“Hey Chance, are you okay?” I speak as I walk towards him, I notice him rub his eyes before responding.

“Amaris hi, sorry I didn’t come to see you straight away” he mumbled with his back still turned to me, I walked closer to him which made him tense up.

I carried on walking even though he was being cautious. As I passed him I sat down on the bench, looking up at his shy face I patted the seat beside me. He slowly moved over and sat next to me.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me, but if you want to talk you can. We’re friends right?” I ask while staring into his saddened red eyes. A slight sparkle arose at my words.

“Promise me we'll always be friends, Amaris!” He blurred out with so much desire on his face, this made me smile, I reached out and placed our foreheads together which made him freak out.

“Chance! calm down for one second” I said quickly, making him slowly relax into my touch.

“I promise we will always be friends” I smiled while looking into his deep red eyes, pulling away quickly to not make it more awkward, I stood up and held out a hand.

“Let’s go and see my empire's traditional dance” I smiled brightly towards him, he smiled back while grabbing my hand. We soon made our way back into the hall to watch the show.

Making our way through the crowd we made it to the front where an open circle was made. I was so excited to see my empire dance, as I was feeling all of the excitement my hand tightened around Chances without me realising, and as I waited for the dance to start I didn’t notice the pair of newly turned purple eyes staring at me with deep tenderness.

“Ooo it’s starting!” I cheered as I watched a beautiful woman in green bra and a flowy silk butterfly skirt, I watched her many jewels twinkle in the lighting and her sheer veil move with her elegance.

A man approached her with a long black skirt with golden triple marks and he wore a long veil that covered half of his face and dragged out towards his shoulder.

“They look so beautiful,” I gasped.

“Your beautiful Amaris” Chance muttered quietly, I turned to face him unsure with what he said.

“Did you say somethi-

My words got cut short as the music started to play, the sound of drums and flutes mixing all into one and was followed by the sound of a violin. I watched the dancers step towards one another and hold out their palms facing each other, now putting them together but without touching the circled around like wild animals, they moved in time to the music and the air around them grew thick.

‘So much tension’

As the beat got faster I watched them dance in one, circling around and banging the feet to the ground in time with the music, it was mesmerising. As the song nearly came to an end I watched as the man lifted the woman into the air and held her there for us all to stare in awe, my eyes sparkled in amazement. Even though I cannot remember my lives before the last one, I'm sure I never saw any dance like this.

‘I want to learn it’

“Chance!” I smiled wide eyed at him while grabbing his other hand in mine, he cocked his head to the side in response.

“Promise me now, that when we’re older you’ll do my empires dance with me!” I gleaned in excitement, although he looked awkward at first he took a breath before replying.

“Princess Amaris, I hope I can be the first person you dance with. So I promise” he bowed towards me, I haven’t known him long but this awkward boy has charm.

‘He will make someone happy one day’

“Princess it’s time for bed” Aenon ordered while pointing at me.

“You know it’s rude to point” I commented before returning to Chance.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe we can go for a walk on your last day” I smiled brightly towards him, without letting him respond I walked over to Aenons arms and demanded to be picked up.

“You just use me for my legs” he cried while lifting me, as I nuzzled my face into him I noticed how tired my small body was.

…..

As I opened my eyes I realised I was submerged in water, although at first glance I panicked I realized this was a dream. As I lay in the open water I heard a small voice speak.

“The one who has lived many lives” echoed through me. As I tried to respond I noticed my voice got caught and I couldn’t speak.

“My dear wandering soul, this is my spiritual realm, everything that happens here is all down to me” it muttered once more, I wasn’t sure if this voice is a friend or foe.

“I know now who you are or more likely who you were, I remember who your soul belonged too and why you jumped from many body’s for many many years” my eyes widened at their words.

‘It knows who I was before? Who I was originally’ 

As I tried to ask more questions the feeling of tightening gripped around my neck, this caused me to choke.

“My dear soul, I cannot tell you the answer you seek, but one day you shall have to find the truth and when you do you will be set free” 

As the choking got worse and I felt my life slip into darkness I awoke with a gasp, I felt the sweat dripping down my body as the dream caused me to panic.

‘I will be set free, if I can find out who I was…’

…..

The other empires left the day after the ball which was understandable, most of them made me feel uncomfortable anyway. So After a few days of relaxing and spending time getting to know Chance and Heru.

