All Darkness Dies in Light

We all are lost stars just trying to light up the night

         I did not miss the outskirts by any means. The further we traveled out, the more I hated my homelands. I watched as the beauty disappeared behind me, becoming a soon to be memory and nothing more. It was replaced with shambled houses, thieves, and crime.

Caspian was so kind as to grant us two carriages for the journey back. He was not there when we left. Good. I did not want to see him again.

I traveled alone with Tayla. She was a bundle of energy the whole way home. I watched as she bounced in her seat, eagerly looking out the window as the scenery passed us by. I had to ask her to sit down a number of times but my lecture was very half-hearted. I wanted her to enjoy these last few moments of freedom and innocence. I knew that 'home' would rip that away from her.

The tavern was full of patrons when we arrived. Tayla and I walked in after Enna and the others. Enna stomping through the doorway, shrieking as she paced to the back. Jemma followed after her, not nearly as obvious in her anger, seeming more annoyed with her puckered lips. Greyson went straight to the bar, drinking for the neck of the bottle. Callie followed him as she always did, the little lost puppy.

Upon our first arrival, we were greeted with a round of cheers and applause. But that very quickly died out when the customers saw there was little cause for a celebration.

Loren and Hanne were there. Seeing them brought waves of joy through me. I had missed them more than I could have predicted.

Tayla yelled her mother's name, releasing my hand to run into Hanne's arms. Hanne, in turn, cradled her against her bosom. Tears fell, disappearing into Tayla's pretty curled locks. The look of love and relief of Hanne's face... it hurt. My heart ached for her. To love something so much and have it taken from you, even for a moment, must have been unbearable.

"All hail the Princess." Loren smirked at me as I got closer. Greyson had sulked off to who knows where with his bottle of who knows what with his pet at his heels. Loren produced a drink from behind the bar, offering it to me. I downed it in one go. Pink in color with an oily texture and a little umbrella. It smelled like lime and tasted of pepper. I gagged. "I wasn't done with that drink yet."

I pushed the empty glass back at him. "It's certainly missing a few things."

Loren rolled his eyes, pulling out more bottles as he began mixing.

"You seem different." He commented.

"It must be that relaxing vacation I just took. Who knew sleeping in a proper bed would have so many benefits?"

Loren chuckled. "You were gone longer than expected. I heard rumors from the birds-" I never knew what birds brought Loren his secrets but I knew better than to ask. "that Greyson nearly beat the Dark Prince."

"He is High King now, not just a Dark Prince." Why did I say that? "And your birds were right. Greyson won the second contest."

Loren dropped the bottle. I was quick to grab it, mopping up the little mess that had formed. Loren was staring at me.

"Greyson?" He asked incredulously. "Enna's Greyson? Your half-brother? He nearly bested a prince with more training?"

"Don't give him all the credit," I rolled my eyes. "It was my spell; my magic."

I trusted Loren. I always did. He was the one person that I might call a friend. Hanne was a close second.

"Since when do you do magic?" Loren asked.