Athena clicked her boots on the ground. Her white dress with gold embroidery shining with the light carried from the windows. Her brown covering turned golden under the dim sunlight. Dust flew airborne by her boots. The library smelled of roses and time, like an engraved memory in her head.

  She flows past the arrays of books, heading towards the double doors to leave. She’d been there for hours, and lost track of time, and completely forgot that there was a meeting for all the kings and queens of the kingdoms. Athena bolted out to where her carriage was, Orion was already there. His messy black hair covered his eyes partly, but his gaze widened as he saw her. His armor was dull and had lost its shine, yet it still was tightly strapped on. His blade was kept in its case as he helped her in.

  “Athena!’Ancients, where have you been?!” He exclaimed.

  “Book, library, lost track of time!It's all a blur, now come on we need to go,” She hopped into the carriage and he followed her in.

  The carriage began to bump along the uneven floor of gravel beneath its wheels. Athena stared out the window, the snow had left and fresh dew painted the grass.

  Orion glanced at her while she stared out the window. The way the ends of her night-black hair curled, the way her cold eyes warmed when she looked at him, her gloved white hands folded in her lap. He cleared his throat and looked away.

  Athena turned slightly, but he was already looking away. She laughed silently to herself, a faint smile for just a flicker crossing her face.

  Then, the carriage hauled to a stop, causing Athena to jerk forward. Orion opened the door, grabbing her hand and helping her out. She took the hand, and planted her boots into the gravel that surrounded the palace of Kimmentia.

  She began to walk forward, as she tried to retrieve her hand from Orion’s.

  Orion looked down, trying to act like a faint blush wasn’t appearing on his face. Athena smiled to herself from it. She continued to walk in, greeted by the palace guards at the doors. Athena walked in, seeing Laurel walking towards her.

  “Your majesty, pleasure to have you back.” She smiled.

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  Athena nodded. “Likewise.”

  They continued to walk on, eventually reaching the room. Ozzie was at the corner of the room, Marlynn beside him. Athena walked over to the seats, before sitting silently in a chair. Orion dipped his head and walked out of the room.

  Athena breathed in, and exhaled. Then, Laurel smiled.

  “Shall we begin?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “Marlynn, anything to report?” Laurel turned to him.

  He smiled behind his thick, red beard. “No, no BloodRots in sight.” He dipped his head to Athena.

  Laurel grinned. “Ozzie?”

  His eyes softened. “No, nothing.” He dipped his head to Athena.

  “I have seen nothing. Not one BloodRot.” Laurel smiled warmly at Athena.

  Athena smiled as she fiddled with the loose string of her dress. “No. They’re truly gone..”

  “Well done, Athena. You and Fylakes Glysínis have done an excellent job.” Laurel praised her.

  Athena dipped her head. “Thank you, your highness.”

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  Athena exited the palace, Orion following her. A rain cloud had enveloped the sky, Athena started a conversation.

  “Interesting, it seems to always rain when we come here.” She looked up at the sky.

  Orion nearly choked his own words. “Yeah, weird huh?”

  Athena stopped. “You seem..Different..?”

  Orion stopped as well, a smirk crossing his face.

  “In a good, or bad way?”

  Athena turned, facing him. “ I don’t know yet.”

  He laughed slightly, continuing to walk on. Her gaze lingered on him, like a puzzle in need of solving. She gave up, and just smiled as she tried to catch up.

  Athena reached him, before jokingly pushing him slightly. He scoffed before elbowing her. She gripped her elbow, laughing.

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  The night had made the edge of Athena’s curtains curl. The sharp, warmer winds brushed past Athena’s pale skin. She tossed and turned, lost in a horrid nightmare.

  The same creature she found in the fields, was in her dream. Laughing at her, mocking her. Reminding her of everything that was her fault. Ochi’s death, Andrias’s death. All because of her.

  Athena jolted herself awake, screaming. Sweat dripped in crystal beads down her face, her eyes widened with fear. The word felt like poison on her tongue as she’d given the treacherous creatures a name.

  Nightmares.