(Circe’s P.OV)

I watched him as my Mother, Airocei and Darius prepared to begin the ritual. I had no idea that he would be here as I hadn’t been properly informed of exactly what the ceremony entailed. I felt cheated, as though I should have had time to prepare before I was forced to see him again.

The look that he had given me when he had entered told me that his feelings had not changed for me one little bit and knowing that, knowing that that hatred was directed towards me hurt. It hurt so so much.

As I watched him struggle against his chains I wanted nothing more than to run to him. I could see that he was not being treated well, if the bloody seeping through his white shirt was any indication. I assumed that they had cleaned him up before he was brought here, but seeing him in this state only confirmed my suspicions that he was not being looked after.

There was a feral look to him, his hair had grown longer and was matted at the back like the pelt of a wild animal. His teeth were constantly bared, his golden eyes reminding me of that of a predator. His pointed ears stuck out through his hair slightly, the tips more tapered than I had ever seen them and his face was gaunt and his cheekbones sharp and pointed, as though he had not been getting enough food.

My heart beat painfully in my chest and I felt as though every cell in my body was reaching for him. I didn’t realize that I had taken a step forward until a hand shot out, restraining me from moving any closer.

I looked to the side to see Ambrose, staring straight at Obsidian before looking down at me and shaking his head ever so slightly. He pulled me back towards him and I leaned into his side, using him for support as he wrapped an arm around me.

“Watch”

Quietly, the Rulers had begun to speak, most of it I could understand but there were a few words in there that were foreign to me.

“Lye nelde harna en’I Arandom en Kemen, Vilya ar Alu en alye sii’ a unite lye vee ndor’ er. Lye tanyra i’ umartempla  el deno’ ar’ i agar en i’ Dhaeraow ona vee mainka a i’ Ra Unenka.”

It seemed to be a jumble of all three languages, I recognized the word ‘Dhaeraow’ to mean traitor, then of course ‘Kemen, Vilya and Alu’ to mean Earth, Air and Water.

As we looked on, the stone beneath their hands begun to glow, the light seeming to emit from where Unabonan’s snout touched the altar. The great Dragons eyes were closed and he was humming as the rulers spoke the words, the rumble building until it vibrated through the throne room.

Their words changed as they spoke together and now I could not understand any of what they were saying. I gasped as I looked down to see that the runes on my robes were glowing white. Looking over to Zalas and Aranel, their eyes were fixed solely on Unabonan and their robes, etched with the same runes that mine were, were also glowing white.

As though pulled by an invisible force, we begun to move towards the table and as we drew closer, the white from the ruins flowed out from the material and towards the altar, merging with the glowing stone and binding us with tiny threads of light. Ambrose and Titan were experiencing the same thing and opposite me, Zalas and Aranel were calm, as though this was what they had expected.

My Mother reached then, to grab one of Obsidian's hands. Turning it over, she revealed a small dagger, with which she made a small and deliberate cut across his wrist. Obsidian hissed at her, but with his hands chained to the altar, there was nothing he could do about it.

He blood gushed quickly from the cut and onto the altar, revealing the deep cuts in the stone that I had not noticed before. His blood pooled into the crevices and as more was revealed, I realized that they were the same runes again, the language of the Dragons.

More and more of the script was revealed, the blood pooling towards the inevitable, the center, where the pendants lay and I knew now that the words that they were speaking were the ones in front of them. They finished the script just as the blood touched the edge of the pendants and I was unprepared for what happened next.

It was as though a shock wave rocked through me, I felt my head fall back, although I stayed in one place. I could feel the ancient magic coursing through me, binding me to the people around me. For a moment I could feel what each individual person was feeling and thinking, but the surge was too much for me to be able to distinguish anything. They were simply all there.

In front of me I could see the pendants rising from the table in a stream of white light that was emitting from our bodies and our eyes. The stones circled one another before melting into a pool of color. The colors intertwined with each other, still spinning, as though caught in a lovers dance.

And then as quickly as it happened it was over and in the middle of the altar sat the most beautiful stone that I had ever seen. It was a entrancing milky white and in the light I could see that it reflected a thousand different colors back at me. I stared at it, speechless, and watched as Unabonan strained his neck forward to touch his snout to the stone.

A slow trickle of blue fire licked out from his nostrils, encasing the stone. When the flames died, a delicate jeweled case enclosed the rock. It was made entirely from diamond and through it I could see the stone winking back at me. Around the case there was a kind of blue aura that shimmered innocently. I shuddered, hating to think what would happen to anyone who tried to open it.

