-Darius- I was meeting with my brother again. He had laid out an entire map of where the Dark Ones were hiding. It was a darker side of Adorna, where the sun never seemed to be able to light it up. They enjoyed that darkness and thrived in it, but striking them there would be a fatal mistake, it would only ensure that we would lose the battle. If I was going to be the one fighting them, then I was going to be the one who decided how this was going to happen. "It won’t work," I told my brother. "Of course it will. Strike them hard and fast." "Look at this, Acan," I said, sweeping my hand over the dark side of Adoran. "Does this look like a small landscape to you? Or a dark place that stretches for miles. We do not know where they are hiding. We do not know what tricks they might have up their sleeve. Remember who it is you’re sending out there." I looked at my brother pleadingly, and he seemed to back off a little, leaning back and looking at the whole attack from a new perspectiv

-Katherine- I looked at myself in the mirror, smoothing down the dark, silver dress. I wore Darius and my colors. My red hair was up and braided, and I saw the onyx ring glistening in the lights from the candles. I looked down, turning it a little back and forth. It was so subtle, but I loved it. It was simple, yet it carried such big promises of eternal love. I thought I had eternal love with Acan. I thought the ring he was coming to be was going to be a strong foundation for us, but it wasn’t. We weren’t happy. I thought we were, but it was a lie. This ring on my finger wasn’t a lie. It was true, and I feared this time I was the one not appreciating the meaning of it. I didn’t want to scare Darius or let him down, but I knew we could never be together in a peaceful life with Acan and Silver out there. They were linked to us in a dark and dangerous way that we had to cut. We had to free ourselves so we would never get hurt by them again. I knew it wasn’t as simple as walking away. I

-Katherine- I looked at Darius, confused, as he spoke of being afraid for me. I didn’t understand what that meant. He smiled at me a little, then reached out, bringing me closer to him. His warm hand rested on my hip, and I looked up into his dark eyes. He smiled at me, and it made my heart pick up the pace. He continued to gaze at me, not really speaking, and it confused me. "Are you okay?" "I am afraid to never hold you again," he whispered before moving his hand from my hip to my cheek. "I fear I will never touch you again. Never get to love you." "Darius… I’m still here," I told him. "I know you’re clever. I know you’re strong. But we have no idea what’s going to happen. The Dark Ones are powerful and tricky. They are just as clever despite their hunger for power. I don’t know if I will be coming back, and what then? Your plan relies on me as well, does it not?" I sighed, nodding a little. I couldn’t replace Acan, it had to be Darius, and it only showed me how patient I truly

-Katherine- I skipped breakfast, lying in bed most of the morning, but I knew I couldn’t hide. I knew I couldn’t let people see how much it crushed me that Darius was gone and would not return to me. I had to seem strong. I had to prove this wouldn’t crush me. I would show them all the true power inside me, and they would know I was not one to mess with. I was someone to be feared because I was coming for those who had used me as a stepping stone. I was coming for those who were part of killing me. They should be afraid, because taking Darius from me had only made me angrier, and I felt something dark and powerful swirl inside me. I would show them no mercy. I would show them what a true queen could do. I jumped out of bed, summoning some servants, then got ready and left my room. I walked to where Silver and the rest were relaxing, chatting, and enjoying their time. I had to be smart after all, and that meant getting close to Silver while working behind her and Acan’s back. She woul

-Katherine- The next day, I went to town on my own. I went early, so no one would find it weird that I could not be found at the castle. I had brought even more supplies with me this time, and I was going to the hospital in the city. I had asked the physician what they might use. He was a kindhearted healer, so he would gladly help me find the right herbs and potions to take with me. They received me with much gratitude and smiles as I delivered the necessities to them, making it clear who was providing them, which was the prince and princess, not the king and queen. I wanted everyone to know what their true royals were doing for them, not the ones exploiting them and making them go hungry. No, they would know who cared, and that was Darius and me. I walked around the sick ones as well. I knew I had to be careful. Without powers, I could get infected quite easily as well. Witches got sick too, but the people at the infirmary were mostly humans. People without powers, and it wasn’t alw