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The fire crackled in the parlor casting light on the pale walls. Aero and Flora sat on the couches across from each other. It seemed empty with just the two of them. A book sat closed on the table before Rook’s usual seat.

“When do you think he’ll be back?” Aero asked as she set down her teacup.

“I’m not sure, tonight probably. I don’t think he usually spends the night there. He could be home any minute.”

“It has become dark,” Aero added looking to the hall as the maids lit the lanterns.

Flora swirled her tea with a spoon as she waited. She felt uncomfortable in the palace when Rook was gone. Her ring shone in the firelight.

Rook knocked on the doorframe waking them from their stares. They both stood when they noticed him.

“How was your trip?” Flora asked.

“Troubling,” Rook explained from the doorway, “I met with Tornado. He left it up to me to do what I thought was best.”

“What happened?” Aero questioned worriedly.

“He fears for you,” Rook told her, “he is no longer sure if he can protect you from where he is.”

“I don’t understand.” Aero clasped her fingers together twisting her fingers. “Is something going to happen?”

“He entered the room sitting by Flora. They sat watching him as he continued.
“We fear the Dark Lord will discover your identity. If he finds out you’re a princess, a Light princess, he may go after you.”

“So, what can we do?” Flora asked, “Is there something we can do to keep her safe?”

“Well, we discussed that,” Rook said looking down, “but I fear you will be against it.”

“What are you suggesting?” Aero asked hesitantly.

“We feel you will be safest in the Light Realm.”

“No!” Aero stood angrily, “How can you even ask that of me? I won’t go back there!”
She ran from the parlor and didn’t stop until she reached her room. The door slammed behind her as she lay face down on her bed.

“Why?” she asked hugging her pillow close, “Would Tornado really suggest that? After all that happened there? I couldn’t . . . how could I look at them?”



“She didn’t take that as well as I’d hoped,” Rook sighed.

“I-I think she’s a little stressed. She’ll calm down soon,” Flora told him a little shocked from Aero’s reaction.

“Do you think she’ll agree to go? She hates the Light Realm so much.”

“She’s stubborn, but I feel we can convince her to go,” Flora assured him, “Despite how much she acts angry I think she’s scared. She’s determined to hate them for what they did, but the people there were once her friends, her family.”

“As long as we can get her out of the reach of the Dark Lord, I’ll be happy,” Rook explained, “It doesn’t have to be right away, but the sooner the better. The Dark Lord has many ways of getting information. We never know when or how she can be exposed.”

“Let me go talk to her,” Flora offered standing, “You must be tired, go rest. I’ll worry about getting her to safety.”

“Thank you, Flora.”



Flora knocked on Aero’s door. “It’s Flora, are you feeling okay?”

“Come in,” Aero called from where she lay on the bed. She curled around her pillow as Flora entered.

“It wasn’t like you to yell like that,” Flora told her as she sat on the bed.

“I know. I feel awful for yelling at Rook.”

“What’s bothering you?”

“I just can’t go to the Light Realm,” Aero explained sitting up, “I’m . . . scared.”
“Scared?”

“I don’t know why, but every time I think of going back I get scared. I can’t remember anything about my home, my family, or my friends. I don’t know what to do. It feels like an unfamiliar place even though I once thought of it as home.”

“I’m sure the people would be nice to you. They were once your friends and family after all.”

“Then why do I feel so scared?”

“Are you sure it’s not nerves? It may feel scary because you’re nervous or anxious.”

“It feels different then that.”

“What if I go with you for a bit?”

“You have the Realm to take care of.”

“Rook can take care of it while I’m gone. He’s done it before.”

“Is there no other choice? Do I really have to go to the Light Realm? I could just go back to Lucidia. Such a small village would never be searched.”

“But what if it was? There’s no one who can protect you there. In the Light Realm you’re a princess. No one can touch you there.”

Aero sighed falling back on the pillow. “An what about Tornado? Hiding in the Light would separate us forever, wouldn’t it?”

“Tornado would find a way to get to you,” Flora reminded her confidently, “He loves you and would do anything to find you again. You know that.”

“I know. I just don’t want him to get hurt because of me. He’s not a little kid anymore. If he’s found with me he’ll be killed.”

“You’re not a little kid either. They have to listen to you.”

“Just let me think for a while.” Aero rolled over so she wasn’t facing Flora, “I’ll talk to you in the morning.”



Aero opened the door to the parlor where Rook and Flora sat waiting to be summoned for breakfast. She walked in standing before them.

“How long do I have?” she asked.

“How long?” Rook questioned.

“Until I have to leave for the Light Realm.”

“You decided to go?”

“I don’t have much choice,” her voice faltered a bit, “I’m just going to have to trust your choice. If Tornado thinks it’s best that I go, I’ll go.”

“Then, whenever you feel ready,” Rook told her standing, “I’ll send word to the Light Realm.”