THE RIDE back to Hornwell had not been as fun as the drive to the Summer Court. And once Andorra arrived back at school, she almost felt empty. The joy, the excitement, the sense of belonging she had felt in the Summer Court was suddenly missing.

And the people. She had said goodbye to Desmond and Cher Sunday morning, hugging the both of them tightly. She wanted to ask them more about her parents, wanted to spend her entire life there with them, but she knew she had to go back to reality. Away from the Summer Court, away from her people. But, Desmond had gifted her a photograph of her parents, that she now had in the music box.

Sunday night too had been pretty boring; Coralia hadn't even been there. Andorra assumed Coralia had been visiting home, but it was definitely sad coming back to an empty dorm room, feeling a sudden wave of homesickness that didn't really make sense.

She placed the music box on her dresser, looking at it like she was afraid it would disappear from her sights. The picture, definitely old, sat in the top, her parents looking down at her with a smile. When she lifted the bottom, she ran a finger over the letter. She hadn't touched in the Summer Court, too afraid to have an audience. But now... she pulled it out of the box, admiring her name on the front.

"Hey, that's pretty." Coralia shut their bedroom door, tossing her backpack and flopping back on her bed. "How was your weekend? It was really boring here without you."

Andorra jumped from the sudden intrusion, dropping the letter back into the music box. Not that Coralia would even care, but Andorra for a moment felt like she'd been doing something stealthy. Sneaky. She'd have to read her letter later.

"It was a lot of fun, actually." Andorra shut the music box completely and sat back on her bed, facing Coralia. The redhead was taking her hair out of a braid, but she was watching Andorra with interest. "And, you wouldn't believe it, but Eve wasn't that bad. She was actually pretty awesome. It was... strange."

Coralia stopped undoing her braid. "Really?

"Really. She was so cool about everything. And so kind. She took me under her wing. And Callum too... he was being suspiciously kind to me. After I put him in his place, of course. But yeah, the whole weekend was odd."

Coralia shook out her braid and laid back. "Well, I'm glad you had fun. Even if it was with the other royals. Was the festival cool?"

"Yeah! So much fun. Also like, really sad. Of course. Saying goodbye to my human life was definitely hard. But it was so fun being there, and being around summer fae. I just felt at home there, you know?"

Coralia nodded. "Yeah, I really do. That's how I feel when I go back to the Autumn Court." Coralia folded her arm over her eyes. "My mom feels horrible, by the way. For what happened the other weekend."

"Tell her not to stress! I'm fine, we're all fine. It was surprising, but that just seems to be my future."

"It was just so scary. That hunter... I never expected to see one of them in my home court. I know we have to be careful, as royals, but sometimes I forget." Coralia scrubbed at her eyes like she was trying to wipe the memory away, but it was stuck against the back of her eyelids.

Andorra remembered all too well the fear she'd felt in her gut. It was like she had acted on impulse. The way she had death gripped the hunter, the way she had disarmed him completely... it hadn't felt like her. It was like she was an imposter in her own body.

She wasn't going to voice that to Coralia, though. She wasn't going to voice that to anyone, not if she could help it.

"I hate that I'll have to get used to that. People popping up left and right to murder me." It was surreal to even say it out loud.

"I just can't get the sight of the hunter out of my mind. I've had nightmares because of it." Coralia scrubbed harder, like that would help.

There was a knock on the door. "Andy! We're gonna be late to Cadmus practice if you don't get your butt out of there!"

Andorra looked up towards the door. "Oh. I guess I gotta go." She looked down at Coralia. "You'll be okay, right?"

Coralia nodded. "Go kick Anders' ass. Show him who's boss."

Andorra planned on doing just that. She jumped to her feet and opened the door, looking at Clini and Mar. She gave them both a wide smile, shutting the door behind her. "Thanks. I would've definitely been late if you hadn't come to find me."

Clini slung his arm over Andorra's shoulders. "What are friends for?"

"I heard today we're gonna practice dodging techniques. Which I really need, if our first game is this weekend. Which I've heard rumblings that it is. I don't feel ready."

Andorra agreed with that sentiment. She also didn't feel ready.

"Oh you big babies. The team we're up against sucks. We'll be fine. Especially since Andy can disappear and reappear whenever she wants."

"Okay, but is that even legal?" It couldn't be, right? Andorra couldn't imagine being able to do that in a real game. "Like, that has to be breaking some rules."

Clini shrugged. "Who knows. Coach will let you know if you can use that party trick or not."

As they approached the field, Andorra felt a sense of giddiness. Was it possible she actually liked Cadmus? That she actually liked being on a team? It felt hard to believe.

