It was fun dancing with Oren, the man from the archery competition and I am certainly grateful that my old school insisted that all us girls took ballroom dancing classes. He is about my height, with a pleasant face and a foppish, blonde fringe.

The poor guy has lost his sister again. To lose her once may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose her twice looks like carelessness. I smile to myself at the misquote.

Once we get to Darish, his eyes flick behind me and an odd smile quirks on his face. That is all the warning I get before being pulled rather unceremoniously away from Oren.

"Unhand her," Zane practically growls and pushes me behind his bulky body.

Oren bristles and in an imperious tone queries, "What concern is the lady to you?"

"Yes Zane, I would also like to know what she means to you," demands a red-haired lady who suddenly enters the fray.

I have no idea what is going on.

"Elissa is my ward."

I try to defuse the situation, but Zane ignores me and continues his staring daggers at Oren. "Are you using her to get back at me?"

"No!" Oren responds going red in the face. "What kind of man do you take me for?"

"Elissa is an innocent. If you hurt her, you will severely regret it." Zane's face promises retribution.

I have never seen him so angry apart from the time with the elf. Alarmed at the level of aggression, I elbow Darish and whisper, "Can't you do anything?"

Darish merely sips his drink and raises one eyebrow, relaying without words that this is all far too entertaining.

"I can assure you that my intentions are honourable." Oren puffs his chest and takes a step closer to Zane, who is a head taller than him. "More than I can say of your actions toward Rowan and Laurel."

Zane scoffs, "Rowan was far from innocent. Whatever she may have said, I did not seduce her. Indeed I rejected her advances." He turns away from Oren and faces the redhead woman with a remorseful expression. "Laurel, I know that I am not the man you deserve, but I hope that I never deceived you."

Laurel gives Zane a wistful smile and then takes Oren's hands in hers. "Brother, I love you, but stop trying to protect me. I am a grown woman. We both know how Rowan can be. She was just being spiteful for not getting her own way. Perhaps her time in the High King's court will improve her nature."

Then Laurel threads her arm through Zane's and whisks him off onto the dance floor. I am left with Oren trying to process what just went on.

Oren clears his throat. "I most sincerely apologise for that uncouth display. I may have done your guardian a disservice. I do hope that you will visit the Emerald Isle. I would be delighted to show you a little of my island."

"Are you sure it won't be too much trouble?"

Oren recovers his gentlemanly persona. "If a man cannot spare time for a beautiful lady, then all is not well with the realm."

I laugh. "Shame you have to contend with me then."

Oren smiles and kisses my hand. "I shall look forward to our next meeting. But for now, regrettably, I have duties to attend to."

"What a nice man," I remark to Darish as Oren walks off.

"Lord Oren? I believe you have an admirer there."

"No, he is just being hospitable." My brain suddenly catches up with what Darish said. "Wait, did you say Lord Oren?"

......

Blue lakes glisten like liquid gems beneath us, as we bid farewell to the Sapphire Isle. When we sail right over the edge and the ground falls away to reveal nothing but swirling mists of clouds far below, my stomach lurches, even though I know that I am perfectly safe on Roth.

With steady wing beats the dragon carries us away and a speck in the distance slowly grows into a lush, green island. Still it takes several hours before we reach it. With more confidence now, I jump down and land lightly.

Two figures come to greet us. Laurel throws herself into Zane's arms as if she hasn't seen him ages, when it has only been a few days. Oren approaches with more decorum.

"Welcome Elissa, it heartens me to see you again. Perhaps you would like to go riding with me and my sister during your stay?" With a sweeping gesture he indicates the others, but strangely does not take his eyes away from me. "Of course, your guardians are welcome to join us."

My face lights up. "Thank you, Lord Oren. I would love to." Then a niggling doubt causes my smile to dim and I add, "It has been several years, sorry, solars since I last rode."

"Please do not concern yourself. I will equip you with an agreeable mount. And please do call me Oren."

