"I can't do this," Sorreal complained to Dawn and Farron. They stood in a corridor next to the guard's cafeteria.
Dawn had sent the triplets and Eve to Elena. They were to come back with Radella and Alek when the coast was clear. Charley on the other hand was sent to assist her aunt. This left Dawn and Farron to coach Sorreal. Dawn was the strongest out of all of them and could control things with her minds. But when it came to objects that breath, she was too overpowered. She could make illusions and communicate telepathically but other than that she had a reputation of permanently damaging the brain. If she controlled someone's mind, they were enslaved to her forever.
This is where Sorreal came in, she wasn't overpowered. She was the gentle side of Dawn's power. She wasn't strong in her mind to do the thing's Dawn could but then again she probably didn't have the same powers as Dawn. Each witch has their own set of unique powers set aside from their common features.
It just so happens, Dawn had many similar powers and one unique power that awed everyone. She barely used it unless needed. Yet it was legendary.
Farron encouraged Sorreal, "Yes you can. You're not wiping their memory you are just simply altering it."
Sorreal shook her head, "What if I mess up?"
Dawn rolled her eyes from where she leaned against the wall picking her nails, "Then you alter them again till you get it right." She said in a flat tone of boredom. Dawn cared and adored Sorreal, like all of her coven members, but showing what she felt was never a strong suit. Sorreal, unfortunately was still learning Dawn's cold language and tough love. Such a delicate soul.
Farron whipped her head to Dawn, "Could you be somewhat encouraging for once? I know you don't have a heart but can you at least pretend to have one."
Dawn rolled her eyes again pushing herself off of the wall walking towards them, "Look Sorreal, we wouldn't have asked you to do this if you weren't ready. In truth, everyone in this coven is indispensable. You are the only one who can do this, and you are ready."
"Put some more pressure on this girl why don't you?" Farron sighed squeezing the bridge of her nose.
But Sorreal nodded in agreement with Dawn, "I just don't want to fail."
"Failing is a part of learning," Dawn said crossing her arms and popping out her hip, "If you don't fall every once in awhile you'll never know where you stand. It makes you stronger in the end."
Sorreal nodded before turning to the door creaking it open to see all the guards eating lunch and talking amongst each other. Oblivious to the three witches that stood outside. Oblivious to Sorreal. The witchling took a deep breath and started to concentrate. Before she could begin, Dawn placed a hand on Sorreal's shoulder.
"But I'd prefer it if you didn't fail this time." Dawn said with a small smile, "No pressure."
Farron sighed again before she started to coach Sorreal. In the moment Sorreal started to focus, slipping into everyone's mind all at once, everything was still. As if she had also slowed down time. Dawn looked over her shoulder watching a bird flying outside of the window across the hall. Dawn could see every muscle, every feather, every movement of the wind move to make the bird soar into the air. Dawn could do this natural when she focused on an object but she didn't have to. Sorreal slowed time around them. When the witchling was finished altering everyone's memories except for their own she collapsed.
Dawn and Farron were quick to catch the witchling before she hit the ground. They were both in awe of Sorreal who was now unconscious.
"She never ceases to amaze me," Dawn said to herself gathering Sorreal in her arms.
Farron check her pulse on her wrist, "She's fine. She'll need a couple of days rest though." Farron considered for a moment, "Maybe a week for what she did."
Dawn placed a hand underneath the back of Sorreal's knees before picking her up. "I'll tell the triplets it's clear."
While they walked back to Dawn's room she notified them. Once they made it to the room Dawn placed Sorreal on the bed. Farron went to stand by the window.
"We are really going through with this?" Dawn's second ask.
Dawn turned to her cousin, "Why wouldn't we?"
Farron was silent. She opened her mouth than shut it.
"Our land is rotting," Dawn started to say, "It's been rotting. And the mortals have kept pushing us back further to the edge of the continent."
"Then why are we going against your aunt?"
"Because," Dawn said firmly, "She wants us to die off with the land. She doesn't care about us. If I have the chance to move our people to better lands then siding with this Heir is worth it."
Farron shook her head, "No, I understand that but it just doesn't make sense to me."
"You understand but you don't?" Dawn asked tilting your head. "What do you not understand?"
Farron thought for a moment gathering her thoughts, "It just seems that every group is being oppressed. So then who is the oppressor?"
