The palace seemed so cold, and so empty. It wasn’t anything like I remembered. The last time I was here I was overcome with a sense of warmth, and a sense of home. My heart broke at the faces of the miserable servants who forced a smile when they caught my gaze. I yearned for the embrace of the fearless queen Valencia, who led this city with honor. I wondered where she might be today...

“It is good to have you back,” a tiny voice interrupted my train of thought. I was lost in my own head while looking at an enormous and egotistical painting of Anhur.While I understood the symbolism of such a portrate, the smug look on his face deminished it to mere showboating.

I look to my side to see a slender girl who looks to be no older than her late teens, “Excuse me?”

She cleared her throat before raising her voice slighly, “It is good to have you back... founder.” She smiled at me for a fraction of a second before Anhur entered the room and caused her to scurry away like a scared mouse.

“My dear founder!” he said in an overexaggerated way that made the words meaningless.

“My king,” I replied flatly my eyes still on his obnoxious portrait. When I finally looked in his direction the blonde woman was closely on his tail, followed by two armored guards. Part of me wanted to dethrone this man immediately, but tearing apart the noble way of life would likely lead to backlash that I wasn’t in a position to deal with.

He ignores my insult and begins to speak, “I have been informed that we will be prepared to hold the games in just a short week. In the meantime, you and your companions are more than welcome to stay in the palace. I assure you that you will receive the best accommodations that all of Novus has to offer within these walls.”

He spoke like a salesman, or a businessman, not like a king.

“It will take more than a week for people all across Novus to get here to compete in the games,” I respond.

“All across Novus? Surely a noble is more fit to rule-”

“The rules of the games are that any may enter!” I snapped as I move to be inches from his face. “The station you currently hold and where you come from means nothing when you enter that arena! Your ego," my voice dropped to an univiting and low tone. "Means nothing,” I spoke through my teeth. Although it may seem slightly aggressive to most, I did not take kindly to him ruining the equality of the games. It is something I had worked tirelessly to instill.

He trembles slightly but holds my intense stare confidently, “Yes. How could I forget.” He turns away from me and begins to walk around the room with his hands clasped behind his back. “Leave us,” he waves his guards away dismissively. They nod stiffly and walk towards the door, but the blonde woman remains still. “Leave us,” he repeats more softly.

“But my king?” she laughs as if his command is outrageous.

“Serena,” he says more sternly looking at her sideways.

She looks between the both of us, clearly appalled, the smile fades from her face and her posture stiffens. “Yes,” she says through her teeth. “My king,” she spits as she walks through the door the guards are holding open for her.

I laugh a little, “Trouble with the wives eh?”

He doesn’t laugh, just looks at me with a raised eyebrow, obviously surprised by my sense of humor. “You are more.. anomalous.. than expected,” her says with a curious tone.

“Thank you,” I respond plesantly with a slight smile.

His eyes widen as he is surprised again by my response. “Anyhow,” he continues. “I have a proposition for you.”

I set my sites on a cushy looking chair before taking a seat without a word. I clasp my fingers together as I tuck them under my chin and await his response with pursed lips.

“I feel the prize should be the throne for a lifetime,” he suggests boldly.

“Alright. Why?” I respond.

He looks to be slightly taken aback that I am even open to hearing his argument, probably assuming I would be outraged. And after a moment he resumes speaking, “you have missed much. The people... they need... stability more than ever.”

At first, I thought he might have some selfish reason as motivation, but I can see now that maybe he does really care about Nesicus and its people; maybe.

I nod, “Yes. I could agree with that. But what I saw in the Nescien underground leads me to believe you may not know what’s best for the people.”

He clenches his fists in anger, “You think I am responsible for my people dying in the streets?”

“You have taken everything away from them that could save them haven't you?” I stand up from my seat and walk towards him. My brows are furrowed heavily and my nostrils flared, it was easy to assume he was the culprint for the horrors I saw; but it's never really wise to make assumptions.

“I have taken it from them?” his tone is outraged. “Healers we’re slaughtered but the dozens before the deminished to near extinction! Those that exist remain in hiding if they wish to survive, trusting few if any at all! Healing potions? Reduced to the black market before being wiped from existence entirely! They seek refuge in our palace and I would not turn them away! One of the few remaining healers Valencia-” he spoke with conviction that was almost inspiring.

