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“I’m telling Mother. Now.” She headed towards the stairs, but it was Elias who stepped in her path. He moved so quickly, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

“I can’t let you do that,” Elias’s deep voice rumbled through the small cellar.

Nevaria’s eyes narrowed as she glared at him. “Are you threatening a princess, you oversized buffoon?”

“Princess Nevaria, please. Just sit with us and listen to reason,” I pleaded.

She shot daggers at me with her eyes. “Are you trying to start a war with my people, Aurelia?”

“No, of course not! I beg you, just a few minutes of your time, and we can explain.”

“Please, Neevee, listen to her,” Max begged. “For me.”

The room went silent as Nevaria studied her brother for a moment before looking back up at Elias with a nasty glare. “I guess if this oafisn’t going to move, I have no choice,” she jabbed her finger into his chest. Elias only gave her a deadpan expression in return.

Max’s shoulders relaxed. “Just a moment ago, you called him handsome,” he mocked, arms crossed.

Nevaria turned to her brother and flipped him a rude gesture. She walked over and sat in one of the empty chairs, crossing her legs with elegance and laying her arms on the armrests. With her grace and confidence, she could make the old dusty chair look like a throne.

“You have five minutes,” she said to me, eyes darkening.

Max and I gave each other a worried glance. I made my way and sat in the chair across from her. Only the small table topped with dusty cards separated us.

“Max is telling the truth,” I began. “I only arrived in Monuvia two nights ago, and we ran into each other this morning by surprise. He had no idea I was here. Please don’t put any blame on him.”

Max gave me a thankful nod.

“What the hell are you doing here, then?” she hissed.

“I only stopped in to collect supplies. I will leave today.”

Nevaria’s bright blue eyes bore into my soul. Like her twin, her sky-colored eyes stood out, even in the dim light of the cellar. Unlike her twin, her braids were tighter and more uniform, and were not adorned with jewels. Her look was more elegant, while her brother aimed for extravagance.

“Why did you leave Rimor?” she continued her interrogation.

“I left on my own, in search of something. I plan to return after I find what I’m looking for.”

“What is it?”

I paused, unsure if I should answer truthfully. I decided a vague truth would have to be enough. “Answers.”

She raised a brow. “Your reckless father is ready to destroy all four kingdoms, including his own, in order to find you. Is that worth youranswers?” she said the last word in a mocking tone.

“He won’t,” I muttered, shaking my head. “He won’t do that.”

“Hewill. His soldiers are already on their way. And if you’re not found, who knows what he’ll do next. I wouldn’t put it past him to sendarmiesinto each kingdom, and leave no stone unturned until he finds you. Did you at least send him a letter or something? Not that it would make a difference in his irrational state.” She tapped her fingers on the armrest impatiently.

“No, I…I didn’t. If I leave any clues as to why I left, he might figure out where I’m going. I can’t have that.”

Nevaria rolled her eyes dramatically. “You’re exasperating, Aurelia. And you’re a fool.”

“Maybe so,” I sighed.

“You know how overbearing her father is,” Max stepped in. “All the times we visited and she wasn’t allowed to go anywhere or do anything. She’s just trying to earn her freedom, Neevee.”

Nevaria’s death stare shifted to her brother, then back to me. “Is your freedom worth war?”

“There won’t be a war, I promise. I will return to my father as soon as I can,” I assured her. Although now, I was wondering if she could be right. Could he really be capable of starting war just because of me? I guess if he thought it would bring me back, he’d do just about anything.