I practically ran down the hallway towards what I hoped was my room; the hallways were long and winding, and disturbingly identical, but I felt like I was on the right track. Finally, I landed in front of his door. I stared at it intently, wondering what to do. Should I ask him to come with me? Should I ask him to stay? Do I have any right to ask him to do anything? I inhaled deeply. I didn’t know what to do, but I had to do something. Preferably the right thing.

I lifted an arm to knock, my knuckles hovering over the wooden door.

And hovered.

My wrist trembled. What would I say?

Knock, knock, knock.

My knuckles gently tapped the door in front of me. Was he even there? I turned away, shaking my head. This was stupid, I should just go on with my day.

The door opened as I began to lean towards my own.

“Oh, hey,” said Tom. He eyed my position at my door, my fingers poised on my own door handle. “You… wanna come in?”

I brushed imaginary dirt from my clothes. “Yes.”

He opened the door for me, allowing me to step through.

Looking inside, his room was identical to mine. It was a little odd, as I expected to see it how I had left it. Instead, he had haphazardly left the bed unmade, objects he’d fiddled with were strewn everywhere. How on earth had he managed to make such a mess already? We’d been here barely twenty-four hours.

“What’s this about?” Tom said, closing the door behind us.

“I just wanted to talk to you. How are things?”

He laughed. “Weird,” he said. He mussed the back of his hair, scratching his head. “I feel uncomfortable here. I don’t belong. What’s a Rogue Hunter doing hanging out in the demon King’s castle?”

I didn’t have an answer for him.

“You’ve fulfilled your promise to me,” I said. “You can do whatever you like, whether that’s stay, or go.”

“The Princess of Hell inviting her demon Hunter friend to stay,” he said, smiling. “How ironic.”

“Stop being stupid,” I said, slapping his arm automatically.

He just laughed in response, swatting my hand away playfully. It was a familiar dance between us, now. Even though we’d only known each other for days, after all we had been through together it felt much longer, like we were the best of friends.

“So, what are you going to do?” I asked, the lightness of our conversation lifting, replaced with a serious tone.

“I don’t really know,” he said truthfully, settling onto the bed, the mattress creaking as he did so. “I guess go back to the Guild. My family’s there. Although whatever Sage is doing here, I have no idea. I’ll have to talk to him too.”

“Yeah,” I said, unsure of what to add. He definitely needed to talk to Sage, as Sage had some explaining to do. I didn’t feel like that detail about their relationship should come from me, so I kept silent.

He didn’t respond, instead just staring down at the bed, a sad look on his face.

“You should do whatever you feel is right,” I said. The words, though I felt them to be true, also felt foreign and strange in my mouth. I didn’t usually talk to him this way. We were never serious about anything, instead always favoring joking, teasing, and insults. I thought about how I’d miss him when he left. Would he miss me, too? I coughed, the swirling thoughts in my head painful and dangerous. I’d never connected with someone so quickly and so well with anyone before, especially with how little time we’d spent together.

He nodded at my statement, still staring down. It looked as if he were far away, deep within his thoughts. Just as I was.

“That pensive face is a strange look for you,” I joked. “I’m going back to see, uh, Queen Selissa, soon. You’re welcome to come.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Going back home?” he asked. The question held more meaning within it than the words he actually spoke. I ignored his unspoken, bigger question. I didn’t know the answer to it just yet.

“Sort of. Getting closure, more like.” I rolled my eyes. “And taking Matthias back to meet Selissa.” Though the prince had been nothing but pleasant and courteous to me, he was a little awkward and rather annoying. I didn’t relish the thought of traveling extensively with him.

“Ah,” he said. “That’s important.” He sighed. “If I decide to come with you, I’ll be there when you leave. When is that?” He looked up at me, his face return to his normal, goofy expression,

“Tomorrow morning. Uh, we’ll be in the throne room, I guess,” I said, shrugging. Hazuzu hadn’t actually said where we would meet, but it was the best bet.

“Okay, then. If I decide I’m going with, I’ll see you there,” he nodded as he spoke.

“Alright,” I said. “Take care, Tom.”

