Mark Of The Stars

Chapter 1

As I sit across from him and only him, I think back to how I got so lucky.

The year was 1990. It was a normal day in my kingdom, Dragonmir. I was going to meet up with my personal guard to go to the carnival on Castaway Island.

"Princess Dahlia, are you ready?" Ace, my guard questioned. As I rounded the corner and walked down the main staircase that was worn with wear from all of the heels and gowns that had graced its steps.

"As ready as I can be Ace. Do I look like a normal teenager?" I questioned as I twirled around in circles wearing my jeans and pink knit sweater that was slightly oversized as to let no one see my figure. The way Father would want it. I had yellow jade sunflower earrings and a matching necklace. I wanted to look like any other teenager when Ace and I went to the island. I wanted to make friends not just because of who I am, but because I'm pleasant to be around.

"Like every other teen that will be there."

"And you look like my bodyguard with your black leather jacket and sunglasses." I declared.

"Ah, well we can't have it all," Ace murmured as I walked past him to a table by the wall. I grabbed an outfit that I had made the night before, I had sacrificed my precious sleep that I seemed to not get enough of.

"But I can most of the time!" I blushed as I threw the outfit,  jeans, a black turtleneck, and a blue, purple, and green striped long sleeve at him. Ace stalked away down the long corridor laced with gold trim over white paint, and he turned into one of the many bathrooms.

Father told me that I needed a chaperone if I wanted to go "hang out with people my age... Even though I have Ace who is only one year older than me". So that's exactly what I did. I'm bringing the youngest guard who is at the top of his class at the academy, thanks to his dad stealing the time that he would have had keeping me company... and Ace just so happens to be my best friend in the world. Father wasn't too pleased, but at least I'm taking a guard. The future Royal Guard Captain.

Ace was back from changing by the time I was done reminiscing in the previous day's conversation. I messed up his gorgeous dark brown almost black hair. Ah his hair, it was like the fuzziest blanket ever made in the world. He snatched my hand out of his hair. Slowly bowed, and kissed my hand, "You know you don't have to do that," I whispered so he was the only one that could hear even though we were alone.

"Oh, but I do, princess," Ace murmured looking deep into my soul with his emerald eyes making my stomach flutter. Ace's eyes glanced up the stairs behind me. I turned in surprise. Father was there to see me off. Probably to make sure that I wasn't ditching Ace. Like I ever could, I swear that boy knows all of my moves before I can even think of them! Like one time I was going to sneak down to my favorite garden and Ace was at the end of the hall walking towards my door to make sure I wasn't going to hurt myself walking downstairs or outside.

"You should leave soon if you don't want to miss your boat to the Island," my father said. He glanced at how close Ace was to me and shot daggers from his eyes to me. I gave him a look that hopefully said 'You have to be nice! He is my friend!'

"Yes, Father. We were just about to leave," I insisted as I turned right into Ace's strong chest. He moved out of my way to let me by as I walked towards the car.

"Don't forget spending money," my father chimed.

"I have $50 in small bills just like other teens would have. And if that's not enough Ace has my credit card." I said over my shoulder not caring if I was being loud. Ace was trailing behind me like a sad puppy.

"Very well," my father chimed as I slowly put distance between us. "Ace," Ace stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to face my father. I glanced back as well. Father looked between us, back and forth, and back and forth. "Keep my daughter safe, don't let her out of your sight."

"Y-y-yes my king," Ace stammered looking at the floor before looking at him again. I'm guessing Father didn't want me to get along with a dashing guy at the carnival, fall madly in love, and have to bring him back. Ace started toward the car again.

I looked at my father with the most hate I could muster. He was the king, but he was also my father just the same. Father gave me an innocent look as I stalked back off toward the car where Ace was waiting. When I made it to the car I gently took Ace's hand and squeezed it slowly. His hand didn't respond, it just hung limply in mine. When we got into the car and out of my father's watchful hawk eyes, Ace finally responded. He squeezed my hand slowly, he brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently, then held my hand to his heart still driving with one hand on the wheel. I couldn't help but blush.

"I'm sorry you have to deal with him. Why does he make you so nervous?" I questioned as my heartbeat soared. I looked out the window to distract myself with the beautiful scenery. The sunrises of Dragonmir are always gorgeous coming over the rolling hills and the colors bouncing off of the light exterior of the castle.

"I don't know. He is the ruler of this kingdom, and he's your father." He murmured as we drove towards the boat dock.

"Why would he being my father make a difference?" I asked quietly. Not wanting to think of my father splitting us up. He was my best friend in the whole world, I wouldn't just walk away from him.

"Because... Because I don't know," Ace sighed. "If I want to stay your best friend, I have to make a good impression." We slowly moved along the road in my brand new silver 1990 Jeep Wagoneer. After what seemed like a million years of my heart beating out of my chest, too excited to keep my ramblings to myself about making new friends, we made it to the boat dock.

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The boat was small, but it was a family yacht, one of three that we have. The smallest boat in the lot. I hopped right in and went inside to the cabin to get some shade. Ace followed me inside. I really wish father hadn't told him to not let me out of his sight. Ugh, father is no fun sometimes. I wanted some peace and quiet. If Ace didn't follow me in then I could have taken a nap. Man was I tired from staying up all night. I went over to the tv in the living room and put in a movie. My favorite, as a matter of fact, Another 48 Hours.

I wish that I was in a movie or a book sometimes to do exciting things, like making daring trips through the Amazon, or swimming down to the bottom of the ocean. Yet I only have my normal boring princess life. I didn't want to always look presentable to foreign kingdoms and have princes from other nations come and look me over to see if I was fit to be a ruler of their kingdom. I'm only 16 for crying out loud! I have the rest of my life to look forward to.

I walked over to the couch hoping that Ace would at least give me some space to lay down. Ace followed me to the couch and sat right next to me. Sitting with your best friend. That's normal right? We relaxed down, ready for the movie.

Ace scooched over so that I could cuddle up against him. I didn't want to. I wanted to take a nap but that was out of the question. I didn't want to look tired or look like I couldn't handle myself. The thought of Ace's warm body was too tempting. I rested my head on his shoulder as his strong arms wrapped around me, his arms gently holding me close, locking me in an everlasting hug that I never wanted to end. The hug keeping me warm and safe.

"Do you want a blanket darling? You're shivering."

"I'm ok." Gosh, every time he calls me darling my stomach flutters. "Though sometimes I wish you didn't call me darling, It drives me crazy for you," I said through clenched teeth. I didn't want to admit that sometimes he drives me crazy.

"Ok then, darling."

Rolling my eyes, I snuggled deeper into my cocoon of warmth. Oh gosh, why did he always have to make my stomach soar?  We started the movie. Hopefully, I can relax.