I felt sick. I knew I needed to tell the group, or at the very least, Mateo. But, every time I considered maybe, just maybe telling him, the look on his face when he had seen me and Alek… No, I couldn't. I just couldn't.

As Alonso and I returned to the group, I nearly laughed out loud, despite the somber occasion. If there was ever any doubt that someone truly cared about the cause, it could be vanquished now. Addi was pacing, chewing her nails down to the bed. Naomi was fanning herself as she hyperventilated, walking around faster then I had ever seen her walk. Gabe was banging his head against a tree, muttering to himself with increasingly animated hand gestures. Mateo was attempting to gather a basket of coconuts as a coping mechanism of some sort, but was such a nervous wreck that the coconuts hung over us like raindrops waiting to fall. Even Melantha-seriously, what was up with that little creeper- had her head in between her knees, rocking in the sand. I probably should have been a little more concerned that no one was watching the one and a half year old girl, but we had much bigger fish to fry.

"Guys!" I called out once we were close enough to hear each other. It was like a drill sergeant blowing a whistle after break hour. Instantly, all five were lined up and waiting for my response.

"We have a verdict." I did my best to make my face look somber and heartbroken, which wasn't that hard considering the circumstances. The smug smile that lived on Alonso's face definitely helped my dramatic reveal. I took a deep breath. Everyone looked down at the ground, despair coating their expressions. "We... will have help from Prince Alonso!"

I forced myself to smile as they looked at me with expressions that were one part shock, one part joy, and one part anger. Mateo wrapped his arms around my shoulders and kissed my cheek gently. "I knew you could do it, mi querida amor," he breathed in my ear. I could feel my heart breaking. He was not making this easy for me. All I wanted to do was lean back into his arms.

But I couldn't. I had promised Alonso. I had to do this for the good of Avalor. I could feel the the tears burning the back of my eyes, just as I could feel Alonso's infuriated gaze, pure hatred aimed at Mateo and I.

I slid Mateo's arms off of me, and ducked away. I saw Alonso nod his approval at me from the corner of my eye. I wanted to throw up. I bowed my head, trying to spare myself the pain of seeing the look on Mateo's face. But I didn't duck late enough, and the look twisted my gut. It was a look ofhorror, betrayal, and pure, raw heartbreak.

This wasn't fair. Shuriki had broken Alek and I apart. Now Alonso was doing the same to Mateo and I. I just wanted to be me. Was that really too much to ask? Mateo put his hand on my shoulder, and opened his mouth to ask what was wrong. Again, I shook off the embrace.

"So, we need a plan," I said, determined not to let Mateo talk to me. I looked around at my comrades, requesting suggestions.

"If I may," Addi suggested hesitantly, and we all turned towards her. "Maybe, Elena could distract the court, you know, like a surprise royal visit. While she does that, Alonso could bring us the jewel."

I shook my head vigorously. "I want to get it myself."

"Well, I guess I can just tell you where the secret entrance is to the palace," Alonso said. "I'll be my classic, charismatic-" at this, we all rolled our eyes-"self, to distract the court. You can all be in charge of collecting the jewel," he continued, oblivious to our annoyance.

"I can't believe a half-decent idea actually came out of your dumb mouth," Gabe said to Alonso, who seemed to miss the "dumb mouth" part, straightened, looking pleased with himself.

"Alright, here's the plan." Alonso beckoned us close and began to whisper.

A/N-I am sorry it took me so long to update. It will be a while before the next few chapters come out.