I had my horse run faster than I'd ever made her go. When she got home, she would be well cared for—brushed, bathed, fed, and rested. And when I got home... people I loved awaited me.

Everything was more beautiful around me. The birds seemed happier in their chirps and the sun was brighter in the most vibrant blue sky I had ever seen. And I felt just a little more free than I had before.

I arrived at Siva's gates, to find them not guarded and open with traffic as they often were, but guarded and closed with a line beginning to form out the front. Men in armor, holding long javelins manned and guarded the outside of the gates, as several other men searched carts and spoke with people, having them state their business. Siva had doubled down on their security in the time I had been gone.

"Alyce?" I turned to see Xander standing there, in normal clothes of a white shirt, brown trousers and black boots, shocked to see me. "You're back?"

"Xander!" I was too overjoyed to see a familiar face and hopped off my horse to give him a hug. He cleared his throat, and I retracted from him, embarrassed. But he chuckled at me and patted me on the back, and I immediately relaxed.

"I was in town all day checking in with some of the townspeople, let's both get inside and
There are some other very concerned people that would love to know of your arrival. And what happened while you were away." Xander said, and with my horses reins in my hand, I walked to the gate with Xander. He said something to one of the men guarding the gates and the man nodded swiftly, raising his hand to the men on top of the gate.

"Open the gates!" The man said and the guard from up top disappeared as the gate creaked open. I followed Xander through the gates and he led me to the training grounds, where I saw the group and many many other people sparring.

"They are going to be very happy to see you," Xander said with a wide smile, which made me wonder how much everyone truly had missed me.

The first person my eyes settled on was Verity. She was teaching archery, but at the moment she was throwing knives at the dummies, hitting her points spot on, while looking graceful while she did it. I was sorry for anyone that had to face her in battle. Her aim was impeccable.

She turned around then, and she said something to her trainees that I couldn't hear over the sparring, and then ran over to me, holding her dress, which was lacy and green, off the ground so she didn't trip. She collided with me, throwing her arms around me so fast that I almost fell over.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're alright!" Verity exclaimed finally after a very lengthy hug. She held me at arms distance, tears in her eyes, and then turned her head to address everyone else. "Guys! Get over here! Guess who's back!"

"Alyce!" Geneth dropped her sword in the middle of her fight and bolted to my side, leaving her sparring partner looking confused and alone. Verity stepped aside as a sobbing Geneth tackled me with as much force as Verity had.

"I knew you'd come back alive!" After a long while, Lucian came up to me next, grinning, giving me a warm, one arm hug. I had no doubt that he truly believed I would return. He was always so calm and sure.

"You didn't even say goodbye! Nobody must have showed you manners!" Tristian said annoyed, and I would have taken offense if not for the fact that he then patted me briefly on the shoulder. I gave a small smile, touched that he cared and was trying to hide it.

"Erik told us why you left. Everything about Qleph." Maleah stalked up to me, her tone serious. Oh no, I thought. She is furious with me! Maleah grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into a rough hug, causing me to tense up with surprise. "We would all have understood, you stupid girl. I'm just glad you're safe..."

With that, Maleah let go of me and acted as if she hadn't cared. Typical Maleah. I stroked Geneths hair, playing with her braids, causing her to laugh and wipe at her tears. I laughed happily, glad that no one had changed while I was away.

I looked around, still waiting for one more person to greet me. When I looked around, I didn't see his face in the rows and rows of people on the training grounds. I did not see Erik.

"Come, come, you can explain everything that happened to you later," Verity, as if she read my mind, grabbed my hand and pulled me along. "There is someone that desperately needs to see you."

Verity pulled me through the castle, through the halls I had gone down countless times. She stopped at the end of the hall that led to the council room and pointed to where Erik stood with his back to us. A couple men were with him, their voices hushed and worried, while Erik's was exasperated. You could tell he was getting upset, a side I never saw from him before. Verity pursed her lips and nodded encouragingly at me.

"I know you're worried, but please, give us time!" Erik exclaimed. "We promised you more guards to patrol the streets and you will get them them very soon."

One of the men began to open his mouth and then he shut it again before sharply turning away on his heel. The other man that was with him kept quiet and followed, he looked younger, perhaps the mans son. They stormed past me and Verity, without even batting an eye at us. Verity pointed behind her, motioning that this was the part where she left, leaving only me and Erik alone in the hallway.

I started walking forward, slowly. Would he be angry with me? Would he forgive me?

