Dakota grabbed her wrist as she gasped in surprise.

"Don't even think about it." Dakota growled, not loosening his grip on her. Her eyes widened, looking back and forth in between him and the bow.

She began stuttering, trying to defend herself before this escalated, "I-I promise, I wasn't going to run. I-"

"Then what were you going to do, Princess?" He added a sarcastic tone under his deep voice, and she sensed it immediately. She also noticed how red his eyes are.

"I was going hunting." Magnolia sighed, it all slurring out into one word.

"You were going hunting. Yeah, sure. Alright, you're coming back with-" He turned, slightly pulling her with.

She shouted, "No! I really was. I realized how hungry everyone looked and I... I wanted to help."

He turned back, smirking, "I don't believe a word that's coming out of your mouth, but even if I did, a Princess wouldn't be the first person I would send out into the woods to find food."

"Are you saying just because I used to be a Princess means that I can't hunt?" She snapped back. Dakota adjusted his hat by taking it off and running his hand viciously through his thick slight curls and replacing it back on.

He hesitated, wondering how to answer it. Finally, he realized there was no point in lying to her, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

Magnolia forced her hand out of his and stormed into the woods. Dakota groaned, following her.

"I can't just let you wander off-"

She turned, furious, "Why not? Because I'm worth too much? Well how about I bring you back to your home and-"

"There's nothing left there for me anymore." He said without hesitation, cutting her off.

"Then you wouldn't understand." She looked away, taking a long shaky breath. There was a long silence before Dakota murmured, "Then help me understand."

Magnolia didn't hear what he had said, assuming it was some rude comment. She pulled the bow off her head, placing an arrow in it. Dakota watched her feet as they took slow and careful steps, almost too quiet. Dakota wondered how she was going to find anything in the dark, with only the moon as a guide. He followed her through the trees for about fifteen minutes, staying quiet in his own thoughts.

He was so far off in thought about the past, he didn't notice that she had stopped and drawn back the bow completely. Dakota followed the direction the arrow was pointed at, finding two silhouettes of rabbits sitting in the grass. There was no way she was going to get both of them, but if she was a good archer, she could at least get one.

Magnolia moved silently to the side of both rabbits, and shot the arrow. It went flying through the air, darting them both in the side. It hit them both. Dakota's jaw dropped in surprise and he laughed. Magnolia bent down and picked the arrow up, both of them hanging from it.

She tapped her foot, "What was that you said earlier again? I can't hunt because-"

Dakota put his hands up in surrender, "Alright, alright, I'll give it to you, you did good."
"Good? I think I did a little better than good."

Dakota nodded, turning around and walking back without gripping onto her wrist. Maybe he was starting to accept she was one of them.



Magnolia knelt before Archer, shaking his shoulder. He stirred, waking up. His hair was ruffled everywhere, his eyes tired.

"Maggie?" He squinted his eyes at her.

"Breakfast is ready, Archer. Get up."

"Breakfast?" He asked, confused. He slowly sat up, running a hand through his hair.

"Never thought I'd be waking up to the Princess staring down at me." He smirked as she played with the end of her wavy hair.

"Magnolia, not Princess." She rolled her eyes.

"Even better."

Magnolia widened her blue eyes at him. "Get up!" She changed the subject off herself.

"What do you mean we have breakfast? We never have breakfast." Archer stood up, ducking out of the tent. grabbing her hand, he pulled her out as well.

"You'll see." Magnolia added, tugging his hand over to the others. He held her small hand tight, too scared she would let go. Phoenix started clapping once Magnolia approached with Archer, and the rest joined in.

"Dakota told us what you did." Phoenix smiled at her.

"What'd you do?" Archer whispered in her ear. She just took him over to the ground, where the rabbit meat sat.

Archer smiled, and then laughed, "Impressive, Maggie. Very impressive."
"Thank you." River nodded at her.

"She's more than just a beautiful face after all." Slate added. Magnolia distracted herself, looking down at her weak shoes. Archer wrapped an arm around her shoulder, tugging her close.

"Alright, alright, everyone shut up and eat." Dakota shouted over all the noise.



Another long day of travel began, the castle still miles away. Magnolia's hands were not tied, a show of thanks and maybe a hint of acceptance. They walked several miles; Phoenix in front, Dakota in back.

"How did you find this group of runaways?" Magnolia asked Archer after a long silence.
"That's a long story." Archer let out a sigh, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. Watching her expression, he figured she wasn't going to accept that answer.

"Well, that's a good thing because I've got the whole day."

"You never told me how Dakota found you." Archer said, avoiding the question. She thought back to the day at the tavern, and it seemed so long ago. So much had happened since then, in so little days.

