findingdory9022

[findingdory9022]

─────────── Delicious ⋆｡𖦹°‧★

Prompt : Marinette invites Felix to her family’s bakery to help her make a gift for her mom's birthday, this results in a mess.

Pairings : Marinette x Felix, Marinette Dupain-Cheng x Felix Fathom

Warnings : None :D, Fluff, Felix spends time with Marinette, They're close but not tooooo close yk, Felix can't cook, Chloe is nice in this

A/N : Yea so for context, Felix moved to paris or sumn and he and marinette and chloe became besties. Lila is being her usual annoying self. Enjoy lol. ALSO this wasn't proof read...

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Marinette dropped her phone gently on the counter. She let out a deep breath, talking to her friends always made her feel a bit better. It had been a pretty difficult day. Even though it had been a Saturday, Lila felt the need to remind Marinette over text of her promise to steal all her friends and make her life miserable.

It didn't hurt hearing that phrase anymore, it had simply gotten annoying waking up to verbal abuse. Standing up, Marinette left her room, heading to the kitchen. She prepared the materials she and Felix would be using. Not that he was aware, but they would be baking a cake.

Marinette smiled as she prepared the ingredients. She was slightly happy that Chloe wouldn't be around. While she loved the girl like a sister, she wanted to spend a bit of time with their blonde friend.... Alone.

Fortunately it hadn't taken too long before she heard the bell chime, signalling that someone had entered the building. "Back here!" she called out. Felix, having been to the girls house so many times, let himself into the homey section of the bakery.

He was pleased to be greeted with a smiling Marinette and... baking supplies? He looked at her in suspicion as she batted her eyes innocently at him.

"No-" he was cut off

"I know, I know, You can't cook or bake or anything that involves making food" she said, her hands flying around as she interrupted him. "But, Maman's birthday come's up soon and she absolutely adores you , so I thought it would make her really happy if we baked her a small cake" she rambled.

Since Chloe and Marinette had adopted the blonde into their little group, he had been at the bakery a lot more often and somehow won favour of both of Marinette's parents.

Felix shook his head and Marinette waited in anticipation. She had truly hoped she wasn't over-stepping. "Alright" he said simply. "But I will not be baking in this" his tone held a hint of amusement as they both looked to his expensive vest.

Nodding, Marinette sprinted to her room and back. In hand a bright pink Kitty-Section T-shirt. Felix eyed it judgementally, as she smiled sheepishly. "It was the only one I could find."

Felix sighed but accepted the shirt, taking care not to touch any of the baking supplies as he slipped off his vest and folded it neatly on a chair. He eyed the t-shirt with a begrudging grace, the quirky design looking weirdly out of place on him. Marinette stifled a giggle.

“I look ridiculous,” he muttered, glancing down at the bright logo.

“You look fine,” Marinette said, her voice laced with amusement. “Now, let’s get started before you change your mind.”

She handed him an apron, and Felix frowned slightly but tied it on without comment. Marinette noticed how careful he was with the knot, ensuring it was symmetrical. He was precise, as always.

Marinette guided him to the counter where all the ingredients were laid out. Felix eyed the bag of flour suspiciously, as if it might explode at any moment. Marinette handed him the measuring cup with a grin. “Okay, first we’ll start with the dry ingredients. Can you measure two cups of flour?”

Felix narrowed his eyes. “I’m not entirely incapable, you know.”

“Sure, sure,” she teased. “Prove it, then.”

He scoffed and plunged the measuring cup into the bag. Unfortunately, he lifted it too quickly, sending a small cloud of flour into the air. Marinette stifled a laugh as Felix glared at the offending bag, now lightly dusted in white powder.

“I don’t see why people enjoy this,” he muttered under his breath, carefully trying again. This time, he managed to get the flour into the mixing bowl, though not without leaving a small trail on the counter. Marinette gave him an approving nod.

“See? You’re a natural.”

Felix shot her a withering look. “If by ‘natural,’ you mean I’m naturally unsuited for this, then yes.”

They moved on to the eggs. Felix cracked one with far too much force, the shell shattering into the bowl. “Ugh.” He fished out the pieces with a look of pure disgust, muttering something about the ‘indignity’ of this task. Marinette stepped in, holding back a giggle.

“Here, let me show you,” she said, showing a cleaner crack on the edge of the bowl. Felix attempted to mimic her, but his second attempt was just as disastrous as the first.

“Why does this feel like a test?” he grumbled.

“Because it kind of is,” she said, smirking. “A test of patience.”

“I don’t think I’m passing,” Felix replied, though his lips twitched, betraying the hint of a smile.

By the time they got to mixing, Felix was clearly out of his depth. His whisking was awkward and uneven, and somehow, batter ended up splattered on his shirt. “I thought this ridiculous shirt was supposed to protect me,” he muttered, brushing at the stain in vain.

Marinette couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore. “You’re hopeless!” she said between giggles.

Felix gave her a mock glare but didn’t seem truly annoyed. “You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“Maybe a little,” she admitted. “But you’re doing great! Sort of.” They had fallen into a comfortable silence as Marinette took over most of the work. She hadn't noticed the blonde's gently gaze on her.

“Okay, okay,” Marinette said quickly, trying to shake off the unexpected moment. “Now we pour it into the pans.”

Felix helped her carefully divide the batter, his steady hands ensuring that each pan was even. They slid the trays into the oven, and Marinette set a timer.

“See? That wasn’t so bad,” she said, brushing a bit of flour off her cheek.

Felix crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “I’m reserving judgment until we taste it.”

Marinette laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Fair enough. But I think Maman’s going to love it.”

The timer dinged, and Marinette moved to retrieve the cakes, but Felix stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Let me,” he said. “You’ll burn yourself.”

"And you won't?" she asked sarcastically. The boy ignored her and carefully pulled the trays from the oven, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

As the cakes cooled on the counter, Marinette brought over the decorations—piping bags, sprinkles, and delicate edible flowers. Felix eyed the array of supplies with suspicion.

“You don’t expect me to excel at this part either, do you?” he asked dryly, his gaze flicking to the sprinkles with thinly concealed disdain.

Marinette smirked, handing him a piping bag. “I have hope. Besides, it’s hard to mess this up, just follow my lead.”

Felix watched as Marinette expertly piped an elegant scalloped border along the edge of the bottom layer. Her hands moved with practiced ease, and the swirl of frosting looked flawless.

“Your turn,” she said, stepping back.

Felix took the bag hesitantly and tried to mimic her technique. To Marinette’s surprise, his first attempt was smooth, the frosting forming a clean, crisp line.

“Wow,” she said, blinking in surprise. “You’re... actually good at this.”

He smirked slightly. “Clearly, I’ve been wasting my potential in baking.”

They continued decorating, and as the cake took shape, Marinette grew increasingly impressed. Felix’s designs were precise and elegant, his natural meticulousness shining through.

“Okay, show-off,” she teased as he added a perfect floral detail to the border.

“Just compensating for the disaster you subjected me to earlier,” Felix replied, his tone light but pointed.

Marinette grabbed a handful of sprinkles, grinning mischievously. “I think you need some extra... flair.”

Before Felix could react, she tossed the sprinkles over his head. The colorful bits scattered into his neatly combed hair like confetti.

Felix froze, his jaw tightening as he turned to her with a slow, deliberate glare. Marinette’s grin wavered. “Oh no,” she whispered, realizing her mistake.

Felix set down the piping bag with exaggerated precision, brushing sprinkles from his hair. “You’ve made a grave error,” he said, his voice calm but menacing.

Marinette gulped. “Felix, I was just—”

Before she could finish, Felix plucked a handful of edible flowers and tossed them at her. They landed in her hair and on her shoulders, their pastel colors contrasting against her dark pigtails.

Marinette gasped. “You did not just—!”

Felix raised an eyebrow. “Consider us even.”

“Not even close,” she shot back, grabbing another handful of sprinkles.

What started as a quiet decorating session quickly morphed into full chaos. Marinette flung more sprinkles at Felix, who retaliated with another handful of flowers. She managed to dust his shirt with powdered sugar, and he got his revenge by smearing a small dollop of frosting on her cheek.

“Felix!” she squealed, wiping her face.

“An artistic improvement,” he grinned smugly.

“You are so—ugh!” Marinette grabbed a piping bag and squeezed, sending a small line of frosting toward him.

Felix stepped back, his expression halfway between horror and amusement. “If that gets on my shirt, I’m holding you personally accountable.”

Marinette smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Funny, I thought you didn’t even like this shirt.”

Felix paused, glancing down at the sugary mess on his sleeve before meeting her gaze. “I don’t,” he said flatly. “But that doesn’t mean I’m okay with you destroying it.”

Marinette’s smirk widened. “Right. Because the sprinkles and flowers are so much worse than how you looked after the baking earlier.”

Felix rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched ever so slightly. “Keep testing me, Dupain-Cheng, and see what happens.”

“Oh, I’m terrified,” Marinette teased, laughing as she ducked another handful of flowers.

Marinette laughed, her cheeks flushed from the playful chaos. Eventually, they called a truce, both out of breath and surrounded by a mess of sprinkles, flowers, and frosting.

The cake, however, was stunning. Despite the impromptu decorating battle, the layers were perfectly adorned with swirls of frosting, delicate flowers, and just the right amount of sparkle.

Marinette stepped back to admire their work, brushing stray sprinkles out of her hair. “You know, for all the mess, we did a pretty good job.”

Felix glanced at the cake, then at her, his expression softening. “Not bad,” he admitted.

Marinette smiled, her heart fluttering at the rare compliment.

“Though next time,” Felix added, brushing a sprinkle off his sleeve, “we’re sticking to flowers. You clearly can’t be trusted with sprinkles.”

Marinette rolled her eyes, laughing. “So there's going to be a next time?.”

[findingdory9022]

────────── Lucky Girl ⋆｡𖦹°‧★

Prompt : Marinette and Felix are at a theme park / carnival, and are walking towards one of the many games to win a large stuffed animal. Felix is sure that he can win the game, but after many attempts (and a lot of cash down the drain) he gives up. Marinette, however, tries and succeeds on her first go. 

Pairing : Marinette x Felix, Marinette Dupain-Cheng x Felix Fathom, (Can be read as platonic)

Warnings : None, Fluff, normalpeople!au

A/N : I won't be following the timeline of the show (cause it got too complicated-) I needed more Felinette to read so I made some myself. If anyone is wondering where I'm finding these prompts I just search up random prompt generators online. Anyways I love these two losers.

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Felix wondered how he got here. It had only been three months since his bright cousin had introduced him to whom he had used to call the "I love you girl". When he was first formally introduced to Dupain-Cheng she already seemed to harbour strong feelings of hatred towards him for reasons he couldn't understand. Maybe it was because he had messed up what was supposed to be her confession to his oblivious cousin. Whatever it was, she was always cold around him, which was odd as she seemed to be the kindest girl to everyone else. Not that Felix cared....

This changed one day when an akuma that revealed lies had somehow hit the bluenette causing her to only speak the truth. Fortunately, she was still in her civilian form when it had occurred and was trying to find an excuse to change. Unfortunately, she had been with Felix at the time. He could remember the day so clearly.

Marinette looked around hurriedly, looking for a place to transform into ladybug while also finding an excuse to give the blonde boy on why she needed to leave. Felix could sense her tense up beside him. he most definitely didn't want to ask her what was wrong but he had to because his aloof cousin would wonder where his friend had ran off to. He definitely didn't feel worried about the petite girl beside him... not at all.

Before Marinette could attempt to leave, a bright beam of light blasted her, causing Felix's eyes to widen in fear, not that he would ever admit that. As the light dimmed, the girl remained in the same position as she had been before. Looking around in confusion. She turned to Felix, the only one with her at the time, her eyes asking if there seemed to be anything different about her. The boy shook his head, she looked fine.

He gave her a once-over. “You appear unscathed,” he remarked, feigning indifference.

Marinette nodded, but the truth came out before she could stop it. “It hurt my eyes.” She froze, horrified. That wasn’t what she’d meant to say. “It… it stung a little,” she added, her voice trailing off.

Felix’s sharp mind quickly pieced the situation together. “An akuma attack,” he concluded, arms crossed. “And it’s affecting your ability to lie.”

Marinette’s jaw tightened, her anxiety increasing. “It’s called Tattle-Tale,” she blurted. “It makes people tell the truth.”

“How delightfully inconvenient,” Felix said dryly. His gaze flicked toward the distant chaos, where Chat Noir was keeping the akuma occupied. “We should take cover.” He turned and began walking toward a sheltered alleyway.

“Good idea. I’ll… I’ll hide over there,” Marinette rushed, pointing at a spot farther away. It would give her time to transform.

Felix stopped and turned back to her, raising an eyebrow. “Why would you go so far when there’s adequate shelter here?”

Marinette opened her mouth, trying to come up with an excuse, but the truth spilled out instead. “Because I need to transform into Ladybug and stop the akuma.”

Silence. Her eyes widened in panic, and Felix’s gaze sharpened, as though he’d just unlocked the solution to a puzzle. He gave a small nod, turned without a word, and disappeared into the shelter.

Marinette took the chance to transform. Even after she defeated the akuma, Felix hadn’t forgotten her slip-up. Surprisingly, though, he kept her secret. Over time, he became her confidant when the weight of her responsibilities grew too heavy to bear.

It still didn't explain his current predicament. Marinette had insisted he come with her to a theme park that had recently opened around their school. And while he hadn't wanted to go at first, he couldn't help but succumb to her wish when she had pleaded with her pretty round eyes.

So here they were, standing infront of a game he believed would be easy enough to beat. "We don't have to do this Fathom" the bluenette next to him spoke. She had taken a liking to calling him by his last name, much like he did to her.

"The game proves to be simple enough" he stated eyeing a huge lion plush that seemed to be the main prize before him.

Marinette giggled at the subtle envy in his tone and handed the attendant some money. Felix studied the game’s setup, confident in his ability. It was, after all, a matter of precision and aim—both of which he prided himself on.

Famous last words.

Five tosses, five misses. Another five tosses, and the same result. Again. And again.

Twenty minutes later, Felix stood with his jaw clenched, $90 poorer and no lion plush in sight. The rings mocked him from where they’d scattered, and he dug into his pocket for more cash, determined to try again.

A small hand stopped him. “No,” Marinette said firmly, her blue eyes locking with his. “You’ve already spent almost $100 on this. Let me try.”

Felix frowned but relented, stepping aside as Marinette handed over her money. She picked up a ring and tossed it. It landed on a bottle with ease. Felix’s eyes narrowed. Beginner’s luck.

The second ring landed. Then the third. Felix stared, dumbfounded. The crowd that had gathered began to murmur in amazement. Marinette tossed the last two rings simultaneously, and both hooked onto the same bottle. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Marinette laughed as the attendant handed her the enormous lion plush. She turned to Felix, her grin wide. “Here you go,” she said, offering him the prize.

Felix stared at her, momentarily disarmed. The plush was so large it nearly obscured her from view. “How did you manage that so effortlessly?” he asked, his usual composure slipping.

Marinette’s smile turned sly as she began walking toward another booth, the plush tucked under her arm. “What can I say? I’m just a lucky girl.”

Felix followed her, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. Lucky, indeed.

[findingdory9022]

──────── I'm Not Scared ⋆｡𖦹°‧★

Prompt : Hort and Reader are unable to sleep after watching a horror movie, but neither of them will admit that the movie scared them. 

Pairing : Hort x Reader (Can be read as platonic)

Warnings : None, Fluff, Crack, normalpeople!au

A/N : All characters are aged up (not because there's anything inappropriate but just cause i feel like it makes more sense that way) I will also briefly be mentioning the Saw movies but not going into detail as i haven't watched a single one lol. Hope you enjoy

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I will be having fun with this.

You and Hort had been hanging out one random day in October when he had gotten the bright idea of watching all the movies under the Saw franchise.

He hadn't seen any of the movies, though he thought they wouldn't be as bad as people said they were, and thought that he could comfort you when you got scared.

Turns out both of you ended up terrified.

You were only halfway through the first movie when the wind began to pick up outside. Thunder and lighting began crashing suddenly as the scene got more intense.

All of a sudden, you blinked as the TV screen turned dark. In confusion, you turned to look at Hort only to see him staring at the black screen completely frozen, remote in hand.

"We are never watching that again" he says letting the remote fall out of his hands and onto the floor. Before you could speak, a loud boom filled the room, causing you and Hort to flinch.

The boy cleared his throat before speaking, "That wasn't so bad was it?" he spoke, trying to seem fine even though he had practically stuttered through his words, terrified from what he had seen. "You scared?" he asked.

"I'm not scared," you answered immediately.

"Thats good"

The both of you remained in silence before he got off the couch, declaring he would go up to his room and change. As he went up, he had turned all the previously switched-off lights on to brighten up the room.

You got up and headed to his kitchen, planning on making yourself some hot chocolate to calm your nerves, doing your best not to think about the movie you barely made through.

Fast-Forward a bit. You and Hort are now sleeping on the floor in his room. He didn't wanna be alone on the bed and you didn't wanna be alone on the floor.

You'd both been tossing and turning for about an hour and every time you moved he would ask if you were afraid. At some point you kicked him in the leg to shut him up.

Anyways, right when you were finally about to sleep, this boy screams as loud as he can (probably sounded like a dolphin) which causes you to get up quickly.

Both of you are now on his bed shivering under the blankets you're using as shields as he he points his hook figurine at the strange black object near his window.

"It's a demon" he whispers somewhat in awe but also fear.

"Those don't exist idiot" you retort fighting the urge to smack the back of his head even though you were as scared as him.

Both of you bicker about it for a few minutes before the object began to sway and you backed up in fear.

"IT MOVES" he screamed, throwing his hook at it (which did absolutely nothing to help your situation)

The hook hit the light switch behind the object illuminating the room revealing the thing to be......

"Hort I will actually stab you-" you smack a pillow into his face. Turns out the monster was a bunch of clothes haphazardly thrown onto a broom stick that somehow managed to balance in the corner of his room.

You guys eventually fell asleep on his bed with all the lights in his room turned on.

That was the last, and only, time either of you watched horror movies together.

Borders are From : @dollywons

[findingdory9022]

‎○˳ ‎ ‎ B l u e d i v i d e r s﹒﹒꒱

꒰ ‎﹒ made by me﹒credit and reblog to use﹒first and last ribbon dividers have no transparent bg﹒📨

[findingdory9022]

⠀ ⠀†ྀ ꒰͡⠀angelcore　dividers⠀͡꒱ 

⠀⠀₊༘ . like/rb　if　using 𓂂𓏹℘⠀

[findingdory9022]

vintage floral dividers:

please like and credit if you use, reblogs are appreciated! thank you! 💕

[findingdory9022]

──────────────── 𝐀𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 ⋆｡𖦹°‧★

Spell Bound Characters & Their Aesthetics

𝐅𝐚𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲-𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 "𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞"

𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 "𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥"

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐨 "𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫"

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞.

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝 "𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞?"

𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲-𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 "𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐞"

DISCLAIMER!! I don't own the school of good and evil or it's characters, however, I do own Felicity, William, Fae as well as all fictional elements that didn't happen in the movie and were a product of my imagination :)

Borders were made by : @strangergraphics and @fairytopea

[findingdory9022]

──────────────── 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 ⋆｡𖦹°‧★

The four students stood in front of the portal that would take them back to Gavaldon. Fae stood between Tedros and Agatha, her gaze lingering on the enchanted woods behind them, a faint smile touching her lips. It was bittersweet, seeing the place she once called home fading into the distance.

