I thought I could move on from past life as Lorelie and just live this one, as Nadia. I guess that was just wishful thinking. I carried a face of many names and many stories. I tried to act like I had everything all planned out but the truth was I was just as blind as Berella. We rule side by side as creators, people look up to us and that should be an honest but for us it was a burden.

   From the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Ash with some girl swirling around everyone. Their bodies were pressed flush together as a familiar song played....

   My vision went hazy, the lights dimmed and everyone disappeared except for Ash and his partner, though she was now hazy looking as well. Ash now looked entirely different wearing a simple brown torn tunic and trousers he rolled up to his calf. What was even more strange was the look of pure joy on his face. He was a different man, this couldnt be the same Ash I knew.

     It took me a second to realize the girl he was kissing, whispering to was.... me.

   Or no... another version of me this was Lorelie. She wore white peonies in her lose dark hair with a couple tiny braids scattered through her long hair. She was breathtaking and she looked to be in love... with Ash of all people?  I was having a past vision triggered by what? A song? I had tried countless times to force visions of my past lives when I first came to dragons mountain and here out of all times, it came. Gregory might have had a point... what if there were others Lorelei fell in love with? That would mean her and Vero were not... perfect.

   I wanted to know what they were saying. I walked closer to the empty dancing floor surrounded by different candles and red roses in full bloom. Lorelei wore a white lace gown that flowed elegantly around her feet, flowers of pink and white used as a strap to the gown. It was gentle looking for such a rich spirit. It was almost too weird reading her aura, too invasive.

   They kept dancing like no one was watching. It was almost a bit awkward to watch how connected they seemed. It definitely was a moment not meant for me to see.

   I was just a few feet away now and the closer I got the more hazy the vision went until the it left me completely and I was standing before Ash and his partner- who didn't look entirely happy with my presence.

   "Did you need something?" She sneered. Her voice was too soft for such a masculine face and her spirit was surrounded by glumness.

   I gulped hard trying to find my words but as my eyes meet Ash I could not say a word, just an awkward grunt. I was overwhelmed with what I had just seen, the emotion between the two threw me off completely. "Excuse me Luna, the dance was wonderful but Nadia and I have things to attend to."

   Luna just glared at me as she walked away, "I'm sorry I thought I saw something-"

   "What?" He asked softly steering me out of peoples paths and to an empty gazebo. "No one can hear us, what's on your mind Nadia?"

   I had questions... so I might as well tell him. "I seen a vision I believe of you and Lorelei, dancing. She was wearing a white dress with flowers as sleeves, it was in that very spot I was trying to hear what the two of you were saying until-"

   "Theres something you should probably know," Ash said tiredly, not meeting my gaze as he searched for words. "Lorelei and I were together for some time," that's what the witch meant by me asking all the wrong questions.

   "How? That wouldn't make sense Vero was married to Lorelei when she created you. Then they both died when Raven went all bat shit crazy. There would have been no time for them to be together unless she-"

   Ash finished for me, "Lorelei and Vero had fallen out of love. Soon after Lorelei and I fell in love and we were happy that was until Vero grew mad with jealousy. Vero is the real reason why dragons had to go into hiding, why Lorelei had to let me go. I guess with me gone Vero was able to win Lorelei's heart back not that it was ever really mine," he cleared his throat and shrugged dismissively but I could see the pain behind his armor. "She went on to have a child with him, only to have your sister fall in love with Vero and you know the rest." I could hear the pain of betrayal in his voice and finally I realized why he was so distant. "I was basically a distant reminder of an old life." I wish I could dive into this life he speaks of, as he recollected his body seemed to him and his eyes began to glow. Everything I've seen of Ash has been... strange or bland but right now I could see his layers folding back. "If she was still here she'd tell you it was the best years," he winked. There it was, the sass and sarcastic attitude back better than ever.

   "I think I'm going to throw up," I murmured trying to breath in and out calmly. This is why I didnt want to venture into Lorelie and Veros past. I already had my own messes to figure out.

   "I'm sorry the idea of Lorelei and me being together brings you disgust," he rolled his eyes folding his arms over his chest. "I loved Lorelei, not you. I just thought you should know but I didnt know when until you came asking questions," he said simply.

   "I just cant believe... I mean I guess I could but theres so much I dont know. Did Vero have a lover when he and Lorelie were separated?" Theres the curiosity blazing through again and I knew I would regret it.

   "He had many," he sighed. "Is this really something you want to hear?"

   "No, you're right," I murmured. "I met a witch... well her powers are gone but she still has her sight, what's her name?"

   "Magetha, did she tell you anything important? If she did I would listen, her magic is gone but she is the last of her kind. Her oracles, her senses, riddles whatever you want to call them... they've never been wrong."

   "Must be useful having her on your side."

   "Oh no, the woman is a nut she never has anything important to say but if you want to know if you'll be rich or if you'll ever find your one true love she's your lady," he grinned.

   "I think I'm going to return for the night. I know its so early but I'm not feeling well-"

   "Of course let me walk you. You must be getting home sick, hopefully we can solve that soon when I visit court. I hope to make a good impression and my people as well. Some people are actually open to living with Fae long as your people are as welcoming as you say."

   "I have every confidence you and your people will love everything about court. We didnt have the time to fight with each other or to disagree. Believe it or not but forty years has changed us, all of us maybe not for the better but you cant ask for perfect in a life like this."

   "It seems so."

