Amber: 

I hated the Spring Realm with every fiber of my being. The air was polluted with the gardenia scent that made my nose itch. Keeping to the shadows, I glamoured my face as a plain, uncaring maidservant as I slipped around the capital city of Spring- Acacia. 

Acacia bustled with life- one I had no part in. And I had to admit, they had a pretty shitting security system at the palace. Not one guard or servant spared me a glance, and either stood still as stone, or scurried around the palace like rats. 

Acacia House, well really, more of a palace, might have been stunning if I actually cared. But I had only one mission, and I was damn determined to get what I had came here for. 

When I reached the door I wanted to go, I took a deep breath before pushing the door handle and stepping into the room.

The room was as breathtaking as the palace itself. Natural sunlight lit up the room, a majestic bed frame with a fluffy mattress encased in the middle, and a vanity at the far end of the room. 

But most importantly, a girl with blond hair and dark eyes stared at me, her lips parted. I let the glamour drop and whatever was on the edge of her tongue, faded away. 

She stared at me, and I stared back at her for a long time. At last, she whispered, "Amberly." 

Amberly. It had been ages since I had heard that name. 

"Auora," I replied with a nod. 

She took a step forward hesitantly, as if I were a ghost, "Are you real?" 

I shrugged, "Are you real?" I echoed. Auora shook her head, "But they said that you were d-dead, how can you still be alive?" 

Scoffing, I shifted my weight to the other leg, "People lie, A, and I think you'd know that by now." 

And that was when I realized that her eyes were wet with grief, and she held a crumpled letter in her hand. "What is that?" I murmured drawing closer to Auora. 

She wordlessly handed me the crinkled sheet of paper. I hissed my breath as I scanned the familiar handwriting. 

"Dear Auora, 

I'm writing to you on the behalf of your brother. Jem has sailed to Neverland with the intention of sacrificing his soul to save the world. I am still not quite sure of the ties he had severed with his family, but I know that you love(d) him and I think you should have a right to know.

Jem loves you. 

Yours truly, Val" I read out loud, my voice crackling over my sister's nickname. 

Auora sniffed, "So it's true then, what your sister says is true." I hesitated, "I wouldn't know. I haven't heard from her in... a while." 

Auora sat down on her bed, "So... all this time, you and Aveline are alive." 

I sat down besides her, "Yeah. I assume you've still been talking to Hades after all these years?" 

The Princess of Spring sighed, "Of course I have, he's my friend. But Amberly, you don't know how devastated he was when you, Ave, and the High Queen vanished. Stars, he might have killed himself if it weren't for Persephone." She paused, and then finished quietly, "Does he even know that you're alive?" 

My silence confirmed her suspicion but she said nothing, and looked down at my sister's letter, "Jem can't be gone. I knew he always had a heroic spirit, but I can't stand his absence. Each day, I only get through them because I tell myself that Jem will one day come back. But now he's gone, and I will truly be alone now," Auora muttered hoarsely.

I sighed, "Auora, I need help. I truly apologize for the inconvenience, but I'm afraid I cannot delay any longer. The fate of the world is in my hands." 

A harsh bitter laugh came out of her mouth, "So typical of you, Amberly. You only come and see your best friend because of your interest. You're selfish, you know that?" The bitter words stung- I remembered Evelyn saying the very same thing to me. 

"Maybe I am a bit selfish," I admitted softly, "But I need you to listen. Please." 

~

The outskirts of Acacia was relatively calm. The annoying gardenia scent still lingered but it was more serene and quiet out here. Auora unsteadily trailed behind me, murmuring gentle prayers and her protection against Death. 

At last, we reached a run down cottage that looked uninhabited. "Are you sure this is the right place?" Auora whispered hesitantly. The colorful shawl she wore was a stark contrast to the rather bleak landscape here. 

In answer, I knocked firmly on the wooden door. Auora and I stood in silence for a while before the door hinges creaked open. "Yes?" A young, fair maiden cooed as she opened the door. 