Dawn was about to counter but then she didn't have an answer. Farron found a flaw. But, Dawn didn't want to admit it.
"Right now," she said walking to Farron, "It's  my aunt. But in reality I don't know what we are up against."
" I fear it's something larger than we are anticipating." Farron said looking out the window, "Especially if it has been hidden from us for all these years."
"We'll figure it out."

***

Forks clanking and awkward silence made Dawn want to run as she sat across from the King of Terragon, alone. His protector standing by the door watching Dawn carefully. Farron was ordered to stand outside. With their memories altered, he had forgotten what Dawn had said. Something inside of her wanted to scream to him, the other part of her knew it was foolish to do so.
She had been invited to eat dinner with the King moments after Farron expressed her concern. The triplets should be arriving soon with Radella and Alek.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation," The king said uncomfortably sitting up straighter.
Dawn moved the food on her plate around, "Oh no, my majesty it's an honor."
She forced a smile. She hadn't seen her aunt at all today and it's starting to worry her. Hopefully, Charley enlightens Dawn on her agenda.
"You must be thrilled but frightened about your new title," he said raising his goblet of wine to his lips.
Dawn kept her eyes on her food, "More shocked than anything else."
The king put his goblet down, "Do you not want it?"
"I have a throne awaiting me back home," Dawn was honest and to the point.
The king shifted his seat glancing over his shoulder to lock eyes with his guardian shifter, "Is that so? My wife made it clear that you were suited for a position in leadership."
"Leadership of that to my people," her tongue was sharp, "Not to others."
He took another wary glance back before saying, "Your aunt said nothing of this. You are technically the next in line to succeed me since I have no heirs."
"You do," she said almost to quickly. The King blinked wide-eyed at her, "I mean you did."
The king glanced down in his plate in despair, "Radella would've been around your age if she was still alive."
She is alive.
Dawn had to fight the urge to blurt out everything she knew, "I'm a little more over a couple of centuries old sir."
His eyes flickered up from his plate to her, "Sorry. I forget."
Dawn smiled, "You don't have to apologize. It's easy to be deceived when someone's age is masked with eternal youth, like myself. Immortals have learned that a number simply doesn't matter, but rather the maturity of a person determines their actual age."
The king huffed a laugh, "I guess I'm pretty mature if your aunt is with me."
"Or she is immature herself."
The king choked on his food while his protector chocked on a laugh. Dawn smirked to herself in triumph of her snarky comment. Perhaps, there was still a small little child in her too.
"Harsh words," he said recomposing himself, "You two are close?"
"Close as two strangers on the street," she said with a small smile, "My aunt has been gone for sometime. Though people say distance makes the heart grow fonder, well I simply don't have one."
Radella's father nodded. Those red highlights streaking his dark hair burning in the sunlight. People were foolish to not see that undeniable trait on her elvan friend. Her hair, the marker of her true identity. Dawn caught a glimpse of those hazel eyes speckled with embers of fire before she speared her platter. His eyes and Radella's were the same. The only difference was the way they carried themselves.
Though the King was a king, he carried himself as one of his people. He didn't carry entitlement but loathed it. Perhaps, they were the same in the way both desired to be ordianary. But Radella hid in the shadows while he basked in the light.
"My wife has only expressed her love towards you," the king tried to protect his queen.
Checkmate.
"Her performance is spectacular," Dawn said leaning back in her chair keeping her eyes down. Let it begin, she sent to everyone near and far. "Behind doors, she is someone different, entirely."
Dawn made herself vulnerable— seem vulnerable. She made it visible as she gripped the napkin in her hands tightly. Her knuckles white. Her moon white hair fall in front of her face like a curtain, as if she were a child hiding.
The room grew silent. The king place his utensils on the table cautiously as if a bear were across the table. She could feel the king and his shifter communicate to each other through their bond. Debating. Pondering if they should call it a night, or venture deeper into the water.
"Dawn," the king's tone was gentle but stern, "As your uncle and predecessor, I want you to feel safe. I'll listen if you need me too."
Dawn kept her gaze on her hands as a smile crept on her face. He took the bait. She covered her face with a hand as she let her eyes flood with tears.
"My aunt," her voice wavered, "she is a trickster, a clever decieving witch."
The king leaned forward, "What do you mean?"
"She has deceived many, including me and you."
Dawn spilled it all. All the skeletons in her aunts closet.