I led Antoni back to the castle, thinking over the conversation we had in his cottage, the little moments between us and I smiled, my heart feeling light but there was still a swirling darkness, Cassandra’s grip on my ability to feel worth settling deep inside.

We reached the throne room and I opened the door, allowing Antoni in ahead of me, “Father?” I called quietly to Chevalier who was looking over a letter.

“Ah. Hello my son,” Chevalier nodded, “and Sir Antoni.”

“Antoni would like a moment of your time if possible. I asked him to come here.”

“I can do that. Please,” Chevalier gestured to a small couch and Antoni took a seat, crossing his ankles before placing his hands in his lap, a regal air about how he sat and I realized that was why he walked so properly. He had been given the proper etiquette to be a King by his parents but had no desire to follow it, his movements simply a habit that had developed, “What can I do for you?”

“Do you know of Appanolia?” Antoni whispered, looking directly at Chevalier.

“Well, I know of the myths of Appanolia. That it was there before Nouvelle. That the people of Appanolia were closer to nature than we ever were here. It sunk to the bottom of the sea many years ago. When I was a child.”

“But it didn’t,” Antoni cleared his throat, “that is where I was born. My parents were the rulers of the island. Due to how… remote it is, they had no way to reach out for help when a plague destroyed not only the crops and livestock but killed most of the villagers. It was also against Appanolian custom to tell others that we were there as at the time, most citizens were Fae folk. You surely know of me.”

“Y-Yes that I did know. That you were the last of the fae in any sense.”

“Morgan is not. Neither is my brother Elis. He is the new king of Appanolia. When my parents managed to secure a vessel to Tartena Port, they took Morgan and me along. Well… Morgan’s father and our mother as my father is gone. She cannot know of this. I beg your secrecy.”

“And I swear that you should have it. But if your brother is truly the new King, then that would mean…”

“That I am next in line for the throne if he does not have any children, yes. But in front of Prince Ezra, I denounced my claim to the throne. I do not wish to be the Prince of Appanolia any longer. I never did. Elis was always to take the throne. Not me. He was groomed for it. I was found to be far too… emotional to run a kingdom. I will do what’s best for the people I care for, not for the kingdom. I would be an asset to a council, but if I were to make decisions alone as I would have done in Appanolia, I would act rashly. Protect those I love. But I never truly fell in love with Appanolia. I was 4 when we left. Or well… 40. I age differently right now. Until I give my heart,” he reached into the front of his shirt and produced a small chain, a ring of silver glittering on it with a strange gem settled in the bracket, “to a human I will continue to age differently. I love Nouvelle. This is my homeland. This is where I was truly meant to be. In the castle with all of you, caring for Ezra as his steward and…”

“My advisor,” I nodded, “I have asked that Antoni step into the role.”

“But Zarian…” Chevalier shook his head.

“May not be in any place to assist me nor be a king to Serce. Father, we may need to look into the very real possibility that when he returns to us he may be incapable of taking his position. I want to propose something myself. Based on no knowledge of Zarian’s mental faculties.”

“What is it?” he sat on the throne, staring at me and I came around behind the couch, placing my hand on Antoni’s shoulder for support, the golden glow spreading along my arm, providing me warmth.

“If we are able to combine Nouvelle and Serce, Leon should be placed as the Duke of Serce. With Red being his wife, as she is the Princess Regent of Serce, the people are more likely to accept this change. Peri can serve as Duchess as well as an advisor and teacher. It helps with relations between Nouvelle and Serce. I will… take my place as King when you are ready to step down, I will not force it on you, nor am I ready. While my memories have returned entirely thanks to Antoni, I am still unknowing of how things work. I was never taught. When you feel I am ready to ascend the throne then I shall. As far as who shall take the Dukedom when Leon passes, there is the prophecy of the morning son correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then he shall take the Dukedom as Leon cannot have children. If Leon is not a good pick there is one more person I would recommend to take over Serce. Someone that is beloved through the entire land.”

“And who would that be?” he smiled, crossing his arms across his chest.

“Robin.”

“I knew that is who you meant. But Robin has no royal blood. Oleano does, however. But he is in no way fit to run Serce. Leon would be my choice. Antoni?”

“Yes, Your Highness?” Antoni nodded, reaching up to hook one of his fingers around mine.

“Who would you choose? As Ezra’s advisor and our main authority on diplomacy in Nouvelle, I value your opinion.”

