Ethela

Serena could only understand half the words that came from Professor Potter's patronus. Her head hurt. Bad. Andreas was paying attention, though. She could get notes from him about what would be on N.E.W.T.s. Instead, she sat up, wrapped her arms around her legs, and lowered her head to her knees. Her jeans were sopping wet.

There's a spell for that, Serena thought. She was certain she had learned it at some point, but she didn't move and she couldn't seem to recall anything just then. Too much throbbing.

"Serena," Andreas said gently. Serena's eyes jerked open and she lifted her head, looking at Andreas. His own eyes shifted between hers. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, but of course that wasn't true. They'd never get home now, but Professor Potter's promise that they weren't going to let her family starve managed to ease her concern. Or maybe it was just replaced by the damn throbbing.

"I've never been good at healing. Not like my mum," Andreas said. He ran a finger over her head. The spot that had hit the trunk of the tree. Or maybe it had been something in the water. Serena winced. "I'm going to at least fix up the bump, all right?"

Serena didn't nod. He said it like he was gearing himself up, not actually asking permission. Andreas swallowed and concentrated. The steady throbbing became a stab of pain and Serena took in a sharp breath. Andreas stopped, but kept a hand on either side of her face, running his thumbs along her jaw.

"Well… it's sort of better," he said. "We should probably get going."

"Go where?" Serena asked as he stood.

Andreas looked down at her, confused. "Just a bit North," he said. "Like my grandpa said. They think we can find a crossing spot."

Serena nodded as he helped her to her feet. Every muscle ached, but nothing so bad as the headache. "I can get on her," Serena said. She stood on the rock next to Shadow and, before she could get her leg over the other side, she slipped off the rock completely. Andreas caught her, hands around her waist. "That's the second time you've done that," she noted.

"Done what?" he asked.

"Made my heart flutter," Serena replied. She rubbed her eyes trying to clear her head.

"Alright, come on now," Andreas said. "Let me give you a hand."

He lowered himself, clasping his hands together. Serena put one hand on Shadow's mane and the other on her back. Andreas counted to three and lifted her foot. Her leg lifted over the other side and the world shifted again. "I've got you," he added gripping her arm closest to him.

When Serena was steady again, he easily got onto Shadow behind her, adjusting his arms around her and holding the reins. Serena wrapped her fingers into Shadow's mane and heard Andreas whistle before they moved.

Her head hurt.

At first, Grandad had sat next to Isabella, a comforting arm around her as he kissed the top of her head. Isabella numbly pet Furina, sniffing every now and again. Malus had never seen anything get to his younger sister. Even at their mum's funeral, she had set her expression and refused to cry. Malus sat on her other side, leaning on his knees, looking at Abigail, who was with her own dad and sister.

Andreas's mum moved around the camp, pacing when there was nothing else to take care of while Professor Potter kept guard on the side of their group, not even leaving his post once they made dinner.

"Why are we still waiting," Grandad asked over both Isabella and Malus. He was looking at Scorpius, who finished off another serving of stew.

"You know why," he said low. Malus noticed his dad's eyes flick towards him and Malus looked off like he wasn't paying attention, feeling terribly uncomfortable.

"We could be halfway there by now," Grandad said.

"Dad—"

"We shouldn't be waiting here like sitting ducks for wild animals to attack."

"Callie will know if they're coming," Isabella said, turning to Grandad. "She'll let us know."

The way Callie was slumped into her dad, looking off into the distance made Malus wonder if she would say anything the rest of the trip, let alone be able to give them some sort of warning. Grandad didn't seem to have much confidence in this idea either.

"Son, we have to think about what's best for Malus and Isabella."

Scorpius barely suppressed a scowl. "Dad—"

"There's plenty of supplies for us to split per person and—"

"What are you suggesting?" Lorcan asked.

Malus looked over, blushing when he realized Dad and Grandad had gotten loud enough for everyone to hear. Imogen and Lorcan were glaring at them. Professor Potter was even glancing over his shoulder.