"It's better if I go," Sophie broke the silence, her voice softer than usual. She turned, facing Fae and Agatha. "Aggie, if you want to stay here with Fae, I'll understand." Her hands trembled as she reached out to grasp theirs. Sophie's eyes flickered toward Fae, guilt clouding her features. "And Fae, if you never want to see me again, I won't blame you."

Fae met her eyes, her expression cool but not unkind. "I don't forgive you," she said plainly, watching Sophie flinch. "But... I believe you've learned something." Her voice softened as she patted down her wild hair. "I believe you'll change. Maybe, one day, we can be friends again."

Sophie blinked away tears, her breath hitching. She nodded, though her lips quivered. "Thank you," she whispered, knowing she still had a long way to go. Turning back to Agatha, her smile became brighter, more genuine. "I'll take care of your mom. I swear it."

Agatha cupped Sophie's cheek, her voice tender, but heavy with emotion. "Thank you, Sophie."

Fae stepped aside, giving the two a moment alone. She drifted over to Tedros, who waited, trying and failing to mask his anxiety. His blue eyes searched hers as she approached.

"You're not leaving, are you?" he asked, his voice strained with hope, though he tried to sound casual.

Fae chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around his neck, fingers gently toying with his hair. "You really think I'd leave you all alone?" she teased, her voice light but full of affection. "You'd miss me too much."

Tedros let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, resting his forehead against hers. "You have no idea," he whispered, pulling her closer. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Their moment, warm and close, was interrupted as Agatha approached. She gave them a mock look of annoyance before pulling Fae into a tight embrace.

Tears welled up in Fae's eyes. She already knew what Agatha was going to say. "You're leaving, aren't you?"

Agatha nodded, her smile tinged with sadness. "Gavaldon is home, Fae. I love it here, but... I belong there."

Fae's heart twisted, but she understood. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to Agatha's forehead. "Take care of her," she said softly, nodding towards Sophie.

"I will," Agatha promised with a grin, stepping back toward the portal. "I hope we see each other again someday."

"So do I," Fae whispered as she watched Agatha and Sophie step into the portal, their figures vanishing in a swirl of light.

For a moment, silence filled the air. Fae remained still in Tedros' arms, her eyes lingering on the spot where her friends had been. She exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the goodbye. "Shall we go find the others?"

Tedros smiled gently, nodding. "Let's."

The two made their way to the School of Evil, where students and teachers were slowly unifying into one school. The moment they entered, their friends swarmed them. Beatrix fussed over Fae, checking for any injuries, while Reena looked faint at the sight of blood on Fae's dress. Felicity, standing comfortably in William's arms, rolled her eyes at the commotion.

Fae raised an eyebrow at her cousin, who mouthed, "I'll tell you later." Fae smiled, knowing Felicity was always full of surprises.

In the midst of the bustle, no one noticed the two figures watching from above. High in the air, a pair of fairies hovered, their powerful wings stirring the wind.

"We shouldn't be here, Olive," the boy muttered, tugging at his sister's gown. He wore a simple but elegant button-up shirt and dress pants, the royal seal faintly glimmering on the fabric.

Olive rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. She was too focused on the scene below. "Father said she's as beautiful as mother," she whispered, her gaze fixed on Fae. "I wanted to see her for myself."

The boy sighed, glancing down at Fae with far less curiosity. "He's never wrong," he muttered, fidgeting with a lock of his hair.

"Be nice, Vincent," Olive chided, her eyes softening as she took in the sight of Fae, surrounded by her friends. "Father was right," she murmured again, as though reassuring herself.

Vincent shrugged, but there was a faint smile on his lips. "We'll be together soon," he said, his voice calm but certain. He took one last glance at Fae before casting a spell, vanishing into the air.

Olive lingered for a moment longer, watching the girl who didn't yet know her true family. "Soon," she whispered, before disappearing after her brother. 

A/N - As i re-upload this here, I couldn't help but reread some parts. And the emotions i went through- I would laugh then be cringing cause what the actual hell.... But it's my first book so its alr

[findingdory9022]

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Fae had always been a bright girl. When the young couple had taken her home with them after finding her alone in the woods, she hadn't cried. When she was forced to ignore the constant stares she got and try to make friends; sure she was a bit nervous but she wasn't scared. Even when she was first brought to the School for Good, held by the talons of the bony stork over the tall jagged cliffs, curiosity triumphed over her worries. 

However, as she watched the sky turn red, pools of blood soaking the cliffs below the School for Evil, the silence overtaking the majestic school that was now shrouded in dust, she felt fear.

Fear that worked its way into her bones and made itself comfortable on her skin. She fought hard to swallow the lump that formed in her throat. She remained on her knees, watching the school crumble into pieces as tears streamed down her face. 

She flinched as she was forcefully pushed away. She looked up only to see Agatha standing protectively in front of her and a remorseful looking Sophie. Fae was frozen as she looked up at Agatha, the curly haired girl moved to hug her smaller friend who lay frozen on the ground "You're alive?" the fairy's voice wavered in disbelief. 

"You know, I expected more from a reader," Rafal interrupted. Fae's eyes widened as she finally looked at him. He stood in front of the Storian, red cracks glowing disturbingly on his face. "Surely you know what happens to those who thwart love."

Fae felt her heart prick at the word. Love. Agatha held Fae up to stand beside her, Sophie standing on her other side. "Love?" she scoffed, "This isn't love."

She stepped forward, "​​Do you know why Good always wins? Because we fight for each other, and we care for each other." Rafal rolled his eyes at her words. "That is what Good's love is."

"Evil only fights for itself." Fae murmured, the evil man's attention falling on her. "And that is the furthest thing from love on Earth." she sneered at him. 

"Such beautiful words, that have no power of meaning anymore" he shrugged in mock sadness before turning to the storian, dismissing the girls. "Now, if you'll please step away from my bride."

"You will never have her you monster!" Agatha yelled in retaliation.

Rafal turned to her, his expression unreadable, as if already bored by the inevitable. He gave a slow, almost mocking shrug, his eyes void of any emotion. "If you wish," he said with a sigh, raising his hand lazily.

Dark energy swirled around him, and with a sudden flick of his wrist, the Storian, glowing with a sinister light, surged forward. The pen quivered in the air, vibrating with dark intent as it hovered for a split second, its tip gleaming.

In the next heartbeat, it shot through the air—aimed directly at Agatha's heart.

They say your life flashes before your eyes in your last living moments. Fae never thought of what would happen after death. She believed that she had to live her life to the best of her ability so she could die with a smile. She loved her friends, her family in Gavaldon and the family she had in Aetheria. She was grateful for Felicity and all her new friends.

She remembered plating baked goods in her parents bakery, smiling at the customers who loved conversing with her. The many picnics she had with Aggie and Sophie when they were all still young and naive. Her very first day at the school for good when she fell into the soft flower bed. The butterflies that raced through her the first time she had met Tedros. The joy she felt practicing her magic with the tiny fairies. 

Without hesitation, Fae spun to shield Agatha's body with her own. The sharp tip of the Storian pierced her chest, the force driving the breath from her lungs. And yet, through the searing pain, a peaceful smile crept onto her face.

They say your life flashes before your eyes in your last living moments. Fae could now confirm that it was true.

"Fae?" Agatha choked out, her breathing increasing in speed as she fell to her knees before the girl. Agatha continued to repeat her name, getting more hysterical with each second that passed. She cradled the girl's head in her arms as tears rolled down her face.

Sophie stood frozen a few steps behind them, regret swallowing her whole. The two girls watched as the fairy's wings stilled. Neither had noticed, but Fae's majestic wings began disintegrating into dust. Glowing blue particles that began to overtake the room, wrapping around Sophie and Agatha. The glow got stronger till all that could be seen was white.

When it had finally faded, Sophie fell to the floor. Rafal's eyes widened as he saw the dark red light leave Sophie's eyes. She had been freed from his control, falling unconscious on the floor. His spell was broken. "No. No!" he shouted, rushing to the window that looked over the two schools.

"It can't be. Not after all this" he seethed as the schools, covered in the blue dust of Fae's wings, began to revert to their original state. The students, Evers and Nevers alike, looked at each other in confusion as they came back to life. Helping one another stand as they finally realized they weren't not each other's enemies. The red of the sky faded until it was a dark gray. "No," Rafal let out a shaky breath.

Agatha let out a quiet gasp as she saw someone move through the shadows. It had been Tedros, excalibur in hand preparing to attack the villain. The sword shined a bright gold color as he swung at Rafal, however he was frozen in mid air.

Agatha gasped as the boy was flung into the air, multiple pieces of paper falling as a result of his collision. Rafal slowly neared the prince, the dark magic humming eerily in the room. "Did you really think it would be that easy?" he asked condescendingly, "In my school?"

"In your father's hands, that sword might once have vanquished me." Rafal spoke as he waved his hand, dark magic taking control of the table Tedros was tangled between, "But in the hands of his ridiculous whelp of a son?" The table was flung to the side of the room, taking the prince with it. "It is merely an oversized butterknife." 

Using his dark magic, Rafal kept Tedros levitated in the air. His back pressed strongly against the bookshelf unable to move. He slowly brought out a sharp dagger, swirling it to face Tedros. 

"Aggie.." Sophie, who had somewhat gained her consciousness, whispered weakly, nodding her head to Excalibur who wasn't that far from them. The curly haired girl, still holding Fae's lifeless body, looked to the sword, a determined look on her face.

"You think this tale is about your true love?" Rafal walked towards Tedros, dagger in hand. "No," he sneered, his voice almost sounding possessed. "It's about mine. And the power Evil's kiss gave me to kill Good's future king." 

Before he could plunge the sharp knife into Tedros' heart, Agatha, bold and brave Agatha, rose to her feet. "Or the tale of the girls who stopped you." Using her finger glow, Sophie magically threw the sword into Agatha's waiting hold, knocking out the dagger from his hand. 

As though they were in slow motion, Agatha took hold of the now glowing sword, the momentum spinning her in the air with enough force to cut through the villain's body as he shrieked in pain. The dark blood burst from the cut before the man finally exploded into a pool of the red liquid.

Tedros fell to the floor as Agatha rushed back to Sophie and Fae's side. Tedros let out a gasp of disbelief. It was over. He walked over to where Agatha lay on the floor, seemingly hiding something from him.

"Tedros don't come any closer," she pleaded, her voice weak as she tried to shield the girl in her arms. The boy, confused, ignored her warnings, trying to look over what she could have been hiding. He froze as he caught a glimpse of Fae's now torn dress splattered with blood by Agatha's feet. 

"Agatha-" he fumbled out, "Tell me that isn't- it can't be. Please" his voice shook as he tried to speak. His heart beat out of his chest. 

"I'm so sorry," Agatha spoke as she looked up to him, revealing Fae's lifeless face in her arms. Tedros collapsed to his knees, cradling Fae's body in his arms. Blood soaked through her gown, staining his hands, but he didn't care. His breath hitched as he shook her gently, his voice cracking.

"Fae, come on..." His voice was barely a whisper. He brushed a strand of her hair from her face, his hand trembling. "Love, wake up. Please." Her eyes remained closed, her body limp. Tedros' chest tightened, his mind racing, searching for any sign of life. He pressed his hand to her cold cheek.

"No, no, no," he muttered, his tone getting more anxious with each moment, shaking his head as if he could will reality away. "You're okay. You're fine. This isn't—this isn't happening." He pulled her closer, pressing his forehead against hers. His tears mixed with the blood on her skin, but he refused to let go, rocking back and forth weakly with her in his arms. "Fae, please..."

His hands gripped her tighter, desperation clawing at his heart. "You're not gone. You can't be." He was shaking now, trying to feel for any sign, any tiny breath. But there was nothing.

Tedros let out a choked sob, still refusing to believe it. "We—we have so much more. You can't leave me. You can't."

He stared down at her peaceful face, his vision blurring from the tears. "Fae... wake up." His voice broke completely, barely recognizable. He held her tighter, as if keeping her close could somehow bring her back. He didn't want to let go. He couldn't. 

His hands trembled as he rested his forehead against her shoulder, his tears soaking through her bloodied gown. "I need you... I can't do this without you..."

No matter how many times he begged, no matter how tightly he held her, the truth was sinking in. But Tedros wouldn't let it. He couldn't. He rocked her gently, his heart shattering piece by piece as the weight of the silence pressed down on him.

"She'll wake up," he whispered to himself, his voice shaking. "She'll wake up... any second now..."

Agatha sat a few feet away, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she watched Tedros break down, her own heart already shattered in pieces. Tears brimmed in her eyes, threatening to fall, but she held them back, biting her lip to stop the sobs from escaping. Fae had been her best friend—kind, loyal, and full of life. And now, she was gone.

The girl's chest ached, not just for Fae, but for Tedros. Seeing him like this, crushed and desperate, made it impossible to hold back the wave of pity that washed over her. He had lost his true love, the one person who made him whole, and Agatha could see that in every tear he shed, in the way he refused to let go of Fae's bloodied body.

Across from her, Sophie sat on the ground, her eyes wide with guilt and regret. She couldn't stop staring at Fae, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Sophie wasn't thinking about herself. She was thinking about everything she had done—how all of this led to Fae's death.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Sophie whispered, her voice empty. She covered her mouth, guilt twisting inside her. She could see the pain in Tedros' eyes and the weight of her actions hit her like a wave. But then, a flicker of hope sparked in her mind, the tiniest thread to cling to. "True love's kiss..." she muttered, almost to herself, as if she couldn't believe she was saying it. "It could still work. It's magic, isn't it?"

Agatha glanced at Sophie, her brow furrowing. She wanted to believe it, but after everything, the idea seemed impossible. Still, a small part of her wanted to hope. Her gaze shifted to Tedros, wondering what he would think.

Tedros was still holding Fae, his tear-streaked face buried in her hair. When Sophie spoke, his body tensed. He turned slowly, his red, tear-filled eyes narrowing at her. "You did this," he rasped, his voice raw with pain and anger. "This is your fault. Why would I believe you."

Sophie flinched, her breath catching in her throat. "I know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I know, and I'm sorry. But..." She hesitated, swallowing hard before continuing, "Tedros, please. True love's kiss—there's still a chance."

Tedros' grip tightened around Fae. He wanted to scream at Sophie, to throw her words back at her. How could she even suggest this after everything? She had caused this—she had taken Fae away from him. But... the thought lingered in his mind. If there was even the slightest chance, how could he not try? How could he not do everything possible to save her?

"I don't trust you," Tedros whispered, his voice filled with fury and grief. "But if there's a chance, even a small one..." He looked back down at Fae, his hand trembling as he stroked her cheek. "I'll do anything to bring her back."

Sophie nodded slowly, standing up from where she had collapsed. "It's magic," she repeated softly, her voice carrying both hope and guilt. "If she's really your true love, it has to work."

Agatha wiped her eyes, sniffling quietly as she took a deep breath. She couldn't fathom a life without her bestfriend. "Tedros..." she said gently, her voice barely audible. "You have to try."

Tedros hesitated for a long moment, his heart pounding in his chest. His hands shook as he leaned down, his lips brushing against Fae's forehead. He closed his eyes, silently begging the universe to give her back to him, to undo this nightmare.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice breaking. And then, he pressed his lips to hers, praying with everything in him that this would be enough.

The silence that followed was agonizing. Tedros pulled back, holding his breath as he waited, his heart hammering in his chest. Seconds passed, but nothing happened. Fae remained still in his arms, lifeless.

His shoulders slumped, his heart shattering all over again. Not only was she still dead, but he had found out she wasn't his true love. "No..." he whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, no, no—"

But then, a faint glow began to surround Fae's body, so soft at first that Tedros didn't notice it. Agatha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Tedros... look."

He looked down, his breath catching in his throat. The light grew brighter, swirling around Fae like a soft blue mist. Her chest rose, barely, but enough for Tedros to see it. His eyes widened in shock, his hands gripping her tighter.

"Fae?" he whispered, his voice filled with desperate hope. 

Fae's eyes fluttered open, her breath shaky but alive. Before she could fully grasp what had happened, Tedros pulled her into his arms, his grip so tight she could barely breathe. His tears fell freely now, mixing with the blood on her gown as he clung to her as if he'd never let go.

"Fae..." Tedros choked out, his voice thick with emotion. He held her as if letting her go for even a second would make her disappear again. "You're back. You're really back."

Fae blinked, dazed, but a soft smile formed on her lips. She was alive, and that was all that mattered. The warmth of Tedros' embrace grounded her, his tears soaking into her skin. She felt the tightness of his hug, but she didn't mind—it was like he was trying to pour all his love into her at once.

Before she could catch her breath, Agatha rushed forward, her own tears streaming down her face. "Oh, Fae..." she cried, her voice trembling as she wrapped her arms around both Fae and Tedros. "You're alive." Her sobs came harder, but this time they were tears of joy.

The three of them laid on the floor, locked in a tight embrace, hearts pounding with relief. Fae's chest ached with how much love surrounded her in that moment. It was overwhelming, but in the best way.

She closed her eyes, feeling Agatha's tears on her shoulder, Tedros' arms around her, and for a brief moment, everything was perfect. Rafal was gone, she was safe, and alive.

But then, Fae's eyes opened, and she caught sight of Sophie standing nearby, her face pale with guilt and regret. Sophie stared back at her, her lips trembling. She took a shaky step forward, her hands clasped together as she began to plead.

"Fae..." Sophie's voice cracked. "I'm sorry. I—I never wanted this to happen. I didn't know..." Her eyes filled with tears, her voice breaking with desperation. "Please... please forgive me."

Fae shifted in Tedros' arms, gently pulling away from the embrace, though Tedros still held onto her hand. She looked at Sophie, her heart heavy, unsure of what to say. But before she could even respond, the room darkened.

A strange, ominous noise echoed through the air, like the sound of magic unraveling. Fae's gaze snapped to the ground where the pool of blood from Rafal had remained. It wasn't just sitting there anymore. The blood was moving, swirling slowly, dark red and menacing, as if it were alive.

The swirling pool began to expand, rippling as though it was absorbing every trace of magic in the room. The air grew thick, heavy with something dark and dangerous.

Tedros, still holding Fae's hand, turned to see the source of the disturbance. His body stiffened immediately, pulling Fae closer to him. Agatha's breath hitched, her tear-stained face twisting in shock and fear.

"What... what is that?" Agatha whispered, stepping closer to Fae, her hand clutching her wand tightly.

The pool of blood pulsed, glowing faintly with an eerie light as it continued to grow, as if it were feeding off the magic lingering in the air. Sophie's face paled even further, her body going rigid with fear. "No..." she whispered, taking a step back.

Tedros' grip on Fae tightened, his jaw clenched. He instinctively stepped in front of her, his voice low and protective. "Stay close." Fae watched in horror as the blood seemed to come alive, swirling faster now, almost hungrily. The air crackled with dark energy, and she could feel it pulling at her magic, draining the very essence of the room.

Whatever this was, it wasn't just Rafal's blood. It was something much worse. As the dark energy pulsed in the room, the air growing heavier with each passing second, Fae felt something—a faint, familiar tingle run through her. It wasn't her usual fairy magic; her wings had fizzled out long ago. But this... this was different. It was faint, but it was there. She could feel it, just beneath the surface, calling to her.

Alette's words echoed in her mind, "You need to remember the purpose of your wings. Only then will you be able to access your magic again"

Fae's heart pounded. Her wings were gone, but maybe that wasn't what mattered. The purpose of her magic wasn't to keep her safe—it was to protect. Her whole life, others had shielded her. Her adoptive parents, keeping her in love and safety in Gavaldon. Felicity, always there as her guide, the experienced fairy who seemed to know the way forward. Tedros and Agatha—her protectors through it all.