“Leon. Even with his blood lust, he is highly respected and understanding of how to ensure the villagers are healthy and thriving. Red keeps him steady. As does Peri. So I would say that if we can combine Nouvelle and Serce, place Ezra as the King of Nouvelle and Leon as the Duke of Serce. But all of this depends on how Zarian returns. He may be whole. We cannot know until we find him again.”

An all-familiar itch started at the back of my brain and I let go of Antoni to grip the back of my neck, trying to chase it away but it was pulling me toward the crown that had been left behind when Zarian was abducted.

“Ezra?” Chevalier called softly and I waved him off, heading to the case and grabbing the crown carefully, “What in the world are you doing?”

“It was calling to me,” I whispered, “oh,” smiling, I threw the crown to the floor as hard as I could, both Antoni and Chevalier jumping up with a yell when I did.

“What in the world do you think you’re doing!” Chevalier shouted as the gems along the band shattered, sparkling across the stone floor.

“Quiet,” shaking my head, I closed my eyes and held my hand out, instinct taking over, “Guide my hand. Guide my heart. Though we may be fathoms apart, find who I seek.”

A rush of wind ripped through the throne room and I clenched my fist, a boom shooting from below my hand and when I opened my eyes, I found Zarian. An image of him in what was closer to a mirror. He was lying on a filthy bed, his hair matted with blood, his frame tiny as he shook, trying to grasp something that lay next to him and I realized it was a baby.

“Zarian,” I called softly and he turned his head, looking directly at me through the portal, “Zari, where are you?”

“Ezra?” he croaked out, his voice hoarse and shaky, “you’ve returned?”

“I have. I was trapped in the Land of Reason for many years. I’ve been back for 8 days. I just regained my memory. I need you to tell me where you are. We can save you.”

“I… am in the middle of a desert land. In a hut. It is so hot here. There is very little water.”

“Alanin,” Antoni whispered, coming closer so that he could see Zarian as well, “oh my liege… are you injured?”

“Very much so. Yes. I am dying. I can feel that I am. I have been assaulted. Physically. Sexually. This is my daughter,” he nodded to the baby, clearly unable to move properly, “Sidra. Tell me, is Hortencia alive?”

“She is. She is with Leon now,” I sniffled, concern flooding my heart, “Zari. Why will you not sit up?”

“I can no longer feel my legs. My spine is severely injured. I have no movement or feeling. I can only lie here. There is nothing more I can do. Infection is running through my body, draining me due to sores that have formed. I have laid here for three moons now. Unable to move more than my upper body. Even that is difficult. I am very weak. I wish to die. I cannot do this anymore.”

“We will save you,” Chevalier cut in, his voice thick with tears, “I swore to your father that I would find you one day. We know where you are now. We can plan a siege. Or… I know someone who I can send in to save you. Four people. I just need a landmark. Anything.”

“You won’t need that,” shaking my head, I squatted down and picked up one of the small crystals that I had shattered when I tossed the crown to the floor, “I can use this as a guide. It will gain warmth the closer to Zarian I am. So I will be joining the party to bring him and Sidra home.”

“But Celeste,” Antoni touched my back and I smiled, rubbing his cheek softly.

“I entrust her to you in my absence. Can you care for her for me?”

“I… yes, of course, Prince Ezra.”

“Thank you, Mein Liebling,” taking his hand, I kissed his palm softly before turning back to Zarian, “Zari. How far from Serce did you travel?”

“4 days of nonstop movement. It will take you 8 to reach me.”

“We will find you in five,” I placed my right fist over my chest and nodded, “I refuse to allow you to suffer any more than you are currently.”

“V-Very well. Who is coming?”

“Ezra,” Chevalier squeezed my shoulder, “Red. Dominick. Dean. Robin.”

“Robin?” I looked at him in shock.

“Duh,” Robin called from behind me, scrambling out of the mirror I had been told about, “I’m the best lancer in the land. Dean and Dominick are waiting for us at the border between Alanin and Wickersham Forest. Mads,” he pulled Mads through the mirror who giddily looked around, “will stay here to communicate our movements to Chevalier and Leon. We were listening through the mirror. I already sent a radabin to Dean and Dominick to continue on. We figured Zarian was in Alanin as Red has combed Serce for years and never found him. You have one evening to regain your ability to use a bow, Prince Ezra. Antoni?”

“Yes?” Antoni nodded at Robin.

“You are the second-best archer in all of Nouvelle and Serce behind the Prince. I need you to teach him again. As quickly as possible.”

“He is much taller than I am. I am unsure how I can properly teach him.”

“The same way I used to teach,” Zarian started to cough, a few drops of blood forming on the corner of his mouth as we all looked at him through the portal, “you stand on a stool behind him. That’s how I taught Hortencia.”