Looking to Obsidian, I could see his chest heaving. His eyes were wide as he stared aimlessly at the cut on his wrist that was still dribbling blood. I was so close to him, if I reached out a hand I could-

His eyes jumped to me, ferocious golden orbs and as though he had heard my thoughts he snarled at me, pulling back his top lip to bare his fangs.

He was instantly restrained and I was pulled back by Ambrose. I looked up at him feeling startled. Everything had happened so fast.

“Is it over?”

He nodded. “Bringing them together is a lot easier than separating them. Some would say it is almost simple in fact.”

I ran a hand over my face, looking to my Mother. She was talking quietly with the other two rulers. She looked up for a moment to gesture towards Obsidian.

“Take him away.”

I started forward, but once again, Ambrose held me back. It seemed as though that was all he had been doing.

“You cannot do anything for him.”

“I know that, I just-“

“Look at your Mother Circe, do not disappoint her. She has shown you far more lenience than you realize. “His voice was urgent and I looked over at my Mother.

She was watching me carefully, her face impassive. I suddenly realized that Ambrose was right and I straightened, smiling at her. I would have to be on my best behavior if there was to be any chance that she would let me go to the Earth Kingdom. She had to believe that I was going for reasons other than emotional attachment; otherwise it would never be permitted.

She smiled back and after a moment’s hesitation, walked over to me, leaving the other two to continue talking. My eyes flickered to where Unabonan was slowly retracting his head and neck from the room, being careful not to bump his head on the chandelier as he did so. Obsidian and the guards followed him and I was surprised to see that Obsidian was not putting up much of a fight.

Although it hurt me so deeply to just let him leave, knowing that he was going back to that horrible place, I dragged my gaze away and focused back on my Mother who was now standing directly in front of me. She reached out to place her hand on my shoulder.

“You did well Child.” There was a double meaning behind her words, but I chose to only acknowledge the obvious.

“It was different than I thought it would be.”

She tilted her head, “How so?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, I guess I thought it would be a more difficult process. It was still an incredible experience though,” I said hastily.

She laughed. “When all of the right people are present, it does not take much Circe. Having you and the Air children here helped too though, magic is much more willing to do our bidding when it is shared among many. One, on the other hand, well then it is not so simple.”

I nodded. There was still much that I did not understand about my new world and in that way I felt slightly naive. My Mother seemed to understand this for she smiled knowingly.

“Not everything has to be so complicated my Dear, you will come to realize this in time, but for now we must present ourselves to the public.”

She gestured for the others to join her before she turned back to me. “Stay beside Ambrose.” She instructed, before the diamond box containing the pendant was placed in her hands and she turned for the door, Airocei at one side of her and Darius at the other.

As we exited the throne room, we could hear the noise of the crowd that had gathered in the courtyard outside. We ascended up the grand staircase, making our way up to the first floor so that we could stand on the balcony and present the joined pendants to the public.

Stepping out into the bright sunlight, a roar rose up through the crowds as people waved brightly colored banners and little blue flags. The three rulers stepped up to the edge of the balcony and we fanned out in a line behind them, waving and smiling to the people.

My Mother waved her hands for quiet and after a few moments her voice echoed out over the palace courtyard. I could see that beyond the palace gates, more people were crowded up on the steps that lead all the way up to the castle. The grand gates were open, allowing people to try and squish in so that they could hear.

“Today on the most wonderful of days, I am pleased to announce after many, many centuries of turmoil, our three fine Kingdoms and all of those who reside within, are once again one people. The banishment that was placed upon the Earth Kingdom after the breaking of the treaty has finally been lifted and the pendants that represent the peace in our world are reunited once more!”

She thrust the diamond box high above her head in triumph and the crowds went wild with cheering, chanting words that I could quite understand as music begun to play from somewhere within the hordes of people down below. High in the sky above, there was a roar of a different kind and we all looked up to see the Dragons circling overhead in a wondrous display of flying, fire shooting out of their mouths every now and then as they celebrated with us.

“I urge you all to enjoy the celebrations as we rejoice at the coming together of the Kingdoms. Now is a time for happiness and a time to be grateful that our struggles are finally in the past and may it stay that way for many centuries to come.”

