When we got back to court Ash had Arisella secure in her own barn guarded by ten Trax, "You really think someone would try to steal her?" I asked as I watched her curl up on the barn floor with her plenty of blankets.

   "She is a lot more the just a flying beauty but a tool that can be used wrongly in the wrong hands. The blood of a Pegasus, a feather from her wing, even a heart of a Pegasus could be useful to a witch with dreadful plans or wishes," he explained.

   "When I stripped Josephines magic I stripped every witches, my Pegasus would be no use to anyone without magic."

   "True but a pegasus is magic, it can be controlled and obtained for more. Not to mention you've taken magic from a coven witch. There used to be clans of all kinds of witches with all different kinds of beliefs and history though they usually stayed to themselves lets hope that remains the same."

   "If we were to run into a different kind of witch how high is the risk?" I asked as we left the barn.

   "Very high you seen what Josephine could do. To make herself ageless requires a great sacrifice and a great amount of power, I'd actually like to hear her story one day."

   "As do I," I snorted. "The closest she's gotten to anyone is Berella and even Berella doesn't know who she's dealing with."

   "Has it ever crossed your mind maybe she does?"

   "Josephine may want to change but I can see it in her eyes she knows she doesn't belong here. She doesn't want to be here, we are not her people and no amount of love from Berella will heal what we did to her."

   "You see things so black and white."

   "People are that simple," or maybe I was just bitter.

   "Is that what you think of me?"

   I rolled my eyes as we made our way back to my family's hut, I didnt even want to know how late it was. If I didn't have Ash tonight I might have set the entire woods on fire with my own rage, I still might. "Of course not."

   After a moment he said, "You know some people are just too good at loving everyone but themselves. Its easier to focus your whole heart on someone else then the main problem."

  "Is that what you think I did with Rone?" I tried not to sound upset but I couldnt help it. Who wants to hear what they have failed at?

   "I'm not saying I know you but we are similar in many ways. I've filled voids in my life loving and perfecting others because I never wanted to focus on my own problems. We're each other's worst enemies at the end of the day," He said stopping in front of my door. "And if I could leave you with one last thought it would be this, you felt love and you were loved let that be enough. Let what you need be your only focus now," he smiled lightly, "While leading the entire world of Valkri of course."

   "I don't know wether being compared to you is a compliment or not."

   "Look how well I'm doing."

   "You dont seem happy," I said bluntly.

   His face fell and he cleared his throat I guess I never knew the right things to say either, "I'm as happy as one in my position could be." I wish I could understand what that meant.

   "Goodnight Ash."

   "Goodnight." He watched me walk inside and I did the same through a tiny window as he walked towards the palace.

......................................................................................................................................

   I didnt sleep that night, I couldn't. Not with my mothers slow sharp breaths, not with all the pain I felt through her. She's lived a long life but she wont see the life I will make. A life she would be so proud of. I've lived most of my life so distant from my family and that was my biggest regret because now it was just too late.

   I sat on a high willow tree and watched the sun rise In blazes of orange behind the many trees scattered around courts walls. Its taken time but I've actually warmed up to Ash, I trust him to an extent his intentions have proved nothing but faithful to his wishes of a peaceful world.

   Valkri is my home and these are my people. There was nothing simple about my job, If I could give my gifts to anyone, I wouldn't. I could feel in my heart I was born to guide these people, Berella was born to do this by my side. I dreamed of a life where I was happy, where I was in love and nothing could break that. Now I just felt stupid. Yes I pushed him away but I would have never thought in a million years he'd be so reckless... I was still a bit in shock. If I were to explain this to anyone I wouldn't know how, the man I loved gave up as easily as it is to draw a breathe. And the worst part was it wasn't out of anger, he had really fallen for this girl in a matter of days. It makes you think if you were ever special in the first place.

   "You ready for judgment day?" Berella asked hovering over the branch I sat on, her green iridescent wings beating behind her. "It took me forever to find ya."

   "He will hang," I knew it. "I'm not going." Theres been so much death and sadness I was just too tired to be apart of it all.

   "Rone will be furious."

   "I don't answer to Rone," she still didnt know. "This is a matter for a king he doesnt need me there or you."

   "We are his friends are we not?" Her green soft eyes narrowing. Berella has always had a soft spot for Rone, he was nice to her not in just a fake way like most do but genuinely liked her, talked to her like she was his equal. He was good at making you feel important.

   "He's told me he's been involved romantically with Nixin and right now the last thing I want to do is see him. I'll be having Ash tell me everything that happens then we're set to leave tonight. I don't think I'll be back for a while so I was hoping we'd be able to spend the day together, I want to show you something."

   Berella sank down to the branch beside me her face flushed and her deep green eyes watered. "You cant be serious right now?"

   "I cant believe it either," I chewed on the inside of my cheek forcing myself not to cry, I was so sick of crying. "I will always want you to look after Rone I love him but I cant even bare to look at him right now."

   "That doesn't sound like Rone." The shock in Berella was more of a shock then I had.

   "I think he resents me for leaving him," I said playing with a twig in my hand maybe this was all my fault. Either way none of it mattered anymore, its over for good.

   "Will you be okay?" Berella asked laying her hand on my back.

   I looked up at her, "If I didn't have you and a world to run maybe I wouldn't but I have no choice but to be okay."

   "You're allowed to be sad."

   "Sad but nothing more," I said. "Now enough of such heavy talk I've had my night of tears, I have something magical to show you," I said leaping into the air, "Follow me." Reluctantly she followed me to the barn where I put Arisella in last night. "Say hello to Arisella," I said opening the wooden stable door where she laid, her wings folded and snuggled up to her body.

   "Is this a Pegasus?" she gasped in awe. Right away she dropped to the floor and cradled Arisellas head in her hands, "She's so friendly!"

   "She's got a good sense in character, last night Ash took me to the woods to find my own horse. I found her instead, she appeared out of nowhere and trusted me instantly. When I first touched her there was no going back it was like we were bonded. She's mine and I am hers," I said bending down as Arisella nudged me with her head.

   "I thought you hated horses."

   "So did I," I laughed. "I guess I didnt understand the relationship people had with their horses, for instance Ash treats his horse like he would his own family. If he had one. Now I know what that feels like, having something depend on you gives you somewhat of a purpose."

   "The whole world depends on us," Berella reminded me.

   "The whole world doesnt want us," it was the truth. "Arisella chose me."

   "I think it's beautiful," she said at last. "Does she know how to fly?"

   "Ash said she's capable of flying but they are known to be lousy flyers," I admitted.

   "Do you think there's more out there like her?"

   "At this point I think anything is possible."

   Before she could respond Gregory came running into the barn, his tan skin gleaming in sweat. I didnt know what gave him off, maybe the look of wild panic in those golden eyes. "Mom..."

   "You need to hurry." The fear in his eyes shook every bone in my body and for a second my mind went blank.