"He's just getting antsy," Scorpius said. "We're set up for the night."

Abigail was looking at Malus now and he wanted to shrink away. He didn't want her to think his grandad's suggestion was at all okay with him.

"Set up?" Grandad asked, his voice rising. "We're sleeping on the ground again. In the middle of nowhere. If they had found a place to cross nearby, they would be back by now."

"Is something wrong?" Professor Potter asked, joining them for the first time since they'd decided to stay put.

"Draco thinks we should just leave Andy and Serena behind," Imogen said. She looked furious.

"I didn't say you needed to come with," Draco clarified.

"I thought we'd decided to stay together," Professor Potter said in an even tone.

Grandad's face grew into a demented sort of sneer. "We? There's Potter again, using the royal we like he hasn't manipulated the whole situation in his favor."

"Excuse you?"

"Imogen, don't," Professor Potter said, unfazed by Grandad's accusation. "No one's keeping you here if you'd rather go, Malfoy."

"Oh yeah? How about the fact that you've managed to keep three of the four portals for yourself."

"Myself?" Professor Potter asked.

"One to Scorpius, the others are with you three. Think I didn't notice? Or how you conveniently kept your own children safe at home?"

Malus looked at a spot on the ground. He didn't want to hear this. He felt smaller and smaller, chancing a glance at Professor Potter, whose jaw was set and eyes narrowed behind his round glasses.

"Dad, lay off it," Scorpius snapped, standing and reaching for Grandad's elbow. Grandad yanked it from his hand.

"You're full of it, Malfoy," Professor Potter said. "Forget the fact that three of my grandchildren are here, Lorcan and Imogen—"

"Aren't your children, are they," Grandad jumped on the comment.

Professor Potter held out a hand to Imogen, not breaking eye contact with Grandad. Lorcan was standing now, too. "Lorcan might as well be, and we adopted Imogen. She's as much my daughter as Lily."

Grandad scoffed. "Oh right. The famous Potter, already in the news for his disappearing act, emerges with a new ward. I do have to applaud how your publicity acumen has grown."

"You bloody, sodding pillock," Imogen snapped, raising a hand and shooting sparks. Grandad ducked. The sparks missed him by inches, hitting a tree behind them. Malus put an arm around Isabella and pulled her up and out from behind the adults as Professor Potter grabbed Imogen's arm, pulling her to face him. He muttered at her, shaking his head.

Imogen yanked her hands from Professor Potter's and stalked away, though Lorcan had his wand out now.

Grandad looked even more furious. "You still have your little following, don't you, Saint Potter?" he egged on. Professor Potter didn't move. "Let's not forget the fact that it was your granddaughter that pulled mine into this mess."

"It's not Callie's fault!" Isabella shouted, pulling everyone's attention towards them. She pulled out of Malus's hands, marching over to stand beside Abigail and Callie. Callie looked miserable and Malus wondered why Grandad would have ever dared say that. Abigail looked hurt. Malus took another step away from Grandad.

"That's enough," Scorpius said, putting a hand on Grandad's shoulder. "What do you think you're teaching Malus and Isabella, acting this way?"

"That I'm willing to do whatever it takes for my family," Grandad growled back, not looking away from Professor Potter.

Professor Potter dug into a pocket, bringing out a purple, marble-sized orb. He stepped forward and held it out. "Take it, Malfoy," he said. Grandad looked skeptical, but reached out, snatching it. "You're welcome to go whenever you'd like. You're even welcome to your portion of the rations. It's just a shame you can't let go of petty childhood rivalries and jealousy long enough to see that we all would be better off working together."

With that, Professor Potter turned. He walked away. He stepped over the log on the edge of their camp and joined Imogen on the periphery, putting an arm around her shoulder, standing guard once again. Grandad looked stunned, as did everyone else.

