[MAGGIE'S PoV]

It took several breaths for my brain to process what my eyes were seeing. Faye's wrists were bound together with thick cloth, and the cloth was tied to the leg of her work bench. Her eyes were red, her cheeks tear-stained, her black curls matted to her forehead with sweat. And coiled tightly around her torso was a sleek silver cobra with its fangs buried deep in her bleeding collar bone.

"Go," she mouthed, her tear-filled eyes darting between me, the door, and the snake. The creature hadn't seen me yet, and Faye seemed intent on keeping it that way. "Run."

I blinked, a cold sweat breaking over my skin. What was happening? Shouldn't I try to get the snake off her? Kindle. He would help, he would know what to do.

I turned toward the door where Carlyle had been floating a moment ago. He had brought Kindle to me when Inari attacked, he could do the same now. But he wasn't there.

"Maggie, run!" Faye gasped, but her words were obscured by bone-chilling laughter.

Cold, bony hands clasped my upper arms, and someone's nose pressed into the back of my hair, inhaling deeply near my ear. "Hmmm what's this?" an odd, almost sing-song male voice asked. "A new friend?" He sniffed me again and every muscle in my body tensed. "Ahahaa! A human!"

I couldn't see him, and for how skinny he seemed to be, he had a horrifyingly strong grip. I tried to wrench my arms free, tried to kick behind myself. Elle had taught me basic self-defense, but all rational thought flew from my mind with every panicked beat of my heart. I brought my leg back as hard as I could toward the region I assumed his groin was in. He laughed and easily side-stepped my attack.

Behind us, I could hear Faye's workbench shake as she tried to pull herself free. "Jakoby, get away from her!"

"Faye, Faye, Faye, Faye, Fa-aye..." he sang, clearly enjoying this entire situation. "You're in trouble now." He leaned down and sniffed me once again. "Mmmm your skin is lovely..." His icy fingers trailed down my arm. "I'll enjoy bruising it."

I knocked my head back into his with as much force as I could muster, he hissed— hissed— and stumbled back, releasing me. Now that my arms were free, I turned towards him, swinging my arm to hit him as I did so.

The man, Jakoby, was sickly pale with yellow eyes and sharp teeth. Silvery hair hung limp and greasy around his face, and a forked tongue darted out of his mouth to lick the blood that was starting to trickle from his nose. He wore only a loose pair of pants.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a pair of scissors atop a pile of fabric to my right. I darted for them.

"Feisty, feisty..." Jakoby laughed. He watched me with a smile, but made no move to come near me again. He seemed to take this whole situation as one giant joke.

I pointed the scissors towards him like a knife as I maneuvered my way over to Faye, keeping my eyes on Jakoby the whole time. "Are you okay?" I breathed as I cut her free.

"Oh, Magpie, I'm so sorry this happened..." Faye whimpered. She hugged me and I returned the hug with one hand, angling myself between her and the snake man and keeping the scissors ready at all times.

"Are you okay?" I repeated more firmly.

"For now." She nodded quickly and swallowed a sob. "But you won't be."

Jakoby laughed again and the grey tattoos that marked his skin darkened and expanded, becoming scales as he shrunk down to snake form before my eyes. I charged forward, trying to stomp on him as he slithered across the stone floor and out under the door.

From out in the hall I heard Kindle swear and saw a flash of fire shoot past the crack between the door and the floor. Given that the swearing continued, I assumed Jakoby managed to escape. Kindle slammed the door open, his eyes landing on me momentarily before he turned his attention to Faye.

"I thought you said he'd been leaving you alone lately?" Kindle growled. I stepped aside to let him through.

"H-he had been, tonight was the first time he showed up in months..." She wiped her eyes and tried to smile. "I guess he was bored."

Kindle carefully pushed Faye's hair aside to examine the rest of her neck and shoulders before focusing in on the bite marks on her collarbone. "Damn it... how long was he here before Maggie showed up?"

"Only about fifteen minutes. And most of that was spent in preparation." She nodded to the red welts forming on her wrists.

Kindle swore again and pulled a clean swatch of linen off the shelf above the workbench. He pressed it gently to the bite, then turned his eyes back to me. "You can let go of the scissors now, Blondie. Did he do anything to you?"

I shook my head no and dropped the scissors on the table, trying to ignore the way my fingers shook. "Only thoroughly creeped me out. What the hell was that all about? Don't tell me he was a friend too."