Even her real parents, her royal parents, had kept her in the dark. They had wiped away her memories, hidden her heritage, all so no one could come after her. But this time, it wasn't about protecting herself. It wasn't about others keeping her safe. It was her turn to protect others.

She blinked, her vision sharpening on the swirling pool of blood in front of her. The dark energy pulling at the magic in the room, threatening everything and everyone she cared about.

Fae clenched her fists, a surge of determination rushing through her. Her wings may have been gone, but her purpose wasn't. Her magic wasn't gone. It had been waiting—for her to understand.

She took a step forward, away from Tedros, from Agatha. The others looked at her in confusion, Tedros shaking his head pleadingly. He couldn't lose her again, he had just got her back. But Fae's eyes stayed locked on the growing storm of magic before her. Her heart beat in her chest, steady and strong.

I'm here to protect them.

The faint tingle growing stronger as her magic awakened. It wasn't like before. Fae could feel the magic in the air shift, responding to her. The pull of the dark energy lessened, and for the first time, the swirling pool seemed to hesitate.

Fae stood firm, her heart racing as the dark energy loomed before her, swirling ominously. She focused on the tingling sensation at her fingertips, feeling it pulse with a rhythm that matched her heartbeat. It was her magic, reawakening and growing.

With a deep breath, she raised her hands, the tips of her fingers glowing with a vibrant blue light. The glow intensified, filling the air around her with a luminescent aura that pushed against the shadows. Fae's magic felt alive.

As she concentrated, she felt the dark energy pulse in response, a chaotic force swirling in agitation. But she was no longer scared. She focused on the warmth of her magic, channeling all her feelings, the love for her friends, the desire to protect them, the freedom she sought. With a surge of will, she thrust her hands forward.

"Enough!" she shouted, her voice steady and unwavering, echoing throughout the room.

The blue light erupted from her fingertips, radiating outward in a brilliant wave, colliding with the dark energy. It shimmered and crackled, the two forces battling for dominance. Fae poured her essence into the magic, envisioning it consuming the darkness. She felt it shift beneath her, the chaotic tendrils of dark energy reaching out, but her light was too strong, too focused.

Slowly, the dark energy began to dissolve, the swirling shadows losing their grip as Fae's magic enveloped them. Wisps of red dissipated like smoke in the wind, leaving behind only the glowing blue light. The chaotic energy faded, replaced by an overwhelming sense of calm.

With one final surge, Fae pushed her magic forward, and the last remnants of darkness vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but silence. The heavy air lifted, the weight of despair dissolving into a gentle breeze.

The dark clouds outside finally cleared, revealing a brilliant sky painted in soft hues. Light spilled into the room, warming the faces of her friends, who stood in awe as they watched the girl stumble back. It was finally over.

Fae lowered her hands, panting slightly, but a smile spread across her face as she felt the magic humming within her. She had reclaimed her power, her purpose—and now, there was nothing but peace.

Fae felt a soft shimmer deep within her, like a spark of warmth radiating outward. The blue glow around her flickered briefly before she felt something shift—something new and yet familiar.

Agatha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Fae... your wings!"

Fae blinked in surprise, glancing over her shoulder. There they were, her wings. But they weren't the same delicate, soft wings she remembered. These were radiant, shimmering with blues, purples, and silvers that seemed to ripple with light. They were larger, more intricate, and far more powerful-looking than before, glistening in the sunlight that had just broken through the cleared clouds.

A breath hitched in her throat as she moved them, testing their strength. They were solid, yet graceful, no longer a fragile extension of her magic, but a part of her, an embodiment of the power and purpose she had just embraced.

Tedrod stepped closer, his voice filled with awe. "They're beautiful..."

Fae smiled softly, feeling the weight of her wings and the energy coursing through them. She could feel their strength returning to her. She spread her wings wide, their shimmering light casting a soft glow around the room. Looking around at the most important people in her life. For the first time in a while, she felt whole.

[findingdory9022]

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Fae stood on the ledge of the Evil School, peeking through a large window at the chaotic scene inside. The Nevers seemed to be having their own ball, though their dancing was anything but graceful. Still, she had to admit, it fit their wild nature. 

She couldn't hear what was being said from outside but she let out a deep sigh when she saw Agatha reveal herself to the room. Aggie I love you but try to stay out of trouble for more than 10 minutes, she thought, shaking her head. Phasing easily through the window, something she had practiced for days, Fae flew to an unseen hall in the ballroom. 

Her attention shifted when she spotted the Evers break through the walls of the Evil school, with Tedros leading them. Fae watched as William came to stand in front of the Ever boys, directing them to shoot at the Nevers. Unfortunately, the Nevers were left unharmed as the arrows turned into flowers at their feet, a result of Sophie's blood magic. 

"Well, now, if Evil attacks and Good defends," Sophie spoke as she took steps back, her fellow Nevers parting for her, "then it would appear that Good has become Evil." The blond stretched her arms, her finger glowing a darker red. "And Evil has become Good," she smirked. The glow overtook her, drifting off to the other Nevers as well. 

The Ever students watched in fear as the Nevers transformed, their outfits that were originally in deep shades of black and purple had turned white and gold, making them look like Evers. Sophie too had undergone the biggest transformation, going from the ugly hag to her natural beauty. 

"Obfuscate" Fae mumbled, preparing to blend into the crowd. But to her shock, her magical features remained. The spell wasn't working? Why now? She began to panic.

Tedros was the first to step closer to the group of Nevers, sword in hand and ready to strike. "Tedros get out!" she heard Agatha call out to him. As soon as the words left her mouth, Fae gasped in horror as she watched two axes fly against his chest, pressing themselves quite close to his neck. Fae felt her heart race in fear, Why now of all times? 

"Teddy, we have so much to talk about." Sophie spoke to the boy as he stood still, "You and your little army just tried to kill a roomful of innocent people." She feigned sadness as she and her group of Nevers walked towards the prince.

The blonde's eyes glowed a deep red, "Now that is quite evil indeed," she stated, blood following the movement of her finger. Suddenly, the prince gasped in pain, clutching at his chest as he fell to the ground, the Evers behind him were in a much worse state. 

Fae turned away, she couldn't bear to watch. As she stared at the floor, she noticed a faint white light at the end of the hallway. She fought to stay put and watch in case she needed to intervene but the light seemed to be calling out to her so she followed. 

She ran towards the glowing light quickly before coming to a stop at a large covered painting. She felt the hair on her arms stand up, suddenly feeling extremely cold. Smoothening her hands on her ball gown to calm herself, she reached up to the cover and pulled it off, coughing as a cloud of dust surrounded her.

The painting was of a girl she had never seen before. She had dark brown skin, a shade that was a bit darker than Fae's. Her hair was slicked back into a low bun, though a few pieces stuck out, giving her a mischievous look. Her eyes were a deep brown, almost black, that seemed to lure Fae in. 

Fae's eyes flew to the golden plaque at the bottom of the painting. It simply read, Alette of Aetheria. The girl's eyes narrowed as she reached out to touch the plaque only for a bright light to blind her eyes. 

As the light faded, Fae's jaw dropped as the girl appeared before her, the painting was now a blank canvas. She blinked in shock, rubbing at her eyes before looking back at the girl, who stared at her with an unimpressed expression. 

"Finished staring? Or shall I wait?" Alette asked, her voice flat.

Fae snapped her mouth shut and sent her an embarrassed smile, "I'm sorry-"

"No time for apologies, I assume your magic is blocked?" Alette waved her off, walking in circles around Fae, inspecting her.

Fae's eyes narrowed. How does she know? she thought. She hadn't told anyone that her magic wasn't working anymore, she had just found out herself. She felt the usual warmth in her wings had gone cold, as if a vital part of her was missing.

"It's no surprise. Your wings are not just a symbol of your royalty and being a fairy, they're a direct link to Aetheria itself. When Aetheria was sealed, a part of your wings' essence—its connection to the kingdom..... was cut off."

Fae frowned. She had known she was the princess, and that her wings were powerful, but why was she just learning of how intertwined the source of her magic was to the kingdom? "If my wings are connected to Aetheria, then how do I restore them? The kingdom is still sealed."

Alette took a step closer, her gaze intense. "Your wings still carry the essence of Aetheria's magic, but that magic has been sealed, bound by a spell." 

Fae could feel the electricity spark through her body, causing a spark in her wings. "We cannot hold them off any longer." Fae gasped as a voice that wasn't her own filled her head. She looked up, immediately realizing it was her Granna's thoughts flowing through her mind. "Princess Fae, my dear child." The woman's voice rang in her head.

In the name of the stars, by the moon's dark grace,

Let this kingdom disappear without a trace.

"I have faith that you will be able to bring Aetheria back to us." Fae felt tears well up in her eyes, all the energy within her seemed to drain out. The girl's wings glowed a dark blue, unknowingly completing part of the spell. 

Fae gasped as she remembered her vision. "To unseal Aetheria, you have to unlock your wings, bring their true magic to the surface. You can't just rely on the magic you've always used anymore. There's something deeper." Alette's voice cut through.

Fae felt a pit forming in her stomach. "What do you mean, something deeper?"

"Think, Fae," Alette scoffed. "Why were your wings part of the spell of Aetheria's sealing? They are more than tools for magic. They are the key to the kingdom's life force." The girl stressed, "To break the spell, you need to draw out the magic buried within them—the magic of Aetheria itself. The magic that can only come from fully embracing the wings' connection to the land, the people, and to you."

Fae blinked, recalling Felicity's many explanations on how a fairy's wings were extensions of their magic. But this? This was a whole other level. "So, I have to regain the magic in my wings?"

"Exactly. But this isn't something you can do by just trying harder. You need to understand that the power locked in your wings is more than just your own. It's tied to Aetheria's core." Alette said, her hands tracing over Fae's dimmed wings. "The spell over Aetheria can only be broken by you fully reuniting with that ancient magic."

"How do I do that?" Fae asked hesitantly.

"You have to fly again." Alette's faint smile didn't match the serious expression in her eyes.

Fae gave her a deadpan look. "Fly again?"

"Not just physically." Alette sighed, her voice a bit softer. "You need to remember the purpose of your wings. Only then will you be able to access your magic again, breaking the spell."

Before Fae could respond, the distant clashing of swords and shouts from the main hall snapped her back to the present. Time was running out. She needed to act, and fast. 

"Why should I believe you?" Fae asked, still unsure. "You just magically appeared from some painting in the school for Evil, might I add."

Alette scoffed, crossing her arms under her chest, "I sensed you were in need of help so I came, and this is the thanks I get?" she rolled her eyes. "Simply think of me as your ancestor"

Before Fae could ask more, Alette turned away from her, "Go find that blonde girl. The School Master's blood magic has a hold on her."

"What do you mean by that?" Fae asked, but Alette didn't elaborate. 

The girl shooed Fae off, "I have told you everything. Go save Atheria or whatever" she mumbled as she stepped back into the painting, leaving Fae no choice but to trust her.

The girl huffed in annoyance and ran back to where the others were. It was chaos. Nevers swung from chandeliers as they attacked and fought against the Evers. Her eyes flitted around the room but she was unable to find any of her friends. 

She heard a high pitched scream and turned to see Beatrix on the floor with a Never girl, Dot, pressing a knife to her throat. Fae looked around for something to throw, however she found nothing. She decided to take off her heels and threw one, striking the Never in the face and distracting her long enough for Beatrix to fight back. 

She let out a sigh of relief as she saw her friend was safe, she decided the Evers could hold their own and raced through the hallways in search of her prince and her friend. 

"Fae!" she heard the boy call out to her from the other side of the hall, with a heavy sigh of relief she ran towards him, the two meeting in a hug. "Are you all right?"

"Oh my days, I thought you were dead," she mumbled as she checked his face for injuries. 

He moved so they were facing each other and it was then that Fae took note of his physical change. His face was littered with scars and his suit had changed into a darker color, however he still seemed attractive. 

"I'm fine love but listen to me," he said, breathing heavily, "I need to put an end to the Nevers once and for all."

She grabbed onto his arm before he ran off, "No, no, no, Tedros. This whole war thing isn't right" She shook her head nervously. " I need to find Sophie, she isn't herself." Fae wanted to bite her tongue, realizing how similar she had sounded to Agatha in the moment. 

Tedros frowned at her in disbelief and confusion, "After what she's done?"

"She's being used by the school master, he's possessed by her with his blood magic or something, she doesn't know what she's doing," the girl rambled about what she had been told earlier. Tedros shook his head in disagreement.

"No she knows what she's doing" he scoffed, she rolled her eyes at the boy. "I need to find her," she spoke firmly, glaring at him as she moved away. However, he held onto her tighter causing her to stay put.

"She's gone"

Fae felt her heart stop, Sophie was dead? "She turned into a raven and went up to the School Master's tower," he continued, causing Fae to let out a sigh of relief. "Fae the real fight is down here." He tried convincing her against going after the evil Never, but she was stubborn. 

"Tedros," she said firmly, "I need you to trust me," she said looking into his eyes. The pretty eyes she loved so much. "Can you do that?"

The second she locked eyes with him he knew he wouldn't be able to argue anymore. He let out a sigh, slowly nodding as he gave into her idea. Before he could speak, an ever boy called out to the two from the end of the hallway, "Tedros help! We can't hold them"

The prince made a decision, "Okay go to her," he told her as he began walking back to where the battle was, "I'll be there as soon as I can. I promise you." Fae felt her heart race as she saw him leave, was it smart to trust the random stranger that was supposedly her ancestor? Probably.

Fae was left alone in the hallway, she closed off the sound of the battle in the ballroom nearby. She pulled at her hair, she couldn't teleport or fly as she was still magicless. What an unfortunate situation.

Think of Sophie and say Kio. A voice instructed through her head. Fae immediately froze. You finally figured it out? I'm the voice. Alette's proud voice spoke through Fae's mind. The voice that would appear every once in a while to assist Fae and warn her was Alette. Fae let out an amused breath, finally understanding why the girl had sounded familiar. 

You're wasting time, say Kio. It's an ancient transportation spell. Fae furrowed her eyebrows, she still didn't have her magic so how would she perform the spell. I am feeding you my own magic so use it while I'm choosing to be nice. Alette warned, her patience wearing thin. 

"Kio," Fae said while rolling her eyes. She was immediately transported to a room she hadn't seen before. Through the window she could still see the two schools, the room seemed to have hung over the ledge between the schools.

"I am your prince." Fae turned as she heard the deep voice of a man. She turned only to see Sophie in a trance like state as she stared at a man eerily similar to the school master. Her eyes widened when she realized it must have been his evil twin brother.

"I am your true love," he continued. Fae shuddered as she felt the dark magic chime through the air. She took cover behind one of the pillars, hoping he hadn't heard her. The man continued to try to persuade Sophie and Fae felt conflicted. As much as she disliked the girl, now she could see that she was literally being possessed. 

Her breathing stopped as she watched the two engage in a, disturbingly, passionate kiss. The man's eyes glowed a bright red as the room was enveloped in green fog. "And so it was that Evil had finally won true love's kiss, condemning both schools and all those within their walls, Good and Evil alike, to perish in agony" the words of the storian echoed through the room.

Fae's breath got heavy as she wondered what to do. The man screamed victoriously, finally pleased to have won. "Allowing Rafal's Evil... true Evil, to overtake the world." 

Fae watched dazed as the schools came crashing down. Her heart stopped and she fell to the floor in despair. "What have I done?" she heard Sophie mumble. At some point she couldn't hear at all. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of her friends, her true love, her new found family. They were all gone.

She needed to get her magic back. At this point she wasn't even thinking of unsealing Atheria. She was scared. All she wanted to do was survive.

[findingdory9022]

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"Don't tell me you're wearing that" Fae deadpanned as she glanced over the simple gray dress Agatha wore. The two of them were getting ready for the Evers' Ball together to make up for the hours of separation they had been through.

The curly haired girl rolled her eyes at her friend's question, "You know i'm not a fan of dresses Fae" she groaned. 

"Come on Aggie," the fairy pouted at her friend pleadingly, "This may be the only fairytale ball you ever attend" she said, trying to convince her. Fae's hands clasped in front of her face as she looked to her friend pleadingly. 

The small fairies that were meant to be guarding the school, who were undoing Fae's locs, glanced at Agatha with pleading faces that mirrored Fae's.

Agatha looked to her shorter friend and huffed, a helpless smile forming on her face. "Fine fairy godmother," she sighed, "Do as you wish."

Fae smiled excitedly, the tiny fairies going back to their work. "Don't move," she told Agatha. Fae raised her hand and concentrated, blue mist surrounded her finger tips, slowly forming at Agatha's feet, "Bippity Boppity Boo." 

With a poof of smoke, Agatha's dress had transformed. It was a pale blue dress, the top being a simple corset with small lace details as well as a lacy puff sleeve, the skirt falling below her knees. It was simple enough to not draw too much attention but make her look elegant and classy. Like a princess. 

Agatha turned in the full-length mirror Fae had in her dorm, she couldn't stop the smile that formed on her face. She looked back at her friend, who was smirking at her, Agatha rolled her eyes playfully, "It's beautiful. Thank you Fae."

Fae sent the girl a pleased grin, "We still need to take care of your hair though," she added. The small fairy guard, who had fortunately finished undoing Fae's locs moved towards Agatha to help her as well. Though the fairies were normally reserved and only kept to their kind, the guards had decided that a friend of Fae's was an acquaintance of theirs.

While they got to work on Agatha's hair, Fae changed into a gorgeous green ball gown. The top of the dress was an intricate, bejeweled, corset with faded designs. The sleeves were separate from the dress, Fae had chosen to wear them just for the sake of dressing up, and were sheer green ruffles. The skirt fell just below her ankles, covering her simple white heels, but was also covered with a shiny sheer fabric to enhance its fairy-like look. The dress fit like a glove, making her look almost mythical and unreal.

She looked in the mirror, thanking her little fairy friends for helping her straighten her short hair, and attempted to style it. She huffed realizing that the short hair didn't go too well with the outfit. With a simple spell, her hair fell just below her shoulders. She smiled and began to loosely curl her hair, giving it somewhat of a wavy look. As for jewelry, the girl chose a simple choker style necklace, a pretty tiara Felicity had gifted her and a ring Tedros had slipped on her finger days before without her knowing. She smiled at the ring before heading out of the room.

Her jaw dropped as she saw how the fairies had managed to tame her friend's unruly hair. She looked like a princess. "Aggie.... you look," she looked her friend up and down in complete awe. When Agatha turned to face Fae, her eyes widened out of shock.

"I'm sorry who are you- cause you aren't my best friend" Agatha mumbled as she glanced over Fae. The two girls smiled at each other before meeting in the middle of the room. "Fae you look gorgeous," Agatha smiled down at her.

"I look gorgeous? Aggie, you look like a real princess!" the fairy beamed at her friend, her excitement was too much to contain. For the next hour or so, the two girls talked as they did makeup, both going for a natural look as they were already beautiful. Agatha eventually left, saying she had to meet up with her date for the ball, but she wouldn't tell Fae who. Fae laughed before waving her friend off, turning to look at the four tiny fairies that lay spread out on her bed.

She raised an eyebrow at them before speaking, "Sorry if this comes off as rude but..." the littles fairies perked up once they heard her speak, "What are your names?" she asked, smiling sheepishly at them. Three of them flew up to her, quickly chittering about, however, once stood up on her bed, his hands on his hips as he blankly looked at the girl.

