Stephen wanted some time to himself to clear his head. After waiting a few minutes after Kate left, he left his room in search of a place to relax. Since he didn't know the castle well, he asked a passing maid if she knew of any places. Turns out, the castle had a garden that wasn't used much anymore.

The garden was located a short walk from the castle, out the back and down a winding brick pathway. Twisting trees with soft orange petals and ashy marbled bark lined a wide cobblestone patio. Perfectly trimmed grass stretched around the space, dotted red flowers.

Under each tree was a stone bench. Stephen chose one and laid down to close his eyes. The cool breeze blew gently through the trees. Birds chirped blissfully as Stephen enjoyed the moment of peace.

Stephen reflected on all that had happened in the short time he'd been here. At first, Stephen was terrified to be in a strange land with no clues as to why it'd happened. When Stephen learned what the king wanted him to do, his imagination ran wild with the thought he'd be playing the hero in whatevver world he was dragged into. But now, it seemed as if he was just a normal person. Sebastian said his magic was sealed, or perhaps it didn't exist in the first place.

That brought up another point. If Stephen believed the king's words, that meant his parents were magicians in this world. A wizard and witch for parents, why hadn't they told him? Why did they leave this world? There were so many questions, Stephen was worried he'd never find the answers.

Stephen’s stomach twisted, the faces of his parents flashed into his mind and he felt tears rise. Stephen was never one to get homesick, but he wanted to go home.

“What’s the matter, child?”

Stephen’s eyes snapped open and sat up. In front of him was a woman with long black hair, braided and interwoven with daisies. Her eyes were a brilliant sea-blue, her face calm and sincere. She was smiling.

Stephen rubbed his eyes, embarrassed someone had spotted him like this, “It’s nothing, just getting some fresh air.”

“You can’t fool me,” The woman said, taking a seat next to Stephen.

There was an air of familiarity around the woman. Her presence was inviting. The woman looked peaceful, collected, as she looked over the garden.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” The woman motioned towards the orange-petalled tree, “Those were his gift to me when we married. They’re called Morning Wishes.”

Stephen's face was blank for a moment before he replied, “You’re the Queen?”

There was twinkle in the woman’s eyes as she stared at the trees fondly.

“Yes, I was. We used to sit here every morning. Sometimes, we promised to stay until it set. He was surprisingly romantic, back then.”

“But not anymore?”

The queen looked up at the castle. The afternoon sun glistened over the red tile rooftop, showering the whole place with light, “No, not for a long time after our first daughter was born. The kingdom was on the brink of war. The air in the castle grew heavier every day. Eventually, the stress got to him. Elbrick comes from a long line and they’ve always been at odds with the Moddicks.”

A melancholy look crossed the queen’s face, “I can’t do anything for him anymore. But you,” The queen turned to Stephen, “I believe you might be the answer.”

For a moment, Stephen felt something stir in himself, but he shook his head, “No, I just want to go home.”

The queen nodded, “I understand, you had a life back there. Emily’s always been careful about family matters, she was the one who demanded they leave."

The queen laughed, it was genuine and musical, "Honestly, I'm surprised she didn’t destroy the letter, but then again,” the queen smiled, “she’s always had foresight.”

“You’re telling me she planned this?”

“Maybe not,” The queen replied thoughtfully, “But you’re here now. The question now is what are you going to do?”

Stephen’s eyes watered, “What do you expect? I’m just a kid, all I wanted in life was to keep playing games, go to college, live peacefully. Now, my life’s been ripped away and I’m stuck here!”

The queen raised her hand, almost reaching to hold Stephen, but she stopped. She closed her eyes and the wind picked up, a faint glow spread from the queen’s body and Stephen felt warmth creep up his body.

“You’re scared, lost, I understand. You don’t belong here, even Emily knew that before you were born. You may feel powerless now, but I sense potential within you.”

The queen opened her eyes. They shined like the sun, blue whisps flickered out the corners of her eyes, “Very soon, you’ll discover the king’s truth. There’s something wrong with the world, a deep scar runs through these walls, and a slumbering giant will walk the lands.”

The light disappeared, the queen’s eyes turned black and her body paled, “Walk around shadows, child. Death waits to strike around the corner. A mistake in judgment can be the end of you, take care.”

Stephen heard something snap in the bushes behind him, but when he turned there was nothing.

“What does that mean?” Stephen asked the queen, turning to look at her again, but she’d disappeared. The only thing left was a faint warmth in the air. Stephen shivered.

Everything just kept getting weird.