I had never got to tell him I loved him. That I never blamed him for not standing up for me in the ways I knew he wanted. That he was the closest thing I've ever had to a father. All of it was for nothing.

Flames flared at my command, coiling around me like obedient serpents ready to strike. The faint echo of our heartbeats resonated bizarrely in the tense silence, a grievous sonata of our crumbling ties. I didn't care anymore of the lies Hedrick has been feeding her. If she didn't see it for the truth, she was the one choosing to be blind.

By my side was Coda, whose eyes gleamed with hatred towards my mother. For once, the elements of fire and ice were intertwined, united for revenge and justice. He blasted an icy storm in her direction, but never looked away from me as he placed the cool syringe back into my hand. I didn't even notice him taking it from me, or perhaps it had fallen out, but I was glad he had gotten to it.

As the storm dissipated, our eyes locked onto my mother's. The woman who was once a symbol of love and compassion was now unrecognizable, her eyes burning brighter than any fire around us. The sight troubled me, but within me −a fire was stoked even stronger.

"You will pay for what you did to Zion," I admonished. My voice echoed through the trees.

The sadness she felt for the dead guard at her feet vanished as she saw my display of power. She smirked arrogantly. "We'll see. Hedrick told me you were being misled by Zion, and I see he was correct in his assumptions."

The words were the spark to a rampant fire. No sooner had she finished speaking than I launched my attack — a volley of flaming surges. Coda harmonized his ice manipulation with my fire manipulation, combining our assaults into a formidable fiery cyclone racing towards my mother.

With a swift movement, my mother countered. She raised her hand, and the ground beneath us began to move like quicksand beneath our feet as the layers melted. The forces of fire and ice separated, guttering out against the erupting fire around her.

My heart pounded with adrenaline, the blood rushing in my ears drowned everything else. I held Coda's eyes, and an understanding passed. We needed to make our move now, before it was too late.

Focusing on my Nightrealm abilities, I looked at a spot next to her and begged the shadows to take my body closer to her. It was the only way I would be able to use the vial on her. A rush of wind whistled past me, her powers forming visible currents, like wild serpents ready to strike. I barely had time to dodge her first attack before another followed. Pain seared through me as I got hit, my skin bruised and body singed. Flames were my strength, but my current state was pitiful, each breath as painful as a flame spiked through my chest.

A roar of metal erupted as a hoard of soldiers dashed around us, following any orders the Queen may give, to try to protect her. Even if she needed protection from me.

"Stop!" I screamed, a plea, a desperate attempt to reach my mother hiding behind that spell of Hedrick's. It was a futile hope.

"Zion died because of you!" she screamed; her voice filled with loathing. A lump formed in my throat at the word 'Zion.' His image flashed in my mind – his reassuring smile, his unwavering loyalty – snuffed out, extinguished forever.

Enraged, I rose on shaky legs, ready to retaliate. Hurt, shock, and confusion gave way to anger and determination. I was a Princess, a warrior in my own right and I wouldn't fall so easily. I reignited the fire within me, letting it pour out and dance around me. The flame strengthened me, gave me courage as at the last moment I was finally able to teleport to her position. Before any guards could reach me, in a quick motion, I stabbed her with the syringe.

Shocked, she staggered back, clutching her neck as though I had run her through with a broadsword. Breathing hard, I let the syringe fall softly to the ground. Then I hardened my stance.

I watched as my mother's wide eyes fluttered, her disbelieving stare darting from her wound to me. Then her eyes rolled back, lids closed, and her body slumped to the floor. The sedative had been Coda's brilliant idea. She never would have expected it, I was thankful to have an Iceborne on my side. Their blood is our weakness.

Staring at her body, my breathing quickened. I have tried killing her, but I couldn't bring myself to. A part of me still believed my mom was in there, the kind, compassionate woman that had told me princess stories and said I could do anything I set my mind to. She was still there, I had to believe it. And maybe all it would take was my absence for her to be able to find herself again. Because the woman that almost shed a tear at Zion's death was the mother I knew, not the one that ripped his heart from his chest.

As I scanned my surroundings, my heart raced with a palpable sense of dread. Emerging from the depths of the forest were a few trembling figures, their eyes wide with unadulterated fear. Yet, that wasn't what seized my attention entirely. A figure materialized from out of nowhere, a blurry streak darting through the dense foliage and launching a savage assault on the guards. The scene before me held us all captive, rendering us incapable of movement or speech, as the only sound that permeated the air was the rapid rhythm of my own panicked breaths.

