When Auro saw the emblem in Aleia's palm, he couldn't believe his eyes.

"That's the mark of the Spirit Queen," he said, turning his gaze to the girl at his side. "Why would you have that mark?"

"As if I'd know," Aleia replied with a huff, but still in awe. "Only my dad can give us the answers we need."

"And I shall."

Auro and Aleia looked to the cave entrance, as did their companions. Standing there were five figures, of which three Aleia recognized to be her father and her two stepbrothers. She did not know whom the other two were, but behind them were the Howlers. So that is where they went.

"Dad!" Aleia shouted, jumping to her feet and rushing to his waiting arms. Then, without truly thinking about it, she grabbed Ruperto into a tight squeeze. He didn't appear fazed. In fact, his arms circled her and he hugged her back.

"Are you okay?" she asked, lowering her voice. "Is this weird?"

"It's something to get used to," Ruperto replied as they parted. "And I'll be okay."

"You've got a black eye . . . was that . . . you know?"

"It was, but it's okay."

Ruperto patted her head with a sad smile. Aleia then turned to Ronell, but he wore an expression of disgust.

"Don't even try it," he said, shaking his head and taking a step back. "I'm not getting all mushy with you, brat."

"Bro," Ruperto admonished his brother and punched his shoulder. "Don't call her that."

Aleia smiled inwardly. There was a friendship budding with Ruperto. He just hadn't let it out yet.

"Who are they?" she asked, nodding her chin at the two young men behind them.

"We'll get to them in a moment," her father replied, waving a dismissive hand. "You've started your manifestation process, I take it."

He reached for her hand, turning her left palm upward. He ran a thumb over the surface, smiling with pride.

"It was only a matter of time. This, as Auro has just said, is the mark of the Spirit Queen. Aleia, the Spirit Queen is calling to you."

"Say what now?" she said which made Auro chuckle; he was now standing beside her. "Is that why I dreamed of the Goowrark forest?"

Aleia's father blinked and glanced at Auro, who nodded vigorously.

"Spirit Queen 1-0-1," said Lord Emberhand, placing his hands on Aleia's shoulders. "Queen Alessa ruled over Anerathia until the Great War when she vanished. Historians believe she fled to her homeland, which is found just beyond the Goowrark forest. She could forge fire. Few Elements who possess the ability to forge fire manifest with the Queen's mark. There hasn't been a Marked Fire-Forger since your mother, Aleia."

Aleia's mouth fell open. They hadn't spoken of her mother in years. At times, she forgot her mother ever existed. She'd only thought of her when Auro's mother spoke of when she might manifest her abilities.

"Mom?" she whispered as tears formed in her eyes. "Mom was a Fire-Forger? She was from here?"

"She was," her dad replied, nodding. "And . . . She fled to Earth to keep you safe from the War."

"But the War was long before any of us were born," Auro said, confused as he hugged Aleia's shoulder. "And long before you, even."

He grew even more confused when his mentor chuckled.

"We'll talk about that later," he said, turning to the twins behind him. "These fine young men here, they were willing to fight on our side."

Lord Brun then turned to the Elementals standing behind Auro and Aleia. There was much to be done, and they would need but a few more different Elementals for their small party. The kingdom's army was assembling as they stood here.

"You've yet to get to the bunker," Lord Emberhand went on, looking back to Auro. "But it's understandable why you haven't arrived yet. We'll stay here until first light. That storm is not stopping yet."

"Not unless Auro completes his manifestation," someone mumbled, which caught Aleia's father's attention.

"I stopped Aleia's hands from burning," Auro said, answering his mentor's unspoken question as he raised his palm.

"Well, this is quite interesting, but we will discuss this later. For now, everyone rest. We have a long day ahead tomorrow."

Lord Brun gave instructions to the Howlers to stand guard. He ushered his young friends further into the cave. Ruperto sat near Aleia and Auro, while Ronell stayed near the other twins. Everyone was exhausted from the long day. Aleia was soon sound asleep, her head resting on Auro's shoulder.