We parted to let the Rulers through, before following them back in doors. My Mother smiled before informing us that we would be expected to be ready later on for a formal dinner with the important guests that had traveled far in order to be here for this moment. Until then, we were free to go as we pleased.

Zalas and Aranel left almost immediately and I wondered for a moment whether they ever did anything alone. King Darius excused himself to return to his quarters and my Mother and Airocei also disappeared after a few words to Titan.

Titian smiled at me before taking my hand and kissing it gently. “You will be pleased to hear Princess that my little girl is doing fabulously. All thanks to you of course, what you did for me and those other families … we will forever be in your debt. You will make a great Queen one day, and when that day comes, I hope that you will consider me a seat on your council.”

I blushed profusely at the declaration of loyalty. “Thank you so much for your kind words Mayor, it was the least I could do, and you have my word, when that day comes, you will most absolutely be considered. Your guidance would be invaluable.”

Titan smiled widely and a thought suddenly occurred to me. “Actually if it’s not too rude to ask, how do you have legs? I was under the impression that male Sirens that were born with tails could not change forms.”

He laughed at the question and I blushed. “I used to be in the Queens guard Princess.” He winked once before excusing himself, stating that he needed to get home to change before the formal dinner.

*

The dinner was fabulous as usual, the food spectacular and the company even more so. We were entertained during our meal by talents from the Water Kingdom, called in to give the guests a little taste of the culture.

I tried to relax, but I could help but fidget in my seat. Cobalt was not present and I knew that he was waiting for the appropriate time to speak to my Mother. I hadn’t had the chance to talk to him but I had started to come up with some sort of a plan.

After my initiation tomorrow, I would approach my Mother and suggest that as my first act as Princess; perhaps I should accompany King Darius back to the Earth Kingdom as a sign of goodwill. I was aware that during the banishment, the Kingdom that was the most vulnerable to human detection had suffered greatly and by extending our concern, it would help the three kingdoms mend the bridge that had been broken.
It was a solid argument and one that I did not think my Mother could refuse.

I looked up from my plate to see Zalas staring at me from across the table, his white eyes narrowed. He tilted his head slightly as I froze, studying me carefully, his delicate finger clasped in front of him. I looked away, suppressing a shiver.

“Are you alright?”

Ambrose’s bright blue eyes bore into me and I forced a smile.

“I am fine.”

“It’s not always like this you know,” He waved his hand. “All the dinners, the formal attire, the meetings, normally the Palace is quite quiet. It will die down once all of the excitement is over.”

I smiled, glad for his reassurance. He turned away from me as the woman seated on the other side of him caught his attention and as he politely answered her questions I let my gaze linger a little longer. He was wearing blue, as usual, his blue hair swept effortlessly back from his face, falling free down his back. His face was so… collected as he spoke, almost emotionless and I could see that the woman bored him.

I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to me gratefully, flashing me a white toothed smile. A few people had risen from their seats and onto the dance floor, but before I could ask him to join me, we were interrupted.

“Excuse me.”

We looked up at the same time to see a beautiful woman standing beside us. Recognition and surprise in his face, Ambrose rose instantly. Taking the woman’s hand and kissing it gently.

“Katarina … I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Was it me, or did he look flustered.

The woman beamed, seemingly oblivious to his discomfort. “I came for the Princess’s ceremony of course.” She placed a hand on his chest and laughed. “You can be so silly sometimes.”

My eyebrows rose as I looked back and forth between them. Ambrose? Silly? The two words didn’t go together in a sentence.

I rose from my chair and twisted my hand in greeting. Although I was fairly sure I was above this woman, whoever she was, it was important to be polite.

“I am Circe Fallon, soon to be Deuaich. It is a pleasure to meet you.” I offered politely, my curiosity sparked.

“Oooh she is something, isn’t she Ambrose?” She giggled before echoing my greeting. “I am Katarina Reynold, your Highness, and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

The was something off in the tone of her voice as she spoke to me, as though I was simply a child in her eyes and she was  humoring me.

Ambrose was looking more uncomfortable by the minute and before either of us could say any more he interrupted by asking her to dance.

“I would love to,” She batted her lashes flirtatiously before turning to me. “You don’t mind do you?” She asked me, not giving me a chance to answer before she pulled him onto the dance floor.

I sank back into my seat, unsure of the emotions that I was feeling at that moment. Who was she? She obviously knew him well. Was she a Siren? She was definitely beautiful, wearing a green silky dress that clung to her curves accompanied by a delicate neck that was dripping with jewels, she was more than beautiful, she was stunningly gorgeous.