It was a Reverie. In appearance, they could pass as human, their features seemingly benign. However, all semblance of humanity shattered the moment their jaws unhinged, revealing a horrifying sight. Their mouths were a grotesque expanse lined with an intricate row of thousands of razor-sharp, pearly white teeth. Without warning, one of these nightmarish creatures plunged its terrifying maw into the exposed neck of a guard, evoking a gasp that escaped my lips involuntarily. The life drained rapidly from the guard's face as his complexion faded to an unsettling pallor.

Stunned by the sheer horror before me, I stumbled backward, my mind reeling in disbelief and uncertainty. In this moment, I was paralyzed by the weight of indecision, grappling with the overwhelming realization that no human being deserved to suffer such a grotesque fate at the hands of this abomination.

In that moment of paralyzing fear, a surge of determination welled up inside me. Gripping Coda's hand tightly, I focused on the power coursing through my veins. Ice magic danced beneath my fingertips, ready to be unleashed. With a swift motion, I thrust my hand forward, conjuring a cascade of frozen shards that spiraled through the air towards the Reverie.

As the icy projectiles closed in on their target, the Reverie's eyes widened in alarm. The shards pierced its pallid flesh, causing it to stagger backward, its unearthly screech piercing the silence. But the creature was resilient, quickly regaining its composure and lunging towards me with renewed ferocity.

I felt the heat of the fire magic ignite within me, ready to confront this fiend head-on. Flames swirled around my outstretched hand as I summoned a searing orb of inferno. With a flick of my wrist, I hurled the fiery projectile towards the charging Reverie. The air crackled with intensity as the ball of fire collided with the creature, engulfing it in a blazing inferno. The Reverie thrashed, its wails of agony echoing through the forest, but I refused to relent.

The shadows, my trusted allies, responded to my call. They coalesced, forming inky tendrils that slithered across the forest floor, intertwining and snaking towards the beleaguered Reverie. With a wave of my hand, the dark tendrils constricted around its writhing form, ensnaring it in an inescapable grip. The creature fought against its binds, thrashing and clawing desperately, but the shadows held firm.

I stood there, trembling with a mixture of fear and exhilaration, as the combined forces of ice, fire, and shadows shackled the Reverie, rendering it helpless. Its piercing gaze locked onto mine, a mixture of impotent rage and primal fear. I took a step closer, and a pang of sadness hit me. With its mouth shut, it looked like any other Alyanthian. They had to have had a family and friends, but their choice of having a normal life was ripped out of their path.

Soft tendrils of shimmering light cascaded from my palms, cocooning the Reverie in a gentle embrace. The pearly white teeth that once lined its grotesque mouth melted away, replaced by a gentle restoration of its features. The icy wounds inflicted by my earlier assault slowly closed, leaving behind smooth, unblemished skin.

As my magic coursed through its veins, the Reverie convulsed before gradually relaxing, its expression evolving from one of agony to profound relief. I knew for a fact it would not harm another being again. I felt it in my very soul.

As silence settled over, I released a shuddering breath. I glanced towards my mentors body. Zion wouldn't get the proper funeral he deserved, and because I knew Hedrick, his body would get tossed into a dungeon or left for the birds to feed off of him. Tears burned my eyes as I heard the guards shouting to each other and begin to take a few steps of uncertainty towards us as they glanced warily at the unconscious Reverie.

"It is time to let go of Alyanthi, Rory." Coda's voice was soft but convincing.

My heart sunk as tears threatened to break through once again at the thought of Zion being left behind. He still had a full life to live. A wife at home, a wife that we had already planned on getting to Earth with us. And the worst part was – she wouldn't understand why he wouldn't come home tonight, or why no one would come tell her of his passing. The odds of Hedrick caring enough to break the news to her was slim.

I paused, my heart heavy with the weight of responsibility and the burden of my choices. The crown on my head felt more like an iron shackle, constraining me within the confines of duty and expectation.

With a surge of defiance, I ripped the crown from my head, my fingers trembling with a mix of fear and determination. Its cool metal grazed my skin as I clasped it tightly in my hand, feeling the weight of my royal lineage pressing against my palm. But this crown, this symbol of power and authority, no longer held any meaning for me. It had only brought destruction and pain.

As I stared at the crown in my hand, my eyes welled up with tears. They were not tears of weakness or defeat, but tears of liberation. With a sharp exhale, I flung the crown to the soft ground as a declaration of my defiance. I was no longer bound by the expectations of others or the chains of my birthright.