But I was far too incensed by what he was saying to let him cotinue without deeper explanation.I cut him off mid sentence, “They were slaughtered?” It took a moment for his words to finally registered, hearing her name triggers something in me that feels like it could be hope. “Wait! Valencia?” the outrage all but vanishes from my voice.

“Yes,” he looked surprised again but his tone softened as abruptly as mind. “Do you know her?”

She was alive! Valencia was alive!

I grab his shoulders roughly, “Take me to her!”

“But I haven’t finished-”

“I will consider your proposition Anhur now PLEASE!” I pleaded aggressively. I probably looked insane, but I didn’t care, I never dreamed she’d still be alive.

The suspicious look in his eye fades to that of sympathy, shining a light on an aspect of his personality I didn’t know existed before now. “Of course,” he nods knowingly. “Excuse my rudeness there will be time for business later on. You must be exhausted from your journy here. What better remedy for tiredness than an olde friend?” He smiles at me in a way that almost makes me feel he knows more than he would ever let on, but not in a way that was intimidating or malicious.Anhur clears his throat slight and does a small gesture withone of his hands, which causes the guards to open the intricate wooden doors from the other side. “Please take our guest to Valencia’s chambers. We will begin preparation for the ball and we will resume negotiation tomorrow,” he says to the man.

“Valencia, my king? Are you sure you can trust her?” the guard surprisingly questions his king openly. He looks at me sideways, his eyes squinting as he looks me over like I am somehow less than him. It would of been insutling if I cared for his opinion, but alas, I did not.

Anhur seems unbothered by the mans honestly regardless, “Yes.” He smiles at the man and then looks towards me, “It seems they already know eachother."

I am escorted by two guards towards the very top of the palace, long winding staircases leave me winded once we reach our destination. One of the guards looks in my direction and chuckles to himself, obviously amused that something he does daily is so strenuous to me. Finally, we reach another intimidating wooden door and one of the guards knocks on it harshly. “Valencia! You have a guest.” His voice carries throughout the empty and dimly lit staircase and disrupts the silence roughly.

“I am with the Queen it will have to wait!” her voice was irritated. But it was as melodic and soothing as I remembered, I felt the urge to burst through the doors begin to take over my legs but I kept my composure for the sake of appearances.

“The king has sent her,” he answers sternly.

“Is it Serena? If so she will just have to wait as I've said bofore!” Valencia snaps back at the guard.Her stubborness and blutness seems to still be in tact and it brings an uncontrolable smile to my face.

“It’s alright,” I hear the queen lioness say sweetly.

Quick and overexaggerated steps approach on the other side of the door, “This better be fucking important!” The door swings open and her face stares back at me fro the first time in a century. Her long red hair is braided to the side, and her bright yellow eyes are as vibrant as ever. I watch her annoyed expression soften to almost sadenss as she looks at me, her mouth hanging open as her eyes glaze over and become teary. Freckles still decorate her lovely tanned skin, and a worn apron covers her petite frame. She probably isn’t much taller than five foot, but her presence always made her seem so much bigger to me.

“Raven?” her voice cracks as she says the word. “Raven is that you?” she takes quick steps towards me and pulls me into a tight and loving hug. “Oh my god,” she begins to sob into my ear. “Oh my god you’re alive Raven.” She grabs my face with her small hands and looks into my eyes, tears streaming down her puffy cheeks. She doesn’t say anything else even though her mouth opens, she just pulls me close to her again.

I can’t form a sentence, I just let myself melt into her embrace hoping it will convey all the things I can't say. “Valencia I-,” I stumble on my words.

“It’s okay sweetheart,” she cries quietly as she strokes my hair.

I feel the twinge of pain in my heart with her words, and I fight the urge to cry with her. But the desire to keep my cool exterior surprisingly overpowered my urge to sob with the woman who was my mother in every sense of the word.

One of the guards clears his throat awkwardly behind me, “We will... leave you know Valencia.” The sound of their armor can be heard as they descend down the stair way back to their place with the king.

