We docked the boat in the Cara mainland. Princess Heather held Prince Lucas close. The two of them had both been pronounced dead by their familiesand they knew the kingdom would go into complete chaos when they found out their young heirs were alive.

       Out of all of us, Cole was the most nervous. I sat beside him. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked.

       "Just nervous. I haven't spoken to my mother since I joined the pirates." Cole revealed to me. "I've been gone for three months."

       "I'm sure she will forgive you and welcome you back. Judging by the stories you tell us, she loves you very much." I said.

       "No, Vera. It's not that. I know she loves me. And I know she loves Landon. When I was working as a shipboy, I promised her that each coin I make goes to her medicine. She's sick, Vera. And I've been telling Landon all about how much she misses him and how she's going to love him coming back home. I'm scared that.... that..."

     "That what?" I asked.

       "I'm scared that she won't be there when I return home. I'm scared that she I will be..." Cole said.

       "If she's anything like you or Landon, she's a survivor." I told him confidently patting him on the back.

       I saw Landon out of the corner of my eye. I ran towards him. "Hey!" I greeted.

       "Hey, beautiful!" Landon said. His eyes were bright, but his smile was brighter. "Are you ready to get into Cara? I hear that the sights are amazing!" His mind wandered off imagining it.

       Crowds of strangers gathered at the dock. They pushed and shoved trying to get the best glimpse they could. I didn't realize how many people would welcome us! As we got closer, the faces seemed to be more defined and their expressions weren't welcoming at all. Grown men held torches. Women shielded their children from us.

       "Go back to hell, you demons!" a man shouted only inches away from me. I kept my head up facing forward. I was glad all of the little kids were back at that castle.

       "Attention, civilians! Please politely move to the side of the road. Royalty is entering!" a Carian soldier yelled. Prince Lucas, Princess Heather, and Princess Abigail all stepped into a carriage their faces covered. Landon, Cole, and I rode a carriage behind them. Our driver was silent.

       People ran beside us cursing and throwing items at the windows. I spotted a girl sitting in the dust. No other people in sight in the small village. The carriage stopped. "Broken wheel!" the driver announced. I ran to the little girl.

       "Hi, my name is Vera. What's your name?" I asked. The girl looked me right in the eye.

       "Bailey," the girl replied.

       "Where is your mommy?" I asked.

       "She moved." Bailey told me.

       "What about everyone else?" I questioned.

       "They moved!" Bailey shouted louder. I shushed her.

       "Why's that?" I asked being more gentle. Bailey began to cry. Her eyes glowed golden as she did. A little golden eye.

       "I don't know why!" she cried. I hugged her feeling how cold her little arms were. Her own family and her own village deserted her.... and she didn't know why.

       "Can I tell you something?" I asked. The little girl nodded. "I think you're different. I think that you're a golden eye... Like me!" I explained.

       "No, I'm not one of you!" Bailey yelled shoving her face in her hands. "I'm not a monster!" she screamed.

       "You're not a monster! I never said you were! You're just different. Look, your family gave up hope on you... but I won't. I promise. Will you come with me?" I asked. It didn't dawn on me that I was a complete stranger to her. She looked up from her hands staring at me.

       "Aren't you scared of me?" Bailey asked sniffling.

       "Nope!" I smiled reaching out my hand to her. After a minute of conflicting thoughts, she took my hand. I pulled her off of the ground. "Now, I need you to do everything I ask in order for you to get out of here, think you can do it?" I asked.

       "I think so," Bailey said. I heard the carriage horse snort in the distance. They had to have fixed the wheel.

    "Stay quiet and calm. As I go into the carriage, sneak in behind me. Be completely silence. Once the coast is clear, I'll tell you." I told her. Bailey looked up at me with both hope and fear in her little golden eyes. I saw myself in her. Scared. Alone. Wanting something more.

    "Cole? Landon?" I whispered.

    "Why are we whispering?" Cole asked.

    "I don't want the driver to know what we are talking about." I told him in my soft-spoken voice.

    "It's okay. He's terrified of us anyway!" Landon laughed.

    "When we were parked, I found this little golden eyed girl. And I wanted to help her. So, I need you guys to help me hide her." I told them. "Bailey?" I called. The little girl's sat beside me looking out the window.

    "You're insane!" Cole laughed.

    "Thank you," I replied. "Anyways, Bailey this is Landon and Cole. They are my friends." I explained.

    "He's really handsome!" Bailey whispered to me.

    "Which one?" I asked.

    "That one!" she said pointing to Cole.

    "I'm handsome!" Cole announced rubbing it in Landon's face.

    It was a perfect distraction from the chaos. If only the distraction could last for a few minutes longer. Within seconds people trampled our carriage. "We must be entering Cara," Cole observed.

