Before I start, this story is NOT about Weiryn and Sarra, if that's what you're thinking. I like to create my own Sheroes.

This story takes place after Lady Knight.

Here we go, some background information about this story's main character. Someday I may write a prequel to this, detailing Kris's childhood.

Millakris Harethsra (or just Kris) is a girl born in Daleswood who has an exceptionally strong Gift. When she was 16, Numair Salmalin accepted Kris as her apprentice. Two years have passed since.

From young, Kris has been an orphan. Her mother died giving birth to her; her father fell ill and passed away when she was only six. Since then, she has lived in Corus with her aunt. At 15, her aunt left her and a god took Kris under his wing. Her guardian was Skyleth, God of the Skies over Tortall.

Unknown to Kris, over these three years, Skyleth has slowly and steadily fallen in love with her.

King Jonathan has sent Daine, Numair, Kris, Alanna, Raoul and blah blah some other people to Carthak to discuss trade between the two countries.

I won't be starting this story from the time when they step into Carthak; it'll be too long-winded. Instead, let's say that trade talks have been settled and they are about to spend the last night in Carthak.

Before I forget...

Disclaimer: None of this belongs to me! Except a few characters and the plot (if there is one). This disclaimer applies to other future chapters.

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Chapter 1:

A young woman stood by the window, gazing out at the quickly darkening sky.

The woman was Millakris Harethsra, or Kris. A young woman of eighteen, tall for her age, her deep brown hair fell to her hips. She had deep green eyes, high cheekbones, straight nose, full lips, perfect skin, and a neat figure. Even with the addition of a stubborn chin, she was a beauty, though she never admitted it.

Currently her hair was pinned up to her shoulders. Kris rarely let her hair down fully; she deemed it bothersome, as her hair kept blowing to the front and into her face, hindering her. The most was tying it in a ponytail.

You couldn't judge a book by its covers, however. Kris seemed like a delicate court lady, but she wasn't one. Hidden among her clothing were several daggers, and she was on constant alert at all times. She had picked up the skill while roaming the streets of Corus several years ago, before she had met Numair and Skyleth. She often practiced hand-to-hand combat, though admittedly she wasn't good at it. But her strong Gift made up for it; Kris could blast someone with her magic if she wanted.

Kris stared out the window absently, thinking of nothing in particular. She was very bored. She kept thinking there was something important to do, but she couldn't place her finger on it.

Someone knocked on her door. "Kris, are you done yet? The feast starts in half an hour, you know!" Daine said loudly through the door.

Kris jumped and swore. How could she have forgotten that a farewell ball was to held that night? "All right, Daine, I'll be out in a few minutes!" She replied. Kris ran to her chest of clothes and began rummaging through it. "Curse it. Why do the Carthaki have to have a ball every night? And long, boring ones, too!" Kris thought to herself as she hurriedly pulled on her gown. "Well, this one will be the last one, and good riddance!"

Several minutes later, she emerged from her room. Numair, Daine, Raoul and Alanna were waiting for her.

"It's about time. The rest already left," Numair said, his arm around Daine. "Let's go."

As they left the sitting room, Kris gave the mirror in the hallway a quick glance, and was satisfied with her appearance, despite the lack of time for preparation.

She had braided her hair with olive green ribbons, and wore a matching gown that was in different shades of green. (Green was her favorite color) The gown had short puffed-out sleeves, with a moderately high neckline. It was a little tight around her upper body, but spiraled out at her waist. The only jewelry she wore was a gold chain necklace and pearl earrings. Overall, even though her outfit was simple, she emitted a sense of gracefulness and beauty.

When they reached the waiting hall and joined the other Tortallans, almost all the court ladies and men were already gathered there. After a few more minutes of idling, the doors leading to the grand hall flung open, and a herald announced, "My lords and ladies, the farewell feast is ready."

As custom dictated, the Tortallans, who were guests, entered first, bowing or curtsying to Kaddar, who was sitting at the head table. They murmured "Your highness." Kaddar nodded his acknowledgement regally, and they settled themselves at the table.

"The cooks have outdone themselves," Kris thought as she surveyed the food on the table. The table was piled high with delicacies.

A minute later, fine music struck up and the feast started. Daine, who was seated at her left, muttered, "Do these people only know how to hunt animals?"

Kris frowned at the food in front of her. It was mostly meat, with the exception of a plate of fruit bread, a bowl of porridge with honey and a bowl of salad. She pitied Daine. Being close to her animal friends, she could hardly eat any of the meat.

Daine sighed and picked up a slice of fruit bread. "At least it has fruit in it," she muttered glumly. "Better than normal bread."

"Don't worry, magelet. There'll be dessert later." Numair said from Daine's left.

Kris patted Daine's shoulder in sympathy and began eating.

About half an hour later, people started leaving their seats and going to the space in the middle of the hall to dance, leaving the head table half-empty.

Kris's eyes wandered the hall with distaste. She had no liking whatsoever for balls- they were much too formal. Sagging with boredom, she scowled at Daine and Numair, who were far too busy talking among themselves to notice her.

