"Lucy, stop!" Mom runs after me down the hall as I hurry to the great dining room. "Let's talk some sense into you. You can't stay married to him."

Her words astound me. After everything...

I whirl around and face her. "Mom, if you're not interested in seeing where this story ends go back to Earth. I can get you there because you're originally from there, but if you're willing to trust my judgment, then stay."

"I'm worried for you. Have you any idea what that thing whom is your husband did while Saul was ruler? How many lives he took?" Mom shouts, her face is livid. "I'm afraid of him."

"Who told you?" I ask.

"Leeza explained it to me," she shudders and closes her eyes. "Horrible."

"I saw into his memories, Mom. Believe me, I know what he's done," I say, and I take her hand in mine, my heart softening at her concern for me. In the past I'd wondered how much she was willing to put me through, but it's nice to see her a little protective. "You don't understand magic like I do. Alvar didn't do it because he wanted to. He did it because someone else was controlling him. And I think you've underestimated how dangerous this world is if you think Alvar is the one you should fear at this point. He's the one who can protect us. There is another creature out there in the world of Axus who would see us all suffer here. Who feeds and lives off of pain and chaos."

I find myself wondering what the Sorceress is doing right now and it sends chills down my spine.

"Lucy, what are you talking about?" Mom shakes her head at me in sympathy.

I've always been the one who is crazy to her. Some things never really change, do they?

"Maybe you should go back to Earth, Mom, it would be safer for you. Our world is protected from here now thanks to the marriage you arranged for me before I was born," I assure her, "And I could maybe even visit you there. But I have to stay here and make sure Earth and Axus stay separate."

Mom shakes her head. "I won't leave you. I can't. I've already put you through too much to have you go on alone as the only other being from Earth here."

"Thank you, Mom." I throw my arms around her, even if I'm unsure how her semi-apology is coming off at me. "I hope I can convince the leaders of Underland to accept Alvar as their king." I don't have time to let her unsettle me. I'm a queen now with a husband to fight for.

"I'll stay and support you, but I'm afraid of him, Lucy, he's done horrible things," Mom admits.

"Good," I say, "You should be." And I enjoy one moment of seeing the shock on her face at my words before entering the great dining room where the leaders have gathered. Alvar is absent from the table, but I didn't expect him to be there.

This is about my witness of who Alvar is. Whatever that counts for.

Everyone gets up from their seats when I enter as a sign of respect.

I try not to rush myself. I nod my head in approval the way Leeza instructed me is custom, and say, "Please be seated."

Fletch sits next to me, and I'm grateful to have him there as a small amount of moral support. I notice Lord Vessin and Lord Calbir among those gathered and my nerves start to get to me. I know among those two, Lord Vessin in the one whom needs the convincing. I decide it best to let us eat before discussing the future of Underlund lest our hunger creates animosity.

After everyone is served and has had their fill I rise and tap my goblet.

"I want to first thank you for coming to my table and sharing in a meal," I begin, I'm shaking with nervousness.

Maybe I'm not cut out to be queen after all.

I glance down at Fletch who gives me an encouraging smile.

I take a deep breath and continue, "I don't know all your names yet, but I do know what Underland has been through. I can't imagine some of the horrible things that have happened to you and your families through the difficult times, but I ask you to think of what happened after Saul was banished by Alvar. How peace settled on this land. How homes and towns were rebuilt, and how you'd picked yourselves up and built an even better country than before Saul conquered your lands. There are those who think Alvar is the root of all evil, that he is a Cursed and thus cannot rule." I pause, hoping I'm not saying everything too fast.

I notice Lord Vessin roll his eyes.

I ignore him, "I'm not here to convince you to change your beliefs. I—I'm here to convince you that what we need right now, more than anything, is someone powerful to protect us here in Underland. We need someone who intimidates our enemies and can liberate the oppressed people of Axus. Alvar is a good person and wants what is best, forgetting his own interests in favor of yours. Saul may have been the enemy for a long time to Axus, but there are others out there who will never stop trying to destroy the peace. I cannot stress enough, even if Alvar isn't the ruler, he will protect you."