As the music changed to a more passionate tune, I watched them twirl around the dance floor with apparent ease, their eyes locked on each other. It was only then that I noticed that the chatter in the room was quietening to a gentle murmur as the dance floor cleared for the elegant couple.

The lady that had been seated on the other side of Ambrose leaned over to me.

“A Traditional Water Sprite dance is something to behold Princess. One of the best talents for tonight I would say.”

She was a Water Sprite? They were a talent? I watched them as they twirled and sure enough, gradually under the warm lighting, their forms began to change and like I had seen before, the color of skin and hair disappeared to leave two bodies of water that moved through the air as though it was the ocean.

They were simply mesmerizing and I could not look away from their swaying bodies as they spun impossibly across the floor, the solidness seeming so unreal as he lifted her perfect form into the air gently, her head falling back, her hair a waterfall that never reached the floor.

The music delicately came to an end and the couple took their bows, their humans forms painting themselves back on, but this time her blue hair was startlingly obvious, only a few shades lighter than his own.

I wondered again who she was. They had to have a history together. It was impossible to dance with that much passion, that much raw emotion and not have some kind of feelings for the other person. Ambrose caught my gaze for a moment as I studied them before he looked away.

Tugging on her hand and glancing once more towards me, they bowed once more before excusing themselves from the room.

My curiosity was now too strong and as the dinner was coming to an end anyway, I excused myself from the table under the pretense of needing to get a good night’s rest for the next day. I saw Zalas’s eyes following me out of the door but I ignored him, not realizing when he also stood up to excuse himself from the table.

*

(Zalas’s P.O.V)

“Mother, I am tired. I will retire for the night.”

She smiled at me and nodded, I kissed her hand gently before pushing my chair back from the table. Aranel went to stand also but I stopped her.

“Stay, for now.”

She nodded, turning back to the rest of her meal.

I made a swift exit from the room, not wanting to lose her. Her blonde head was just turning the corner at the end of the corridor and I hurried to catch up to her. She had paused mid-way down the next hallway, obvious seeing if she could hear which way they had gone.

I smirked. Her curiosity would get her killed if she wasn’t careful, especially when someone as vindictive as Katarina was involved.  Before she could set off again, I called out to her, catching her attention.

“You really should learn the meaning of privacy.”

She whipped around, her eyes locking onto me, her face dimming as she realized who it was. She folded her arms across her chest.

“Did you follow me?”

I walked lazily towards her, my face impassive until I stood right in front of her, invading her personal space and yet she did not take a step backwards.

I gently reached up to tangle a lock of her golden hair in-between my fingers. I smirked at her, capturing her blue eyes in mine.

“I might of.”

She shivered, making my smirk stretch wider. I liked doing this to her, taunting her. She was fun to play with. She still thought I was mad at her. I could have fun with that. There was no desire on my part towards her. We were related after all. But there was an itch that I had whenever I was around her that never failed to spark my interest. She could infuriate me one second and fascinate me the next. I enjoyed seeing how my physical presence had an effect on her, but not in the normal way. This was different.

I tilted my head to the side, looking down at the strand of hair between my fingers between flicking my eyes back towards her.

“Did it bother you that I did?”

“Yes.” She replied abruptly, lifting her hand to tug at mine, making me drop her hair.

“Don’t you think then, that it might bother them to have been followed also?”

She looked guilty and a little bit fearful, obviously thinking that I was going to rat her out.

I sighed, running a hand over my face. “If I tell you what you want to know, will you drop your pursuit?”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly.

“Come.”

She followed without question and I couldn’t help but smile at her innocence. I had offered her a tidbit of information and for that she was willing to follow me anywhere. No wonder she had fallen so willingly into the traitors arms.

My face scrunched in disgust and I was glad that I was facing away from her. That bastard was getting it easy down in the dungeons. When I had laid eyes on his pathetic face at the ceremony today, he was in far better shape than I had expected. If he was in the cells back at my home, he would be on the brink of death right now. And then I would bring him back just so I could send him there again. Well it wouldn’t be long now. He would get was he deserved and I would be there to bear witness.

The thought of this calmed me as I lead Circe up the stairs to the Dragon hold. Reaching the room I saw that Unabonan was absent and as I opened our link, images of water below and the thrill of the chase rushed through me, telling me that they were hunting. I weakened the link slightly, keeping him in the back of my mind, his presence calming me.