"Come on, let's clean up," Lorcan instructed. Isabella turned easily away from the scene, though Abigail and Callie broke their attention reluctantly.

Malus pushed his hands in his pocket. So this was why Dad had stopped talking to Grandad. This was why they hadn't been there in so long. Malus had always assumed it was only a personal riff… not that his Grandad could be this awful. The last few days Malus had thought it was good to have Grandad again. And now… now he was just disappointed. And embarrassed. And Grandad was still sneering, unaware that he should be embarrassed as well.

"Let's get the kids and go Scorpius," Gradad said.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Dad replied.

"I did that for you," Grandad snapped. "We need to get out of here, before there are any more attacks or—"

"That girl saved Isabella," Scorpius said. His eyes were unfocused with rage. "She saved her and almost died doing so."

"So?"

"You still don't get it," Scorpius said, getting his face close to Grandad's.

"You think I can't keep you safe?"

Scorpius scoffed. "It's not about whether or not you could keep us safe. It's whether you could be a decent human being at the same time." Scorpius turned, walking towards Lorcan, grabbing one end of a large blanket they were laying out on the grass. Abigail was talking to Callie again, Isabella sitting by them, petting her cat.

Grandad looked at her, then looked over to Malus. Malus didn't know what to say. Grandad looked at him like all he wanted was someone to agree with him. Someone to let him take them back to the start. To get them out. But dad was right. Not like this.

Malus turned away, walking around the others settling in. He stepped over the log, to the spot where Professor Potter stood, looking towards the trees. Professor Potter looked down at him, his face set and serious.

"Vigilance, not vengeance," Malus said.

"That's right," Professor Potter agreed. He looked back out, clamping a hand on Malus's shoulder.

Andreas tried to keep Shadow at a steady trot. Although Serena didn't complain, he could tell she struggled the faster he went. He certainly couldn't push it at the pace he would have liked, but there were other things to worry about. Eventually the water disappeared and it was clear the crevice in the earth had become something of a canyon. Every so often he saw the other side, but it was always too far to jump, even if Serena weren't with him.

Of course it was Serena worrying him most of all. Andreas tried to keep her talking. She would seem completely herself in one moment, then lull off, spouting nonsense or rambling in a disconcerting slur.

"We'll need to restock the supplies," Serena told him.

"What?" he asked, slowing Shadow a little. Serena relaxed back into him and Andreas wrapped his arm a little tighter around Serena's waist.

"Sam always forgets to get a stock of bags ready," Serena said.

"Yeah, he does," Andreas said. "But you don't need to worry about that."

"Worry, worry," Serena said in a sing-song voice. "Always such a worry-wart, my little Rena. Little did he know…"

"Little did who know?" Andreas asked gently.

"Dad," Serena sighed. She didn't say anything else.

"He called you a worry-wart?" Andreas asked.

"Don't fret, Serena. Have a little fun, Serena. I probably should have had more fun before he became addled," she mused. She went silent for several minutes. When she spoke again, her words were heavy with tears. "Do you think Phoebe is worried?"

"Maybe," Andreas admitted.

"She's too young to worry about these sort of things," Serena said, shaking her head.

"Neville… I mean, Professor Longbottom… him and his wife are really nice," Andreas said. "I'll bet they're helping her not to… where they can."

"Yeah, I'm sure," Serena replied.

He should have just lied. Andreas normally wouldn't pin Serena as the type to accept false hope, but in her state she just might have. And he should have given it to her.

The fog swirled around them again. They had no food. There hadn't been any time to consider provisions the moment he got onto Shadow's back. He tried to look out for the same mushrooms they ate their first night here. The sun was setting. Or he thought it was. Andreas couldn't quite tell what was happening beyond ten feet in front of him. All he knew was that night was coming and Serena was shivering in his arms. Both of their clothes had dried from earlier. Or nearly so. And though they had both been wet from the incident at the river, the climate in this place hardly warranted shivering.