I turned away to leave, not satisfied with how the conversation ended, but unable to voice any other of my thoughts. I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what I needed to say. Our friendship had a time limit, I knew that, and I suppose unless he came with me tomorrow, this was the end of it. It was exactly as we’d agreed; to part ways once we’d fulfilled our mutual interests.

I left his room in silence, not daring to look back. I had work to do, still, and a small timeline to do it in.

~

“Do you think he’ll show?” asked Matthias, his words echoing throughout the cold and empty throne room.

The morning breeze filtered through the windows, belying the warm toned landscape beyond. I shivered. Glancing around, we were still the only people in the room. It was only me, Matthias, and the guards that waited to escort us back to the human realm.

I shrugged my shoulders. “It would be alright if he doesn’t,” I said. An outright lie.

Matthias watched me curiously. I tucked my arms in tighter, holding myself in, withdrawing from the conversation. I turned my head away, and despite myself, scanned the room once more. I had told him we were leaving in the morning. If he was going to show up, he would be here by now.

“I suppose we must go,” I said finally. “We’ve waited long enough.”

He had done what he had set out to do when I’d freed him from the dungeon, which felt like an entire lifetime ago. I too had held up my end our deal. I had spent all night writing that letter, shoved it under his door early this morning. How does a demon princess properly advocate for the reinstatement of a Demon Hunter? I had conveniently left that part out, of course, though it had made it rather difficult to step around without lying. I had written and rewritten that stupid letter a thousand times, wasting so much ink and parchment. As a result, I had no sleep. I had so many bags under my eyes, they were more like suitcases. I yawned.

The throne room, cold in its marble expanse, lit up with flames suddenly, the torches all lit at once. Hazuzu entered the room, an entire posse in tow, the source of the sudden light. He sat on his throne, ready to address us.

“Greetings,” he said, much more serious than he had been in our private meeting the previous morning. He settled into his throne, ever the threatening monarch. His black visage and blacker eyes bored into each and every one of us in the room. “It is time we arrange for your travels.”

Everyone stiffened up, standing at attention. Hazuzu just commanded that sort of respect from his subjects, myself included, for I found my posture straightening subconsciously.

“If we are all here,” he said, eyes roaming until they rested on mine, “then we can proceed.”

I gave a tiny, almost imperceptible nod.

“I will open a portal for you near the outskirts of the city. It’s a little rude to spit you out directly in the middle of Selissa’s throne room, uninvited and unannounced.” He turned his attention to me. “Princess Callisto, you will be accompanied by this band of guards.” He gestured towards the trio of demons carrying various weapons. They looked fierce. “They will ensure that you reach the castle.”

I looked around at the demons surrounding me. They each gave me a reassuring nod, gripping their weapons tighter. They seemed capable. And this journey back should be much easier than the journey here.

“Once you’ve reached the city limits, do not tarry, do not stop. Danger still lurks. The followers of Zaavi have been much more proactive lately.” He glanced at me again. “It is of the utmost importance that both the Prince and the Princess are delivered safely to Selissa’s castle. Understand?”

The guards nodded, determined expressions on their faces.

“Prince Matthias,” Hazuzu said, addressing the human prince with a polished professionalism.

“Your highness,” he said, bowing respectfully.

“It’s been a pleasure raising you. I hope you bring my regards to Queen Selissa and that the alliance between our Kingdoms continues with your rule as well. Safe travels home.”

Matthias bowed his head in acknowledgement.

“Now that pleasantries are taken care of, let’s get this show on the road, then,” Hazuzu said, clapping his massive hands together. The sound echoed across the silent throne room. He stood, just like he had when he’d summoned Old Sage, closing his eyes, and breathing steadily. For a moment, nothing happened.

The pinpoint of light focused a few feet away from Hazuzu, directly in front of us and our guards. It grew, and grew and grew, until it was large enough for a tall person to walk through, and three people could pass side by side. The light was so bright, I had to squint my eyes to stare at it.

“Go with peace,” said Hazuzu.

Tentatively, I followed the guards, and we all stepped through the portal that Hazuzu had made.