. Looking around father was no where to be found. As I passed people by they all stopped and bowed but I continued until I found the bar. After grabbing a glass of scotch I turned and saw the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on standing alone. She was tall with the perfect hour glass build. She had obvious muscle tone but wasn't huge. She was lean and fit. From all the way across the room I could she her piercing blue eyes looking at her champagne as she swirled in in the glass. Before I could stop myself I began approaching her slowly. As I got closer her beauty amplified. High cut cheek bones, a sharp jawline, a perfect cupids bow, and wild hair made up and fell around her angel face. She looked up at me as I stood in front of her. Looking straight in my eyes she spoke, "Good afternoon." Her voice was a thick creamy southern draw.

                            "Dear Lady," I said grabbing her hand and kissing it. She didn't smile or seem impressed she just looked at me clean through my soul with those eyes. "I am...Prince Luca its a pleasure." Her eyes widened when I said prince and she immediately curtsied.

                            "Prince the pleasure is all mine, I am Hannah from the first continent." My mind started racing why that sounded familiar. Who hails from the first continent? 

                            "Ah you must be Reagan's Wife." I stated still holding her hand. She bit her lip and then did the last thing I was expecting. She laughed a deep rich belly laugh. I watched her necklace bounce as she did. It was placed perfectly between her collar bones and breast. 

                            "Oh no Reagan has no wife." She smirked.

                            "His daughter than." I was sure this time, but she laughed again. 

                            Suddenly she stopped laughing her face turned glassy and in a steady whisper she withdrew her hand saying, "I am the gladiator Aries." It was my turn to laugh I had heard the rumors and the stories from my brothers and father about the great warrior. This could not be she could it? 

                            "I heard Aries was over six feet tall, had huge muscles, was terribly deformed, and was practically super human." I was still laughing but she looked at me with dead eyes.

                            "Well I heard that Aries had flames for hair and could steal you soul just by looking you in the eye, but I in fact have neither." She was smirking but I could tell she was serious. Emotionless she stated, "I wish I was joking." I almost felt bad for laughing at her but she certainly is not what you expect to see when you think man slaying warrior. She was lovely and warm and had a hardness about her a mask that seemed impossible to see through. She stared me in the eye and it felt like she could read my mind. 

                            "Are you sure you can't steal souls?" I asked her not looking away from her eyes. 

                            She seemed as if she was holding her breath, "Only when I want to." Before I could retort trumpets sounded and the giant wood doors cracked as two guards opened them. Entering behind more guards came father and behind him an announcer screaming, "King Louis Castrelo." Everyone stopped and bowed and cheered long live the King.

                             After the chants where silenced  he raised his hand and spoke, "My dearest subjects We are here for a glorious first night of celebration for Battaglia Reale. The people present in this room are my dearest friends and family, gladiator Traders, and a few special gladiators!" More cheers then, "Our fabulous feast is almost prepared so please find you name tags and be seated."

                                                                *Hannah's POV*

                            I had entered the hall and let out a small gasp. The guards that had escorted me parted ways with out a word. In the front of the room up lifted by a platform was a long table with eleven place settings. all around the room way wonderfully decorated round tables with name cards all around. People where everywhere talking and drinking. I didn't see nor did I wish to find Reagan and Monroe was no where to be found. So I found an empty corner and a second glass of champagne and was minding my own business when I giant of a man approached me in a hurry.When I finally realized he was approaching me I was taken a back. He was handsome, dark deep eyes so blue they almost looked black, jet black hair in a pompadour hair style, tall approaching seven feet, a chiseled jaw, and a five o'clock shadow.

                            I was shocked and slightly embarrassed to find out it was one of the kings six sons. He was witty and charming. I liked him he was certainly not what I expected. Before our conversation got any deeper however the King entered. After the King parted the water's to his seat Prince Luca whispered to me come on your seat is next to mine. Here I sat between the King himself and his ridiculous handsome son. It was strange how the king talked to me like a royal like I was a person just like him, but what hurt worse was the 'compliments' he gave me. "Ruthless" "A true athelete" "Deadly" "The greatest the sport has ever seen" sure some of it was nice but the fact that her called it a sport was quiet unsettling. Dinner was delicious and I was glad to have something to do with my mouth other than talk. I was not prepared however, when the third course was being brought out by many servants, the king to tap his glass of wine silencing the entire room in milliseconds, then pointed to me. He introduced me people gasped not believing their eyes that I was Aries but then cheering. What was even more shocking was when he pointed to me again and said "Now a speech."