"Is that a tower?" Serena asked, leaning forward a little.

Andreas wasn't sure how to feel as the recognized the landmark she pointed to. It was the town. The one he had taken Callie to. "Damn it," Andreas muttered.

Serena turned towards him. "What is it?" she asked, her eyes wide with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Andreas said, wishing he hadn't said anything. At least they would have shelter. Only he was certain this was much farther west than they needed to be. If they continued northwest in this way, there was no way they would ever find the others.

Andreas pulled back on Shadow's reins, thinking. There was nothing they could do tonight. If they at least found a place to lay low for the night, he could let Serena get a proper rest and think of how to make a reliable bridge. Maybe they could scavenge the town for supplies as well. The more he thought about it, the better the idea seemed.

Andreas clicked his tongue to prompt Shadow to move, getting her going at a trot as Serena held onto her mane. They moved forward. Andreas prompted Shadow past the gate and into the city, remembering the stories Callie told. The bakery. Andreas knew it was strange when the place was this empty, but he thought if the baker was kind enough to feed the crippled boy, he wouldn't mind if they used his place. Besides, the bakery must have a furnace where he could warm Serena up.

They made it to the front door and Andreas debated with himself for a moment, pulling Serena down and making certain she had her grounding, before he decided Shadow would have to come in with them. He could not afford something happening to the horse, nor did he think he could handle that blow as well. Everything he still had, Andreas would keep close. The front door was just wide enough, though Shadow was resistant as Andreas gave her a shove. She would definitely have to stay in the large front room.

"Stay here a mo," Andreas said to Serena, handing her Shadow's reins as he walked through the house. There was a small room in the back with a bed and the kitchen, which would have been spacious if there weren't so many counter spaces and tables. There wasn't any food in the cabinets either. "I could use something to eat," he said aloud, but nothing appeared. Apparently he only had control over the palace. The thought of going all the way back there was depressing. They were at least an hour's ride from there. Another hour of riding away from the direction they needed to go.

"Well, there's one room for you," Andreas said, heading back to the front room. He stopped in the doorframe, smiling.

Shadow had clearly decided to make herself comfortable, laying out on the floor in one corner of the room. Serena sat beside her, legs tucked under her and laying against Shadow's rising and falling body. Serena massaged Shadow's front leg in front of her.

"We're lucky you came along," Serena whispered to Shadow. "What would we have done without you?"

Andreas smiled and cleared his throat. Serena looked over. "No food, unfortunately."

"It's okay," Serena sighed. Andreas moved towards her and Shadow, pulling off the bridle.

"There's a bed in the back, if you want to take it."

"I'd rather stay with you," Serena said. Her cheeks blushed. "And Shadow. I just don't want to be alone."

"I can understand that," Andreas agreed. He dropped down beside her, leaning against Shadow who snorted and laid out the rest of the way on her side. "I'll build a fire in a minute."

"It's too hot for that," Serena said, shivering at the same time she made the declaration.

"How are you feeling, Serena?" Andreas asked, having avoided the question in case she was worse than he thought.

"My head hurts," she admitted.

"Okay, but…" Andreas reached out, pushing back her curly hair, lighting his fingers over the bruised area that he had failed to fully heal. "You've been shaky and… not yourself."

Little silver sparks followed his finger tips. Serena closed her eyes. If she could feel it, it didn't seem to bother her.

"It could be… something happened…"

"What happened?" Andreas asked.

"Dizzy… not steady… headache," she listed off the symptoms. "I might have a concussion. Maybe."

"How can I tell?" Andreas asked quietly, his fingers still on her face. He tried to keep contact with her sea green eyes, but they were drooping. "Or at least what can I do to help it?"

"There are potions," Serena said. "I just… sleep… but only a bit at a time… two or three hours."

"Okay I can stay up," Andreas replied.

"No, you need sleep, too," Serena said. "How about I stay up for a watch. I can do that at least."

