In the days that followed, Victoria continued to heal. After her first visit with Lilly she met with King Naverion and Queen Jastyra of Eralia, who commended her bravery and strength of spirit, and returned the stone into her keeping. Nestled once more upon her breast, the stone flashed its crimson glow, and Victoria could feel its power return to her. It felt heavier than before, and she wondered if it was merely due to its absence over the last few days, or if it was the added burden of guilt for what had happened. Whatever the reason, she resolved to see her unwanted quest through to the end, not just to get home, but to rectify what had been done to Lilly; her friend would not suffer for nothing.

  Having been released from the infirmary, Victoria accompanied Jasper, Astrid, and Soren to the suite of rooms that had been appointed to them. Per the physician's orders, Victoria confined herself to their borrowed quarters, and for the first time since coming to this strange world, admiring the elegant beauty she once again woke to find herself surrounded by seemed to hold no interest for her. By that evening, she became restless.

  "I can't just sit around waiting for her to wake up," Victoria said as she stiffly paced the inner chamber of the small apartment. "I can't do nothing knowing that Assyria is out there restoring her own strength and preparing to come after us again. You know damn well she's not sitting on her ass just waiting to see what happens next." She raked her hands through her hair and continued pacing. "I have to get stronger. I have to be able to use this damn thing. She won't be able to save me again, it'll kill her. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if that happened."

  "Victoria, stop." Soren said gently as he came to stand before her, carefully cupping her bruised and abraded face. "Breathe. You will. But I heard the physician as clearly as you did, and if you overdo it trying to make up for what happened then you'll be back in the infirmary and of no use to anyone."

  "He's right, you know," Astrid said from her seat on one of the couches. Jasper nodded in agreement.

  Victoria released a defeated sigh. "I know. I just..."

  "I know." Soren kissed her forehead lightly, dropping his hands to Victoria's shoulders and steering her gently toward the sitting area. "But right now you need to rest."

  "I was asleep for three days, Soren, how much more rest do I need?" Victoria retorted as she dropped into the plush, velvet cushions of an overstuffed chair.

  "You have to give your body a chance to recover, Victoria," Jasper said, the fatherly tone in his voice evident. "If your body is physically too weak to wield the power you possess then Assyria will strike you down without a second thought and everything that's happened up to now will have been for nothing. In case you've forgotten, we too have a family that we would like to return home to."

  Victoria flushed with embarrassment at her own selfishness. She had forgotten. Jasper's wife, Lenore, and their youngest two children, Mayhew and Ayden, were miles and miles away, no doubt anxiously awaiting the return of their kin, who had been away only a day less than she had from her own family. "Forgive me, Jasper. I'm not thinking clearly. I'm sorry, you're right."

  "Good girl." Jasper nodded approvingly, then turned to Soren. "Go make her some of the tea the physician sent."

  So passed Victoria's first night out of the infirmary; holding her patience in check and choosing her words more carefully. Though she balked at the thought of more rest after three days of doing nothing but, her still-healing body forced her to cede defeat. After a light supper of strong broth and tea, she trudged her aching body to her bedchamber and slept.

  She slept late, and by the time she woke the others had already been awake for some time. Her joints were still stiff and she ached all over, but it was bearable. When finally she emerged from the bedchamber, she found that they were not alone. A man in robes of pale green and blue, with waist-length hair the color of moonlight and eyes to match sat among the others in the sitting area. His feet were bare, his face serene, and when Victoria entered the room he stood and turned toward her in a single graceful motion, bowing as she approached.

  "Eithel govannen, dilthen lór padad," he said as he straightened. "I am Ellisar Vafiel."

  "Hello." Victoria bobbed her head in acknowledgement. She noted that he called her by the same name as the physician Orrian Daphyras had used. Dream walker.

  "Ellisar was summoned from the healers' village," Jasper said. "He is here to aid in Madame Lillaine's recovery, and yours."

  "Please tell me you've got some magic potion that'll make Miss Lilly and me all better," Victoria said, almost sardonically.

  Ellisar chuckled lightly. "I'm afraid not child. My power lies in healing, yes, and I am the most skilled of my people, but I cannot perform miracles. I may possess the skills to expedite the process considerably, but healing of any kind takes time. Your companion, ancient and powerful though she may be, has weakened physically with age, and the power she used to protect you all took a hard toll on her."

  "Doesn't hurt to hope, right?" Victoria shrugged.

  Ellisar smiled down at her. "No, it does not hurt to hope." Reaching into the folds of his robes, he produced two leather pouches, extending them to Victoria one at a time. "Herbal tea. Drink this one in the mornings and afternoons, and this one before you sleep. Do this every day for five days."