I gestured for her to take a seat, which she did, up in one of the hollows in the wall that served as a bed for the Dragon riders when they did not wish to sleep in a guest room downstairs. The bed she chose was mine specifically and I tried not to let that bother me as she stretched her legs out on the rumpled blankets.

I joined her in the hollow, sitting away from her at the other end. Locking my gaze with hers I raised an eyebrow. “So what do you want to know?”

“How do you know her?”

I looked at her seriously. “Funnily enough, I have been around for quite a long time. I know Katarina because I was once engaged to marry her.”

Her eyebrows rose and her mouth dropped open. “Engaged?! Why?”

I shrugged. “It was an arranged marriage, one that she wanted more than I. I broke it off though, I couldn’t marry her.”

“Why not?”

Scratching my chin, I sighed. “She wanted power; she wanted to be someone of importance. When I realized just how motivated she was by my title, I couldn’t go through with it. I brought my concerns to my Mother and she and my Father respected my decision. Katarina of course, was not at all happy. She left to grovel at the feet of the one that she had left for me.”

“Ambrose.” Circe breathed, realization dawning in her eyes.

“They had been together for many years, as partners. Air Sprites don’t marry, there is something else that they do, some sacred bond that they form, I don’t know the details. But she broke it, for me. I did not know at the time otherwise I would have turned down the proposal immediately. I found out later that Ambrose had approached your Mother with his concerns that she had an ulterior motive.”

“So what does she want with him now then?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, I don’t really care either. But I do know that if he is smart he will not let her back into his life again. I didn’t know her when they were together, otherwise I would have recognized her from previous meetings. At the time, for me, it was just an arrangement, a way to strengthen Air alliances with the Water Sprites and the Water Kingdom. I didn’t really care enough to look into exactly who she was and why she had offered.”

I yawned, growing tired of the subject. “Is there anything else you want to know?”

Circe bit her lip, pausing before she shook her head. “I guess not, that kind of explains everything.”

I looked at her intently. “You have other things to worry about anyway. Like the fact that you will officially become the only Heir to the Water Kingdom after tomorrow. You need to be careful Circe, you need to be careful about who you trust. Just like Katarina, there will be other people who are out to use you for your status and your influence. No doubt the reason that she is here today is to see if there is any possible way that she can use Ambrose to push ideas or thoughts into your mind.”

“Ambrose wouldn’t-

“I am sure that he wouldn’t intentionally, but the bond between two Water Sprites is strong, even when betrayal has been pushed in-between. He might succumb to her and it wouldn’t be his fault.”

She hesitated and then nodded slowly. “I understand.”

I twisted my hands through the air, elegantly summoning a small ball of air that whizzed around my palm. “You also need to continue on with your training. If your Mother gives you permission to go to the Earth Kingdom, I will be accompanying you.”

She looked at me in shock. “How do you know about that?”

I shrugged. “I just know.” She was too obvious; I knew she still had feelings for the traitor scum. There was nothing I could do about it but I did believe, with his new found … attitude towards her, more time with him would help her to come to realize that he did not care for her in any way.

This was why, if her pleas to her Mother failed, I would speak privately with her and give my reasoning. I would accompany Circe, as would our Dragons. She would be safe. And at the same time, the show of trust towards the Earth Kingdom, through the visit of an Air and Water child, would serve to calm any animosity that might have been felt towards us as cause of the banishment.

Focusing back on Circe, I could see she was troubled that I knew information that she had obviously tried so hard to keep a secret, but the possibility of an ally overruled and she smiled at me, tensely, but gratefully.

Gently lifting my palm, I blew the spinning ball of air across the gap between us. She reached up her hands to catch it, but only managed to keep it spinning a few moments longer before it gradually lost its shape and disappeared.

“See now that is why you need more lessons.” I nodded, referring to her lack of ability. “In our Kingdom, that is a child’s trick.”

She frowned at me. “I am only half Air Sprite-

“And as long as you continue using that as an excuse you are limiting yourself. It should not matter Circe, the power is there and you will learn how to use it. I am also only half Air Sprite, or had you forgotten?” I raised an eyebrow at her.

She pouted. “I think that seeing how you are half Dragon as well it doesn’t really count.” She muttered under her breath.

I grinned cockily at her. “I agree that being one of a kind has its advantages.”

She leaned forward suddenly looking more interested. “Like what?”