Andreas was going to argue, but found himself distracted. A strong smell of yeast filled the room and he turned towards the kitchens. Brow knit, he stood, walking towards the back. As soon as he stepped into the space, he saw a smoky figure, the size of a tall, large man. He was balding along the top of his head and wearing an apron. Only it wasn't a person. And it wasn't like the ghosts at Hogwarts, either. It was wispy along the edges, but distinct in shades of grey. Andreas held out one hand, ready for some sort of attack, but the shadow grinned, then dissipated.

"Oh, bread!" Serena said, coming in behind him. She rushed into the room, where three large loaves now sat on the counter nearest the brick oven, cinders and ashes filling what had been blank not ten minutes ago. Andreas tried to take everything in. "It's still warm!" Serena added, ripping off a piece and sniffing it before taking a bite. She tore off a chunk, handing it towards Andreas.

He took it, looking around the room, feeling the heat of the bread against his skin. Andreas took a bite. It was delicious, but he couldn't get the smoky figure out of his mind. Nor the fact that none of this had been here. Andreas was far from a good cook, but he did know there hadn't been a dusting of flour in the room when he was in here before, let alone anything else needed to bake bread. And he was sure it took longer to bake bread.

Andreas couldn't ignore his stomach and ate along with Serena, still trying to make sense of what he had just seen. He thought of the child he could have sworn he'd heard back in the other village, in addition to how Callie had described the baker. He tried to remember if Callie had said anything about how he had looked.

They ate and Serena laughed as Shadow edged towards them, snorting when she was stuck at the doorway she wouldn't fit through. Serena and Andreas both tore off pieces, feeding Shadow chunks of the loaves. They were almost out of bread as soon as they'd had it.

"We should probably save this other half," Andreas said.

Serena nodded and Andreas left the bread on the counter, pushing Shadow back into the main room, nudging her until she pawed the dirt floor and settled in again, giving them both the perfect pillow.

"You know, you really should be the one to get some sleep," Andreas said. "After today… and everything."

Serena turned her head towards him and blinked. She was rubbing at her head again. He was sure his mum thought to bring something for that, if they could just make it back to them. "To be honest, I think I'll be fairly useless either way. I'll wake you in a little while and we can switch off," she added, when opened his mouth to argue.

"Okay," Andreas said. He turned onto his back, tucking one hand behind his head as Serena sat up. He looked over at her one more time. "Serena?"

She turned to him, raising her eyebrows and he got lost for a moment in her eyes. Earnest and deep and lovely. He could believe in anything looking into her eyes and he couldn't imagine a time he hadn't realized it, even if he'd been just that much of a dolt a few short days ago.

"What?" she asked and Andreas came to himself.

He wanted to ask about the omnioculars. He wanted to know why she had gone out of her way for him like that. He wanted to ask if it meant anything, or if he was building this all up in his mind. He wanted to know how long she had been angry with him and if there was anything to do to make it up to her. He wanted to kiss her.

Andreas swallowed. She might say it meant nothing. She might not like him at all. Or if she had, maybe by giving Shantelle credit for the gift, he had ruined it. Ruined it before he even knew it existed.

"Just make sure you wake me up if you get tired at all. Alright?"

Serena nodded and turned back towards the other side of the room.

Andreas forced his eyes closed, trying to get to sleep as quickly as possible. He would talk to her after this was all over. Once they were safe again.

Andreas was dreaming about playing quidditch at Uncle Al and Aunt Emmy's house when his head hit the ground forcefully.

"Ow!" he shouted, shaking himself awake and pushing backwards before Shadow trampled him. She had stood, leaving him to fall as she whinnied and huffed. "What?" he demanded, wiping the sleep from his eyes at the same time he stood, stumbling. He looked around the dark room. "Serena?" he asked.

