AN: Sorry for the delay in update! My internet was down for a good portion of the morning but it's back now and I can give you an update! I'm sad to say this is a fairly short chapter so I don't know if it's worth the wait but I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Please enjoy and please let me know what you think!

Cedric looked around in slight awe at the peculiar library in which he stood. Long ago neglected but still in remarkable condition, the enchanted tree housing the library seemed a fortuitous place to find themselves. If such a place had gone untouched by the royal guard in all their searching it was likely to continue to go unnoticed for at least another night. He let out a heavy sigh and placed his infant sons cautiously on the cushioned seat in the center of the room before dropping to the floor beside them. "We should probably rest here for the night."

"Do you really think it's safe to stop?" Sofia whispered worriedly as she joined her husband's side. "We're only a short distance from the castle."

"Yes, but it appears as though we're the first to set foot in this place in quite a few years. I don't think anyone knows about it, or if they do, I don't think they consider it a place of interest." Cedric replied in an effort to ease his wife's concerns. "We'll be safe here for now."

"And in the morning?" Sofia asked, hoping for some inkling as to what they would do next.

"We'll make our way out of Enchancia." Cedric answered as he pulled Sofia close against him. "For now, get some rest and try not to worry."

Sofia shook her head in response and gripped the tattered remains of her husband's tunic. "Try not to worry? Cedric, I'm terrified of what tomorrow will bring. If we're caught again there won't be another chance of escape. They're likely to kill you on sight. A-and the babies... th-they'll place them somewhere I'll never see them again."

"I won't let that happen." Cedric said reassuringly. "I will do everything within my power to ensure that you and our children are never separated again. Even if it means that I-"

"Please don't say that." Sofia rasped, holding even tighter to Cedric. "Please, I can't bear to hear you say that."

Cedric kissed the top of his wife's head and pulled her more snugly against him. He knew the topic was uncomfortable to discuss and he didn't want to upset her more than she already was but it was also an unfortunate reality they may have to face. If they couldn't leave Enchancia undetected there was a good chance he might have to put his life on the line to facilitate his family's escape.

That was when an idea struck him, one he knew would immediately be discarded by his wife if he vocalized it to her. He knew it was something he would have to keep to himself and put into motion when the time was right.

He placed his hand atop Sofia's head and began stroking it soothingly as he spoke to her in a calm voice. "Don't worry, my love. Soon we'll be far away from here, you and me and our two beautiful boys. We'll build a life just like you wanted... anywhere you want to go."

"Avalor..." Sofia spoke quietly as she nuzzled against her husband. "I want to rebuild our lives in Avalor."

"It's certainly far enough away." Cedric said with a smile, continuing to run his hand over her head. "And considering your relationship with the queen it's likely our safest bet. I think it will be a perfect place to raise our sons."

Sofia let out a contented sigh, the sensation of Cedric's hand smoothing over her hair and the blissful thought of beginning life anew in such a beautiful place lulling her into a comforted state. She allowed her eyes to flutter shut as she rested against her husband until she fell peacefully asleep in his arms.

Cedric kept Sofia in his embrace for a long while, ensuring she slipped deeply into slumber. He then shifted her carefully and placed her upon the ground so that he could move freely about the room. He eased his sons from their spot and gently placed them beside their mother. Once he was certain the three would remain undisturbed he turned to the books lining the walls and began picking them out by the armful.

It only took short time to find what he was searching for as he scanned over the pages. He swiftly lined six books open faced in a row and reopened the cut on his index finger to mark the books with his blood accordingly. When he was finished he stood back to look at the message he was leaving for his wife; six simple words but they meant everything.

"Meet in Avalor in two weeks."

Then he knelt down, kissed the foreheads of both his sons and graced his wife with a farewell caress before he turned away and exited the library.