Mido urged Lily across the fields of Librona as the sun made its ascent higher and higher into the blue sky, but when they arrived at their favorite spot by the river, Calliope was nowhere to be seen. There was no sign of her presence; not even a footprint on the banking. He started to worry and scanned the rolling hills. He nudged Lily with his heel and they moved on, galloping towards the forest. He couldn't imagine she had gone far on foot, but he had no idea fully of what her magic allowed her to do. She could have been invisible for all he knew.

Rider and steed reached the treeline, slowing as the forest thickened around them. He prayed she didn't venture far. He had never been deeper than Scarletta's castle, just outside of the border, but he had a feeling Calliope headed there. He pointed Lily in that direction. They trotted through the forest, Mido on full alert, aware of every movement and sound around them. They travelled in eerie silence; only Lily's hooves could be heard amongst the dead lives and the crackling of broken twigs.

They trotted across the stream that cut through the trees. The distant thunder of the waterfall filled the air. He let Lilly stop at the bank and the mare dipped her nose in the cool water that was once stained with his blood almost a year ago. He looked into the trees; the ruins weren't much further. He tapped Lily on the side once more and the mare brought her head up and continued their journey through the forest. The trees thinned as they made their way to the clearing where the witch's castle once stood. Amongst the rubble, Calliope stood quietly. Mido dismounted and made his way to her side.

“Calliope.”

“What happened?” she muttered, not turning to him. “This war is all my doing.”

Mido took her hand in his. “No, it's not,” he said quietly.

“Is Lucas all right?” she asked, the young prince on her mind.

Mido nodded. “Yes.”

Calliope sighed, relieved to know that he was safe. “And Ian?”

Mido hadn't seen his friend since he left Asmar with Calliope. He was sure that Ian was still fighting Asmar's soldiers, holding them off to ensure their escape.

“He's fine,” Mido said quietly, thinking of his comrades who risked their lives for them. He saw William and Jon once more in the midst of battle and winced.

“I think I'd like to try that ale thing again,” she muttered. She peeked at Mido but he was silent.

“What's wrong?” she asked, sensing something was amiss. She watched as Mido shook his head. “Please tell me,” she whispered. “You know I'll find out.”

“William is dead,” he said, his voice wavering.

Calliope felt her heart stop and caught her breath.

“What do you mean?” she asked, stuttering. “He wasn't supposed to be a part of this.”

Mido sighed. “Well, they were.” He pinched the bridge of his nose as he always did. Calliope's heart ached for the young man. She leaned into Mido; his breathing felt shallow.

“I'm sorry,” she said, forcing the words past the lump in her throat. She swallowed hard, but the lump remained, painful as ever.

Mido shook his head. “It's my fault.”

“Don't say that. I know you. You would have done anything to protect him.”

He shook his head again. “I did nothing. I couldn't do anything.”

Calliope said nothing. She turned her attention to the rubble.

“You should go back,” she whispered.

“I can't.”

She turned back to him. “You have responsibilities to your king.”

Mido hesitated. “Calli,” he began. “King Sloan can't protect you in his kingdom any more.”

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Her heart stopped. “What do you mean?”

“You murdered their king.”

Calliope felt her eyes well. She turned away. “I know, Mido.”

“Calli, what the hell happened?” He looked at her hard.

“He killed his own mother,” she said, sobbing. She felt her knees grow weak again and she leaned into Mido's chest. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek against her head.

“I know.”

“I don't know what happened,” she muttered. “My magic. It felt so good to use it.” She hesitated. “He murdered her, Mido. I couldn't let him get away with that. I don't know what came over me.”

“I know,” he repeated. He pushed her away, his hands hard on her shoulders, and looked in her eyes. “But his kingdom will not see it that way.”

Calliope tired to swallow the lump in her throat. “I murdered him. I murdered an innocent life. I'm a killer. I'm no better than Scarletta.” She let the tears fall from her eyes quietly, her heart breaking in her chest.

“We can't stay here anymore,” he whispered to her, holding her close to him. “Asmar will come looking for you, and they will destroy anyone in their way until they find you.”

