RoseWe moved slowly as we made our way back home. The king was not the strong man he was ten years ago, and Abigail’s stomach was becoming more cumbersome. The way back seemed far more treacherous, as well, with dangers real and imagined around every corner. Every day, we fought off something: a bear, wolves, a pack of kobolds. It seemed as though something had awoken in the forest and whatever it was wanted us dead, in the worst possible way. We were constantly on edge and none of us had had a proper sleep since we left the Sea.I watched as my sister grew somehow both bigger and smaller. As the babies grew within her, she herself seemed to become less. She still hadn’t spoken a word since we left the Black Keep, though she had become more communicative through other means, and would allow others to touch her again. Despite these improvements, her sadness was killing us both.“Stupid question, I know,” Cat said one evening as she sat down next to me, “but are you okay?” I had walk

Grayson“You have to be joking,” I said to my father. “Do you honestly think I would allow you to kill my unborn children? Or help you with whatever you are planning, for that matter?”“So you choose to let her die?” My father almost seemed… pleased?“No. She will not die. I will be there with her when she gives birth. She will not die.” I felt myself becoming increasingly angry. How could he even suggest that?“And how do you plan to get to her without my help?” he sneered. “Just like I’ve done everything else - on my own. Now leave.”“You do not command me, boy!”“You do not have power over me!” I lost my temper and shot a bolt of magic, causing my father to disappear again. Good. At least I knew how to get rid of him.I sat down and started to cry. The truth was I had no idea how I would get back to Abby. I missed her so damn much, it was physically painful. To hear that she was hurting, that she was dying, was too much. I sat there for what felt like a long time before I heard a

Grayson I held Abby tightly until she faded from my arms. I was alone again, and more lost than ever. I wasn’t sure if Abby’s idea would work – if I could even get there. Apparently, I wasn’t done receiving visitors for the night. A few minutes after Abby faded away, I heard another voice – one I hadn’t heard in almost five years. “Hello, little brother.”I whipped around and almost fainted myself when I saw the owner of the voice. “Duey?!” My brother stood in front of me, still 16 years old, looking exactly as he had the day he died. “What… how? You’re not…?”“I’m not stuck here, no,” he said. “I’ve found peace in the bosom of the Mother.” He embraced me. “She has seen you are in need of assistance, and who better to send than your big brother?”I was crying again. “Duey, I’m so sorry. I failed you. Father killed you because of me. All this is my fault.”Dupont looked at me sternly. “My death was not your fault. It wasn’t your hands around my neck. It wasn’t you that looked me in

Catherine That afternoon had truly been a wealth of information – I could see why Abby got overwhelmed. It was good to see Rose and Abby laugh again, though. These babies will be a blessing – they’re already healing their family.A few evenings later, Rose and I took a walk down to the riverbank. I held her hand as we walked, our fingers laced together. She kissed me when we got to the water’s edge, and I responded by sliding my hand up her shirt. She let out a small moan and deepened the kiss.“Should we get a bath?” I whispered. “Yes,” she responded breathlessly. I openly admired her as she got undressed. She saw me watching her and blushed. “Don’t be shy,” I said, reaching my hand out to take hers. “You’re beautiful.”She managed to get even redder and looked away before responding, “So are you.”I picked her up and carried her into the water as she squealed at how cold it was. She clung to me to stay warm, and I was in no hurry to let her go. I ran my hands over her bare skin

Grayson “Who is Kasdeyah?” I asked, afraid of the answer. “Well, not to be obvious, but she is the Queen of Hell,” Duey replied. “She’s also the source of all Darkness and Dark magic. And our father has bound himself to her, in hopes of becoming her king.”“What the hell?!” I shouted at the end of my rope. Was there an end to the terrible things I was learning about my father? “What is he thinking?”“Power, Gray,” my brother answered. “It’s all he’s ever wanted. He planned on killing everyone and taking Alderei after your wedding to Catherine.”I put my head in my hands. “No,” I whispered. “I’m sorry, Gray,” Duey put a hand on my shoulder. “Our father is not a good man.”We walked for a long time together, just talking. I told him about losing Abby after his death and then finding her again, almost being forced to marry Catherine, and how our father had been treating our mother and myself. “He’s moved on to beating mother now and not just berating her?” he spat. “Grayson, I hope y