“Prince Zarian?” Antoni squatted down near the portal.

“I am no longer a prince. Just call me Zari.”

“Prince Zarian,” Antoni repeated, “may I try something?”

“I don’t mind.”

Antoni placed his hand through the portal, something that shocked all of us and Zarian reached up, taking his hand, “I can feel you. Can you feel me?”

“Y… yes,” Zarian nodded quickly, his eyes wide, “what in the world are you?”

“I am Fae,” Antoni smiled, “hand me Sidra. I can pull her through. Then it will take effort but I believe that with everyone here we can get you through as well. No need for a dangerous mission across Alanin.”

Zarian shakily picked up Sidra and handed her to Antoni who immediately pulled her through the portal, a sigh of relief escaping him as he handed the baby to Mads. She never moved, her chest rising and falling and I realized she was in an unnaturally deep sleep.

“She is cursed oh the sweet little thing,” Mads sighed, “I shall call the apothecary, mhm I shall, they can awaken her quickly, help her to sing.”

“In a moment,” Chevalier shook his head as we all took positions around the portal, “Antoni will this work?”

“Sidra came through fine. My only fear is the portal closing. The edges are getting weak. I am concerned that if we don’t move Zarian now, he will be eviscerated as we pull him through. Or at the least, lose his legs.”

“They do not work anymore regardless,” Zarian held his hands out, and Antoni took them, “as long as I do not bleed to death I could care less if I lose my legs.”

“Very well. I am going to pull him as hard as I can. Prince Ezra, grab my waist, keep me steady so his weight doesn’t pull me through the portal. King Chevalier, I need you to grab my forearms and pull as well. Robin, you are on immediate medical care. And Mads, go find Leon, Red, and Peri. As well as a physician. Does everyone understand?”

“Yes,” we all nodded in unison and I came behind Antoni, wrapping my arms around his waist as securely as I could.

As soon as everyone was in position, Antoni took a deep breath and Chevalier gasped quietly but made no other noise as we carefully lifted Zarian through the portal, Antoni shaking as Zarian dug his fingers into Antoni’s arms, drawing blood with his nails.

“Hurry,” Antoni panted, clearly overexerted as he was the smallest person here but the only one capable of reaching through the portal, “it’s closing! Pull as hard as you can.”

“Hold tight,” I muttered and immediately rocked myself back, causing Antoni to fall onto me, Zarian now cradled in his arms, and as the portal closed Chevalier shoved Zarian’s legs up, none of his limbs left behind.

“We did it,” Antoni whispered, cradling Zarian’s face, “I can’t believe that worked.”

“Thank you,” Zarian started to cry and buried his face against Antoni’s chest and I wrapped my arms around the both of them, laughing internally at the fact they were both small enough to lay on my chest.

The throne room door burst open, crashing against the wall, and Leon came running in, Red and Peri behind him with Mads who was cradling a still-sleeping Sidra, and Celeste looked around confused before she ran over to me and squatted down.

“Papa, there are scary soldiers outside,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“They’ve been there. Uncle Leon and Auntie Red were handling things. I promise… oh I promise sweet pea that everything is okay. It’s the best it could be. Celeste,” I smiled at her before looking down at Zarian who was using Antoni to sit up now, “this is Prince Zarian. He’s the prince from all the stories I told you in the Land of Reason.”

“You told me about a Princess,” she whispered again.

“I used to be a Princess,” Zarian nodded, his eyes closing as he relaxed, clearly exhausted, “but I am a prince now.”

“Okay,” Celeste nodded, scooting over to him after she let me go, “can I help you?”

“You are a child. How can you help me?”

“Please?”

“You can try,” he opened his eyes and gasped softly when Celeste kissed the tip of his nose.

All of the visible wounds along Zarian’s skin slowly started to close, the unhealthy gray shade of his skin becoming the peach tone that I recognized. His breathing evened out, and he gently touched his legs, his eyes even wider than should have been possible and he slowly bent his knees, his entire body shaking.

“What did you do?” he whispered, taking Celeste’s hands.

“Well, I can heal you! I’m Princess Celeste,” she beamed, “Papa brought me from the Land of Reason. It’s nice to meet you! Welcome home.”

“How old are you?”

“5!”

“Oh my god,” I groaned, “I am so sorry, Celeste. Papa forgot.”

“It’s okay,” she shrugged.

“What’s going on?” Zarian continued to let Antoni hold him as Red cried against Leon’s chest.

“We have plenty to celebrate. You’re home,” I cradled Zarian’s cheek, “and today is Celeste’s fifth birthday.”