"Gods, no," Kindle laughed darkly. "I'd most certainly kill him if given the chance. But he's the queen's henchman, so I don't think that would go over well."

"So this is... something that's happened before?" I asked, looking at Faye.

Faye swallowed. "Often. All shifters have abilities, his is to feed off the sorrow and suffering of others. It makes him quicker, stronger." She tentatively touched the swelling bite marks and I noticed a multitude of tiny pinprick scars all over her neck. "I seem to be his favorite victim."

It was strange to think that Faye, one of the kindest and most cheerful people I'd ever met, had any abundance of sorrow in her life. But then again... I didn't really know her very well, did I?

I watched her as she hummed a gentle song and worked her sweaty hair into a braid. She met my gaze and smiled brightly, but now for the first time I saw darker depths to the teal waters of her eyes.

"Faye, please, don't sing right now," Kindle snapped as he paced around the workshop. Every muscle in his back was coiled so tightly I could see the definition beneath his shirt. "We need to think of something. Before he tells Lydia— before she— Gods damn it!" He hurled a fireball at the far wall, the sketches that hung there immediately went up in smoke.

The last of the adrenalin faded from my system, and the realization of what this encounter with Jakoby meant settled in the pit of my stomach. "I'm not a secret anymore, am I." It wasn't a question.

This was what we spent the past month avoiding. This was why I never went anywhere without Faye or Kindle, why I stayed hidden and quiet behind the curtain whenever Faye had to fit someone for a dress or patch up a pair of pants. They were in danger now, because I'd been discovered.

Faye twisted her hands together and leaned against the table. "I have a friend in Loftwood who might be willing to take Magpie in for a while. Do you know Carmen? She runs the fabric shop?"

Kindle nodded once, but didn't stop pacing.

Faye continued, "you can get Maggie to the stables and on a horse, I'll send a raven ahead to explain the situation to Carmen—"

"But what about you?" I cut in.

Faye looked over at me in confusion. Kindle stopped pacing.

"What about you two?" I repeated. "You're panicking about keeping me safe, but won't you be punished for hiding a human?"

Faye smiled sweetly and reached out to take my hand. "Oh Magpie dear, don't worry about us. The queen would love an excuse to kill me, but I don't quite believe it's my time yet. And Kindle..."

"I'll survive."

I sighed and dropped my eyes to the floor. "I'm so sorry."

"Magpie honey, no," Faye squeezed my hand tighter. "If we have to pin the blame on someone here this is my fault."

"Perhaps I should stay here tonight. Just in case Jakoby returns... or Lydia decides to pay a late night visit," Kindle said.

But Carlyle appeared at his side. "...Kindle, I don't think that will help the situation at all. Lydia is waiting for you, Jakoby is already speaking to her. It would be best, I believe, if you went to your room and provided a distraction..."

I didn't understand what Carlyle meant, or the trace of fear the crossed Kindle's expression only briefly before he nodded. "No, no. Faye, lock the door. block the space underneath so Jakoby can't get in. Don't open it until I return tomorrow morning. I'll speak to Lydia."

"Kindle, are you sure?" Faye asked. "If Jakoby got to her first, she's going to be furious."

Kindle pressed his lips together and flexed his hands. "I've dealt with her in worse situations. I'll be alright. I may be able to calm her a bit."

Faye released my hand so she could hug him. She leaned up on her toes to whisper something in his ear and I looked away. There was too much history here, between all of them, and I had no right inserting myself and causing trouble.

Kindle left, and Carlyle promised to patrol outside the workshop door all night. Faye and I squeezed onto the cot together, and after a while she fell alseep. I ended up staying awake the entire night, fearful of what the morning would bring.

~*~

What it brought was Kindle, knocking at sunrise just as he promised. I opened the door to find him in a horrible state. His hair was a mess, his eyes were nearly brown with the lack of fire that usually glinted there. He was in the same clothes he wore the day before. I pulled the blanket tight around my shoulders and shifted in place. "So what's the verdict."

Kindle sighed, a hollow, defeated sound, and there was a long pause before he met my eyes. There was an apology in his gaze, but the words that left his mouth were entirely professional. "Her Majesty, Queen Lydianna D'norse-Villiers has extended an invitation to you, Maggie the human, to join her for tea this morning."

I almost laughed. "Tea? Really?"

Faye emerged from the back room and yawned lightly. "What did you say? You brought tea?"

