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“Anya!”
“Aurora!”
“Where are you?”
Aurora thought she heard voices calling for their names.
“We are here!” Aurora yelled with all her strength, trying to be heard over the loud screams in the castle.
She heard a shout and saw Castian rush to her side. The twins and Cedric were right behind him. Somehow, they found the castle and found them.
“Anya!” Castian cried. Aurora moved aside for Castian, but Anya still hadn’t opened her eyes.
Castian embraced Anya in his arms. “No, no, no, no... Anya! You can’t die. I am sorry. I am so sorry.”
Anya didn’t answer. Castian checked her pulse and saw that it was faint.
“I am sorry for pushing you away, Anya. I am sorry for thinking that I had all the time in the world... Please... Please don’t die..”
Xander, Xavier, Cedric all looked pale.
After a few long minutes, Anya opened her eyes and said weakly: “Castian?”
“Anya..” Castian cried. He almost fainted with relief that Anya was still alive.
“Castian... You are here..”
“Yes, yes, I am here, Anya,” Castian said. “I will never leave you again!”
“You must go... Your life is in danger...” Anya said. “The witch...”
She tried to speak, but was fading with each word.
“The witch is gone, but we must get you to a healer,” Aurora said. Castian nodded and picked up Anya in his arms.
“We must go to my fairy godmother’s cottage,” Aurora said urgently.
“How will we get there in time?” Castian asked. “Even with our horses, it will take too long.”
“We will think about that later!” Xavier said. “First, we must get out of this castle, or we will all be buried alive!”
“We can’t leave the other people here,” Aurora said, looking around. “We must save them.”
“We don’t have enough time, Princess,” Cedric said.
“I can’t leave them to die! I will free as many as I can,” Aurora said.
“We will help you!” the twins said together, and Cedric nodded too. Castian still carried Anya in his arms. Aurora told him to get outside to safety and promised him they will come as soon as they can.
The Circle looked around for people who were too injured to move on their own. Most had fled the castle, but there were a few remaining behind. They started carrying them out of the castle. The ground kept shaking and all the walls were falling in now. A giant beam fell in front of them, blocking the way out.
“We are trapped now. We will never make it through!” Xander said.
The ground shook violently again, causing another giant beam to fall. They all instinctively covered themselves with their arms. The beam didn’t crush them, instead; they saw a bright light and a golden angel with golden wings appeared. She was holding the beam afloat inches above their heads.
“I will hold the beam. Everyone get out now!” the angel said.
Aurora looked closely at the golden figure and saw that it was no angel but Celestia, her fairy godmother. It was the first time Aurora had seen her fairy godmother in her full magical form. Celestia had a wand in her hand and a glowing gem in the centre. It was one of the two gems that had fallen from the witch’s orb and vanished into smoke. The other gem must have been from Luna’s wand.
The Circle made it out of the castle, but they weren’t out of danger. They met Castian, with Anya cradled in his arms, near the front steps. All the other people had also gathered there in a crowd, but they were too scared to move. Aurora soon saw why. There was a deep chasm below the castle’s steps.
“The lands around the castle are caving in,” Castian said. Anya was still unconscious.
“Celestia, we need to get Anya to Luna,” Aurora said, concerned. “The blast badly hurt her.”
Celestia nodded. She waved her wand, and a portal appeared.
“This goes to the enchanted forest,” She said to Castian. “Go to the cottage and find Luna! Go quickly.”
Castian nodded gratefully before disappearing into the portal, carrying Anya in his arms.
The portal closed as quickly as it appeared, and Aurora looked at Celestia with surprise.
“What about everyone else?”
“The forest is a sacred place, a refuge for magical creatures. We can’t take all the humans to the enchanted forest,” Celestia said. “We need to find another place for them.”
“Where else can they go?” Cedric asked. “Do we go to the townspeople?”
“That would create chaos,” Xavier said, shaking his head. “They might start attacking us before we can explain. It will frighten everyone.”
“Where else can we take so many people?” Xander asked.
The ground was shaking harder, and people were screaming again.
“They are my people and my responsibility. We will take them to my castle,” Aurora said. “Can you do that, Celestia?”
“Yes,” Celestia said, nodding. She opened another portal, and Aurora could see the tower of her castle through the opening.
“Go through the portal now,” Celestia told the frightened group, but none of them moved. They were staring at the golden fairy with awe.
Xavier looked at the crowd and said, “If you want to save your life, do what she says.” His deep voice reverberated loud and clear, even in the surrounding chaos.
Xavier didn’t wait for a reply or to see who else followed as he carried one of the injured humans on his shoulders. Xander and Cedric went through the portal next, carrying others that were injured. The people in the gathered crowd gained courage and quickly followed them, too.