Practice went smoothly. Anders didn't try to steal Viir, and she managed to dodge most of the players that came after her. She was getting better at understanding Viir's different moves, and how to control him. She was getting better at staying on the beast, and feeling comfortable enough to move and look around while on his back.

Even Anders looked pissed when she had successfully dodged him.

When practice came to a close, Coach had talked up the game on the upcoming Saturday. "I have uniforms, by the way. Let's pass 'em out."

Andorra had ended up with number twenty-six, and the uniform looked almost dingy. Still, it was hers, and it was a uniform proclaiming her spot on the team. Her well earned spot, even if Anders had shot her a glare when she'd received the scrap of cotton.

Now, with the entire rest of the evening ahead of her, Andorra stopped by the school library instead of going back to her room. She wanted to do some research on the Golden Crown, if she could. On where she could possibly find it.

Once she got to the library, it was a game of cat and mouse almost as she looked down the aisles of different books. She wasn't sure where to start, and she wasn't sure she wanted to ask the librarian. What she really wanted was the truth pond, but that wasn't quite available to her anymore.

Or, was it?

If anyone knew about the whereabouts of another truth pond, it would be Callum. The truth pond had been a winter fae thing, and she had a winter fae at her complete disposal.

She called him forth, hoping it would be as easy as it had been before, and it was. Callum stumbled into the library, but he'd brought a guest. His hand was clamped hard onto Win's arm. But, instead of stumbling, she seemed to float into the space, her smile wide. "Andy!"

Callum wasn't as happy. "Princess, what could you possibly need in the library on a Monday night? I think you're safe."

Andorra waved her hand, impatient. "A truth pond. Where can I find one?"

Callum shot a sideways look at Win. "There's one. It's in the Snow Clan territory, though."

That made her pause. So, not a Winter fae thing, but a Snow Clan thing. "What are the chances of me getting to use one tonight?" Did it have to be tonight? No. But Andorra knew that if she had the opportunity, she should take it. The sooner, the better.

"Slim to none. Are you serious? What do you need to ask a truth pond? You can ask us instead." Callum's voice had an edge to it, a warning. Win put a delicate hand on his arm to relax him. "Callie, let's be nice. If Andy needs one, it's probably important."

"I just have a question. And it'll be quick. Quick enough to evade a certain someone, I think."

"You won't avoid Sir Nohx. Clan Leaders can tell when someone enters their boundaries. And if his Rali is out patrolling, he'll know exactly who enters. You won't be able to sneak in."

Andorra didn't want to take that as an answer. "Callum, here's the deal. You can accompany me to the Snow Clan tonight, or you can stay. Either way, you've given me my answer." Andorra felt proud that for once, she had a backbone.

Running into Noah wasn't an option, but if the truth pond could tell her where the Golden Crown was, she would take it. It would be quick, too. Just one question, and she'd be gone in an instant.

Callum scowled at her. "Of course I'm coming. If you're going into the Winter Court, you need a guard."

Win let out an excited squeal. "And so am I! Ooh, how fun. A field trip!"
Callum turned to Win. "No, you're not coming."

"Callie, stop fighting it. I am coming. And it'll be safe. She won't die there tonight." Win's complete confidence that Andorra wasn't about to die made her feel slightly better. Better enough to smile at Callum.

"Are you in?"

Callum grumbled, but he grabbed Andorra's wrist. "Fine. Open up the gate."

Going into the in-between was as easy as breathing now. She pulled the three of them through, and then she paused. This was the tricky part. "Okay, so how I'm getting to the Winter Court won't be great, but trust me on this."

Callum gave her a side eye, but let Andorra pull them into the Winter Court. All she had to do was think of Noah, and where he was, and suddenly they were there.

She watched him for a moment, invisible due to the in-between. He was in an office, and he was writing in a thick notebook of sorts. His scribbling was furious, like he was going to run out of time, or perhaps run out of thoughts.

"It's kinda cool, how you can do this." Win leaned closer to Sir Nohx. "And so cool he doesn't know we're here."

Andorra refused to let her gaze linger on him for a moment.

"Alright. Let's find the truth pond. I believe it's outside of the Clan Base, towards the woods. Maybe even in the woods. I've never seen it, but I've heard my father talk about using it before. It shouldn't be far from here." Callum's eyes watched Andorra closely, taking her in. Watching her ignore the Clan Leader.

She was thankful. She moved them to the outside of the Clan Base, leaving Noah behind. The grounds were beautiful; like a winter wonderland. It was snowing softly, and the ground was blanketed in it. If Andorra didn't hate the cold, she would have wanted to stay and watch forever.