"Lydia's invited Blondie to tea," Kindle said. "She said she is 'most excited to introduce herself to our guest.'" The tinge of dread to his tone made it sound like there was more to this than just a friendly breakfast.

Faye's lip trembled, but she nodded. "Alright, how much time do we have?"

"Half an hour, we'll say twenty minutes to be safe. It's best not to keep her waiting." Kindle sank into Faye's chair in the corner and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"There are still some muffins left from yesterday morning... If you want one," I offered weakly. What he needed was sleep, or maybe coffee.

He shook his head without opening his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall.

Faye took my arm and pulled me back to her wardrobe. She rooted through its contents, her motions more jittery than usual. "We should put you in something simple— definitely not purple. Or blue. Or red... or black."

"Does she own all those colors?" I frowned.

"Purple is hers, blue is the color of Ser—the king. Her husband. Red is Kindle, and black is, well... I'd rather not put the idea of death in her mind while she's alone with you."

I swallowed. "I would appreciate that."

We settled on a plain sage green dress with a square neck and cap sleeves. It had a delicate pattern in silver beads across the bodice. Once I changed, Faye braided my hair and then pinned the braid atop my head.

She walked me to the workshop door, where Kindle waited. Before I left, she gave me a tight hug. "Don't spill anything, don't break anything, don't speak unless told to. And most importantly, do not let her kiss you."

"I can assure you that last one wasn't even a consideration, but I'll try my best." I smiled, for her sake. "See you soon."

Kindle and I walked a majority of the way in silence. He led me down a hall I'd never been in before, then up a steep spiraling staircase. We emerged into a much prettier and more populated part of the manor. I tensed as we walked past people of all kinds— a dark skinned girl with leaves for hair, a black haired woman with feathers by her ears and bandages around her torso, a delicate silver-haired man— and off to the side Inari watched with her arms crossed and a sneer on her face.

Everyone's eyes were on me. I slid close enough to Kindle that our arms brushed as we walked. He walked with his head high and eyes straight ahead, as if this was just business as usual. I would have felt lonely, if Carlyle wasn't floating on my other side explaining the situation to me.

"...Okay Miss Maggie here's what's up. It's in everyone's best interest that Kindle acts detached, but you know for a fact he's going to be down in Faye's workshop just as worried as she is..."

Kindle's eyes rolled ever so slightly upward.

"...I'm going to be in there with you, and if things get ugly I can pop down to Kindle in a flash..."

"Do you expect things to get ugly?" I muttered back. "it's just tea."

"...keep telling yourself that dear, it'll help with the nerves..."

This floor had a lot more windows and a set of golden double doors at the end of the hall. The doors were where we were headed. The throne room, Carlyle explained.

"Will the king be there too?" I asked. Maybe I would get a chance to ask him about the door.

It was Kindle who answered me this time. "No, Seraphim will be asleep for several hours still."

"Nocturnal?" I joked.

Kindle frowned and I regretted it. "Something like that."

We stopped in front of the doors and Kindle knocked loudly. The others in the hall quieted down, some even left. The girl with leaves for hair turned into a tree. I blinked.

"...make it clear that you mean no harm, that you're working hard with Faye, and that you have extremely limited interactions with Kindle..." Carlyle said.

"Wait, why would my interactions with Kindle matter?" I murmured.

But Kindle shot him a glare, just as a delicate female voice called from the other side of the door, "Enter."

Kindle nodded once to me, his eyes reassuring, then he pushed the heavy doors open.

The room was more simple than I expected. The back wall was entirely made of windows, and the wall to our left was nothing but book cases stocked full of leather bound tomes. To the right was a door that I assumed led to the king and queen's bedchambers. There were two large thrones against the wall of windows, a large area rug in the middle of the room, a table with two chairs, and a grand piano with a vase of fresh roses set atop it.

The queen sat at the piano bench, playing something gentle in the minor key. She looked up as we entered and smiled sweetly. It wasn't like one of Faye's smiles, where the sweetness came from how it made you feel. This was a rehearsed smile, so sweet it almost felt nauseating.

Whatever image I had in mind of Queen Lydianna D'Norse, it wasn't this. She looked like a porcelain doll somehow given life. Everything about her was pale and fragile looking. Her fingers, her tiny upturned nose, her long elfin ears. She looked as if a strong enough gust of wind would shatter her.

