My eyes opened, and I stared at the ceiling. The white light from the LEDs felt brighter than the last time I was here.
How did I get here? Right… I think I was knocked out.
I reached for the back of my head, expecting a lump, but felt nothing. Must've healed.
How could I have let my guard down like that? No — I didn't. That man... Marcus, I thought, as pieces of the night flashed vividly in my mind.
He was toying with us.
Seeing that I'm here means Jasmine might've dealt with him. She was close before I went down. She probably put me in this ridiculously bright room.
I took a deep breath, trying to piece the night together.
But I didn't want to. Not now.
"Oh, you're awake," a faint voice called from the entrance.
I didn't answer. I just kept staring at the ceiling.
"Your friends came by to see you. You've been out for two days. The girl is still in recovery. Fire Head wants to see you when you're able. I'll take my leave now."
Then silence.
Fire Head. I laughed inwardly. That was a nickname I gave Jasmine months ago. She doesn't know it — though I'm sure she has one for me too. Only the silent lady knows it.
"All right," I said aloud, groaning as I pulled myself out of bed.
The floor was smooth and dark, contrasting sharply with the white walls. The windows were sealed, just the way I liked them. I wouldn't want anyone coming in while I was unconscious — not that they could do anything to me even if they tried.
I looked down. Baggy white pants and a shirt with a pink unicorn on it.
I sighed, swallowing my pride.
This girl won't let me be.
I stepped out without bothering with shoes. This was the warmest part of the East Wing — and the largest. It'd take five minutes just to reach the meeting spot.
I started down the long, tiled path. Each tile depicted the life cycle of an animal. The walls were polished marble, with inscriptions in long-forgotten languages etched between every three windows and stone pillars.
From what I'd heard, the place was built during a time of war. A fortress. Now it stood as a monument to something... quieter.
I stopped, drawing a deep breath. The night's events hammered at my mind.
I closed my eyes, listening.
Silence.
But silence doesn't always mean you're alone.
I kept walking until I reached the end of the wing. A hatch in the ceiling clicked open as I drew near.
No one was following me — otherwise it would've stayed shut. I would've had to take the long way around.
But there was no ladder.
Normally, this would be tricky for someone.
Luckily for me... I'm not someone.
With a leap, I was five feet in the air. My height and outstretched arm closed the distance. My hand grabbed the climbing bars inside the passage, and I slipped in smoothly.
The climb carried me six floors up through a narrow, humid space — a shortcut for friends of the princess. For anyone else, the tunnel could become... less forgiving.
Eventually, I emerged. The hatch opened to a rush of cool air. I pulled myself up and dusted off my hands.
I was the first one there.
I walked to the edge of the roof, gazing out at the endless trees.
The Speaking Forest.
I didn't know why it was called that. I wasn't eager to find out either.
But it was beautiful — always the best place to think.
I exhaled and let the thoughts come.
The girl.
Would she be all right?
She was so afraid.
Flashes of that night replayed in my mind. She was terrified. And I couldn't help her.
I clenched the rooftop's concrete edge, fingers digging in until I forced myself to step back.
A voice came from behind me.
"You're paying for the repairs."
A sly grin crossed my face. "Aren't you supposed to be trying on dresses and tiaras, Princess?"
I spun around and gave a mocking curtsy.
"Curtsy, huh? Suits you," Jasmine smirked.
"Children. Shush," Nkosi said behind her.
"Well, your girlfriend started it," I said.
"Did you brush your teeth?" Jasmine shot back, pinching her nose.
"Jasmine, you're five feet away," I said defensively.
"Yeah. It's that bad."
"Bruh, you're just gonna let her talk to me like that?" I asked Nkosi.
"Don't involve me," he replied dismissively.
"No — it's time you choose," I said. "Your brother or this... she-beast."
"Yeah, choose me or this hairy pig," Jasmine added.
"What hairy pig?" I muttered.
"Nope," Nkosi said, already walking away.
We burst out laughing. Even Nkosi chuckled.
Jasmine pulled him to the edge of the roof. "I knew you'd choose me," she whispered loudly, claiming her final victory.
We stood there for a few moments in silence, staring out at the forest.
"How's the girl?" I asked eventually.
"She was badly injured," Jasmine said. "Broken collarbone, fractured leg, heavy blood loss... but she'll be fine."
I glanced at her. Something she didn't say was hanging in the air.
"The man who attacked you," she asked, "did he want anything?"
"No. Just crossed paths."
"Wait, didn't you—"
"No. It's complicated," she muttered.
"Anything strange about him?"
"I couldn't touch him. Not once. Even when I got close… he was… I don't know."
Something about him felt familiar — like I sensed him before he arrived.
"It was like everything that night was warning us to leave," Nkosi added quietly.
"That's a bummer," Jasmine said softly. "At least you're safe. Back home."
Home. I repeated the word with a half-laugh.
She wasn't asking follow-ups. Which meant… someone was listening.
"So, can I see her? Alex, I mean."
"Afraid not."
"Why?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Not my call."
"She's not detained, is she?"
"No. Nothing like that. She just can't have visitors yet — not until she's better."
Another lie. I sighed and let it go.
"You're unnaturally quiet, Nkosi," I said.
He didn't answer. Just stared into the forest, eyes searching for something lost.
"Nkosi?" I asked again.
He turned slowly. "Are you good?"
"Yeah."
A lie.
He was always like this when we were younger — looking into the distance like he could see ghosts.
Maybe he can, I thought with a quiet laugh.
"Right," I said, brushing the dust from my hands. "Great catching up, but I need a bath."
I walked toward the fire escape, the steel hot under my bare feet.
"Surprised you didn't capitalize on that, Princess," I called over my shoulder.
"Bye, Big Foot," she replied.
A faint smirk tugged at my lips as I descended.
My foot touched the stone pavement. It was warm, even though the alleyway barely received sunlight.
I casually made my way out of the alley. Where to go? I pondered.
Food, I remembered. I couldn't go back to my room empty-handed now.
But then I noticed something strange—almost all the stores were closed. That was unusual for this part of the kingdom.
I started walking around. I spotted a few people here and there—citizens I didn't recognize. I wandered until the heat began to burn my feet.
Eventually, I saw a store: Ahli's Flower Shop. It was just a few buildings away, and from the look on his face, he had already spotted me.
He started waving me over—probably to gossip. I began moving toward him.
Then I heard the sharp sound of glass shattering.
Shards rained down just inches from me—
Then she followed.
"Alex?" I gasped, still confused.
Unbridled fear was plastered across her face. Her eyes looked right through me.
She turned, and that's when I noticed—
She had twisted her ankle.
"Hey, wait!" I called out.
But she let out a cry and limped away.
"Wait!" I called again, picking up my pace.
But as I got closer, it was as if each limp made her faster. Faster than I could keep up with.
"My friend—wait!"
Ahli grabbed my arm, holding me back.
"What?" I demanded.
"The boundary," he said urgently. "We can't cross it. She's heading toward the Whispering Forest now."
I stood frozen. I wanted to do something. Anything.
But crossing that border could bring trouble—
Not just for me,
But for everyone here.