“King Sloan doesn't want me around anymore, does he?”

Mido shook his head. “If he could protect you, he would,” Mido assured her. “But there's no way he can protect you and his kingdom.”

Calliope nodded, accepting her fate. “I have to leave, don't I?” She felt the sick feeling return to her stomach. Just when she found a life for herself, she was back where she started; alone and defeated. How could anyone live such a life? Her heart ached for the kingdom and what she put them through.

“I will come with you,” Mido said.

Calliope shook her head. “You can't. Mido, you belong here. This is your home.”

“This isn't my home anymore.”

“Mido, you're a knight. You cannot abandon your kingdom like that. They need you. I'm a witch; I'll be fine on my own.”

Mido looked at his feet and said nothing.

“What aren't you telling me, Mido?” she asked, suspicious. She knew him too well now; he couldn't hide anything from her.

Mido sighed and looked into the forest. Lily waited close by, picking at the leaves on a nearby tree and crunching it happily between her teeth. “I left.”

“You left? What do you mean you left?”

“I betrayed my kingdom. I betrayed my king.”

“Mido, what are you saying?”

Mido turned and met her gaze. “I told King Sloan I was going with you. He said I was a knight and my duties were to protect my kingdom, and to do otherwise would be a betrayal. So I gave him my sword. And he banished me.”

Calliope felt the color drain from her face. “Why would you do that?” she whispered, horrified.

“Because,” he said, forcing a small, crooked smile. “Some things are more important. Dying for my kingdom would mean nothing if you weren't in it.”

“Mido, you're being ridiculous,” Calliope stuttered. “How could you be so stupid? Did you even think about the consequences?”

Mido put a finger against her lips. “I did,” he said. “And I could not bear the thought of never seeing you again. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing I'm not there to protect you. I would rather die knowing you're safe. I wouldn't survive in this war without you, Calliope.” He hesitated and let his hand cradle her face. “You're a strong, brave, stubborn little witch,” he said with a half smile. “And I'm afraid I've fallen pathetically in love with you.”

“Oh,” she said quietly. Her heart fluttered in her chest. She felt anxious; a combination of excitement and happiness, fear and uncertainty, all at the same time.

Mido watched as the breeze played with her hair. Her golden eyes sparkled in the sunlight. His chest ached as if his heart were reaching for her. He took her chin in his hands and pulled her towards him. He pressed his lips against hers, warm and soft. He held her face in his hands as her lips moved against his. He pulled away, captivated by those golden eyes.

“I thought I failed you when I saw you on that stake,” Mido said, searching her eyes. He tried to push the images out of his head. “I can't live without you, Calli. Don't ever do that to me again.”

Calliope smiled. “I'll try not to.”

Mido brushed her hair out of her face. “I love you, Calliope,” he whispered, pressing his lips against hers once more. Their heads swam and their hearts beat, perfectly synchronized, in their chests. It was as if all their troubles had melted away. It was just her and Mido, and she wished the moment never had to end.

“I love you, Mido,” she whispered, pressing her lips harder against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing close to his chest. She felt safe in his arms. She felt relieved that he would be with here, but also angry that he sacrificed his life in Librona for her.

“You still shouldn't have done that,” she muttered, pulling away.

Mido smiled. “There's nothing you can do about it now. What's done is done, so you might as well let me go with you.”

Calliope hesitated, the reality of their situation flooding her mind once more. “It... I... We can't just leave them like this. I can't leave them to fight to their deaths.”

“King Sloan is right; they have a better chance as long as you're not in the kingdom. Asmar wants you, not Librona. We can help them by getting as far away as possible.”

Calliope's stomach churned. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving her home. But, it wasn't her home anymore. Nor was it ever. She, a witch, would never truly have a home, anywhere.

“I can't stay anywhere,” she said quietly. “I have to be on the run for the rest of my life. I won't be safe anywhere. I have nowhere to call home.” She felt the tears well up once more at this realization.

Mido shrugged. “At least we can be homeless together,” he said in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Better than nothing, right?”

Calliope met his gaze and felt comfort and assurance in his eyes. She nodded slowly and took in a deep breath.