I looked up at the ceiling and then back at her. “Well for one, I never get cold.” Cheekily I blew a small puff of smoke at her. It formed a perfect ring and raising a finger, I manipulated it to hold its shape and settle on top of her head like a smoky crown.

She reached up a hand to touch it and it dissolved instantly, causing her to cough. “Show off,” She laughed.

I smiled a rare smile. It was a while since I had felt this relaxed. I had forgotten the pull of an innocent mind. She was so amazed by everything. It was refreshing. Moments like these, I did enjoy her company, but like me, her moods could change with the flick of a switch and it was then that we clashed with each other.

“Do you want to see something cool?”

She nodded eagerly, all worries forgotten, her eyes sparkling.

I took her hands and instructed her to cup them, as though she was holding something precious.

“Now don’t flinch or move your hands. This won’t hurt, you have to trust me.”

She looked a little nervous but she nodded.

Feeling the familiar warmth heat up from inside me, I gently blew a delicate flame into her hands. I felt her sharp intake of breath but she relaxed as soon as she realized that the flame did not burn her hands.

Once her hands were full of the fire, gently I moved the air around it, shaping it into a burning ball that hovered just above her palms. I lifted it higher into the air until it hovered in the middle of us. The flame acted as though it was trapped inside a glass ball, the colors flickering and shifting on the inside, but never breaking from its perfect globe on the outside.

Her eyes were mesmerized as she studied the flame. Like my Brothers, my flame was blue, but the very tips turned orange where the flame was cooler.

“That is beautiful magic.” She finally said at last.

“It is.” I agreed somberly. “Dragon magic is some of the most beautiful and mysterious magic that the world will ever see.”

She reached out a hand hesitantly. “Can I hold it again?”

“As long as I am controlling it, yes”

She cupped the globe, bringing it towards her chest. “It’s so warm.”

I laughed. “It’s still fire Vanima.”

She blushed, “I know that.”

I looked outside, the bright lights emitting from the celebrations were lighting up the part of the city that we could see from our high vantage point. Feeling better than I had in a long time, I jumped down from the nook in the wall, landing lightly on my feet.

Checking in with Unabonan, I found that they were still hunting, but now it had changed into a lesson, apparently Anthemin needed to hone his stealth flying technique. Although the young dragon has been successful in catching a meal, he was exceedingly noisy about it.

“What are you doing?” Circe asked, peering over the edge of the bed, the fire globe still in her hands.

I waved my hand and the orb disappeared with a slight crackle, before I held the same hand out to her. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

Obediently she climbed down, taking my hand as I led her towards the edge of the Dragon hold.

*

(Circe’s P.O.V)

The closer we got to the edge, the brighter the lights became and I could hear the sound of many voices as the celebrations continued into the night. Looking down at the city surrounding us, I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight. Directly below was where the lights were at their thickest. Music and chatter echoed up, as did the delicious food smells that wafted through the air.

Further out, the streets of the island lit up the most, like veins extending out from the castle, bright with activity. Looking down on all of the people below, I envied them for a moment. Oh to be normal and lead a normal life in this beautiful city, to have grown up in this place, to be someone unknown and unimportant, to be happy that peace had finally returned and not have to think of anything else.

I almost wished that I could have joined them instead of going to the formal dinner. I wanted to hold a lantern, dance on the streets and eat delectable food from the stalls. I sighed and looked up at Zalas to find him looking back at me.

“We miss out on a lot, being who we are.” He said quietly, as though he was reading my mind.

I nodded. “Even when I thought I was human I never had that lifestyle though. I know that I am privileged and I am grateful for that, but sometimes I just want to be free.”

His gaze was intense, his white eyes reflecting the lights of the city. His hair blew back from his face, streaming out behind him as he looked back out across the island. “We all just want to be free.” He said quietly.

I felt strangely sad at his words. There was a longing in there that echoed my own. I squeezed his hand that was still warm in mine.

“I am sorry, about the other day. I should have accepted your apology, I didn’t realize you were being sincere.”

He shrugged, not looking at me. “It’s fine.”

I could tell that he did not want to talk about it anymore but the silence between us suddenly became more relaxed, as though we had finally reached a truce. I was still wary of him, but if he was going to help me get to the Earth Kingdom, no matter what his own motive was, who was I to refuse him?

And so we stood at the edge of the hold, the Water Princess and the Dragon Prince, looking out over a Kingdom that we could never truly be a part of, for as long as we ruled and in the years after, we could never be free.