Erik stood at the end of the hall, his back still partially to me as he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He looked troubled and his body was slouched, as if he were tired and carrying a weight that would crush him if not taken off of him.

"Having a rough day?" I said finally, stopping a little distance from him. He froze for a second, and then spun quickly on his heel to face me. His eyes were wide in shock and shining, and I hoped he wouldn't cry, because then I would too.

"Alyce...?" He took a slow step toward me, reality still sinking in for him.

"Hey," I said, my voice breaking and I couldn't hold back anymore. I ran to him, almost jumping into his arms. He caught me in a tight embrace, my feet barely touching the ground. He gave an unbelieving laugh into my hair, a sound between a chuckle and a sob.

I felt his chest heave, and knew he was crying. I started to cry too, burying my face into him. I let him hold onto me, afraid to let me go, because I felt the same way. When we were finally able to tear ourselves away from each other, I found that one look at me at him back in tears. He gripped my hand tightly, turning his face away and placing his free hand over his face so I couldn't see.

"My heart couldn't hold any more love for you..." I whispered, as I brought my hand up to guide his hand away from his face. He looked at me, embarrassed, and I surprised him with a kiss. A kiss that had nothing attached, one that didn't have a trick at the end.

He responded immediately, his arms circled around my back. He pressed into me, our tears mixing, I reached my hands up to rest on the sides of his face. I was glad my body was being supported by him, because I wasn't certain my legs could support my weight with all the sweet kisses he was giving me.

His body tensed, and he pulled away from me with a small laugh. I chuckled too, wiping the tears from his face, letting it rest on his cheek. He stared at me lovingly, speechless. He took my hand in both of his, landing kisses on my fingers, squeezing his eyes shut to probably prevent more tears.

"It's okay, I'm here. I'm not leaving you again." I said softly, and he nodded, blinking furiously as he entertained our hands. "Lets go... I have a lot to explain to all of you."

***

Weeks later, everyone got together on the hill overlooking the beach. Except Xander and Phoenix. Xander said he wouldn't enjoy it, and that he had more pressing matters to take care of. No amount of talk would make him budge on his decision. And Phoenix... he was quiet and and staying with family for a while. Everyone understood and relieved him of training for a couple weeks, he was only still a kid after all.

Lucian had stayed back for something he wouldn't tell us about, but said he would join us shortly. In the meantime, we were all taking in the view, Erik's hand firmly in mine.

"I can't believe how pretty it is up here!" Geneth said excitedly, almost skipping around the hill with joy. She probably shouldn't have done that, as she stumbled and started to fall. Maleah reaches for her, but Tristian got to her first, catching her.

"Be more careful, Geneth. You're going to kill yourself, and we don't want that." He said. Geneth, as she righted herself, started to flush a bright red. Tristian, noticing it, fully let go of her, also starting to blush. Maleah, confused, didn't know whether to scowl, or vomit at was unfolding before her. "Not that I care. You can do what you want."

"Um... So Xander said to give you this. It's from Cyrus." Erik said slowly, bringing my attention away from what was going on with Tristian and Geneth. I had told Erik about Cyrus, and his and I's past. And I had told everyone everything about my journey and my past, holding nothing back. They had all handled my story surprisingly well, making me feel guilty for having not confided in them sooner.

Erik handed me the folded envelope, and I took it, curious. I hadn't even noticed him holding it. With Erik watching, I tore it open, flipping the parchment open to read the beautiful words scrawled on the page.

Dear Alyce, I hope this letter reaches you. I have to have it sent through one of my most trusted friends and advisors, as Siva and Qleph are still enemies. I hope to change that soon.

Please tell the council of knights that I wish to speak with them someday soon at the hopes for a brighter future between our kingdoms, my gates will be open to all of you. In the meantime, I have a lot to start correcting here. And I hope you can rest and be happy now that things are changing. You deserve it.

Also, I am sorry I didn't let you know sooner. But I think you'll find it in your heart to probably forgive me...

Always yours, Cyrus.

I scrunched my face up in confusion. What? Let me know what sooner?

"Do you know what—" I started to say, pointing to my letter, in the hopes Erik might know something, but my eyes settled past Erik, on Lucian, who was coming from the direction of the castle towards us.

"What is it?" Erik asked.

I gave out such a loud gasp, that it made everyone stop and turn to me and follow my gaze. Erik put his arm around my back, worried. But I didn't feel a thing, because Lucian—he hadn't come back alone.

I clutched the letter tightly to my chest, as I choked back a sob. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks and started to cloud my vision. This... this was impossible.

"...Gil?"