"What are you doing here?" she asked, stepping out of his embrace.

A teasing glint entered his eye. "That is what you wished to ask me? No 'How are you doing, Rovan?' or 'I missed you, Rovan?'"

Elara only raised a fine eyebrow, causing him to sighed. "Alright. I come with a warning, my love. They are looking for war."

"I suppose you have something in mind if you took the trouble to come all the way here."

"You say that as though it would pain me to meet you again."

That elicited a humourless laugh. "I know it does, Rovan. I've heard enough tales to know it is draining. You know as well as I that a message would have sufficed."

He shrugged. "Telepathy isn't half as good as getting to see you again."

"You still haven't answered my question. Do you have a plan in mind?"

"You're right. I must get going. I don't want war. I suppose you know what we need to do." She nodded. "It's best if no one else knows of your visit. Those who already know will keep quiet, but we can't afford any rumours. Especially not if the situation is as dire as you make it to be."

"You think I would lie about that?" the Demon King asked with a blend of mock hurt and incredulousness. "No," came the careful reply.

"Farewell," she said as the shadows started swirling around his well-built figure and just like that, he was gone again.

Theo, Dora, you can come back now. I'm alone, she said in their minds. It was something that came along with being a ruler; a useful skill to be employed in times of need. The doors slid open this time as the eerily similar figures strode in, coming to a stop an arm's length in front of her. It was Theodora who spoke first. "That was the Demon King, wasn't it?"

She didn't wait for an answer. Judging by the sad smile on her face, she knew, and anything she did, her twin did too. "What did he want?"

"I need you to deliver a message for me."

"You haven't answered me, but alright. I'll humour you. Where to and what?"

"Regnum Tenebris. A proposal for peace."

"Peace? Are you out of your mind? That sounds like the last thing the demons want, that's for sure."

"I don't normally agree with Dora, but doesn't it seem odd to you that he wouldn't send out ambassadors first if he wants peace that bad?"

"I understand both of you mean the best for our kingdom, but Rovan's hands are tied. The people will revolt against him if he does."

"Alright. Theo will stay here and assist you in my stead."

"El, I don't get it. Why must she be the one to go?"

"It's alright Theo. El trusts him. We trust her. I'll take my leave, Your Grace," she said, giving her brother a small smile before leaving for hostile lands.

"Let's go get some air Theo. The Voice knows we really need it." So it was that they found themselves in the gardens once more.

"So... you know the Demon King?" Theo asked, trying to clear the tension in the air. Besides, he needed to stop thinking about the possible danger his sister was in. She was just as good a fighter as he. She would be fine. He just had to believe it.

"I did. He was the only one that really mattered to me before The Ceremony."

"Gee," he muttered. "Never pegged you to be a rebel. I didn't think I would let a demon walk away that easily, but maybe that's why you're the queen." There was no jealousy in his eyes, nor was there any censure, but the implication hurt nonetheless.

"I don't want to talk about it."

It wasn't until she felt a hand on her shoulder that she realized Theo had been calling her.

"I'm sorry, El. I didn't mean it like that."

And yet it hurt, she wanted to say, but she let it go. There were only a few she would call friends, or even family. She didn't want to push them away on account of a few words. She gave him a watery smile.

"Really, El. I'm just worried. I should have trusted you though. Dora keeps saying so. She also says I must think before I say anything but—"

"It's alright Theo. I know you're worried. I am too. You both are the only family I have."

"I know," he sighed before looking up to meet her eyes. "So, what now?"

"Now, we wait."