    "Get down!" Landon yelled. Twenty arrows nearly cut through us. Bailey tucked herself under the seat. I grabbed Landon's wrist. "It's okay..." he told me. I took a deep breath hoping this was just a nightmare.

    "No one wants you here!"

    "Why doesn't your kind just become instinct!"

    "Go die!"

    People yelled that to the window's of our carriage. I would never get that image out of my head. Guards fought back the people, trying to contain them. They couldn't. Not even the most powerful forces in the world could possibly seal up and throw away all of their hateful words and anger. "Bailey, stay quiet!" I whispered. Our carriage finally pulled into palace grounds. No citizen could hurt us here. Now, the only things that made us shiver were the judgemental glares given by the staff of Cara. My eyes met the ladies I had worked beside months ago. Their shocked faces remained in my mind as I heard a knock on my window.

    "Vera! Cole! Landon!" Prince Lucas said. The guard pulled him back. "I need to speak with them." he told the guard. The guard released him. He opened the door and sat beside Landon. "I know that looked really scary. I am not going to lie and tell you guys that the citizens will calm down. I just need you to understand that we ARE helping you. We are going to do anything we can to make sure you stay safe. However, we cannot protect you as much as you can protect yourselves. Three rules. No magic. No speaking. No reacting. Follow my sister and I with no questions. I promise you that you're safe." he explained.

    Landon led us out. Cole and I huddled around Bailey trying to get as few people to notice her as possible. Prince Lucas led us to a small but quite fancy room. It was silent. He closed the windows, re enforcing them by leaning a chair against them. And then he left handing Cole a letter.

"At the kingdom's leaders meeting tomorrow, each of you will get a chance to speak. Don't hold back. Don't shield the people from something as brutal as how they are treating you. Make them think. The future of the golden eye tribe depends on you.

Prince Lucas Cara"

    We stood in silence. A few moments later another letter slips under the door. Bailey ran to it in little footsteps. She held it in her hands, passing it onto Cole.

Cole Unknown,

    We laughed at the fact they put unknown as his last name and continued reading.

Cole Unknown,

    You are invited to tonight's Cara dinner as Prince Lucas's royal guest. Please follow the royal dress code. Dinner will be served soon. We hope you to see you there and we look forward to meeting you.

    "You're invited to a fancy dinner?" I asked.

    "I guess so..." Cole shrugged.

    "Why does he get to go?" Bailey asked jumping to see.

    "He's a white eye," Landon sighed.

    "I'm not going to go," Cole said.

    "Why not? The fancy invitation invited you to go! I bet they have amazing food too. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity!" I repealed.

    "They didn't invite you... and Landon. It's not fair!" Cole argued.

    "You have to go!" I pleaded.

    "It would help get the royal family on our side..." Landon added.

    "He's not wrong," I said.

    "Alright, fine!" he agreed. Landon and I shared a mischievous smile. Cole rolled his eyes looking around for a closet. There had to be something in the room that he could wear. Bailey discovered an outfit hung on the back door and handed it to him. Cole slapped it on and fixed his hair.

    "Tell us everything!" I said.

    "I will," he promised.

    "And don't say anything stupid!" Landon teased.

    "No promises!" Cole laughed. He stepped outside immediately being joined by a guard. We were quiet listening to footsteps. After only seconds, they faded away.

    Minutes later, we heard a knock on the door. "Vera? Landon?" Princess Abigal called. I slowly opened the door pulling the princess in.

    "What's up?" I asked.

    "Who's that?" Princess Abigal asked pointing straight at Bailey.

    "Her name's Bailey. I found her on my way here. She's a golden eye. An orphan. I thought we could put her with the others. She'll have friends and education. I found here in an abandoned village. I had to save her." I explained.

    "She can't stay here. It's way too dangerous. Once the people find out that Landon and you are staying here, they are going to be at your windows trying to tear this place down. Not to mention, guards surround here. If they find out another golden eye is here, she is going to the dungeon. Can I take her?" Princess Abigail asked. I nodded. "I'll call a friend after the kingdom leaders meeting to get her a nice home. I promise."

    "Bailey, Princess Abigail is going to take care of you." I repeated. "I need you to go with her." Bailey nodded.

    "Thanks. I promise you she will be safe." Princess Abigail told me walking out with Bailey. Bailey ran back to me giving me a big hug.

    "Thanks, Vera!" she smiled running back out into Abigail's arms. The door slammed behind her.

    "Wow, Vera! She really adores you." Landon observed.

    "Yeah," I agreed. "So, do you think that this will all work out?" I asked rubbing my hands together.

    "I hope so. There's no way anyone can say no to you." he smiled.

    "Aw, thanks!" I said blushing.