I squeezed my eyes shut as we grasped each other's hand and jumped through the entrancing arch, the portal to lead us to a new life I wasn't sure what to expect, or where to land. But what I did know was that it was time for a change. As I disappeared into the portal, leaving behind the remnants of my former life, a mixture of relief and trepidation washed over me. I was stepping into an unknown realm, free from the constraints of my past, ready to forge my own destiny. The world I left behind faded into a distant memory as I embraced the thrilling uncertainty of what lay ahead.

**

With trembling hands, I bent down and carefully unfastened the ornate clasps that held my shoes in place. As I held them, I could feel the silky softness of the plush interior that had once cradled my feet in comfort. The shoes, once a reminder of my royal status, now felt like shackles, constricting my every movement, and suffocating my spirit. The tinge of liberation filled the air as I released my grip on the shoes, allowing them to slip from my fingers and fall to the ground with a soft thud. No longer bound by their constraints, I could feel a surge of lightness spreading through my being.

I sighed and wiggled my toes, enjoying the cool moss against my feet. I inhaled deeply, breathing in the smell of...unnatural things. The smoky, musty scent of car exhaust clogged my throat. I coughed, furrowing my brows. Of course I had read books on all the technologies humans used here. On Alyanthi, however, we seemed to enjoy nature a lot more than these humans did.

With a sniff of disdain, I glanced around, clenching and unclenching my fists. Then I cupped a palm, manifesting a swoosh of flame.

"Hey," Coda chided. "I don't think we should use our abilities here."

"That was how many years ago? I am sure none of these mortals are aware of us anymore," I tsked. Coda mere glared at me. I rolled my eyes and let the flames dissipate. He relaxed at once, returning his attention to our new surroundings.

"You want to talk about what happened back there?"

Not even glancing at him, we continued to walk through the forest and towards a clearing of light. "What do you mean?" I asked innocently.

"You did something to the Reverie, Aurora."

I sighed. "I don't know what happened, Coda. But we don't have to worry about that hear, and if we do come across a Reverie again, at least we know I am capable of stopping it."

Coda kept his mouth shut as it only took a few paces to lead us out of the forest and into a bustling street, with cars slowly trudging along the road, horns blaring harshly as they inched forward. Pedestrians walked briskly along the sidewalk, rushing from place to place. The tall buildings loomed overhead, casting shadows on the street below as we walked towards the row of shops lining the block.

As we walked, I glanced behind me and saw that the portal was still visible to my eye. It was tucked away between the overhanging branches of the trees, making it almost unnoticeable to someone who wasn't specifically looking for it. The greenery enveloped us, as the trees towered high above us, their leaves rustling softly in the wind.

We approached the row of shops, with colorful signage and bright window displays luring customers in. There were clothing stores, bookshops, and cafes galore- each with its own distinct charm. The sounds of chatter and laughter spilled out onto the street, creating an air of liveliness and excitement.

As we made our way down the block, I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and activity around me. But despite the chaos, I knew that I had to stay focused. We needed to blend in with the humans, and hopefully, find what we were looking for without drawing too much attention to ourselves.

"We won't have long until my mom and Hedrick send people for us. I wouldn't be shocked if they came themselves." I shivered at the thought.

A pang of guilt tightened my stomach as I considered the consequences of my actions on my mother. I swallowed hard, determined not to let my tears betray my emotions. It was a heavy burden to bear, but I had to stay strong. I had no life in Alyanthi, and this was my chance to finally start one.

**

Walking towards the sidewalk, I glanced down at my red dress. It was silky smooth against my skin. Most of the humans paid no mind to us, other than a few judgmental looks here and there. I smiled sheepishly at those whose gazes lingered. Looking around at the humans, I noticed that they were all dressed in a different attire than I was used to. The men wore shirts, trousers, and jackets, while the women wore dresses, jeans, and blouses. The colors and patterns were varied, and the fabrics looked comfortable and practical. As I looked down at my own clothing, I realized that my dress was much fancier than what the humans were wearing. My dress was made of silk, adorned with intricate embroidery. It flowed to the ground and was accented by a jewel-encrusted belt. The sleeves billowed out, and my hair was styled elaborately. At that moment, I felt self-conscious and realized that I needed to blend in with them much better. "We should probably get a change of clothes," I noted.

"Maybe we should find a place to stay, first? We have never been on Earth before. I don't believe it will be like what we read in our studies."

He had a point. "Well, only one way to find a place." I sighed, taking a shaky step forward. I took one deep, healing breath, allowing all the stresses that traveled with me from Alyanthi to flow out of me to mingle with the polluted air. My bare feet hit the warm, rough concrete sidewalk.