His heart raced as he looked towards the door, swinging wide open, moonlight shimmering against the doorstep. "Serena!" he shouted. Andreas snatched the bridle, setting it quickly on Shadow. The horse stayed put as he made hasty adjustments and grabbed a wooden torch near the hearth, lighting it up with a spell. He pulled on Shadow until they were outside then got onto her back, kicking into her sides, moving into the city.

Andreas guided Shadow up the hill at full speed, looking around, holding up the torch, though he could see little beyond the blue glow of night. He stopped above, looking around as shadows dashed back and forth, appearing and disappearing.

"Serena!" he yelled again as he realized he never should have slept. He should have made her sleep and kept guard, or else kept pushing through the night to find a way across. And he should have told her. Or kissed her. Or done something, anything, besides damn well going to sleep! "Serena!"

Andreas turned Shadow around and pulled back on the reins as the light from his torch fell onto another smoky person. A boy, no older than six or seven, stood looking up at Andreas. His eyes were wide and eerie in an unblinking state. The clothing on him (if it could be called clothing as every part of him was the same smoky substance) was simple and worn. His hands hung down by his side.

"This way, sir," the smoke boy instructed, echoing quietly around Andreas.

The smoke dissipated.

"No! Wait!" Andreas called, pulling in the reins. Rather than being gone, however, the smoke moved through the stone streets. He urged Shadow to move along, hearing the laughter of children grow around him, new wisps rushing ahead of them. New children joined, uninhibited by the limitations of the human body. The faster Andreas pushed Shadow, the faster they moved ahead, leading the way until they were in the mountains. Andreas pushed through a small canyon, then down, not hesitating as Shadow moved into a cave, his torch the only light pushing against the darkness. They moved through the wide tunnel, Shadow widening the length of her stride as Andreas wondered if he had made another mistake in trusting the smoke children's guidance.

Just as she was ready to turn around and go back to the city, Andreas pulled back, holding tightly with his legs as Shadow reared up, stopping just short of Serena, facing away from him. Andreas didn't wait for Shadow to calm as he dropped to the ground. "Serena," he said quietly.

She didn't turn to face him. There was another light on the other side. She was facing it and Andreas couldn't tell what was happening. Gold glowed around her, lighting the edges of her hair. He remembered Callie and the portal as Serena lifted her hand, her fingers reaching out gingerly. "Serena, no!" he moved forward.

A blinding light filled the cavern. Andreas threw up his arm to block his eyes, squinting as the light waned, containing itself right around Serena. He stepped forward and froze again as she turned around.

He could see Serena. It was still her, but there was something else about her. It was like she was wearing a thin sort of veil, a strange mask that Andreas could both see clearly, but also see her through. "Serena?" he asked.

"Not quite," Serena's voice said. Again, it wasn't fully her own. There was something in the words, the way they were over articulated, that made Andreas pause. Andreas squinted to see only the mask, trying to understand.

"Yours was the other picture," he said. "In the frame. Aspesh and you."

She nodded. "That's right," she said. "I've been watching you, Andreas. You do remind me of him so."

"Who are you?" Andreas asked. "And what are you doing to Serena?"

"My name is Ethela," she replied. "And I could not appear as the others. I needed to speak with you."

"Wait… you lived in the palace?"

"Yes," Ethela said. She moved, sitting on a mostly flat rock on the right. She folded her hands on her knees, looking far too sophisticated for the jeans and shirt Serena was wearing now. "First as the daughter of a servant, though the king and queen were always good to me. They allowed me to take lessons with Aspesh. Of course, he was rather arrogant. Endlessly told me about how someday he would be giving me orders. His father heard him once and made him muck stalls for a week."

Andreas sat across the cavern, leaning forward on his knees, still uncertain.

"One day, when we were both grown, the king and queen were taken," Ethela said. "My parents had already passed, and I was working with a seamstress as an assistant in the city. They didn't get Aspesh, though. He had wandered off when he wasn't supposed to, though it was good he did."

