Ella, Chase, and Viola didn't stop running until they were as far from town as they could possibly be.

They'd lost the guards. Ella limped as she walked, lopsided by only having one shoe.

Her clothes had returned to her every day dress, plain and dirtied by soot. The mask, gloves, and shoes remained behind. Ella tore off her shoe in frustration.

"I'm so done with you!" She hissed at it. Chase looked like he wanted to laugh, cheeks puffing as he held it in.

"Glass slippers? Where in hell do you get those? And why would anyone want to wear them?" Viola wondered, gasping.

"A fairy gave them to me. Well more accurately she forced them on me. More comfortable than you would think though." Ella said, shoving her accessories into her pockets, which were luckily very deep.

"So where exactly are we off too?" Viola wondered.

"Across the kingdom. Didn't you mention Niamh was traveling? She's probably going to a magic hotspot." Chase suggested.

Ella nodded. "Avolyne if I'm remembering correctly. If the rumors are true it's the underground magic capital of Adelinelle."

"Even if we don't find Niamh or Lamorne or whoever there might still be someone who can help us out." Viola chimed in, a skip in her step as the walked.

If Ella wasn't so determined to keep moving for Zera she would have stopped in her tracks at Viola's words. "That's the second time you've mentioned Lamorne. What does that mean? Explain."

Chase raised an eyebrow at her demanding tone, but quickly sighed. "Okay, it's not exactly the most interesting story though."

"I beg to differ, buddy." Viola folded her arms. "Chase just doesn't like to talk about it because it supposedly damage the family name."

"What is your family name anyway. You never mentioned?" Ella wondered.

Viola glanced Chase's way, opening her mouth to answer but Chase spoke up first.

"Miller! Chase and Viola Miller! I don't suppose you've heard of our family." Chase rushed to say.

Her nose scrunched in confusion at his strange behavior. Chase was proving himself weirder and weirder the longer their time together persisted. Was he always so jumpy?

"Not in Adelinelle in any case. I may have a few cousins the kingdom over with that last name, but I have never heard of anyone in Anwen. In any case it is a common name I suppose." She muttered, almost to herself. She perked up, looking to Chase and Viola. "Well anyway it's a long journey to Avolyne and I'm going to need something to distract from the pain my feet will feel a mile down the road, so I believe it's story time." Ella laughed.

Chase's heart swelled. With a laugh like that she could have anything she wanted. He rolled his eyes, keeping his admiration inside. "Fine, but I don't even know the entire story-"

"Should we do something about her feet though?" Viola wondered, point at Ella's bare toes.

"There are no shops open so it's not like there's anything we can do. My feet are fine, Vi. Chase, continue." Ella waited patiently. Viola smiled at the older girl using her nickname.

"Our father... He- As a young man he ignored his duties- chores- to spend nights in the woods where he'd meet all sorts of faes. He grew close to one-"

"Lamorne." Viola interrupted.

Chase scowled as they strolled. "Yes, Lamorne. Anyway the day he announced his... Uh taking over the family business Lamonre got into a fight with him."

"Over the business?" Ella wondered. The silver moonlight showed their faces so clear that candles that hung from the houses they passed weren't even needed. Ella couldn't help but quickly shift to glance around at each building as they strolled by, in terror of being spotted.

Chase shrugged, leaning close and whispering. "Father never specified."

"I think he wants to admit blame." Viola muttered.

"So what happened?"

"Father nearly ran away from home to please Lamorne, but our mother stopped him. After that fight he promised Lamorne he go to her for who knows what reason. He..."

"...broke a promise with a fairy." Ella finished, eyes growing wide.

Chase nodded. "And now we've sort of got a family curse."

"Sort of?"

"Well just his two children." Chase grimaced.

"No!" Ella hissed in outrage. "He got off the hook fine, but you both have to suffer?"

"Not fair right?" Viola grumbled. "Dad always says- Hide!"

An old woman had left her house to peak out the door, probably due to the trio's loud whispers. They ducked into an alleyway, waiting until they heard her door slam to make any sound.

They began to breath again once they were sure they heard the door lock with a click.

Chase's heart beat as fast as his chest rose. That was quite the scare. He pulled out his silver pocket watch.

"We've been walking for nearly an hour. Perhaps we should find some place to rest?" Chase suggested.

Viola looked past the houses that lined the street. "There's a lovely little shaded brook over there. If we wake before sunrise it'll be unlikely for anyone to find us."

Ella sighed. "I suppose that is our only option."

As soon as they made it to the little brook Ella sat down under a tree and rubbed her feet. They were going to kill her in the morning.

Viola fell asleep as soon as she made herself comfortable on the dirt floor. Chase sat near Ella.

"I'm sorry about your sister." He muttered.

"I'm sorry about your curse... Is that how you were able to stop the ball?" Ella wondered.

Chase nodded. "I have these amazing powers, but it comes at the price of bad luck. Something tells me tomorrow won't be smooth sailing."

"That's okay." Ella yawned. "My life never has been."

Little did she know how horrible his luck actually was.

Sorry for the boring chapter. I swear it'll be better!

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my best friend, Wilo. Seriously you are amazing and I need you to know that. I love you and appreciate your support so much. Thank you for being there for me.

And thank you everyone who is reading this, I sincerely appreciate each and everyone of you. Thank you!