The boundaries a fight for freedom.

-

tween us, making my stay here feel increasingly uncomfortable. Eve

Azreal

t me until I couldn't

an, "what ar

uss that," she said, avoiding my gaze. "I wan

ing her straight in the eyes. I could se

ou promise not to run

blinked in

u won't leave without tell

ing-her eyes p

me what he said," I said, ta

, lowering

s castle without his permission. Whenever he calls, you must be present

ed, jerking my ha

backed away, no longer want

e. I thought about running, but I had already made a promise-and besides, where would I go? I ha

ently, "please say

say, Eve? I'm nothing but a sl

lling me deep into my thoughts. After

to use my powers?" I ask

her face lighting up a little. "I can't tea

t's

to leave for a few days. You'll be

hrugged. "If I'm going to sta

ay. If you need anything, ask the sta

will you

sure," sh

pulling her into a

-

s P.

something important for my journey. I remembered hid

after book, finding nothing. Frustrated, I

voice interrup

find it here," Miss Grum

piece of paper slipped out. It w

she had the gift of knowing things without being present. I hugged her and kisse

lady going with

here. Please take

ter," Miss G

hing from the room-and reap

-

d's P

or what I was waiting for. Then, the gate

her. Sensing something was off, I decided to

tter into the shap

" I commanded. The crow flew off, and when

-

l's

resence. A crow made of shadows perched on my window. I opened it, and

n, I reco

eturned. What

elf, walking ba

ou," I said, c

-

s P.

the streets bustled with life. I had never visited

er. It read: The R

ed dir

rics beside a young man wearing a large

dam. May I ask

ing I can help

t me to the Roya

xpression changed

hing wron

g for someone d

ld fr

, then said,

quieter alley. She sto

iver to where it falls. If your friend truly invited you, he wou

t's

ul," she warned-and then

reath, I steppe

-

l's

nce. They stopped at an alley entrance. After a brief con

I was sure it all tied bac

-

- Erica

room, so I decided to go out

I bumped into two men carrying

tch it!" one o

y," I sai

w much trouble you'd be in if anything happe

Thomas said, appear

er," one of the men said,

grim line of his mouth so

I didn't mean

I interrupted. "It was my fault.

er," Thomas said before turnin

portrait away, and

ting is tha

ind out," he said, trailing

hung it and removed the veil. There it was-Azreal's portrait, capturing his dark, shining hair, p

losing myself in

oo easily," Thomas tease

taring t

h a smirk. "He tends to ca

acter is true beauty," I

orner of his mo

zed that many portraits

these peopl

ncestors," Th

familiar face hidd

" I whi

been studying,

god of flames. After his banishmen

homas said, "but hi

g the resemblance bet

k more, a man app

, the king wis

time for me to leave, my

ed and

ades' portrait, when a f

here. It's time for lunch-you shou

y attention," I said, followi

dy seated. She glanced at me with

ing the king's seat-which

ump," I

my l

king be jo

she replied wi

d it be alright if

d into a worri

, but the king dema

homas b

The king sent h

ok my seat across from Rachel

her me-she wa

y slipped out of the hall, leavin