Lost, Then Home: The Third Book in the A Tale of Two Sisters Series

Part Two: Witch Hunt

Reagan turned away from her childhood home, starting to walk to Sherwood Forest with the others. Before she even realized, she fell into step alongside Aaron, who was looking at the girl out of the corner of his eye. There was something about her that pulled him in, and it wasn't the fact that she was royalty, or that she was The Savior as he had heard. No, there was something alluring about her that he couldn't figure out.

When Reagan looked up at him, he quickly looked away, acting as if he hadn't been watching her. "Were you watching me?"

"No. But if I was, it was to make sure that you were safe—but that's only because you are a princess," he said quickly. "I wouldn't want you getting hurt and your mother coming after me and—"

Reagan giggled, noticing how nervous the boy was getting, "You don't have to act serious around me because of who I am. I hate it when people do."

"I apologize, then," Aaron replied quickly.

"It's alright," Reagan looked at where his quiver was, finding another case under it. " . . . You play guitar?"

Aaron quickly looked at her, "I do! Are you a music person?"

"No, I mean, I appreciate it and enjoy listening to it, but I'm not a musician. My sister was—is."

"Oh that's right, Princess Serenity. Where is she?"

Reagan went quiet, "She's lost to us. She's not dead just . . . In another realm."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

Aaron felt horrible asking about the younger princess, so he was quick to change the subject, 

"What's your thing?"

"My thing?"
"Your hobby."

Reagan grinned, "Reading."

"Ah, a bookworm," Aaron smiled. "I always know I'm in good company when I meet one. What's your favorite book?"

"Her Handsome Hero for sure, but there's a few in The Land Without Magic that are contenders, and some here too. What about you?"

"Oh, um . . ." Aaron looked around quickly, glad that there was no one in total ear shot "I can't read."

"What?" Reagan said quietly. "You mean—"

"I mean I can read simple things, like signs and stuff, but I never really learned."

"Well then, when you come with us to our palace, I have to teach you."

Aaron nervously chuckled, "That's not necessary."

"Of course it is! A person must know how to read—not only to function, but to learn so much more and to be their own person."

"I've gone sixteen years just fine without."

"Well, I've gone fifteen years with it improving my life in some of my darkest moments. You don't have to be a bookworm like me, but you should learn."

"Then maybe I can teach you guitar?"

"Sure!"

"Incoming!"

Aaron and Reagan turned around at the sound of Neal's voice to see a flying monkey flying towards the group. Reagan quickly drew her sword, taking Aaron aback, not noticing she had a sheath at her hip. The monkey pushed Neal out of its path and flew towards a little boy with dark hair who was standing in front of Regina.

"Papa!" the boy yelled.

"Roland!" Aaron and Robin yelled, running to him.

Regina quickly picked the boy up and put him behind her before turning to the monkey, "Not so fast." She shot out her hand before transforming the monkey into a stuffed animal. She picked it up off the ground before turning around, finding Robin Hood holding the little boy. She smiled gently at Roland, "See, not so scary. Now you have a new toy."