At the end of the week of mourning, I had a surprise visit from my aunt, Zolona.

She was my mother's sister and one of my favorite people. She was kind and considerate and yet where my mother was sweet with her words my aunt had power in hers that left no room to argue, unlike my mother my aunt understood my want to travel and instead of being rejected she openly supported me. Often bringing me new books that she wrote herself or Old World items.

She stood talking to one of the Knights by the main doors. Her tall form was dressed in her usual attire of loose beige trousers, her deep purple buttoned blouse and her black cloak, bags sat around her booted feet. She pulled back her hood letting her long black-grey streaked hair cascaded loosely down her shoulders. She smiled at the guard, turned and spotted me, her smile growing.

“Aunt Zolona!” I gasped as I ran down the stairs, stopping in front of her.

She laughed. “My dear, it is truly great to see you, though I wish it was on better terms. I'm sorry about your mother….” Whipping at a stray tear she continued. “I came as fast as I could when the news was brought to my attention. I'm so terribly sorry I wasn’t here for you my dear.”

“Thank you, I'm just happy you're here.”

She went to ruffle my hair as she often did but paused before removing her hand. “Ah! But no longer are you the little Prince but a King!” She went to bow. “Should I call you my King, child King,” She huffed. “Don’t like that one? How about your Majesty?”

But the serious tone she tried to keep was broken when she fell into a fit of giggles.

Rubbing the back of my neck I dropped my gaze to her bags hiding my blush. “Uh not till the coronation, for now people are calling me Future King.”

She paused standing to her full height. “Hmm. Well that’s… that’s a mouthful.” Her hand came to my cheek and caressed it. “In all truth the crown will look great on you, when the time comes.”

My response was taken from me as my chest abruptly began to ache at her touch, then the pain focused its way over to my weird marking.

“Are you alright?” She asked, removing her hand. And just like that the pain stopped just as fast as it came.

“Uh,” I stood there, Simon and Cast standing ready behind aunt Zolona. I waved them off. “yeah I'm fine, just really happy you're here.”

“All right then, if it’s good with you dear, I'd like to pay my respects to my sister.”

“Of course.”

After setting her up in one of the guest rooms I led her through the town, feeling the happiest I’ve felt since the night of the attack. We passed the Bakery the strong smell of freshly made bread and pastries filled my nose and my stomach, reminding me I skipped breakfast. Maybe on the way back.

We crossed town square, a few of the people were dancing and singing, they paused and bowed to me as we passed, the children of the group asking if I’d come join them.

“Not today, sorry.”

The adults- Abby and Hutson came over and straight to Zolona.

“Lady Zolona, you’ve returned!”

I watched as aunt Zolona smiled and interacted with them happily. It was hard to remember with all her traveling that she used to live here in the Kingdom and was just as loved by the people as mother had been. No matter how long she was gone their love stayed strong and apparently hers for them as well.

I fought a chuckle as Abby and Hutson each hugged her tightly before releasing her to continue their dance with the children.

Aunt Zolona returned to my side a little flushed in the cheeks.

“Are you alright?” I asked. “We can stay for a while if you’d like?”

“It’s fine, let’s go on.”

We made our way through the quiet homes where fewer families were out and about and nature grew along the path. Then finally we arrived at the Kingdom’s garden where my parents were buried.

Countless flower bushes covered the land as far as I could see. Their bright colors hiding their sadder truth. A few townspeople sat by a few of the bushes heads bowed as we passed quietly to the center.

We stopped in front of their golden and red rose bushes. I dipped my head in respect.

“Hello Mother, Father. I brought aunt Zolona with me today.”

Zolona kneeled down in front of mother’s rose bush and I stepped away to give her space but I heard her as she began to speak softly.

“My dear little sister. I’m sorry I stayed away for so long, I should have stayed by your side, I should have listened to you like you asked of me.... I am very sorry, I never got to say that to you.” She gently touched a rose petal. She was quiet for a moment then so softly I almost didn't catch it, she whispered. “I won’t let those fools get away with it any longer, but I promise your Kingdom and son will be safe….”

I was trying to figure out what she meant but before I could start she stood.

“Thank you my dear. I feel better now. How about we go and have some lunch then you can tell me how everything’s been going, hmm?”

“... Y-yes let’s and I know just the place.”

I led her back the way we came and to Victor's deli.

Simon opened the door for us and we stepped in.

A couple of people sat in the relaxing atmosphere but mostly the place was empty.

“Welcome to-” Victor looked up with a wide toothy smile. “Ah Maki, my favorite customer oh and I see you brought a guest.”

Zolona smiled back. “I'm his aunt, Zolona Loden. It's a pleasure.”

“Pleasure is mine. What can I do you both for?”

Zolona looked at me.

“Four of my regular orders.” I said taking Zolona to my normal seat far in the back, Cast and Simon sat at another table so if anyone wanted to get to us they had to pass them.

“Right away.” He said with a bounce in his step.

When he was out of sight she laughed.

“I see you know him?”

“He was one of mom's friends.”

She nodded a distant look in her dark grey eyes. “They fancied each other?”

Smiling I messed with the hem of my shirt. “He was relighting the feelings she lost with father. I'm sure he would have made her very happy.”

Zolona took my fidgeting hand in hers. Her normally sharp features grew soft. “And you? What is he to you?”

