Of Fire and Blood

by Lemonbite

In this tale, Bella won’t be the only new arrival to Forks, Washington. A mysterious young woman with secrets and strange gifts awaken among the pale strange residents known as the Cullens. Follow this peculiar foreigner navigate her way through this misfortunate whimsical Odyssey of horrors and gospel.

99. The Tower

Alex's retelling and continuing.

Kerplunk. Heavy Thud! That's the sound my body made as I hit the ground after having my head ripped open and shoved deep inside my rotting bones. Here is where I found a moment of peace. Mostly because my revival didn't happen immediately. I was trapped inside my mind. Just sitting among the wreckage of that room. That beautiful room with all the mirrors and doors that lead to nowhere, where nothing but those hidden items sit waiting for me. There they are. That same ugly cerulean royal pillow sat. This time it was perched at the end of the hall on a chair. I was glad I was just dropped in here, the other times I visited were much wetter. I looked around. No traps or weird things appeared: Well better get a move on. Let's see why I'm here. As I walked. My bare feet sounded heavy along the stone floor. I ignored my reflection along the ceiling and just kept moving. As I neared that chair. I noticed that it was empty. There were no trinkets that would lend a helping hand seen anywhere. I spun around. This is the same room they always send me to. So where are they?

I just stood there. In front of the wooden chair with the pillow sitting pert and empty. Is this what I'm meant to see?Occasionally in the past. After a death. I've received insight from my kin by way of some object. Some tidbit the gods left to guide me. There were four items at first and each one is meant to lead me where they want. If I recall I still have two visions left for them to show. One about the rattle and one about my future. There should be a damn rattle and a tarot card on this pillow! Where is it?! Where are they?! Please someone show me something that will help me?! I began to run back towards the way I entered. I tried to open the strange wooden doors, yet again, they remained closed. Refusing to help me. Refusing to give me my last two visions. Refusing to show me the way back to my home. If there still is one. As I stood in that cold dark empty corner of my brain where they hide. I called them. I called them by name! Dagda, the all-father. Why have you left your child here to rot? To fester? To spoil the lands you helped create?! Why haven't you taken me? Or at least ... or You, the Horned god Cernunnos, the ancient protector of nature, how is it you let me live? How is it you haven't struck me down in rage?! With all the damage I've caused. Aren't I owed your judgment? Or you?! The Cailleach, oh great Veiled One, wasn't it you that ruled over such cruel winters? I've lived through many! Why hasn't one of them struck me cold? Drug me down into our depths of hell. Or you Brigid, Goddess of Fire, sister of the blaze. Why wont you join me?! Why haven't you risen in your honor and let that rage free? Cast your flames high along with mine? Ceridwen, oh, my other sister of the craft. You'd surely be of use down here. Helping us. Or at least you could fix this mess! Arwan?! My brother of death. Where are you?! Where have you gone?! Please! Just take me! I continued to plead with them to show me mercy. To at least speak to me. No matter how I foamed at the mouth and beat my hands against the walls and tried to pry those doors open I couldn't find those objects. I was lost. Truly lost. I even screamed at the mirrors until they shattered. No one answered me. No god or goddess cared enough to even lash their tongue. I collapsed from my rage into that chair and sat coldly. That's when it happened.

I was just jolted awake and tossed. Where too. I didn't know. I was in so much pain that I hadn't registered where I was. Nothing was broken from what I could tell but it sure didn't help my head. While I was down and confused and pissed off, my sword got tossed not too far from my face. It was just an inch from having left a nasty scar. Whoever it was that did it, stepped over me without care. Yeah, fuck you too asshole! I didn't say shit to them. I just let them hobble away and rubbed my throbbing forehead. There was dried blood still caked up. The hole where that bullet entered was long gone but the flesh was tender and sore. As I rubbed the gunk away I winced at the pain and tried remembering what happened just before I was murdered...I was. Ugh. I was training, I remember that, I was with you and then? That's right, Jane came in with her friend. Ugh. That human from here. What's his name? I should know, he's sort of important, right? Oh yeah, that king Arthur. Yeah. Fucking hell, he's a good shot. The gunk was gone now and my head pounded even worse than before.

I didn't want to move. Anytime I tried. It just felt like regret. I just lay there contemplating what I did to him. You know? Like, Why he felt the need to burst into my room and shoot me?! Whatever I did? Must have pissed him off enough to endanger himself, that plan of his was stupid. Im up. Heh. Sort of. I coughed up some blood and a tooth. I wiped it away. Someone must have forgotten to tell him I don't die easy. I've tried. It was a good plan though. I was so distracted by her, I didn't see his pea shooter until I had a hole in my head. I always make the same mistakes. I always get lost in the girl. I laughed at myself and rolled over onto my back. Not to get up but just to get more comfortable. That's when I realized I wasn't in my tower.

It was cold and smelt like outside. Ok. Maybe I'm just near the window...I creaked my eyes open rather than expecting to have seen the walls of my tower and hopefully his dead body lying somewhere. My eyes spied the expansive darkened sky. It was pitch black. No moon. No stars. Just darkness. I grumbled and attempted to call out to her, make sure she was alright, and hopefully get some sort of explanation but she didn't hear me, or?! As I stared with my eyes wide open and tears pouring from them.My mind began playing tricks. I could almost envision what happened next. I went down. Then so did she...um then he tossed us from the tower window? Yeah, I'm assuming that's what happened. Fuck me. She's dead. If he shot me, even if she had a chance to fight. There's no way she could survive a fall. Heh. I could almost laugh. I've gone and done it again. You'd be happy that she didn't last long. That she couldn't make it in my world any better than you could. Damnit, Frankie, there was a reason I didn't want to see any of you. I'm not well. You knew that though, Frankie doesn't because I've kept her safe from me. Now she's. Alright. So I'm outside. There's a crazed man in my castle, with a gun! Wait. first off how did he get to me in the first place?! Why wasn't he stopped?! Then my mind began to spin as I pondered what happened after she and I went down. My heart was pounding but even then I could hear...There's a lot of noise going on.

As I continued to listen to the noise. I calmed down enough to turn my head and see the damage caused. Despite it being poorly lit. I was relieved to have found that Jane. She's alright. Actually, ugh, A lot of people were fine. They were just out and about. Some were actively arguing. Fighting for what looked to be supplies just piled up on the ground, others were just standing around looking pissed and screaming at each other. What the hell happened?! How did this go so wrong?! I had half a mind to storm after Frankie to find out but she was angrily bustling away and carrying a tote extra tight to her chest as she raced behind the feet of Ambrose. As he ordered her about. I thought it was best I stayed away from them. Although I couldn't take my eyes off of them. Ambrose made something appear out of thin air. Whatever it was. I watched them scurry and scrounge to set up camp for the night. Yeah. I think those are tents in their hands. That's all we have to keep our heads dry! I looked around confused... Just these two huge tarp covers hung over metal frames. What happened?! What is going on?! He ordered her to get something going to hold everyone over. She immediately broke through that fight and stole the rations out of their hands and did just that. She just went ahead and did it without questioning him. Started up a fire and tossed whatever that shit was to eat. On it. He then started trying to get other people's attention. Stop them from panicking. I lost interest and turned my head away. It continued to throb and pulse with pain. I kept trying to make sense of what had happened. The memory replayed in my mind like a movie. It paused on her for a moment. Mostly to. I drank in her features and remembered what was said between us. I could see for only a moment how deeply pained she felt at my rejection of her. Almost as pained as you were. I moved along and tried to see what else I may have missed in the memory of my murder, yet, no matter how many times I replayed the memory. Nothing made sense. It doesn't matter. Clearly, something bad happened. Something really bad. Something that requires the attention of the 'queen'.

