Arstel walked side by side with his friend as they made their way across the country, on their way to their next destination, and then to their homeland. His friend, the one who alerted him of Merrium’s danger, kept pace, but continued his disapproving gaze.

He squirmed under his stare. “Don’t look at me like that, Darren, I had to.”

“We should have wiped her memory,” he scolded. “It was already bad enough you interfered to save her life-”

“Shh, my father isn’t that far ahead-”

“But you promised to tell her about our world? Humans can NOT know what exists on the other side, Arstel, you know this.”

“I know, I know, but...she can already see past the first layer of the veil, she’s seen your scout. And…”

Darren watched his face carefully, and sighed. “She’s human, Arstel. Even if she had gifts from our world, we have laws about this. We have protocols to follow.”

“Well, maybe the laws need to change,” he grumbled, to Darren’s shock.

“...I’d be careful about how you decide to approach change, my lord.” Arstel flinched. “You may be in line for the throne, but being the prince is not a guarantee you’ll take it.”

“You know I hate that,” he responded with a wine.

“Then let it show how serious I’m being.” He placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll keep your secrets from your father, but if things get out of hand-”

“They won’t.”

“IF they do,” Darren reiterated firmly, “I WILL step in on your behalf.”

Arstel sighed. “Thanks, Darren.”

He pat his back. “You’re my best friend, Arstel. Plus, your mother would not like at all that you’re pursuing a human.”

He blushed and looked away. “I’m-I’m not..” But Darren laughed.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed, my friend. I haven’t seen you behave like this for anyone. But please.” His eyes faded out from green to violet to his deep, normal purple as he let his disguise fade away, and a deep sadness filled them. “Be careful, Arstel. It’s not fun, becoming too attached to them. Their life-spans are so short as it is…”

“I know,” he said empathetically. “I understand what's at stake. I don’t know why I’m so fascinated with her.”

“You’ve never met humans outside our world, it’s natural to fixate.”

“But there’s something about her, something...fresh, and kind. She doesn’t react the way normal peasants do, or duchesses, or even royalty. It’s like she sees me as another person, another human, but chooses to be respectful out of personal politeness. I want to help her however I can, with whatever she needs.”

Darren sighed again. “You need to curb these feelings, Arstel, and be careful.”

Some silence passed between them, before Darren spoke again.

“So what do you plan on doing about her sight? She’s going to be expecting answers now.”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll need to tell her something; if she’s really had the sight since birth, she at least deserves to know what she is seeing.”

“And if she wishes to forget, and stop seeing?” he asked seriously.

Arstel stiffened. “If...if that is what she asks of me...then I will close her eye and wipe her memory. I’ll do as she wishes.”

Darren raised his eyebrow at him. “You don’t sound so sure of that.” Arstel sighed.

“I’m not sure of anything, Darren.”