The midday sun cast dappled shadows on the ground as Mira, Zephyr, and Olivia stood at the edge of Verhmina, waiting to send off the Avalorian royal family. 

The scent of fresh earth and lingering morning dew filled the air, but the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by the distant whinny of approaching horses from the capital. 

Yet, the true spectacle was not the imminent arrival of the carriage, but the two young girls clinging to each other as if their very lives depended on it.

“Do we really have to go, Dad?” Elysia whined, puffing out her cheeks as she glanced back at Aurelius with wide, pleading eyes.

Aurelius merely raised a brow, his expression unyielding. Evelina chuckled softly beside him, already anticipating her husband’s response.

“My dear, I know what you’re trying to do, and my answer is no,” Aurelius said with unwavering resolve. “Things have become much too dangerous to stay here, and as your father, I will not allow you to put yourself in harm’s way.”

Elysia pouted, her lips parting as if to argue, but at the last second, she clamped them shut. With a resigned sigh, she pulled away from Olivia and wrapped her arms around Aurelius instead.

“He’s right, Elysia,” Mira said softly, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “Honestly, I shouldn’t have allowed you all to stay during this… uncertain time.” Her gaze flickered to Olivia, who clutched at her dress. “But I couldn’t deny Olivia the chance to spend time with her best friend in the whole wide world.”

At those words, Olivia’s eyes sparkled, locking onto Mira with a look of utter adoration.

“Oh, Mom!” she cried out, darting forward to throw her arms around Mira.

Mira let out a quiet chuckle, patting Olivia’s head as warmth filled her chest.

“You see, my dear?” Aurelius said, casting his daughter a knowing glance. “We must return home quickly so as not to inconvenience Queen Mira any further.”

As if on cue, the sound of a carriage stopping just outside the village’s protective maze echoed through the clearing. While Aurelius and Cedric busied themselves with carrying their luggage through the barrier, Evelina and Elysia lingered behind.

“Do come visit us when things have settled down, won’t you?” Evelina said, taking Mira’s hands in her own with that signature graceful smile.

Mira hesitated. She didn’t want to make a promise she wasn’t certain she could keep. Instead, she simply returned the queen’s smile.

“Auntie Mira?” Elysia’s hesitant voice cut through the air.

“Yes, Elysia?” Mira asked, her gaze shifting downward as Evelina stepped aside.

Elysia hesitated, her hands twisting the fabric of her dress. “If it’s dangerous to be here, like Dad said… do you think—” Her words faltered, and she glanced between Mira and Olivia.

Mira exhaled softly, already piecing together the unspoken request. “You want Olivia to stay with you, am I right?”

Elysia gasped, her head bobbing up and down. “I knew you’d get me, Auntie Mira! So?! Can she?! Can she?!”

“Elysia! Please behave yourself, dear,” Evelina chastised, though a smile played at the edges of her lips.

“Yes, Mother…” Elysia muttered, deflating slightly.

Mira turned her gaze to Zephyr, who was already watching her.

“She would be happier there,” he murmured, his expression unreadable. “But her safety is another matter entirely.”

“I can protect myself just fine, you know. You two worry too much,” Olivia interjected, crossing her arms defiantly.

Mira chuckled, kneeling so she was at eye level with Olivia. “Of course we do. We love you and care about your well-being. I don’t ever want to put you in danger.”

Olivia’s tough demeanor faltered, and without a word, she threw her arms around Mira’s neck. Mira held her close, the warmth of her embrace grounding her.

“I love you both too,” Olivia murmured, reaching a hand toward Zephyr, motioning for him to join in.

Zephyr cracked a small smile and merely patted her head.

“Wha—? That’s no way to join in on a group hug, Dad!” Olivia huffed, swatting his hand away playfully. The group laughed, the tension easing—if only for a moment.

Mira stood just as Aurelius and Cedric returned. Zephyr glanced at her expectantly. “Have you decided, love?”

Mira exhaled softly through her nose before turning to Olivia. “You can go—”

Elysia squealed in delight before Mira could finish.

“Elysia!” Aurelius barked, making his daughter freeze, hands clamped over her mouth. She offered Mira an apologetic glance.

Mira smiled and continued, making sure to emphasize the next words. “You can go. But, I can’t let you go alone. Your magic is still unstable, Olivia. No matter how much you think you can control it, it’s too risky in an enclosed space.”

Olivia’s shoulders slumped. She knew Mira was right. Her magic had grown stronger over the years, but it had also become increasingly unpredictable. She felt like something was wrong with it—something beyond just simply adolescence—but she had no clear cut answer.

Before she could respond, Mira gestured for a nearby fairy to fetch two individuals. Within moments, Topaz and Onyx arrived, their excitement evident.

“You summoned us, my Queen?” they said in unison, bowing their heads.

“Yes, thank you for coming. I have an important favor to ask—”

“YES!” they shouted eagerly, eyes gleaming.

Mira blinked. “Don’t you want to hear my request first?”

Onyx smirked. “It’s obvious. Seeing as the humans are leaving, and coupled with the fact that we all know how close Princess Olivia is with the human princess, she must want to stay with them while you and Zephyr journey to Balaydra, correct?”

Mira exhaled with a smile. “I suppose I didn’t need to explain. Please do your best to keep them safe.”

“We’ll return the princess home safe and sound upon your return,” Topaz assured her.

As the Avalorian royals bid their final farewells, Olivia remained rooted in place, her back to Mira and Zephyr.

“…on me,” she whispered.

Mira frowned. “What did you say?”

Without another word, Olivia suddenly bolted through the protective maze.

Mira reached an arm out to stop her, but before she could move, Zephyr stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.

“Zephyr?! What’s gotten into you?” Mira gasped.

His voice was barely above a whisper, his breath warm against her shoulder.

“She asked us not to die on her.”

Mira’s heart clenched at the broken sound of his voice.

“Well,” she murmured, forcing a small smile, “we definitely have to survive, then. If our little girl is so concerned for us…”

Zephyr sighed, his grip tightening. “Quite right, my love.”

He tilted her chin upward and captured her lips in a slow, lingering kiss—one filled with the unspoken promise that no matter what, they would return home alive.

To be continued…