"I was at the tavern, and someone screamed my identity, creating a riot. But, I consider myself lucky that I ended up with you guys, even if it is going to end in me being returned to the castle either way." Magnolia answered, looking back at him. Archer looked at her with sad brown eyes, and she lowered her gaze away from his.

Dakota was listening in on their conversation behind them, also filled with misery about the whole thing. He handed out a water canteen to everyone, letting them pass it around until every last drop was gone. He tucked the empty canteen back into his pack, holding onto the straps of his backpack tightly, his knuckles growing white.

"Guys, check this out." Slate ran up, kneeling down in the dirt. He picked up a black old radio that was making a long annoying sound. He twisted a knob on it, a clear channel playing through. A tune started blaring, making Magnolia jump. Archer laughed, his eyes brightening.

"It's music." Hudson smiled, high fiving Slate. It was an image that Dakota never thought he'd see. Phoenix nodded, tapping his foot to the rhythm. River ran up and wrapped her arms around Slate so fast, she was just a blur.

Slate was taken by surprise, catching himself before he fell backwards. He wrapped his free arm around her back, "Woah, there. You could've just said you wanted me, you don't need to use the radio as an excuse to embrace me, beautiful."

She backed away, rolling her eyes, "No, Slate. I'm just happy to hear music again. The last time I heard a song was when-" Her voice trailed off into a murmur.

Brylee slightly smiled before shrugging, "We have to keep moving." Slate tucked the radio into his backpack, agreeing with Brylee.



The sun was half gone, no clouds in sight. All they saw was trees, and more trees. Magnolia felt like they had been walking for days. Her legs were limp, her eyes heavy. Sweat trickled from her brow, down her face and neck. She rubbed her eyes viciously, trying to stay awake.

"You okay?" Archer grabbed her hand, concerned. She nodded, lying. Archer detected the lie, turning and announcing to everyone they needed to stop. Everyone murmured to themselves, silently agreeing they were all tired. Magnolia collapsed against a tree and leaned her head on Archer's shoulder, immediately falling asleep.


Evan Lexort laid on the new, polished bed. It had long black posts holding it up, the sheets silky and gray. The teenage boy's face was pale, his eyes weary and wet with tears. His long dirty blonde hair was a ruffled mess. He was shaking under the covers, repeatedly saying he was cold.

The King was in the other room, yelling at one of the Healers that was paid to save Evan. Magnolia slowly approached the side of the bed, reaching for Evan's hand. It was white and freezing, but it clenched down on hers.

"Maggie," Evan attempted a smile, "I love you."

"You know I love you too." She smiled weakly, her eyes watering up with sorrowful tears.

Evan shook, breathing out an unsteady gasp of air, "I'm so sorry, I wish I didn't have to leave you."

"I don't want to say goodbye." Magnolia's tears streamed down her face, her bottom lip quivering.

"You don't have to. Just promise me something." Evan looked at her with love, the memories of the past coming over him like a weight on his shoulders. Magnolia nods, unable to speak in between her sobs.

He continued, "Do whatever it takes for you to survive. No matter what."

Evan closed his eyes, and Magnolia wondered if he was just messing with her, like they used to do when they were kids. But when his chest stopped moving, she presses her hand up to his heart and sensed no heartbeat.

"No! Wake up! Evan!" She shook him, her long hair falling into his expressionless face. The tears flooded over his bedding, her head resting on his chest. She shook with loss, not ready to accept it.

"I can't do this without you. I can't." She whimpered.

The King came storming into the room, the door hitting the wall with a loud bang. Magnolia sprung up to stand, the tears not stopping for a second.

"Father, I-"

"What did you do?" He shouted, causing her to jump. His voice was low and coarse, scaring her. He approached her, and for a second of hope Magnolia thought he might embrace her but instead his hands forced her shoulders back, letting her fall to the ground with a surprised yelp. He reached down and slapped her across the face, "LEAVE!"

Magnolia cried louder as she weakly stood up, clenching the side of her face, and running out of the room.



Magnolia woke herself up by screaming long and hard, her arms flailing around. Tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably, her breath so shaky.

"Maggie! Maggie! You're safe. You're okay." Archer's arms reached around her, pulling her into the curve of his body. She rested her head on his chest and sobs, reality breaking in.

"He's gone." She repeated in between shaky breaths.

Archer knew not to ask, and so he just ran a hand through her long wavy hair, "Shh, shh, it's okay."

"My Father-" She gasped.

"No one is going to lay a hand on you, I promise. I'm here, Maggie. You're safe." Archer didn't know what she's talking about, he could only guess. His arms held her tightly towards himself, kissing the top of her head as she let the tears fall into his shirt.

"Don't let go." Magnolia whispered.

"Never."