She grabs my hand and closes the door behind us before grabbing my face in her hands one again. “I can’t believe you’re here. All these years... I thought you were dead. I thought all hope was lost.” A heartwarming smile spreads across her beautiful face and reaches all the way up to her eyes, causing them to beam with light and happiness.

I notice the queen siting with a serene smile on her face in a chair in the corner of the room and I begin to feel a little uncomfortable. The excitement of seeing Valencia again made me forget about my surroundings completely for a few moments. ”Your majesty,” I say politely and bow awkwardly towards her.

She laughs, “Oh my. No need for formalities in here.” She offers me a hand while the other rests on her pregnant belly, “Bastet.”

I go to offer her a hand and tell her my name but I pause for a moment. When I entered Novus, I had chosen the name Eileithyia, because I hadn't had any idea that I even had another name. But each time somebody used it, I could feel more of my old self coming back. Almost as if it was some sort of trigger for all of my old memories, and then I would always wonder if Omni had anything to do with that.

“Raven?" I turned to look at Valencia curiously. "You and Ozzy... you keep calling me Raven?”

Valencia laughs, “It has been your name for as long as I can remember. Your mothers raven haired beauty.” She smiled as she played with my long ponytail and lets it fall back into place, “ Although I don't mind the red... you don’t remember?” She looks at me with an eyebrow raised, her interests in where I had been the last century peaking at this point.

I thought about explaining the situation briefly, but I was too ashamed of my own cowardly behavoir. I knew Valencia wasn't going to judge me, but I feared it would sully our reuinion. I turned to the queen again with a smile, “Raven.”

We shake hands and she smiles at me warmly, her grip is delicate but stronge all once which was something I didn’t believe was possible before now. “So. Our founder has returned to save us all," she jokes. But we both are well aware of how serious she actually is, maybe I more so then her.

“Uh... your founder is going to give it her best shot,“ I laugh nervously.

“You mentioned Ozzy? It is good to hear he is still around... still a smartass I assume?” Valencia laughs as she walks towards a table littered with ingredients I’m not familiar with and empty glass vials.

From what I could remember, Valencia was the most talented healer in all of Novus, people traveling from far and wide for her services and potions. This probably had a lot to do with the fact that she had been a doctor on the surface, and a damn good one at that. She had been the doctor for my family for as long as I could remember, and she had known me since I was born. It only made sense that she became more of mother to me when mine had passed.I honestly never thought I would see her again. Walking into this palace brought back the memory of her, and my heart began to yearn for someone I could only vaguely remember once again.

“Yeah... definitely still a smartass. He’s here somewhere in the palace,” I answer.

“Of course. Wherever you go... Ozzy follows,” she smirks. She shakes a vial in the air and examines it, nodding to herself as she is obviously satisfied with her concoction.

The queen rubs her belly, “Like me and my Anhur." The smile fades from her face as she continues to speak, "... until that bitch came along.” She stares off towards a window, her jaw clenching as she gets lost in her own head.

“Now now my queen,” Valencia interrupts her. “What is yours will always find its way back to you,” she begins to walk over to her with a vial in her hand. “This will help with your back pain.” She pulls another vial from the pocket of her apron, “this will help you sleep.”

The queen smiles at her sincerely, “You are an angel in disguise Valencia.”

I watch the exchange with a smile on my face, happy to see Valencia doing what she was born to do. Forever helping and healing those around her.

“I am simply doing my job,” she says as she heads towards her work station again.

The queen struggles to get to her feet, her face grimacing at the discomfort throughout her body as she moves. She waddles over to Valencia and takes her hand, “You are my dearest friend. You do not work here. We offer you refuge and in return you keep us happy and healthy.”

She hugs the queen and places her hand on her belly, “And I will do the same for you little ones.”

“Well... I will leave you two to catch up. I’ll leave a guard outside for you Raven. Anhur has taken this oppurtunity to throw a ball in your honor,” she smiles at me. "But then again that man will look for any excuse to throw a party," she laughs.

There was a grace and loveliness about the queen that eased your anxieties. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of women would have led Anhur to cast her aside.

She was absolutely exquisite in her own right.

