-Katherine- I didn’t really want to leave Darius I realized as he kissed me and walked away to meet his brother. He was comforting, especially now with the whole new life thing, and me being trapped in a world where things seemed to have been turned around. I knew only small things had been altered. Or maybe it wasn’t small. My marriage to Acan was one of the greatest events there had ever been because such big families were joined together. Another memory sprung forward, and I saw how big Darius’s and my wedding was as well. I couldn’t quite remember yet why it was I had ended up with Darius. I was a princess. Shouldn’t I have been given to the king? Or future king at least? I thought it over as I went to join Silver and the others in one of the big common rooms used for the queen and her ladies. They were lying around, laughing, floating plates of goods around them. They had pillows and blankets everywhere, books and clothes placed around the room, and small birds were sitting by th

-Darius-My brother didn’t appreciate my words, and I understood, but he needed to see that it wasn’t going to end well if he thought going after the Dark Ones was a good idea. At least not if he thought of striking them in their own territory. It would only end up with him getting killed."But you spoke with me once about how you might get even stronger if you fought on their land," he reminded me, as if I could remember that conversation."Me, I would get stronger. Not the rest.""But it might be enough?""Am I going single man?" I asked, thinking that was an even worse idea."No, you wouldn't, but you could guide the rest of us through it all.""Brother, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Listen to me. They are too powerful on that side," I explained.He sighed, leaning back and seeming disappointed. Was my brother a man who liked wars? Who liked to be known for something "great", which was really just bloody? I couldn’t believe it, and I didn’t believe our father had raised him to be

-Katherine- I was very interested in knowing how Acan was different. Maybe it would give me some answers, and I really wanted answers. I wanted to know what I had been so blind to for years, and it seemed like Darius had now learned some things about his brother. It made me very intrigued. “Different how?” I asked. “He seems… hungry for powers.” “What? Acan?” I asked, still finding it hard to believe that he could ever be hungry for power, but then I remembered how I died and then it didn’t seem so weird. “Yeah, I was surprised by it too, and he told me about his love for Silver and hers for him since they were young.” “I’m sorry?” I asked, even more shocked by this. I knew they were close, but this sounded so new. Since they were young? How young? When? Why? How had I never noticed any attraction between them? Friendship? Yes. They communicated well, but I began piecing things together as Darius spoke. I moved away from him a little and I felt his eyes on me, as I began thinkin

-Darius- My brother and I were working alone in his study. I was surprised by the new responsibilities as his most trusted advisor I now had. He hadn’t let go of the idea of finding a way to take down the Dark Ones, though. I didn’t like it though. Acan seemed almost obsessed with taking them down. He had never been like this before, but this Acan wanted to prove himself. He wanted to be remembered for something, and it was not that I didn’t understand why. Many kings wanted to be remembered throughout history, but this seemed so out of character of him that I needed some time to process it. Who was my brother? It seemed like we were still close? What did that mean? Was I now hungry for more power as well? Had I become out of character too? “So, how is Katherine today?” Acan asked. “Still finding it hard to eat.” “Just keep an eye on her. Silver was the same.” It felt like it was much the same, me and my brother, caring about each other, him giving me advice since he was older. He

-Katherine- I watched Darius leave the water. It dripped from his hard body, only making him look even more amazing. An idea popped into my head, but I was unsure where it came from. Again, it was hard to say which part was me and which part was the me who had lived this incredible, happy life with Darius. Somehow, he gave me all I had ever desired. True love. It might seem like little to some. Didn’t I want more? I was a princess after all, but I knew I was always destined to marry someone I hardly knew, so of course, love became my goal. Now, according to my new memories, I did have someone who gave me love. Darius gave me it. I left the water right after him. He had grabbed a towel as he walked towards the bed, but I met him there, grabbing his arm and turning him around. He looked puzzled at me, but I was unsure what came over me. I pulled the towel away, pressing him back on the bed, then lowered myself, getting on my knees and in between his legs. "Katherine…" he whispered, mak