  "I think I can manage that," Victoria replied. A familiar scent wafted from the second pouch, earthy and sweet. "This smells like the stuff Miss Lilly gave me on the boat."

  "You've a sharp nose, young lady. Indeed, 'twas the Lady Lillaine herself who taught me its formula many, many years ago," Ellisar said, and a fond smile spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his moon-pale eyes. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must tend to your companion."

  "Of course, and thank you," Victoria replied.

  Ellisar smiled again, according her another bow and stepping away, taking his leave.

  "Here, give me those," Astrid said once the healer had gone, gesturing to the pouches of tea herbs. "I'll get this going for you. I made sure the bottomless pit didn't eat all of the breakfast." She smiled, shooting a teasing glance at Soren, who cocked a half-smile and rolled his eyes. "You need to eat. Go on." She nodded to the small dining table where a silver dome-covered plate had been set aside, then turned on her heel and disappeared into the tiny kitchen.

  "Bloody hell, she sounds just like our mother," Soren chuckled.

  "I dare you to say that where she can hear you," Jasper snickered.

  "I'll keep the skin on my ass, thank you very much," Soren snorted.

  Jasper chortled, then turned to Victoria, still smiling. "You'd better do as she says. She's enough like her mother she's like to drag you to the table by your ear."

  Jasper's words triggered Victoria's memory of that first morning when Soren spooked her in the hallway. How Lenore had stormed up the stairs and grabbed him by the ear until she was satisfied enough that he'd done no harm. The memory made her smile wide, and she giggled to remember it.

  "Having seen that firsthand, I don't think I care to test her," Victoria said with a grin as she turned and went to the table.

  "Why don't you and Astrid take her out to the gardens today?" Jasper said to Soren. "The fresh air will do her good."

  "What do you say?" Soren asked Victoria.

  "Sure. Maybe I can work on my fire-conjuring too," she shrugged.

  "Victoria." Soren's tone had a subtle warning to it, not unlike his father's the night before.

  "I won't overdo it. Promise. You'll be right there to make sure that I don't. And if I do, then I guess Astrid can drag me back to my bed by my ear." Victoria glanced sidelong at Soren and flashed a cheeky grin.

  Soren laughed and shook his head. "Alright then. After you've eaten and had your tea we'll go out to the gardens."

* * *

  If Victoria had forgotten the awe with which she first regarded this world, having spent nearly three weeks immersed in its unnatural beauty, the royal gardens of Astheas rekindled it anew. Roughly two acres that stretched along the base of the towering cliffs, the grounds were lush and vibrant, home to an abundance of flora that grew wild and largely untamed. Gentian, aster and columbine, wild roses and lavender, and a plethora of others she had never seen or heard of grew in unchecked profusion. Slabs of white stone were set in the ground to show marked walkways, while unmarked walking paths branched off from those in all directions. Beneath the shade of ancient oak and willow trees were small clearings set about with benches, couches, and tables, fit for entertaining and leisure alike. Creeping ivy, trumpet vines, and blooming wisteria scaled the sheer face of the mountainside that bracketed the entire west side of the garden. At the far side, from the mountain's face, a tiny waterfall spilled over into a deep pool where rainbows danced in the glittering spray.

  "Wow," Victoria mused as she gazed upon the beautiful scene before her. "Just when I think I'm finally getting used to how beautiful everything is here, you bring me out here and it's like experiencing it for the first time all over again."

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  "It is quite lovely, isn't it?" Astrid said, sighing and smiling to herself. Then as if shaking off a stupor, she turned to Soren and Victoria. "Alright then, if you two are content to mosey about the flowers, then I'm content to leave you to it and take myself to the practice range. She pointed first at Soren, "Behave," then at Victoria, "Don't push yourself." She eyed them both as she turned and began walking away.

  "Yes, Mother," Soren teased.

  Astrid slowed just enough to turn and shoot her brother an irritated glare, then rolled her eyes and continued on her own way.

  "Something tells me that if you'd said that any other time and place she'd have whooped your ass without a second thought," Victoria said with a smirk.

  "Oh no doubt she'd have tried, and probably done a fair job of it too," Soren laughed. "Truth be told, I just wanted to see what she'd do with you watching." He smiled mischievously.

  Victoria snorted, shaking her head. "Your mother called it that first morning. You are a wicked brat."

  He smiled, shrugging nonchalantly. "She's my big sister, would anyone expect any less?" He took her hand and lead her out into the garden. "Come on, let's go mosey about the flowers."