But then she stood, her dark purple gown swishing around her like a storm cloud, and she walked with such confidence and grace that I knew instantly there wasn't a single wind that would dare even try.

She curtsied in front of me, her silver ringlets bouncing. "So you are the human Jakoby reported..." She looked me over with striking violet eyes, whatever she saw seemed to satisfy her. "You certainly don't look like a spy."

"Spy, no, definitely not." I rushed out.

Her sweet smile flickered ever so slightly and a coldness entered her eyes. "But then again, spies that look like spies aren't very good at their job."

My face heated instantly. Don't speak unless told to. That was one of the rules, I'd already broken it. I dropped my eyes to the floor and curtsied back.

"You may leave us, Kindle." Lydia commanded.

"Yes, my queen." Kindle bowed without hesitation and backed out of the room. The doors closed, resonating in my bones. Though Carlyle floated reassuringly in the corner I felt very alone.

Lydia swept and arm toward the table, which was laden with pastries and a steaming teapot. "Have a seat. Margaret, was it?"

"M-Maggie, actually," I corrected gently. I was careful not to wrinkle my dress as I sat.

Lydia's smile twitched again. "Maggie is short for Margaret, is it not?"

I could only imagine how red my face was. I cleared my throat, still careful not to meet her eyes. "My full name is—is um, Magdalyn."

Lydia sat across from me with a slight huff. "Magdalyn. An odd choice."

I knotted my fingers in my lap and nodded. I fought the urge to explain that I thought it was strange too, especially considering that my parents would never tell me why they picked it. I didn't think the queen would care very much about that story.

"So, Maggie." Lydia took a delicate sip of her tea. "How long have you been living in my home, eating my food, fraternizing with my servants?"

I swallowed. "I um. About a month. I was lost and Faye found me. She gave me refuge in exchange for work. So-so I've been working, very hard your majesty, and I would enjoy continuing to work here." Oh no, I was rambling. "I-I can do even more work, if you'd like—"

Lydia held up a hand to silence me. Her smile returned, but this time there was no false sweetness. "Are you aware that you are human and therefore the enemy?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Good," she chirped. "So that means you know I have every right to kill you without another thought."

I nodded slowly.

She twirled a curl around her finger. "Perhaps I should give you to Jakoby, he mentioned an interest in dissecting you."

I opened my mouth, but only a quiet squeak came out.

Then there was silence. Five heartbeats. Six.

"You haven't tried the tea." She said it as if we were friends having a casual conversation.

Something told me I shouldn't drink the tea. I didn't want to appear rude, so I brought the cup to my lips and held it there for a second before setting it back on the table.

Lydia gave me a pink lipped pout, but there was vicious humor in her eyes. "You don't trust me, do you Magdalyn?"

I blushed again. "With all due respect your majesty, we've had one conversation and it's been about killing me. Forgive me if I don't feel... comfortable."

"And Faye, you've had many conversations with her?" She ignored my unease completely. "What have you discussed?"

"Art, mostly." I said, and it was true. We take about painting and sewing, and the other kinds of art that existed in my world, like video games and movies.

"Hmm," she mused after another painfully long silence. "Art, yes. And what sort of art does she do?"

I frowned. Why was this important? "Mostly sketches, she doesn't have time for more detailed projects with all the sewing she has to do." Thanks to Lydia, who had a request for at least one new gown a week. "She did a beautiful sculpture of an angel," I added.

Lydia smiled at that.

Another several heartbeats passed.

"And Kindle..." Her eyes followed my every movement. "Have you had many interactions with him?"

"Very, very limited." I insisted.

"Hmm I'm sure," she giggled. "He's very attractive isn't he?"

"Pardon me?"

"Kindle. You find him attractive, don't you?" She fluttered her lashes and folded her hands innocently on the table.

"No, not really," I answered quickly. She surprised me by looking upset. I swallowed hard. What sort of answer was she looking for? Surely if I answered honestly with 'Omigod he's like the hottest guy ever.' she'd flip out. But clearly she didn't like me saying he was unattractive either, so what did she want?

"I mean, he's certainly not ugly, I just... He just hasn't paid me much mind." I finished weakly, "I don't think he likes me very much, me being a human and all."

Lydia's smile brightened a bit and she sat up straighter. "I see."

The silence returned as Lydia daintily nibbled a pastry. "Well, I'm feeling merciful this morning," she said when the pastry was gone and she'd finished her tea, "so I'm giving you two options."

