Cal spent most of her time in the palace library—pouring over books about the gods. She heard the door open and light, quiet footsteps walked towards her.

She looked up, expecting to see her husband strolling towards her with a crooked grin and the steel grey eyes she loved.

Instead, it was her father.

"Is Matias alright?" she asked.

"He's fine," said Akaljot. "He's awake and talking, but—"

Cal was already up and running to the medical wing. Walking towards her, deep in conversation with Lance and Lucas, was Matias. He looked healthy and he cut his hair.

"Matt?" she asked as she ran towards him. "Matias!"

He looked up at her and recognition glared in his eyes. Cal threw herself at her husband, her prince, and kissed him. She felt Matias stagger back before he pushed her off of him.

"What on—Your Highness, I... You kissed me," he stammered.

She furrowed her brows. "Because you're my husband," she said slowly.

His eyes widened and his brows rose a little. "Your Highness, I am not married to you or anyone for that matter."

Pain stabbed her heart. "What?"

"I'm your personal guard, not your lover, Your Highness," he said.

"Matt, your eyes," she started.

Matias rolled his eyes. "What is it with everyone being weirded out by my eyes?"

"James did this to you," she said in realization. "James left his mark on you both physically and mentally."

Matias ran a hand through his short hair. "Gods above, the Lucinean heir has gone mad."

"I tried to tell you," said Akaljot.

Cal looked back at her father, her eyes narrowed. "You knew?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"I tried to tell you, but you ran off before I could say anything," Akaljot retorted, his arms crossed.

Cal looked at her brother and then Lance. She dragged her gaze back up to her husband's mismatched eyes.

"I know what has to be done," she muttered. She spun on her heel and made to return to the library.

Akaljot grabbed her wrist.

"Let go of me," she snarled. When he didn't let go of her, she heated the skin of her wrist. "I said let go."

Akaljot yelped and jumped back.

"Don't follow me," she ordered.

—

Something nagged at the back of Matias's mind. Has nagged at him since Princess Calista kissed him.

She wore a sea foam green nightgown that stopped just above her knees.

He closed the distance between them, silencing her with a kiss.

It was just as dark and blurry as the previous... memory?

Matias gave his head a shake. He didn't love the princess.

"Are you alright, Captain Gomez?" asked Lance.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," he said. "Where are you going?"

"Going after my sister," Lucas called over his shoulder.

Matias started after Lucas and Akaljot, Lance closely following.

"She said to not follow her. We should probably leave her alone," said Matias.

"That is what we should not do," said Akaljot.

"And why not?"

Akaljot halted and spun around to face him. "Look, I'm not going to blame you for being a little out of the loop. You have been demonically possessed for the past five months. But I'm case you haven't noticed, Cal's magic is reacting horribly with the negative emotions she's keeping buried and refuses to acknowledge." He held up his hand—the hand Calista burned when he wouldn't let go of her. "What did this may look and sound like Cal, but it's not her. She thinks she's a god all because her magic is screwing around with her. And now that your head has been screwed around with by James, I fear what her magic is going to make her do next."

Demonically possessed? What was Commander Bjorndottir talking about?

Matias struggled to keep up with the Krigereans, his mind racing. "I was never under a demon's influence. I remember every detail from the past several months with crystal clarity."

They had come to a stop in front of closed double-doors. Lance tried to door handle. It didn't budge.

Lucas knocked on the door. "Cal, open the door."

Nothing but silence from within.

"Move," Matias barked. He turned his back to the doors and kicked his foot back.

The doors flew in, and Matias spun around. Calista Pyro stood on the balcony with blue flames dancing in her hands.