I reached tentatively toward a woman with a polite, "Excuse me?" She spun around, studying me up and down before crossing her arms across her chest. Her hand quickly went to her purse strapped around her shoulder. Thinking she was reaching for a weapon, I reached for my arrow hair piece, but Coda put a hand on my arm to remind me we needed to fit in. It was good to be cautious, but I didn't want to come off too on edge here. Grateful he made me pause, I realized she was afraid of me.

"What?" She chewed gum aggressively. The white wad smacked across her teeth.

"I was just wondering where we can get a place to stay?"

"Oh, you must be here for the event this weekend." She pointed to a store across the street. "There, that is what you are looking for. You can rent a room above the store." It was an old, ragged building. Quite different than the palace I was used to, but living in comparable squalor would only make it more difficult to find me. I turned back to thank her, but she was already gone. Oh well.

Beginning to walk across the street, a loud honk sounded as a hand snatched me backwards, pulling me straight into Coda's chest. "Aurora! Have you forgotten all the stories about Earth customs?" My heart raced as I shook my head. We had to partake in Earth classes just like every Alyanthian. It pleased the Goddesses in case we were sent back to Earth to rid them of the demons that were once suffocating Earth and killing too many humans to count.

As we walked, the sound of the cars passing by filled my ears, and I could feel the vibration of the engines beneath my feet. The bright lights and colorful signs of the shops lining the block dazzled me, and I was drawn towards them like a moth to a flame.

The first shop on the street was a clothing store. Mannequins stood in the window, dressed in cute outfits that caught my eye. The clothes were functional, nothing like the extravagant garments I was accustomed to wearing. I could see people browsing inside and trying on clothes.

Another store that caught my attention had a big sign that read 'Café Latte', and I could smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting out from the doors. I could see people sitting inside, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends and typing away on their large screen devices.

"Right, thanks." I threw Coda a side smile. Looking both ways before crossing this time, I took a deep breath and pressed forward. Opening the door to the store the human had pointed to, I jumped, startled by the jingle sound from above me.

"Never seen a bell before, eh?" chuckled an older man with umber skin. Gray was peppered throughout his hair, his dark eyes soft and kind. His lanky figure came towards us. "What can I do for you folks?" I smiled back at him; it was nice to not be recognized and met with fearful demurral. I glanced down at the crown in my hand. Here, I wasn't royalty. I was a normal Earthling.

"We are looking for a place to stay. Do you have any openings here?"

He cocked his head at the sound of my voice. "You aren't from around here, are ya? You sound just like Kyan. A young man around your age owns a bookstore down the street." He paused expectantly.

Coda and I exchanged panicked glances. Did he know about our kind? Or was one of our kind on Earth here, in this out-of-the-way place? I made note to visit that bookstore later when I had time.

"Yes," Coda interjected before the silence could stretch too long. "We are quite a ways from home."

I nodded along. "We've had a long trip, certainly! Two bedrooms, please."

"Sounds good." He walked over to his computer. "That's gonna be a hundred a night." I glanced over at Coda.

Coda walked over, digging into our backpack. "This should cover some of our stay and we would like some of the clothes you are selling, too." He pulled out wads of cash, placing it on the counter. As the man began to count, Coda made his way around the store, pulling off a few items of clothing from hangers before placing them on the table. Each clothing had the name of the place 'Whispering Pines Retreat' labeled in a white cursive lettering.

"You sure? This is 'bout a two month stay with the clothing included in the price." Coda nodded as the man cleared his throat. "Go straight up those stairs 'round there. Here is your key to A17." The old man dropped it into Coda's hand. "If you come after hours, the key can also be used on the side door outside. My name is Dallas. Let me know if you need anything."

We hurried towards the metal staircase that led upwards towards the different floors. The stairs creaked beneath our weight as we climbed up the winding structure, the cool metal railing reassuring under my grip. As we reached the upper floor, we paused at the door, taking a moment to look around. The hallway in front of us was dimly lit, and I could make out three doors, with two on the left and one on the right. Our door, adorned with large white letters reading "A17," loomed before us like a beacon.

Opening our room with the key, I noticed inside had simple lodgings. A small kitchen area to one side, two bedrooms right next to that with an adjoining bathroom, and a window. Looking out, I smiled. I enjoyed seeing the coffee shop, bookstore, and other boutiques and watching people sauntering down the streets, laughing, smiling.

Coda tossed me a new pair of clothes. "There, we will fit in better."

"I'll go change," I sighed. Coda didn't respond as he poured through an atlas that he traded in for gold bars with another Alyanthian as he sat on the bed, already enveloped in the book.

