We lied to our people telling them we found Charles alive and that his threats were only ones of fear, when in reality we didn't know what was to come and he was dead...

As I packed Simons things for Dragons Mountain I couldn't help but feel the shame, standing beside Rone lying to our people to protect his crown. I knew it wasnt right, Ash as well but we had no choice. The treaty between Dragons mountain and Court has been signed finally, if Ashs people were to find out because of Rone our lives might be at peril everything would go to shit. They'd think him unfit as king.

Court was still my home and every bit as important to me as anywhere else but I was leaving it in the hands of Rone and Berella, there is nothing left for Simon and I here. My brother Noah, his wife and newborn daughter will be coming as well, Ash has already found us a home close to the manor. Simon will be staying with me my mom wanted me to be there for Simon, to protect him and thats what I am going to do. I will make him strong, I will train him till he is as great of a warrior as me. He will know how to survive, he has to but he will also know what it's like to have a family.

Gregory and I had an odd night last night after getting back from the festival, the last time we shared a bed together was when we were together. I had to admit it was nice not to be alone, just having him near helped me sleep through the night listening to his shallow breathe, sounding like waves crashing into a shore.

I've already said my goodbyes to Berella, though we both knew we could simply talk to each other through or connection. I wasn't a fan of having her in my mind but I guess it did have its perks. Another shocker this morning is that Mushu and Shay were also coming along, Gregory convinced him to come as he's retiring anyways. It'll be a nice change for both of them.

Once we get back to Dragons mountain Ash, Gregory, Orion and I will be taking dragons over the dark woods and retrieving whats left of the white witches. I haven't ran into a dark witch yet and after seeing what they could do to Ash I was a bit nervous flying over their part of the woods. Even if we get everyone out safely afterwards we would have to go into the dark woods and see what we're up against. I was ready I only feared what I didnt know or who I might have to watch die.

Gregory grabbed the remainder of our bags and took them outside to the horse and wagon. The shack was now empty nothing but an old couch, a table and old memories. Simon didn't even bother to look back he was waiting outside with Ash and my brother.

"Don't worry I'm sure someone will make of good use of this place," Noah said walking in with the baby in hand.

I took the precious baby girl from his arms and swayed her in my own as she slept. "She will have a much better life then we did," I smiled to myself, "she has you."

"And you," Noah cleared his throat. "That's why we're coming to Dragons Mountain with you. I want us to be a family in whatever way we can."

I looked up at Noah's dark eyes, he looked the most like mom then any of us. "You guys will love it there."

"I know what's happened with you and Rone," he gulped, I looked away shamefully. "Have you thought about what all of court would think? They love you, once he lets everyone know he's engaged with a human..."

"It's not my problem," I said cutting him off. "I've decided I'm going to continue living my life as if I've never met him." If my brother knew anything about me at all it was that when my mind wAs made up there is no turning back. I lied to myself for too long I dwelled on him for too long when I knew from the start how this would end, everyone knew but me it almost felt.

Noah put his hands up on defense, "I don't blame you."

I handed him back Stella my heart feeling heavy but enlightened all at once because this really was good bye, I didnt have a home here anymore. "I think we're ready."

I think I've been ready for a long time now.

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

I went with Noah and Gloria to our new small bricked garden home only a few steps from the manor, where they would raise Stella. "You wont have to worry about them," Ash said putting a hand on my shoulder as we watched the newly weed explore their new home. "I will have guards patrolling this area at all times."

I smiled up at him wishing he could see how thankful I really was, "Thank you," I said unable to find any words at all.

"I just wanted to help," he said.

"It feels like you've given me so much and I've still yet to give you nothing."

"You gave us a purpose that is everything," he said in a low voice.

Noah came back out a gleeful look on his sunken in face he looked tired I could tell he's been crying through his stained red eyes, "I guess you have to go now?"

"Yes but as soon as I come back Ash and I will give you a tour of Dragons Mountain," I smiled.

Noah pulled me into a hug, "Just be safe cant promise we wont venture without ya," he laughed.

"Always," I said hugging him tight.

We left them there to unpack, heading to the caves where Blade will be gathering forty men to turn. I thought it no better time to test Arisella and my connection today see if her flying was really up to bat.

I didnt know what was going to happen, I didn't know what the witches were planning but I needed to find out. I already knew Ash would tell me no so I had to pull Orion and Gregory aside.

"No, absolutely not. The plan is to sneak in and sneak out, undetected," I had a feeling Orion would say that he's always been a scared cat.

"I think its a great plan," Gregory shrugged. I could always count on him to be on my side, maybe that wasnt such a good thing.

"Yeah if you want to be killed," Orion scuffed already pacing back and forth. Orion wasnt a fighter he's made that clear countless times, I mean he was only five feet tall I guess he has a reason.

"If we go down there alone we might die, we don't know the woods we need you Orion," I pleaded.

"Precisely why we should not go!" Orion said throwing out his hands in frustration.

"You know I could just make you," I said I wouldn't though and he knew that.

"Then you'd be no better then Raven," he challenged. "If i die-"

"You wont!" I growled. "Dont you want to know what they are up to?" I asked.

"Not really."

"Coward," Gregory snorted.

Orion shot him a menacing look, "I just actually like my life, I'm not so ready to die unlike you two morons," he sighed looking up at me once more.