I should get up. See how much damage has been caused. Yet for the death of me, I couldn't move. I just lay there watching that darkened sky. Praying to gods that won't listen, that they'd send a meteor and just kill us all. Alright. Fuck it. I turned over to get my ass up and I froze. I froze because my reflection was watching me. I hissed at the barely visible sight of my reflection in my sword's darkly silver finish. It was stuck in the ground and wobbling from the wind blowing. I struggled to keep looking at the grotesque truth of what I am. Of what I made myself into. In my severeness. I could almost see beauty. If you squint and don't mind the strange eyes. I averted my gaze just in time for some onlooker to have found me. I couldn't tell who they were as they called out. I ignored them. Just plopped down and played dead. It didn't work.

"Get up!"

The order came gruffly and with authority. I didn't listen to it. This was the first moment of rest I'd had since I held that blade in my hands. Its call is worse than that of my lost book. But its summon is less than that of Jane's. Oh, that damn book. I could feel that it's been reunited with its owner. That's alright. The thing was hard to read anyway. I did get better at high elder though. Much better. It's pretty much all I've been doing, reading, feeding the sword, and watching for Lilith. She's near. I can feel her cold dead heart. The call of the blade ticked. It needed me. I ignored it. I don't want it. I just want to lie here. I needed rest. The illusory song of it blended with the thoughts in my head. It sounds like you. Oh, Bella. Such a pretty voice you have. It sounds like styrofoam rubbing.

"Alexandra!"

The onlooker was much closer now and standing over me. They were yelling at me to get up. I rolled my eyes and pretended I hadn't heard them. That I was passed out cold. The voice was familiar. It was the voice of my father. My poor father. He didn't waste his breath calling after me again. I was just strong-armed off my ass. I leaned against him for a moment before righting myself. When I did. I had that damn blade again. I didn't even remember going for it. But here it is. Back in my grasp. I'm connected to it. It's almost like a parasitic third arm. I could feel it. Everything. All of them around me. It thirsted for them. It needed to feed. To slake its thirst for blood. To slice into their flesh with ease. To steal their souls. Their sweet un-innocent souls would be mine for the taking. I grumbled plainly as my father kept trying to speak to me. I couldn't hear him. I could only hear you. He waved his hands in front of my face with frustration. I stood there as vacant as a doll. My eyes drifted for a second. To glare at the naked sharp point of the blade. I stood there limply, hunched over with it. He was distant: He was afraid of me with this thing in my hands. Too afraid to take it but too afraid to leave it in my care. We just stood there. It was strange. We were exposed. Just standing outdoors and lingering too close to that forest.

Where is everything? Why is there so much shit just strewn about like some war zone? I attempt to ask but my mouth was dry. So my eyes lingered on the people. I counted the heads... people are missing... hold on let me recount. Yeah. Too many people left in my care were missing and what was left? Well, The wolves were here, sort of. It was just Leah, Seth, Embry, and Paul. The others. I didn't see them. They were huddled together and waiting for orders from Jacob. I guess they were trying to figure out if they were friends with us or foes. I think they have settled on friends from how they are in their human forms. At least I hope that's what it means. The others, some were working a unit in that second tent.

I could see that Frost and Clara and Magnus looked to be in control of it all. They were barking orders at whoever was around. All hands on deck. To do what, who knows, but I could see that wand and the rest of the old staff from here. They must be preparing some sort of attack or something. Or maybe just? I moved my eyes back to the pissed-off group of vampires. Each one of them was more worried than the last. Just suffering under my bungled reign. I wasn't surprised the rest was gone but it hit me all the same.

There was a lot that was missing. More than I had anticipated. I was sort of stunned to see that it was completely gone. The humans that were in my care. The witches. A vampire or two. The damn castle! It dawned on me what that meant. Every ounce of hope we had at winning this already useless war was flushed down the toilet. Well, I'll be damned. I'm even worse than you thought. I'm not just a miserable queen, I'm a terrible one.

Oh my darling, you'd laugh. Oh, I just know it. I gave a slight half smile and shed a tear. My body wavered from grief. Eric steadily stopped me from falling over. He continued to check me over. He started with my arms and legs. Checking for signs of cuts or bite marks. Any type of self-inflicted injuries. He noted that I had lost weight. Constantly fighting you and the demons in my head tends to do that. He commented on my needing to eat. I nodded in agreement to his order. After his inspection of me was finished. We stood there. I was uncomfortable under his watch. I could tell he wanted to hug and knock some sense into me but didn't know how or if he should. I just squinted and squirmed. He hadn't seen me in a while. No one has. But especially them. I couldn't look at them. Let them see what I've done to myself. What we did to each other. I was foolish to have judged you. We both ruined ourselves beyond repair, my love. You just got to be finished first.

"You been sleeping?"

He snagged my attention again as he spoke to me. I took in his appearance. My daddy looked tired too. I shook my head no. There's no time to rest. Only time to feed this forsaken blade. It's calling to me now. Daring me to offend my soul and take down this fomori as if he wasn't my dad. I could conjure you, again, kiss you with its blessed touch. No! I must focus. Stay awake! I can't hurt any of them! I calmly adjusted myself and tried to appear harmless and aware of my surroundings. I'm sure I failed. My father continued to stare at me with those lost eyes of his. He was tired and angry and ready to argue. But he was too afraid of starting what he knew he couldn't finish. So he waited.

"So um, it's. Been a long time. I've been meaning to come see you but I heard you didn't want visitors... Alex what exactly is going on now? You got the sword... so. I mean Ambrose and I have been ready but you Uh. Well. We are going ahead with or without you. Is that alright?"

I blankly stared at him... I didn't have much of a say in the matter so I shrugged my shoulders and nodded my head. I've been mute mostly. Besides the fact, there hasn't been anyone for me to speak to. There's nothing left for me to say, so I don't speak at all. So I shook my head no. He weakly fidgeted around as he uncomfortably nodded his head sadly. He continued to stand there with his chest wide and sturdy as a boulder. I knew why. I looked down at the blade. He's about to request that I hand it over. If you recall back when I first got it. I was idiotic and tried to kill myself so it was taken.