I stop there and notice a few people murmuring to themselves so I raise my voice a bit as I state, "But if he is the ruler, he knows better than anyone how to keep evil away and what must be done to avoid corruption in our cities. Did he not lead you into victory against the tyrant queen Remora without using his Cursed form to command your respect? Did he not help you rebuild your homes and claim back the lives Saul stole from you? Did he not make peace with the other peoples of this world and restore order and freedom to live your own lives again? He appointed you people at this table as leaders because he believed you were good people. He believed you had the same vision of making Underland into the best nation in this world."

Lord Calbir stands and places his arm across his chest and bows to me. "I've always loved my king, Alvar, and I will continue serving him if he were to continue on his throne."

"Thank you, Lord Calbir," I say, bowing back at him respectfully.

"What of your children?" Lord Vessin spoke up. "If we were to let this 'noble' monster continue his rule, we cannot let our heirs be as he is! A Cursed in unpredictable and easily corrupted by their abilities."

"Then a non-Cursed heir will take the throne after Alvar and Lucy's rule," a voice says from behind me. I recognize it, but only until I turn around do I realize it came from Sola. She stands beside me in the doorway of the great dining room.

I bow to her respectfully. "I did not think you'd be able to come. It's such a great distance."

"Thank you, Queen Lucy," Sola says, raising her wings in greeting and bowing back at me. "I am glad you called me to this meeting. As the ruler of the Skylands and your friend I will pledge my allegiance to you and to Alvar as the respected rulers of Underland. You will have two children. One will be like you, Queen Lucy, and the other like King Alvar, one with his red eyes."

My spine tingles and I flush. She's telling me the truth. I know how her gifts work.

Alvar and I will have children.

"Once your heir comes to the age of twenty-five, as is tradition, they will be judged by the council here whether they are worthy to succeed you," Sola explains to me, her wings fold back and she walks over toward where Lord Vessin sits. "Lord Vessin, Alvar has ruled these lands for years without your objection. He has never used his Cursed state to take advantage of any of you, though he could have. And I will tell you this, from what I can see in the future, there is nothing to worry about in taking Alvar as your king once again, and letting him resume his duties in serving you. In fact, it would be better to have him than to send him away."

I'm beaming with appreciation at Sola. To have her, a well-respected leader behind Alvar and I, is building my confidence and giving me peace of mind. Nice to know a morally inclined person that can see the future thinks we're going to make great rulers. I'm trying not to let it get to my head.

"We must forge a weapon that can kill a Cursed," Lord Vessin states, although I can tell his expression is softened as he rises from his seat. "We must not be defenseless again."

"To do what you ask is not going to be easy, and may even be impossible," Sola says, she closes her eyes and focuses as if deep in thought, "But I understand that desire and I am in favor of it. I'm sure Alvar will be in favor of it as well."

"Who is in favor of taking Alvar and Lucy as our king and queen once again?" Lord Calbir asks.

"I may not like it, but I admit Sola has always spoken the truth, if she says they will produce a child without ill effects," Lord Vessin shoots me a look as he says this, "Then they shall. And I shall expect such a child to come into this world soon."

I try not to look annoyed, but I am and I flip my gaze to the ground to hide it.

"That is the queen you are speaking to," Lord Calbir snaps, "Show some decorum."

"I'm sorry, your majesty," Lord Vessin mutters at me with a glint in his dark eyes that makes my skin crawl. "I spoke out of place."

The meeting finishes, with miraculously only a few dissenters.

I know I have to tell Alvar and after it seems polite I take my exit.

As I walk to report the good news to my husband, I get a strange feeling, as if something isn't right.

I realize it's because I'm alone in the hallway walking toward Alvar's quarters that I realize Grey hasn't been watching out for me since the incident in Alvar's bedroom.

Someone's hand wraps around my wrist from behind right before I reach Alvar's door and yanks me down to the floor.

"Hush, my queen, hush," a man's voice hisses at me as I struggle and scream against the hand stuffed in my mouth, "You won't have to worry about Sola's prophecy coming true when it's my baby you'll be carrying."