"Please," I said helplessly. "I lost my mom, Rone, I need you."

Orions bottom jaw dropped, "You are not pulling the dead mom card right now! You are sick." I shrugged apolitically, I was running out of options. "Fine but if Ash finds out you don't mention me!"

"Why would you care what Ash thinks?" I asked trying to tap into his head.

"If you mess in my mind one more time I wont go with you," he hissed, he was hiding something I could feel it but I backed up anyways.

"Fine, keep your secrets."

"We're bringing Marcus too, he's with Blade," I said.

"He agreed? He's more selfish then me," Orion frowned.

"He doesnt feel safe here," Gregory grinned. "Turns out male dragons find Incubuses to be a threat to their woman."

"Fair," Orion tilted his head. "So when are we doing this?"

"After we get everyone out safety, I will be riding on Arisella and Gregory will have to carry you in."

"I am not being carried I'm riding Arisella."

"She doesnt like you," I raised a brow, "Dont be such a puss."

His eyes widened, "A puss? I am signing my death by even walking into those woods, I am a god damn elf with Fae blood, I have not one bit of magic in me! But! I am still risking my life for you."

"Calm down," I scrunched my nose, his left eye twitched slightly. "How is Orion?" I raised a brow still loving the sound on my lips, forever his name will be his peoples home. As far as I knew Orion has been thriving just as I hoped it would, some fae have even moved to the meadows.

Orion raised his chin proudly, "We've already finished building homes now all we have to build is some more efficient shops and schools. For now the children have been learning outside in group circles."

"Hopefully after things get settled we can come help," Gregory said. "I never thought I would say this but I think Ive had enough fighting for once," my heart tugged for him. I put my hand in his and squeezed. I knew exactly what he meant, even in his dreams he's fighting, reliving the worst moments of his life even with me by his side.

"Am I missing something?" Orion asked itching his head.

Abruptly I yanked my hand out of Gregorys, what was I doing? "We should get to the others." Maybe because my life was in a spiral havoc I found too much comfort in Gregory.

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

Everything was all set, forty dragons shifted and ready to fly over the dark woods. Ophelia rode on the back of Ash as well as Marcus, I still didnt know what to do with Marcus he didnt seem intent on leaving my side. "Ash wants to work together, why do you let him out of your plans? He would help you he always has?" Arisella spoke into my mind.

I sighed, "He wouldn't, its too dangerous thats what he would say. I don't need you to make me feel bad about it," I said as she took off in to the sky rather gracefully. The dragons following behind us, Gregory and Orion flying together by my side neither of them looked very happy.

"Thats your councioisue making you feel bad, glad to know you still have one," her voice glided into my mind again like butter. "You care for Ash," thank god no one else could communicate with her. "Maybe those feelings cloud your judgment? I don't know the dragon lord but every step he's been on your side, has he not?"

"I didnt realize you were also my mother."

"Your mother died," she said sadly at least she had some sign of empathy lately she's been so judgy. "I can feel the loss every time you speak, every breath you take is a weight."

"That's pretty much what it feels like," I murmured as we began to approach the dark woods. "Do you see anything?" I asked her.

"No, if we cant see them they can't see us. I don't know if that would be a good or bad thing," she said. Witches seemed to like rotting things, the dark woods looked as if the curse has never been lifted. The branches were so thick and black you couldnt see a thing just a huge patch of dark rotting woods surrounded by greenery.

As Ophelia had said just past a long weed field were their people living in a field of tall grass. No one ran, they just watched as forty dragons (some not so gracefully) landed behind me. Ophelia slid down Ashs wing and ran to a woman who met her halfway their gold blonde hair tangling into each other's, "Sister," Ophelia closed her eyes and rested her head on her sisters.

"I thought you were dead," the younger girl said holding onto Ophelia.

"I told you I'd find help," still holding her sisters hand the people gathered closer, curiously taking in the dragons. Gregory, Orion and I even took a second to take them all in their scales glistening under the sun they were huge.

"A beautiful beast," Arisella said. Out of all of them, Ash was the biggest, his scales more vibrant and glossy his eyes more vibrant then ever.

"I have found our creators," Ophelia said. "We are leaving here and going home," she said. There was a stir of voices, some people cried and hugged each other while others dispersed already gathering their children and families. "Leave everything behind we don't have time lets go!"

No one even thought twice about climbing onto the dragons, I wondered what really awaited us in the dark woods. Mothers were practically crawling over each other to get their children up, depending on the size each dragon can carry about six people just enough to get everyone in one trip and still have some dragons free. It didnt take long till their small hut town was completely now a ghost town, as we got ready to take off back in to the sky most didnt even bother to look back. Sometimes when enough pain and blood has been spilt you could feel it, the moment I set my foot on their muddy field I could feel the desperation and hopes the clung to.

And now they were on their way to a life much better then this one, at then end of the day nothing mattered as much as this. Since Ash was to lead this time and I was to ride last, I was able to just not take off with them at all, now standing with Orion, Arisella, Marcus and Gregory just a few feet from the dark woods. I remembered those iron sharp branches, I looked up at Gregory reading him but not going to deep to be spotted. He was slightly scared, I wasn't surprised But he was more worried for the group then himself.

"Ready?" I asked looking up into his golden brown eyes.