Closing the bathroom door, I looked in the mirror. Silver eyes blinked back at me. Any Alyanthian who saw me immediately assumed I was an Iceborne—or a Nightborne, for that matter. Even though it is rare to get into contact with a Nightborne, there is plenty of history to know that they are not to be trusted. And for the simple matter of me looking different, it is assumed that I shouldn't be, either. I had always asked my mother who my father was, but she had been very clear that who he was had no importance. The tone in her voice made me never want to ask again, she had cried a few nights after I had asked, and I never wanted her to hurt if I could help it.

Slipping off my silky gown I yanked on a pair of high-waisted, light washed jeans. I furrowed my brows at the intentional rips in the knees. Earthlings definitely had a unique style.

Clasping my bra from the front I slipped on a white, flowy tank top. Coda lifted his gaze from the books as I stepped out.

"You look beautiful," he commented softly.

I smiled. "Thanks." I took a moment to admire Coda's dark jeans and white button up. The bed sank as I sat next to him, our knees pressing together. "Finding anything useful?"

"Nothing I don't already know," he muttered distractedly as he flipped through the pages.

"We can learn through immersion," I noted. Standing back up, I grabbed the window and pushed it up to let in fresh air. The sun's rays warmed my skin.

"You go ahead; I will be out soon. Just don't go far. Be safe."

I raised my brow, opening my fist to reveal a flickering flame. "I think I can handle myself."

Coda sighed. "That is exactly what I mean. We can't let any human find out who we are."

I snorted. "They'll think it is a magic trick." Coda gave me a hard look and I pursed my lips, I knew he had a point. There used to be Alyanthian hunters here. For all we knew they were long gone, but why take the chance?

Glancing at the light oak dresser, on top of it was the globe Coda had spoken about before. It was crafted from crystal-clear ice, possessing an exquisite translucence, holding a piece of the frozen realm itself within its delicate curvature. In its core, a swirling vortex of frosty mist danced and twirled, casting an enchanting spectacle of shimmering hues.

It was meticulously imbued with a spell of concealment, a protection that could keep us hidden from prying eyes. The enchantment was no ordinary one, for it was strong enough to shield us from the gaze of both mortals and Alyanthians. The intricate energy woven into the globe was an assurance that our movements would remain veiled, providing a layer of safety in our perilous journey. Coda needed to give the Iceborne enchanter a drop of each of our blood placed into the globe.

"How does this work again?" I asked curiously.

"I gave the Iceborne enchanter a drop of each of our blood and it was placed into the globe, it activated the enchantment. If anyone is thinking of us with ill-intentions and is near, it makes it difficult for them to sense or locate us." Coda lifted the globe and grabbed a small paper from underneath it. "It says here, to maintain the enchantment's effectiveness, it is recommended to add a small amount of our blood to the globe once a week – neither too much nor too little. This keeps the enchantment strong and ensures your movements remain veiled for added safety during the journey. "

I nodded. Good. "And the distance it works from?"

"The enchanter said we don't need to worry; it will work for a section of the Firerealm give or take." I sighed with relief. The Firerealm had a few million Alyanthian's, so for it to do even a section of that would be good enough.

"I will head out then, I'll be careful!" I promised. I meant every word, but I was so excited to go explore the new world. Shutting the door softly behind me, I trotted back down the wooden steps.

As I sauntered around the town, I drank in the sensations—the delicious sweet and savory smells wafting from the cafes and restaurants, the flowery perfumes and splendid colors from florists and boutiques, the pitching chatter of friends cruising down the sidewalks, and more. Despite all this, it didn't seem as busy as before. The sun was still bright and radiant, but it was beginning to dip down. Eventually, I stopped in front of a cutesy bookstore called the "Icy Palace Bookstore." I snorted. This was unmistakably the bookstore that Dallas had mentioned was run by someone who spoke like I did. The Alyanthian inspiration could not have been writ larger.

Staring at the door, I bit my lip gently as I tried to decide whether or not to go in. My curiosity was getting the better of me, and I needed to know if it was an Alyanthian that would be a threat to Coda or I. Besides, with us staying here, we were already a target, and I would rather know who to look out for now.

With a flicker of curiosity, I peered through the glass, expecting nothing more than the usual mundane scene. However, what I witnessed tugged at the deepest corners of my heart. There, amidst the stacks of books, stood a man, his gentle smile illuminating the room like a beacon of warmth and kindness. His eyes sparkled with an earnest passion as he leafed through the pages of an open book, eagerly sharing its hidden treasures with a pair of wide-eyed young children.

Their animated gestures and infectious laughter created a symphony of pure innocence and unabashed imagination. It was as if the world outside the bookstore ceased to exist, time stopped, and the only reality that mattered was the beauty unfolding within those pages, in that space.

