Chapter 2

    To my disappointment, only Aiden seemed onboard with my idea.

    "I understand that you want to find your mom," Autumn said, "but Peraz forest is mostly uncharted territory. Not to mention we're at war."

    "Forget the war, it's much too dangerous by itself," Chase added. "Do you know how many explorers have gone there and gotten badly injured? Or gone there and-" He shook his head. "Plus, a map is no proof at all that your mother was there."

    Edwin stepped in just at this moment. He was my grandfather's new advisor, a dark-skinned man in his twenties whom I found myself liking despite my earlier resentment at seeing Anselm's place filled in so quickly.

    "Hi there," he grinned. "I suppose you aren't looking at these maps for fun?"

    "Ew, no." Aiden grimaced.

    "Would it be a waste of time to tell you about the influence of geographical features on our culture and history?"

    "Yep," Aiden said, just as Autumn answered, "Of course not, that sounds fascinating."

    Edwin chuckled, and Aiden gave Autumn a weird look.

    "Maybe another day." I smiled. "Right now, I'd rather learn more about Peraz forest."

    "Why the sudden interest?" He pulled up a chair.

    The door swung open before I could answer, and my grandfather walked in. "Ah, Edwin, I thought I'd find you here. Hi, kids, how are you?"

    "Eager to fill their brains with knowledge about Peraz, it seems," Edwin answered for us with a humorous glint in his eyes.

    "Really?"

    "We found a map of it in Mom's diary," I explained. "By the way, you wouldn't know what these symbols mean?"

    He squinted as he held the book to eye level. "I'm afraid not. I'd offer to have one of my men look at it, but I'm afraid they're too busy with the war for us to bother them with a personal matter like this."

    I nodded in understanding. I hadn't even thought about that. Of course, being a princess came with its perks, but I was well-aware that I had to put the people's needs before mine.

    "I was thinking, maybe she went to Peraz forest."

    Grandpa looked at the map thoughtfully, then at the small numbers written in the left-hand corner.

    "The dates certainly do seem to fit. Just a few months after you and your father last saw her. I had never dwelled on the subject before before, but now that I think about it, your wings most likely only stayed concealed so long because of magic. In all the other cases I've heard of, if half-Winged weren't born with their wings, they didn't have any at all."

    "Yes, but such magic is powerful and rare," Edwin had followed the king's trail of thought. "We certainly don't have access to it. Sperodyfis might, but any artifact they could have given away to the princess would have been documented. The fairies though... That's another story."

    "The fairies?" I repeated.

    "They would never give anything away without getting something in return, but I wouldn't doubt they have the means."

    "If the princess made a deal with the fairies, I doubt we'll see her again," Chase mumbled.

    "Now, now," my grandfather argued. "Delilah isn't lost to us yet. She is smart, much smarter, I'd wager, than those fairies. They're not much acquainted with civilization, you know."

    "It is a common misconception," Edwin said, "that beings with different cultures and ideals should be considered primitive."

    "Of course. You are right, as always," Grandpa conceded.

    "So," Aiden summed up, "if I understood correctly, Hailey's mum got magic from the fairies to protect her. After that, she went back there to fulfill her end of the deal. We just have to go there and get her back."

    "Well..." Grandpa didn't seem too taken by Aiden's simplifications.

    "Please?" I asked. "If there's a chance she's there - or that anyone there remembers her - I have to go."

    "It's dangerous..." The king reasoned.

    "Pretty please? It can be my birthday present for three years," I begged.

    "All right," he muttered. "But only because I had already planned to send a group of people there."

    "What kind of people?" Aiden asked.

    The king seemed a bit surprised by the question, but, as usual, he wasn't offended by Aiden's familiarity. "Just a strategist and a few specialized soldiers who are needed at the Lilac citadel. It'll be a bit of a detour, but I can add a few guards to take you there. After all, we do need to inspect the security of the forest perimeter."

    "Actually, Sir, technically, I'm a Junior Troop archer, not a guard," Aiden corrected.

    "I'm sorry?" The king blinked.