   "What do you mean?" He was deep in thought his brows furrowed and eyes darting as we walked in pitch blackness to Ashs large manor.

   "You know you obviously resemble Lorelei but there is not one thing about you that reminds me of her. She was a wanderer always stuck in the clouds, she lived by her heart because she was able to. You live by rules, structure, you may lead with your heart but your sword always first. I don't think I ever even seen Lorelei weld a sword she was always an expert at her craft in magic," his smile faded.

   "Tell me more," I said as we walked side by side, the music trying to reach us but barely there.

   "She was selfish," he swallowed. "Although Raven was always truly wicked, it was because Lorelei took everything from Raven. She and Vero were in love first thats the part no one talks about. He's the reason why the rift between Lorelei and Raven started. Vero fell in love with Lorelei after destroying Raven and manipulating her, Vero wanted everything and he took it. There on you know the story, casting you to reincarnation over and over till you understood who you were or until someone took your place. The biggest benefit was the witch and the elf king Marvis casting that nasty curse, lets hope Marvis never rises again. He may just have been the elf king but he with his witch and children by his side were unstoppable."

   "How could he rise again? He's dead and only a witch of the dead woods could bring him back. We took Josephines powers so that shouldn't be a problem for now."

   "How are you not sure there aren't any more witches? There could still be some white witches left and along with their kind come the dark witches and their dark woods. Something tells me there are more survivors out there than we would think and they might not be as welcoming as us."

   "Let them rally then. They wouldn't stand a chance against their Creators," but what if I was dead? What would come of Valkri then? Heed the witches warning.... Couldn't she have told me anything else? What I had to to do was simple, I dont let my heart take over. Ash said it himself. I am the creator, I can fight anything that comes at me or at least I'll try till there's nothing to fight for.

   "Thats the spirit," he grinned lightheartedly as we stopped before the manor doors. "I suppose this is where we part. Rest up you have a hunt to go on in the morning."

   "Oh, I will most definitely be ready Gregory as well. I know he hasn't been the most welcoming but he means well, he's not much of a talker I suppose," I rambled on. "So tomorrow?"

   "Goodnight Nadia," with that he walked away, his boots lightly tapping the cobbled stoned sidewalk. I watched him disappear back into the night.

   I had a lot to think about, and no one to tell it to. If I told Gregory he'd tell Rone. Would it be selfish of me to keep this to myself? At least for now? Things were just getting easier and I couldn't lose Rone, not when I was losing my mother. I cant lose anymore people.

   I guess I always knew there was no happy ending to our story, I just thought I could pretend for a little while longer.

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

"I hate when you do that," Gregory said his left eye twitching as he watched me sharpen the tip of my horns.

I pouted sarcastically, "What? I like to make sure they're sharp, in case I need to use them as a last resort," informed him.

"The sound is going to make my ears bleed," he didnt look too hot. His dark hair was a mess and his honey brown eyes in a sleep deprived craze. Maybe it was too soon for him after everything that's happened...

"Then dont listen," I clucked my tongue. If Rone seen Gregory and I shared the same room he would throw a fit but Gregory and I took shifts sleeping. Can't be too careful.

Gregory and I bicker far too much, it was just the way we were and always have been even when we were together. We are both too prideful, and headstrong. He is my equal I admired him for his strength and loyalty and someday I will repay him for everything he's sacrificed. Even though there are still feelings he portrays, I try to ignore them for both our sakes. We weren't right for each other, he knows that. He also knows I love Rone.

"You're impossible."

"Are you sure you aren't just projecting?" I teased.

"Why'd you leave so soon? Figured the dance of the dead would be right up your ally."

"I had a vision," I could at least be honest about that. "It made me a little sick," I admitted.

"What did you see?" Gregory asked opening the balcony doors for some fresh air. He unfolded his dark gold wings and stretching them in the moonlight.

"Lorelei and Ash dancing at the dance of dead decades ago. I was told that they were together at the time."

"So your saying Vero and Lorelei weren't always together?" Gregory frowned as I nodded. "That takes the romance right out of that love story," he grinned satisfied with himself as he closed back the balcony doors and plopped onto the couch.

"They seem so different to who Rone and I are, I mean it is different."

"Well they are completely different people, things you go through in life and how you lead your life is a factor of who you become. Also life back then was so much more simpler, more vile and horrible but simple."

"How so?"

"Back then it was easy to be self involved, in this day and age being selfless is a trait most of us now have to have. Its easy to have power, to be feared. It's even harder to be loved and respected, thats where you're leading us. You and Rone will change everything, and I'm glad I'll be here for it," Gregory smiled as he walked off to the showers.

I dropped my dagger and grinned to myself. If he wasn't sent here with me I'd be completely alone in mountains I never thought would exist with powerful Dragons. just like Gregory my first instinct was to hate it here, to hate Ash and now I guess you can only go so far.

   Ash was overall a good man who loved his people. Of course there were things he wasn't telling us but to hold our trust I couldn't go poking around in his brain. As much as I wanted to know more about him, how I craved to peel every memory, I let himself show what he wanted.

People were safer and happy here, unlike our huts made with trees and mud they had actual bricked huts, manors, old buildings, functioning wells and perfect streets. Court was hit first with the curse, destroying every home surrounding the palace making the ground charred and dead. Compared to Dragons mountain the royal town of Valkri had nothing. We could never afford war with them even if they had two creators on their side. Shape shifting dragons were at the top of the food chain now.

I couldn't imagine anything more dangerous...