In that moment, I longed to join them - to be consumed by the tales told between those venerable pages, to reclaim a piece of my own forgotten wonder. With a wistful smile, I reluctantly turned away from the window, carefully placing the newspaper back on its rack. After a few minutes passed, the children ran out of the bookstore in a fit of giggles and laughter.

Smiling at them, I shook my head and opened the door, jumped at the dinging of the bell, glaring up at innocuous-looking cluster of metal baubles. I didn't remember hearing it be that obnoxious when the kids went through. I wasn't sure what humans' obsession was with hanging those on the doors. A nostalgic scent of aged paper and ink filled the air, instantly wrapping me in a comforting embrace. Taking a breath to calm my racing heart, my head shot towards a chuckling voice. "On edge, aren't you?"

I froze, letting the door hit me lightly before I scooted forward so it could close. I didn't respond to him, my head tilting to the side as I studied him closer. He was so kind to the children, and we both clearly shared a love for books. He leaned over the counter, his tousled raven black hair sloped into his eyebrows. He brushed it aside with his fingers. My eyes trailed down to his chiseled jaw and his pink, defined lips. He threw me a lopsided smile, a curious glint of recognition in his icy eyes. He even had an Alyanthian accent, but it was too light for me to tell which realm it was from. I shook my head; I wasn't in that world anymore and I didn't want to be.

Spinning on my heels, I reached for the door, but his hand grabbed my arm to stop me. I wasn't sure how he reached me so quickly, but I didn't have time to think as in a swift and forceful motion, I twisted around his grasp and knocked him to the ground. He landed with an 'oomph.' My arm was braced against his chest, pinning him. "Who sent you?" I growled, narrowing my eyes at him.

In a swift motion, I pressed the arrow hairpin against his neck, my hair tumbling into a curtain around my face. In a blink, the world flipped. Suddenly it was he who had me pinned to the floor, my arrow now useless in my hand. "I do not know what you are talking about," he said icily, brows furrowed.

He seemed sincere and utterly confused. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. "You aren't from Alyanthi?" I queried. His eyes widened at the name in a flash of recognition before his face tightened with confusion. I realized then that he wasn't from my mother's ranks. If he was, he would have already had me cuffed with magic and bonded me to him until I was delivered back to her. Unless he was waiting for reinforcements?

Before I could plan my next move, a tinkle of the bell made my gaze flick to the entrance. Within a moment, the bookstore owner was torn away from me and thrown back onto the ground.

Pinning him with a foot on his neck, Coda reached his hand towards me. "Are you okay?"

After a short self-debate on whether to expose the storekeeper for being an Alyanthian, I decided against it. For now. I didn't want to let him know what I assumed, especially if it was true. Maybe I could get him to tell me information willingly, first.

"I'm fine. I thought he was sent from my mother, and I accidentally knocked him to the ground first. It was a big misunderstanding." I tied my hair back and tucked the arrow back in.

"Sent from your mother? Misunderstanding?" the man snorted indignantly. "I didn't even do anything to you!" He knocked Coda's hand aside and stood up angrily, dusting off his jeans. I glanced at the shiny floor. There wasn't a speck of dust in sight.

I rolled my eyes. "You grabbed my arm. And it was a gentle push if anything. Stop being so dramatic."

Coda elbowed me, glaring at me.

"Me, dramatic?" He laughed as if I were absurd.

I shrugged. Turning away from Coda and the stranger to look at books, I reverently touched the spine of each one as I drifted down the row.

"What are you doing?" the man asked, watching us warily.

"I came in here to look at books. Isn't that what bookstores are for?" I raised a brow at him. He muttered something I couldn't understand under his breath and moved his attention back to a book that he had on the counter.

I turned back to the bookshelves, but my attention was elsewhere. Taking a sideways glance at the Alyanthian, I let myself focus on his features. His eyes fit the picture of the Icerealm, although I had been around enough Icebornes to know when I was near one. He was different. If he were a Fireborne, my mother would have requested his head on a stake for running away to Earth. Unless he was born on Earth?

"What are you doing?" Coda's warm, hushed breath tickled my ear. I blinked.

"I am enjoying our freedom. Having a place where we are safe. I've never had time to read a book for leisure before." Actually, I wasn't sure I even wanted to read a book, but the thought of having time to do non-royalty activities...stars, the chance for non-torturing activities sent excitement coursing through my veins. I returned my focus to the book-stuffed shelves. I could feel the storekeeper's eyes burning into me, but I didn't give him the satisfaction of letting him know I knew.