It's his mistake it ended up back in my care. After I tossed the war room/ library, my father came in to speak to me. We chatted like adults. Spoke all honestly about our feelings. He told me what it felt like to kill momma. I told him about my last moments with you. It was nice... after, he and I trained together. I won. I was also less than inclined to hand my blade over and pretty much told him and Ambrose I was done. That I wasn't doing a damn thing except killing the thing inside you. Then I went upstairs inside my tower and I trashed the alters of the gods that cursed me with this evil. I began to laugh. Of course. That's why they won't help. Anyway. I had been up there ever since. Only bothered for blood. Occasionally I'd send a note down to prove I was still living but even then. They just left me alone. Left me to think of you and that led me to dark places. To purge I began killing you. Ripping your talons from my heart. It was cathartic, to say the least. However without the safety of my prison. It's dangerous having it around in my hands. I very carefully handed over my blade to my father. I could feel the tension in the air subside.

"Thank you AllyCat."

"No problem."

I whispered and limped away like a skittish stray. As I bypassed him. I pretended not to hear him cry. He shuffled away. Carrying it over his shoulder towards that tent where the rest of the useless weapons resided along with my uncle. Even though I was rendered cockless. I could feel eyes following me around as I moved. No one else had the stomach to speak to me but they sure made it known I wasn't welcome by averting their attention when I passed.

I kept my distance. They were happy. Maybe out of fear. Maybe because I stunk to high hell. I don't know. I was grateful and just did what was needed. I picked up my things from the pile of our shit and moved out of the way. It was easier than just standing around like an idiot. I figured it would be best if I put as much space between me and them as possible so I launched myself up into the air and flapped around. As I floated above them.

I kept sight of the forest. Still nothing. For weeks I've watched and waited for you. I wonder what it is you've been up to with all that time hiding. Have you been plotting and planning? You were always good with that. Hm. I can sense you but you're gone. Or invisible... who knows, but I will find you. I will put your body to rest and then I will die. While I continued to scan. I allowed my ears to pick up the low frequencies of conversations of the people down below. They think I can't hear them. Their minds were open to me. I freely raided them for information. The first loudly screamed at me to listen to them. I took my eyes off the forest for a moment and looked down to find Esme and Emmet. They were fussing around the pile of stuff and just trying not to lose it.

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Emmet.

I didn't even put up a fight this time. There was no point. When those guys came in on me and my girl, screaming and hollering about how we needed to leave. I knew it had to do with my sister. Man, that girl can sure dredge up trouble. I looked around all worried and anxious. My weak heart pumped venom through my old veins. I'm fucking pissed man.

I try to speak nicely about her. Like, I. I know. She's sick. But my patience is starting to wear and my baby's words are getting to me. What if Rosalie was right... that talk stuck with me. What if my sister is? What if she's evil or stupid or something? I just. Man. We can't catch a break. Here I am in my damn footy pajamas and my Spider-Man house shoes. Yes I like to double up. Sue me.

But we're just standing out here in the cold! It's fucking night out. There's weird noises coming from that damn forest. My woman won't speak to me now! I just wanted to get my dick sucked and watch cartoons, but no! Something had to go wrong. Something so stupid that I can't even wrap my head around it. How the fuck did we end up being tossed out?! I couldn't focus on that thought because Esme was all up in my grill. She was rubber-necking around looking for Rose. I don't know where she is. On our way out of there. We got separated. She ran after Carlisle, who was searching for Jane. I don't know... I just miss my baby. I just miss the good ol days. I miss football. I miss the damn electricity and working water, man everything it's gone! But damn I do kind of like the excitement. We are sitting ducks and my other sister is about to nab us at any moment. All because of some stupid flying pussy.

"Emmet, honey, look over there. Is that her? Do you see her? I can't find her."

Ma grabbed attention again. I was sort of out of it and just snippy but I didn't say anything. I just looked around where she said. It wasn't Rose. It was Kate. I rolled my eyes and told Esme it wasn't her.

"I meant Alex, where is she?! Did she make it out of the castle?"

I fought myself from cursing. We are supposed to be looking for Rose and Carlisle. But. Yeah, I saw her. Wandering around all wide-eyed and crazed. She was wearing the same clothes she had on the last I saw her. Her hair is a bird's nest. She looked less than queenly. Then she just took off flying like a damn crow. That's just about what she does these days.

"Yeah ma, I saw her." I swallowed venom with pride to keep myself from saying more.

"Emmet! Why didn't you say anything? Well, did she look alright? She hasn't been eating. Oh, I hope she's ok. Hopefully, she can fix this. Or I don't know."

I felt guilty for having thought the things I did the longer Esme went on worrying.

"I know ma, she's sick. As for fixing this. Let's just do what they said and get ready. There's probably a long day tomorrow. At least let's hope there is..."

"Well, have they said what's going on? I mean goodness gracious those people just kicked us out! What are we going to do now!"

"I don't know ma... do you have your stuff?"

"Of course, I've got yours and Rosalie's too. We're supposed to find..."

Esme haphazardly looked around for the tent, the bags in her hands swung along with her. Once she laid eyes, her body shivered with discomfort. I knew she was going to say something to hurt my head. I just knew it. She opened her trap to say.

" We're supposed to be sleeping on those cots for tonight. Seriously? We can't even lay on those things? Honey, we will break them! They could have at least tossed us some mattresses or I don't know, maybe not tossing us out at all. How am I expected to sleep on a cot? Hold my breath and hope I don't fall through. Where's your sister?! Or. For Christ's sake your father?! Have you seen him?! I thought I saw him with Rosalie and did you see Charlie and the baby? Oh, I hope they didn't hurt the poor baby."

I tuned her out. It's not her fault. She's been kept all these years and is a bit neurotic. But as we are in an apocalypse. We should get used to things going sideways. Especially with my sister in charge. If she even is anymore? From the looks of it, we are under the helm of Ambrose and Alice as they steer us into hell. Great. Im starting to sound like Rosalie with her wild accusations of evil.

Alex is just sick and we all don't know what we are doing anymore. We all are fighting to live. I tried to be as patient and pacifistic with her as I can but. Let's just stay calm. Esme continues to go on and on about how it's uncouth for the witches to have just left us here high and dry. And how this wouldn't have happened if Carlisle and Alex would stop being asshats and did something! I was inclined to remind her that Carlisle was rendered useless after those damn witches took over!

We had been stuck under their thumb for weeks in that castle. Barely surviving off rations. Just waiting for Lilith to attack. Constantly fighting each other for what's left of this world. Which isn't much. Honestly, this might be better. If we can figure out how to get across this forest, we can rattle up some newborns from those villagers and take that castle and then take Lilith down. Or, I wasn't having it. I didn't want to hear mom bicker about some nonsense that didn't fucking matter and I couldn't soothe myself with some pipe dream about getting us out of this bullshit. Rose was right. We're doomed. Why didn't we stay? We should have asked if we could stay. Or maybe we should have hidden. Just me and Rose. Yeah... damn. I couldn't say that to mom. Not while she was panicking and freaked out. So, I just tugged her along and tried to tell her it would be like camping. She wasn't fond of that, this woman replied.

