Aurora was scanning the grounds of the garden as Ithel approached. "Your Majesty," he said with a bow. "The guards and I have been looking for you everywhere. I am pleased that you are safe." He notice the Empress was staring past him. "Are you looking for something?""Prince Ithel," Aurora curtsied. "Forgive me. I was just looking for Princess Brinn and Devrim.""I saw my sister grab the man and pull him into those bushes. I think they mean so spy on us." Ithel pointed to a group of bushes a short way off. His voice was playful."Do not flatter yourself," Brinn called from the shrubs. We are berry picking." There was movement and both Devrim and Brinn emerged from the greenery. There were leaves sticking out of Brinn's bright red hair."Berry picking? That is the new term for spying, is it?" Ithel was clearly amused.Brinn had no response. She motioned for Devrim to follow, and she stormed off through the garden. "You and your sister do not seem t

"Ithel!" Brinn yelled in horror. She, Devrim, and Alvar had ridden up unnoticed just moments before. Even with the unicorns' silent hoof-falls, Ithel should have heard them coming, but he was too engrossed in persuading Aurora. The trio had watched as the Empress pleaded and prepared to defend herself. Now Alvar looked embarrassed, Brinn was still shocked, and Devrim was livid. The man had already reached for Alvar's sword to challenge the prince when Brinn had stopped his hand and cried out. Ithel had no idea how close he had come to tasting steel and not Aurora's lips. Brinn marched over and slapped her brother across the face. Surprised, Ithel released Aurora and brought his hand to his cheek. "How dare you!" Brinn shouted. "That poor girl is nothing but nice to you, and you repay her by assaulting her!" "I…" the prince was at a loss. No one spoke to him in such a manner. "I am sorry!" He said quickly. He searched for the dark-haired girl only to see that she had

"Nurlan! Junayd!" Aurora cried as she ran over to the soldiers to check their wounds. They had obviously been treated poorly. The men waved her off, keeping her at arm's length."We are ok, Your Majesty," Junayd said bravely."I have been in worse scrapes," Nurlan agreed. The cut over his left eye had caused it to be nearly swollen shut."Let them go!" Aurora demanded. There was a fire in her eyes that made the queen smirk."Now we are getting somewhere. I do not like resorting to coercion, but it is for the good of my kind..." Lanassa said without regret."Don't do anything she asks! We will die for you without a second thought." Nurlan said forcefully."You may be willing to die, but is she willing to let you when she can save you. That is something else I have noticed about humankind. Guilt makes you do illogical things." The tall elf was not condemning, merely stating a fact. And she was happy to use that fact to her advantage. "Have you

"It is about time!" Devrim exclaimed."Glad you have so much faith in me," Brinn giggled."What took you so long?" Devrim gave her an incredulous look."I was drugged by my parents, and I had to spring Ithel from his room where he was being held," Brinn defended herself."I suppose that's a valid excuse," the grey-eyed man conceded.Brinn grinned wide. "Oh, and I had to get these…" From behind her back, Brinn produced Devrim's pack, Aurora's satchel and the Guardian's cloak.Aurora nearly squealed with delight. "You wonderful elf! I may just dedicate a city in your honor!"Brinn smirked. "A thank you will suffice.""Thank you!" Devrim and Aurora said together."Who might this be?" Junayd asked."This is Brinn. Brinn, this is Junayd and Nurlan.""Sorry I did not bring anything for you boys. I was not sure who else was down here." The elf unlocked the cell quickly. The four humans tumbled out of the co

The chase was on. Brinn used her wind magic to push gusts of air against the humans' backs. In this way, the other elves would no longer be able to smell them, and the humans would have assistance as they ran. The push was strong enough that Aurora almost felt like she was flying. Every step took her farther than she could jump. It was almost too fast, and the Empress had a couple of near misses with trees. One low hanging branch nearly took her head."This is a neat trick!" She called when she was no longer terrified."Less talking, more running," Brinn urged as she moved alongside them. "We need to get through the wall before nighfall."The mad dash continued even after the sun slipped behind the barrier and the strange extended twilight began. Although the humans could not hear the clanging of the unicorns' bits, Brinn knew that their opponents were fanning out to trap them. She was not sure if she should worry the others. They were almost to the wall, and sh