For anyone wondering… here are the phonetics for the twin Hightopps! Ghrian (Gree-ehn) and Gealach (Gay-lakh).

Ghrian's POV

All too soon it was time to go home. Grandma and Aunt Maggie hugged us goodbye. She hugged hard, nearly pushing my hat off my head. I held Gealach's hand as Mama led us to a rabbit hole at the base of a tree. Daddy was so excited. He jumped in before Mama could say anything. Mama just shook her head and nudged me forward. I looked at Gealach, she smiled and squeezed my hand.

We jumped. We were falling so fast and there were so many things to look at. I couldn't hold on to the air inside my lungs because the air was moving too fast. I was choking. Then we bounced up on the bed and I breathed in as much air as I could. Gealach's hand was holding mine tight but soon she let go cause we fell on the ground. I tried to check on Gealach but then everything turned over and the ground became the ceiling. Daddy caught us and set us down quickly, just managing to catch a giggling Mama.

We ate the upelkuchen and drank the pishalver twice because Daddy forgot the key. We went through the door and I saw the flowers all start talking to us, welcoming us back. I hugged a few gently so I didn't crush them. They kissed my face and covered it in yellow stuff. I loved visiting Upperland but I loved Underland more.

'Me too.' Gealach said, reading my mind as she put her arms around my neck. I kissed her cheek because I loved her so much for being my twin.

Outlandish Queen Mother's POV

'He's courting her?' I asked in disbelief. The messenger nodded confirming what my son had sent him to tell me.

'He says he will return once the people grow more used to the new laws. He wishes you well. Have you a return message for him?' The messenger asks.

I think on it. The new laws are merciful, fair. It's abnormal yet our land is flourishing. The other royals dare not attack just yet. He is ruling the kingdom well, unlike his father before him. I rub the scar on my neck. It is light and shallow, the only wound my former husband managed to inflict on me before my son killed him to defend me. I don't know why he did it. I didn't teach him love. No one here could have yet he is capable of it without weakening. I owe him loyalty with my life but what of his new lover?

The powerful Red Queen, the one who possesses Living Music. I'm positive she taught him love. She is not weak. She has strength and skill. A fine Queen indeed, I must admit. Even if she is mad. The messenger waits patiently. I sigh with my wondering. It is so strange. My son is so strange now. But yet I feel no resentment. The laws are odd but effective. Our kingdom is changing.

'Tell my son I believe he has chosen wisely in his decision to court the Red Queen. And that I wish him the best.' I said, waving the messenger away. I must adapt to this new changing kingdom and try to understand my changed son.

Pamina's POV

I was training using my Magic, extending my powers when I noticed some strange movement. I used a concealing spell to hide myself as I crept over to my knights' training field. They were losing one by one to Folter. He looked like a true King. There were only shadows in his hands, they contrasted against the pale skin of his chest. I gasped as I noticed multiple glints of silver, decorating his torso. Scars, I realized. There were so many of them. I thought back to what Mother told me of scars.

Were his trophies or nightmares? Nightmares, my mind wandered away. Like the ones I had been having. Dark, black, evil nightmares. Blanks in my memory. I really needed to fix that. A sharp noise pulled me out of my trance and I looked up to see my knight falling to the ground. Folter helped him up then stared straight at me. I stiffened. There's no way he can see me. My Magic is too strong.

'Mina? Are you here? I can sense your Magic. It's prickling my skin!' He teased, calling out. I threw off the spell, returning it to its element. He grinned at me as I walked towards him, the wind playing with the edge of my dress. The hem fluttered against my lower thighs, my training outfit I had designed. I straightened my hat. He snatched it off and made a show of bowing to me. I grabbed it back and kissed his cheek lightly. My men pretended not to see.

'Why don't you train me? You were going to show me some shadow thingy?' I pointed out. He beamed, excitement in his eyes as he took my hand and led me away. I could feel the shocked eyes of my men on my back. Folter was the change in my kingdom, the change I had been waiting for.

Mirana's POV

I was in the throne room when Chess dropped off a letter from Pamina. I opened it quickly, excited. My baby girl had written to me I missed her terribly. Chess disappeared and my eyes scanned the swirly handwriting of my daughter. It was a request or really a warning for me. I froze, my fingers crinkling the edges of the parchment. Oh no.

Dear Mother,
I miss you and would like to visit you soon. There is something wrong with me, Mother. I think you can help me. My nightmares have returned but only much worse. Momma's not the monster… I am. I see black eyes against my painted face. I'm scared for the first time since I have been made Queen. I haven't told anyone yet. I think I'm losing my mind, my control. The madness is getting bad. Please let Uncle Tarrant know. The two of you are the only ones who would understand.

Love,
Pamina

I tossed the paper away from me shaking. Her Magic must have fought its way through mine! She was guessing! She could know! I opened the Oraculum, letting it roll down the steps as I searched for the day Pamina was coming. I found it. Ink stained the pages as it drew out the future. I saw my daughter in her old room screaming as she struggled against the chain on her ankle. Her old chain. Tarrant and I looked scared and grim at the corner of the room, trying to stay out of her claw-like hands. Her eyes were pitch black.