My mind reeled from the revelations. Everything was set up to happen as it did.

"What do we do about them?" I asked.

"About who, lass?"

"The Guild. What do we do about the Guild?"

"Aye, they are a bit of a problem."

"Do they have a weakness? Can they be killed?" James asked.

"One did die, did he not?" she asked.

"Yeah, but I'm not sure how. The others weren't harmed."

The old woman stood from the table and turned to a cabinet behind her. Beyond the ancient doors rested many dozens of potions. She dug about the old vials picked up one, shook her head, and placed it back. A loud ah ha and the doors slammed shut.

She handed over a glowing red liquid to me. It felt hot in my hand as I held it up in front of me. Reaching to remove the cork, she slapped my hand.

"Ow."

"Do not let that touch any part of you."

"Why?" I shook the bottle, mixing up the volatile potion.

"If it touches your skin it will turn you mortal. Your bond to Draco will be broken."

"Is that how it will destroy them? Will that kill them?"

"I'm not sure. It should, but if there is another spell protecting them on top of the one I performed, they may not be able to be destroyed."

"Wait, what? Is that possible?"

"Anything is possible?" She returned to dunking her sweet biscuit in the tea, munching happily as though our lives weren't in danger from a dangerous band of people.

I nudged James and got up from the table. "Thank you for the help, Witch."

"Do be warned, child. This is not a simple nor easy adventure you embark on. There are many dangers you must watch for along the way, and do not be surprised if not everyone from your party returns."

James and I glanced at each other and nodded before hurrying out the door. The horses tied up out front let out an ear-piercing whinny as we climbed into the saddles. My heart leaped to my throat as I watched the old witch's house vanish before my eyes. Gripping the reigns tightly, my feet nudged the horse into a gallop anxious to get out of the mysterious and mystical woods. James and I rode hard, not stopping until the castle came into sight. Horses stomped about the front grounds as people held lanterns towards the tree line closest to the castle.

"Shit," I muttered.

"They're looking for us," James grumbled.

"Yes. I know. I suppose that's what happens when the prince of Scotland and Princess of England go missing in the midst of a supper."

"Ho! There they are! The missing prince and princess," a man shouted, running toward us.

Sighing heavily, we slid off the steeds and handed over reigns to the first stable hand who reached us. The horses trotted happily back to the barn, sweat covering their chestnut bodies.

"Evelyn! Where have you been? Why did you leave? What is the meaning of this foolishness?"

"Calm down, mother."

She spun me around, checking every part that she could see. Once Mother was satisfied that I hadn't been harmed she drug me into the castle as though I were a mere child and not a woman trying to save the world. Or at least my world. Her clench tightened around my wrist as we hurried down the darkened halls of the old castle. A cold breeze swept down the corridor as we approached my chambers. A fire roared in the fireplace, and Elizabeth sat in a chair near it doing her needlepoint. Mother slammed the door behind us and shoved me further into the room.

"Child, you have absolutely gone mad. What were you thinking? Going off alone with nobody to protect you!"

"Oh calm down. Nothing was going to happen to me. Moreover, I wasn't alone. I had James with me."

"James? A prince? What could he possibly do to save you if the Guild should attack? Nothing, Evelyn! Nothing!"

"He can do more than nothing. He's not so different from me. He's been running this country for quite a few years now. Plus he's bonded."

"Bonded? Bonded to what?"

Taking a deep breath I went into the elaborate story the old witch divulged to us. She shook her head and muttered under her breath the entire time. Her disbelief baffled me. She knew the dangers that were posed to our families and our countries if I didn't do something. She knew it was time to let me take over as the assassin of the family.

She rubbed her temples, continuing to mutter under her breath. I stomped my foot and let out as mighty a yell as I could.

"Listen to me! I've had it, Mother!"

"Excuse me?" She whirled on the tips of her toes and shot daggers at me through her eyes.

The tension and anger in the room grew with each passing moment, yet I cared not. She had to hear what I had to say.

"You always told me about how you stood up to the Guild when you were younger than me. You fought for your freedom. For your life. For your forbidden love."

"So?"

"So? Why can't I do the same? Our families need protection and it's my time."

