Burning Ember

Chapter 16: Sisterly Advice

Song Connection: Stay Strong

Sofia arrived at Amber's room thirty minutes after requested, and as soon as she knocked on the door, she felt herself instantly pulled inside, the door swiftly shut behind her. "Whoa, Amber. You okay?"

Amber appeared distraught and frazzled, which wasn't common for her anymore. Of course, having an evil lookalike out to destroy her and her entire family probably had something to do with that. She began frantically pacing, worry evident on her face as she rambled. "Sofia, I don't know how to handle this. I just…" She stopped, her hands gripping the side of her head. "How do you and Cedric do this all the time? Dark magic wielders usually don't come after me. I'm usually able to lie low and keep going on with my life, but right now, I don't know what to do. I can't be strong for my people when I feel so helpless."

The younger woman walked over to her sister, gently grasping her wrists, lowering them to her sides. Her smile was calm and comforting, as it often was. "A lot of what Cedric and I do in situations like this is holding our ground. Stand your ground, Amber. A big part of it is also staying strong mentally, because that's when people will try to hold you down. Use your strengths. Ours happens to be magic. Yours is intellect, common sense, and like you said, diplomacy. You can pretty much reason with anyone, so maybe that will work in our favor this time."

"Sofia, be serious…" She placed her hands on the princess's shoulders. "I know I'm not overly familiar with dark magic, but I know it's dangerous. You've told me so many stories of your experiences, and every one of them sounded terrifying. How do you keep running back into the fire when you know you're going to get burned?"

Sofia grasped her sister's hands, holding them in place on her shoulders. "Because I'd rather burn than see our family and friends burn instead. Just like with Vor, with the Never Realm, and with any other evil we've faced before, I know the importance of taking a stand for those we love, even if that means I have to fall."

Amber felt her skin grow cold when her sister uttered those words. She knew how serious she was, because she'd seen that determination in her eyes many times now. Sofia had truly proven her resilience and abilities in the last few decades, and she was a formidable challenge to anyone who dared go against her. "I wish I had half the courage you did, Sofia…" She moved away from her, sitting down on her bed, looking down at the floor. "I'm worried about endangering our people. I'm actually worried about endangering their people too! Just because Ember and Jaime happen to be wicked or whatever, that doesn't mean their people are… Why should they be put in danger just because their leaders have lost their minds?"

The youngest royal nodded, walking over to the bed, and sat down next to Amber. "I agree. But you know something? Whenever Cedric and I have had some adventures in the past, dealing with things very similar to this situation, a lot of those 'evil people' were able to be rehabilitated. If Ember is anything like you, Amber, there's a heart in her somewhere. Maybe it's just a matter of finding it."

The sweet words were appreciated, as evidenced by Amber's brief smile, but even they couldn't stop her spiraling mind. "But she's killed people, Sofia. Or she's had her brother kill them, which is so opposite of James and his personality that it's unreal… How do I combat these negative motions, Sofia? What can I do?"

"Stay strong," she told her sister calmly and sincerely, "because there's a kingdom that needs you. You can do anything if you put your mind and heart to it, Amber. Even without magic, you've always been so powerful and strong. There's nothing you can't do if you keep that determination, play to your strengths, and recognize your challenges. And then, let other people help you, because no one should have to handle something like this alone. It's just not possible."

Amber sighed before laughing softly. "Have you always been this wise? Oh, who am I kidding? Even when we were kids, you were talking like an 80 year old woman holding onto the world's secrets."

Sofia giggled. "Probably because I had to keep this secret so long." She slid her amulet along its chain, sighing. "So much has changed over the years… But one thing that hasn't changed is the promise I made to you and James a long time ago: I consider you guys real siblings, even if we're not related by blood. Family isn't always blood anyway, and we both know that. If you're in trouble and need help, I'm always going to be there for you. Right now, I know you need me. I've needed you before in the past, and you've always come through. Let me do the same for you this time."

The queen reached out and hugged her sister, a heavy weight lifted off her shoulders as she sighed. "Sofia, you're the best sister I could have asked for. Thanks for always getting me out of my head and helping me think clearly…" She smiled sheepishly as she sat back, twirling some of her hair around her fingers. "I…know that's not the easiest job to have. Somehow, Desmond has managed to put up with me, but that's voluntary. You guys—you and James, and the others—didn't exactly have a choice."

"Not all 'mandatory' things are bad, though. Having you as a sister because Mom and Dad found each other and fell in love?" She nudged the queen playfully, grinning. "Not a bad thing at all. Even if you did pick on me and try to destroy my self confidence because you were threatened by my very nature…"

"I did n—okay, admittedly, I was a royal pain…" Amber laughed at the pun, especially when Sofia snickered. "I'm just glad things changed. And maybe you're right. Maybe Ember and Jaime can change too… I don't want our counterparts to be evil. It doesn't sit right with me."

"Cedric and I had evil counterparts too, but there was a happy-ish ending for them. After a lot of trial and error…" Sofia stood, grasping her sister's hands. "Just stay strong and positive, Amber. Things will work out like they're supposed to. And lean on us if you need us. You know we've got your back."

Amber hugged Sofia, smiling as she did. "Thanks for your encouragement, Sofia. I needed it."

"You're welcome."

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Guilty Glimpses