" What's camping without Egyptian cotton and memory foam, and a camper Emmet?! What are we going to do?!"

I calmly let her go and tried not to lose my temper. She noticed and continued to poke me to speak my mind so I did. She just kept yelling and acting irate, so I let her know that I had wished to stay. That we should have fought back! That we could have just attacked them all!

"At what risk? They had guns with bullets that would slice us to pieces. We had no choice but to do as they said. What we should have done, was fought Alex on allowing all those people to come with us. I mean did we need all those witches?! If we hadn't been so kind, we'd be fine!"

We stood there like fools, yelling and screaming as we wave our hands around at each other as we argued like we would physically fight. Several eyes were watching. No one appeared ready to stop us. I took as step back from her to explain.

"Mom, it was Irina that started all this mess. She was one of us. We had saved lives and then things went bad, it is what it is. Let's just find dad and Rose.

She spun around some more with panic and confusion. Still just rambling on and on with complaints about what we had and didn't have anymore. I was at my wit's end. I shook her and begged her to stop.

"This is how I cope Emmet unless you want me to drink. Deal with it!"

"I'm just trying not to make a bad thing worse. Let's just get our stuff and do whatever is needed okay and please, be quiet. Okay. Let's just find Rose and Carlisle."

"Son. Look around. We're about to head into that forest. The same one they've been trying to get into for weeks. The same forest that peeled the skin off a guy's face with acid that shoots from its bark! While your sister is sick and can't do a damn thing to help us."

Esme began to faint. I caught her. I had to almost drag her over to the tent where we found that the cots would hold our weight. While we rested. I prepared and checked over our things for a hike into the fae wood when the sun comes. That's what Ambrose has deemed what's due next. I was worn and tired from having been on this journey to nowhere. But I felt the need to maintain my dignity and strength for Esme. When Esme wasn't looking.

I let myself have a small breakdown as I noticed how little blood was left in our bags. Only enough. I looked out towards the forest and saw nothing. No food. No demons either. Then I looked up into the sky to see my sister. Those horned wings flapping around looked mighty evil. The longer I stared at her I began to notice how frightening she looked. Was she always that strange looking? She waved down at me. I tried to smile back and wave. Poor thing, she doesn't know we're going to have to sacrifice her. That's probably the only way we survive this. We knock her big ass down from the sky and just tie her up and toss her into the trees. Maybe then Lilith will just leave us alone. Maybe... maybe, oh, that won't work. I just shook my head. I turned around to see Esme was down for the count. Slurping away at a bag of blood. I made sure she was alright before I took time to go search out Carlisle. Maybe she's right. He might have a plan.

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Alex.

I don't know how to feel. I just listened to my brother's plan to kill me. I could see it working too. If he got a few people to help him and had a net of iron or silver or some chains. Shoot them from some crossbow and down I go. As for tossing me into the trees... that's just petty. I get it though, times are tough, and his will to live is starting to kick in. He's struggling to handle that things are just getting worse. So of course. He's looking for a way out: I didn't take any chances and kept an eye on him just in case. The last thing I need is to be caught unaware. Again. Between watching him and that 'empty' forest. My mind began to wander.

It circled back to how we ended out here in the first place. So. The witches started a coup. I hate to say it, but I'm not surprised. I had heard all the ruckus going on. Occasionally when I was awake. I guess my aunts and Ambrose had a tough time keeping everything together in my absence. You can judge me all you like but I can't do it anymore. I was more than happy to let them have my job. Although I was a bit surprised about hearing they will be hiking into the forest. Haven't they tried that enough already? I struggled to watch my underlings attempt to enter the forest weeks ago. They did it a few more times and finally washed that idea. Thanks to Esme I now know what happened. So what? Are we all just going to commit suicide to the trees? Walk right into the fae wood and hope whatever's in there won't attack. What about Lilith?! How are they going to kill her? If they can't even find her... unless they did?! I wildly scanned for proof. The mind I landed on was one I'd been avoiding. Ambrose. I try to avoid that black hole as much as possible. It's not fun in there. Mostly because it's a maze. You never know what you'll find if you go looking.

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Ambrose.

Hello. We haven't had a chance to meet. As my insipid ungrateful niece has taken to hogging the story. But it's my time to shine. To start, I'd like to say despite my not liking her attitude or her uncanny ability to die, I do happen to love her. She's family. The only family I've got left in this world. I'd say she and her father but he's less than blood these days. I just try to ignore him. Mostly out of respect and for my sanity. Out of all that, my largest gripe is I just don't think she's ready to be queen. I know she isn't, she's a child. I've tried to step in when I can but she is queen. I have no choice but to follow her orders. She says we stay. We stay. She storms off into the tower. I have no choice but to let her. Her father is no help. He can't get through to her because of his betrayal. He can't sit throne because of his status. So. He holds her hand and lets her run around and I can't stop either.

So you see, I'm blameless. So what if I tainted her heart by toying with her relationship? Or by spinning time too far out of control. Or by lying to the little twit for my own amusement. I've tried with all my might and with several souls. Not mine of course but some that I've borrowed, to fix, what has been broken. Now that, I'd still, it'd still say it's not my fault because you see. She asked me to help her and then she chickens out at every turn or does something inanely reckless! Now here we are. Left behind. You can see why I'm tense. Oh don't look at me like that. She did request my help.

Seriously, there's no guidebook on how to guide a goddess to do her job. At least she's standing this time around. In the past, before I manipulated... well, we manipulated time. She'd barely been able to hold a spoon! She was so cracked out of her head and ripe for Lilith. At least this time we've got a shot at killing her. I think. You see we never made it because of that demon deal Claire made. We did it this time, we saved her but the damage done to Alexandra can't be reversed. The fire child is damaged. I am ashamed of my mistakes. I'll pray. I have been praying for forgiveness. But oh happy days, we did it.

Cornelius and I finally got it together, Now that Bella's out and Jane is in. I have a twin. A ripe twin that can wield. She listens, too. Right now I've got Jane wrangling up the others for the night. The wolves have agreed to be our steeds as we ride at dawn. Whatever may come. I will finally lay waste to Lilith! I allowed my shoulders to rest. The moment didn't last.

I was sitting with my legs kicked back, my foot shaking as I watched the sky. The color of it was tantalizing midnight. I was unnerved. It was too dark. One of the first things I did was set up bonfires to light the way. Its still too dark. I flicked my fingers and several lights lit up the sky for the absence of the moon. The chitter chatter of the souls around was covered up by the slightest whistle of the wind. It rustled the tent above my head. I hunkered down in my chair as I squirmed from the chill. I tucked my coat tighter around me. I could get up, and get a blanket but I'd be hindered of an attack. That won't do. I can feel it. Something is about to happen. I've watched time. I've sat and watched and listened and yet. I still can't find her. She's here but. Oy that girl is good at staying hidden. I'm not anxious because of the dark. I'm anxious because, where is she? Where is Lilith?

