Cassius chased after Theanore as she ran barefoot in the snow.

“Thea, you’ll get sick!” He yelled after her. She giggled and speeded up. Cassius tripped and fell. Someone moved pass him, and he heard a voice say:

“Thea, wait for me!” It was duke Marinus and he too was barefoot. Theanore stopped, and then they held each other’s hands and ran off into the snow. Eliza was crying quietly somewhere in the nothingness. Cassius opened his eyes and woke up.

He was in his bed, with Theanore next to him, sucking her thumb. She looked the very picture of innocence. Could she do to him in reality what she had done in the dream? Could she run away from him? With the duke?

Did they love each other? Jealousy reared its ugly head inside of Cassius’s soul. But Thea was his best friend now. Right? Or, what if she wasn’t? She called marriage a pact between best friends, but she had mumbled the words the priest had told her to repeat. Had she been lying during the wedding?

Theanore moved away from him, and he laid back down to hug her with one arm. She was a little nymph in all the ways it mattered. She was as pretty as a nymph and as pure as one. But was she his?

It didn’t matter, Cassius thought to himself. The duke was married, and Eliza would keep him at castle Orlock. They will see each other only during official events, and Cassius wouldn’t let them be too close.

Like he had tried not to let them catch up during the ball. Marinus had been on Theanore’s right side during the dance. The husband’s place. Would Cassius be the first member of the Eomis family who would be left by their spouse?

No! He wouldn’t let it happen. He just needed to show Theanore that she could be happy with him. Not only that, but he knew just the thing. There was a rare plant that grew in the Imperial gardens. One said not to grow anywhere else. Theanore liked plants. She had even written a book on them. If he gifted her the flower, pixie laughter, and let her replant it at her grotto, then she would like him more.

With this thought, Cassius drifted off to sleep. This time he dreamed of a grown up Theanore and a blonde, green-eyed child in her lap. He was there too, a sword on his hip. They looked happy.

The next morning, the two couples and their new families were to leave the village for castle Orlock and the capital, respectively. Cassius helped Theanore dress before anyone could get to them. He, himself, was still in his pajamas. But she was a vision in a frilly, soft yellow dress.

Then Cassius brushed her curls 100 times and told her a story as he did so, as she simply refused to sit still. It was again something that had happened long ago. Of a Naga, Constantine, and an elf, Ralnor Xilxidor.

“And then the Naga turned the stones around the village to gold, and the elves had plenty to eat.” Finished Cassius. Theanore scrunched up her little nose.

“But did Tine and Ralnor get together?” She asked. It didn’t bother her that both the characters were men. Love was love.

“Well, no one knows. They journeyed deep in the forest of plenty to uncover lost ruins. It is said they found a portal to the dungeon of illusions there. No one has ever gotten out of that place alive, Thea.” Said Cassius.

“That is mommy’s dungeon.” Said Theanore, recognizing the name. “Mommy wouldn’t have hurt them. Especially Tine. He was so strong, he dealt with the bandits on his own. And then showed them kindness and settled them in their village.”

“Maybe they are still in there, lost.” Said Cassius. Or dead, he thought to himself but did not voice this thought.

“I’ll tell Elm to search for them. Did they have a life-extending ring?” Asked Theanore. Cassius was in the process of tying her hair in a bun, but loose curls kept getting out.

“They did find one. As well as a teleportation ring. But for them to not have used it to get out… Thea, maybe they are happy in the dungeon?” Changed his words at the last second, Cassius.

“I’ll ask mommy if she has a Naga and elf guest. Come on.” Said Theanore, holding his hand and then running off. She was barefoot, and before she reached the door, Cassius lifted her up and carried her back towards the bed.

“Princess, you are barefoot. You will get sick. Come on, let us search for some socks.” Said Cassius. They found silk socks with a mild fire enchantment, and then Theanore’s shoes. Then Theanore giggled and poked Cassius in the chest.

“Cassy, you are still wearing your pajamas. And you, unlike me, haven’t even washed.” Said Theanore. Cassius sighed. He had been the one to wash Theanore, but he didn’t remind her of that. She was so small, his wife. He gladly looked after her.

“Ok, you look for lady Esmer and I will wash up and change my clothes. Oh, your bun is a total mess.” Said Cassius, sad that his hard work was coming undone curl by curl.

Theanore took the tie that was in her hair and undid it. Her curls settled around her face like a mane, and she giggled.

“Cassy, I always wear my hair loose. Thank you for brushing it. It is nice and shiny now.” And then, without another word, she was off.

Cassius sighed and went to the bath. He undressed and got in. This was Theanore’s bath water, but he didn’t mind. She hadn’t been dirty to begin with. He took the bar of soap and began washing himself.

Half an hour later he was done and dressed. He exited the bathing room and ran into a crying Eliza.

“Liz, what is wrong?” He asked and Eliza pointed down the corridor.

“He kissed her on the cheek!” She resumed her crying. Cassius didn’t need to be told who he was. Suddenly, his dream felt like a bad omen.