  For a time they were content to stroll along the stone pathways, admiring the untamed beauty and enjoying the peace and quiet, simply enjoying each other's company. For the first time, they were truly alone; no watchful eyes, no immediate danger, and no dire sense of urgency to taint the serenely tranquil atmosphere. It was in this moment of calm that Victoria became acutely aware of their seclusion. Her fingers, still laced with Soren's, began to tingle, the butterflies rose in her stomach, and she felt a warm flush creep into her cheeks. She turned away from Soren, commenting on the flowers in the hopes that he wouldn't notice.

  Her now-sweating hand in his gave away her attempt to dissemble. He quirked a lop-sided smile at her averted face and directed them to a sitting area beneath one of the ancient willow trees. Its long, swaying vines providing a natural screen, shielding them from the world beyond. He turned her to face him, encircling her waist with one arm and gently cupping her face with his other hand. His jade-and-gold eyes, turned olive beneath the curtain of foliage, stared deeply into hers, and they could both feel their heartbeats quicken. The stone began to pulse dully.

  "I was afraid," Soren said quietly. "When...when you ran away from us, and after... None of us knew if you would pull through. I stayed with you, praying to whatever magic or gods or spirits would listen. I was afraid that you wouldn't wake up again, that you were lost to me forever." His thumb stroked her cheek gently, mindful of the bruises and abrasions that still marred her face.

  "I guess you prayed to the right things then," Victoria said, smiling shyly. She laid her head against his chest, breathing deeply before continuing. "It was you who brought me back from wherever I was. Everything was cold and dark, and I was numb and had no sense of myself. I thought I was dead, and I almost gave in to it. Then I heard your voice. I heard you calling to me, and then there was a light. It got brighter and brighter, and I saw your face in it, then I opened my eyes and there you were."

  Tears glistened in Soren's eyes as he planted a gentle, lingering kiss on top of her head. "I couldn't leave you. I was so afraid that you'd slip away if I did."

  "I'm glad you didn't." She tightened her arms around him, taking a shuddering breath as he held her closer. "I think I would've given up and let the darkness take me if you had."

  For several long moments they stood that way beneath the willow tree, embracing one another as if they were afraid to let go. Draped around Victoria's neck on its golden chain, the stone began to pulse more brightly, and the phantom flames sprang to life around them. Those strange, beautiful swirling wisps of golden-white fire that only they could see. Soren loosened his hold and pulled away just enough to tip Victoria's head up to meet his kiss, and the incorporeal flames grew in response. Growing brighter, more substantial, rising higher, and swirling faster around them as their kiss deepened, until they stood in the eye of a roaring maelstrom of golden-white fire. It wasn't long before their breathing became heavy, and the slightest sounds escaped their barely parted lips. Just as Victoria felt the heat of Soren's hand travelling slowly down her back, along the curve of her hip, a feeling of alarm and the faintest rustling of foliage tore her from their private moment.

She turned quickly, focusing on the source of the disturbance, and gasped. "Queen Jastyra!"

They released each other abruptly and Soren kneeled, Victoria curtsied to the best of her stiff and awkward abilities.

Queen Jastyra cleared her throat to suppress a chuckle at the scene she'd stumbled upon. "Forgive my intrusion. Please, stand," the Elf Queen said. Her voice was like warm honey, and a cunning smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I saw light coming from beneath this tree and came to investigate. I thought perhaps I'd find a disturbed fairy or pixie colony, I didn't realize I'd be...interrupting anything."

Soren and Victoria shuffled their feet and ducked their heads sheepishly, their cheeks burning bright red. "No, please, Your Majesty," Soren said. "Forgive us our impropriety."

The Queen smirked, casting a knowing look between the two of them. "All is forgiven. It is good, though, that that particular fire will not harm my gardens. Wouldn't you agree?"

Victoria's head snapped up at that, belatedly realizing what had first drawn the Queen's attention. "You can see it?"

Jastyra smiled, inclining her head. "I possess a Gift of Sight. I see many things that others do not. But right now that's not important." She waved her hand dismissively. "I had intended to find you later today, but since I've happened upon you now, I'd like to show you something." She turned, sweeping aside the willow branches.

Victoria hesitated only briefly, and Soren tried to keep his face expressionless as he struggled to decide whether or not he should follow her, but it was enough for the Queen to notice. Jastyra smiled kindly at them both, settling her gaze on Soren.

"You may accompany her, of course."

A look of relief washed over their faces as Soren laced his fingers with Victoria's and they exited the shelter of the willow together, following closely behind the Queen.