Continuing my search and ignoring Coda's anxious hovering, I touched every book, looking for an eye-catching cover. "Nope, nope...hmm...nope..."

"Ever hear the saying don't judge a book by its cover?" The store owner leaned over the counter, tilting his head as he watched me. I glanced back at Coda, unsure of whom he was addressing at first, but my friend was too engrossed in a photobook to hear the owner.

"Hmmm..." I thought carefully, ignoring the man. Grabbing a random book with a worn-down navy spine, I began to flick through it.

"What's it about?" Coda asked curiously, trying to lean over my shoulder to look. I shrugged my shoulder to get him to move away from me, but he didn't seem to get the hint.

"I haven't gotten the chance to see," I snapped, moving my gaze to him and staring at him intently. He opened his mouth to speak again, and I growled. "You interrupt my reading once more, and this book will become a lethal weapon."

He held up his hands in surrender. "My apologies, Rory." His grin told me he wasn't sorry at all. I put the navy book back and looked at a different one.

"Well." I took out a gray, dusty, old book. My face scrunched. It was hideous. "This definitely does not make me want to read it."

Coda perked a brow. "You should try it."

Wiping off the dust, I coughed. "I guess I can give it a shot." Sneaking a glance to the bookstore owner who was still watching me intently, I glared. What kind of person treated their books like this?

Coda snagged it from my grasp, but before he could open it up, he dropped it and yelped. "What is that?!"

"You rudely grabbing my new book out of my hands, that is what that is," I grumbled. Reaching down, I picked it up and threw Coda a hard glare in return. Looking closer at the cover, I furrowed my brows. My heart skipped a beat.

A willow tree was etched into the bland cover, but instead of leaves it drew out into a spiral.

Coda glanced over my shoulder. "Hey, that looks like that thing you used to draw," he remarked. I nodded slowly, hesitant to admit it out loud. It was one of the visions the Goddesses had given me, one that never added up until now.

How could it be?

"What is this?" I demanded, marching over to the man behind the counter.

"It is a book." He looked unphased by my intensity.

Handing it to him, I stared him down. "So, you don't know what this symbol means?"

I watched carefully as he took a small step forward. "No idea. Maybe try reading the book to find out."

Glaring him down, "Have you read it before? What is your name?"

"I don't enjoy spoiling books for people. Name's Kyan."

Fury knotted my gut. "I don't think it is a problem for you to spoil a book for me when I am asking you to," I argued.

He sighed, crossing his arms and throwing me an annoyed glance. "I can either let you borrow it, or I can kick you out of my store. Which, in case you can't wrap it around that head of yours, means you don't get the answers as to what that symbol is."

I opened my mouth, wanting to smite him. If we were back on Alyanthi, he would be incinerated if my mother had overheard him. Lucky for him I didn't want to be that person anymore. I nodded, glaring hard at him as Coda threw some cash down on the counter and trailed behind me.

"Aurora, that book was hotter than fire. I couldn't even touch it."

"What do you mean you couldn't touch it?"

"It was like I was touching a Fireborne. An angry one." He opened up his palms and my eyes widened. Angry red welts formed on his skin where his fingers had made contact with the book. "I don't think Kyan is good news. We should consider a new town to move to and staying out of his way for sure. For all we know he could be a spy."

"We have been here for what? A few hours?" I snorted dismissively. "I agree that he might not be like the other humans on Earth. Something is odd about him, but we are here to live a mundane life, and focusing on this is kind of the opposite of our goals."

"If that's the case, why did you grab the book?"

His question caught me off guard. "What do you mean?" My voice was raw with emotion.

"I know why you grabbed it, Rory." His eyes stared at the willow tree, and I gulped. Coda knew me better than anyone. He was the only one I could ever trust with my secrets.

I sighed. "This could hold the answer to so many things, Coda. About me." We both paused as he searched my eyes before nodding.

"I'm here, Aurora. I'm with you until the end, you know that. But running away from Alyanthi means leaving that piece of us behind." As much as I hated it, he was right. I needed to let go of my past. It was the only way I could move forward.

My attention was diverted by bright lights and loud music blasted from not far. "A festival?" Coda whispered.

My eyes widened, a grin spreading across my face. "I think so." I said in awe. "Let's go!"

"But—"

I shook my head, cutting him off. "No. When was the last time we were able to have fun?" Coda looked around nervously, still on edge. For someone who insisted that I let my past go, I knew he was struggling to do the same. One of us had to make the first move. There was a sitting area to my left, and I set the book on it. It was my small step toward letting it go.

