Levi woke up in a cold sweat; her body shivering not from the cold but from fear. She tried to steady her breathing but it wasn’t doing much. Stress felt like it was building up inside of her and waiting to explode. The faint sound of the icy wind blowing distracted her for a moment. She walked over to the window and was still wishing to see past the clouds, but also wondering what Casitas would do to her.

Her hand gazed down at her ring, not once did she take it off. Her trembling hand traced over the band and slowly began sliding off her finger.

Before anything, in the corner of her eye she noticed something flying high up through the clouds. It was so sudden that she was unaware of what she actually saw. Whatever it was, it was fast and strong enough to make the wind change directions.

There was a knock at the door and Avan let himself in. He had a heartwarming smile as he approached Levi. She noticed immediately he had bright purple eyes as well.

“Hello Lady Levi,” he greeted. “I am here to check in on you.”

Levi backed away. “Who are you?”

“Oh, I apologize,” he said as he stopped in his tracks. “I am so used to everyone knowing me that it’s been a while since I introduced myself.”

He politely bowed to Levi and lifted his head up with a kind smile. “I am Sir Avan. I am Casitas’ older brother and the kingdom's best healer. My brother wanted me to check it to see if your ring is alright. Can you hold out your hand for me, please?”

Levi couldn’t object to him and reached out her hand to him. Carefully he held onto her palm and stared at the stone. The burning red color was no longer seen, now it was only a quick spark of red in its ashy black flame.

“Wow, this ring is getting weaker very fast. It looks like it will die out any moment now,” he noticed. “How long has it been this dull?”

“I haven’t noticed,” said Levi.

“Well, you are already going to need a new one. Please sit by the fireplace and I will replace it,” said Avan. He began to slide the ring off but Levi pulled her hand away.

“I have a question,” she said. “Why are you keeping me alive? Wouldn’t his Lord want me dead?”

Avan shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea why my brother wants you alive. Maybe he just likes you.”

Levi instantly blushed and was lost for words. During that, Avan grabbed Levi's wrist and led her to the fireplace. Once close enough, he backed away. The heat was making him weaker. Levi noticed that it seems no one here likes fire at all.

“Can you take the ring off and toss it to me?” he asked.

Levi carefully took the ring off and felt the chilling air overcome her. So much so, her legs fell to the ground as she felt ice filling her lungs. It wasn’t enough to kill her but enough to cause her to feel weak. In her attempt, she slid the ring to Avans feet. He picked it up and noticed that the bright red color was now dull faded yellow.

“I won’t be gone long,” he said.

Avan hurried out of the room.

Levi tried her best to remain calm. Before realizing it, she felt her vision fading into nothing but a blur until she passed out. Even then, she felt the cold stone floor surrounding her whole body.

In her mind, she kept visualizing herself staring into a mirror. She was wearing a golden royal dress and holding a bouquet of blue roses. Her face in the mirror was emotionless.

She felt someone's sharp nails digging into her shoulders.

“Don’t you look lovely,” said a scratchy voice in her ear. “Now, how about we see a smile.”

“I am not going to smile,” Levi said blankly.

“Now, now,” said the voice as the nails dug in deeper so much so it was scratching deep under her skin. “When I say it, you do it. Understand? Now let's see that smile.”

Levi gave a broken smile in her mirrored reflection. It was causing the mirror to crack completely down the middle. The crack looked like it was splitting her face in half. More and more the crack started spreading all over the mirror, each crack forming becoming louder like clawing the back of your mind.

“Now there isn’t any time to waste,” said the voice. “Go out there and make me proud.”

The crack snapped out of the mirror and spread all over the room! Slowly everything started to crack, struggling to stay together. Levi was unable to move. Everything felt like it was closing in. The nails felt like they were stabbing all over her body, making her fall to her knees.

“You have a job to do Levi,” said the voice. “Get up. Get up and do your job!”

Levi opened her eyes and found herself laying in her bed. She saw Avan checking her hand again. Quickly she pulled herself up and gasped for air.

