"Think this through, Cali."

Maxwell and Brendan have been trying to talk me out of going for the past ten minutes. I pace around my bedroom, trying to decide what to do next. I need a plan when I step foot on home soil. It won't be long until everyone knows I'm back. I would be surprised if they don't know immediately. There is the kind of majyk that keeps the land in tune with the king and queen. When my feet touch the ground, the royal bloodline will know.

Jemma is once again sitting on my bed, watching my progress across the room quietly. William is standing right inside the doorway, that infuriating smirk back on his face. Maxwell is the one who's trying to plead with me now.

"You don't know what you're walking into. If Cornelius went back, it could be a trap."

"It probably is.” I turn on Maxwell, taking a step in his direction. I've noticed the change in the way they all look at me. While they knew who I was before, they didn't know the extent of my powers. No one knew but my papa. William still doesn't, not really. I'm sure he'll find out soon enough. I'm sure he's noticed the irrefutable respect and almost fear radiating off my companions any time I speak. I'm not positive how much Brendan told Maxwell, but I can see the way the other boy has been watching me.

"But I don't have a choice,” I continue, firmly. "I can't sit around and try to figure out prophecies and wait for the other shoe to drop. I have to fight. I will go back to Skazka, I will find Cornelius, if he's there, and I will take him out. If he's not there? Well, I'm sure there are other lovely creatures of Shadowlands who will love to meet the end of my sword."

The people—my friends—grow quiet around me. There is tension in the air, the feel of a swinging pendulum coming closer and closer to its target.

"Cali, you're a bit scary,” Jemma calls from her position next to Maxwell, breaking the silence.

"Good!" I say and watch as she flinches a bit at my tone. "Look, this isn't up for discussion. I gave an order, which my people are obligated to follow."

"Doesn't mean we, as the people who care about you, don't worry."

"I'm sorry. But this is who I am. I have to own up to it before everything and everyone I love pays the price." My best friend watches me for a moment before getting off the bed and coming to stand in front of me.

"Then," she says, placing her hands on my shoulders, "you do what you must. And we all will stand behind you."

"Thank you,” is all I can manage to say, as she folds me into a hug.

This is exactly what I needed, why I went through all of this. Why I tested myself in the way I did. No matter how much one can tell oneself that they are good, only their actions will define them. Maybe I'm not such a hopeless case after all.

"Now, what do we need?" Jemma asks, pulling back.

"You're not coming with me."

"Yes, I am. Don't you think I'm safer wherever you are?"

I thought so before, but I'm not so sure now. I can't really take her back to campus, where they'll find her. And I can't leave her here alone. I hate that taking her with me seems to be the only option.

I guess they're all coming with me then. I wouldn't mind ditching William, though. I've forgotten how his egomaniacal attitude drives me up the wall.

"Okay, make sure you guys have everything you need. I'm not sure if we'll be going straight to the castle."

I notice William open his mouth to protest, but one look from me silences whatever he's about to say. Maxwell leads William out, throwing a smile my way. Jemma gives me a pointed look, and then she's gone as well. That leaves Brendan and me standing awkwardly across from each other.

There's so much I want to say to him, so much I can't. I know that this will probably be the last time we can talk freely, but I can't find the words to express how I'm feeling. So I do the only thing I can, I talk strategy.

"I know bringing Jemma and William is probably not the best idea, but I appreciate your support on this. Especially when it comes to Jemma." He nods, his eyes drinking me in like a thirsty man drinks water. I pace across the room, trying to work through some of my nervous energy.

“Cal—"

"I also think it would be good to come in on the outskirts of Skazka, if possible. It will give us a bit of an advantage, I hope. Maybe if we're far enough away, we'll have at least a few minutes before Her Majesty realizes I'm back. I don't know. I'm sure he'll want to get back to the courts right away, but we have to find Cornelius as soon as we can."

“Cali—"

"I hope we can get Jemma to safety. I really can't imagine her being in danger again."

"Calista!" He grabs me by the shoulders, his hands burning their imprint on my skin. I know his heart is beating as fast as mine as he pulls me closer to him. There is desire in his gaze that matches my own. It flares up with an intensity that almost brings me to my knees. I want nothing but to pull him into me. He takes another step forward, but my hands are on his chest, keeping him back.

"We can't, Brendan. Our birthright may be our destiny, but it is also our curse."

There are tears in my eyes instantly, and this time they have nothing to do with physical pain. My heart is breaking just by looking at Brendan's face and all the promises he wants to make. There are tears in his eyes. We stare at each other, committing each feature to memory. I drink him in. His eyes. His skin. His smile.

"You will be the greatest Grand Duchess the Skazka has ever known,” he whispers, keeping me locked in his gaze.

His voice pierces my soul, springing buds of joy, hope, and determination. He doesn't know who I am, but I will hold on to his trust in me. If nothing else, I will do my best to never let him down as a ruler. That is one promise that I can make—that I will make.