She's had her vessel for weeks but she hasn't shown a face. It's boiling my brain trying to imagine the horrors that await. It's maddening. I have been teetering on the edge as to why. To keep myself busy, I managed that stupid castle for that little girl. When they came through all guns blazing I just cackled and let them. For Chaos sake. It was the most amusing thing I've experienced all day. But now I'm sort of dreading the lack of cover. Why? Because. Underneath my legs is a table. Just a plain metal utility table. On it houses what little weapons we have left. A few guns were freely tossed after some pleading from Elizabeth. Although we are short on bullets. So what use are they? A set of scabbards. Some blades. Magic. The wand and staff of Lugh. But if we use them. They will be useless to open the gates...there's that sword. But its owner had been less than agreeable. We have nothing to protect ourselves from Lilith but chaos. At least it's a weapon I know.

"Is there anything else you need?"

I jumped. I hadn't expected the girl to be around still. I looked over my shoulder and there Jane was. She was nervous too. Jittery and in need of work to keep herself from panic. So far she's helped fix a meal, helped me build the tents, and maintain order and she's willing to do more. I'm happy with my new choice of champion. I gave her my final order. To have a seat with me. She was apprehensive but didn't argue. She found a nearby chair and pulled it up across from me. Her nervous fingers fiddled with the scabbards as she awkwardly slumped in the chair. She nervously asked what it was that I wanted.

"Sit up."

"What?"

"You are trying to overcompensate, don't, sit tall. They will adjust to your position."

"You remind me of my mother. She used to try to boss me too."

"Do you miss her?"

"I don't think that's any of your business."

She sat up straight then. I had offended her. I hadn't meant to. She took notice of that and relaxed again. We stayed quiet. Eventually, I tried to speak up again. She was resistant. So I apologized. She was surprised but accepted my cordial offer.

"I hadn't expected that from you."

"I meant it. I honestly didn't mean to offend. I just. I know what it's like to lose everything and I figured you did too. I lost my mother early as well, earlier than you did so it's not exactly the same but. I'm sorry, I'm horrible at this, I'm trying to get to know you. You are her pair, right?"

"One of them. Yes. It's alright, I've been meaning to speak to you actually."

"I hadn't known. I'd of met with you much earlier then."

"Oh." She wore her surprise with grace. "Then it's my apologies for having been so rude. Yes. I do miss her. There's so much I'd ask. Starting with what the hell it is that I'm meant to do here. But you know that, so get on with it. "

"Can't we just chat?"

"No. If there's nothing for me to do, I'd like to."

"To what?"

"It's pointless."

"You'd like to honor my niece? Hold her heart. Cherish her empty little head forever? Yes. I can see that."

She was offended again. I have such trouble with people. I rub them wrong. It could be because I'm pretty. They just assume I'm being rude... sometimes I am. She wasn't upset for long. She nodded her head silently with a terse expression.

"She's hurt you."

"Sir. I don't have words for what she's making me feel. I'm holding grace for her mourning and my own but it's difficult. She's told me she doesn't care for me and I have no choice but to believe her. However. I'm stuck with her and I'm finding it hard to fight this bond of ours. I'm curious as to how she does it?"

"She's a special one. She fights it by pretending it doesn't exist. Just lollygagging around in that head of hers. She's lucky to have found such love and support but her heart is beyond help I fear. But I may have a way you can help her. Ease her suffering and yours, my dear."

"You fae are all the same. I fell for that beautiful line many eons ago. As I asked before. What is it you want? What will it cost me? Will it hurt her? If so I can't. All I crave is to help her. To hold her. Yet it's that harpy she loaned her heart to she wants. If it can't fix all this then I'm afraid you can't help me at all. Sir."

I couldn't help but chuckle. She was smiling brightly and was at ease with my desire to deal. She's a believer in the old. A true honor to have her as family. The last wasn't bad either but she got in over her head. The girl adjusted her behavior predatorily as I explained my situation. I was grateful that Eric had managed to retrieve the sword from Alexandra but now I think I may have made a mistake. Here I sit with it pointed at my throat. She held it towards me without fear. I only asked her to wield it. A simple no would have sufficed. A standstill. I wasn't fearful and neither was she. She eventually sat back down and tossed the blade at me.

"You want me to betray her."

" No. Not at all. Just listen to me. You were well-trained for something like this. Despite my experience and my attempts to help her. She's nowhere near ready. I have bent time out of order to bring you back and fix the dysfunction. So please help me. You take her place. You take this blade and you help me slay the beast that took your lady from you."

"Aren't you the one that's gone on and on about prophecy and visions and all that nonsense?! Who's to say I could?!"

"I stopped following prophecy the moment I used time for personal gain. I've pushed myself to the limits trying to save her and it's impossible. I am sorry that I ever made that deal with that girl. I used her to my advantage but it hurt you and me in the end. Just take the sword. You end this and woo her. I promise she will be yours. Just take it...this one's for free."

————————————

Jane.

The fae before me snapped his fingers and uttered words unheard of by one of them. The words tumbled around my head mockingly. 'This one's for free.' Huh. I continued to stare at his greedy wrinkled face with those purple faded eyes of his, with trembling fear. I could see right through the pretty facade the entire time but looking at it right now made my stomach turn. Underneath that pretty porcelain is a ratty old man. He sits here all high and mighty in his yellowed lace shirt and filthy leather pants as if he wasn't ancient and full of shit. That gravely quiet voice of his speaking contemptful about my lady burned my ears. I just kept watch of his veiny liver spotted hands as that blade sat between us. They slightly shook as he held them open palmed like he meant no harm. After having listened to his sermon. I slapped my hand into one his sweaty palms and said yes. His thin lips smiled with ugly yellow teeth and said. " I'm glad."Just looking at him made me feel dirty. Like I'm sitting with some old leery man. Like I just made a deal with some devil.

I know what you're thinking. This is the same trap that girl fell for when he slipped her soul from her so she could have my mate. The same one I fell for back when I lost my child. This time I was prepared, as he shook my hand and was about to seal the deal with a grubby kiss. I decided to quickly ask for the bylaws. That old man was amused and chuckled to himself. As he unclasped my hand and those teeth disappeared behind a wrinkled frown. His expression went blank. He adjusted his posture like a business man and snapped his fingers again. A fat scroll appeared out of thin air behind his big head. It moved between us and unspooled. I was quick to nab it. As my eyes moved along the high elder. I knew that I had done right.

"There's more here than just a simple deal about me holding this here sword."

There wasn't anything about my soul... but it was a lengthy document full of trickery. The old man conjured a pair of reading glasses and a feather ink pen and then smiled at me with hidden malice as he prepared to change whatever I wanted.

"These are just safety precautions, shall I or you not live up to expectations. Then there's some things I needed done."

"So it's not for free."

I mockingly stated as I pondered what he could possibly need. From what I knew of him. Which isn't much. This fairy before me desires nothing but Lilith's head. His wrinkled lips pursed themselves to say.

"Nothing in this world is for free. You know that. However I can assure you that it won't cost ,you, anything. Some poor fuck out there may lose a limb or two or three. Hahaha. But why do you care?"