The last day finally arrived, which saddened me knowing Chance was leaving back to his Empire.

“Do you really have to go, Chance?” I pouted as we walked around the castle halls.

“Sadly yes, but it’s okay, we can visit each other once a month” he smiled brightly towards me. Our parents agreed for Chance to use the magic portal once a month and stay for two days, until I can use my power properly. After I gain my power I’d be able to visit his empire which I’m excited about.

“Should we look out around the lost desert” I smirked towards him, the lost desert is a massive area which is completely deprived of water and life, it’s where the curse lays. We’re not allowed to wander out there unless the knights are visiting the animal tribe which sits on the other side, apparently they have many forests and sit next to the ocean.

“Isn’t that dangerous” he mumbles, to which I raise a brow at.

“I promise to protect you” I giggle while running off.

“I’m meant to be the one to protect you” he whispers too low for me to hear.

….

“Wow it’s huge” I gasped at the scene in front of me, I watched the desert reach the far horizon and the sun rays slowly move because of the heat.

“Whatcha doing out here princess and prince” a knight comments while walking over to us.

“I just wanted to see the desert. Is it okay! I promise we have protection magic and we won’t go far!” I pouted while giving him my puppy dog eyes which no one could resist, I turned to look at Chance while nudging him to do the same.

“Please” he mumbles while awkwardly looking away.

“Fine only for thirty minutes, after that I will send Aenon to find you” he chuckled before taking his seat. I got shivers at the thought of physco Aenon coming out trying to find me.

“Come on Chance” I giggle while holding out my hand, which he now grabs instantly. We quickly ran out into the open desert where only sand rests.

“This is really amazing” he mumbles while looking around in awe. I watched him slowly form from a shy boy to someone he can be comfortable with. The way he smiles around me shows that I will be able to protect him.

“Amaris, what's that?” He asks while pointing into the distance, I notice a small white and black figure in the distance, it’s further than what we are meant to go so quickly turning towards Chance I raised a finger to my lips and ran.

“Amaris!” He called out while running after me, I quickly ran with my small legs towards to figure who was slowly getting bigger.

“Shit! PRINCESS AMARIS COME BACK!” The knight yells, I ignore his calls and carry on running, suddenly feeling the heat hit me. My breathing and eyesight became harder to use.

‘I can’t give up, it could be a person’

As my running slowed down I heard the small sound of a bell in the distance, my vision now blurry but the small figure was inches away from me. I approached it carefully and noticed the small fur surrounding it, the golden marks over its black and white fur was shining.

‘It’s only a baby’

Dropping to the floor and my knees gave way, I cradled the baby beast in my arms and tried to regain my standing which was harder than I thought, feeling faint I felt a pair of arms wrap around me.

“I thought you were meant to protect me” Chance huffs with exhaustion, even though he could barely breathe in this heat he managed to hold me up.

“Amaris, are you crazy! I leave you alone for a day and this is what you do!” Aenon shouts loudly, I stare up and notice how his usually smiley face is now angry. 

‘Oh no’

“Aenon I’m sorry, I just couldn’t leave this little guy out there” I pouted while hanging my head, Aenon quickly grabbed us both and ran towards the castle to make sure the magic cooling spell reactivated.

Now sitting outside while drinking some water and having cooling magic applied to us I turned to look up at Aenon, who currently had no expression. I slowly staggered up and walked towards him, without thinking I wrapped my arms around his legs which made him jump, he was obviously lost in thought.

“Aenon I’m sorry” I cry as tears slowly fall out of my eyes. I'm not sure whether it’s the heat or the fact that Aenons upset with me but I couldn’t stop the tears. With a small sigh I felt Aenons arms wrap around me.

“Princess please don’t cry, just the thought that I made you sad hurts me” he mumbles while holding me in a hug.

“But I’m the one that made you sad” I whisper into his shoulder, I felt him huff at my response.

“I’m not sad I promise” he spoke while moving me in front of him to show me his huge smile, I knew deep down his smile was hiding the fact he was scared and sad, but how would a four year old know that.

“Your little friend is with the Mage from the magic tribe, they said he’s lucky to be alive” Aenon spoke while wiping my old tears away.

“Do you and Chance want to go see him?” He smiles brightly at both of us.