The Invisible Princess of Everglen

Chapter One: Fitz's Disappearances

Biana Vacker's first year at Foxfire had been an overall disappointment.

She was certain she wasn't the only one who thought that.  Her grades had been... less astounding than Fitz's had, and her parents less than enthusiastic about it.  Of course, they were thrilled that Fitz had succeeded.  Thrilled that Fitz had accomplished so much during only his third year.  What a wonder, that elf boy was.

Biana hated it.

She wasn't sure why she expected the second year to be any better.

"You look darling," Della told them both as Biana and Fitz trotted down the stairs in their new school uniforms.  Fitz beamed, but Biana's cape seemed as heavy as the wish that Biana could sulk in her favorite chair.  She knew that her mother's eyes were on Fitz in his jade-green outfit.  So she was honestly startled when Della hugged Biana first.  She didn't say anything, but instead beamed so brightly she could've been imitating Everglen's light-absorbing gates.

Nothing could have dampened the hope that soared within Biana.  Not even the proud smile that curled Della's perfect lips as she gazed at Fitz's perfect face.

Dear heavens, why was everybody in this family just so perfect?

There was one thing Biana was extremely looking forward to, however, that she hadn't been looking forward to the previous year.  This year... she had a crush on Keefe Sencen.  Now that was perfection that Biana didn't find terribly obnoxious.  Not only was Keefe a terrific rebel, he had a sense of humor.  Keefe had befriended Fitz before their own first year at Foxfire, but it was only during last summer when Biana really fell in love with the hilarious blonde boy.

And if anything could make Foxfire better, it was him.

Orientation was crowded and noisy and just about normal for orientation.  Dame Alina's voice was ignored by many, including Biana, who was too busy listening dreamily to Keefe as he explained--in detail--all of the many pranks he'd pulled on the teachers the years before, including the Great Gulon Incident.

"Sis!  It's time to go!" Fitz yelled, startling Biana out of her wistful stupor.  She looked around, her heart pattering in excitement once she realized that they were heading to their classes.

She was considerably less excited once she got home.

"How was it?" Della asked once Biana and Fitz trudged inside.  Well, Biana trudged.  Fitz strutted in, head held high, a snobbish smirk on his face that probably looked like a confident and winning smile to anyone other than Biana.  "It was good, Mom," Fitz said, heading to the dining room.  Biana followed him, gaping when she saw the giant mallowmelt cake sitting on the table. The enormous crystal chandelier had been draped with glittery strands of blue and green jewels, shedding blue and green light over the dining room.

"Whoa."  Fitz turned around, grinning at Della.  "Did you do this?"

Who else would have, dummy?  Biana thought, rolling her eyes.  She couldn't stay mad for long--the dining room looked too stunning at the moment to hold a grudge.  Even Della was dressed in a full, shimmering gown of blue and green.  The outrageously glittery dress made Biana very self-conscious of the depressing uniform she wore.

"You know what?  I'm going to go change," she declared, patting down the shoulders of her plain blue half-cape.  Della grinned.  "Which is a very good thing, because I bought you this dress and it is fabulous."

The dress was fabulous.  It looked like a puffier, more glittery version of the one Della wore, and Biana decided she looked wonderful in it.  She spent at least an hour touching up her makeup and at least twenty minutes twirling in front of her mirror, suppressing giggles, until her father knocked on the door and scared the living daylights out of her.