"Evelyn, this isn't the life I intended for you." She sat on the nearest chair, tears streaming down her face.

The lines about her eyes were more pronounced as she frowned, creasing her aging forehead in the process.

"It's happening, mother. Whether you want it to or not, it's out of your control. This was something that had been determined long before I was even born. It's my destiny, Mother."

"There is no such thing as destiny. If there were I'd still be an assassin if I were still alive. Destiny is something for the foolish to believe in."

"No, it isn't. It's real and saving those we love is my destiny. Destroying the Guild is my destiny."

"They can't be destroyed. They can't die."

"They can! I have something to help." Pulling out the red-hot vial, I cradled it in my arms as a mother would her newborn child.

"What is that?" Mother held out her hand for the bottle.

Shaking my head, I gazed at it with wonderment. "The witch gave it to me. The potion inside is able to turn any immortal bonded to a dragon, mortal."

"Any immortal?"

"Yes, even me. The bond between Draco and I will be broken."

"Is that something you're willing to do?" she queried.

"Absolutely not. Bonding with Draco is one of the most amazing and wonderful things to ever happen to me. I will not break our bond."

She sighed heavily and buried her face in her hands.

"Why can't I do this, Mother? Why won't you let me do what I'm destined for?"

"I can't lose you, Evelyn. You're my daughter. My only child. I love you so much; I'm willing to die for you."

"And there comes a time when a mother has to let her child go. It's time for you to trust me and let me do what needs to be done. You've raised me to be a strong woman. It has taken some time for me to realize who I am and what I want in life, but this is it. To be a dragon rider. To protect those I love and care for. To marry James."

"Alright, Evelyn. You can do this."

"Really? You'll let me do this?"

"I don't have much of a choice do I?" she asked.

"No."

"She won't be alone."

We both turned to see James and Father standing in the doorway.

"How long have you both been there?" I glared between the two men.

"Long enough to know you aren't going at this alone. The Guild is no longer threatening just you," James replied.

"Who do you presume is going to risk life to fight alongside me?"

"Someone else who is immortal." James took a few steps forward and grasped my hand in his.

"You?"

"Who else?"

"What about the country? Who will be in charge while you're away with me?"

"There are things in place to have someone rule in my stead once I leave. Nobody here will be any the wiser that I'm absent from court."

"Well if all of you are going, of course, I am," Elizabeth spoke up, placing her needlepoint down.

"Elizabeth, you can't."

"Ellie, I have been your lady since I could form coherent sentences and say yes, my lady. I am not about to let you go into such a life-altering situation without me by your side."

"It'll be dangerous," I said.

"Yes, I'm expecting that. I'm sure my mother didn't question the danger your mother was in when they ventured about."

"Perhaps. I just don't want anything to happen to you. You are my closest friend."

She hugged me tightly. "You will go through nothing alone. If I am harmed in serving you, lady matters not. I shall be by your side through all."

"Then it's settled, we travel for the Guild."

"There's one thing," I said to James.

"What?"

"We don't know where they are."

"I can help with that," a deep voice responded from the open window.

"Is everyone spying on me tonight?"

"I don't spy, I overhear," Draco said.

"How can you help?" Mother asked.

"There is a network of dragons who keep touch on such things. It is how we find out about the evils of this world and where to stay away. It's how we've stayed alive and hidden for so long."

"Do what you must," I said.

"Aye, Evelyn."

He flew off with a mighty flap of his scaly wings, sending a gust of wind throughout the room. Papers scattered into the air as the fire flickered out.

"We await Draco's return then. Once we know of the Guild's location, we go."

"James, may I speak to you? Privately?"

"Yes."

As my mother, father, and Elizabeth exited the room, I led James to the window. We watched as Draco's silhouette vanished over the darkening horizon.

"What is the matter, Evelyn?"

"Once we return, shall we marry?"

"D0 you want to?" he questioned.

"Yes. I don't want to put it off any longer. The moment we return I want to wed."

"I'll have things set to commence once we are back in Scotland. Do you want to marry here?"

"Yes. I want to begin my new life here, in my new country."

He pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held tightly, unsure what our future would actually hold.