Finn looped us back up the hill and through the main hub of the Guardian base as we ascended back up the marble staircase. We headed towards the lift that had taken me out of Secta's house, a giant building in comparison to all the others.

I found it odd that he hadn't just kept me there, that he'd felt the need to drag me out around the land before shoving me back in it. It felt as though he were giving me a taste of something I couldn't have, to see the wonder of a new world before constricting me back up inside a fish tank.

I followed behind Finn, admiring the beautiful feathers that adorned his strong back as the lift carried us upward inside the glass castle. His wings were close to pure white, almost a certain shade of cream. They were longer than Raphael's by only a little, Cybele's wings stronger and bigger than either of their own. Every guardian had their own set of wings, each shape and size different than the last.

The lift screeched to a halt, making me stumble forward into Finn's back. His wings bristled, a shiver rolling up his spine before I stepped back and removed my hands from his body.

Klutz.

"I'm sorry." I felt my face turn red from embarrassment as he looked back at me, drawing his bottom lip between his teeth.

He only nodded to me, offering a friendly smile as we stepped off the lift and into the main hall. I felt worry pool into me as I followed him, unsure of place I was walking into. Finn didn't seem concerned, but how long had he lived here?

Everything was colorful as we got deeper into Secta's home, blue walls like the sky decorated with trims of white and gold. Elaborate paintings hung on all the walls in an art gallery that took my breath away as I tried to study each without losing sight of Finn.

A few doors lied open, and I took a quick look into each. Some looked like guest bedrooms, bathrooms, parlors, and even a swimming pool! I stopped in awe at one painting in particular of a golden haired woman with lovely green eyes as she laid in a meadow of vibrant flowers. She had a wide smile on her lips full of laughter, and she was sprawled out among the blooms as if the world had stopped itself to admire her.

I looked at the golden plaque, the painting titled Amor in thin, black letters. I skimmed the metal with my fingertips, looking back to her face. She looked as though she had entered paradise.

And I'm in hell.

"It's excellent, isn't it?" Finn said with a deep breath. "He painted it."

"Who?"

"Secta."

My eyes widened as I looked to him. "Really? I didn't know he was such a talented artist."

Finn smiled in amusement, glancing down at me. "You'd be surprised. He's painted every single one on this hallway."

"I love them." I breathed softly, looking down the long hall at each bright painting that filled the room with light.

I felt it now, and his artistic abilities made sense. He was light, and light was a form of beauty so he could create beauty. My heart contorted as I thought of Matilda; she would have loved these too.

"Can you show me to my room? I'm..." I stuttered, snapping Finn from his gaze. He nodded quickly, moving forward in earnest as I extended my legs to follow behind him. We took dozens of turns until I knew this was secretly a labyrinth before he stopped at a bright, jade green door and pushed it open for me.

The room was pitch black until he flipped on the light, a simple bed with green covers in the center of the room. Side tables, a desk, a vanity, and a large dresser filled the room. My mouth fell open in amazement as I rushed forward to feel the pillows. They were made of material that I'd never felt before, so soft and smooth to the touch as I gazed around the room.

"This is amazing." I whispered, glancing to Finn as he stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

"I felt the same way. I'd never seen anything this beautiful before either when I came here." Finn said, admiring the room before glancing to me. I took a seat on the bed, smiling at its sheer softness. I'd sleep well at least, hopefully.

"Where are you from?" I asked, glancing up to him. He seemed a little startled that I'd even asked him a question at all.

"Viridis." He said softly as I widened my eyes and criss-crossed my legs on the mattress.

"You're from my planet?" Where did he use to live? Would I have ever met him? Had he... died here too?

"Looks like it." Finn watched me before closing the door behind him and taking a seat in a chair across from where I sat.

"Did you live close to my kingdom?" I asked, resting my head in my hands.

"It wasn't especially close, but yes, I was nearby. A lot has changed over the years since then." He noted, leaning forward on his forearms.

"Cybele told me every Guardian dies before they serve. Does that mean you're actually like 100 years old?"

Finn shook his head, laughing deeply in a way that made me join in too as his eyes danced in amusement. "Correct. I believe I am around 64 if the years are counted correctly. As I said before, a lot has transformed on Viridis in 60 years, including the change in the universal regime. The names of all the places I once knew are all different now to you."

I furrowed my eyebrows in interest, scooting closer. "Did you live in a city like I did?"

"I lived in a smaller town in the woods, past Opulentia on the path to..." He stopped himself. "As I said, places you wouldn't know."

"Did you know Cybele?" I asked with interest.

"I know her much better now then I did then, but yes, I met her back then." Finn confessed as he scooted his chair forward.

"Raphael?"

"Met the old man when I came into this life." Finn shrugged, letting his wings stretch out across his back. I watched them move, fascinated.

"You didn't have wings before?"

"I did not."

"What's it like to have them?"

