A/N- Finally started this story! It might be a bit confusing at first (considering Mare is born into House Titanos, some stuff might not make sense) but it will definitely all be explained later!

I

Five years previously

Living a double life is most certainly a difficult task. At this point, I don't remember if I knew how hard it would be when I made the decision. Of course, I should be thinking about things more "suited to my taste," also known as the crown prince Tiberias and how much I wanted to marry him. If I'm to be honest, which is a rarity in Archeon, I hardly remember what the boy looks like. All I know is that he has black hair- and loads of people have black hair. But no, all I'm supposed to do is swoon over him and long to be queen.

I guess that's why I chose to flee every night to the Red villages; mainly the ones closest to Archeon, so no one gets suspicious. Here, there is brutal honesty, there are true friends. I am not a true friend, I think as I pull and ruffle at my hair, to make myself look like a Red "devil." To be honest, Reds aren't all that bad. In fact, they're far warmer than any Silver I've ever met, though a million times as hardened and suspicious. I feel bad deceiving them- it aches in my chest and shivers through me every time I pass by any Red in the street.

People in the Silver world hardly know who I am anyway- I mean, they know who I am- but they've never really seen me. I've got a "problem," as my House, Titanos, so kindly states to anyone who asks. They act like I'm deathly ill, but everyone is starting to see through it at this point. I'm not exactly sure why they're hiding me; if they want to surprise everyone with my unusual powers or just hide my "actual problem."

I know my way around Red cities. This is a small one, very close to Archeon. It's hardly documented. I assume that's because the Silvers don't want to acknowledge that Red "filth" lives that near their primary base. My fingers skim the rim of a pond, ripples sending out over the water. I lift my hand, then dip my index finger back into the water, swirling it around and watching the water ripple. I don't have much to do, to be honest. Since I'm stuck in my room "sick" 99% of the time, I don't know many people to think about. Sure, there's the people of House Titanos, but I've thought about them for five years straight- I don't need to anymore.

Leaves rustle nearby me. "There's someone else here?" a male says, startled. I push my hair back, tucking it behind my ear and raising my head, turning to face him. "He" is a black-haired, tall boy, with red-gold eyes that glint warmly. He is familiar, but I can't place anything.

"Obviously."

He raises his eyebrows at me, but settles down near me anyway. He's still keeping a good distance, though, like he's afraid I might lunge over and strangle him. I fold my legs underneath me, leaning back over the water. I notice from the corner of my eye that he smirks. "Not good with people?" he says.

I roll my eyes. "You're observant." I can't say he's wrong- I am bad with people. House Titanos treats me like a contagious disease, trapping me in my rooms, with few people besides maids and servants to talk to. Maids and servants are awkward around me, as I'm their superior. But I have more in common with them than they'd ever think.

He raises his eyebrows. "It's a talent," he replies, just as dryly, but he's still smirking. "What's your name?" he adds, his tone a little politer.

I glance over at him, shifting my legs and leaning back. He seems awkward, but then again, so am I. "Mare," I say easily. "Mare Barrow." It's a fake name- why would I reveal my actual name to him? It's the name I always use here, around Reds- and while he is pale like a Silver, I wouldn't reveal my name to him anyway. He might spread it, and then what would happen? That's the lesson House Titanos has drilled into my brain. "If you ever meet anyone," they had added. "Which you won't. For a while, anyway."

He nods, just a little. He glances back up to me, smiling a little. "I'm Cal," he says, holding out a hand. "Nice to meet you." I glance back, shifting away from him. I pause.

"Pleasure," I reply, as genuinely as I can imagine.

"Are you from around here?" he says curiously. I tense, but attempt to relax when he raises an eyebrow. I sigh deeply.

I bite my lip. "Well, yeah," I say, as casually as I can muster. "I thought it was rather obvious." If my self-inflicted messiness says anything.

He looks confused for a moment by my sharpness, but it quickly passes and he nods again. "Are you heading back soon?" he says, sounding like he would walk me back.

"Erm.." I glance to the right, then shake my head. "No, but soon," I lie.

"Oh. Alright," says Cal, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "So..tell me about yourself."

Present Day

"Queenstrial!" shouts Ethan, slamming my door open. I yelp, throwing myself backwards.

"Jesus Christ, Ethan!" I cry. Ethan is my cousin, but he's named after my father, the dead general Ethan Titanos. "What do you mean, Queenstrial?" I say, calming myself.

Ethan grins toothily at me. Ethan is the only one really close to me- he doesn't care about my secret. He's loud, and kind of obnoxious at sometimes, but he's funny, and sweet when he needs to be. "You're competing in Queenstrial," he says to me, almost proud. "Father- my father, sorry," he adds, when I wince, my father still being a sore spot for me, "says you're the most qualified daughter to compete."

"Really?" I say in shock. Putting me out there is a risky move. My powers are different than the rest of House Titanos. And, of course, there is the mess that is my blood color. Plus, Ethan's father- who is the Head of House Titanos- never liked me that much.

"Yeah," exclaims Ethan, grinning proudly at me. He's a good few years younger- my father was dead by the time he was born- but he acts like he's my older brother, or something like that.

I sigh. "Great," I groan, "I hardly even remember what he looks like, and I'm in the running to marry him."

"Relax," he says. "House Samos is probably going to win."

I pull on my training shoes, smoothing my hair back and pulling it up into a ponytail. "Whatever," I mumble. "I assume he wants me in the training room?" I say, referring to his father. Ethan bobs his head in a easy nod, and I grumble under my breath.

"C'mon, Mareena," says Ethan. "It's not that bad."

"Are you the one competing?" I challenge, and he rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Lead the way, Eth." He smirks as I straighten and walk past him.

"This will be fun," he says, easily catching up with me and slinging and arm around my shoulders. I shove him off, rolling my eyes at him. We're only allowed to be childish around the other, so we take advantage of it as often as we can. "You'll be sparring me, of course."

I pick at the sleeves on my dress, rubbing the shock-proof fabric between my fingers. I glance up at him, smirking. "Prepare to get shocked, dear boy."

(Yes, I know it's confusing that Shade, Bree, Tramy, and Gisa aren't here- but they'll appear later, don't worry! Ethan isn't exactly replacing them. I hope you all enjoyed!)