Hello, readers. I have returned yet again with this sequel to my previous story, Binding Enchantment. I didn't get much feedback on whether a sequel was wanted, but a story began to brew. And as a writer, I had to write it down.

So, without further ado, I give you Phantasmal Legacy.

She walked swiftly down the street, nodding politely to passers-by. She had not told her parents she was going into town, and figured that by now they would have begun to worry. So she continued on towards the edge of town, knowing that from there she'd be able to make it home safely.

Having lived near this town her whole life, she was aware of a nearby shortcut. She turned down an alley, tucking a lock of brown hair that had fallen free of her long braid behind her ear. Her simple green dress was pulled tight against her legs as a chilled breeze tore through her. But she did not falter, and continued on, walking tall.

A small brown mouse scurried across her path, followed closely by a slender, young, black and white tomcat. The mouse escaped between the stones of a building wall, and the cat had to give up his pursuit. The animal trotted over to the girl, sat down, and mewled pleadingly.

"I'm sorry, kitty," she apologized sweetly, "I don't have any food to give you."

But the little cat was persistent. He rubbed up against her legs, weaving in and out and purring loudly. Unable to leave an animal in need alone, she stooped down and picked the small cat up in her arms, with the intention of bringing it home.

When she looked up, she found her path blocked by an older man. He smiled down at her, shaking his blonde bangs out of his eyes.

"Hey," he greeted casually, stepping closer to her, "You look lost; need a hand finding your way back home, little miss?"

"No, I'm not lost," she insisted, shaking her head and clutching the cat tighter against her chest. She tried to get past the man, but he stopped her.

"Now, don't be frightened," he soothed, placing a hand on her shoulder. She quickly shrugged it off, backing away with a threatening glare.

"Leave me alone!" she demanded as the man began to step closer.

"There you are."

She was suddenly aware of an arm around her shoulders, captivating her. She looked up at the man who had come up behind her. Unkept red hair hung in shining brown eyes, and a friendly smile played over his lips.

The man who stood in their way straightened up. "Who are you?" he demanded, looking angry.

"What does it matter to you?" the red-haired man challenged, "Be on your way, I must take my sister home now."

For a moment the man looked ready to argue. But the girl flashed him another cold glare, blue eyes gleaming. Instantly, the man turned and walked away without another word. The man who stood beside her laughed.

"Impressive subtlety, Adele," he complimented, linking his arm with hers. In her free arm, Adele still clutched the cat she had picked up in the alley. She scowled.

"Did my parents send you to find me, Markl?" she inquired, an irritated tone edging her voice. They began to walk slowly, heading towards the flower shop just outside town.

Markl, now a strapping young man of twenty-five, nodded his head, his smile remaining. "You really shouldn't wander off, Adele," he scolded amiably, "Your mum got quite flustered when she couldn't find you."

Adele rolled her eyes. "I'm seventeen now!" she argued, "Don't I have a right to do as I please? I was just going for a walk."

"It's for your own good," Markl insisted as they quickly turned a corner, "That guy back there is the least of your worries. Since the king died, crime has increased all over, and this town is no exception." They were nearing the shop now. "And Prince Justin cannot be crowned until he remarries."

Adele bowed her head, recalling the stories her father had told her when she was small. She knew well what had occurred between her mother and the prince. When she had been a young girl, she found the idea of the forbidden romance thrilling, and loved the happy ending when her mother and father lived happily ever after together. But now that she was older, looking at the story and the state of the world now, she could not help but wonder if perhaps her mother had made the wrong decision.

But then she would remember how happy her parents always looked together. That was how the story was meant to end, whether it was right or not.

"He has to find a bride soon," Adele reassured as they came up to the front door of the shop, "He's had over seventeen years to search."

Markl muttered something about the prince being a real turnip head as he opened the door. Adele rushed inside, eager for the warmth of the castle compared to the chill of the town outside. She bid a quick good morning to Calcifer before fetching a bowl and some cream. Placing her cat on the floor, she filled the bowl and slid it in front of him. The little cat began to lap eagerly at his meal, meowing his gratitude.

"Mother!" she called up the stairs, taking off her hat and placing it on the kitchen table, "Father! I'm home!"

She heard her mother's small footsteps on the stairs, and a minute later she saw her. Sophie's silver hair, grown out to the small of her back after all these years, hung loosely around her face, which had been preserved in youth by her wizard husband. She brushed off her apron quickly before approaching her daughter, concern glistening in her brown eyes.

"Adele," she said sternly, hugging the girl tightly, "What have I told you about going off on your own? It's dangerous!"

"Mom, I'm more than capable of protecting myself," Adele argued, brushing off her mother's embrace, "I'm not like the other helpless girls around." Then, just to prove her point, she locked her eyes on her mother, and with a wave of her hand, Sophie was lifted about a foot off the ground and suspended there. Adele set her down again after a moment, raising her eyebrows. "See?"

"Don't be so hard on her, Sophie."

Both women turned to the stairs, where they discovered Howl had been watching for some time. Adele smiled up at her father, and offered him a cheery "Good morning!" Howl returned the smile, and descended the last of the stairs.

"But your mother's right, Adele," Howl continued, putting one hand on her slender shoulder, "You should at least tell us before you run off."

"If I told you," Adele pointed out, putting her hand on Howl's shoulder as well, "You wouldn't let me go, now would you?"

"Probably not," Howl answered truthfully, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth, "But why do you want to go into town anyways? You have the garden if you want to get some fresh air."

Adele sighed in exasperation. "It's the people, Father," she replied sadly, "I like being around people. I've never had any friends outside the castle, you know."

"Neither have I," Markl spoke up from where he sat at the table, nose buried in a book.

"You're not helping!" Adele shouted, turning to him.

"Now, don't get upset, Adele," Sophie said gently, "We just want what's best for you." She turned to Markl and nodded respectively. "Thank you for bringing her home, Markl."

"Glad to do it," he replied, nodding back.

With an exclamation of anger, Adele rushed for the door. She obediently turned the dial, and stepped out into the garden that Howl had originally given to Sophie as a gift. She slammed the door behind her, running out among the grass and flowers.

She settled down into her own little plot, near the lake. The small area was overgrown with many different colors of roses, as well as lilies and a number of other blossoms. In the center, a tangle of golden roses grew in respect for the woman she'd been named after. She kicked off her shoes, feeling the grass under her bare feet. With a sigh, she untied the ribbon that held her braid and shook it lose, long brown hair cascading down her back.

With a small wave of her hand, a large, ice-blue flower bloomed up from the earth. She smiled, momentarily forgetting her anger. She adored her little garden, and spent a lot of time here.

"Hey, Adele."

She turned to find Markl approaching her, hands in his pockets. She turned away from him with a huff, signaling that she was still angry with him. Nevertheless, he sat down beside her, looking over her garden.

"I like what you've done here," Markl remarked, examining her newest flower. He looked up to Adele with a slight smile. "Do you mind?"

"Go ahead," Adele obliged, sighing and giving up her grudge. Of all the people in the world, it was impossible for her to stay mad at Markl. He was her best friend.

He waved his hand over a bare patch of grass, and a cream colored lily, green at the center, sprung forth. Carefully he plucked it up, and affectionately tucked it behind Adele's ear. The shade of green matched her dress perfectly, and she could not help but smile as she turned back to Markl.

"There we go," he said, "There's the Adele I know. You shouldn't be angry- it doesn't suit you."

"I'll try my best, Markl," she promised. The pair lapsed into silence, sitting together within the garden, staring up at the sky.

And there you have it! The first chapter. Reviews are appreciated, as always. Let me know what you think!