Again the pain returned. Confused, I removed my hand answering her. “Lately he's been a good listener and sharing his wisdom with me as he had with mom.” I smiled. “He's family.”

Before she could speak again Victor returned with our food. He placed them in front of us. The plates held two of his house special sandwiches, stuffed to the brim with vegetables and a rarity here in BrightEarth- meats, all in between his hand crafted bread. The rich aroma filled my very being with warmth.

Victor smiled. “And the final touch.”

He took a small brush dipping it in the jar he held and we watched as he drew a single blue line over the top slice, we watched it melt into the loaf. The smell of garlic and butter filled my nose, making my stomach growl.

Looking up at my aunt I saw her eyes sparkle like they did when she tells me of her travels.

“You may eat.” Victor said with a dramatic bow. Then made his way to Cast and Simon with their food.

“Thank you, Victor.”

Always eager for the first bit I lifted the packed sandwich to my mouth and nearly groaned out loud, but Zolona wasn’t as prepared. She took her bite and a moan slipped out.

Looking up I smirked when our eyes met. Red painted her face as she quickly looked away.

Yeah Victor’s food had that effect on people. The way his food was so skillfully combined was a literal dance of flavors in your mouth.

Victor laughed as he always did when new people ate his food.

Zolona finished her food with a good chug of her wine. “Victor was it?” She asked, her tone more then a little sharp and attention grabbing.

He nodded a little worriedly.

She looked up and smiled. “You have yourself a new regular.”

He relaxed visibly. “Good to hear! Seconds on the house!” He called out before disappearing into the kitchen.

Looking up at her. “How long are you planning on staying?” I asked.

Her dark gaze met mine. “Not long.”

I felt a pinch of sadness. All too soon I’d be alone again.

Sighing I went back to eating as Victor came back with our next round of food. I guess I better make the most of her visit.

***

As aunt Zolona’s stay stretched to a full week I couldn’t shake the feeling that she may stay longer if not forever. Or at least till my coronation.

Still it was refreshing to have her here. We laughed and hung out like old times, she told me about when she and mother were younger and all the trouble they used to get into, told me tales of her travels and about a strange Old World item she discovered, though no matter how much I asked she never showed me or Travis for that matter.

But I could ignore that because she was here.

There was a knock at my door late at night startling me from the documents I was reading over. Simon went to open it as Cast came to my side.

“Oh! Lady Zolona.”

I turned in my chair to indeed see her standing there in her night robes and there resting above her collar bone was her stone. The thing she normally had hidden with high collared blouses, but now it was in clear view with her hair twisted back into a high bun on top of her head.

She smiled. “May I?” She asked and I noticed she was carrying two tea cups and a jug of water.

“S-sure Cast can you grab her a chair?”

“Right away.” He said, grabbing one by my window seat and bringing it over.

“Thank you.” She said, taking her seat, placing the tea cups on my desk and handing one to me as she poured some water for Simon and Cast.

I took a sip humming at the warmth and the sweet honey taste. I peeked over the rim. “So what brings you here so late?”

She sipped her drink. “I was doing some reading and one of the servant girls brought me tea.” She held her cup between her hands. “Maki, I overheard them saying you were cooping yourself in here.”

I dropped my gaze. Even with everything we shared I didn’t tell her about my research on the Demi. Though there was literally nothing but massively basic knowledge- she wouldn’t understand that there wasn’t time to stop. And I had the time when sleep was so hard to come by. Though this tea was making me tired.

“Maki,” She sighed. “Take care of yourself. What would your parents think if they knew you weren’t taking care of your basic needs?” She set her cup on the desk reaching to take my hand. “And what about your people-!”

Again pain laced itself through my chest. I jumped from her touch knocking over our cups to the floor. Panting heavily I sagged back in my chair, Simon and Cast immediately at my side but it was aunt Zolona’s face that had me frozen.

Her eyes were wide in shock then they sharpened staring at me.

She shook her head. “Are you alright?”

“Y-yeah. You know static.” I lied though it sounded bad even to my own ears.

She bent picking up our cups with a hum, luckily we were both done so nothing spilled.

“Well I’ve said my peace, I’ll retire for the night and I expect you to do the same. Good night.”

Just like that she was gone leaving me confused. The pain stabbed through me again in a dull throb making me glance down. I stared in disbelief. I knew what she had been looking at now. The mark was glowing. Did she know what it meant?

“Maki?” Cast asked worried.

“Do you want me to summon Travis?” Simon asked.

I covered the mark as it dimmed of it’s light. “In the morning and Simon, Cast,” They stopped fretting at my tone. “We need to watch my aunt.”

They crossed their fist over their chest. “Of course but why?”

“She saw the mark glow and looked like she knew something.”

Simon nodded, he must have seen it too.

Cast looked at the door. “Should we go and ask her then? If she could shed some light on this we could learn what’s going on.” He asked.

Should we? She may have run into something in her travels that knew what this was.

I clenched my fist the remembrance of pain still tingling through me. Then why did it hurt so much when she touched me? I grabbed Simon and Cast’s hand but nothing happened. Was it just random people? Now I had more questions.

“No, don’t bring this up. Let’s wait till I speak with Travis.”

They nodded and I for once went to bed early.