I groan and let out a long sigh, "A ball?"

"Oh shoosh," Valencia shoves me playfully. "The palace could use a good party."

She takes my hand in hers and pats it gently, “It is good to have you here Raven.” Making her way to the door and clearing her throat in the same manner Anhur had earlier, they open to reveal the guards waiting for her on the other side. “Good evening ladies I will see you soon,” she says over her shoulder as the doors close behind her.

“Now... it’s time you tell me where you have been all this time,” Valencia sits down in a cushy chair in front of a fireplace motioning towards the empty one across from her.

My shoulders slump shamefully as I make my way over to her, I sit down, crossing and uncrossing my legs nervously. “I went into hibernation,” I finally answer.

Her eyes widen, ”ah.... I should have known.” She relaxed in her chair, “you loved your father dearly.” There was a lost look in her eyes as she looked towards the fire. It's flame reflecting in her golden iris, “As did I.”

My father hid their love for one another for far longer than he should of. He was terrified of my reaction, that I might feel betrayed that he had replaced my mother. But she died when I was so young, and he was forced to be strong while his heart was breaking. And even as I became an adult, he still kept things from me. Some part of me thought that losing my mother had instilled a behavior in him that desperately tried to shield me from everything he thought might cause me harm. When I was a teenager, I hated it, but as I grew older I began to understand. With the state of the world, and the rapid disappearance of humanity and all its morals he had to do what he needed to in order to keep me safe.

When he and Valencia finally opened up about their relationship, which had already been going on for years (and I was already pretty aware). His grip eased, he began to see me for the women I was, and no longer saw me as a child clinging to him all those nights I had cried for the loss of my mother. Valencia gave him a new strength he had been drained of years ago, and kept him going when he wanted to give up. I believe that my mother would have been happy to know he had ended up with someone so strong. Someone who loved me as if I was her own, even though I wasn’t.

“Valencia I’ve made a terrible mistake... what has happened to Novus-”

She put a hand up to stop me, “You are still human Raven.”

“Yes but I left everybody-”

“Raven,” she says firmly. “You are just one human. People may put you one this pedestal and call you our founder but you are still just a human. You lost your father. Someone you had loved dearly for one thousand years. What kind of person would not understand that you mourned him for so long?” There were tears in her voice, that reminded me that she was still mourning him too.

“I am so happy to see you’re okay,” I say sincerely.

“Likewise sweetheart,” she smiles.

“I’m sorry I left you... I know you miss him too,” I say and I watch her face fall.

She doesn’t say anything, she struggles to find her smile again for a minute and then inhales deeply. “I do,” she begins but stops quickly when she almost starts to cry. She exhales and tries to speak again, “But the state of Novus Raven I-”

“I know... that’s why I’m here. I have to save Novus,” I say with conviction. My posture and the smile on my face are filled with a confidence that I’m not sure I actually possess.

She smiles at me lovingly, “If anyone can. It will be you.” She stands up from her seat and opens her arms out towards me. I stand and hug her tightly enjoying every second of finally being in her presence once again. “Let’s get you cleaned up and get you ready for that party?” she quickly resumed her position as the primary parental figure in my life.

I roll my eyes and laugh, “alright mom.”

The guard outside of Valencia’s room led me to a quiet far end of the palace, he hands me off to two attendant maidens who lead me into a room with a steaming bath. They take off my jacket and begin to remove my clothing, I instinctively move away from them.

“I think I can handle it from here!” I say quickly and nervously.

They both giggle at each other like school girls, “Yes founder.” They bow and then turn to leave the room, speaking to one another lowly as they close the door behind them.

I look around the room and spot and elegant red dress handing from a divider blocking the bathtub from the doorway. There is a note written in lovely script:

I thought this was your style.

-Serena

The plunging neckline caused me to gulp. “You mean your style,” I say under my breath. The dress was beautiful but it was a bit more revealing that my self-confidence would have liked. But a part of me felt it would be rude to not wear it for at least tonight. I begin to strip, the elegant bathtub taunting me and beckoning me to climb in and I couldn’t fight it anymore. I climb the marble steps on the side, and carefully place a toe in the water, and discover the water is perfectly tempted. I slide into the tub with ease and immediately feel my every muscle relax in its warmth.

