Bastien places two fingers into his mouth and lets out a piercing whistle. I flinch at the sharp sound.

    I can't figure out what he's doing until the sound of wingbeats reaches me. No. There's no way.

    "Calla, Apollo, I'd like you to meet Rhys." Bastien grins, and a terrifying black dragon comes into view, dipping down to hover above us. My lungs constrict as it looks me straight in the eye. The creature huffs and looks away. Bastien clicks his tongue three times and the dragon — what did he call it? — drops to the ground. He grabs the leather straps dangling from its neck and bows, gesturing towards the beast. "After you, milady."

    I step up, and flick out my wings. Lifting myself off the ground, I fly towards the dragon and drop onto its back. It shifts, seeming as uncomfortable as I am about this arrangement. The men scramble up behind me, Apollo's legs pressing into mine. My breath catches and my stomach dips, the feelings intensifying when the dragon lifts off the ground. Although flying isn't new to me, being on the back of a dragon is, and it's not something I want to ever experience again.

    Bastien gives a command, the words filtering through my brain without processing. When my brain catches up, I whip around to face him. "Did you say Nullalata?"

    His lips tighten, and he gives a stiff nod. My mouth drops open. I've always dreamt of seeing Nullalata. It's said to be the bridge between worlds where the path to your heart's desire is found.

    "Your dragon knows the way?" I tilt my head in interest.

    Again, Bastien nods. "Rhys is many things, but he's not mine. He belongs to the High Queen. But yes, dragon's have a natural compass to Nullalata, which just so happens to lead to C.O.R.E."

    "Core? What do you mean?"

    "Ah, I forgot you're not quite ready to rule," Bastien sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, I'm only telling you because you would find out soon enough anyways, and because the only other option is to knock you out for an extended amount of time. C.O.R.E. is the Council's Organization of Reconnaissance and Equity. The members work to keep the peace between courts. Derek and I are only two of many many members from all over Faerie."

    I cock my head to the side. "So you're spies?"

    Derek laughs. "Not spies, Your Highness. Protectors of peace. There's a difference."

    "Right," I mutter. Protectors of peace. The Council's Organization of Reconnaissance and Equity. It's almost too much to process. Cold air hits me, and I lean back against Apollo. He wraps his arms around me, and I sigh a bit at the warmth. Not the butterflies.

    Glancing up, I see a swirling door filled with all the colors of the courts. Nullalata. It's real. Rhys dives right into the door, and for a moment I feel weightless and heavy at the same time. Noise and colors bombard me from all angles.

    "Open a door," Kingston spits. Another wave of pain rolls through my gut and I almost throw up all over his shoes. That wouldn't be too bad, except he'd probably hit me or something.

    "I- I can't," I grind out, again almost throwing up from the pain. He scowls down at me, crouching to my level.

    "And why is that, Princess?" He growls, grabbing my face forcefully.

    "The iron necklace you oh so lovingly chained me with is killing me. It makes it impossible for me to use any magic." Energy zaps out of me, and I close my eyes. Kingston releases my chin.

    "Now that's a problem isn't it. I can't take off the iron because then you could kill me, but if I leave it on, you can't get us out of Faerie."

    "Guess your brilliant plan is spoiled." I suppress a painfilled groan. Whatever he does, I'm going to pass out soon.

    A resonating slap fills the air and more pain blossoms in my cheek. "My plan isn't spoiled brat, it's just postponed." I hear him pace around the clearing I used to think of as ours. Now it's just one more tainted memory.

    "Calla? Are you alright?" Bastien asks, his hand cupping my face. I'm lying on the ground, people surrounding me in an unfamiliar place. We must have reached C.O.R.E. Headquarters.

    Shoving to my feet, I scowl. "Yes, I'm fine. Just got a little nauseous I guess." I brush my hands on my skirt, avoiding eye contact with Apollo. I'm sure he knows that was more than just nausea by now.

    They all nod, and Bastien grins, throwing out his arms in a dramatic sweep. "Welcome to C.O.R.E.!"

    I glance around the room, noticing the tall glass ceilings, each court's crest hanging around this opening room. Hallways lead away from the room in every direction. The whole look is more majestic than anything else I've ever seen.

    Bastien leads the way down one hallway, and I continue looking around, almost missing when he turns a corner. Eyes follow us wherever we go, probably because Apollo and I are outsiders. Finally, we reach a room filled with a long table and chairs. So many chairs. Only five are occupied. One for each of the courts, except Scle. They stand when they see us, and my eyes catch on my father. King Blackwell.

    "Calla? What's going on here, Bastien?" He growls.

    "Your Highness," Bastien says stoically, bowing. "There was a situation. Extraction was the only option. Things are progressing faster than we originally thought."

    "Do explain," High Queen Calypso murmurs.

    I step forward, holding my hand up. "Hold on, are we just going to ignore the fact that you all have been hiding from me this secret organization? I mean, come on, Adonis is here! When was I going to be brought in?"

    "I was going to tell you after your wedding, but then you rushed off on your goose hunt," Father spits. He was never fond of my relationship with Gaia. Always said she was a bad influence.

    "Why don't you have a seat, darling and we'll discuss things further," High Queen Calypso drawls.