***

"That was interesting," said Ruperto, trying not to laugh at Aleia's exasperated expression after she'd nearly torched Auro's boots.

"You're lucky I like you," Auro said, not hiding his amusement at all. "These are my favorite pair."

"Never thought a guy would be so into his shoes," Aleia mumbled patting her hands over her thighs.

"Don't get all flustered. You'll get the hang of your abilities soon," he hugged her shoulders.

She smiled softly; Auro had been showing more signs of affection to her since they started their trek through up the mountain that morning. And she liked it very much. When her dad explained who the other two young men with him were, Aleia didn't know how to react. Her father was trusting Spiris and Inanis. Difficult as it was, she would just have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

"Ronell seems to have found his crowd," Ruperto muttered, looking ahead at his twin brother, who was walking with Spiris and Inanis. "The lot of them give me the creeps."

"Despite him being your twin, I agree," Aleia replied as Auro stopped and offered her to piggy-back. "I'm good to keep walking, Auro."

He rolled his eyes and picked her up anyway. Which she did not protest. She liked that he was willing to carry her, despite him being a prince. And it didn't really feel like he even was a prince.

"Why did my dad bring you along?" Aleia asked, after a few more minutes of hiking; she hid her nose and mouth in Auro's hood to keep them warm from the cold wind. "Not that I'm complaining. I think it's good you came."

"He saw my black eye and asked if I'd like to go somewhere," Ruperto replied, shrugging. "His office building was destroyed. What almost freaked me out was when he started letting the Deathly Duo out of the trunk."

"They were in the trunk!" she exclaimed, slapping a hand over her mouth because she realized she spoke too loud.

Ruperto sputtered a laugh, nodding. They both looked ahead and found Inanis looking at them with a smirk. He was tall and had very dark hair, and a long black cloak to match.

"Watch yourself, Princess," he said, low and almost threatening. "We wouldn't want Auro to wake up to a corpse in his bed, would we?"

"You think you're scary, but you not!" Aleia shot back, pushing her body up to see better over Auro's head. "I've cheated Death before. I can cheat again."

Spiris threw his head back and laughed, long and hard. He smacked his nearly identical brother in the back and sent a smile to Aleia. Despite his yellow-blond hair, Spiris was very much like his brother in all matters of physique.

"If he kills you, I'll revive you," he said, raising two fingers to his brow in salute.

When they had turned their backs again, Auro growled.

"If he touches you, I'll kill him," he muttered, tightening his hands beneath Aleia's knees.

"Easy there, mister," she said, laughing nervously. "I don't think that's necessary. You don't have to kill for me."

"But I would."

Aleia smiled and pressed her chin on his shoulder. Her heart made a gentle, excited pitter-patter in her chest. Auro reached his hand up and tapped her nose.

They continued hiking up the mountain. The wind grew stronger. Colder. Aleia hopped off Auro's back to hiking the rest of the way, but he wouldn't let her hand go. She liked the way her hand felt in his, warm and safe. Wanting to be closer, and not sure why, Aleia hugged his arm with her free hand, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Can I ask you something?" she whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear.

"Okay," Auro replied, squeezing her hand gently.

"What happens after I leave here? Like . . . I don't know. Never mind."

Auro chuckled softly. "We might not know what the future holds in store for us. Sometimes, Fate surprises us."

"Always the poet," Soile said, appearing beside them. "Auro, have you told her of the prophecy?"

"Shut it, Soile!"

He chuckled, "I take that as a no."

Ruperto chuckled and went to keep up with the other young man. Aleia wanted to ask Auro what Soile had meant about the prophecy, but she kept her mouth shut. He seemed hesitant to speak, so she lightened the mood by making a joke. A very bad joke, but it fulfilled its purpose.

"Auro," she said and waited for him to acknowledge her. "Why do clams only give half their money?"

"I don't know," he replied, narrowing his gaze to the side at her.

"Because they're shellfish."

Auro snickered, shaking his head as he hugged her shoulders and said, "Silly girl."