Now I see why Anhur wants to hold onto this place.

Oh shit.

That’s right, I hadn’t given his proposition much thought.

May I offer some advice pilot?

Of course,Omni.

I think Anhur may have been on to something when he spoke of the people craving stability.

You think so?

If the test was meant to find a worthy monarch and we hold an election to reinstate the counsel. I think it could be quite beneficial. Assuming the counsel still possessed the ability to dethrone a monarch that was no longer fit to rule.

But that was one of the things the board had fought me on so harshly...

Yes. And with good reason. But there are still good people in Novus. People who would make an extraordinary ruler and deserve more than five years. Despite your uninformed first opinion of Anhur he seems to be quite worthy of his station.

There she goes, shaming me again.

The decision is ultimately yours, Raven.

I was taken aback by the use of my name, my real name, for the first time from Omni. She had called me pilot since the first time she spoke to me. Maybe she was waiting for me to find my way back to who I really was.

Omni?

Yes Raven?

You’re pretty smart.

Yes Raven, I know.

I smiled at her response, and sunk further into the bath, submerging myself almost completely. I tried to not think for the time being. Because I didn’t really know when I was going to get a chance like this again.

I inhaled deeply as I looked at my reflection, “Yeesh.”

I needed a sweater and FAST.

“I have been looking all over this massive place for you! And here you are enjoying a luxurious-” Kenai bursted through the bathroom door and his jaw dropped. “Oh my... you look..., “ he flew around me to take in the dress at every angle. “You were hiding all those curves under all those ugly clothes girl DAMN!”

“Kenai,” I blush and cross my arms over my chest.

“What?” his voice goes up an octave. “You look fucking amazing! With a body like that you could have any man in this entire palace!”

“Kenai!”

“What!” he puts his hands on his hips and hovers in front of my face.

We stare each other down for a while but I crack under the pressure and look away. “Learn to take a compliment princess,” he laughs.

“Thank you but... the dress was not my choice,” I roll my eyes.

“Well thank whoever it was,” he quips back. “Didn’t even compliment my outfit!” he twirls in the air. He’s in lovely pale blue suit that has elegant flowers embroidered all over. It looks as if he had designed it himself, fitting his extravagant personality perfectly.

“Wow,” I smile. “You look quite dashing Kenai,” I compliment him with a British accent.

He flips hair that he doesn’t have and adopts the same accent, “Why thank you.”

I take another look in the mirror, “I have got to fix this.”

“Use your witchy powers to fix it then,” he says as he admires himself in the mirror.

“Oh! Right!” I stand in front of the mirror and watch black lace crawl up the gapping neckline of the dress, leaving a little bit more to the imagination.

Kenai looks over at me, “Hmm... not bad. You may wanna do something about your hair though. Anhur invited everyone to welcome you.”

“What?”

“Oh yeah. Ozzy has already almost tried to kill three people. It’s going well,” he laughs as he adjusts his lip gloss.

“Shit.” I looked at my reflection again, I had always been horrible at all this girl stuff and had no idea what kind of hair would be appropriate for something like this.

Where was Valencia when I needed her? She was good at this stuff.

I run my fingers through my hair and it shifts to a jet black, Valencia reminded me I had inherited my hair from my mother. And that was something I didn’t want to let go. The unkempt braids on either side of my head were undone and transformed into loose cascading curls reaching down to my lower back. It was an improvement but it didn’t seem like it was enough to accompany this dress. I tuck my hair up on the side of my head and materialize rose in my hand at the same time, which I pin place. “There,” I say as I smooth out my dress and extend the lace down towards my waistline. “How do I look?” I ask Kenai.

“Ugh. I wish I could do that,” Kenai whines in response.

I roll my eyes and wait for an actual response.

“You look beautiful,” he smiles at me lovingly. “You’ll knock Oz right off of his feet,” he winks.

“Why would I...” I blush deeply.

“Oh please. You could cut the sexual tension between you two with a butter knife,” he almost snorts.

“We should go,” I say quickly and turn away from him.