Finn bit his lip as he reflected. "It was unusual. I had to learn to tuck them over one another when I walked places. I used to get stuck in the doorways or knock over plates and vases in the hallways. It takes ages to learn balance as well."

I giggled, imagining Finn tottering over like a baby or walking into a doorway with his wings. He smiled back at me, and I felt bold as I leaned forward. "Can I touch one?"

He seemed a little surprised at my request, but nevertheless, one of his wings curled around his body in front of him so that I could feel it with my fingers. I reached out, grazing the surface with my fingertips. It was so soft to the touch that my eyes widened as I moved down a feather and onto the next. Finn watched me silently as I traced the edges.

"They are lovely and much softer than I thought." I commented, smoothing a few with my palm. "They must be pretty strong though for you to be able to fly around."

"Are you commenting on my weight?"

I froze, embarrassment filling me. "No! No, I'm not saying anything like that. You aren't fat, definitely. I mean, look at you! You..."

I looked up to Finn whose eyes were full of amusement as he suppressed the laugh on his lips. He enjoyed my flustered and red face as I narrowed my eyes with a smile.

"Ha ha, aren't you so funny?"

"I was hoping that would happen." Finn chuckled, bringing his other wing forward for me to feel. "You have to work them out just like regular muscles. The stronger they are, the faster you fly and the quicker you can turn in the air."

"How do you work out wings?" I wondered, feeling the tips of both wings with my fingers.

"Lots of practice flying and mock skirmishes. You have to be able to carry yourself and your weapon."

"Like a pool stick?" I countered in amusement, glancing to him with a grin.

"Just like a pool stick, except about three times heavier." Finn smiled.

"I won't tell anyone then that I almost bested you with my stick." I shrugged, placing my hands in my lap as he retracted his wings back.

"I've worked hard for my reputation, so thank you for your secrecy." He winked playfully and I shook my head with a smile.

"I've heard nothing about your said reputation."

"Well," Finn shrugged, "if that's the case then it appears I've lost it anyways even though you didn't best me."

"I'm sure I could again." I challenged and his eyes glowed, sparking a mutual competitiveness between us.

"I'd like to see you try."

I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes. "I bet you'll like it even more when I beat your ass."

"You really think you can fight me?" Finn chuckled lightly, grinning like a child.

"Try me." I breathed, looking into his blue eyes.

I pulled back when I realized how close we sat. He leaned back as well before standing and pushing the chair back up against the wall where it belonged. I felt determined and heated as Finn walked towards the door, glancing back at me.

"Get some rest, Kate. I'll come get you soon for dinner, and maybe we'll finish that bet another day." He gave me a boyish grin before closing the door softly. I laid back onto the bed, basking in the softness of the sheets like that woman had in the flowers.

I didn't know if I could beat Finn, but it was worth a shot. Maybe he could become my friend here. I needed someone, because I could tell from Secta's words that I wasn't leaving here anytime soon.

In truth, I was hopelessly lost. I'd wandered out of my room, letting my curiosity take the best of me. The halls now all looked the same as I wandered from floor to floor, trying to remember where Finn had once led me.

Homesickness filled me as I stumbled mindlessly through the open halls, images of my family and my friends flashing in my head. After he'd left, I was truly alone, and I didn't know where to find a single soul to talk to. I couldn't stand the silence, so I'd opened the door and started to walk.

I felt sick, exhausted, and hopeless; I was going to stay here until I died. I turned left down a corridor, greeted by an dead end which made me groan. In honesty, I didn't really know what I was looking for. The exit out of this place wasn't going to get me away from the Guardians.

I turned around, heading down the corridor to the right instead. An open door rested at the end of the hall and I heard murmuring as I peaked in slowly. Cybele?

"Kate!" She said with a huge smile from the grand King size bed where she was reclined.  A tray of food sat beside her as she sat up straighter in the pillows. I stumbled to a halt as I looked around the room. She wasn't the only one here.

Finn sat on the end of her bed, stiffening before turning sharply to look to me. I bit my lip as he watched me with twinkling interest, slipping off the edge of the bed to stand beside it.

"I see we have an escape artist." He said deeply, crossing his arms across his chest with a small smile.

"I was trying to find Cybele to apologize." I lied, even though I didn't know what I was lying about. I hadn't really had a plan to begin with.

"Oh, don't worry." Cybele laughed. "It's no problem at all."

"I am really sorry. I don't really know what's happening to me." I replied softly.

"It's ok, Kate." Cybele furrowed her eyebrows. "We'll figure this out, I promise. I'm sorry if my father has been a little abrasive. He just doesn't know you, that's all. He'll warm up to you after we figure out your Meraki."

"I'm just very confused about all of this." I sighed. "Myself, you all, and this place. I've never been outside of my city and this is all so new."

"I'll teach you!" Cybele's eyes filled with excitement as she sprung from her bed, taking my hands in her own. "Oh, I'll tell you everything! You are going to enjoy it so much! Let's go to the library and I'll tell you about us and answer all of your questions."