"What's the price? Hm. What do you want from this? Why did it take you this long to come confront me? Hm?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know."

"I, don't know. I. I had to be sure about you. Sure that you could stand up to her. I'll be straight with you. This is my last chance. I don't have enough chaos left to spare. So I need to borrow some. Alright. I'm just doing my job. Which is to make sure that brat makes it. It's not exactly my job to deal out the details as to how. Just as long as I get her pigheaded tail onto that throne and my kingdom back. It's just a simple signature. If you don't want her or my deal that's fine, we can just keep letting her run us into the ground!"

"I can empathize with your plight. I want nothing more than to do that as well. Mostly because I'd like to live. I'm not sure leaving everything in her hands is the way to do that. As much as I'd like to defend her. I can see she's ill equipped. But. How can you be sure it won't backfire on Alexandra? I was being quite serious when I said I can't harm her. "

"I can't hurt her either, it's a long story but I'm bound to her bloodline. I can put that in there. Even suit it up right so absolutely nothing happens to the vegetable. I assure you that's the last thing I'd like to happen."

"Tell me about it why don't you and thats an interesting way to speak about her. If you're so inclined to keeping her alive. Why didn't you stop her from being shot? Hm? Where where you?"

He blinked slowly and tried to excuse himself. I watched unamused as he stuttered. I don't care how foolish he's acting I'm smart enough to know he's probably the most intelligent thing here.

"I'm just being colorful with my language. As for where I was. I was watching. I knew she'd be fine. The only thing that can harm her is this here sword. They weren't going to kill her, they just wanted to leave and frankly they were dead weight. All of them were worthless to me. Refusing to listen to my orders because I didn't have those black hands of that woman you love so dear. I just want to live, too. So if you help me, maybe we won't all end up like that there princess."

"I'm still not sure. As for that Color. I'd appreciate less. I may have my issues with Alexandra but I won't tolerate you bashing her this way."

"I can watch my mouth if we were to get on with talking about this here scroll. I can scrub it clean as much as I can but it's true. You shake my hand and sign, well, something will happen. I can't say it will be painless either. Someone may die, I don't know. I just need the chaos. I'm not sure what's waiting on the other side. I'd prefer to have some extra help with us."

"I here you. Let me think this over."

The longer I sat with him. The more I felt the need to leave. I know fae. I know them well. I grew up around them. Hearing little stories about them. Some of them were lovely tales... others were warnings. Oh mother and Alec would have such fun with this nonsense, my hand anxiously toyed with his necklace. It was a talisman from back in the olden days. He's had kept it all these years. A protective charm. I hoped it would keep me from harm while I'm in his care. He continued to glare with interest. The scroll was in my other hand. It shook. A bead of sweat rolled down my brow as I panicked.

"If I sign this. It will correct what that girl did? Right? Alexandra will be mine?"

"Technically she's already yours."

"Then what's the point of this?"

"Listen here dolly, you know and I know you may have her but she's not ' yours'. I can lessen the pain holding in her heart. You long for her just as much as the last. Maybe less considering the last was psychotic but you understand. This deal here is the only way I can work my magic. It's just how things are these days. No extra chaos running around. Mostly because she's consuming it as we speak."

Chaos. It's hard to describe. It's not something exactly tangible but it's here. It rests in the in between much like love and luck. It's an element that exists only by chance and stands with great potential. However there's no exact way to control it. It just is and it has a mind of its own. It's supposedly the matter that existed before the universe expanded into space. It lies in the very air we breathe. In our minds and in our hearts. It leaks from everywhere and everything that lives. My eyes looked up to find Alexandra up there watching us. Her dazed eyes weren't concerned. She just lazily stared at us. The longer I looked at the immobile statue of her. I knew something was wrong. Thing around us were out of place. Glitching about. I must try not to push the fae further. It could dire if not.

"No." I whispered without removing my gaze. Hoping if I remained in control. He'd simply just let me be.

"No!"

He snipped back. I watched as the old man's face morphed with several emotions. I began to pray. He obviously wasn't happy with my response. I patiently waited for some reaction or something but he just sat there almost as if he hadn't expected me to say no. Eventually he solemnly and softly spoke.

"Fine, I will just find another soul to carry it. I refuse to obey to that little girl any longer. I can't trust that she won't run at the sight of Lilith. Just take the damn sword! You're her bonded it's you obligation to protect her, right?! Look at her! She's not fit to hold it!"

"I won't and no one else will either. They can't. If they could. You would have found them by now. You need one of us. You know Edward won't. He'd kill you for simply asking. Jasper can't. You came for me, for a reason. I wonder if it's because I'm her lover, well I should be anyway, or if it's because you thought I hated her. That I'd be willing to kill her. From where I sit. There's three possible rulers of the otherworld still left on this planet. You. Lilith. Then we have. Alex. You say you just need a champion... but what are you really looking for. A traitor? Did Bella fail to kill your enslaver deep in that cavern? Hmm? You did tell her not to fight right?"

"Because I knew she couldn't do it. She's weak. It's best for her to just play dead and stupid as she does."

His sparse eyebrows rose high. He laughed and laughed and tried to appear harmless and faithful to his weakened queen but I wasn't sure. From what he told me. He's been working against her in his own little ways. Tampering with things. Is he building up to something or is he truly just trying to work his, magic, and playing around as the fae do? I couldn't be sure so I asked if I could go.

"Sure... just be quiet about our talk." He snapped his fingers and that pretty facade was back in place. The glitching stopped.

—————————————-

Alex.

There was no response heard. Huh. So it's more than one that's turning against me. It was bound to happen. I was never meant to run this show anyhow. Despite feeling a tad raw about my uncle selling me. Again. I wasn't upset about giving it all up. I never wanted this in the first place.

I understand why he's doing this and if she takes my sword, I... my eyes drifted towards them again and I saw she was gone. I swallowed spit and frowned. I'm far enough that its possessive call was null but I still feel it there with Ambrose. She should have taken it. She is of more skill than I. I was upset because for a moment I felt sort of relieved. Despite having slain you quite a few times now. I'm not sure I can face you again. See that skin Lilith wears of you. Maybe she can.

In my distraction my wings began to move of their own accord. Drifting me towards another mind. One that's been desperately searching for mine. Jasper. He was further away from everyone as usual. Hunched under a blanket, laid out in the grass, and relaxed. When I landed I realized why. I had disturbed him and his friends. They were huddled around each other and talking. I felt unwanted. Despite that. Peter and Charlotte immediately left. It was awkward. I just stood there with my wings out longer than they should've been. He was watching me. No emotions could be read. As usual. I continued to stand there and rock as Edward does silently requesting permission. I had known of the experiments but I hadn't known... He didn't look so good. Just shivering like a leaf. He refused to acknowledge me. He just kept his eyes low. His body was hunched and ready to launch. There was no need. I wasn't looking for a fight. I put the wings up and had a seat next to him. He wrapped his body around me. It still felt sort of weird.

"What now?"

"Hmm."