    I stomp to a seat, throw it out, and drop into it. "There. Now, why is it a secret?"

    "It would hardly be reconnaissance if everyone knew about it." Queen Elsbeth of Rora chuckles, and the rest of the room hurries to as well.

    "Obviously, but why not let the royals at least know. Then I would've known who to go to when in trouble."

    "That's a good point, Princess, but ultimately secrecy is what we need. Can we trust you to be able to keep that?" I lock my jaw and nod. "Alright, then Bastien, carry on with your explanation."

    He steps forward, bowing again. "Queen Octavia is planning something, but I haven't been able to find out what it is. I would've stayed and finished my mission, but Princess Calla ran into some trouble that I believe to be connected with my mission."

    The High Queen nods. "What trouble would that be, Princess Calla?"

    "Three men broke into my room this morning, demanding that I come with them. I was able to subdue them enough to get away, with the help of Prince Apollo. I don't know what their purpose was or who sent them."

    High Queen Calypso nods, rubbing her chin in contemplation. "Yes, Bastien, I believe you are correct. Queen Octavia is planning something. I'll send someone new in to discover what it is. You and Derek know the drill. You are excused to file your reports and then return back to your home court."

    Bastien and Derek bow once more before leaving the room. I move to stand, but the High Queen waves me back into my seat.

    "I'm sure you have many more questions, Princess Calla. You are free to ask them."

    "Derek's not really a human, is he?"

    High Queen Calypso laughs. "No, of course not! He just uses a glamor to fit in with the servants."

     I nod, that makes sense. "And Nullalata? It doesn't lead to your heart's greatest desire, does it?"

    "I'm sorry to disappoint, but no. That's just a myth the humans created to disguise the order."

    "Alright, now what was Bastien investigating with Lord Kenmore?"

    High Queen Calypso's eyebrows raise in surprise. "That's confidential information, Princess."

    "So is the order, but here I am." I raise my hands and gesture to the room.

    "That's true, but this is different. Lives are at stake with Bastien's mission."

    I sigh. "What else can you tell me?"

    "Rescuing you has been our hardest mission yet," the High Queen reveals.

    "That was a mission?" I look around to everyone. They all nod, their faces serious. "The men that took care of Kingston were members of C.O.R.E?"

    "They were," Father whispers. "I tried to do it on my own, but it was too much. I brought in the help of the order, and what could have taken years took days. You were found and rescued before the week's end."

    It felt longer than a week for me. The days and nights blurred together until I couldn't remember what was what. I look around at the people who helped to save me from certain death. Their sacrifices to make sure I was not one. Tears prick at my eyes and I sniffle. "I think that's all I have for you."

"Return to Loam, your mother had been worried sick about you, darling," Father insists, and I stand, wiping my hands on my skirts. I turn to the door and make my way to Apollo. He takes my arm when I reach his side, and we step from the room out into the busy hallway. A willowy dryad meets us and leads us to the first room. Apollo swings his arm, opening a black door with spark-like flecks of red and orange flickering throughout it. He sets a hand on my back and we walk through it together.

Coming out the other side, I breathe in the smell of my home court. I'll never get tired of the woods and grass scent that is ever present here in Loam. I move to step forward, but Apollo stops me with a hand on my arm.

"I think it's time you tell me about Kingston."

I purse my lips, nodding. "Alright. You're right. It's time." I pause, taking a deep breath for courage. Apollo slides his hand down to my hand, giving it a quick squeeze. "I thought I was in love. With you. But when you didn't give me the time of day, I moved my attention elsewhere. Kingston was a human serving in the palace, who seemed to have endless compliments for me. I started spending more and more time with him, until finally the things I felt for him overpowered the ones I felt for you. One day, he told me to meet him at our place. I did, thinking he was going to tell me he loved me and that we were going to run away together. Instead he placed this necklace around my neck." I lift my Regalia, scowling down at it. "It was iron then, and nearly killed me. Somehow he got us to the human realm and kept me there. He was planning on killing me, but my father showed up before he could. When the door burst open that day, I was hoping with all my heart it was you. That you'd found me and were there to save me." I look up at him, tears filling my eyes. "But you weren't."

    Apollo pulls me into his arms, tucking my head beneath his chin. I cling to him like a child, releasing the ugly emotions boiling in me. He presses a kiss to the top of my head. "It's alright, love. Let it all out."

    "My necklace changed that day, turning into silver and I felt my first emotion. Anger. I've never been the same since." Apollo pulls back, looking me in the eyes.

    "I wish I could have been the one to save you. I wish I could go back and treat you the way you deserved." He punches the ground, his jaw set. "If only I hadn't been a stupid sixteen year old."

I duck my head, catching his eyes. "Hey, look at me. I don't blame you anymore." His eyes fill with tears, and he smiles softly. Dropping his forehead against mine, he sighs.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, love," he whispers. Leaning in, he kisses me fiercely. I cup his cheeks and return the kiss with just as much fire. He tugs me closer, pulling me into his lap. Pulling back, he rests his forehead against mine. We both breathe heavily for a moment before he murmurs, "I'll be with you no matter what happens. Forever."