Mercy. Mercy was good. I bowed my head. "Thank you very kindly your high—"

She held up her hand once again. "Option one, I kill you this very instant."

That's merciful?

Lydia stood and waked back to the piano. She pulled a rose from the vase and pressed it to her nose. "Option two, you leave immediately. A servant will show you to the door, you will exit into the forest, and run as far away as your little human legs will cary you. If you return, I assure you there are far worse things that can befall you and dear sweet Faye than death."

"I-I told you I'm not a spy," I breathed, standing as well. "I just want to work, I don't mean any harm..."

Lydia giggled. "Oh, of course you don't. I just don't like other people playing with my things." She put the flower back in the vase and turned to me expectantly. "Your choice?"

"I'll um," my eyes burned and I blinked back the tears that started to form. "I'll go."

"A wise choice. I'll give Faye your regards." Lydia rang a tiny silver bell, and moments later the large double doors opened.

Bare feet padded into the room, followed by a familiar voice. "Yes, my queen?" Thankfully it wasn't Jakoby, but it was probably the second worst option. Inari.

"Please show our guest to the door. She's leaving now."

Inari dipped her head in a casual bow. She straightened and smirked over at me. "Follow me, human."

"It was so very lovely to meet you, Margaret." Lydia waved a delicate hand in my direction, then sat down at the piano and resumed her song.

I kept my head down as I followed Inari through the hall, my hands shook and I gave up fighting the tears back. I had only considered two alternatives: finding a way home, or being stuck here in this manor forever. I had never considered a third, horrifying alternative. Exile into this strange world, to wander alone until I died.

"...I'm so sorry Maggie, I'll say goodbye to Faye and Kindle for you..." Carlyle murmured from my side. "...Do you have a specific message you'd like me to deliver..?"

I gave him a weak smile as Inari led me down a new hall, a new staircase, and to a new door. An entrance to a new unknown. And here I had just started getting comfortable.

Inari at least had enough mercy to give me a cloak, but she was still sneering as she pushed the door open and gestured out to the misty forest.

I took a step, hesitated, and turned to her. "Could you please do me a favor?" She scoffed, but I continued. "Please just keep an eye on Faye. I don't want anything to happen to her, after all she's done for me. Keep Jakoby away from her. Please."

Inari looked startled by my request, but she nodded. "Yeah, of course I'll watch out for her."

I exhaled and pulled the cloak tighter around my shoulders. "Thanks."

"You'd better get running, human. Before the queen changes her mind and sends someone to hunt you down." With that, she shifted into her fox form and bounded back up the stairs.

And then I was alone with Carlyle. "Tell Faye I say thank you for all she's done for me. Tell Kindle it was nice to..." I wasn't sure how to finish the thought, honestly. It was nice to have someone to silently stare at the sky with? To have someone actually offer to help me get home? To have someone who, other than Elle, sort of just got me?

"Tell him it was nice. And he can keep the sketch." I sighed, pulled my hood up, and stepped out into the morning. "It was nice to meet you Carlyle. I hope you can cross over one day."

"...Kindle will keep researching your door, you know he will..."

Not that it would do much good. If I ever came back here, even just to go through the door, Lydia would kill me without hesitation. And probably Faye too.

I ran.

~*~

I didn't get very far before it started raining. Partially because I am not the most athletic individual and running had never been my forte. The silly silk ballet flats Faye had dressed me in for tea slipped and slid all over the uneven muddy ground, and the rain worked my hair out of its pretty braided updo.

Thankfully the rain didn't last long, but the damage was already done. I fell a few times, so the pretty green dress was a wreck. And on top of that, I had not even the slightest idea where I was headed. But I kept running until I nearly got trampled by a horse.

I shrieked and tumbled back as the beast reared up, but the man on its back managed to get it under control. Four other horses, all carrying literal knights, rode up and circled around me.

The first knight dismounted his horse and removed his helmet. "Miss, are you alright?" He asked, extending his free hand to me.

He was much younger than I anticipated, and cute in an innocent sort of way. My immediate thought was that if a giraffe were somehow magicked into a human, it would look like him. He was tall and thin, with tan skin that still managed to show freckles, and curly auburn hair. He also had massive brown eyes that cemented the giraffe imagery for me. A particularly scared giraffe. Perhaps a baby.

"I'm alright, yes, just... sort of lost." I took his hand, surprised both by how calloused it was and how easily he was able to pull me to my feet.