“Easy!” said Avan. “You were out for quite a while.”

She gazed down at her hand and saw the ring looking like it did before, a strong red color but this time it was much brighter than before.

“What is going on?” she asked as she started feeling like her body wasn’t freezing anymore.

“You see, since you are not used to the climate, you would easily freeze without the help of that ring,” Avan explained. “It is a Pyre Crimson stone. It is an extremely hot stone that is meant to help you adapt to the weather here. You have to always have your ring on for it to keep you warm. Sorry that the last one died out so fast. I didn’t take into account how intense our winter is here for an outsider.”

“I’ve heard of these,” said Levi. “Doesn’t heat hurt Xyiiux?”

“It does. Cas nearly burned his hands getting this for you,” said Avan, as he held her hand again. He kept examining the ring even further. Levi kept to herself, but felt an overwhelming shred of guilt. “Ok, this time this stone should keep you safe much longer than the last one; but the moment it dies down you have to report it to me.”

“Can I see Lord Casitas?” she asked.

Avan softly laughed. “Sorry, but my brother ordered for you not to leave your room.”

“But I want to properly thank him.”

Avan noticed how determined she was and softly nodded to her. “Well, I am about to have dinner with my family and my brother is coming. It will be nice if you come along as well.”

“I thought I wasn’t allowed to leave?”

“I am the older brother, I don’t have to listen to my baby brother ALL the time,” Avan teased. “I’ll come and get you when dinner comes, just wear something nice.”

“I only have one dress,”

“Then, I’ll get a chambermaid to bring you other dresses,” Avan smiled.

Before Levi could ask more questions, Avan happily left her room. Completely dumbfound, she sat down by the fireplace once again. Thoughts of her dreams and past crept through her head. Wondering if she should openly tell Casitas about it or wait until he trusts her more. Still, not sure what to expect from what to come.

Meanwhile, in the private dining hall. Casitas stood in the middle of the room, patiently waiting for his guest. He wore a thick formal white coat with a faded blue trim, along with a charming neck collar with a blue stone in the center. The doors opened and rushing by was a small child with messy blonde hair running towards Casitas. He dropped down his knees and opened his arms to him.

“Uncle Cas!” shouted the boy. He boldly charged forward and gave his uncle a heartwarming hug, nearly knocking Casitas over.

“Wow!” he said as he patted his head. “Conall, you keep getting stronger every time I see you. Have you been training with your father?”

“Like that will happen,” said a man approaching them. He also had blonde hair like the child and smiled at Casitas. “Like your brother will let me.”

“Hello Galen,” Casitas said as he stood up. The two politely shook hands with one another. “I’ll just keep my brother busy while the two of you train.”

“Nice try. Last time we did that, Avan didn’t let me have dessert for a month,” Galen whined.

“I wanna be a fighter like you dad!” said Conall.

Galen patted his son's head and sighed sadly. “I know.”

“Where is my brother?” Casitas asked.

“He told me he would be bringing another guest for dinner. I thought he told you,” Galen teased. So quickly, his face turned into a mocking smile. Already, Casitas knew what his brother was up to.

“Is it too late to cancel?” Casitas groaned.

“C’mon,” said Galen. “All of us are worried about you. Don’t you get lonely? This is a big castle.”

Casitas hid his face away from the two; trying to hide how annoyed he was feeling. “Alone doesn't mean lonely. Also I have better things to worry about than who will be in my bed.”

“Whose in your bed, Uncle Cas? I can beat them up,” Conall cheerfully offered as he raised his hand.

“I might have to take you up on that offer, nephew,” Casitas bowed.

Galen escorted his son to the dining table and took a seat next to him. That moment was when Avan and Levi entered the room. She wore a beautiful white winter dress that stretched down to the floor making a train and a fluffed white shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Galen and Casitas froze in place as they gazed at Levi. Galen and Conall were amazed by her beauty, while Casitas was conflicted on what he was exactly looking at. Now worrying about how this dinner will go.