What Lies Beyond?

"Venus," he turns to her, dull gray eyes looking straight into her own, "How the hell did this happen?"
"Don't look at me," she raises both her hands in defense. "I liked the guy. This is on you."
"Well, it's not like we actually did anything."
"We killed his daughter."
"Oh," he turns back to look out the window. "Right."

Venus hasn't left her kingdom since before she can remember. Not since the war. Not since everything. But when her beloved brother, Ivan, goes missing, it is up to her and his not-so-beloved best friend to get him back.

As James and Venus embark on their journey, they have no idea what lies in store for them. There is a reason they have been shaded from the outside world for so long. What dangers will they face?
What lies beyond?

probs 14+
cw : cursing, violence, manipulation

first thing I've written in a rly long time so bear with me while i try to figure this out.