Chapter Twelve

Several days later, going out to the courtyard to have the pixie brew. She had sent Amberosia to her bed chambers; to begin trance meditative work. Things had finally settled down, only seeing a handful of creatures since the day before. It was a good sign. If only to relax for an hour, that was all she really needed. Pouring another steaming cup, watched over the forest a few feet away. Secretly wishing the whole day would stay this serene, yet knew better. There would be something. She was sure of it. Once the brew cooled down enough, she nearly inhaled it. Adding more to the large mug, a strange vibe washed over her like a blast of hot air. Trying to shake it off, but it was a strange feel, not a bringer of dark times, something else.

An hour later, relaxing in her favorite chair, when the girl knocked three times.

"Come in."

Ambrosia quickly entered the room.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes miss, the vampire fellow is here, with his mate."

"You mean Salem?"

"Yes."

"Send them in and bring another pot."

Nodding, then dashing out of the room, to do ask she was asked.

Sitting there, she wondered what had brought them out to see her. It was rare of them to come out just to say hello. It wasn't like either of them to just drop by. Waiting a few more minutes, when Amberosia escorted them in, along with a pot and extra mugs. Nodding to the Empress, then went back to work.

"It's great to see the both of you." She said, serving pixie brew to them.

"Yes, it's wonderful to see you too... How are things here?"

"Things are fine, my apprentice is working out... Now what's going on?"

"We're just concerned."

"What's the problem?"

"No one's heard from Spencer or my father, they left for the underworld over a week ago." Salem told her.

"I think I can help."

"What can you do?"

"First of all there's the time dimension difference."

"What?" He said, confused.

"One of the reasons the underworld is so horrible, time runs three or four times slower, part of what makes it hell."

"So for them it hasn't been eight days?"

"If my conversion is right, they've been there a day, two at the most."

"Do you think I'm fussing over nothing?" He asked.

"Yes, you are."

"Thank you. "

"How's Kadrid?"

"She's well, seems to glow near your dragon." Pandora joked.

"Oh that reminds me.." She then rummaged through a drawer, pulling out a bright pink and purple tye dyed orb, handing it to Salem.

"It's for her, a light ball that explodes glitter."

"She will love that."

"I promised her I'd give her one."