Fae rolled her eyes amused at his antics before looking to the other three. The first one, seemingly the leader of their group, stood on her stretched out palm. He had been the one to direct her to Tedros a few days ago. Fae listened to him speak before repeating what she heard, "Emil?" The fairy nodded his head, pleased she got it right.

Next was the cheeky little fairy that danced on her palm, Fae smiled as she did a little spin, "You are Edith?" she asked, the fairy flying in circles excitedly. Fae smiled at the small woman and moved onto the third. 

"I know you," she grinned at the light skinned male, "You are Elodie." The fairy puffed proud of her name before flitting to lay back on her bed. Fae finally turned to the stubborn fairy who was stomping about on her bed.

She scoffed at his behavior before picking him up with ease. "I'm sorry for not asking earlier," she apologized. The male looked at her from the corner of his eyes before nodding and chirping. "Soleil?" Fae repeated, smiling as he nodded and sat on her head. She smiled, Soleil had been the clingiest out of the three so it was somewhat understandable that he was a tad bit annoyed.  

The five of them relaxed in her room a bit, Fae being extremely careful to not let her outfit get dirty. "It's time to go isn't it?" she mumbled, the four of them chirping in response. With their approval, she got up from the bed and headed to the Ballroom.

She smiled as she neared the room, hearing the laughter and chatter of the Ever students. As she looked near the entrance for her friends, she flinched as someone grabbed her hand. Fae turned quickly. Prepared to scold whoever grabbed onto her but immediately relaxed when she saw her prince smiling down at her.

Tedros stood there, still holding her hand, his smile faltering as his eyes locked onto her. His gaze slowly drifted over her, taking in every detail of the ball gown she wore. The usually confident prince was struck silent, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

His fingers tightened slightly around her wrist, almost as if he was trying to ground himself. He looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time, his eyes tracing over her delicate face, the way the gown flattered her figure, and how the soft light from the windows bounced off the fabric.

He swallowed hard, trying to find words. "You... you look..." His voice trailed off, and instead of finishing, he took a small step closer, his free hand twitching as if he wanted to touch her but hesitated.

Fae tilted her head, amused at how tongue-tied he was. "I think you're supposed to say I look beautiful," she teased, a grin creeping onto her face.

Tedros blinked, snapping out of his trance for a second. He let out a short, breathless laugh, shaking his head slightly, but his eyes never left hers. "Beautiful doesn't even come close," he muttered under his breath. His hand finally moved, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, lingering just a moment too long before falling back to his side.

For a moment, his hand lingered near her waist, just short of resting on her, before he quickly pulled back, shaking his head with a grin as if trying to pull himself together. "Did your hair get longer?" he asked curiously once he looked her over. Again.

She combed her fingers loosely through her dark hair and smiled, pleased that he had taken notice. "I used a spell, I think it fits the outfit better," she explained as she did a twirl for him.

Tedros watched her twirl, his eyes following the movement of her hair. "It's... different," he said with a thoughtful smile. "Definitely works with the gown." He paused, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before adding, "But I've always liked how you look... you know, with your short hair."

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not wanting to say too much, but his expression said it all—he admired her, whether she used magic or not. Fae glanced at him, feeling a quiet sense of comfort wash over her. 

She didn't talk about it often, but her natural, shorter hair sometimes made her feel insecure. It was why she kept it in long braids most of the time. But hearing Tedros' words, even in his own awkward way, made her feel better.

Behind Fae stood Agath who was fidgeting with the hem of her gown nervously. "Is Agatha alright-" she began to ask but was interrupted as the doors to the ballroom were slammed open. 

Tedros instinctively gripped onto Excalibur, who was held in its scabbard, as he tried to identify who stood at the end of the hallway. The Ever students had stopped dancing, whispers floated around the room as a figure in a dark dress and black veil slowly walked to the center of the room. 

Fae and Tedros moved forward, meeting Agatha in the middle of the room when the figure finally stopped. Fae couldn't shake the sense of familiarity with the person. Her eyes only widened in shock as Agatha spoke. 

"Sophie, what happened to you?" she asked with worry. The blonde finally lifted the black beaded veil, revealing her hideous face to the students. Fae's hand lifted to conceal the sharp gasp that left her lips. What had happened to her?

The blonde ignored Agatha and walked up to Fae's prince, "Don't worry Teddy." she said nonchalantly, "Should clear up by tomorrow. Try to look past it and not ruin our evening," she said somewhat threateningly. 

Fae knew it wasn't the time, but she forced herself not to laugh at her boyfriend's mortified expression as the blonde Never moved closer to him. Sophie then spun around, her arms stretched out wide, "The Evers Ball! Here I am."

She paused and looked to Tedros, who was apparently the only person in her vision, "You're taking me remember?" she told him, her eyes narrowing slightly, "You promised."

"Sophie please-"

"Quiet Aggie, the protagonists are speaking," Sophie scoffed. Fae's eyes widened, while she despised the blonde girl she couldn't admit that was a good comeback.

Sophie waltzed up to the brunette prince, "I'm still your date right?" Her hand moved to lightly trace the prince's face, who looked disgusted might I add. "Your aren't going back on your promise are you?" 

Fae glared at the blonde's hand, her magic stirring deep within her. "Because.... Bad things happen when the good break their promises." She whispered, her hand now grabbing forcefully on the boy's face. 

Fae's fingers twitched at her side, her magic simmering and ready to attack. Sophie's hand lingered too long, her smug smile pushing Fae's patience to its limit. The girl had enough, unknowingly freezing Sophie's hand in place. However, before the blonde could question it, her hand was smacked away by the dark skinned fairy. "There is no promise," she stated, stepping in front of Tedros.

"I am here with Fae," Tedros said. Sophie's eyes burned into Fae's skin but she didn't back down. The girl returned a glare just as cold, her eyes unknowingly releasing a blue aura. 

"You insolent little girl," Sophie sneered, her finger pointed out tracing a line. Though it looked harmless at first, the Evers gasped as a trail of blood followed it. The Ever princes stepped forward, prepared to defend the students. However, with the flick of her finger, the dark magic immediately caused their swords to heat up, burning their hands.

Sophie smirked as she waved her finger in the air, "You know I think I'm really getting the hang of this" she smirked as she admired the evil energy coming from the magic. 

"Sophie stop," Agatha said, stepping forward. Fae moved behind her friend, ready to defend her if anything went wrong, Tedros also stepped behind Fae ready to protect her if she got hurt.

"Whatever's happened I can help you," she tried to reach out to the girl. "I'm your friend."

The last word seemed to set the blonde off as she sneered at the taller girl, "No Agatha. You are an irrelevant side character." she scoffed before looking behind her at Fae, "And she is my nemesis." Fae rolled her eyes at Sophie, typical of the blonde girl to immediately jump to her own conclusions. "Which means this story can't end until one of us is destroyed!" she declared, her voice getting louder.

"Sophie..." Agtha called out to her friend once more, her voice breaking in despair and worry. Fae felt bad, for Agatha not Sophie.

Sophie and Agatha didn't break eye contact for a few seconds until the ugly looking blonde pulled the veil back over her face, "Bye" the blonde never whispered before turning around and walking out of the hall, the doors closing behind her loudly.

Fae felt her skin shudder as the heavy thrum of the evil magic flew through the room. She saw Agatha move to go after the blonde, but she quickly held onto her hand, shaking her head no. Before anyone could get a word out, a group of Ever boys had run up to Tedros, insisting he came with them.

As the group made it to the faculty room, Fae gasped in shock as she stared to the ground. The teachers of both schools had been turned into small dolls, their shrieks barely audible as they were so tiny.

"So does this mean the ball is canceled?" Kiko asked. Fae rolled her eyes, as much as she loved the girl this wasn't the time for such questions.

"We have to stop her," Tedros decided, prepared to rush to the school for evil. However, before they could leave Agatha protested immediately.

"No, no, no," she shook her head, "Nobody hurt Sophie."

"Aggie, look at what she's done," Fae scoffed as she pointed to the semi-lifeless teachers on the floor. Truth was the fairy could easily turn them back. After learning of her royal heritage, she and Felicity had told Professor Lydia of what they had learnt as she was the only adult they trusted with the information. The usually stoic teacher was extremely excited even if she couldn't completely grasp her head around the concept of one of her students being an actual princess.

They had trained with more difficult spells, spells worthy of creating stars and pockets in space. A simple blood magic spell such as this wouldn't be of difficulty to her to undo, however, she didn't want to reveal her magic in front of the other random Ever students in the room. 

"Our only hope is to kill her before she destroys us all" Tedros spoke. Fae shook her head in disagreement, though she didn't like Sophie at all, to kill someone was a bit much. "Men grab your weapons!" he yelled, riling the boys up while Agatha tried to convince them against going. Even a few Ever girls who had been in the room seemed prepared to fight. "It's time to kill the witch!" The group ran out the room, leaving Tedros, Fae and Agatha.

The prince turned to his fairy, "Fae you need to stay here with Agatha," he said protectively. 

The girl immediately shook her head, "I can defend myself better than anyone in there and you know it-" she began to tell him off, but he interrupted her once more.

"I know you can," he said, his lips quirking up in a small smile before he returned to his serious expression. "But you are too important for me to risk," he reminded her. His words had a double meaning. She was the princess of a powerful fairy kingdom, and even if the kingdom was currently concealed, if anything were to happen to her it would most definitely cause trouble. The second meaning however was more personal. She was important to him and he wouldn't know what to do if he ever lost her.

She hesitantly nodded. The boy smiled and kissed her gently before running out the room. As Fae watched him run out, she heard the chime of magic from behind her, she turned to see Agatha's finger glowing a bright yellow. She began to shake her head, already knowing what was going through her friend's mind, "Aggie no..." her voice faded as her friend looked back to her, determination on her face.

"I'm going to help her, Fae." And with that, Agatha turned into a white dove and flew speedily out the room.

Fae huffed in annoyance, why was no one listening to her today? "Revelis" she grumbled under her breath, her wings and other mystical features appearing once more. She forced herself to shrink in size, now she was no taller than the magical fairy guards at the school and could fly in secret. "I'm sorry Tedros," she mumbled as she quickly flew out of the room and towards the School for Evil. She didn't want to admit it, but the dark school almost looked as though it was expecting her arrival.

of difficulty to her to undo, however, she didn't want to reveal her magic in front of the other random ever students in the room. 

"Our only hope is to kill her before she destroys us all" Tedros spoke. Fae shook her head in disagreement, though she didn't like Sophie at all, to kill someone was a bit much. "Men grab your weapons!" he yelled, riling the boys up while Agatha tried to convince them against going. Even a few Ever girls who had been in the room seemed prepared to fight. "It's time to kill the witch!" The group ran out the room, leaving Tedros, Fae and Agatha.

The prince turned to his fairy, "Fae you need to stay here with Agatha," he said protectively. 

The girl immediately shook her head, "I can defend myself better than anyone in there and you know it-" she began to tell him off, but he interrupted her once more.

"I know you can," he said, his lips quirking up in a small smile before he returned to his serious expression. "But you are too important for me to risk," he reminded her. His words had a double meaning. She was the princess of a powerful fairy kingdom, and even if the kingdom was currently concealed, if anything were to happen to her it would most definitely cause trouble. The second meaning however was more personal. She was important to him and he wouldn't know what to do if he ever lost her.

She hesitantly nodded. The boy smiled and kissed her gently before running out the room. As Fae watched him run out, she heard the chime of magic from behind her, she turned to see Agatha's finger glowing a bright yellow. She began to shake her head, already knowing what was going through her friend's mind, "Aggie no..." her voice faded as her friend looked back to her, determination on her face.

"I'm going to help her, Fae." And with that, Agatha turned into a white dove and flew speedily out the room.

Fae huffed in annoyance, why was no one listening to her today? "Revelis" she grumbled under her breath, her wings and other mystical features appearing once more. She forced herself to shrink in size, now she was no taller than the magical fairy guards at the school and could fly in secret. "I'm sorry Tedros," she mumbled as she quickly flew out of the room and towards the School for Evil. She didn't want to admit it, but the dark school almost looked as though it was expecting her arrival.

[findingdory9022]

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Tedros found himself unable to let go of Fae's hand as they walked through the hallways of the school for good. Students who had been walking around parted for them as they made their way towards the mess hall. 

The two, after multiple shared kisses, had separated to change into proper clothes, Fae putting on a simple yellow dress that Tedros absolutely adored, while Tedros wore a simple button up shirt and leather pants. His sword Excalibur was strapped in its holder. 

Tedros' gaze was focused solely on the girl in front of him as she pulled him around the mess hall. He couldn't help the adoring smile that was growing on his face as he had thought about what happened earlier. He told her he loved her, even though it wasn't how he planned he wouldn't have had it any other way.

Tedros couldn't help but hold onto Fae's hand as they walked through the School for Good's hallways. Students glanced up from their conversations, making way for the pair as they made their way toward the mess hall. 

After their magical morning, they had changed into fresh clothes. Fae had chosen a simple, sunny yellow dress that Tedros couldn't help but adore, while Tedros wore a casual button-up shirt and leather pants, Excalibur strapped securely at his side. 

As they entered the mess hall, Tedros's gaze was locked on Fae. Her laughter and bright smile seemed to light up the room, drawing admiring looks from the other students. His grin was wide and full of joy, still glowing from their earlier moments together. He had told her he loved her, something he hadn't planned but was now so glad he did. 

Fae looked up at Tedros and grinned, her heart still fluttering from their earlier moments. But as she opened her mouth to speak, she noticed Agatha across the hall, watching her with an unreadable expression. The sight made Fae's smile falter slightly. Her feelings for Agatha were complicated, she wasn't quite over how Agatha had defended Sophie during their conversation about the Trial by Tale, especially knowing Fae's feelings for Tedros. 

Although Fae felt sympathy for Agatha's longing to return to Gavaldon, she couldn't ignore the hurt of her recent actions. Fae glanced back at Tedros, whose gaze was still locked on her with a look of adoration. Unable to resist, she lifted a hand to gently caress his cheek, her touch tender and affectionate.

"Love," she said softly, "I'm going to go talk to Agatha for a bit, alright?" Tedros nodded, his eyes bright like an obedient puppy. "Go find the others, okay? I'll be over there soon," she instructed, leaning in for a quick, sweet kiss that left her feeling warm inside. She would never get tired of kissing him.

Reluctantly, she stepped away from Tedros and made her way over to where Agatha sat. The two friends exchanged silent glances before Agatha broke the quiet.

"Where have you been?" Agatha asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and perhaps a hint of concern.

Fae took a deep breath, she shook her head, not knowing where to start. Before she even had the chance to form words Agatha cute her off "Look Sophie needs-" "Could we not talk about her for once?" Fae mumbled lowly, her eyes clouding with a feeling Agatha hadn't seen on her before. "Everything always seems to be about her. I disappear for three days and she's the first thing you bring up" Fae stresses. "For once I don't really want to know about what Sophie needs or what happened to her Agatha."

Agatha looked back at her nervously, "But Fae she's our friend." "I heard her that day," the fairy spoke, "When Sophie said she pretty much never saw me as a friend." Agatha's eyes widened as she spoke, she hadn't known Fae had been listening to their conversation. 

Fae took a deep breath, her voice softening. "I'm not saying you shouldn't care about her, or that I'm not grateful for your support. But right now, I need to know that you'll be here for me too. I need you to listen to what I'm going through, to be there for me in the same way I've tried to be there for you."

Fae knew she wasn't perfect. There were definitely times when she could've been kinder, and she hadn't shared everything she'd learned about her past with Agatha. Part of her even wondered if Agatha would truly care.

She squeezed Agatha's hand gently, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I'm hurt because I thought we could share everything with each other. But it feels like Sophie's problems always come first. Honestly, I get nervous just thinking about telling you anything because I worry that your concerns for Sophie might overshadow mine entirely. I want to feel like my feelings matter too."

Agatha's eyes widened slightly as Fae's words sank in. She'd been so preoccupied with worrying about Sophie and the possibility of leaving the school that she hadn't truly noticed how it had affected her relationship with Fae. The weight of Fae's words hit her hard, making her realize just how much she'd been letting her concerns for Sophie overshadow everything else.

She took a deep breath, her grip on Fae's hand tightening as she tried to find the right words. "You're right," Agatha admitted quietly, her voice filled with a mix of guilt and surprise. "I've been so focused on Sophie and my own worries about going back to Gavaldon that I haven't really been there for you. I didn't realize how much it was affecting you."

Fae saw the look of realization cross Agatha's face and her heart softened. She gently squeezed Agatha's hand. "Agatha, you need to take care of yourself too. I get that you're worried, but you need to remember to take care of yourself too."

Fae's smile was warm and understanding. "If you're always focused on everyone else, you're not giving yourself a break." The girl's gaze was filled with warmth and understanding. "I love you Aggie, like a sister. You don't have to carry everything on your own." 

Fae and Agatha shared a moment of silent understanding, a quiet resolve settling between them. "I'm heading back to join the others," Fae said softly, glancing toward the table where her friends sat. "I'd love for you to come with me."

Agatha hesitated, her eyes tracing patterns on the floor. "I'm not sure I'm up for it right now," she admitted quietly. "I think I need some time to think."

Fae nodded, her expression understanding. "That's okay. Just remember, you can talk to me whenever you need to. I'm here for you."

Agatha met her gaze, a grateful smile forming. "Thanks, Fae. I'll remember that."

Fae offered a final, reassuring smile before heading toward the door. "I'll catch up with you later, alright?"

As Fae moved away, Agatha remained in her seat before leaving the mess hall, feeling a shift within her. She felt lighter as she remembered Fae's kindness, a reminder of the support she had even when she needed space.

Fae approached the table where her friends were gathered, and Tedros immediately reached out to pull her down beside him. She rolled her eyes affectionately as William's face lit up at her arrival, while Felicity sat calmly to his left. Beatrix and Reena, seated on opposite sides of the table, paused their animated conversation and offered Fae warm smiles.

"So, what happened?" William asked, leaning forward eagerly as soon as Fae settled into her seat. Beatrix and Reena shifted their attention, sensing that something significant was about to be revealed.

"As you know, Felicity took me to her home to meet one of these powerful mages." She decided to keep her royal lineage a secret for now, feeling it wasn't the right moment to share. "The mage explained that the spell placed on me is quite intricate. She can't break it immediately, but it will eventually come undone on its own."

She simplified the explanation, hiding the more complex details Granna Maria had shared with her and Felicity. Her answer seemed to satisfy the group as they went back to their own conversations. The conversation shifted to the Evers' Ball and Fae found herself talking with Reena about the event. 

"So, Tristan and Kiko are going together?" Fae asked, looking at Reena.

Reena nodded. "Yep. I'm going with Beatrix, and William is going with Felicity." 

Fae's eyes widened in surprise. "Felicity said yes?"

Reena shook her head, an amused smile playing on her lips. "He hasn't asked her yet, but look at them," she said, subtly nodding towards the pair. Fae followed her gaze and saw William gently tucking a strand of Felicity's hair behind her ear. Felicity, though momentarily startled, met his gaze with a soft smile. 

"Awwww" the two cooed in unison, their faces lighting up with delight. "There's no way she'll say no," Reena said confidently, leaning on Fae's shoulder as they shared a giggle over the scene.

Fae tensed slightly when she felt a hand slip around her waist. Relaxing as she realized it was Tedros, she looked up at him, her face lighting up. "I'm going to help Chaddick with some sword practice for a bit. Don't miss me too much, alright?" he said, leaning down to give her a soft kiss.

