—--

As preparations were underway for their departure the following morning, Clandestine quickly pulled Esme aside from the rest of the group, her touch gentle but urgent.

"I may not know the true reason that brought you here," she said in a low voice, "but it's clear things didn't unfold the way you planned. Judging from the condition I found you all in yesterday, it's quite obvious something went wrong. For your safety, steer clear of the main road for now. The palace has reduced its patrols in the green area. Guards are reluctant to venture too far because of the increasing sightings of demon wolves. Since the sun is already out, you and your friends can take that route. It's safe during this time of the day."

Esme inhaled slowly, steadying herself as the weight of the previous day settled over her. The memory of her confrontation in the palace stirred within her all over again, and now that she was back to her senses, she realized she had spoken rudely to the Queen of Illyria.

She remembered Emily's scornful gaze, and the shame Emily had tried to cast on her.

She had stood her ground, and she knew Emily would not soon forget the humiliation that came with it.

That, however, was Emily's burden to carry. She had earned that response with her deception, and Esme did not regret speaking up for herself.

She refused to feel any remorse. They had lured her here under false pretenses, but she wouldn't be made a fool of again. The girl who once bent under pressure was gone. In her place stood someone determined to protect those she loved– someone forging a stronger spine with every trial. She would not falter. Certainly not now.

Esme offered a soft, appreciative smile and dipped her head in gratitude. "We'll do our best to steer clear of the main road," she assured her. "Thank you, truly, for your generosity. You've opened your home to us without hesitation, and we're deeply grateful. Please… give Uncle Irwin my wishes. I pray he wakes up soon.

The last word felt hollow as she spoke them. Deep down, she knew the likelihood of Irwin regaining consciousness was slim– his condition was far too grave, and since it was a curse, there wasn't anything she could do to stop it. Still, she clung to the little hope that a miracle might happen. Irwin was a quiet fighter, and she couldn't bring herself to give up on him just yet. No matter how little it was.

Her thoughts wandered, and she remembered the conversation she had with Donovan last night. That quiet, vulnerable moment lingered heavily in her mind, and she wondered if he had already told Leonardo about what she had confided in him last night.

She hated how often she seemed to lean on Donovan, how her burdens always found their way back to him time and again… and yet, she couldn't deny the comfort she felt when he came. His presence, no matter how brief, always left her steadier than before.

Shaking off the weight of her thoughts, she turned her attention to the task at hand. She resumed helping Revana into the carriage, even when Revana had refused and insisted she was capable of riding a horse now. Esme didn't want to risk it, since her wounds were still there and could open up again if let's Revana use one of the horses to return. Anyone else would be very pleased with this type of treatment, but Revana was a different species.

Just as she closed the carriage door after helping Revana, a sharp caw split the air, making her freeze in place.

Instinctively, not just her, but everyone else's eyes snapped upward.

"Kangee?" Her pupils dilated.

The raven was busy circling overhead like a dark omen, then it descended swiftly, its wings slicing through the air in sharp, deliberate strokes.

Esme barely had time to react before the bird landed squarely on her shoulder. It let out another loud caw, so close it made Esme flinch and nearly deafened her.

"Let's not make this a spectacle," it drawled, eyes narrowing as they locked on Esme. The look it gave was full of feigned indifference– though the pleased glint in its eyes betrayed it. "My presence here is strictly temporary. Master sent me to escort you all back to the borders."

"Don?" Esme's voice caught in surprise. "How did he—?"

"He paid a visit to the Damned last night," Kangee interrupted, its tone lofty. "Checked on the boys, gave me orders. I was this close to a glorious nap and a plum tart, mind you. But no, here I am, reduced to a glorified chaperone. I should be getting paid for this!!"

"No one summoned your ugly feathers here," Revana muttered, leaning against the open window of her carriage. She didn't spare the bird a glance and simply stared ahead as Atticus made the carriage move past them so they could all leave.

Kangee's feathers ruffled with offense, and it let out a sharp, indignant caw while flapping its wings. "How dare you ! You clearly don't recognize the privilege of basking in my AWESOMENESS!!"

Revana rolled her eyes, whilst Esme stifled a laugh. Her hand reached out, and she offered a fond pat to the top of its head. Of course, Kangee let her do it. "We're all glad you're here and safe as well, Kangee. Even Revana– she just doesn't want to say it." She whispered, but Revana still heard it.

"That's a talking raven?" Clandestine finally found her voice after several moments of stunned silence. She had stood frozen, watching in sheer disbelief as Esme casually conversed with the sleek bird perched on her shoulder.

She recognized the raven, and realized she had seen it accompany Donovan countless times, but never in her wildest thought had she imagined it was capable of speech. Her brows furrowed with curiosity as she leaned forward to ask. "Is it magic? How is it even possible for a creature like that to mimic human language so perfectly?"

The raven tilted its head, eyes glinting with an almost mischievous intelligence. "I've been told I'm one of a kind," Kangee answered. "But all animals can talk. They know they can. Listening to you higher animals speak everyday contributed."

Clandestine blinked, her lips parting in awe.

"We'll be taking our leave now," she said softly, noting Clandestine's lingering amazement.

With a graceful bow of her head, she stepped aside as Kangee spread its wings and soared into the sky, its feathers catching the light. Without another word, Esme climbed into the waiting carriage, the door shifting behind her with quiet finality. Atticus and the rest also waved her goodbye before moving ahead to return to the North. Esme let her arm out, and Kangee dived down back.

"Scout the safest route beyond the borders, we don't have to follow the main road," she instructed. Kangee tilted its head, as though it was absorbing every syllable, then with a beat of its wings, it soared back into the clouds, disappearing into the vast stretch of the sky.

A pang of longing tugged at Esme's heartstrings, and she wished she had time to visit the boys as well, to reassure herself that they were truly safe. But Donovan had already seen them, and that alone gave her peace. If he had seen them, then it means they were doing fine and hopefully, focusing more on their studies.

"What's the plan after we return," Revana asked, her tone all business.

Esme's gaze sharpened, and her spine straightened with purpose. "We're heading to the shores of Mariana," she said, the decision weighing heavy yet necessary. "There's something there, and if Donovan feels we can get a lead as to what we can do to stop Ultima from there, then it's a must. We have to be fully aware of what we're up against, and who else can tell us better if It's not the ones who turned not just Ultima, but his Don's father into what they became."

Revana gave a tight nod, folding her arms across her chest. "It's a realm we've never stepped foot in, and they're teeming with mages. They've been in alliance with the Illyria kingdom for a while now, and getting into their land won't be so easy. From the map we saw, the shore is right outside the mainland, so that can't be considered trespassing, right?"

Esme exhaled, her thoughts clouded for a moment. Revana was right. She had seen it too when she saw Donovan working on the map. Trespassing or not, Mariana held answers, and they had to confront it, along with the hopes that the ones who aided Ultima were still alive.

—--

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Lennox had returned.

His eyes narrowed the moment Emily, trembled and tear-streaked, began recounting the events that unfolded during his absence. Each word spilled like a blade across his temper.

"Esme… did what?" he asked, his voice chillingly calm as his face darkened, shadows overtaking his expression.