Aurora stayed until all of them had gone through. She stepped through the portal just as the ground underneath her gave way. Malorna’s castle was destroyed. It was now buried deep underneath the ground, and the witch was nowhere to be found.
"Thank you, Princess, for saving us!" A frail elderly woman cried, grabbing Aurora's hand.
"Are you the daughter of the last Rivendale king?" asked another.
Aurora nodded her head and smiled. "Yes. I am her."
Celestia used her magic to get rid of the cursed thorns around the castle. Aurora, Xander, and Cedric helped the people settle into their new home. Xavier went to town to get food and supplies for the sick and injured.
“Is Malorna dead?” Aurora asked Celestia when they had a quiet moment.
“No. I don’t think so,” Celestia said, shaking her head. “You might have broken her staff, but she is still powerful.”
“But Hellgor took her to another realm,” Aurora said. “She might not return.”
“She had been there before and came back with an enslaved army of demons,” Celestia said. “I wouldn’t count her out. I have a feeling we will see her again.”
“What can we do?” Aurora asked. “Is there anything we can do to stop her?”
“There is nothing we can do but wait,” Celestia said. “No use worrying about it now. We will deal with it when it happens.”
“I have never seen you with wings. I thought you were an angel,” Aurora said, smiling.
“You should see Luna then,” Celestia said, smiling back. “We couldn’t use our magical forms because we were afraid Malorna will find you.”
She whispered sadly, “She found you, anyway.”
“What does Luna look like? Does she have all her magic back too?”
“Luna is a moon goddess incarnate, but she refuses to believe me,” Celestia said, smiling. “Yes, Luna has her full healing powers back, and just in time too...”
Aurora felt her heart stop. She forgot how to breathe. Celestia was talking about Devon.
“He was extremely lucky... a few more minutes and even her magic couldn’t have saved him.”
Aurora felt dizzy. It had been so close?
“Devon wanted to come with me, but I refused. He barely escaped death, and I didn’t want him risking his life again.”
“Thank you, Celestia,” Aurora said. “That was the right thing to do.”
“He was waiting for you when I left him,” Celestia said, looking closely at Aurora.
Aurora’s heart beat faster. She wanted to see Devon right at that moment, but it took a few more hours before she could leave. Cedric and the twins stayed back to look over the castle, and Aurora was grateful for their help.
Celestia opened another portal for them to the enchanted forest. Aurora and Celestia walked quietly to the cottage until they reached the front door. Aurora was getting restless, and her fairy godmother felt her nervous energy.
Before Aurora could say anything, Celestia said: “Go, see Devon. He is upstairs.”
Even if her heart and mind was set on seeing Devon, she didn’t want to be rude to the others. “What about Luna, Castian, and Anya?” Aurora asked.
“You can see them later,” Celestia said, smiling. “Just go, already.”
Aurora thanked her fairy godmother and rushed to the room where Devon was.
“Did you tell her?” Luna asked. She appeared beside Celestia in a silver glow, with silver wings fluttering gently on her back.
“I couldn’t do it,” Celestia replied.
“She will find out that Devon lied to her,” Luna said. “You could have warned her.”
“I sense a rift coming between them,” Celestia said. “It would have been no use.”
“The other prince already wound her heart. She might trust no one again,” Luna said.
“I know,” Celestia agreed. “There is nothing we can do. She will find out the truth. I hope he is the one to tell her first.”
“I heard Devon call Aurora’s name when he was on the brink of death,” Luna said. “His feelings for her are not a lie.”
“We cannot interfere in matters of the heart, Luna. Let Aurora figure it out for herself,” Celestia replied. “Though for both their sakes, I hope she comes to the right decision. I hope she trusts her feelings.”
“I hope so, too,” Luna said, sighing. “It is too bad... I like Devon. I didn’t like the other prince at all.”
———-
Aurora walked in the room and saw that Devon was awake. The color had returned to his face, and he looked much better than the last time she saw him.
“You are back!” Devon said, beaming.
Aurora’s heart fluttered seeing him smile.
“How are you, Devon?” Aurora asked.
“Absolutely miserable. I missed out on all the fun,” Devon replied.
Aurora smiled.
“But all my ordeal was worth it, seeing your beautiful smile,” he added.
“You really are shameless,” Aurora said. She couldn't help but smile again.
“What can I say? You bring out the best in me, Aurora,” Devon replied with a wink.
“If you are flirting again, that means you are back to normal?” Aurora asked.
“Yes, I am, even if Luna still insists on giving me buckets of healing potions,” Devon said. “She said it was close at one point, but I am stubborn. I couldn’t leave this world without seeing you again, Aurora.”
