Before Simon turned his attention back to the stage he gave her a strange smile, as though he were harboring some kind of secret. Alison chose not to press him; she too focused her attention on the stage waiting for the next thing to occur.

He winked at her returning her chaste kiss on her cheek. Chad glared at the two of them. His jaw twitched under the pressure from clenching. Alison ignored him returning her attention to the show. She figured that was what she came for so she paid attention. Everything went smoothly like a well-planned show should. Until the show came to the Best Single of the Year award, she and Chad were nominated for this. That was part of the reason why she was here, the other was for Best Album, since she had her name all over Man of Mystery’s album but she didn’t have to go on stage for that one. Best Song however was made with the band but she and Chad wrote and performed it together. It really belonged on a soundtrack for some movie but Chad demanded the damn thing be on his band’s album. Gnawing on her bottom lip she waited. While they read the names of the nominees she played the damn song in her head. It was an annoying song now that she thought of it. A bit of a love song really. Not something normally found on an alternative rock groups album. Her voice was mediocre at best, even though Chad told her it was wonderful. She suddenly wished she had a disguise or better yet that she stayed in New York. Simon broke her out of her sulking by brushing his lips along her ear. “You won!” he breathed. Chad held his hand out for her to take it. The lights sparkled on his platinum wedding band. Her stomach churned. With zombie like grace she let him lead her up the stairs on to the stage. Both of them were hugged by some new artists named Lavender.

“I admire you Alison.” She whispered. “I’ll be in New York next week I’d love to meet with you.”

Alison smiled at the girl when she pulled back. It took everything in her to nod and not roll her eyes. She hated being picked up like a hooker. It took greater strength to smile at the cameras and floods or people below her. It took even more strength not to fidget with the hem of her dress, now that she felt a draft up her skirt.

“I’d like to thank my manger and lovely wife for all of their support.’ Chad began. “This lovely lady of course, she is truly a talented woman.” He cleared his throat and turned his head towards her taking her in with his brown eyes. “We would be nothing without the amazing song writing that you do for us. Alison has been with us since we started some ten years ago, and we owe her everything. This means a lot to both of us, and to Man of Mystery. Thank you from both of us.”

Alison’s cheeks burned fifty shades of red when he stepped back from the podium. Her biggest fear of public speaking began to take over. Her legs felt as though they were going to turn into jelly at any minute. Images of her lying on her face on the cover of a magazine flashed through her mind. She imagined she would see the covers while waiting in line at the grocery store. Everyone would recognize her and laugh. Suddenly her breath caught in her chest, she was going to faint. Then Chad’s hand found hers. He led her off the stage to the busy side stage. A woman dressed in a black ensemble took the statue from Alison’s hands. “Congratulations.” She beamed. Alison nodded. Chad continued leading her to the back of the stage to a small room lit up by lights with umbrellas behind them and swarms of people with cameras and recorders.

“Ready?” he breathed into her ear.

“Interview?” she panicked. Her fingers found each other and began their wringing torture.

“Ali, I’ll answer most of the questions like old times.” He winked at her.

She nodded then began to take a step when he pulled her back. Surprise didn’t even cover what she felt next. Chad’s lips pressed firmly against her mouth begging for entrance, while her hands pressed against his hard chest. When he let go of her he had the audacity to wink. “So glad to see you.” he panted pulling her into the room full of reporters.

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Slowly the sun crept over the horizon breaking the night. Stars blinked one more time before finally fading into the bright glowing iridescent blue the citizens of Auraria had grown up with. To the far east the wind started picking up, nothing out of the normal since the dawn brought slight wind at times. To the west brought some light rain, a little out of season but nothing to worry about.

The dark grey castle stood powerful and regal near the back of the village pressed against the stony mountain side. Emerald green grass stretched out around it and spreading out through the village, even stretched passed the grey wall protecting the villagers and into the enchanted Nula forest.

As always the villages went to work early on the farms, weeding gardens and tending to the animals. Curly cream colored sheep with black noses and long haired caramel cows, the pigs were as big as the cows but dark pink with big smiling faces. The village of Auraria adored the pig and all that it offered the people. In fact they treated their pigs as good as the king treated the village. Each pig rested in a lovely wooden pig pen with a small pig house nestled near the back. Their pens were cleaned out each day, and their food replenished three times a day. The villagers felt that a happy pig gave only the best meats.

Raven, the king’s daughter, woke with a start. Her dressing maid shook her viciously in order to rouse her from sleep. She opened one eye tentatively since the dressing maid, Hannah, was notorious for opening the drapes letting the sun’s rays pour through the windows. Hannah smiled as though she had won a tremendous battle once Raven sat up in her bed.