Reena, Beatrix, and William watched, their jaws dropping. Fae pulled away, her cheeks flushed, and nodded shyly as Tedros gave her one last kiss on the forehead before heading off.

"When did that happen?" William asked loudly once Tedros was out of earshot. Heads turned their way, and Fae shot William a playful glare.

"Be quiet," she said, smootheninging her hair.

"I didn't know it had gotten that far," Beatrix teased with a smirk. Fae buried her face in her hands, groaning as her friends started teasing her.

"You have to tell us everything," Beatrix insisted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Even Felicity's smirk widened.

"It was earlier this morning," Fae began, her voice soft. "I was telling him about our trip, and he was so sweet. Then he said he loved me."

The girls squealed, except for Felicity, who grinned widely. William puffed up with pride. "I taught him well," he said with a shrug.

"Anyways," Fae continued, "He was rambling about wanting to say it under different circumstances, so I..."

"You..." Reena prompted eagerly.

"I kissed him," Fae admitted, trying to keep her grin in check. "Twice."

Reena nudged her teasingly, and Beatrix cooed. "And I thought Felicity and William were cute," Beatrix said with a grin.

Felicity gasped in mock disbelief while Beatrix gave her a teasing smile.

"Has he asked you to the ball yet?" William asked. When Fae shook her head, Felicity scoffed.

"The Evers' Ball is in two days," Felicity said, sounding slightly frustrated. "He should have asked you already."

"We just got back yesterday," Fae defended. "I found him asleep in front of my dorm—"

"When will it be my turn?" Reena interrupted, dramatically laying her head on the table and gazing longingly at Chaddick from across the room.

Fae glanced between Reena and Beatrix. "How come you're going with Beatrix?" she asked. "Didn't Chaddick ask you?"

Reena sighed, shaking her head "Chaddick asked Millicent," Beatrix said.

"That backstabber," Reena muttered into the table, her voice filled with exaggerated sadness.

"So, Reena and I are going together. It's like a friends' date," Beatrix explained. Fae nodded, understanding now.

"It's hard," Reena continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "Felicity and William are always flirting in front of us." She pointed accusingly to the couple who were now whispering to each other. Felicity quickly defended herself, saying she wasn't flirting, while William simply grinned.

"You and Tedros are practically made for each other," Reena said, dramatically wiping imaginary tears. "How are people like me supposed to live?"

Fae giggled and patted Reena's shoulder. "Don't worry, Ree. You'll find someone soon," she encouraged. As the conversation shifted, Fae glanced back at Chaddick, still feeling a mix of curiosity and confusion.

Her eyes suddenly widened as she remembered that Tedros told her he had gone to help Chaddick train. Her eyebrows furrowed as she suddenly realized that he must have been lying to her.

"I'll be back in a minute or two," she told the group as she got up from the table to leave. She waved at them as she stepped out of the mess hall, it was quite late. She could see the stars coming out as she passed one of the large windows in the school.  She stood to admire the scenery for a second, something she often found herself taking for granted. Both schools were beautiful in their own ways, that was something undeniable.

As she continued her search, the four small fairy guards flew around her. She smiled as she saw them, happy to see them all at the same time. The two men of the group flew inside a hallway as the women made themselves comfortable on her soft hair.

She raised an eyebrow at them in confusion. Realizing they weren't being followed, the male fairies returned to her and glared. Fae raised her hands up in surrender, "I'm sorry you didn't exactly give me clear instructions" she excused. 

The paler one of the two pointed in the direction they had flown and motioned for her to follow them. She nodded and did as was told. They eventually came to an opening, one that felt familiar but looked new. 

As Fae stepped into the field, a soft gasp left her lips. The small garden in front of the Wish Fish Pond was covered in the soft glow of twilight, the last bits of sunlight fading, leaving behind streaks of pink and orange in the sky. Stars had already begun to dot the blue sky above, their light reflecting on the surface of the large pond, making everything feel still and almost magical.

In the middle of the garden, a picnic blanket was spread out, surrounded by softly flickering candles. The gentle light made the whole scene feel warm and welcoming. Plates of food were laid out neatly on the blanket, and everything felt cozy, as though it had been waiting just for her. The air was still warm from the day, but a light breeze kept it feeling refreshing.

Finally, in the center of it all stood Tedros, his back was to her but she could feel his nerves. Hearing her footsteps, he turned to face her, his gaze meeting hers with a soft smile that made her heart skip a beat.

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The evening had passed in a blur of laughter and warmth, the air filled with conversation and the flickering of the candles as Fae and Tedros lounged on the picnic blanket. The stars above seemed to dance in the sky, reflecting in the still waters of the pond. Their quiet voices echoed in the empty field, and it felt as if the world around them had simply melted away.

They were talking about the day they first met, both giggling over the memory. 

"You seriously thought I was a Princess back then?" Fae teased, nudging him lightly with her elbow.

Tedros laughed, shaking his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of course I did. I mean, come on, you sat in the assembly room with that aura about you. I could've sworn you had the same poise as royalty."

"Poise?" she echoed, incredulously. "I almost tripped over my own feet."

"Exactly. Only a true princess could stumble that gracefully," he said, his smirk widening as Fae rolled her eyes, laughing despite herself.

"What's ironic is that you weren't entirely wrong," she admitted, leaning back against the blanket and looking up at the stars. "I guess I just didn't know it at the time." 

Tedros grinned, resting on his side as he watched her. "See? I was right. You are a princess, it just took you a while to catch up."

Fae scoffed playfully, throwing a light punch at his arm. "Please. You just got lucky."

"Lucky?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

She laughed again, shaking her head. "Let's just say, this whole 'princess reveal' wasn't exactly what either of us expected." She said as she thought of when she had told him earlier that morning.

They shared a moment of silence, the kind where everything just felt... right. Tedros shifted closer, his hand brushing hers, before finally intertwining their fingers together. He cleared his throat as if preparing to say something serious.

"So... I've been thinking..." Tedros began, glancing down at their joined hands before meeting her eyes. "The Evers' Ball is coming up soon."

"Oh really?" Fae feigned surprise, her eyes shining with mischief. "Hadn't heard anything about that."

Tedros smirked, shaking his head. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here you are," she teased, watching him with a soft grin.

"Yeah, here I am..." He paused, looking slightly nervous for a second, before continuing. "What I'm trying to say is... would you, Fae Merry-Weather, do me the honor of going with me? To the Evers' Ball."

Fae's smile only grew wider. "Took you long enough."

He rolled his eyes, pretending to be exasperated. "Oh, sure, make fun of me after I try to be romantic."

"Hey, I'm just saying!" Fae laughed, her hand playfully tapping his shoulder. "But yes, Tedros, I'd love to go with you."

Tedros sighed dramatically in relief. "Good, because if you said no, I would've had to rethink my entire existence."

They both laughed, the teasing light between them never wavering. But then Tedros leaned back slightly, a more playful expression crossing his face.

"I guess I'll wait a little longer before asking you to be my girlfriend then," he said nonchalantly, his tone too casual.

Fae blinked, looking at him in confusion, the teasing moment paused. "Wait, what?" she asked, tilting her head. "What do you mean?"

Tedros shrugged as if it was no big deal. "Oh, nothing. Just thought I'd ask you to be my girlfriend... later."

Fae sat up, her brows furrowing as she looked at him, clearly not following. "Tedros, what? No. Ask me now."

Tedros grinned, loving the way she was getting all worked up. "I'll ask you later."

"Tedros! Seriously, just ask me now," she scoffed in disbelief, playfully hitting his arm again.

He chuckled, leaning in close to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "Fine," he whispered, his voice suddenly soft, the teasing falling away to something more sincere. "Fae... will you be my girlfriend?"

Her heart raced, the sincerity in his voice catching her off guard despite her playful demands. She smiled widely, her voice barely above a whisper as she answered, "Yes. Yes, of course."

Tedros pulled her into a tight hug, his relief and happiness evident as he held her close. "Good," he murmured, his lips brushing her hair. 

Fae laughed softly into his chest, feeling like the whole world had settled perfectly into place. "You took your time," she teased lightly, still holding him close.

"Worth the wait, though," Tedros murmured, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. His gaze was warm, filled with affection. "Definitely worth it."

For a moment, neither of them said a word. The quiet stretched between them, charged, electric. Fae blinked up at him, her teasing grin faltering as she noticed the way he was looking at her now—like he was seeing her for the first time all over again.

Her breath caught, and she couldn't help but laugh softly, breaking the silence. "Are we... about to kiss right now?"

Tedros smirked, but there was no teasing this time. His eyes flickered to her lips before meeting her gaze again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe."

He leaned in slightly, his fingers tightening around hers. The light of the stars spilled down onto the blanket, and Fae's hair seemed to shimmer under their glow. For a second, Tedros simply stared, his breath hitching as he realized just how beautiful she looked—no, how ethereal she looked, like she was meant to be surrounded by stars.

And in that moment, Tedros knew he was completely, utterly gone. He wasn't just in love with her—he was consumed by it, and even telling her didn't feel like enough. Words would never be enough.

"Fae..." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. She tilted her head, her smile softening as her fingers brushed against his cheek.

He didn't wait any longer. Tedros closed the gap between them, his lips finding hers in a gentle, breathless kiss. It was soft at first, tentative, as if both of them were savoring the moment, but then it deepened, and everything else faded away. The warmth of his hand on her waist pulled her closer, and the stars above seemed to spin around them.

As they finally pulled away from their kiss, both breathless and glowing, their foreheads pressed together. Tedros's thumb lightly brushed over her knuckles, his gaze soft and full of adoration. "I guess that answers that," he murmured with a tender smile.

Fae's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with playful delight. "You know, you really want me, don't you, Prince of Camelot?"

Tedros's gaze remained locked on hers, his cheeks tinged with a light blush. He didn't need to speak, his eyes and the way he looked at her said everything. He was utterly captivated, his actions betraying his feelings more than words ever could.

With a soft chuckle, Tedros leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin. "I suppose I do," he admitted, his voice carrying a note of playful surrender.

Fae's smile grew even brighter. "Suppose? You're not very convincing, you know."

Tedros's expression was a blend of earnestness and affection, his gaze never leaving hers. "Well, if you want me to be more convincing, I can be."

Fae laughed softly, enjoying the playful moment. "Really? Even if I said we had to dance on the picnic blanket under the stars?"

Tedros, clearly enchanted by her, responded without hesitation. "Then we'll dance on the blanket."

Fae's eyes twinkled with amusement. "And if I said that the stars are actually tiny fireflies?"

Tedros's smile widened, his eyes never leaving hers. "Tiny fireflies it is." His eyes softened further, his gaze warm as he took her hand. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Anything you want," he murmured, his voice filled with adoration for the girl.

Tedros's hands rested gently on her waist, while Fae's fingers traced a light pattern on his chest. Tedros's gaze was tender, his smile full of affection, while Fae's face radiated happiness.

"Do you know how much I love you?" Tedros whispered, his voice barely more than a breath.

Fae's smile grew even brighter. "I think you need to remind me."

Tedros's heart raced as he looked at her, the night sky reflecting in her eyes. He knew, in that moment, that he was completely and irrevocably in love with her. The stars seemed to shine just for them, casting a warm glow over the two. As they shared another kiss, the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in their bubble of joy.

[findingdory9022]

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"So," Fae started as she paced in circles around the room. Felicity and Granna Maria watched her with mild amusement. "You put some magical herb in my drink—"

"Nothing dangerous," Granna Maria waved off her concern with a smile.

"I was knocked out into some magic-induced coma for three days," Fae continued, "and now I find out you're my great-great-grandmother," she pointed at the older woman, "you're my cousin," she gestured to Felicity, "and I'm supposed to be the princess of some incredibly powerful fairy kingdom that went into hiding because of fairy hunters?" Fae exhaled deeply, tugging at her locs.

"I still don't get it," Felicity said, turning towards the elder woman. "If the kingdom was so powerful, why did mere fairy hunters force them into hiding?"

Fae sat beside Granna Maria, her brow furrowed with the same question. She had seen the devastation in her vision—the kingdom in ruins—but surely, there were fairies and mages strong enough to fight back. So, what happened?

"The attack came three years after the disappearance of the crown princess," Granna Maria explained gently. "Your mother, Fae, was never the same after that. Each year, around that time, she would fall into a deep depression, and nothing could bring her out of it. She had terrible nightmares for days."

Fae hesitated before reaching for the older woman's hand. She could feel the weight of those memories, even though they weren't hers. "An enemy spy betrayed us," Granna Maria continued, her voice soft but steady. "They told the fairy hunters when the kingdom would be at its weakest, and they attacked."

"Why couldn't we remember any of this until now?" Felicity asked quietly, her voice tinged with frustration. It felt wrong that such an important part of her past had been buried for so long.

"It was part of the spell," Fae spoke up, fidgeting slightly. "At least, I think so." Felicity shot her a confused look, so Fae explained further. "'Seal it in silence, lock it in the deep.' That's what I heard in my vision," she recited, her voice thoughtful. "To seal something in silence... it's like keeping a secret."

"'Where no dreams wander, and no thoughts creep,'" Felicity murmured, repeating the next line of the spell. "That must refer to stories—stories locked away in books, unable to wander or be remembered."

"That makes sense," Fae agreed, nodding. "But how do we break the spell?"

Granna Maria smiled mysteriously. "It will all make sense soon enough," she said, standing and setting down her teacup. "For now, you both need to get back to school before you're missed."

Fae let out a light laugh at her great-great-grandmother's abrupt change in tone, while Felicity fought back a smile. "Goodbye, Granna," they called out as they left.

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Outside, under the stars, Felicity began drawing a magic circle in the dirt to return them to the Blue Forest. Fae watched her cousin, her wings fluttering behind her, mimicking her nervousness.

"So...," Fae started, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

Felicity looked up from her work with a sigh. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing!" Fae blurted out, but Felicity raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Okay, fine. It's just... us being related and all—"

"Fae, that changes nothing," Felicity interrupted, deadpan. She pointed to the objects around them—leaves and small stones hovering in the air, surrounded by the same cool blue mist as Fae's wings. "Besides, your nervous energy is making everything float."

Fae blinked, noticing the levitating leaves for the first time. "I didn't know I could do that..."

"Clearly," Felicity muttered, finishing the magic circle. "Look, when I found out we were related, I wasn't surprised. Honestly, I thought you were my sister at first."

Fae looked at her cousin, baffled. "Why would you think that?"

"We share the same last name, and we look a bit too similar," Felicity shrugged. "Plus, you're the first fairy I've seen in years who isn't from Elarindale, and I know everyone from there."

"Oh," Fae said, not sure how to respond.

"At first, I avoided you because I was kind of mad at my mom for never telling me I had a sister," Felicity admitted. "But you grew on me. So, cousin or sister—it doesn't really matter to me."

Fae smiled softly, relieved. "Thanks, Felicity."

"Now stop making things float and help me with the spell," Felicity teased, smirking. "Your majesty."

Rolling her eyes, Fae joined her cousin by the magic circle. Together, they closed their eyes, magic humming between them.

Thaloria Voco, Vortalis Azurali

(Call forth from the vastness, To the Blue Forest)

Thaloria Voco, Vortalis Azurali

(Call forth from the vastness, To the Blue Forest)

The spell resonated through the air, and Fae felt it—casting magic now felt easier, almost natural.

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When the two girls had returned to the school, they went to their separate dorm rooms as it was incredibly late at night. Fae moved a loc out of her hair, "These are getting itchy," she mumbled to the small fairy guard on her shoulder as she pushed the hair away.  Her movement came to a halt as she saw a figure slumped over the door of her dormitory. A smile began to grow on her face as she realized who it was, "Tedros," she mumbled in amusement, shaking her head gently. 

Not wanting to wake him, Fae murmured a levitation spell, gently floating the sleeping prince onto her bed. She changed into her nightwear and climbed in beside him, her heart warm as she watched him sleep.

She adoringly looked over his features, committing them to memory as it had been days since she last saw him. According to Felicity, she had been unconscious for almost 3 days. She thought about whether she should let him know of her royal heritage. Royal Status. The term was still quite strange to her. 

In the short span of a month she had been taken to a magical school, found out she was a fairy, and then a princess. She somewhat missed her home in Gavaldon but couldn't help but feel as though this was where she belonged. 

Suddenly, a cold hand brushed against her cheek, making her flinch. Tedros's eyes were now open, gazing at her with warmth. "Have a nice nap?" she asked softly.

He let out a deep sigh before rolling over to be closer to her. He wrapped one arm around her waist, tracing stars and other things onto the side of her body as he looked at her with soft eyes. "I will now that you're back." The girl's nose scrunched playfully at his comment, "That was really cliche you know."  The brunette rolled his eyes before nuzzling his nose into the top of her head, "When did you get back?" he asked, his voice heavy with sleep.  "A while ago," she spoke, thinking hard about whether she should tell him or not, "Learnt a lot

"Hmm?" he hummed sleepily, obviously about to fall asleep again.

Fae huffed lightly and snuggled into his chest, ignoring the disapproving chirps from the fairy guard. They would definitely face punishment if caught, but right now, she didn't care. She missed the warmth of Tedros's embrace.

"Goodnight, love," she whispered, closing her eyes.

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Fae stirred in her bed, the soft glow of the sun slipped through the curtains bothering her sleep. As she took in a breath, a familiar warm, woodsy scent filled her senses—like fresh cedar, with a hint of something sweet, maybe lavender, mingled with the crispness of morning air. 

She nuzzled closer to the scent, still not fully awake, her mind foggy as she tried to place where exactly she had smelled this before. Her eyes fluttered open as a hand gently massaged her head. She looked up to see Tedros smiling down at her. "Good morning," she greeted him, her voice a bit deeper than usual as she had just woken up.

He smiled at her before nuzzling his nose into her neck, allowing her to run her fingers through his hair, "Good morning"

"You're quite clingy aren't you?" she teased him, giggling lightly as he smiled against her skin.

"Well how else am I supposed to act?" he responded, "Haven't gotten to hold you in so long." He murmured lowly. The girl couldn't deny that his raspy voice had her feeling all sorts of things.

"You big baby," she chuckled. The two fell into a comfortable silence, the boys hand coming around to hold her waist. They said nothing but their actions spoke loud enough. Fae opened her eyes only to see the same fairy guard from the night before glaring at her. The male flew up to her face flitting about and chittering as though nagging her of her behavior. 

The girl stubbornly closed her eyes, pretending as though the tiny fairy wasn't in front of her. She could hear it buzz in anger before disappearing, causing her to smile. "You know we have class right?" Tedros' muffled voice informed her. 

She shook her head, not that he could really see, her lips jutted out in a small pout, "Don't care," she mumbled, "I'm not going."

"Alright then," he nodded, moving his head so he could face her, "we aren't going," he confirmed. He smiled affectionately looking down at her with adoration in his eyes. Fae, feeling completely flustered at his gaze, brought a hand up to cover his eyes. 

Tedros chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "You getting shy on me, love?" he teased, his smirk widening as he gently moved her hand away and intertwined their fingers.

Fae averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed. "Shut up," she mumbled, her voice trailing off. She climbed out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. Tedros watched her with a hint of betrayal in his eyes.

"I thought we weren't going to class?" he called after her, his voice tinged with confusion as he dragged himself out of bed and followed her. He stood beside her in front of the bathroom mirror, his hands naturally wrapping around her waist. Resting his head against her neck, he murmured, "Come back to bed."