"I assume you've been informed that your adversary still lives?" Jastyra asked Victoria as she led them soundlessly along the stone path.

"Assyria. Yes, ma'am," Victoria said. "They told me yesterday. And they said she's enchanted the creatures around an island to protect herself."

"Yes," the Queen said. "Early this morning we received urgent news from the same village, along with reports from a few smaller settlements, that the beasts this Assyria has bewitched have entered the Nenocuil River, killing at will as they travel inland." Her lovely voice became tinged with sorrow. "Which means that these creatures have been spreading downriver for at least three days. Unusually large drák'enaal are stalking waters they normally wouldn't be found in. Attacking people who didn't even know to look for them."

"Oh my god," Victoria whispered. Soren squeezed her hand.

"When we first received the information that a woman had been spotted and strange things surrounded her appearance, we dispatched a small contingent of soldiers to investigate. More have since been sent to patrol and send word along the rivers to encourage as many as they can to stay away from moving water and to spread the warning."

They continued on for a short while in silence as Jastyra steered them along a path that lead toward the mountainside that enclosed the western length of the gardens. They emerged through an arch of trumpet vines into a semicircular clearing that bordered the tiny waterfall and its sparkling pool. Up close, Victoria could see what she'd previously overlooked when she and Soren first entered the gardens from the palace. A hidden pathway, lined with a simple railing artfully carved into the stone, curved up and around the back side of the waterfall. Thick bunches of drooping wisteria combined with the water's bright rainbow spray concealed the overhang that sheltered the path. The Queen brought them to the very wall of the mountain, stopping just before a broad, swaying cluster of wisteria vines.

"Come," the Queen beckoned as she stepped through the curtain of flowers into the shadowed recess of the hidden pathway.

It was much darker behind the dense veil of vines and flowers, but enough sunlight seeped through to see that the path widened considerably, sheltered beneath an eight-foot ceiling as it horseshoed behind the waterfall. While mysterious and beautiful, it also had that closed-in aspect that made Victoria shudder. Soren squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Um, Your Majesty," Victoria said shyly. "If you don't mind me asking, where are we going?" When the Queen didn't answer right away, she gave Soren a questioning look, but all he could do was shrug. He had no more idea than she did.

Jastyra led them to the center of the curved path, directly behind the waterfall. There, carved into the wall was a perfect circle that reached from floor to ceiling and was outlined it etchings in a language Victoria had never seen before. It didn't look like anything special. No gold or jeweled inlays, no ceremonial altar, no indication at all of its intended purpose. Just a big, old circle with some lines and symbols scratched into the stone around it.

"This," said the Queen as she laid her palm against the circle, "is the entrance to a place called Imeána'o Ambal. The Sanctuary of Stone." She turned to face the wall, laying both hands flat against the smooth stone. She took a slow, deep breath, then closed her eyes and began to chant.

A low, deep rumble reverberated up from beneath their feet, and a sound like massive, grinding stones began to echo through the rock. The ground trembled slightly beneath their feet, and Victoria tightened her grip on Soren's hand. She squeezed her eyes closed and forced herself to breath slowly, fighting the involuntary urge to run out from beneath the overhang.

Do. Not. Run. Away, Victoria thought to herself. The ceiling is not going to collapse. You will not be smushed by rocks. Don't be a paranoid chicken-shit. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Although...the chances of dying in a cave collapse are never zero if you're standing in the cave.

"Victoria," Soren whispered. He nudged her arm, disrupting her intrusive thoughts. "Look."

She peeked her eyes open, then stared in wonder, mouth slightly agape, as the circle and the markings around it glowed bright blue. The sound of grinding stone seemed to grow closer, and the stone beneath the Queen's hand began to tremble and fall away. Victoria and Soren closed their eyes and turned their heads against the dust and debris from the falling bits of rock. When the trembling ceased, and the grotto became silent again, they turned and looked on in wonder and curiosity at the spot where the circle had been.

The area within the circle had fallen away to reveal a long, dark tunnel that sloped slightly downward, its length dotted with tiny floating orbs of blue flame. Its end was close enough to be visible, illuminated from the outside by bright light, but not close enough to give them an idea of what was at the other end.

Queen Jastyra could easily read the look of apprehension and uncertainty that painted itself across Victoria's face. She smiled kindly, gesturing toward the tunnel. "You have nothing to fear, my dear. Come along," she said, stepping through the circular hole in the wall and making her way down the dark passageway.

Victoria and Soren looked at one another, squeezed each other's hands, took a deep breath, and followed the elf Queen into the darkness.