"You've been out your gord. Neglecting everything and everyone, we tried to be there for you and you wouldn't let us!Now you're stretching this out. Why not just fly over and end this?"

"I've tried that."

"Oh, you have? Excuse me."

"Yes Jasper, I haven't been completely out of it. I've attempted a few times and I've read up on it. I can't lift it. It's got some enchantment built into it. It's been here since before the last king's rule. King Uther had tried to remove it but couldn't. I've also been training constantly and I search the forest as much as possible. I see nothing every time. I can't find her. Maybe she's still underground. Hell. For all we know, she's not in this part of the forest. There are all sorts of doors to the fae realm. She could be in another part."

"Shh, I believe you. Ghost was always good at hiding. I'm sure Lilith has been putting her talent to good use. Just like you're putting off the inevitable. In your good days, you'd just go in blazing."

"Yes, and I would have got me and everybody with me killed. I'm done. When you find her. Tell Ambrose..."

"Oh, I'm done searching too. I can't find her either. Ambrose and Eric have just about had it. They managed to get everything ready. All they need is you and that cauldron and its open sesame."

"It's that easy? Huh. We just get this last key and then they open the gate to hell?"

"That's what he said. You really can't just fly over and get it? What if we break the enchantment or something?"

"It's too heavy for me to carry alone. If I was to drop it. Then all of this would be for nothing. You find me someone willing to help. Fine."

"I'd be willing to go."

"You're too sick."

"I am not."

"Jasper."

"Fine. I get it."

He didn't. He was frustrated but was allowing the conversation to drop. It was still awkward for us trying to pretend like things haven't changed. Like we haven't been distant. Like she's not gone.

"Is it wrong to ask how you've been?" He asked after an incredibly long time.

"No, I meant to ask you the same. I can see that. Why didn't you write about how you were doing? Or at least tried to bring it to my attention? You look worse than death, I wouldn't have let them do this to you."

"I volunteered. Besides. I heard about how Frankie found you. All bloodied up. From Bella. I had heard you had been dreaming but I didn't know it was her."

"Yeah."

"Did it help?"

"Not really."

"Yeah. I know. You reek. Why are you still covered in 'her' excrement?"

"I keep seeing her. Every time I close my eyes and try to touch the water. There she is. It's just us floating in that tide pool. Nobody around. It crushes me every time. Then I see her pulling me out of another tide pool with fairy bodies all around us. Jasper. She died that day, but she was dead long before that. I should have left her alone. I should have just stayed away from her. I can't clean myself because I'm not clean. My hands are covered in blood. Just let me be. I'm sure you understand. "

" Yeah. I've been there. You've put me there more than once. Is that why you are pushing us away? You want to roll around in your pity. Because it's done more harm than good. It did us more harm than good. I'm tired of this Alexandra."

"I see that."

"I know you do. So does she. She's been here, for you, just talk to her. At least listen to her. I think she deserves that."

"Did she put you up to this? I think she put her friend up to the same, the last thing I remember was him trying to get me to listen to my 'lady' before he killed me, and looks like helped the witches take our damn castle! So why should I listen to her? Truth is. I don't know her. She's some stranger that is supposed to be my true lover or something. But who is she?"

"Go find out. I can just see her mooning from here. She's over there with Edward, I think." I pulled away from Jasper to see they were a good distance away from us." just if you could be you go, stay with me for a moment. I do miss you."

"... I needed to be alone. I needed to purge her."

"Do you still need to?"

"No."

"well can you shower, please..."

I figured I could scrub up. A quick spell did the trick for now but it did nothing to make me feel clean. He hugged me as tight as he could manage. We stayed that way for what felt like an eternity. I had forgotten what it felt like to allow love to hold me. The last time I did. It was your hands that let go. Now I'm too afraid to let them touch. After a while. He fed and conked out. I stayed a moment longer to watch him before getting up for Frankie.

I was still feeling strange about having overheard the conversation between my uncle and her so I lingered. I just took stock. It was interesting to see how bonded she had everyone. While under that tent with the sleeping bags and cots. The creatures left behind huddled against the cold. They tended to each other with conversation and bonding over a hot meal as they fought against fear. Some of the others lingered further away from the tent but everyone avoided the forest. I spied Alice and Kate dancing out near a trash can fire. They looked happy despite all this hell. They were dressed up in semi White dirty clothes as they swayed to some beat up radio. I drifted my thoughts towards them to find out why. She just got proposed to with a hand-carved rock ring. They are celebrating their assumed first and last night as wives. I shed a tear and felt foolish for having done so. It's my fault they only have a night. I drifted my attention further away and saw Emmet had found Rosalie. They were arguing up where the castle used to be. She and her were screaming about having not stayed behind. Cursing me and Carlisle for our foolishness. The more I looked around I began to see how much I had completely lost control. I'm not fit. I never was. I may still have to wear the crown but I think I need to talk to Frankie. While I stood out there. Alone. Too afraid to see the woman that I've ignored out of cowering and death. Someone came up behind me. They had shoved me. When I turned to see who it was. It was Carlisle. He was a drunken mess. He wobbled with rage and shouted.

"It's all gone!" I held out my hands to steady him and he swatted me away. I didn't care. I kept trying until I finally accepted his rejection of me. "My research, it's all gone." He fell to the ground. I glared down at him and spat.

"Maybe it was meant to. Maybe it was never meant for you. Maybe it was meant for those left in the damn castle. Who knows maybe they can go back and cure what Bella left... I don't know but. I'm sorry, you must deal with it."

He lunged up to smack me. I defended against him. He attempted again and again. Even attempted to pull me down by my hair. But each time we matched movements. My training wasn't so useless after all. He eventually tired himself out and fell. He smashed his hands into the dirt and cried out to his false god. Begging him to strike me down with vengeance. To slay the beast of witchcraft and devilry. He foamed at the mouth with religious pride. His insanity reached its peak as he realized he'd die without a soul. Cursing me instead of accepting who he is. What he's always been. Fae.

I walked away from him as I whispered to him that no one would answer. That our gods had long left us behind. The walk back to camp was different than the last as I had all the attention. It was deeply uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if it was because they had heard Carlisle's breakdown or if it was just because it was me. Either way, I must trudge through. I eventually stumbled upon them. They were sitting around a small fire. I could see them chatting like old friends with mugs of something warm in their hands. They continued to chat as if I hadn't just come over and sat with them. I was fine with the silent treatment. I just. I don't know. I guess I wanted to be near somebody and I thought it was best I'm with the ones I should've been with all along. As I sat. I was intensely interested in the fire. I began to see beautiful images form in its dancing flames. They were of her. I shook my head and they disappeared. Maybe she's playing tricks on me. Or is it you? Edward noticed I was acting strange. I tried to play it off.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"What are you on?" He barked.

"What are you talking about?"

"What drugs are you on?"

Nothing. I'm seeing things."

"I don't believe you. What is it youre on. Shrooms? Hmm? Some concoction? Potions? I heard you've been staying awake too! How? Are you on meth?!"