The girl looked down to her hands that grabbed onto the sink counter tightly, she did not have the strength to look at him. "Brush your teeth" she said simply as she did the action herself. It was quite difficult for her to do so with the clingy boy not letting go of her but she got it done. After a few minutes had passed, she turned in his arms so she faced him. "Brush your teeth Tedros."

"Have I told you that you smell wonderful?"

"Brush your teeth"

"But-"

"I will kick you out of here if you don't," she warned, with a quick wave of her hand, his toothbrush had materialized into his hands. The boy looked at her in disbelief and amusement before nodding and moving to brush his teeth. The girl took the chance to hop into the shower, which was thankfully in a separate section of the washroom. The two went through their morning routine together and returned to the large bed.

Tedros sat upright on the bed as she laid her head on his lap, facing him so they could talk. They had been engaged in a discussion regarding Fae's trip with Felicity. Fae had decided, when she was showering, that she would tell the boy everything. There was no point keeping secrets with him. When he found out about her royal heritage he was a bit silent, nodding his head as she explained.

She looked to her hands, her fingers fidgeting, "So what do you think?" she asked. The boy was silent at first, his fingers absentmindedly running through Fae's locs, twisting a few strands gently as he processed what she had just told him. "Tedros?" she called out to him.

Tedros exhaled slowly, shaking his head slightly. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I always thought you were special, but this..." He chuckled, glancing down at her with a soft smile. "It makes sense now."

She tilted her head, still unsure of where he was going with this. "Makes sense?"

Tedros leaned down slightly, brushing a stray loc behind her ear. "That you're so different. Not just because of your magic or the fact that you're a fairy. There's something about you that always stood out, even before I knew any of this. Like... you belonged somewhere else. Somewhere bigger."

Fae's cheeks warmed at his words. She hadn't expected that response. "You're not mad I didn't tell you sooner?"

He shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. "I mean, I can't lie, it's a lot to take in, but I'm not mad." His hand found hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You only just found out, right? And it's not like we're supposed to share everything all at once. I get it."

Relief flooded through Fae, and she gave a soft smile. "Thank you. I didn't want to keep secrets. I just... didn't know how to say it."

Tedros tilted his head, his tone turning teasing. "You didn't know how to say you're a princess of an ancient, hidden kingdom? Seems pretty straightforward to me." He grinned, clearly enjoying the banter.

Fae rolled her eyes, but her smile grew. "Okay, okay. I guess that part is easy."

"But seriously," Tedros said, his voice softening as he traced the lines of her hand with his thumb, "I'm glad you told me. Whatever this means for you, for us, we'll figure it out together."

Fae blinked, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at his words. "Together?"

He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, his playful expression softening. "It doesn't matter to me if you're a princess or not, Fae. What matters is that you're still... you." He gently tucked a stray loc behind her ear, his touch lingering as he gazed into her eyes. "And I care about you. Royal status or not."

Fae felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, her worries easing. She smiled up at him, her hand resting on his cheek as she whispered, "Thank you."

Tedros' expression turned mischievous again as he added, "Although... if you ever need someone to wear a crown and be your prince, I think I could manage."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

The two fell into a comfortable silence, content and wrapped in the warmth of their shared confessions. Fae felt a deep sense of joy, knowing that the prince she adored would always be by her side. 

She lay on his lap, his hands playing with her hair, feeling content. But while she was enjoying the moment, Tedros' expression shifted slightly, there was still something on his mind, something he hadn't yet said.

"I love you."

Fae froze as the words slipped from his lips. She sat up abruptly, her hair spinning around her as she turned to face him. "You what?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and excitement. The confession was unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.

Tedros' eyes widened as though he had only just realized what he'd said. His lips parted in shock, and he stammered, "I-I, um..." He paused, searching for a way to recover, but the eager look in Fae's eyes told him there was no need to hide. He swallowed hard, then spoke again, this time quieter, more certain. "I'm in love with you."

Fae's heart raced as the words settled between them, her jaw dropping in disbelief and delight. Without thinking, she moved, straddling his lap, her legs folding around him. "Tedros..." she began, but he cut her off.

"I wanted this to go differently," he mumbled, one hand finding its natural place on her waist while the other rubbed at his temple in frustration. "I had this whole plan," he groaned, exasperated with himself. "After the Evers' Ball, I was going to take you to our spot, where we first met."

Fae's smile grew as he described the scene he had imagined.

"I would've set up a picnic, just you, me, and the fairy guards. Then, when the stars came out..." His voice dropped lower as he leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. "You would've looked so beautiful in their light, and then I'd kiss you... finally, and then I'd tell you I love you."

Fae could feel the sincerity in his words, and before she could respond, Tedros dramatically threw his head back, his hands pulling at his hair. "But I ruined it," he groaned. "I just blurted it out."

Rolling her eyes, Fae couldn't help but grin at his frustration. He continued, pouting as his blue eyes met hers. "I couldn't help myself. You just looked so... beautiful, sitting on my lap, and it all felt so—"

She didn't let him finish. Fae cut him off with a swift kiss. It was soft, barely long enough for him to process what had happened before she pulled back. Tedros blinked in surprise, his lips parting in shock once more. "Did you just—? You kissed me... oh my—"

Fae felt her cheeks flush, but the playful glint in his eyes made her brave ones. "You kissed me," Tedros repeated, his voice a soft whisper, filled with awe. He looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered in his world.

"I wouldn't count that as a proper kiss," Fae murmured shyly, her hands cupping his face. She leaned in again, this time slower, more deliberate, pressing her lips to his.

This kiss was different—deeper, filled with all the emotions they had been holding back for so long. Tedros responded instantly, pulling her closer by the waist as her hands tangled in his hair. He groaned softly into her mouth when she tugged lightly, and the sound sent a thrill through her.

His hands slid under the fabric of her shirt, grazing her skin as the kiss deepened, their breaths heavy and uneven. Fae smiled into the kiss, knowing that after all the tension, after all the unspoken feelings, she had him—right here, with her, where he belonged.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they caught their breath.

"I love you," Fae whispered, her voice so soft it was almost carried away by the breeze. Their noses barely touched, and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips. "I love you so much, Tedros Pendragon of Camelot."

Tedros grinned, shaking his head playfully, his fingers tracing the curve of her cheek. "Not as much as I love you, Fae Merry-Weather of Aetheria."

They both laughed softly, the sound breaking the lingering tension as they simply stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms. The world outside seemed distant, and in that moment, nothing else mattered but them.

[findingdory9022]

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Fae gasped as the carriage swerved suddenly. She could hear shouts coming from outside. As she looked out the window, she saw large groups of men surrounding the carriage. Even though she knew none of them could see her, she was still anxious. 

Suddenly, the trees around her began moving around her, she felt the ground disappear from below her feet, everything was spinning so fast. As soon as it began, everything stopped moving. 

Fae stood outside the carriage, her heart racing as she watched men raiding it. Her gaze locked onto her father's weakened form, and panic surged through her. Why isn't he fighting back? she wondered desperately. Then she saw the sharp blade piercing his wing, and reality hit her. She forced herself to turn away as he was beaten up by the rough men, only to gasp as her mother and, who she assumed was her baby sister, were dragged out of the carriage and forced beside her father.

Fae felt tears well up in her eyes at how horribly her parents were being treated, flames rose in the trees and the carriage was finally set on fire, burning everything remaining in it. The girl struggled to breathe as everything went up in flames.

She held her hand to her chest in an attempt to stop its racing speed when her eyes locked on her younger self. The small girl looked almost invisible, she shook as she looked for her parents. 

Fae felt useless, she watched as her parents tried to call on her younger self but she seemed as though she couldn't hear them. Fae rushed over to the girl, attempting to grab her and bring her to safety but her arms simply flew through. 

The girl stood tall above her younger self fear coursing through her veins. "Run," she said to the smaller girl even though she knew she wouldn't hear her. "Run!" she yelled louder. Past-Fae, with tears in her eyes, looked up to her older self. 

Fae wasn't sure if the small girl could see her or not but she wasn't taking any chances. "Get out of here!" she commanded the small girl. Past-Fae ran past her and into the enchanted forest. Fae spared one glance back at her parents and ran in the direction her younger self had.

As Fae sprinted through the enchanted woods, low-hanging branches scraped her arms, leaving bruises. Those were my parents, she thought, struggling with the reality. She wanted to believe her parents were in Gavaldon, hiding their fairy nature to protect her. But deep down, she knew the truth would shatter her.

As she ran, the forest around her began to warp into different sizes and shapes. A loud buzzing noise began to fill her ears as the morphing of the area got louder. She covered her ears with her hands, falling to her knees as it got too much for herto handle. In the far distance, she could see her younger self running deeper into the woods. In an instant, the forest disappeared, leaving her standing in a black void. 

She almost felt dizzy as she tried to move forward but her feet remained stuck to the ground. She called out timidly into the darkness, "Hello?" Her voice echoed around before a bright light shone around her.

She blinked, trying to get used to the light. Her eyes widened as she stood on the high balcony of the grand palace, eyes sweeping over the breathtaking Kingdom she found herself in. Below her, the kingdom seemed to float in the sky above the clouds, its beauty almost too dazzling to take in. The buildings, with their delicate, glowing spires and intricate designs, shone like pretty jewels against the clear blue sky.

The streets below her were alive with fairies of all kinds, their colorful wings fluttering as they went about their day. Children played in the lush gardens, their laughter filling the air as they chased each other among the blooming flowers. Shopkeepers lined the streets with stalls overflowing with magical trinkets and potions. Their bright clothes and friendly calls created a lively, bustling atmosphere. Workers in their uniforms moved efficiently, while high-ranking officials in elegant robes added a touch of grace and authority to the environment. 

Soldiers stood watch at key points, wearing uniforms that shimmered with protective magic, keeping the city safe and orderly. She watched as multiple chariots came through what she assumed were the palace gates. As she continued to look in awe, Fae felt a tug of recognition, a sense that this enchanting place was connected to her in some way, even though she couldn't yet remember why. 

Her attention was broken as she heard someone walking behind her. When she turned, she gasped in confusion, it was Granna Maria. Fae immediately sped over to her, trying to catch the woman's attention. 

"Granna Maria, thank goodness you're here-" she paused as the woman walked through her body. Fae realized that she must still be in the past. With a sigh, she followed after the woman, hoping that she would find some answer as to how to get back to the present. 

As Fae followed behind the talented woman, her heart raced with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The grandeur of the palace was undeniable. Its high ceilings were adorned with shimmering chandeliers that cast a warm, golden light over the marble floors. Intricate tapestries displaying mythical scenes hung on the walls, swaying gently with the breeze that flowed through open archways.

However, the usual serenity of the palace seemed to be disrupted. Fairies of royal status, their wings fluttering in distress, darted about in frantic conversation. Their elegant gowns and robes were rumpled from their hurried movements. The air was thick with urgency, the halls filled with hurried commands and anxious whispers.

Knights, their armor gleaming with magical runes, marched purposefully through the corridors. Their expressions were grim as they strategized and prepared for a battle that seemed imminent. They were led by Mages in flowing robes, their faces tense with concentration as they cast spells and warding enchantments over the palace walls, their staff glowing with intense magical energy.

The sense of chaos was strong as Fae made her way through the palace. She passed by grand halls and ornate rooms but the beauty of the palace seemed to be overshadowed by the looming threat. The air buzzed with tension, and Fae couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The peaceful, ethereal kingdom she had glimpsed from the balcony was now a hive of activity, caught in the grip of a danger she could not yet understand.

"Grand Majesty," Fae heard an exhausted voice call from behind her. She and Granna Maria turned to see her parents walking towards the woman. Fae noted that her parents looked older than they had been in her last vision. 

"June," the older woman said with a warm smile as Fae's mother hugged her tightly. Fae's heart ached as she watched her mother sob on the mage's shoulder. Although she didn't fully understand the connection between Granna Maria and her parents, it was clear the old woman held significant importance—she was able to address  the queen by her first name, and her mother called her Grand Majesty.

"What is the status of the attacks, Grandmother?" Her father asked the older woman. Fae's eyes widened as she realized that Granna Maria was her father's grandmother, making her her great-great-grandmother.

"We're doing everything we can to keep everyone safe, Francis," she said, trying to comfort her grandchild. Fae struggled to take in all the new information—it was overwhelming. "But..." The older woman's voice wavered with uncertainty, causing Fae's parents to pause. "There's a chance... we might have to close off Aetheria."

Aetheria. Fae recalled. It was the name of her home. But why would they need to close it off "But Maria-" her mother began but was silenced by the shake of the older woman's head.

"Multiple soldiers have been killed and mages are growing weaker," the woman explained. "They are cutting off the wings of as many fairies as they can find."

Fae gasped at the revelation. Felicity had taught her that fairies drew their magical power from their wings. Almost as if it was their source of life and joy. She could only imagine the number of fairies who were currently mourning the loss of their source of happiness.

"Children are dying, Francis. We nearly lost the prince and princess because of their brutality..." Granna Maria's words faded into the background as Fae's mind raced. I have siblings, she thought, but quickly pushed the thought away.

This doesn't make sense, everything looked so peaceful a few minutes ago. She hesitantly ran back to the balcony where she had previously stood and looked back down to the kingdom. It still looked bright and joyous but began to quickly fold on itself just as she had seen in the forest.

She gasped, completely mortified by what she was seeing as everything stopped morphing. Fairy Hunters. She watched as the hunters attacked the kingdom, even though they were magical creatures, the hunters had come prepared with their ownpotions and rogue mages who used their dark magic.

Her knees trembled as she saw fairies being brutalized, their wings torn violently from their backs. Blood stained the ground, mingling with the ashes of beautiful buildings set ablaze. Tears streamed down Fae's face as she witnessed the devastation. How could anyone be so cruel? The horror was overwhelming, a stark reminder of the relentless cruelty of their enemies.

She watched as the hunters pushed through the palace gates, the final line of defense from the soldiers hoarding them off as long as they possibly could. Fae rushed back to where she last saw her family only to look around in confusion as they no longer stood there. She ran through the hallways, pushing past mages who were casting offensive spells at the hunters below them and fairy soldiers who were fighting the few who managed to enter the palace.

She came across a room that appeared empty, but she stepped inside anyway. The room was as large and grand as the rest of the castle, its ceiling towering high above her. On the floor, she noticed a magic circle, the most complex one she had ever seen. It glowed with a deep purple hue, filling the room with a dark, foreboding aura. As Fae looked up, she saw mages stationed in every corner, their bright, ornate wings fluttering rapidly, each glowing with its unique color.

"We must seal Aetheria completely," she heard Granna Maria declare, floating above the center of the room. "A simple two-part spell. Erase it from memory, then hide it from the rest of the world." Her voice was firm and commanding.

A shiver ran down Fae's spine as the powerful fairies around her began to chant. She gasped softly when her great-great-grandmother let her robe fall, revealing her wings. They were breathtaking, glowing softly as they reflected the dark light of the magic circle. They spread wide, shimmering with veins of gold that pulsed with magic.

By the ancient powers that bind this realm,

Let the shadows of the past be unwound.

Sparks began to dance around the room as the mages continued their chant. Fae spotted her parents hiding behind a tall pillar. Her mother, cradling a baby boy in her arms, while a young girl, whom she assumed was Olive—her younger sister—clung to her leg.

Erase the threads of memory's hand,

Hide this place where no eyes perceive.

The sparks grew brighter, forming connections between the mages. Their wings glowed intensely as they chanted the spell. Suddenly, a group of fairy hunters burst through the door Fae had entered from. She screamed as they charged toward the magic circle, only to be shocked unconscious by the powerful magic they couldn't withstand.

Through the veil of time, through the mists of night,

Let Aetheria vanish from all sight.

Fae could feel the electricity spark through her body, causing a spark in her wings. We cannot hold them off any longer. Fae gasped as a voice that wasn't her own filled her head. She looked up, immediately realizing it was Granna's thoughtsflowing through her mind. Princess Fae, my dear child, the woman's voice rang in her head.

In the name of the stars, by the moon's dark grace,

Let this kingdom disappear without a trace.

I have faith that you will bring Aetheria back to us. Fae felt tears well up in her eyes, all the energy within her seemed to drain out. The girl's wings glowed a dark blue, unknowingly completing part of the spell. 

Seal it in silence, lock it in the deep,

Where no dreams wander, and no thoughts creep.

Do not cry, dear child. Fae looked up at the woman whose eyes were closed as she and the other mages performed the spell. It felt as though a comforting blanket was placed over her. Purple beams of light sprung up from the magical circle, engulfing the room in its brightness. Even if I no longer remember you, I am always with you.

By the will of the ancient, this magic circle's might,

Aetheria fades into the eternal night.

Fae shut her eyes, reveling in the moment of peace as a strong force pulsed throughout the Kingdom of Aetheria. The room began to collapse, pillars crumbling to the ground leaving piles of dust and debris. Fae watched as her family ran to a safer area while the mages performing the spell faded in and out of reality. The room began to warp once more, Fae groaning at the headache she was receiving. She looked above her as a pillar was falling straight towards where she stood. Before it could drop through her, the room glitched into darkness. 

Fae was back in the void, her body heavy with exhaustion and her mind swirling with confusion. She let herself collapse onto the ground, lying on her back as the weight of everything crashed over her. I am a fairy, she thought, the realization sinking in slowly. My parents are fairies.

She bit her lip, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. I have a family I never knew about. The thought twisted in her chest, a mix of hurt and longing. She felt a sharp sting of betrayal—her parents in Gavaldon had hidden this from her all her life. But as much as it pained her, she tried to believe that they'd done it to protect her, to keep her from the sadness of never knowing her real family.

Taking a shaky breath, Fae pushed the hurt aside for now. There were bigger things to deal with. My real parents are royalty, she mused, her thoughts spiraling again. Which makes me... a princess. I'm a princess. The words felt foreign, almost surreal, as she repeated them in her mind, trying to grasp the heaviness of what she'd just discovered.

But it wasn't just that. Felicity and I are cousins... Granna Maria is my relative too. The realization baffled her. How could they not recognize her? They could be pretending... she thought but quickly brushed the idea away. As closed off as Felicity was, she wasn't one to keep such secrets. Besides, when Granna Maria from the past, along with the other powerful mages, had cast the spell over Aetheria, she claimed it would erase the magical kingdom from everyone's memory. That must have included its past inhabitants, didn't it?

Fae took a deep breath before screaming into the darkness. Tears rolled down her cheeks, yet her face remained blank. It was too much to take in all at once. She had a different family, she was a princess, Felicity was her cousin, Granna Maria was her great-great-grandmother, no one except her seemed to know Aetheria existed, her kingdom was in hiding, and she was stuck in this empty, dark, endless room.

"Isn't this just wonderful," she grumbled, frustration and sadness mingling in her voice. Her eyes closed as she tried to organize the thoughts in her head when she was suddenly disrupted by someone shaking her body and calling out to her repeatedly. 

When she opened her eyes, she found herself back in the home of Granna Maria, facing a worried Felicity. "What on earth happened to you?" Felicity asked, her voice tinged with concern. "You were screaming in your sleep."

[findingdory9022]

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The two girls sat on a bench in the village park, eating what Felicity had called Nectar Drops, as they watched the bustling activity around them. Fae had never been so excited in her life—there were magical creatures everywhere. They had passed by a stable of alicorns and a few gnomes earlier, but the main population consisted of fairies. The stars shone brightly in the night sky, adding to the enchanting atmosphere of the lively village.

"See what they're doing?" Felicity pointed to a group of children dancing in a circle. Fae watched as the children moved freely, their faces lit up with joy while onlookers smiled warmly. "Wanna learn?"

