Cheers once again resounded throughout the village, followed by murmurs and conversations as its people immediately moved to action. Some began tending to the few who were injured while putting out the flames or the rare confrontation with the opposing forces. Others began fortifying the tree-like barrier that now kept them safe and secure from the threat of the outside world. Others still went about in an attempt of beginning the cleanup efforts, while more continued to prepare for that evening's communal bonfire. Like nothing had happened.

They had a victory in the woods because the forest itself expelled the prince by helping the fae people at Alera's wish. But Nicholas' threat continued to ring within the Princess' mind.

She tried distracting herself by working with the fae, cleaning or building for what good she was worth, while Jere helped with the healing and animals that were expelled from the burning forward towards the village with nowhere else to go. But it was no use for her weary mind.

The Prince's retreat toward the castle, regardless of the reason for it, made Alera fear for her father's life even more so. When she initially chose to leave with Jere, if she had any insight that Nicholas would have done anything like this to her father or her people, she never would have left. When she had met him, he bare;y gave her the time of day. For all she knew, he only wanted what their kingdom had to offer, not the actual lives of the people who lived within it.

But she knew he wouldn't have done this alone. Even with his powers and his ambitions, he still did not know the people of Palazia like she had. He would have needed assistance, the help of people who did if she was not there to be coerced. She needed to know what he offered Brigette and Xavier. What power they craved and favor they desired to betray not only their king, but their whole kingdom.

She recalled the conversation in her room— those painful hours she wished she could forget. Brigette and Xavier believed they would be tossed aside once Alera was gone. Not that Alera would have wanted that to happen, at least not until she discovered their treachery. Now she knew it was only them to blame for what was happening...

Them and her.

But what if Jere was right and it was all a trap just to lure Alera back to Palazia and away from the safety of the forest her mother once called home? From the people who so willingly accepted her rather than shied away from fear that one touch would curse them. Could she be putting them in as much danger remaining here with them, or leaving them behind?

The conflicting questions haunted her while she finished her tasks helping to restore the village as best as they could while daylight remained. And where others went to begin preparations for the bonfire, she trudged back to their borrowed hut, her feet feeling heavier with each step. Only when she had entered and saw Jere sitting on the edge of his bed lacing up his boots after a recent bath and change did she collapse onto his bed next to him and lean against him, her head resting on his shoulder while she closed her eyes and allowed the weight of the world to finally fall over her.

He didn't say anything— he didn't have to. He only wrapped his arms around her and held her close until words were necessary. But that was how it always was with Jere. Speaking wasn't required when they were together, and perhaps that was a better explanation of what love truly was.

Regardless of how they felt for one another, Alera sat up and looked at him. Looked over his beautiful face framed by his dark waves and she wanted to just run her hands through them. But it was not the time. Not with the burden she carried.

"I have to know the truth," she said softly, wearily. "I can't allow my people to pay the punishment for my decisions. It's not fair to them... it's not fair to anyone."

"I know, Alera," he said softly, and unlike her restraint he did run his hands through her hair, taking her loose braid and beginning to help her take it out as she sat there and they spoke. "But this isn't something you can do alone. You know that. You're going to be walking straight into the trap he's set up for you."

"But I can't put anyone else at risk," she insisted. "I have a family here. I have you... I won't let you be put in harm's way because of me as well."

"And no one is going to abandon you when you need them the most. Not now. Not ever. Isn't that enough?"

She wanted to believe him. Wanted to take him at his word because she knew what was what she was supposed to do. But there were too many conflicting emotions coursing through her that she couldn't just give up because he was speaking rationally. Too much was at stake— too much had already been threatened because of her and her inactions.

She turned to face him, her hands coming up to cup his face. Her thumbs ran over his cheekbones and it took all her power not to lean in to kiss him. "The love between us will always be enough for her," she assured him "but if I just stepped aside and watched, it would tarnish any future we'd ever have together if I were to let others suffer for that love."

She expected him to counter her, to argue and challenge, but instead he sighed and dropped his gaze. "I knew you'd say that." He looked back up at her, but there was firm resolution in his gaze. "There's someone you should speak to before you make a decision you regret. One way or the other."

She tilted her head to the side in question. "Who?"

***

Jere led her through the village, now alight with firelight, towards the healer's tents. There were plenty of people there being tended to, so she wasn't exactly certain what he was trying to show her until they went to a private tent, and he pulled the back room's curtain away for her to enter.

Sitting up in bed with his eyes closed and a bandage wrapped around his chest was Hevea. A healer was tending to his head, feeling around his temples and muttering something Alera couldn't hear. But after a moment her grandfather opened his eyes and they looked weary and tired— having been shot through with an arrow was bound to do that, at the minimum. But upon seeing her he let out a grunt and the healer stopped their efforts and looked towards the door as well.

"How?" Alera asked anyone who was willing to answer.

"They were able to give him a potion as soon as he arrived," Jere explained to her. "The magic of it paired with the urgency of the attention to his care and the rest he's received since helped revitalize him. He's going to be okay."

"No one is going to get rid of me just yet," Hevea added, nodding to the two of them.

Alera gave him a soft smile and watched as the healer finished up, giving them each a small nod before excusing themselves to give them privacy.

"I had heard of what transpired," her grandfather continued after he settled back into his pillows. He offered chairs, one of which Alera took next to his bedside while Jere continued to stand by the doorway. "Now, tell me what brings you here."

She passed a look between her and Jere before she resigned and looked to her grandfather. "I know what needs to be done, but neither choice is a viable decision."

"And what have you decided?"

"I can't allow Nicholas to keep my father and the kingdom under his control. But I can't ask anyone else to sacrifice themselves because of my selfish decisions."

Hevea nods thoughtfully. "You remind me of someone I once knew."

"Who would that be?"

He gave her a sad smile. "Your mother."

Alera immediately sobered with an unexpected sadness.

"Vessa was of the same regard, once, as she cared deeply for others too. Sometimes, I fear that was her weakness, and undoubtedly, her downfall." He sighed. "But do not let caring for others be your detriment, Alera. You must go cool-headed there, and not with vengeance in your heart. Or the darkness will seek to devour your light. Moreso than it ever had your mother's."

"She won't be going alone," Jere said as he stepped forward. "You have my word, on the soul of my mother, that I will protect her with my life."

"Jere," Alera said as she stood, protesting. "You can't—"

"I can," he countered. "And I am."

"Then that is settled," Hevea said. He shifted and winced and Alera moved towards him, but he paused her with a wave of his hand. "I will see to it you are fully supplied, but the wolves will need to be your responsibility."

She quickly turned back to her grandfather. "What about the wolves?"

He gave her a smile, tired as it was.

"You didn't expect I'd allow you to return without them, did you?"