Blackstone idly sat by the campfire, reading a scroll while waiting for Star to finish the meal he had prepared for her. She had recently turned six, and now stood taller than him, nearly the size of her mother.

If he didn't know she loved him, he might fear her, just like her mother... A smile crept across his face. So far, his plan was working.

It had been a year since they left, and just as he had predicted, she hit a massive growth spurt. He was now grateful to his past self for getting her out of the Night Kingdom before she grew up fully.

If her mother ever discovered what he had done... He shivered lightly, almost jumping when Star spoke up.

"Hey, Dad..." Star mumbled. "What are we doing?" she asked, giving him a questioning look.

He glanced back at her with a confused expression.

"We've been away from home for a year now... What are we doing?" she asked again.

He gave her a kind smile and returned his gaze to the scroll. "What do you think we're doing?" he asked, testing her.

She was silent for a few moments. "It seems like we're planning something?" she murmured.

He nodded. "I was tasked with mapping out places for an invasion."

Her eyes widened. "An invasion?"

Blackstone nodded again. "The Night Kingdom is expanding too rapidly for us to remain on that tiny island," he explained. "We need to expand before it's too late."

Star stayed quiet for a while, her mind racing. "So that's why you had me spying on so many dragons," she said, piecing it together.

Her father nodded once more. "Get some sleep. We're heading to the Sand Kingdom tomorrow," he said as he set the scroll aside and lay down. Star followed his lead.

Star moved cautiously through the streets of the SandWing village. She was draped in a large sheet of burlap, concealing her black scales to ensure no one could identify her as a NightWing. She trailed a female SandWing who was conversing casually with an IceWing female.

She had been following them from a distance, inching closer to remain unnoticed.

"I think I can guess who this is..."

Star spun around, startled, and found herself face-to-face with a familiar dragon. "Nilas!" she hissed quietly.

Nilas smirked. "Hah! It's almost like you're trying to get caught by me," he teased with a chuckle. "You keep following the dragons I'm tasked with protecting."

Star scowled. "I'm actually following the SandWing..."

Nilas raised an eyebrow. "So you're spying, then."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't know why, but my dad wanted me to," she muttered.

He chuckled again. "You'd think you were the one promised to Glacier instead of me, with how often you're around her."

"Promised?" Star asked, confused.

Nilas nodded. "Yeah. Don't know why, but both of our parents decided we'd be good together," he mumbled.

Star shook her head and turned her attention back to the duo she was following. "My mom will probably try to do the same thing when I get home," she said nervously. The idea of being paired with someone she didn't know made her scales itch.

Nilas gave her a curious look. "Why would you be assigned? That usually only happens to royalty..."

She froze, her nerves betraying her. "Umm... Princess Star," she admitted hesitantly.

He looked impressed and nodded. "And they let you out here?"

Star almost slapped herself for revealing so much. "Mom and Dad wanted me to," she said, attempting to regain composure.

Nilas frowned, turning his gaze forward. "Weird..."

"I don't really have the best relationship with her..." Star muttered, remembering the cold glares her mother often gave her.

"Hah!" Nilas laughed. "I get that. My parents hate my guts."

Star gave him a concerned look. "Your dad?"

"Hates me too. Both of them wanted to get rid of me as soon as they could."

She frowned, then looked away. Why was she telling him all this? "Look, can you just act like..."

"Yeah, yeah," Nilas interrupted, amused. "I never saw you." He waved a talon and began walking away. "Bye!" he added kindly, leaving her confused.

Star shook her head. Why was he so kind?

She turned her attention back to her task: following Princess Glacier and the mysterious SandWing.