But, she was on a mission. And she had people with her. She continued to look around the grounds, still in the in-between, navigating them through the different areas. Still, there was no truth pond, and Andorra began to grow impatient.

Win was the one who pointed it out. "Look! Over there!"

Andorra spotted it too. She dropped them out of the in-between as soon as they were at the lip of the pond, and the chill of the air hit her immediately. She rubbed her arms, her teeth immediately chattering, but she pushed on.

She looked down at the pond, and her reflection stared back at her. "Truth pond. I'm looking for the Golden Crown. Do you know where it is?"

Callum snorted from behind her. "That's what you had to ask it?"

The pond began to show an image, but it was dark. Andorra tried to get a closer look, but the longer she stared, the darker the scene became.

It had to be the answer. Or a trick. "Okay, then who can help me find it? It must be hidden."

The truth pond glimmered, changing in front of her eyes. She saw a woman in the reflection, one with long hair and an upside down triangle on her forehead. She didn't look mean, but she did look powerful. Her eyes seemed to stare back at Andorra, like she could see her.

"The Prophet, of course. Well, good luck with that one, Princess. I'd say the Golden Crown is going to be useless to find if you need the Prophet to help you." Callum sounded like he was over this adventure. "Now, let's go. Before Sir Nohx finds us on his property."

"Not so fast. Princess, it is good to see you. Now, why are you asking about me?"

Andorra tripped backwards over her feet, shocked that the Prophet talked to her. Talked to her! Andorra felt her heart beating so hard in her chest, it was hard to breathe. "Y-you can see me?"

Sivelle laughed a tinkling little laugh. "Of course I can. Bold of you to ask about me in the truth pond, but I am pleased. I have been waiting to meet you. Although, I need you to come by my home instead of snooping in Sir Nohx's pond. He doesn't know you're trespassing, does he?"

"Your home?" Andorra felt numb. She crept back to the pond to look at Sivelle. "You're inviting me to your home?"

"You are one of the few that is always invited, Andorra. You can find me in the Woodland Forest in the Autumn Court. Your friends, however, are not invited."

Callum pushed his way to the pond. "Where she goes, I go." He didn't seem very afraid of the Prophet, but Andorra was terrified.

"Prince Puck's son. I'd hoped we'd never meet, yet here you are. You are not invited. Andorra will not be in danger in my woods. She needs no guard."

"Bullshit. The Woodland Forest is one of the most dangerous places to be! I am not sending her alone."

Sivelle tilted her head, her eyes going black. "She is allowed to have a single guest. Sir Nohx knows how to find me, and she can bring him. I have news for him as well."

Andorra scrambled to her feet. "No! I can't travel with Noah." She covered her mouth then, cursing herself. She'd spoken too fast on impulse. "I mean, Sir Nohx. I can't travel with him."

Sivelle's smile became sharp. "You do not have to. But it's Sir Nohx, or no one. Your choice. Better think it over, because he's on his way to you now."

Andorra looked up from the pond, expecting to find him, but he wasn't there. Yet. "Thank you. I will find you soon!" Then, she grabbed Win and Callum and yanked them into the in-between, breathing hard.

Before she could think of Hornwell to bring them back, Win placed a hand on her shoulder. "That was brave. Not many talk to Sivelle like that."

"Her name is Sivelle?" Andorra felt her head spin. Now, not only did she have to embark on a journey to find the crown, she had to also embark on a journey to find out information on the crown. She felt dizzy with the thought that she would never become Queen.

"Sivelle is pleasant, when she likes you. And I think she does. Callie, on the other hand." Win shook her head. "You're so impulsive. Andy was handling it fine."

Andy didn't want to be there any longer. She was half afraid Noah would pop up out of nowhere, half afraid he'd be able to sense her. She thought of Hornwell, and then dumped them all out in the hallway in front of her dorm room.

"Thanks for accompanying me." She looked Callum in the eyes. "I'm going to her cottage. You can't stop me."

Callum began to pace the length of the hallway. "Don't remind me. She's so... ugh. Why would she want you to be in the forest alone? She's a fool if she thinks it isn't dangerous out there!"

"She doesn't want her to be alone. She wants her to travel with Sir Nohx." Win added helpfully, smiling at Andorra. "She's trying to tell you something."

"I won't travel with him." Andorra bit out the words roughly. "We wouldn't last a minute together alone."

"He's the one who saved you, isn't he?" Win's voice was confused. "I always thought you were both on friendly terms."

"Sir Nohx betrayed me. He wants me dead, just like Anders. Don't let him fool you."

Not like he fooled me. Don't fall for it. Andorra swallowed hard, then opened her dorm room door. "I'll see you both later."

The close of her door felt final. A nail in the coffin.