Looking to either side, I seek input from my companions. Zane shrugs in a way to say that he is in, while Darish gives a look, as if to say that he has no intention of being the fifth member to our party.

"We have to work in the mornings, but the afternoons are free."

"Excellent. Shall we say tomorrow afternoon?" Oren suggests and at my nod gives a little bow. "I will leave you to get settled. Come on, Laurel."

Laurel reluctantly peels herself away from Zane and we go inside the inn. When I am shown to my room I think that there may be some mistake, normally I have a small room or one in the attic, but this room is huge with a four poster bed and a bow window overlooking the square.

"Are you sure this is the right room?" I ask my guide.

"Yes, madam. His lordship specifically requested it for you."

I am not sure how to take this favouritism.

....

Two horses thunder off, Zane's chasing Laurel's, and disappear amongst the trees. Meanwhile my mount, a placid, ageing gelding, stops to munch on greenery. Oren waits patiently, more so than his stallion, who stamps his foot indignantly.

"Were you worried that I might fall off?" I tease him for playing it overly safe with his choice of horse for me.

Jumping down, I take the horse's head in my hands and make eye contact. I feel a connection form and a spark of something between us. "Now, I believe there is plenty of life left in you. Let's show them what you are made of."

I remount and spur him into action. The horse shakes the cobwebs from his mane and springs forward into a canter, causing me to laugh with joy. Looking over my shoulder, I see Oren just sat there, staring with his mouth slightly ajar. He pulls himself together and sets off in pursuit of me.

Faces flushed and heartbeats raised, we finally stop at a folly on the top of a hill. Refreshments have been laid out.

We wait for a while for Zane and Laurel, but when my stomach audibly grumbles, Oren laughs and bids that we sit down to eat. I lose track of time. The food is delicious, the company engaging and the verdant views are stunning.

Oren glances up at the sun and says, "We really should return."

We remount and return to the Manor where Oren lives. Zane is stood awaiting us with his arms folded and his normally amiable face marred with a frown.

"Where have you been?"

I take umbrage at his tone and respond, "At the folly, like we agreed."

"Alone with Oren?"

I place my hands on my hips and give him a Paddington Bear stare. "Well you tell me Zane, where was my chaperone?"

At least Zane has the grace to look embarrassed and breaks eye contact.

Oren ignores Zane and says, "Elissa, if you would care to go riding again tomorrow, there is something I think that you would be most interested in seeing."

"Only if Darish accompanies you." Zane insists.

.....

The ancient oaks thin out, revealing a ring of tall, slender trees, their silvery bark shimmering in the sunlight. Electric blue blossoms are visible high up in the branches.

"They are the sacred trees." Oren explains in an awed voice. "The priestesses from the Amethyst Isle come to collect the bark that has been shed. It has tremendous healing properties. But if the bark is cut then it will become contaminated by the tree's poisonous sap."

I slip down from my horse entranced by the sound of high female voices, mixed with something like a trilling nightingale and mellow basses reminiscent of the hum of bumblebees. "What beautiful singing."

Darish cocks his head. "I have keen hearing, yet I cannot hear any singing."

Drawn, I move towards the trees and am vaguely aware of Oren saying something about not entering the circle, but his voice sounds like it is coming from underwater. As I step across the threshold into the circle, the blue flowers whirl up into the air. I realise that they are butterflies and that it is their voices that I can hear.

Enveloped in their song, I close my eyes as they dance in the air around me and land on my outspread arms. While I cannot understand the words, the meaning is clear 'welcome my child'.

The feeling of elation reminds me of the unicorn. Then it's word and the quest to uncover the Light of Elysium flood back. With everything that has been happening, I had forgotten all about it.

The butterflies return to the silver trees and I return to the others. Oren is pale and shaking, while Darish is looking at me in a curious fashion. "Oren, are you feeling unwell?"

Wordlessly, Darish passes Oren an engraved silver hip flask and with a shaking hand Oren takes a fortifying gulp of the liquor.

"Did you know those butterflies are the most venomous creatures in all Elysium?" Darish comments conversationally.

......