“Uh huh,” he teases.

“Oh my god. I have to walk down that staircase, don’t I?” There was a large staircase directly throught the doorway in front of us. It was directly in the center of the ball room. If I remembered correctly it was unfortunately the only way to enter the room from this side of the palace. So I wasn’t going to be able to sneak inside.

Everyone was busy with their own conversations, but there were SO MANY people. I could feel the panic attack building in my chest and causing me to breathe more rapidly.

“Sure do,” Kenai answers as he adjusts his already perfect bowtie.

“Is there another way to the food? All I want is the food...,” I reply as I rub my empty stomach. “I could probably just go invisible or something...,” I begin to plot a plan to avoid any sort of attention.

Kenai scoffs, “Get over yourself. You’re the founder! Get used to the attention sister!” He retreats and then flies into my back with all of his strength, in an attempt to move me forward. Shortly after he appears near my shoulder again, “Okay that didn’t go as well as I thought it would.” He adjusts his hair and his suit and then snaps his fingers, “Let’s get a move on!”

I look at the large cluster of the most noble members of Nescius and all I want to do is flee in the opposite direction. “I can’t,” I attempt to turn around.

“Hey!” Kenai throws an absurd amount of glitter into my face. “Let’s go!”

I cough and try to wipe away the glitter that is now on my face, but the herpes of arts and crafts is not going anywhere. “I don’t wanna!” I whine and stomp my foot.

“Go!” he points towards the crowded room like a strict parent.

I look at him with sad eyes, but all he does is cross his arms in response. After realizing he isn’t going to budge, I give up and head toward the staircase of doom. I attempt to reach the stairs quickly but I am stopped by a plump little man with the appearance of a mouse grabbing my arm. “Just one moment founder. I need to introduce you,” he says politely. He releases my arm and stands at the top of the center of the staircase.

“Oh that won’t be-”

I am cut off by the harsh sound of trumpets on either side of the staircase, the guards lining the room all stomp in unison before the mouse man begins to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen! It is with great pride that I present you with our guest of honor, the last witch and the founder of Novus. Raven Moon!”

In an instant every head in the room turns in my direction and begins to applaud, Anhur stands from his throne with an enormous smile on his face. “At last!” he begins as he claps loudly. “She has decided to grace us with her presence,” the crowd laughs in response to their king.

My feet would have remained frozen in place if I hadn’t spotted the little girl I had saved earlier sitting by the queen. She was dressed in a fluffy pink dress, and it was so wonderful to see her cleaned and smiling at last. Instinctively I began to walk down the stairs too quickly, I listen as the guest snickers at my demeanor.

I plan to push my way through the crowd but Ozzy meets me at the end of the staircase with his usual smirk on his face. He is dressed in a black suit, with a black undershirt, and black tie with a golden lion in the center. It looks as if his suit has been tailored to fit him because it clings to his muscles perfectly. His usual tosseled black hair is slicked back making the horns on his head even more prominent. “Raven?” he offers me a hand to assist me down the stair. “What about this Eileithyia girl I met a few days ago?”

“Oh... that must have been Valenicia,” I accept his hand as I take the last step down to the floor. “When I came back... I didn’t remember anything. But she reminded me of the name my mother had given me. Along with the hair,” I pick up one of my curls briefly.

“It’s good... it’s good to have you back,” he grins. “Wait! Valencia?” his eyes widen. “She’s here? She’s alright?”

“Yes. Healing and helping as always,” I smile at him as I look around the room for her.

“I would expect nothing less,” he laughs. “You look beautiful,” he blushes slightly as he says the words.

I blush in return, “Thank you.” I go to open my mouth but I don’t really know what else to say, I’m frozen in my awkwardness as usual.

Luckily, Arachne interrupts us as she saunters over in a strapless, sleek, black dress. Her hair is down and her chest is on display and nearly impossible to keep your eyes off of.

She looks absolutely stunning.

“Look at you beautiful beautiful people!” she slurs as she stumbles toward us.

Okay, so she’s drunk.

“Holy fuck you look fucking sexy!” she says as she nearly falls into me. “You know... I’ve been known to swing both ways,” she moves closely to my face assaulting me with the scent of alcohol on her breath. “So you just let me know sister,” she winks as she jabs a finger at my face.