Fae turned to Felicity, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can you teach me?"

Felicity, usually so composed and cool, seemed more carefree here in her home. She pulled Fae up from the bench and led her closer to the dancing children. "Most of the dance is about letting go and having fun, but there are two basic steps," she explained. "One step forward, one step back, spin under both arms, and then switch partners. Got it?"

Fae tilted her head, a bit lost, but Felicity just laughed at her friend's confusion. She pointed to two younger girls—one a fairy, the other an elf—dancing together with infectious laughter. They effortlessly performed the steps Felicity had just described, making it all look so simple. Fae nodded, finally understanding.

With a smile, Felicity called the children into a circle, and a few older kids joined in as well. Holding Fae's hand, she guided her as the dance began. It started off slow, allowing everyone to get into the rhythm, but soon they were spinning and switching partners with increasing speed.

Passersby clapped along to the beat, cheering as the group of dancers moved with joyful abandon. Fae's laughter echoed through the night as she made her way around the circle, her heart light and full. She had never experienced anything so fun before. When the music finally came to a stop, the bystanders clapped enthusiastically, and the dancers bowed playfully in thanks.

Fae immediately turned to Felicity, giving her a side hug. "That was amazing!" she beamed, her face glowing with happiness.

"You are a fairy now, so you might as well enjoy all the perks," Felicity said with a smirk. "You missed out on a lot, and I'm not going to let you skip the fun stuff. Consider this your crash course in fairy culture." Fae smiled gratefully at her friend.

The two walked over to a nearby bakery, where Felicity purchased some fresh bread using a currency called Vileria. Fae eagerly took a bite of the warm, delicious snack as Felicity led her down a more secluded path in the village. The sidewalk gradually gave way to a dirt road, and the forest around them seemed to grow darker with each step. They walked for what felt like an hour, the trees appearing to close in on them, and the only sound breaking the silence was the crunch of dirt beneath their feet.

Finally, Felicity came to a stop. "We've arrived," she announced. Fae looked around, confused. There was nothing in sight except for more trees.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" Fae asked, her brow furrowed in puzzlement. Felicity let out a small chuckle, then raised her hand and pointed into the darkness ahead.

"Ostend," she cast with a smooth flick of her wrist. 

Suddenly, a simple yet charming house materialized before them, its warm light glowing softly against the darkened forest. Fae's eyes widened in astonishment.

"I don't think I'll get used to this fairy stuff anytime soon," she muttered, still in awe.

Felicity gave a soft scoff, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You will, eventually."

"No one does," she gave a gentle scoff. "Not even me."

The two made their way into the house, with Felicity assuring Fae that the owner wouldn't mind. The living room was filled with multiple old antique items, and Fae couldn't help but be impressed. It felt like stepping into another time, with the aged furniture and decorations giving off a sense of history.

But what really caught her eye was the crystal ball sitting on the round table in the center of the room. It seemed to pulse with a quiet energy, drawing her closer. Felicity had gone upstairs to check if the owner was home, leaving Fae alone with the object.

Curiosity getting the best of her, Fae approached the crystal ball. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, but eventually placed her hands on it. The moment her fingers made contact with its surface, the ball came to life. Hazy mist began to swirl inside, moving faster and faster, as if reacting to her touch.

Fae watched in awe, her heart beating a little faster. It was like the crystal ball was trying to show her something, but what?

Think of what you want to see

And it shall be revealed

Those were the words that pushed their way through the mist to instruct the girl. Fae thought for a minute and decided. 

"Show me Tedros." 

The ball got to work, haze spinning around before showing Tedros in the Blue Forest. He must still be doing the Trial by Tale, Fae thought to herself. She could make out Agatha and Sophie standing by him and he looked furious. 

"Everyone knows the price saves the princess, not the other way around" she saw Sophie blurt out, however her voice sounded as though it was far away. "I can't change the world if I'm dead"

Tedros scoffed at her words, "And I thought you were good," He said before dropping his red handkerchief, causing him to be transported to the hall where multiple anxious students and teachers awaited them.

Sophie appeared beside him a few minutes later. The two hadn't succeeded but they were safe. Fae sighed as the scene turned hazy and was covered up by mist again. She thought of anyone else she wanted to see, a small smile spreading onto her face as she decided.

"Show me my mom," Fae instructed, watching as the mist inside the crystal ball swirled rapidly, yet nothing formed. Confused, she tried again. "Show me my mom and dad," she ordered more firmly.

The mist darkened, spinning faster as it struggled to comply. Suddenly, two figures began to take shape in the haze—a woman speaking to a man, both with delicate wings. Fae's heart raced. She had no idea who these people were. Before she could process it, the mist thickened, and the image vanished.

Unable to Locate

The ball's message only added to her growing anxiety. Desperate for clarity, Fae tried once more. "Show me Adelaide and Thomas Chance," she said, using her parents' full names.

This time, the ball responded instantly, showing her adoptive parents, their expressions worried as they worked. They were clearly concerned about her whereabouts.

Fae released the ball, feeling a mix of exhaustion and sadness. Her mind was clouded with confusion. Who were the two people she had seen? Why had they shown up when she was asking for her parents? The thought left her unsettled.

Before Fae could dwell on the unsettling images from the crystal ball, Felicity returned, leading a strikingly beautiful woman by the hand. "Fae, this is Granna Maria, my great-great-grandmother," she introduced.

Fae gasped in surprise, her eyes widening. The woman laughed warmly. "You didn't expect this, did you?" Granna Maria asked, amusement twinkling in her eyes.

Fae shook her head, still in awe. How does she look so young? she wondered. Felicity smiled before her expression turned serious again. "Granna thinks she can help figure out what spell was placed on you."

Maria nodded. "But I need to know as much as possible first." 

They all sat down at the table, where Granna Maria had prepared tea. She and Felicity settled across from Fae, ready to listen.

Fae took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly as she began to recount everything to Granna Maria. Felicity, ever the attentive friend, filled in the gaps where Fae's memory faltered or where details were left out.

"I found out I was a fairy when..." Fae's voice wavered as she described her shock and wonder upon discovering her true nature. She continued, detailing her progress with magic, the trials she faced, and how she felt her magic intensify when she learned about the trial by tale.

Felicity nodded in agreement, adding in her own observations and insights. She spoke about the moments in which Fae had lost consciousness or was stuck in a trance due to what she believed was a heavy spell that had been placed on her. Granna Maria listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and admiration.

"Well," Maria began, "I looked into the sigil Felicity sent me, and it doesn't match any of the magic kingdoms we know, except for one."

"What sigil?" Fae asked, sipping from her teacup to steady her nerves. Felicity sighed before explaining.

"The first time I performed the trance-breaking spell on you, a sigil appeared above your head. I did extensive research, but found nothing, so I sent it to Granna," Felicity said, gesturing to the older woman. "She found a story about a magical kingdom with a missing fairy princess. The cover of the book had the same sigil that appeared above you."

Fae's eyes widened in shock, though her face remained skeptical. "What are you trying to say, Felicity?" she asked, her hands trembling around her teacup.

"I'm saying that the story of the missing fairy princess might not be just a story," Felicity said with a sigh, clearly uncomfortable with the implications. She reached for her own teacup, but Granna Maria subtly moved her hand away.

Fae felt a lump form in her throat, unable to find the words to express her confusion. Granna Maria, noticing Fae's distress, spoke up. "When I was at the height of my powers, many young magical beings came to me for help. I have performed multiple spells, one in particular that almost ended my life," she continued. "I recognize the spell placed on you, but I can't remove it myself. This is something you need to do for yourself."

Fae tilted her head in confusion, "But I don't know anything about the spell. How will I know how to break it?" She asked, her vision getting blurred.

She clutched her head, feeling suddenly overwhelmed and dizzy. "Once you're awake, it should be much easier to understand," Granna Maria added, offering a reassuring smile as Fae fell unconscious.

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Fae opened her eyes, she couldn't tell where she was but it seemed as though she had been dropped in a forest. "Felicity?" she called out hesitantly as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She stood up, dusting the dirt off of her dress. 

As she tried to move, she realized that she was still in her dress from the tea party earlier. "Sereta," she mumbled quietly as to not alert any animal that could have been hiding. Her poofy dress turned into a simple gown, similar to something she would have worn back in Gavaldon.

Suddenly, she heard what sounded like horses pulling along a heavy object. Her eyes flitted across the dark, yet familiar, woods when they landed upon a grand chariot. Hesitantly, she called out to the footmen. 

"Hey!" she yelled, trying to get their attention. The footmen however, seemed to not have heard her. Fae moved closer to the chariot, jogging to match its steady pace. She waved her hands at the ment as she stood in front of the horse, but gasped as they passed through her body.

"W-what?" she stammered, staring at her hands. They were now translucent, like mist or a ghostly apparition. She looked back at the chariot and ran alongside it, grabbing onto the door for support. Fae tried to open the chariot's windows, but her hands passed right through the curtain and the wall of the vehicle.

Fae took a breath and stepped into the chariot, her eyes widening as she stood in the center of a small, regal family. She took deep breaths to calm herself as she took in each of their faces. She noted that they looked regal, a sense of high status surrounding the air around them. A sense of familiarity tugged at her brain, it was beginning to hurt her head. Why do these people look so familiar? 

"I still do not believe it was wise for you to journey this far from the palace with me so soon after giving birth," the man said, his voice laced with worry. The woman next to him, who Fae assumed to be his wife, smiled softly in return at him.

"I am fine Francis," she assured him though it was quite obvious she was tired. "It's almost been a year since the entire ordeal. I assure you that we are alright." She gestured to her and her year old baby who looked up at Fae with curious eyes. 

Fae couldn't help but smile at the baby, her heart softening at the innocent gesture. But as the father's eyes followed the baby's gaze and smiled at her, Fae felt a pang of recognition that made her breath catch. The faces of this family seemed so familiar, yet she couldn't quite place them. 

Her head pounded with the effort of trying to remember, and a tear slipped down her cheek despite her attempts to stay calm. She was exhausted and overwhelmed, not knowing where she was sent her heart racing.

"May I hold Olive Mommy?" Both adults and Fae turned to look at the 5 year old girl who sat beside her father. Fae blinked. She knew this face. The small girl glanced up at her mother, her brown eyes wide and pleading, practically begging to hold her younger sister. Fae felt her heart race as the pieces fell into place. She knew who these people were.

The mother smiled warmly at her daughter before carefully placing her baby in the child's hold. "Of course Fae." 

Fae's heart stopped, and her eyes widened in shock. The name, their faces, everything clicked into place. She was looking at her own family from a past she had almost forgotten.

[findingdory9022]

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"Fulgor"

As the word echoed around the room, a flash of blue lighting bounced off the walls before dissipating. In the center of the room hovered Fae, her delicate wings fluttering rapidly as she sat cross legged in the air. In her hand, a cold ball glowed a bright blue, almost as though it was emitting power. 

When Fae and Tedros had left the teacher's conference room, the girl knew she wouldn't be able to control her magic as her feelings were still incredibly strong. She and Tedros had gone into the Spell Hall so she could let her magic roam freely. Unsurprisingly, Beatrix and William had been in the room as well, Felicity was with them but had gone to collect something.

Overwhelmed, Fae cast powerful spells, sending bursts of energy around the room. She created a protective shield for her friends and spoke, "Ignis," causing a blue flame to ignite in her hand and spread throughout the room. The flame was intense but harmless. 

Despite her efforts, Fae felt a deep frustration. She dropped to the ground, pulling at her locs, feeling that no matter how much magic she released, nothing seemed to calm the raging storm within her.

Tedros and the others watched on in worry, they felt as though Fae was overworking herself. While they couldn't understand the specifics of being a fairy, she had been casting spell after powerful spell for the last 30 minutes. Before she could cast another one, her eyes began to glow a familiar cold blue.

William gasped lightly once he noticed, he tugged on the skirt of Beatrix's pink dress and whispered, "That's the same thing that happened that day in the Blue Forest." The blonde Ever nodded concern filling her eyes.

Tedros got up once Fae began floating in the air, her eyes looking pointedly up at the ceiling as the glow got brighter. The three tried to reach the girl but it was as if a barrier had formed around her body. Tedros shivered lightly at the sudden drop of temperature in the room. He was scared.

"Why is it so cold in here-" Felicity said as she opened the large doors to the room. She froze as she took in the scene. William turned to look at her, calling out for her to help.

"She just started floating and got shiny eyes out of nowhere," he yelled out to her, unsure if she could hear him over the sound of the wind. 

But we broke the spell, Felicity thought to herself, fighting the sense of panic that was trying to overtake her. Her eyes widened at a sudden realization, Not the entire thing, she remembered. Only a part of the powerful spell had been broken in order to make Fae gain her consciousness. In order to get rid of the spell entirely, Felicity knew she would need help. 

Till then, she rolled up her sleeves, and walked to the levitating girl who was almost 10 feet in the air. I won't be able to do much on my own but she needs to wake up, Felicity encouraged herself as the barrier let her pass. "Take cover," she warned the trio who stood and watched fearfully as she created a force field on the opposite side of the room for them to hide under.

Tedros clenched his fist, frustrated that there was nothing he could do to help his fairy. However, he followed the instruction of the mage in training and dragged his two other friends to the protected area. Seeing her friends were safe, Felicity took a deep breath. 

"Revelis," Felicity spoke, her mythical features emerging with the spell. Few knew that fairies drew their strength from their wings, and each fairy's wings were unique and irreplaceable. Felicity's wings shimmered a brilliant yellow, reflecting the color of her magic. "You got this, Felicity," she whispered to herself, gathering her focus before continuing the incantation.

Viyara selun, caldas vires 

Veylan auris, darien vel.

The words echoed through the room, the spell's power manifesting in a heavy wind that began to blow against Felicity. The force pushed against her, nearly toppling her over. She fought to keep her balance, her eyes glowing a faint yellow as she focused on the incantation.

Viyara selun, caldas vires

Veylan auris, darien vel.

As Felicity repeated the spell, the wind intensified, swirling around the magical girls. The light from her wings grew brighter, forcing the students to close their eyes against the brightness. The wind was almost overwhelming, making it difficult for Felicity to stay upright.

Viyara selun, caldas vires

Veylan auris, darien vel.

The repetition of the spell sent a powerful gust through the room, causing the fairies' wings to shine with a blinding yellow light. Felicity collapsed to her knees, her wings fluttering weakly as the spell's energy drained her. The wind's intensity waned, and the light from the spell began to fade.

Viyara selun, caldas vires

Veylan auris, darien vel.

Felicity's wings fluttered weakly, barely able to keep up with the immense power she was channeling. She felt a crushing exhaustion take hold of her as the spell tore at her energy. With one last whisper of the incantation, she slumped forward, her strength gone. The wind that had been howling around them came to a sudden halt, leaving the room in eerie silence.

William's heart raced as he saw Felicity crumple to the ground. Ignoring the remnants of the weakened force field, he ran to her side. His hands trembled as he gently held her.

Tedros and Beatrix followed swiftly, their concern etched on their faces. Tedros's gaze moved anxiously between Felicity and the floating figure of Fae. Her wings, once a blur of motion, had stilled completely. She hovered in the air, an extraordinary sight only a few fairies could achieve.

A sudden unease washed over Tedros as he noticed Fae's wings fading, their ethereal shimmer dissolving. His heart fell as he saw her start to plummet to the ground. Without hesitation, he rushed forward, catching her in his arms just before she could hit the floor.

Fae's eyes, once vibrant and glowing, now dimmed rapidly. Tedros lowered her gently to the floor, his hands trembling as he cradled her head in his lap. He shook her softly, desperation clear in his voice. "Fae, wake up... please."

Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the soft whispers of his pleas. He quickly wiped them away, his hands trembling with the weight of fear and helplessness. He didn't even realize he was crying—his focus solely on the girl who lay so still and fragile in his arms.

Glancing up, he saw that Felicity had regained some strength and was watching them with concern. Relief washed over him as he noticed she was okay. Returning his attention to Fae, Tedros hesitated for a moment, considering a true love kiss but deciding against it—he didn't want their first kiss to happen under these circumstances. Just then, Fae's vision cleared, and she recognized Tedros's worried face.

"Tedros?" she murmured, her voice weak but filled with concern. Tedros smiled through his tears, brushing her hair away from her face.

"I'm here," he reassured her, gently running his hand through her locs. The girl sat up and looked to her other friends who looked as though they had gotten caught up in a tornado. 

She turned back to Tedros, his eyes red from crying. She was immediately worried, wiping away the tears on his face, "Why are you crying love?" she cooed as she pulled the boy into a hug. Tedros had been sure he would lose her but she was all right. "What happened to you guys?" she asked the group in concern.

Beatrix was quick to speak, "Your eyes were glowing again, and Felicity tried to get you back down but she almost fainted" she explained slowly so as to not overwhelm her friend. William nodded rapidly in agreement as tears fell out of his own eyes. Felicity rolled her eyes, though she was a bit scared at first, William seemed to cheer her up simply by being himself. 

"Don't cry, you big baby," Felicity whispered to him, her voice dripping with mockery as she planted a kiss on William's cheek. He froze, his face flushing bright red as he gaped at her. Felicity then turned her attention to Fae, her expression growing serious.

"I think I know why you keep falling into a trance-like state," Felicity admitted, her tone now earnest. "But we need to leave the school right now."

Tedros sprang to his feet, his eyes filled with panic. "No! No, she isn't going anywhere after what just happened," he argued.

"Tedros," Felicity replied with a teasing edge, "you need to get to your Trial by Tale. And what I need to show your darling princess needs to be done immediately. Besides, it would be easier if the teachers weren't aware of what I plan on doing."

Tedros glared at her, frustration evident in his face. "I don't care about the Trial right now. She's not going anywhere until I know she'll be okay."

Felicity sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Tedros, this isn't just about her being okay. There's more to this than you realize, and we need to act quickly. I promise I'll take care of her, but she has to come with me if we're going to figure this out."

Beatrix, sensing Tedros's distress, spoke up from where she stood. "Tedros, Felicity knows what she's talking about. If she says it's important, it probably is. We need to trust her."

The boy sighed, "I do trust her. Sorry for getting so upset, I'm just..." He trailed off, though everyone knew what he meant. They all felt the same way—scared.

Seeing the distress in Tedros's eyes, Fae stepped closer to him, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "Tedros, I'll be fine," she said softly, her gaze steady and reassuring. "I promise, I wouldn't leave if I didn't think it was important. Felicity knows what she's doing. It's just... I need to understand what's happening to me."

With a sigh, Tedros nodded and pulled Fae into a hug, a gesture that felt like a final goodbye. He held her for a moment, his arms tight around her, before reluctantly letting her go. Fae stood beside Felicity, who was still recovering from the earlier exertion. William, though still reluctant to part with Felicity, finally allowed her to step away.

"I will go prepare for the Trial with William and Beatrix," Tedros said, his voice steady but his eyes reflecting his worry. He moved toward the door, pausing for a final glance at Fae, the girl who was slowly becoming the love of his life. "Return to me safely," he pleaded, his voice filled with a mix of hope and desperation

William glanced at Felicity, who was attempting to flutter her weakened wings. Without warning, he pulled her into a tight hug, surprising her with the sudden gesture. "Be careful," he murmured into her curly hair, his voice earnest despite the tense atmosphere. He cupped her face in his hands, making her look up at him, and smiled warmly before planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

With a final, playful glint in his eye, William turned and bolted out of the room, his mischievous nature still evident in the serious moment. Beatrix and Fae laughed at the flustered girl whose hand had reached up to touch the place she had just been kissed. She pointed out the door, trying to form words but ultimately failing.