    "You said you were sending guards, but officially Chase and I aren't really called guards. You know, you should kind of know that, 'cause-" Autumn jabbed her elbow into his side, efficiently silencing him.

    "I wasn't talking about you," Grandpa clarified. "I don't want to risk sending in anymore youngsters in this expedition. Hailey will be accompanied by experienced warriors and a diplomat, just in case."

    "I'm both of those things," Aiden assured, straightening up his flame-colored wings.

    "You think you're a diplomat?" I couldn't help asking.

    He glared at me. "Not helping, Hailey." Turning back to the king, he said, "Come on, Hailey will be so bored without us. Plus, we did awesome last time at Sperodyfis, didn't we?"

    "About that, weren't you supposed to be doing chores for having disobeyed your superior?"

    "They kicked me out because they didn't like my jokes," Aiden explained.

    "Their loss." Grandpa shrugged.

    Aiden's lips stretched into a smile that said everyone in the kingdom would definitely hear about that time the king complimented his sense of humor. Behind him, Chase dragged his hand down his face, tired in advance of hearing Aiden's bragging.

    "I'm glad you agree," Aiden chirped. "So can I come?"

    "That will be to be discuss with your supervisor," Edwin saved Grandpa.

    "Oh, I'm sure that won't be a problem, right Chase?"

    "The other supervisor, Aiden. I'm only second in command. You have to get Bree's permission."

    "Oh." Aiden's smile faltered for a second. "Nah, won't be a problem either. She loves me."

    "Or she'll just be glad to get rid of you," Autumn suggested. "Your Highness, if I may, I would like to accompany Hailey and Aiden as well. With your guards around, there shouldn't be any problems. And," She added as an extra argument, "it would be a great experience to add to my resume as I wish to become a diplomat or an ambassador."

    "What about you, Chase?" Aiden didn't wait for the king's answer, as if considering the case closed. "Aren't you going to ask for permission, too?"

    "Asking for permission isn't just being polite. You actually have to listen to the answer," my boyfriend informed him.

    "Sure. You didn't answer my question, though."

    We all turned our gazes to him. Chase's jaw was tense. "I don't want to. It's a foolish, stupid idea, and I really, really don't want to." I tried to hide my disappointment as his eyes met mine. "But," he continued, his gaze softening, "if you guys are going, of course I am, too."

    "Yay!" Aiden yelled. "I'm gonna go pack!" He sprinted out of the room.

    Edwin laughed silently as the king's brow furrowed.

    "Does anyone even care about getting my permission or am I just here to look pretty?"

    I gave him a hug. "Of course we care, Grandpa. But please, please say you'll let them come with me."

    He sighed. "All right. Now all of you get out of here before I come to my senses and change my mind."

    I beamed. "Thank you, Grandpa, you're the best!"

    Chase didn't seem to share my excitement, but he nodded. "Thank you, Sir. I shall go and make the proper arrangements."

    As we left the room, I clutched the diary to my chest, a smile forming on my lips. Would my mom be  waiting for me in Peraz forest? Would she look different than on the pictures I had seen? What would I tell her?

    Autumn sensed my excitement and put her hand on my arm. "Remember, she might not be there anymore."

    "I know." I sobered up. "I really hope she is, though."

    "So do I."

    "Will your parents even let you go?" I changed the subject.

    She laughed. "My dad won't be happy, but my mom will let me. She likes it when we do stuff that 'builds character'. Plus, it's one less child to take care of. Actually, I do have to go now. I need to help my mom with dinner."

    "Tell your mom and Anna I said hello." I waved her off. I returned to my room, day-dreaming of what my own mom would say when I found her.

The awesome media on the top is by @MSmusicFan01 !
I'm thinking this should be this book's new cover, but as you know I like to have your opinions. Do you like this cover better? (I think we can agree it's more magic-y than the first one ;) )
This book climbed up to #40 this week :) (And SW went back up to #4!) so thank you!!
Anyway, what's the matter with Chase? He's going to lose his fangirls if he doesn't cheer up...
See you guys next friday!