Chapter 16
Everyone was asleep, their breath coming in small gasps as they dreamed of incomprehensible things that they would never remember in the morning. However, Sean's eyes were still wide open, the images of Rose and Ferra matching up in his mind. He sat up from his spot against The Evertree and noticed at Ferra was standing near the water. So, he stood from his seat and approached her.
"Ferra, we need to talk," Sean murmured after a few minutes of unbearable silence. She turned her eyes on him and nodded, looking back out into the sea.
"I know where you came from," He whispered, "I saw the letter." Ferra closed her eyes, imagining the written out words on a piece of faded parchement:
Dear Journal,
I am in desperate need of a future queen. And so, I will follow the tradition of generations and return to the human world through a trap door that has a spell only Evel people can enter, and collect the daughter living there. Just as I was collected from my home, and Queen Evelyn before that. I hear her name is Rose, a lovely girl who's delicate skin will soon turn to ice as my own had. It only takes a year, only a year of careful training and Rose will be as good as I. Her name will be a problem, however, so I intend to change that small detail. Ferra is a suitable replacement. And so, she will become my queen. I only need to steal her, in just the right time. Everything is already planned. It will be flawless.
Until next time,
Queen Mala
She was more than certain that this was the letter Sean had viewed, the letter that was, unfortunately, entirely true. Ferra was no Ferra, she was a Rose. A delicate petal melting in this cold world, forced to live a life she never wanted. Sean looked up at Rose and said quietly, "I know you need to return home, Rose."
Rose smiled at Sean, a sad smile, "I do. But I will die in those flames. Evel has a hold on me." She held out her icy arm, letting the sun make it sparkle.
"Not if we have a stronger hold," Sean said, determined to win this over. He took her hand and gripped it hard, hoping to prove how hard it was going to be for the pit to take her from them.