Beatrix turned to Fae and smiled, "Come back in one piece okay?" she said warmly. The two had gotten incredibly close over time. "I'm still waiting on that sleepover" she winked before leaving. Now it was simply the two fairies. Fae turned to Felicity, unsure of what the girl had planned for them but willing to do anything.

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"Memorise this quickly," Felicity told Fae.

The two were deep into the Blue Forest, an area not many knew existed. Felicity was using a random branch she had found to trace out a magic circle onto the dirt. Fae peeked into the singular piece of paper the mage had given her. "Thaloria ex-" she struggled to pronounce but was cut off by Felicity who shushed her.

"Do not cast the spell unless I tell you to do so," she warned. "Don't want you teleporting just anywhere," she teased lightly. Fae nodded and read over the spell, committing it to memory. 

Felicity dusted her hands off, eyeing the magic circle with a nod of approval. She motioned for Fae to step inside, their hands linking together. "Fairy Fact #14," she began, her tone both calm and instructive. "As I mentioned before, our wings are our main source of power. When we're not at our strongest, magic circles like this one can help us focus our magic and amplify our spells."

"Revelis" Felicity said, nodding for Fae to do the same. The two fairies now stood in the dark of the forest. Their wings sparkling in the light of the moon as they prepared to cast a spell. Felicity's wings glowed a weak yellow, not fully recovered from her strong spell, whereas Fae's glowed a cold blue. 

"We are going to cast a teleportation spell. This one is simple but effective," Felicity instructed.

Thaloria Voco, Vortalis Elaris

Thaloria Voco, Vortalis Elaris

As Felicity and Fae recited the spell, the magic circle began to shimmer with a gentle white light. The air around them tingled with the soft hum of magic. In an instant, the forest scene melted away, replaced by a cozy cottage with the crackling of a fireplace and the aroma of freshly baked cookies.

"Obfuscate," Fae murmured, Felicity quickly doing the same. Their magical forms disappear immediately.

"Who's there?" a gentle but wary voice called out from the kitchen area. Felicity shook her head gently, signaling Fae to stay calm as she moved closer to the kitchen area. At this moment, Fae was questioning her trust in Felicity. The girl had just led her into a random person's house and was acting as though it was her own.

"It's me Mother," Felicity announced, just as her mother jumped out of the corner, a wooden spoon raised defensively in her hands. Felicity's mother's eyes widened in surprise when she saw her daughter. She immediately dropped the wooden spoon she was holding, rushing over to envelop Felicity in a tight hug. 

"Feli!" her mom cooed as she lifted her off the ground, her daughter protesting in embarrassment. "I thought you were coming in a few weeks! What happened?" The woman had been so thrilled to see her daughter that she hadn't noticed the other girl standing awkwardly in the living room.

Fae smiled warmly at the mother-daughter reunion, it reminded her of her own family back in Gavaldon. Ever since she discovered her fairy heritage, she often wondered if her parents had known and if they too were fairies as well. It constantly bothered her mind so she chose not to dwell on the thought too long.

"Mother, meet my friend Fae," Felicity introduced, motioning to the girl who was nervously standing by. Confused, the woman turned around and gasped in surprise at the unexpected visitor. 

She offered a warm smile. "Please forgive me, Fae," she apologized, "I didn't mean to ignore you." 

Fae shook her head, dismissing their worries, "It's all right Miss..." she trailed off, unsure of what to call her.

"Merry-Weather" the woman supplied with a smile. 

"Thank you, Mrs. Merry-Weather," Fae replied, returning the smile. "You have a lovely home." 

The older woman waved off the compliment playfully. "It's nothing really. This is one of the simpler houses in the area," she said with a small grin. Fae tilted her head in confusion, Where exactly did Felicity bring me?

"Mother, we need to see Granna Maria," Felicity said, her tone shifting into one of urgency. Mrs.Merry-Weather's brow furrowed in confusion, not understanding why her daughter wanted to see the elderly woman. Felicity shook her head subtly, signaling to not ask questions. Her eyes flicked to Fae, who was curiously observing the room. 

"Is she dangerous?" Felicity's Mother whispered, her gaze quickly darting to Fae.

Felicity shook her head immediately. "It's nothing like that. I'll explain later, all right?" she assured her mother with a gentle hug. "But we need to leave now."

"Come back for dinner okay?" Mrs.Merry-weather called after the two as they left the cottage. 

The moment they had set foot outside, Fae's eyes widened in wonder. They were in a village filled with many intricate and beautifully designed buildings. The most shocking thing of all was the number of fairies that flew freely around the area, their wings blending into such vibrant colors. Fascinating. 

"Where are we?" Fae breathed out, her attention captured by everything around her. 

Felicity smirked as she pulled the distracted fairy along with her, "Welcome to Elarindale."

[findingdory9022]

──────────────── 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒 ⋆｡𖦹°‧★

Felicity cast a quick spell to clean up Fae's dormitory after their impromptu tea party. The four girls definitely felt closer than before, laughing and joking as they made their way to the mess hall for dinner. "Felicity and I will head back to my dormitory after dinner and prepare it for our sleepover" Fae explained to the girls. Once they were in the mess hall, they were surprised to see most of the Nevers unusually calm, their attention on something. 

"Traitors" she saw a dark haired Never inhale sharply.

"I think I'm going to be sick" another said, throwing something in the direction of what was catching their attention. 

"I don't know what she sees in him," a third said, shrugging somewhat dismissively. 

Curious and slightly apprehensive, the four Ever girls followed their gaze. When they saw what had drawn the Nevers' attention, they gasped in surprise. Seated at one of the Ever tables was Sophie and Tedros. Sophie clung to his hand, giggling at every word that fell out of his mouth. Fae felt Beatrix hold her hand, a silent gesture of her support. Based on the whispers around the hall the two had been with each other for the majority of the day which simply added to the sense of unease in Fae's stomach.

As Tedros popped another strawberry into his mouth, he wondered when Fae and the others would arrive. He needed someone to distract the blonde Never whose high pitched laughter was beginning to hurt his ears. Originally, William and Tristan had sat opposite to the two, but they quickly excused themselves, not wanting to be seen associating with Sophie and risk angering their female friends. 

Tedros's eyes wandered the room only to freeze when they locked onto Fae's. A smile already formed on his face, but it quickly faded as he noticed the hurt in her expression. He followed her gaze down to his arm, where Sophie was still holding his hand. His eyes widened in realization—he was the cause of her pain. Mentally kicking himself, he pulled his hand away from Sophie, giving Fae a sheepish, apologetic smile. He didn't dare look at the three girls behind her who glared at him, especially not at Felicity, who might very well turn him into a frog if he did.

Sophie looked at him confused at the sudden distance. She looked in the direction at which he was looking only to see her ex-friend. She rolled her eyes, of course the goody-two-shoes princess wannabe was getting in her way of true love. But Sophie quickly put on her best innocent face. "Teddy, why did you stop?" she cooed, trying to recapture his attention.

The boy looked at her, confusion laced in his expression, "I'm sorry, I have to go-" he began but she cut him off.

"You were just about to ask me to the Ever's Ball," she whined loudly, drawing the attention of the entire hall. Tedros immediately started defending himself, insisting he never said any such thing. Fae felt anger rise in her chest. She didn't know if he had really asked Sophie or not, but she hated the idea of not knowing for sure. If only she'd used her magic, she wouldn't be worrying like this.

Determined, Fae walked up to their table, but before she could reach Sophie, the black-haired Never—who Fae had to admit was quite attractive—stepped in front of her.

"Move, please," Fae said, giving the girl one chance to get out of her way. Her mother back in Gavaldon always taught her to give people one chance before possibly ruining their lives, joking that it was the reason for their last name.

Hester sneered at her, looking down on the shorter girl. "I don't think so," she smirked. "You jealous cause Prince Teddy over there asked out one of us Nevers instead of you poofy princesses?" she mocked in a baby voice. 

Fae scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "I couldn't care less of what you think of me but he isn't taking that under dressed she wolf instead of me," Fae snapped back, surprising many of the students. Sophie looked down at her outfit in a moment of insecurity. They had never seen the girl talk back to anyone let alone insult another student.

Hester laughed, ready to throw another insult, but before she could speak, her mouth zipped shut. Confused, she tried to open it but couldn't. Fear flashed in her eyes as she looked at Fae, realizing that the small girl had somehow silenced her. Fae rolled her eyes and pushed past Hester, ignoring the snarls from the other Nevers who had begun to shove other Ever students who stood by Fae.

She grabbed Tedros, who had already stood up once he saw her moving towards him, and dragged him out of the mess hall leaving her friends and the other Everstudents to deal with the angry Nevers. She knew she would get in trouble later as she was technically at fault for silencing Hester, but she couldn't care less. She needed to talk to Tedros. 

The prince was already rambling and apologizing trying to explain the situation but he was cut off sharply, "Shut up," she commanded, her magical features fading onto her face without her permission as emotions overwhelmed her. Tedros, shocked at her cold tone, immediately shut his mouth, waiting for her to speak. 

Fae dragged him to the Spell Hall, where she and Felicity had their classes. She knew that her powers might act up and didn't want to risk others seeing. Turning to face him, she saw the guilt that was written all over his face. She had been furious, but now that they were alone, she forced herself to remain calm.

"Tedros," she started, the boy pouting at the lack of a nickname, "why were you with Sophie?" 

The Prince swallowed hard, not understanding why it bothered her so much that he was around Sophie in the first place. "She came up to me during weapon training, when you were having your tea party. How did that go, by the way?" he asked, getting distracted.

Normally, Fae would have giggled at his puppy like nature and how easily distracted he was, but she kept her focus. "Don't change the topic Tedros," she warned.

He nodded, embarrassed. "I didn't want to talk to her at first, but I thought about you and what you said during lunch that first day," he explained. "You were so sure that Sophie was good, and so was Agatha. I thought I'd give her a chance, try to see the good you saw in her." He sighed as he looked to the ground, running a hand through his hair. 

Fae stopped, trying to process his words. "You did that because of what I said?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Tedros nodded, guilt still clear on his face. "I thought I was helping. But then I saw you in the mess hall, and you looked so... hurt. I didn't realize how it must have looked."

Fae blinked, her anger fading as guilt slowly took its place. "Oh." She stepped closer, realizing that she was somewhat at fault. "Remember when I first found out I could hear people from far away?" she asked him. He nodded, easily remembering what she was talking about, especially since he had spent hours in the library afterward, researching fairies to help her. "I never told you what Sophie and Agatha were talking about."

Tedros nodded, sensing where this was going. "Sophie was telling Agatha that they needed to get rid of me," Fae continued. "She said that I was Agatha's best friend, not hers. And, well, I don't see her as my friend anymore." Tedros nodded, now understanding why Fae didn't want him around Sophie.

"I didn't know that," he said softly, stepping closer. "My love, I'm so sorry. I never would've let her near me if I knew."

"No, I'm sorry," she interrupted. "I got mad at you over something you didn't even know about. That's my fault."

Tedros smiled at her lovingly, "I accept your apology, but I let her get way closer than she needed to be. That's on me."

Before Fae could answer, a small flicker of light drew her gaze. One of the tiny fairy guardians flitted around them, looking frantic and anxious. It let out a series of panicked chirps and chimes as it landed in Fae's outstretched palm.

"Dovey?" Fae asked, her voice tinged with worry. The fairy nodded rapidly, confirming the urgency.

Fae's heart sank at the unexpected interruption, but she knew it was important. She glanced back at Tedros, noticing that her hand had slipped into his. "We'll figure this out," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "But it looks like Dovey is looking for both of us."

Tedros met her gaze, his eyes filled with concern. "Yeah, we'll talk later," he promised, his voice steady as both of them made their way to the Dean's office. Their hands intertwined. 

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Tedros, Fae, Sophie and Agatha stood in front of all the teaching staff of both schools. They all spoke over each other trying to get their points across but it simply came out as jumbled words. Tedros stood behind Fae, his hand in hers, a sign of comfort as they couldn't speak.

"Please! Please! Please!" Dovey silenced the rowdy group. "Dating between Evers and Nevers is strictly against the rules" she stated, Lesso immediately agreeing. 

"Evil and Good do not belong together. It's rep-" she fought the urge to gag, "Repulsive."

Fae looked to Sophie, who had the time to change into a different outfit, and Tedros in confusion. The teachers thought they were together?

"Sir, if I may." Tedros asked, receiving a nod of approval from the Schoolmaster. "I'm responsible for choosing Camelot's next queen." he squeezed Fae's hand as he spoke. "I do not take that decision lightly. And to be honest I'm quite offended you would think that Sophie was one of the possible candidates." 

Many of the teachers attempted to stifle a laugh whereas the faculty of the school of evil sneered at the boy. Fae grinned at Sophie's hurt expression. "I was simply trying to befriend her," he brought his voice down to a whisper, "which turned out to be the worst decision possible." Fae covered the growing smile on her face at his light insult. 

Sophie, seeing this as her chance to escape the evil school quickly clung onto his free arm, he looked at her with annoyance as she did so. "If he believes that we can be friends, why can't you?" she spoke out before Tedros could clear anything up. 

The teachers murmured in confusion. "So the two of you aren't together?" Lesso confirmed. Sophie was slow to answer but both Tedros and Fae immediately shook their heads no. The blonde gave up and shook her head as well.

"But we are practically platonic soulmates" Sophie added, trying to salvage the remains of her plan.

"Together or not, good and evil do not belong together, regardless of whether it is friendship or love" Dovey stated.

"But you told me nothing could keep true love apart." Agatha interrupted, "Does that not include soulmates now?" It was a weak argument but it seemed to convince the teachers. "Isn't that like the first rule of fairy tales?" Fae looked to her curly haired friend in confusion, a feeling of betrayal growing in her heart. Whose side was she on?

The schoolmaster finally spoke, "If it is true love, such a thing would certainly be momentous." He sighed, and Dovey chuckled at the idea. Fae felt a stirring inside her, an unsettling sensation she couldn't quite place. Her anger, which had been simmering since dinner, was only growing stronger.

Why were the teachers treating this situation as if it involved a broken couple? Tedros had clearly explained that he was simply trying to befriend Sophie, yet the whole matter was being twisted into something it wasn't. Fae could feel her power pulse inside her, urging to be unleashed. She recalled Felicity's advice about letting her emotions guide her magic but struggled to keep her feelings in check. She fought to maintain her composure, even as her frustration threatened to overwhelm her.

"It seems to me there's only one way to be sure." He nodded to himself, "A Trial by Tale!" he stated proudly. The teachers immediately spoke up in disagreement, none of them wanting to entertain the dangerous idea.

"You're going to have to accept, you know?" Fae whispered lightly to the Prince behind her.

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure that as long as Sophie believes that the two of you are meant to be together, the teachers will make you go along with this nonsense" Fae grumbled, obviously exhausted. Tedros moved closer to her, placing a hand on her waist subtly as she leaned into him for support. Dovey noticed the interaction but said nothing, a small smile on her face.

"Sir, we accept." Sophie said quickly, speaking for the both of them even though she had no right. 

Agatha however, was more weary of the situation. "Sorry, what is a Trial by Tale?" Professor Anemone brought a palm up to her hand to hide her annoyance.

"Each of you have to enter the Blue Forest on opposite sides." Lady Lesso began to explain, whacking the Uglification teacher that sat next to her using her cane. "You have to defeat whatever danger presents itself and find each other by dawn."

"That's the place with the evil pansies, correct?" Fae whispered to Tedros who nodded.

"Help is strictly forbidden" Lesso finished.

"We can do this," Sophie said, encouraging herself more than others, "We're good enough and strong enough to protect each other." The schoolmaster let out a sarcastic huff of amusement.

"They can do this," Agatha supported Sophie, her voice firm. Fae rubbed her forehead in frustration. What is wrong with these people? she wondered. Tedros shook his head, accepting his fate. Despite being the future King of Camelot, he was currently just a prince following the orders of his teachers and the Schoolmaster. There was nothing he could do to escape this situation.

"This will get them both killed" Yuba slammed the table. Fae nodded in agreement. 

"The trial shall begin at sundown," The schoolmaster declared. "You two are dismissed." He motioned to Sophie and Agatha who immediately left the room, leaving Fae and Tedros alone with the staff. "Now, please explain exactly what happened in the mess hall." the schoolmaster ordered lightly.

"Sophie was all over Tedros, making it look like they were a couple. The Nevers were disgusted, and it caught everyone's attention. When Tedros came to his senses, he tried to pull away, but Sophie made a scene, saying he asked her to the Ever's Ball. I confronted them, things got tense, and I ended up dragging Tedros out before it escalated." Fae said quickly recapping all the events.

"I told you she was still infatuated with him," Lesso said with a nonchalant but proud aura around her. 

The Headmaster looked at Tedros and Fae with a mixture of regret and determination in his eyes. He sighed, leaning back slightly in his chair, before speaking. "I truly wish there was another way," he began, his tone apologetic, "but Sophie's infatuation with you, Tedros, seems to be turning into an obsession. She's convinced that you two are meant to be together, and no amount of reasoning has made her see otherwise."

Tedros exchanged a worried glance with Fae, who listened intently. The Headmaster continued, "After careful consideration, I've concluded that a Trial by Tale is the only way to make Sophie realize the truth. It's not a decision I've made lightly, but it will force her to realize that you two are not destined for each other."

The teacher's eyes widened, as did the two students in front of them. No wonder he was so adamant about it, Fae realized. He paused, eyes softening as he looked at the two students. "I know it's risky, and I don't want to put either of you in harm's way, but I believe this is the only way to break the spell of her infatuation. It's a trial of truth, and I'm confident that it will set things right."

Fae furrowed her brows, her worry clear as she processed the Headmaster's words. "But a Trial by Tale? That's dangerous," she said. "Is there really no other way? I don't want anyone getting hurt, especially not Tedros." Said boy placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but she kept her gaze fixed on the Headmaster, searching for any sign that he might change his mind.

The Headmaster sighed, "I understand your concern, Ms. Fae. Believe me, I wouldn't suggest this if there were any other option." Fae nodded, accepting his words. 

The tension in the room eased slightly, and Professor Dovey took the opportunity to speak. "I would like to note," she began with a hint of a smirk, "that Tedros mentioned Sophie wasn't on his list of candidates for Camelot's future queen." Her words carried a subtle jab at the School for Evil's faculty, but there was also a genuine curiosity in her tone.

Dovey's eyes sparkled with interest as she continued, "If I may ask, Your Majesty... is there anyone else on this list that has made an impression on you?" Her gaze shifted knowingly between Tedros and Fae. Lesso rolled her eyes at Dovey's childish behavior, but even she couldn't hide her curiosity about Tedros's answer.

Tedros felt his pulse quicken, the question catching him off guard. He glanced at Fae, and for a moment, his nervousness was plain to see. "Well," he began, stumbling slightly over his words as he ran a hand through his hair–a nervous habit, "there is someone who's... definitely made an impression. Someone different from anyone else I've met."

His gaze lingered on the girl in front of him for just a moment longer than necessary before he quickly looked away, trying to play it off. "But, you know, it's still early," he added, his tone a bit too casual. "I think it's important to take time to really understand... what's right in front of you."

Dovey's smile widened, clearly pleased with his response, while Lesso's expression shifted to one of mild surprise. Fae felt her heart skip a beat, Tedros's words echoing in her mind. It was obvious to her—and probably to everyone else in the room—who he was talking about.