He pulls me to his chest, wrapping his arms securely around me. This is all we can allow ourselves, a mere glimpse of happiness we may carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives. He steps back after a moment, leaving me in the center of the room. I watch him walk away, a part of me crying out for his touch while the other part is shutting away those pieces of my heart into a solid steel prison.

The time for feelings has gone. I have a duty, and I will carry out that duty with no reservations. William will fall in line as my husband and I will ascend to the position of the Grand Duchess when that time comes. My plan will come to pass, regardless of the choices others make. My reign will be the greatest in the lands. That much I can promise myself.

The darkness burns hotter, fighting for dominance inside of me, but I won't let it win. Not yet. I hold onto Brendan and what I feel for him, feeling the evil flame diminish. It will never be extinguished, but as long as I can keep it under control, I will be triumphant.

The pieces of my life will always be at war. I had the life of a human and that will always play part in who I am. Yet, I believe with all of my heart, it will make me a great advisor. The darkness inside will always look for a way out. But there is also the part of me who was raised by my papa, who grew up as the volshebnitsya, who knows how to love.

All of these make up who I am.

In the end, it's up to me to decide which part wins.

However, right now, I have a plan to put in motion. With new determination, I leave the room.

* * *

The moment my feet hit the ground in Skazka, a feeling of home washes over me.

It's like breathing in fresh air after being underground for weeks. I close my eyes for a second, letting Skazka sing its song into my soul once again. I'm not sure if I even have a soul, since my heart is hidden on an island no one can find, but it feels like I do. I stand back, letting the others pass, as I study my surroundings.

Nothing is like when I left it. The land is barren. It's weak. It's dying. The trees are falling apart, the grass is a sickly color in some places, gone altogether in others. I don't hear the happy buzz of the leaves dancing in the wind. I can't decipher the sound of the songs the fairies used to sing over the cry of the trampled ground. I want to scream at Brendan and Maxwell for not telling me, but by the look on their faces I can see how much they didn't know. How much it pains them to see their home this desolate.

This doesn’t look like the place Maxwell chose for our entrance, and I glance around puzzled. I take a step forward, but before I can decide what to do, we're surrounded.

"Welcome home, Calista."

Corneliuses voice comes from somewhere to my left and I'm reaching for my sword, except I can't move my hands. He shouldn't be able to wield this much power, not enough to keep me caged, at least. There's more to it than I know and it becomes evident as I try to move my arms.

"Ah, I see you've brought friends. How lovely." He takes a step toward Maxwell and Jemma, his gaze fastened on my best friend. I know what he's thinking as if he's spoken his words out loud.

"Don't you dare."

"Oh, I dare, Duchess." He flicks his hand and two of his minions are dragging Jemma away. She screams, and it's a sound that will haunt me until the day I die. I watch, helpless, as they disappear into the veil, the forest suddenly deadly quiet around us.

I turn my attention back to the monster in front of me, anger burning within every part of me.

"I will kill you. I will peel the skin off your bones and I will set you on fire."

He starts to laugh, comfortable with the fact that I can do no such thing at the moment. But he doesn't laugh long. My power breaks through whatever spell he has on me, my right hand on my knife before anyone can even blink. It imbeds itself in Corneliuses right shoulder and the sound of his howling is a sweet lullaby to my ears.

He backs away quickly, a wall of his minions forming between us in a flash.

"You will bring the Knowledge to Shadowlands, or your friend dies."

With that, he's gone.

The spell breaks completely and I take off to where the creatures have disappeared. It is William who stops me.

"It would be unwise to follow them."

"Get out of my way,” I growl, my hand on my sword. He doesn't move. I feel Brendan and Maxwell move behind me, but I don't turn my attention away from the one in front of me.

"You cannot take the Relic into the Shadowlands. It is unfortunate about Miss Kelly, but she is only a human. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of few. Is that not a popular saying in the Human Realm?"

"You piece of majyk waste! Jemma is the bravest most amazing person I know. You are privileged to even have been in her presence." I launch myself at him, but Brendan's hands wrap around my middle before I can connect with William’s neck.

"Cal, we'll get her back. We'll get her back."

I want to believe him, more than anything I want to believe him. I feel the weight of both worlds on my shoulders and I let myself lean back into Brendan's strong arms. If only for a moment.

My homeland is being poisoned. The human world that I called home for a year is being plagued by the same monsters who want to destroy this land. My best friend was taken captive.

I step out of Brendan's arms and turn to look at the two men behind me. I'm not alone in this, and I'm not helpless.

The fire of my power rises up, fueling my resolve. They want the Relic in Shadowlands? Fine, they'll get the Relic in Shadowlands. And I will burn anyone who stands in my way.

The smile that rises on my lips is a promise I intend to keep.

It's time to show them exactly what I'm made of, once and for all.