Evangeline's POV

We all know going back to Montfort is out of the picture, leaving us only one other place to go. "Well I guess we'll be going back to Norta then," Farley said, reading my mind. No one offered her a reply, but the silence is enough of an answer. I feel a soft hand giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, Elane I think to myself. Although I can't see her, I knew she followed me into Cal's room in Montfort.

We land soon after and we're all relieved to be off the jet. We're greeted by a tall soldier and Anabel herself. She rushes over to Cal and gives him a hug. Even though he towers over her, I can tell that the small woman makes his uneasy. "I see you've come to your senses then." She says, clearly striking one of Mare's nerves as she scoffs and walks past the family reunion. Julian chases after her while Cal and Anabel continue discuss the events of this morning.

We are taken to the guest rooms in the palace. Even though I have lived in this palace twice before, once betrothed to Cal and again to Maven I have never visited this side of the palace. It is quite strange being back here after all this time, but I feel a sense of relief knowing I get to face it all again with Elane at my side.

Mare's POV

Julian manages to catch up to me when I finally reach the entrance, giving me a pitiful look. "I know this is hard for you, but you need to understand that Norta needs a strong leader. Would you rather Anabel ruling?" He asks, always defending his king.

"Of course not. And I know that Cal would be a great king... I'm just afraid of being hurt again." Julian shakes his head in agreement and puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Cal won't hurt you again, I'll make sure of it." He squeezes my shoulder gently and returns to Cal and Anabel, who are still talking about the events of this morning. I turn to the guard who stands expressionless by the entrance to the palace and ask him to take me to my room. I am led to a small room, with only a single bed, bedside table and a door leading to the bathroom. As I enter, I am greeted by the familiar weight of silent stone. I feel my chest tightening and the weight of the manacles suddenly on my wrists as I gasp for air. It is a painful reminder of when I was held captive by Maven. I start to breathe rapidly and feel very lightheaded. I stumble backwards, hitting my head on the bedside table.

I wake up to a bright light in my eyes, "Mare! Wake up. Please wake up." Evangeline and Elane are peering over me, looking very worried. " Go and get a healer," I hear Evangeline order. Next I know, I feel the soft hands of a healer mending my wounds and I suddenly feel a whole lot better. Even though I'm healed, I can't shake off the feeling of the Silent Stone. I rush towards the door, as fast as a lightning bolt, and fling it wide open. I run as fast as my feet will carry me to the main entrance, eager to breathe in some fresh air. I sprint down the steps and take a seat on the last but one step and let the tears fall. I don't move for hours, watching the sun set. As soon as the sun sets, I feel a cold winter breeze beginning to make me shiver. I don't want to go back inside just yet, however my stomach rumbles from the lack of food over the past 24 hours.

"This is where you got to, I've been looking everywhere for you!" I jump at the sudden voice that spoke. It was obviously Cal, however I'm not yet ready to face what he has to say. All I offer him is a false smile and a small nod. He sits down next to me and we just sit in a comfortable silence for a while. Cal speaks first, "I spoke to Evangeline and she filled me in with what happened" he pauses for a moment and takes my hand in his "God Mare, you're freezing!" He wraps his arms around me, welcoming me into is warm embrace and I just let him hold me there for a moment. "Please don't leave me again. I don't think my heart can break again." I whisper loud enough for him to hear. I shed a tear at the thought of losing Cal again and I know I will do anything to hold onto what we have.

"Nanabel wants me to take the throne, but don't worry I haven't made a decision yet." Cal says, with a pitiful look in his eyes. The only question that has been playing on my mind is what will happen to us. Cal reads my mind and that's the next thing he says "Nanabel wants me to marry a silver." The second the words left his mouth I felt the weight of the manacles and Silent Stone once again. Suddenly I was beginning to feel light headed again at the thought of Cal with another woman - especially a silver. Cal can see the hurt in my eyes and he says "But I have spoken to her and the agreement we came to was I will rule Norta as King, with you by my side as The Red Queen." Was this a proposal? Did this mean that Cal and I would have to have children? All these questions circulate in my head, but all I know is that we will rule a fair country, one where reds and silvers have equal opportunities and live in harmony together.

"Yes." I say "I never want to be apart from you ever again." I wrap my arms tightly around his neck and burry my face into the crook of his neck, taking in the warmth he radiates. It is only about seven o' clock in the night but it's pitch black outside. We deicde to make our way up to the palace, hand in hand to get a bite to eat.