Thankful that they weren't giving her a hard time,she was at least escorted. Once she arrived at his little setup, Veronica found herself lost for words.

"Oh my..! You certainly went well out of your way to go all out. This is all so beautiful."

brightened her day.

She spent nearly all morning and afternoon fussing over her looks. In the end, she simply wore a lavender gown with her hair down in a few curls.

Making her way to his palace, she introduced herself to the guards, announcing she was expected.

+

"There's more truth in those words than you know.."

Veronica held his hand tightly in her own, "Thank you for agreeing to my request. Are you sure my request won't have any conflict with your usual schedule?"

Her crystal baby blues were fragments away from breaking into tears.

"Let me know when you are well enough for the date night and I will cast the spell on you so that you remain safe."

"I found you drunk as a sailor last night. I figured it would be safer for you to sleep in my guest room than pass out on the streets."

"Wh-what do you want with me, knight? Can't a woman enjoy a drink in peace around here?"

She was so zoned out that she didn't even realize that someone sat beside her.

Opening her wings wide, she jumped into the sky and flew as far as her wings could take her.

She traveled for three nights straight, never once closing her eyes before seeing another piece of land with signs of life thriving. Maybe there..she could find someone to help her. . .

Walking around, she realized that she was in some old abandoned temple before making her way outside. The humidity was thick enough to feel like a weight on her chest. Well, she wasn't going to get any help by just standing there.

+

Veronica quickly stood up and tried reaching out to the statues, only to be blasted backwards. Hidden wards around them gave an eerie gold glow before hiding under the sand once more.

She slowly stood up, looking between her girls. There wasn't much she could do. So, she regrettably had to leave.

Before Veronica could say a word, red portals appeared under her and her daughters. In a matter of seconds, her world went black. She soon woke with warm sand under her back. Slowly turning, she sat up and saw both of her daughters at either side of her, frozen in stone on their knees -reaching out.