"He was going to try and save them from Murdren," Andreas recalled. Ethela nodded grimly.

"It would have all been over," she said. "I talked him into coming here. I brought him food as he hid and planned. He was full of hate, hardly noticing when I came during those first few months. Then, as he talked more about his parents, he realized that they would want him to do what he was doing for the right reasons. He opened his heart and by the time he took the kingdom back, he took me as his wife and we moved back into the palace."

"What happened then?" Andreas asked.

"Many things. We had a son," Ethela said, a sad smile gracing her lips. "And Murdren found new tactics. He decided if he could not have this world, he would prefer no one did. We began sending our people away. Our son…"

Andreas's brow knit as she said it. She gathered herself and looked stoic again. "Without any parents?"

"I was supposed to go with him," Ethela said. "Aspesh would make a stand and then join us. But I felt uneasy. I knew there was something wrong. And I was right. Murdren not only found a curse to destroy the land, but he had a weapon. One he was saving for Aspesh. A dagger that we believe was forged in the darkest realms of Hell."

"Murdren killed him, too?" Andreas asked.

"Worse," Ethela said. "The dagger condemned his soul to suffer the fate of his land. His body died, but his soul could never rest."

"So what do you want with me?" Andreas asked.

"Have you noticed the land recognizes you?" Ethela asked. She stood, walking to Shadow, holding the horse's neck and petting down her muzzle. "Even... what is it you've been calling her? Shadow? Even she trusts you. She was Aspesh's , you know."

"Because I look like him?"

"In part," Ethela agreed. "But it has far more to do with your heart, Andreas. You can free him, I believe."

"Me?"

"Yes you," Ethela said. "He is being held in the mountains to the west."

"But… we have to get back to my family… before they go back home."

"There is a way for you to do both," Ethela said. She walked towards him and Andreas stood, concentrating. "The place in which he is being held is a passage back to the starting place. To the place where we were once connected to other worlds. If you free him, you can go through much more quickly than you'll be able otherwise."

Andreas nodded.

"Be warned," Ethela said, "Murdren and his men are coming back, just as the others. He believes if your cousin breathes life into this world, he can own it in death the way he couldn't in life."

"So he won't come back? Like you did?"

"I'm not really back now. The dead don't return, Andreas. Not as they were, but he can still find ways to control, just as I did with Serena. I'm afraid even what I have done will leave her weak. She'll be fine," Ethela added quickly. "And our people will keep you safe so you may both rest properly. The baker will have more bread for you in the morning."

Andreas nodded and swallowed.

"One more thing?" Ethela asked. Andreas looked at her as she stepped closer. Serena's eyes were more clear than the mask in front of them. "I missed my chance to say goodbye to Aspesh. And while you are not him, Serena is also not me. I have the sense she wouldn't mind…"

Serena's hand raised, the golden glow of Ethela over it as she placed a hand on Andreas's cheek. She leaned in and Andreas only saw Serena anymore. Her lips touched his, gently. Andreas closed his eyes, carefully raising his hands, placing one on each of Serena's shoulders, his fingers moving up her long, soft neck and into her hair. Andreas moved his lips against Serena's, pulling her into him as her hands wrapped around his back, just as fervent, just as sure.

He kept his eyes intent on hers as he pulled back, tucking some hair behind her ear. He had forgotten Ethela was even part of this until the golden veneer fell, as did Serena. Andreas moved to catch her under her arm, her body limp against him, eyes closed.

Andreas pushed back her hair, running the back of his fingers along her cheek. She was breathing, but she looked pale, her bruise dark against the white skin. Andreas clumsily pulled her into his arms and carried her to the back edge of the cavern, lowering both of them carefully together. He sat against the rock wall, then pulled her body into his, straightening her legs and laying her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her middle and kissed the top of her head. "Sleep tight," he whispered, looking into the dark tunnel, hoping Ethela's promise of protection was a good one.