The girl had long, flowing, raven black hair. Her skin was pale against her black yet simple dress. She was barefoot and the only sign that showed she was abnormal were the horns pertruding from her head. 

"Maleficent," I breathed out, naming the exiled witch that used to entertain the court of Fall. She squinted at me- or maybe it was the sunlight blinding her, "Amberly. Well, you've certainly grown." Her attention shifted to Auora who tried subtly to hide behind me. 

"And what do you know? Princess of Spring, isn't it. Princess Auora. And the pathetic thing is, she isn't even the High Princess," Maleficent chuckled softly, "but do come inside, will you?" 

She stepped aside, holding the door wide open. Auora and I stepped into the dilapidated cottage. Nothing extraordinary, really. A few books and potions lined the shelves, a bed pushed to the corner, and a few chairs scattered around the house. 

"Please, sit." Maleficent waved her slender fingers and the stools moved a few feet away from us. Wisely enough, Auora took a seat and I followed. 

She looked at me, then at the shaking princess, and mused, "What brings you to my lair, Princesses?" 

I leaned forward, "I hear that you have the magic to trap someone in, say, a reflective surface."

The witch smiled, "Well of course I do! I'm Maleficent." Another wave of her fingers had a vial of dust from she shelf flying towards us. Maleficent caught the vial in her palm and held it up, "And what will I get out of this deal?" 

Auora coughed, "What is the price of this spell, my lady?" The former Lady of Boldon let out a low chuckle, "I suppose you did do your research, Princess. My price is quite simple, really. I want to be invited to your wedding." 

Auora crinkled her nose as I held my breath, "What wedding?" 

Maleficent let a sharp hiss of laughter, "You'll see, my darling, you'll see. So, do we have a deal?" 

I looked to Auora, who sharply nodded, "Yes, of course." 

The witch cocked her head, "Great." Then, without warning, a sharp pain erupted on our palm. The symbol of Maleficent's dragon was carved into our skin. "A reminder," Maleficent mused, "so that you'll keep your promise." 

She tossed the vial of silvery dust at me, "Just fling the dust into the... victim's eyes and as soon as they begin to rub it...BOOM! They're trapped in the nearest reflective surface. Of course, then, as time progresses, the memory of the victim will begin to wear away and is rendered to the control of whoever trapped the victim. The mirror is now enchanted, and if you ask a question within a rhyme, you will get an answer, or word of advice, that can be observed. Understood?" 

Auora and I nodded sharply, "Yes," Auora responded, surely and steadily.

"Good. And when time comes, I expect my invitation to your wedding, Princess Auora." Maleficent crooned, the door flying open. 

Auora nodded, and practically ran out the door while I strolled behind, unwilling to play into my fears. 

~

The walk back was tense. "Don't you think her request was particularly strange?" Auora quired, "Why would she need a wedding invitation in exchange for a spell so powerful? 

I frowned, "Maleficent is a powerful witch- one of the few who can read the future. Perhaps she has a feud with your future husband, or someone in Court, and wishes to make a big deal out of this." 

Auora shook her head in defeat, "Did I just make the biggest mistake of my life?" 

My fingers crept protectively toward the mirror dust in my satchel, "I sure do hope not." 

Auora turned to me, her eyes sorrowful and angry, "And you? What did you give up?" I felt an overwhelming sadness that nearly knocked me off my feet, "I'll give up my humanity when I use the dust. I cannot bear using this dust on anyone- the guilt will forever keep me up at night and I won't be able to live with myself." 

Up along the road, I spotted a cluster of structures. Among these structures were a tavern and across the street, an inn. "Perfect," I sighed, "I don't care what you say, Auora, but I really need a drink." 

Auora made no protest and stripped her shawl, stuffing the fabric in my satchel, "For once, I don't give a damn. A drink for old times sake?" 

I shot my best friend a carefree smile and pushed open the tavern door.