Aurora gave a sigh of relief. Devon was looking at Aurora’s changed appearance.
“That is new?” Devon said, looking at her crown.
Aurora nodded.
“What do I call you now, Aurora? Will it be my queen?”
Aurora laughed. “That isn’t necessary, Devon. I much rather you call me my name.”
“My queen has a nice ring to it. I will save it for after your coronation,” Devon said. “So, how does that crown feel on your head?”
“It feels a bit strange,” Aurora replied.
“Strange, how?”
“It presses heavy on my head, like a heavy boulder,” Aurora said.
“I wouldn’t have guessed that,” Devon said, surprised. “It looks delicate.. like diamonds and fairy dust?”
Aurora shrugged her shoulders. “I think the crown weighs heavy because of the responsibility that comes with it,” she said. “Luckily, you never have to deal with such a thing, Devon. Once we get your father healed, you can go back to being the beloved leader of the Circle. You can go back to mischief and mayhem, rather than constantly put your life in peril.”
“About that...” Devon said, running a hand through his hair. “There is something I wanted to tell you, Aurora...”
“Tell me later... I hear Celestia calling,” Aurora said. “I haven’t met Anya yet. I don’t know how she is.”
“But, Aurora..” Devon tried to stop Aurora, but she left in a hurry.
“If only that were true, Aurora,” Devon said, sighing. “I know too much about that feeling. It hangs over my head like a sword.”
Celestia told her about the room where Castian and Anya were. Aurora found them resting in each other’s arms. Anya was sleeping, most likely because of the healing potion.
Castian gave her a smile to let her know Anya was doing ok. Aurora was glad to see them both safe.
She went to see her fairy godmothers, who were both whispering to one another in the kitchen.
“Anya looks much better,” Aurora said. “Devon is doing well too.”
“All thanks to the healing hands of Luna,” Celestia said with pride. Luna blushed a little.
“Now, we need to get his father better, too,” Aurora said, remembering her promise to Devon. “What do you think is ailing him?”
Her fairy godmother paused before answering.
“We don’t know for sure, but we think his older brother poisoned Devon’s father,” Luna said. “The witch’s was most likely helping and using her magic to keep his father in the state he is in.”
“His brother? Why would his brother do such a terrible thing?” Aurora asked, shocked.
“To make sure he gets the kingdom,” her fairy godmother replied. “His father was thinking of giving it to Devon.”
“What kingdom?” Aurora asked. “What do you mean?”
“Devon did not tell you who he was?”
“What are you talking about?” Aurora looked puzzled. “He said he was a thief.”
Luna and Celestia looked to one another.
“He didn’t tell her, yet,” Luna said. “Should we tell her?”
“Tell me what?” Aurora asked.
“Devon is a liar perhaps, but hardly a thief,” Celestia replied.
“So Devon lied about who he was?”
“Your handsome thief is a prince,” Celestia said. “Prince Devon has been in exile for two years. His brother has put a reward for his capture.”
Aurora was stunned. She was quiet for a few moments.
“What is his charge?” Aurora asked, finally.
“Devon is wanted for treason,” Luna replied. “His charge is conspiring to kill the king, his father.”
Aurora let the words sink in. Devon was a prince? He had been in hiding for two years. He was wanted for treason for trying to kill his father, but Luna and Celestia suspected it was his brother who had poisoned the king. Malorna was helping his older brother by using her magic to keep the king incapacitated.
“We knew who Devon was as soon as we saw his sword,” Celestia said, apologetically. Luna nodded in agreement. "Castian and Anya told us about him, and we figured out the rest."
“Devon doesn’t know about his brother, does he?” Aurora asked.
"No. He probably blames his father’s condition on himself," Luna said. "It was his arrow that injured the king during a practice."
“He was set up,” Celestia replied. “Devon was his father’s favourite. He most likely would have inherited the kingdom when he turned eighteen. His brother made sure the king wasn’t able to do that.”
“What can Devon do?” Aurora asked.
“Now that we have our magic back, we can cure his father,” her fairy godmother said. “Devon needs to go back to his kingdom.”
“We might not get to the king at all. His brother would do everything to stop us,” Castian said. Castian left Anya to rest and came to see the others. He heard part of their conversation as he entered the kitchen. “Sorry I couldn’t tell you who we were, Princess Aurora.”
“Did you know about Devon’s brother’s involvement?” Aurora asked.
“Not at first. I thought the king’s injury was an unfortunate accident. Then, the king didn’t get better, and I thought it was odd. His prolonged illness seemed unnatural,” Castian said. “It makes sense now... David is the one who had the most to gain. He would have the motive."
