It had been three months since we had all been to the realms. After the incident with Pippa and the Poppy Warriors at Christmas, we had been afraid to come back. It wasn't until one dull February day when we all sat in the common room of Spence when we had finally decided to return. Felicity had sat near the fire, twirling one of her silvery tendrils of hair around her thin, elegant fingers. Her face contorted into a frown.
"Oh I can't bear this anymore!" She exclaimed heatedly. "Gem I want to go back to the realms. I'm sure everything there has blown over by now. Oh! I want to hunt!" I let out a sad sigh.
"I know Fee. But won't guarantee that it's safe. We still have yet to rebuild the order." Ann nodded in silent agreement, her face pale. Felicity began to poke at the fire, watching the embers sizzle and die. She looked at me, hope reflected in her eyes.
"But I want to taste magic again. I've almost forgotten how it feels."
I looked over hopelessly at Ann, who had suddenly become very engrossed in her knitting. I drummed my fingers on the armchair I sat in. I wanted to admit to them that I wanted to go back too. But it would be too risky; we needed a full order to maintain control in the realms. Finally, after what seemed like hours of silence, Ann put down her knitting and took a deep breath.
"Gemma, I don't know about this...I mean yes, it would be great to be beautiful again, but I really don't think…" Felicity shot Ann a sharp look. Ann closed her mouth immediately and went back to her knitting. Even though we had been through so much together, and called ourselves friends, I still couldn't shake the impression that Ann was still scared of Felicity. I sat up, my corset crunching into my stomach. I had made my decision.
"Alright. We'll go. But only for a moment, to see how things are." I said nervously, fingering my broken amulet. Ever since Nell Hawkins punctured it, it still received odd stares from people. I didn't care; it wasn't just a broken, savage looking trinket I wore to get attention. No, it was my guiding light in the realms and a heavy reminder of my mother, I wouldn't give it up even if the King himself asked me too.
"Shall we go then?" Felicity asked, grabbing my hand. Ann joined us, her lank features twisted in fear. I closed my eyes and reached inside my self…
The door of light appeared. Taking, yet another deep breath I reached forward and opened it.