"No edward! Okay, test me if you want."

"How the hell can I test you Alex!"

"Where would I get meth Edward?"

"Then what is it?!"

"It's just. My head has been wonkier than usual."

"Thats obvious."

Edward said then asked yet again how I dreamt up some drug. We spiraled into an argument about whether or not if drugs from another reality would work.

"You see her, don't you. When you stare off into the flames... it's that girl."

The candid shout came from Jane. It was loud enough to break through the argument. Both Edward and I were silent. I couldn't resist and I couldn't lie. Edward waiters for me to deny it. I lifted my gaze to meet those ethereal blue eyes that rested in that head of Frankie's. They were beautiful. Even when they look at me with disgust. I didn't take offense. I nodded my head yes regretfully. It's not exactly my choice. It must be because of you. What you did. No matter how hard I try to pry you from me. You linger. Edward clapped his hands in my face to make me focus. I jumped. He apologized and scooted away.

"What was that for? You think I'll hurt you or something?"

"No. You'll just leave. Like you always do. So why should I get used to you being here at all. Hm? Just disappear already."

"You're pissed at me."

"I'm furious."

Frankie was amused by our reaction. We both glared at her with annoyance and she didn't mind. As she was more pissed that he. "Why don't you care about me?" She just blurted out without shame or care of Edward being here. He was uncomfortable but I wasn't. I said.

"I don't know you. But it seems these two have gotten to know you. At least enough to peddle you to me. So did the guy that put a bullet in my head. So why should I listen?" She tried to hide her shame.

"I didn't know he was going to do that! If I had I most certainly would have stopped it. But you know what. You lived, so."

"Edward why don't you give us some space."

"I think you both need to get ahold of yourselves. She said she didn't know, she doesn't know." Edward said with disbelief but people were starting to pay attention.

"Well, how is it that you two were friends, you were with him, and you didn't know? You've been pretty prepared to be in charge since we've been dumped out here. It just looks suspiciously strange."

"There was more to it than that and you'd of known if you hadn't been up in that tower. There were issues with Elizabeth and Glinda over how to attack the forest. The experiments on Jasper and I weren't working. Glinda wanted to just blast in. While we know Frost. We stick to the plan and do things safely. We see what happened. " Edward casually admitted.

"How does Arthur fit into that..."

"I said I don't know, okay but he's gone."

"Yeah so is alot of others. Like where's Willow?"

They both looked at me and waited for the information to catch up. It did eventually come to me that if she wasn't here. She's there. With her knowledge of physics. She probably was useful in their leaving. My eyes lingered over to where Clara was. She had since moved as far from Elizabeth as possible. They still are fighting the inevitable. Even in the face of possible death. Why do they bother?

" How has everything been with them?"

Edward followed my attention.

"With frost and Clara? Well Clara and she have been distant and cold since the coup. Which is to be expected. As for Willow and Clara, they stopped speaking to each other long before they split. Honestly I don't think they said much after the whole ghost sickness thing happened."

It hurt worse to know what happened than but I was alright. I just stole Edward's mug. Inside was some mulled coffee. It wasn't good but I didn't have anything else. I sipped it with a grimace. He scooted close to my side. I accepted his comfort. It wasn't before long that Frankie was giving him signals to leave. I told him it was alright. He kissed my cheek before going. She scooted closer but left space between. The fire cracked and popped. The wind was chilly and the mood was somber. Her long limbs were angled toward me but she refused to look at me. She just sat there. Pouting and angry. I tried to make the first move and I was rejected. So we sat in silence.

"You don't know me." She chillingly hissed toward me. Her arms across her chest. She waited impatiently for me to reply. Almost like she wanted to cut me off. So I took my time.

"It's not just that. But no, I don't know you Frankie."

"There's been plenty of time to try"

"You're right and I haven't because I don't want to. I don't want to hold hands with anyone right now. I want to smash faces into concrete. I'm not okay. I figured I'd be doing you a favor by staying gone."

"The problem is you're not gone. You're here. I feel you in my bones and it's disturbing. I can't do anything but try to deal with it."

"I'm done avoiding you. I just don't know where to begin. Hi. I just lost my wife. Who really shouldn't have been my wife? Because you should be. But sorry, that didn't happen so... It's just a lot right now."

"I get it. Thank you for sharing that with me. I feel the same. I've been trying to understand and have patience. I know that you loved her. It's been hard for me too. I am your mate whether we like it or not. So. I'd appreciate it if you respected me as such."

I admired her attitude. She was candid but respectful. Almost cold. She just said things and expected it to be that way. I sat there as the fire crackled and couldn't find a reason not to agree.

"I can do that."

"Thank you."

The distance between us didn't close. We got quiet again. I sipped the coffee. She sat with her legs crossed. She kicked her left leg occasionally. I noticed the shoes she was wearing were lime green crocks and I couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't amused. I had to explain while I continued to laugh like a mindless idiot. She thought I was making fun of her. I profusely apologized and explained. She told me. Those were the only shoes that fit. She's got some big feet. She accepted my apology and believed me when I explained that I just hadn't expected to see them again. She wasn't happy to know they were Bella's but she didn't get upset. She just asked if I was ok with her keeping them. I had no problem. I noticed more about Frankie. Like how she braided her hair to the side and let it hang loose. The messy look was sort of effortless on her. She was dressed sort of mix-matched but even then she held a sense of poise. I continued to map her features starting from the bottom. I eventually found her face again and I lingered on her lips. She did the expected and leaned in to kiss me. The second our lips touched I felt my body become aware. Desperate for attention and touch. Nothing went past that heated moment but it was enough to soothe her nerves. Yet it set mine on fire. She still gets under my skin and makes me feel all tingly. Should I trust her? Should I fall into her arms? Is there time to do that? Maybe that's why the gods haven't taken me yet. For her.

We spent the rest of the night together. Trying to get to know each other. She even attempted to tame the mess my hair had become and we chatted about mindless girly things to distract from the destruction around us. The moment we had away didn't last long. As the sun rose high and Ambrose arrived. He was strangely calm as he held out that sword. I looked between them. Then looked out towards my flock. Then I made the first choice, the first real choice as queen which made me proud. I stood up and took it from him and turned to my lady and asked if she would be willing to help me. If she would be willing to take it.

"Alex."

"It's alright. I heard. I agree with him. I think you should take this from me. At least until we can be sure I can use it right. I'm not okay. I mean I'm really not and I think someone else should be in charge. I can't think of anyone else that would be able. It was you that stood by another kingdoms side and it reigned for centuries. Jane. Just take it from me."

"Are you sure?"

"More than anything."

She wasn't happy or sad or seemed affected by my action. She just accepted the blade. She held it out in front of her. Feeling the weight of it in her hands. She swished it around freely away from us and then holstered it against her side.

"I'll hold on to it for you, but it's yours."

"Thank you."

"No my queen. Thank you."

We shared a final kiss. Just before we walked back over to my flock and attempted to enter that strange wood. The wonders that unfolded inside were much more appealing than the last.