It did not take too long to arrive at her mother’s house, and she was already waiting outside for them to arrive.

“Mom!” Tianna shouted and ran up to her.

“Tianna, are you alright?” Crystal asked as she embraced her.

“Yeah,” Tianna answered softly.

Crystal breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much, Densooth. I never would have imagined they would make a move in Belleas. When you contacted me I wasn’t sure what to do. Really, thank goodness you were there.”

“It is my duty to serve,” Densooth replied, “Believe me, I am just as relieved as you are. Take care of her. I need to take care of any leaks.”

“That’s right. We can’t let the Black Wolf find out she is here yet,” Crystal agreed.

Densooth took his leave.

Crystal turned to face her daughter with a complicated expression. “I suppose this isn’t the best circumstance but I am happy to see you,” she told her, “Welcome home.”

“Yeah,” Tianna said, unable to think of anything else. Something about seeing her mother again made it feel like everything was fine.

“Unfortunately, in a few hours, it is going to be goodbye,” her mother said and touched Tianna’s shoulder gently, “Get some rest while you can. I will wake you up in time for you to go.”

Tianna nodded and gave her mother another quick hug before laying down on the bed in the guest room and trying to go to sleep. Reality faded away into darkness as she lost consciousness.

Bang!

There was a loud noise from the entryway that woke Tianna with a start.

“Surrender the princess!” a loud voice boomed.

“Princess?” Crystal asked, “The only other person in this house is my daughter.”

“Don’t bother trying to hide her,” the voice sneered, “I got a report confirming that this was where the advisor brought her. He is currently being questioned for trying to hide the princess from the Queen. Do you wish to face the same charges?”

“The Queen I know would never enforce such a thing,” Crystal replied with ice in her tone, “Don’t involve my daughter in your ridiculous battles of power.”

There was silence for a moment before the voice gave an order. “Seize her and find the princess!”

Tianna jumped out of the room. “Wait!” she shouted, “I am right here! Leave my mother alone.”

A large man in the doorway gave a satisfied smirk. “There will be no need to bother the sorceress if you come with us right now.”

This was almost exactly like when she had been kidnapped earlier, and Tianna could not help but be suspicious.

“Can you promise me that my destination is the palace this time?” she demanded.

“Of course,” he said, “Unlike whoever tricked you before, I am a trustworthy man on the council of the Queen.”

Tianna took a deep breath and walked over to him. “Fine, but if anything happens to my mother I will make sure that you regret it.”

“Of course, your highness,” the man promised.

This time Tianna was led to a carriage. She was alone inside, and all of the windows were covered. She could hear the sounds of the early morning bustle, and the gentle rumble of the carriage. In other circumstances she would have found it relaxing, or perhaps been excited, but instead Tianna felt tears slide down her face. What was the point of everything she had been through if this was how it was going to end anyway?

Tianna quickly wiped the tears away when the carriage came to a stop. She didn’t want to seem any weaker than she already was.

“It is time for you to meet your real mother,” the man said. That smug grin was still on his face.

“Crystal is my real mother,” Tianna argued.

“Believe what you will, but once you are named the princess Queen Shirisha will be your real mother and that sorceress will be nothing to you.”

Tianna grit her teeth but held back as she was led into the palace and through the halls. She couldn’t pay attention to her surroundings in her current state of mind, but when they reached the crystalline doors of the Queen’s chambers Tianna could not help but notice. What useless extravagance. Tianna felt bitter while the man forcing her along only became more proud.

There were two people inside the room when they entered. Densooth, and a woman who looked far too much like Tianna. The woman gestured for the council member to leave, and once the door was shut, she looked down at the floor.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her voice sounded surprisingly frail.