    "Seriously, if we have Prince Lucas AND Princess Heather both boasting about us saying that we saved them, we have a good chance." Landon said. "And Cole... that guy is good at persuading. I should know. He somehow persuaded my parents into thinking he's an angel. We both know that's not true." he laughed. I laughed along too.

    While, we were talking, Cole was talking too. Talking a whole lot more.

    The room was silent before Cole walked in. "Cole!" Prince Lucas said hugging him.

    "Hey, Lucas!" Cole greeted. Prince Lucas's family looked straight at him puzzled. Cole bowed at the prince correcting himself. "Thanks for inviting me to this lovely dinner!" Cole said looking at Lucas for guidance.

    "It is my pleasure! I'm sure the king and queen are delighted to meet you..." Prince Lucas scolded clearing his throat.

    "Oh, yes! Your presence is greater than any gift!" the king lied. Cole's hand brushed aganist his arm.

    "Why thank you!" Cole blushed fakely.

    "Cole is very active in getting the golden eyes the rights they deserve." Princess Abigail explained. Prince Lucas shot her the dirtiest look. Cole jumped into the conversation before Prince Lucas could change the subject.

    "It's true. I'm a mutt white eye myself. My father and twin brother were set to Dimmer's Prison Island leaving my mom and I penniless." Cole explained piling on the guilt.

    "I could never even imagine that. Could you, father?" Princess Abigail asked.

    "No, Abigail, I could not. Tell me more about it." the king ordered. The prince and princess exchanged mischievous looks.

    "My family was a family of merchants and farmers. Village favorites. Everyone knew us. You couldn't walk ten feet without bumping into one of us. People would stop me on the street to say hello and ask me how my father was. We weren't rich, quite the opposite actually. Yet, we had something much more. We had heart. And I was sad to see it all change. Five years ago, Carian soldiers busted into our home taking my grandfather, father, and twin brother with them. My mom told me that they were different than we were. I never knew. I never even realized. Soon after my mother grew very ill. I had to work to get us food and her medicine. Long story short, I fell into the pirate trade. The bad kinda trade. I'll spare you the details. And about three months later I met Prince Lucas." Cole explained. The royals hung onto his every word like it was a good book they couldn't put down.

    "Where's your father?" the queen asked.

    "I have no idea. My brother told me that about nine months ago he went missing from their prison cell on Dimmer's Prison Island." Cole said.

       "What about your mom?" Princess Abigail asked invested in Cole's story too.

       "I haven't seen her in a while. She was really sick. I don't really know her standing... and I'd rather not know." Cole said in a quiet tone.

    "I feel bad. I know that it isn't our place... but I'm sure we can try and locate your father." the queen offered. Cole didn't want to know... but he still wondered sometimes.

    "I would love that!" Cole nearly squealed.

    "I'm sure Landon would to!" Prince Lucas added.

    "Ah! Where is your brother? He couldn't make it to dinner?" the queen asked. The king elbowed her and shushed her. "What is it?" she asked.

    "He did not receive an invitation," Cole said.

    "Yes, he did. I sent one to you, your brother, and Prince Lucas's friend... Vera!" the queen revealed. Cole looked down. The king elbowed the queen harder.

    "My brother and Vera did not receive an invitation." Cole told them.

    "What are you talking about? I delivered them myself!" Prince Lucas argued. The king elbowed him the hardest. Princess Abigail, Prince Lucas, the queen, and the king all exchanged looks.

    "Am I missing something here?" Cole asked.

    "Golden eyes are not allowed to have dinner in the royal dining room." the king spoke up.

    "Father!" Princess Abigail scolded.

    "No, sweetheart! It's not my doing, I promise you. There was a spell cast centuries ago. Any person with golden blood that eats in this dining room will fall to their death days after eating here... white eye's poison. I removed the invitations from your slot because of this. I would love to have dinner with your brother and Vera, however it simply cannot be done." the king explained.

    "I understand." Cole nodded.

    "Can't you remove this spell?" Princess Abigail asked.

    "It cannot be done." the king told her.

    "I believe it can be." Princess Abigail grunted.

    "It cannot be done." the king repeated.

    "Yes it can be!" Princess Abigail grunted again.

    "Abigail Francesca Angelina Lynn Cara!" the king scolded his daughter.

    "It's quite alright. My brother probably doesn't wish to be here anyway. He is just grateful for your hospitality. And I can't begin to thank you all for escaping us from that horrid prison. That alone, is too much to thank you for. You saved his life and Vera's. And for that, I cannot express my sincere gratitude in words." Cole said.

    "You are quite a lovely young man!" the queen commented.

    "Thank you," Cole smiled.

    "I'm going up to bed. We have a big day tomorrow." Princess Abigail announced. Her words were sweet but she still held a small bitterness towards her father.

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