A hand tapped her shoulder. "Bored, my lady?" A light voice inquired politely. Turning, she started at the figure sitting beside her.

Kris recognized Skyleth immediately.

The god had turned into a young man of twenty. His godly aura was nowhere to be seen. His short light brown hair was combed back neatly, his features near perfect. Grayish eyes sparkled with laughter. He wore an elegant flowing black robe, tinted with silver at the edges. He grinned at her, teeth flashing beautifully.

In short, he looked charming. Despite herself, Kris flushed slightly. Skyleth's grin widened as he caught sight of the blush, but pretended not to notice.

Daine stared at him, frowning slightly, while Numair stood up, eyeing Skyleth suspiciously. "Kris, this is...?" Numair said, glaring at Skyleth.

Taking his cue, Skyleth got up and bowed gracefully, "Greetings, Master Salmalin and Lady Veralidaine. I am Lord Nyleth."

Kris hid a grin as she offered a hand for him to kiss. He did so, passing her a glance that glinted with laughter. Skyleth always appeared where she least expected him. Kris was glad he had thought to pick a fake name; Numair would probably recognize the name 'Skyleth'.

"Just our names will do, Lord Nyleth. And please call me Daine." Daine replied.

Skyleth bowed again.

"I wasn't aware you were attending the feast. I would think you would be up in your rooms examining some book or another." Kris said casually.

"Why, my lady, I'm insulted that you think so. One has to have a social life as well, you know." Skyleth replied easily.

"I haven't seen you here before." Numair continued glaring at Skyleth. Daine was tugging at his sleeve, but Numair refused to budge.

"I came here only yesterday, Master Numair. One of the university teachers is my uncle." Skyleth said, amusement in his voice.

"Well, I don't see why you had to look for Kris. How are you connected to her?" Numair growled. "I tell you, if you dare try to harm her, I'll..." before he could finish his sentence, Daine had clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Stop acting so fatherly, Numair. Sometimes I wonder if you cheated on me and fathered Kris. Do excuse us, Nyleth." Her hand still over Numair's mouth, she dragged the indignant mage away.

Kris sighed. Sometimes she was glad Numair acted like her father, but this was not one of those times.

"Sorry for that, Sky-I mean, Nyleth. Numair tends to be overprotective of me."

"It was rather amusing." He said, grinning.

"You shouldn't just pop up as and when you like, you know. It scares people, and me." Kris said.

"You? Scared? I can hardly imagine it."

"Idiot." She swatted at him, but Skyleth dodged, gazing at her with mock hurt. Kris always thought that Skyleth didn't act like a god at all; he was much too lively and entertaining. 'Or maybe all gods are like this. I haven't met many, anyway.'

"Lord Nyleth." A feminine voice crooned from behind them.

Kris looked up, and scowled. It was Celia, the court seductress. Celia was a buxom blonde, infamous for twining handsome men around her little finger.

Today she was wearing a tight blood-red dress with a plunging neckline. It revealed most of her back.

'I'm surprised her dress doesn't rip, it's so tight. I can't believe she can even walk.' Kris thought as she got up again and greeted Celia somewhat icily. Kris noticed that Celia was dragging a man known as Lord Geal on her arm. Lord Geal looked extremely unhappy to see his partner approach another man.

"Greetings, Lady Celia." Skyleth said, smiling with easy good humor.

"Would you like to dance, my lord?" Celia asked sweetly, leaning forward to smile flirtatiously at Skyleth.

'No he doesn't.' Kris thought furiously, her hand itching to slap Celia. Then she stopped, wondering when she had become so possessive. Of Skyleth, no less.

"Oh, I'm certain Lord Geal would be pleased to accompany you on a dance, my lady." Skyleth replied smoothly, his voice just as sweet as Celia's. Before Celia could respond, he added to Lord Geal, "Lord Geal, you had best dance with Lady Celia here. It seems her lady could use some company. I'm sure you would oblige." Skyleth's face was straight as he said this.

"But...but...my lord...I..." Celia sputtered with surprise, hands flapping in the air.

Lord Geal stared for a moment, then blinked and proceeded to pull a protesting Celia away, turning once to glance gratefully at Skyleth.

When the two of them had vanished into the crowd, Kris burst out laughing. "I can't believe you did that! Celia will be hounding you for ages!"

"Except I won't be here when she does." Skyleth grinned.

Before she knew it, the ball had ended. Skyleth spent the time entertaining her with his magic, and joked with her. He even danced with her once. Time seemed to fly. However, recently he had taken to looking at her with too intense a gaze. It made Kris feel warm and uncomfortable at the same time.

The moment the music stopped, Skyleth bent over and planted a kiss on her lips. His lips lingered for a few moments, then he vanished.

Kris was so shocked that she let him do it.

Listening to Kaddar deliver a short farewell speech, Kris put a hand to her lips where Skyleth had kissed it, and wondered what it meant.

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I know this chapter is kind of boring, but I needed it to get things going. I also fast-forwarded the romance part; there was no other way to do it. Do kindly review. This is my first fic, so be nice!