“Oh man,” is all I manage to say as I move away from her slightly. “Glad to see you’re having a good time at the palace,” I laugh.

“This place is fucking GREAT!” she thrusts her arms in the air as she dissapears into the crowd.

“That girl is something else,” I shake my head and laugh again.

“Yeah... something like that,” Ozzy replies with a chuckle. “The king would like to see you dear founder,” he offers me an elbow with a mocking tone.

“And you are my escort?” I tease as I wrap my arm around his.

“Lucky you,” he winks at me.

I laugh softly and let him lead us through the crowd.

It felt so comfortable being so close to him, and a part of me was yearning for the love we once shared. But... now wasn’t the time for distractions, and I knew that he understood that.

We reach Anhur and he turns quickly away from his current conversation, “Raven!” He clasps his hands together and smiles at me warmly, “You look lovely.”

I bow at him slightly, “You’re majesty.”

“Lovely to see you have joined us Raven,” Bastet interject with the usual warm smile on her face. I could see Valencia mingling with nobles not far from the queens side.

“I see you’ve altered my gift,” Serena says rudely. Her eyes look me up and down and she purses her powty lips.

I look down at myself, “Yes it uh... wasn’t really my style.”

Serena narrows her eyes at me, and the queen grins even more prominently in response. Their distate for one another was more public than ever, and I wondered why Anhur chose to surrond himself with such conflict.

Anhur laughs to cut the tension, “You’re a natural the nobles are all fauning over your latest design.”

I looked around me to see those around me nodding and smiling at me in approval. “That’s sweet of you to say,” I reply.

Finally, I turn my attention quickly to the pink haired little girl at the queen's side. “And I hope you have been treated well?” I ask as I lean down towards her.

She smiles at me shyly and shakes her head as she steps into view.

The queen looks at her, “She is an absolute angel. Nothing like my children.” She looks towards the two lion cubs that seem to be in the midst of an intense slapping fight. She laughs and shakes her head, but her smile is full of love.

“Children! “ Anhur’s voice is loud and demanding. “Behave!”

They both stand up straight immediately and speak in unison, “yes father.”

The little girl steps down from the queen's side and moves closer to me, smiling up at me as she does.

“You didn’t think I forgot about you, did you?” I joke.

She smiles at me and shakes her head from side to side, clutching the half-moon necklace around her neck.

“The palace has been revitalized with a new sense of hope with the return of the games,” Anhur speaks louder than necessary so those around him can hear. “I must thank you,” he says to me. The nobles look to me and nod in approval, beaming smiles on all of their faces.

“No need,” I put a hand up in modesty. “No one should have ever put a stop to them in the first place.”

He laughs, “something we can finally agree on.”

The queen smiled at our exchange, her gaze moving from me and then to her husband, her aura radiating with love as she admired him. I began to realize that maybe I had judged this all to quickly, maybe there was something I had missed about Anhur. It became more evident with each interaction with the lion king of Nescius.

My eyes fell on Serena, who sat with a frown on her face, staring off into the crowd while she toyed with her blonde hair. There was something about her that caused my stomach to turn, and made it nearly impossible to feel at ease. Her aura casting a dark cloud over even the most pleasant enviorments.

“Raven watch out!”’ I hear Ozzy’s voice say quickly.

“What?” I turned to look behind me. The crowd had parted, nobles diving out of the way of blade that was heading directly towards me. I hear screams from the crowd and make eye contact with yet another cloaked individual trying to end my life.

”Save the founder!” I hear a man scream.

The little girls standing by my hip moves in front of me switly, and the blade turns into lilies and falls to the floor in front of us.

I stood there with my mouth open in shock, the cloaked being in the center of the room being tackled to the floor by guards immediately. But not before he screamed the familiar, “down with the founder! Down with the witch!”

I look down at the little girl who was smiling up at me, “you’re a witch?” I posed this as a question but it didn’t require an answer.

She doesn’t nod her head or anything, just wraps her arms around my legs and clings to me.

“Holy shit,” Ozzy and I say in unison.