Journee woke with a gasp. Cold sweat ran down her back and the sides of her body. Where am I? The last thing she remembered was watching the past unfold with Ma’oz. “Hello?” She called out but the echo seemed to only return in her direction. It is as if I’m calling out to myself from the other end of this emptiness. “Is anyone there?” She tried again. This time, there were multiple versions of herself staring back at Journee. Nearest to her, was a mid-teens self. “Greetings, Journee. Isn’t this wonderful? You have pulled yourself out of depression. Good for you!” She smiled and faded away. On the right was 10-year-old Journee. “Did you ever meet our Dark Prince? Who is he?” Cheerful and filled with hope, her eyes shimmered with love. “Are you married to him yet?” In front, far-off in the distance, Journee could hardly make out who it was. She was dressed in white and gold. Hair teased into a low bun. She knew the situation might be dangerous. Keeping my distance would be the

Journee’s POVHow could I have forgotten the legal binding vow I made? We continue to walk in silence. Ma’oz can fly us to the portal within seconds, but I know he is giving me time to think.Guilt builds up within me like a rising mount of bile.I have never cared for Montgomery, not even when he went into a coma…I was preoccupied only with what would happen to me instead.“That is not how a righteous person behaves. You must care for everything thing, even the smallest ant.” I imagine my mother reprimanding me if she were still alive. “Disgraceful! Unrefined! Faithfulness and loyalty are the key principles of our family and you dishonoured them!” My paternal grandfather would surely voice his displeasure and potentially disown me.Even though I would never love Montgomery, I should never have had an affair with Ma’oz. What was I thinking?! My steps feel heavy as I ponder my sin.Ma’oz chuckles suddenly. Turning to face me, he places a soft kiss on my lips and lifts my chin to face