RAVENNA AND CAELAN watched as the stars twinkled across the vast expanse of dark navy above their heads, slowly fading into a gradient of bright pinks and purples — a vivid painting come to life before their eyes. Neither slept. Instead, a calm conversation passed between them. It was about nothing in particular, and yet everything all at once. Childhood stories, current favorite spells, and even Ravenna's experience marrying Eoin — no topic was unexplored.

His voice washed away her worries and the tendrils of anxiety that grasped at the depths of her mind.

As sunlight crawled across the sky, their conversation paused. Comfortable silence coated the air between them, allowing the gentle rush of stream-water and morning-bird chirps to flood the area with sound. Ravenna did not dare to move, watching as warm rays of light kissed Caelan's cheeks. It was a breathtaking sight. He watched her too — his dark eyes shimmering with warmth and slivers of light.

The silence was eventually shattered by Caelan.

He blinked — breaking the captivating spell that his gaze had entranced her with. A small sigh escaped him. "We need to continue working on our ice soldiers," he murmured to her. He sat upward and looked down at her, his lips twitching upward into a slight smirk. "You need some more training before we face Vyses."

Hearing the words out loud caused her heart to sink down low, pressing into the top of her stomach. A sickly coldness washed over the top of her skin, forcing the small hairs on her arms to stand upright. "Great," she muttered.

He held out a glowing hand. His fingers spread wide, palm facing the heavens above. A sphere of magic formed just centimeters from his skin. It remained stationary for a moment and then bolted upward, into the air.

The map burst to life in front of them, staining the vibrant blue sky a bright white color — like clouds that had been rearranged to form a picture. Ravenna instantly located her own dot, which blinked in the very center.

"His army has made some progress," Caelan remarked. He eyed the map with a resigned expression. "I estimate that we have about two days before his soldiers reach the outer walls of Zeporia."

Her stomach did a somersault within her. She grimaced and stared at the map. "Wonderful," she remarked.

He glanced at her. "Are you alright?" he asked her.

"Absolutely fantastic," she responded, her tone dripping with a heavy sense of sarcasm. She stood and turned toward him. Shifting into a defensive position, she said, "Let's start practicing."

He arched an eyebrow at her and then tapped his forehead. She rolled her eyes. Lifting her hands to her forehead, she removed her crown and gently tossed it onto the grass. The moment it left her hands, Caelan lunged at her.

She swiftly dodged and countered with a blast of ice.

Their laughter intermingled. He summoned a cloud of daggers. Each one zipped toward her. She deflected them with a swarm of her own daggers. A wicked grin pulled at her lips. "I'm getting better," she said proudly.

"And faster," he agreed. He snapped his fingers and his remaining daggers merged into one sword. He lunged at her.

She summoned a sword of her own. Their icy blades clashed.

The duo continued to spar until the sun had lifted high into the sky and centered itself within the vast expanse of blue. Pearls of sweat gathered across Ravenna's forehead. She panted and collapsed to the ground, sprawling out atop the spikey green grass.

Caelan smirked at her and folded his arms across his chest. "Had enough?"

She stared at him for a moment. Then she lifted her hand and pointed at him. A shard of ice shot from her fingertip. He tilted his head to the side, allowing the ice to soar past him and disappear into the sky. "Now, I've had enough," she told him.

He chuckled and shook his head at her. "While you regain your strength, I am going to work on those fake-humans," he said. "I think I am going to create a family and transport them to the other side of Vyses' army. That way it doesn't appear as though they are from Zeporia."

"That's a good idea," she told him. As she struggled to catch her breath, she watched him. His hands began to glow again. His lips moved around silent words — the spell required to bring the fake-humans to life.

Three spheres of light shot forth from his hands and bounced atop the ground. He approached the first sphere and squatted down in front of it. Pinching the magic between two fingers, Caelan stood, stretching the magic upward until it formed a shape that was as tall as he was. He molded the magic with his hands, as if it were clay.

A face appeared within the magic, followed by short hair and a scruffy beard.

Caelan's movements were effortless — completely second nature to him. She watched him create a tunic from the magic and pants. Her heart started to beat a little slower within her chest, sinking downward.

Beads of anxiety gathered within her stomach.

Caelan was a master at manipulating magic. To her knowledge, there was no other creature within the kingdom that could best him. With him at her side, Ravenna knew that she would be safe from harm — that the kingdom would be saved.

But what would happen if Vyses managed to separate them?

She would have to face Vyses alone.

She bolted upward. The realization raced through her like a wildfire, fueling the anxiety that dwelled within the corners of her thoughts. Her breathing came quick and labored. She squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart raced inside her chest now, thumping loudly behind her ears. She lifted her hands to rub at her face. Her hands trembled. Nausea grasped at her stomach, squeezing it tight.

"Ravenna?" she heard Caelan call her name. His voice sounded far away. He crouched down in front of her, his face entering her field of vision. Concern marred his facial features.

"I don't know how I can face him," she whispered. "I'm not strong enough."

Caelan reached out. His hands cupped her cheeks. "Ravenna," he said, his voice calm and soothing. It made her erratic heart skip a beat. "Ravenna, calm down for a moment and breathe."

His thumbs stroked the flushed skin of her cheeks. The movement was comforting — it stifled a few flames of anxiety. His gaze met hers and the world around them stopped for a moment. Somehow, she managed to suck in a full breath of air. She held it within her lungs for a moment before releasing it.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. She pulled back, away from him. Another deep breath flowed through her. She shook her head and rubbed at her eyes. Embarrassment flooded through her. "I'm not sure where that came from."

"Having a panic attack is normal," Caelan said. "You have suffered an immeasurable amount of trauma at his hands."

"I have no right to cry. I've also caused an immeasurable amount of trauma," she countered. Her voice shook. "I've inflicted...this," she gestured to herself, to the panic that exuded from her, "on others. On humans. Caelan, I am a monster!"

He simply looked at her, an eyebrow arched. "Have you forgotten?" he asked. Her confused expression was his answer. He reached out again and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Ravenna, in this world, you and I will always be monsters to the humans."

She shook her head. "But Caelan, I have directly ruined their lives. Hundreds of their lives. I murdered the royal family and allowed a murderous demon to take control of their kingdom," she said.

He shrugged. "Have you not listened to the legends? Or read any of the books that I showed you back in the Capitol?"

A frown appeared on her face. "Of course I have."

"Then you should know that the humans have done the very same thing. Countless wars fought amongst themselves. Humans are easily swayed and easy to manipulate," he told her. "That is just what makes them humans."

She heaved a sigh. He reached out and lightly tapped her nose. The corners of her lips twitched upward. "What else is fueling your anxiety?" he asked her. "Tell me exactly what you are thinking."

Ravenna hesitated. Her gaze dropped to the grass beneath her. "I am afraid to see Vyses again," she admitted. "He had so much control over me — over my magic. I don't want him to regain it."

"He won't," Caelan assured her. "I refuse to allow it."

"But what if we get separated?" she asked.

A scowl appeared on his face. He didn't like that notion at all. "We just won't get separated," he answered, his voice stern.

Ravenna pulled at a strand of grass, plucking it from the earth. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. "I have a strong feeling that will be a lot easier said than done," she murmured in response.