"Lost, yes, I would say very," he chuckled nervously, his big baby giraffe eyes met mine and widened momentarily before his entire face went red and he looked away. "The um, the nearest human village is-is about three miles that way." He pointed to our left, then blushed, shook his head, and pointed in the other way. "Dreadfully sorry miss, I'm a bit flustered, I must admit..."

Another knight— handsome, with slight stubble and a scar running across his cheek— took his helmet off and frowned down at Giraffe Boy. "Highness, are you feeling well?"

Highness? This guy was royalty?

Giraffe Boy's blush deepened, almost enough to rival my own, and he nodded. "Y-yes, yes I'm quite alright, Julian." He turned to me with a nervous smile and scratched his russet curls. "Apologies, Miss. Wh-what should I name you?"

I blinked, Julian grunted, Giraffe panicked.

"Call you, call you!" He corrected quickly, his voice rising in pitch. "I had the word name in my mind you see, and I'm quite beautiful because you're so nervous—" he clapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh dear. I've done it again, it seems. Dreadfully sorry."

"Just tell him your name, please," Julian requested, looking uncomfortable. "Before he melts."

I looked at Julian's dark brown eyes, then glanced at Giraffe's, which were quickly filling with tears. Human. Important human. And from what I'd gathered in my time here, as nice as this boy seemed, humans in this world were definitely not.

"My name is Jackie," I answered quickly, and immediately regretted it. My mother's name, of all names? I held my hand out for him to shake.

He kissed it instead, which I guess I should have expected. "I-I am Prince Casimir of Lumin—Lumina. Your eyes are the most beautiful things I've ever seen."

"I— wait, did you say prince of Lumina?" I repeated, proud of myself for keeping as calm as I was. Inside, I was screaming. But like, fangirl screaming. Lumina, as in Shadows of Light by Lumina Productions, the greatest video game ever made, staring King Jareth of Lumina, the beautiful red-haired war hero.

Casimir nodded, his face glowing red again, and I looked at his appearance a bit closer.

Wow. I could see it. He was Jareth's son. This revelation hit me even harder than seeing the Shadow Realm's two moons for the first time, but thankfully this time I didn't throw up.

"Miss, can I ask what you're doing this far away from civilization?" Julian interrupted.

Casimir frowned, "Loftwood is just over that hill there."

Julian smirked. "That's Nonie territory, Highness. I said civilization."

I narrowed my eyes. Nonie. It sounded like a dirty word. "Loftwood is a lovely village," I answered somewhat too firmly. Faye had taken me along with her to the market only once to buy some more fabric. And though the quaint village clearly didn't have a lot of funds, it was still well-maintained and everyone seemed kind.

Julian looked me over quickly, then nodded. "Apologies, Miss. Perhaps I've spoken out of turn."

"Perhaps," I agreed.

"But, um, would you— would you like a ride to Eirwen? We were on our way there, it wouldn't be any trouble at all." Casimir offered, sounding hopeful.

Eirwen, a human village I assumed. "Civilization." I cast another glare at Julian, but he was busy looking at Casimir with concern. I chewed my lip. I needed to go somewhere, and a town where I didn't have to hide was better than staying lost in the woods, waiting to be hunted down by something like Inari or Jakoby.

"I would love to go with you, thank you very kindly for the offer." I smiled, then added with an awkward curtsy, "Your Highness."

"C-Cas, please. Just Cas." Casimir, Cas, corrected me with a smile. He climbed back onto his horse and extended a hand down to me. "You can ride with me."

"Respectfully, Highness, but perhaps the girl should ride with me?" Julian suggested. "You seem to be remarkably uncoordinated in her presence, and I would hate to see you ride into a ravine."

Cas cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, um... yes perhaps that would be for the best."

Julian climbed down from his horse and motioned for me to approach, which I did somewhat reluctantly. Though Julian was a very attractive man, the prince seemed much more approachable. "Your eyes are green," he noted simply as he took my waist and hoisted me easily onto the horse's back.

"What of it?" I asked defensively as he climbed on behind me and returned his helmet to his head.

He shrugged. "Just an observation, Miss." Cas motioned the knights forward, and Julian reached around me to take the reigns.

After a few minutes of riding, I called back to Julian, "why were you this far away from civilization anyway?"

"There were reports of a Nonie terrorist group based somewhere in this region," he responded. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"Not a clue."