"What do you think Devon should do?" Aurora asked.
"Devon needs to go back to Lionshelm. When he goes back, the Circle can return home.”
“So the Circle is on the run too?”
“The Circle chose to be in exile with Devon,” Castian said. “We will follow him wherever he goes.”
“Won’t Devon be arrested on sight and executed by his brother if he goes back?” Luna asked. “His brother has labelled Devon as a traitor.”
“Devon can go back and ask for the trial of kings,” Castian replied. “That is, if he claims his right to the trial when he turns eighteen. His brother cannot harm him at that point, despite the charges he put on him.”
Aurora was quiet.
“Devon didn’t tell me,” she said. “All this time, he didn’t tell me.”
“I tried to tell you, Aurora,” Devon said. “It seems like I lost my chance to do so.”
They all turned to see him. Devon was standing by the kitchen’s doorway. Aurora stiffened up while the others looked at him apologetically.
“I would like to talk with Devon alone, please,” Aurora said.
Devon grimly nodded his head. Luna, Celestia, and Castian quickly scrambled to get out of the kitchen. They didn’t want to be in the middle of the storm that was brewing between Aurora and Devon.
Castian clapped Devon’s back before stepping out of the room. Aurora waited until the others were out of earshot, while Devon looked at her quietly.
“You said that you were a thief,” Aurora said.
“I never said that,” Devon said. “You assumed that, and I didn’t correct it.”
“That is still lying,” Aurora said.
“Would you have trusted me if I told you I was a prince?” Devon asked.
Aurora paused. “I don’t know what I would have thought, but I would like to have known the truth."
“I am in exile, Aurora. I do not know when or even if I can go back to my kingdom,” he said. “I don’t feel like royalty, even if I am by birth. I have been living day to day since I am sixteen. Those were my reasons for not correcting you when you thought I was a petty criminal. None of it was to deceive you, Aurora.”
“I can’t trust you, knowing that you lied to me,” Aurora said. “I don’t feel like I know you at all, Devon. All that I know about you is what I snatched from visions and dreams.”
“You trusted me better when you thought I was a thief and not a prince,” Devon said.
“I trusted you better when I thought you were honest with me,” Aurora said.
“I told you the complete truth now,” Devon said.
“But you lied to me,” Aurora said. “I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.”
“That is not the real reason, Aurora,” Devon said, stepping closer. “Is it?”
“What else could it be?” Aurora asked angrily.
“You are afraid,” Devon said.
“What would I be afraid of?” Aurora asked, her voice trembling with anger.
“You are afraid of putting down your walls,” Devon said. “You are pushing me away, Aurora, because you are afraid of getting close to someone again.”
Aurora flushed. She felt the heat rise to her face.
“I promised to help you get your father better, Devon, and I will keep that promise,” Aurora said, her breath coming unevenly. “My fairy godmothers will help you.”
Devon caught the implication behind her words.
“And where will you be?” he asked.
Aurora’s heart pounded in her chest. She gripped the edge of the table for support.
“I will be busy with my duties as Queen of Rivendale.”
“When will I see you again, Aurora?”
“I don't know. There is a lot I have to do,” Aurora replied.
“Is that your wish, Aurora?” Devon asked in a low voice. “You don’t want to see me?”
Aurora avoided answering his questions. “We are done here, Devon. You can leave.”
Aurora expected Devon to protest, but he didn’t.
“You might get your wish, Aurora,” Devon said in a grim voice. “You won’t have to see me again.”
He bowed politely before leaving.
Aurora let go of the breath she was holding. She stood in the empty kitchen with tears streaming down her face.
He lied to you. You will be fine without him.
Then why was the thought of not seeing Devon hurting her so much?
Devon’s grim words haunted Aurora. Why did he say that? Aurora wondered.
Aurora understood his reason the next day. Everyone left the enchanted forest to go back to Aurora’s castle, including her fairy godmothers, Castian, and Anya.
The Circle gathered in a small group, as Devon had called them for a meeting. Xander, Xavier, Cedric, Anya, and Castian facing Devon in the centre. The Circle waiting with bated breath for him to speak. Aurora stood with Luna and Celestia, slightly apart from the group.
“I have decided. It is time I stopped hiding. It is time I faced my past. It is time I met my destiny,” Devon said. “We are going back home. We are going back to Lionshelm with Celestia and Luna, if you want to join me. I will claim what is my right. As soon as I turn eighteen, I will ask my brother for the trial of kings.”
The Circle cheered for Devon, but Aurora felt her heart sink.
So this is what Devon meant?
She will never see him again.