Grabbing Coda's hand, I led him forward. We made our way to the festival, weaving through the crowd. Many humans were selling different types of food, drinks, and other trinkets. Stuffed animals and fish of all kinds were being sold as prizes.

Vibrant colors were splashed everywhere, from the decorations to the clothing. The fragrance of food was overwhelming. Spices and herbs packed a punch, and barbeque smoke created a slight haze around us.

The lively, bustling energy enveloped us. I enjoyed the feel of the music pulsing in my chest. Humans all around us were laughing and chatting, and even though it was very crowded and noisy, my heart felt light. These festivals must be used to be present in the moment, to forget about all the stresses and anxieties of earlier. And I was all for it.

"It isn't as beautiful as the Ember Ceremony," Coda noted softly. I knew he was in awe of the novelty before us. He was right. Our yearly festivity in the Firerealm was nothing like the celebration the humans had. Ours was full of using our abilities and showing off our powers as we celebrated the shortest day of the year, where our flames could shine brighter and longer than ever. Each realm celebrated something different on that day, each with their own lore. I was never one to go out and celebrate, not that I could. No one, besides Coda and my mother, knew that the ember ceremony was my birthday. As the Princess to the Firerealm, the responsibility fell to me to play my part: the cold, vindictive heir to the throne.

My mother had made it clear that I, having been asleep for so many years, couldn't fully comprehend the dire state of affairs that had befallen our realm. She insisted on adopting a stronger, more ruthless stance to counter the constant threat of usurpers and assassins who coveted the throne. Amidst a climate of suspicion, she remained vigilant against potential Icerealm and Nightrealm assaults, determined to protect the kingdom from any possible harm.

It was my duty to take the throne, and I knew with that responsibility came the opportunity to change the Firerealm, to free the innocent prisoners, and, for once, to make a difference that Alyanthi so desperately needed. But I also knew my mother would be alive for a thousand years to Hcome, and I was not strong enough to either endure her or usurp her. Alyanthians lifespan was around one thousand years where they would die of old age or sickness.

I had been conflicted the past ten years, always getting two sides of my mother. There was a cruel and kind version, and it was hard to see which version of her I would get, all due to Hedrick's control. Soon, there would be no differentiating between the two versions, and she would be left with her cruel self. It was something I was struggling to come to terms with.

But this place, I mused as I gazed out at the colorful lights and loud music that filled my soul, was full of happiness, something I hadn't witnessed in a very long time. A large, circular ride that slowly went towards the sky and back down caught my eye. It lit up the sky like bright stars. My breath left my body. "I want to go on that!" I exclaimed, pointing.

Before I gave him a chance to say no, I grabbed his arm and quickly weaved through the many people around us. As we approached the ride, excitement thrummed within me. Humans had interesting contraptions. I wanted to reach the sky. I wanted to go higher. The sun goddess, Niamh, had given us such a gorgeous day, and the idea of being closer to her warmed my soul.

"I will wait here." Coda abruptly came to a halt. I smirked, ready to tease him into coming with, but the man in charge of this particular ride spoke up.

"One more," his voice droned as he clicked on a device in his hand.

Turning back to Coda, he pushed me towards the entrance. "Go. I will be waiting here."

I nodded, walking towards the giant wheel that loomed high above me. I climbed into the contraption, sitting beside a young girl perhaps around eight years old. She had dark bronze skin and curly hair that blew back with the breeze. "Have you ridden this before?" She beamed at me with excitement.

"I haven't." I smiled nervously back at her. The soft hum of the machinery beginning to move made my heart practically leap from my chest as I held onto the side of the box that rocked slightly with my movement. We began to climb higher. The gentle pull as gravity seemed to work a bit differently.

The girl giggled, turning her focus down below as she waved at some of her friends or family. I took a breath, finally feeling safe within this contraption. Glancing down at Coda, I saw that his eyes were wide with uncertainty, as if he didn't know whether I was safe or if he should demand the man controlling this thing to let me down.

Once we reached the top of the wheel, we paused. The view was incredible. I could see the entire festival from up here. Beyond the festival, I could pick out the place we were staying, the bookstore, and beyond that was rolling hills. Glancing towards the left, the forest from which we had emerged made my stomach dip—or was that the ride? The car descended with more speed, the wind rushing past me. The sense of weightlessness hit me as I laughed along with the young child next to me. As we arrived at our starting place and the seat locks disengaged, I said goodbye to the girl and found Coda.

"You need to try that with me sometime." I urged.

He smiled. "I don't mind watching from a distance."

As we went off to play some arcade games, I couldn't help but feel hopeful. Maybe we could do this whole mortal thing after all.