Waking up I found myself in the most unfathomable situation. I was ying with my arm draped over Kyra's stomach as she slept next to me. Sitting upright I found the situation even more outndish than I'd first believed. Lying in bed with Kyra and I was Eurycelia.

  Rubbing my temples I tried to make sense of what I was seeing. Eurycelia and Kyra hardly had a cordial retionship, so why were they sharing the same bed? With me between them no less!

  Mewling softly like a cat Eurycelia stretched. As she did so her shirt was pulled up revealing a stubby green-scaled tail sprouting from the base of her spine. Despite appearing to be a scaleborn like Harriette, the size of her tail couldn't possibly be more different. Harriette's tail was long enough to drag on the ground. While Eurycelia's could be easily hidden under loose clothing.

  With a yawn Eurycelia opened her eyes. Sleepily she looked up at me, meeting my gaze. Blinking rapidly Eurycelia jolted into a seated position. "M-Morning, Bernice."

  "Good morning," I looked over to Kyra who was still out cold. Why was she even asleep? I wondered if it was just something she did on a whim. Or if there was some reason Kyra had to sleep like the rest of us, despite being undead.

  "So umm, feeling better?"

  "A lot better," I hesitated for a moment. Despite knowing her name, I wasn't sure if I was allowed to address her so casually. "Councilwoman."

  "Just Eurycelia is fine," Eurycelia ughed and waved away my awkward attempt to address her by title. "It has only been a few years since I joined the council. I'm still not used to all the pomp and circumstance."

  "I'm not used to addressing people of superior rank either," I ughed nervously. "So, I remember you allowing Kyra to bring me here after your spell made me drunk. But, why were we sleeping together?"

  "Admittedly, I didn't want to leave your side." Eurycelia's face turned a bright shade of pink. "I felt responsible for what happened to you. So, I wanted to be here just in case your condition worsened."

  "So you willingly slept in the same bed as Kyra?"

  "You say that as if you believe I dislike her," Eurycelia pouted. Her gaze fell as she looked at Kyra's sleeping form. "I don't harbor negative feelings toward Kyra. Nor do I have negative feelings for you, Bernice. It may surprise you but I disagree with the council on many issues. I wasn't exactly happy to join."

  "Then why do it?"

  "Because I have someone I want to protect."

  "Is that what brought you to Ciy?"

  Eurycelia's shoulders tensed. She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yes. I've come in search of some rare herbs that only grow in the forest. I'm hoping they'll be enough to create a cure for the disease pguing the girl I'm looking after."

  "If she's suffering from a disease, why not ask Lady Otrea for help?"

  "I'd be exiled if I asked Lady Ladnier for help," Eurycelia sighed. "The girl I'm caring for is Princess Ria. She fell ill a few days after her brother's eyes changed color, and her condition is only worsening. I'm sure Lady Ladnier could cure her, but the royal family would never let her near."

  As I processed the difficulties Eurycelia was dealing with, Kyra—still fast asleep—rolled over and mumbled something incoherent. The adorable act cut through the tension I felt. I couldn't help but giggle softly at her.

  "You love her?" Eurycelia asked, gazing at Kyra's sleeping face.

  "We only just met a few days ago," I admitted. As much as I wanted to say I did, it was hard to truly love someone I'd known for such a short amount of time. I lusted after her, that was certain. As for love, I could only hope we'd get there in time.

  "The two of you seem pretty close for a pair of girls who're practically strangers."

  "I guess so. Kyra's been pretty good at melting my heart. I'm really thankful for her. Whether she knows it or not, Kyra has helped keep me sane after everything that's happened."

  Both Otrea and Harriette treated me kindly. But neither of them seemed to see me as anything more than a lost girl in need of guidance. If I was left with only them, I likely would've spent more time stressing over the home I left behind. Kyra gave me a future to hope for. My desire to be with her filled my dreams, chasing away the nightmares I would've otherwise suffered.

  "Are you trying to hide your heritage because you want to be with her?"

  "No," I shook my head. With a long silent look at Kyra's sleeping form I decided to tell Eurycelia the truth. I hadn't been explicitly told to hide it after all. "I'm not from this world."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Exactly what it sounds like. I was born in a different world entirely. Because of some random twist of fate or the machinations of one of the gods, I ended up here. Lady Otrea took me in after I appeared in the middle of the forest with no knowledge of where I was. I have no family here, and I've certainly never been to Ciriczar. So I can't be a royal, despite my eye color."

  Eurycelia stared at me intently, studying me. "Around a week ago, I felt a rge burst of magic from the forest. Was that you?"

  I nodded.

  "That's unbelievable." Eurycelia gasped in disbelief. "Not that I don't believe you, I just cannot fathom how such a thing could happen. Someday I'd love to hear stories of your world, Bernice."

  "I'll share them, but first, maybe you should return home with us."

  "I really can't."

  "You can't ask Lady Otrea for help, but that doesn't mean you can't ask Kyra. She hasn't been exiled from Ciriczar has she?"

  "Well... no, but—"

  "—but nothing. All you need is a cure. We have Lady Otrea make one, and then all you have to say is that Kyra was the one responsible. Simple enough."

  "There is magic capable of drawing confessions out of even the most unwilling. If someone were to suspect me, I wouldn't be able to keep my lips closed."

  "Do you know that Kyra is incapable of producing the cure you desire?"

  "Princess Ria's disease is not something known to anyone. Even if Kyra could produce a cure, no one could possibly do anything without physically examining her. You heard the pain in Kyra's voice as she rebuked me. You know how they treat her. I cannot take her to Princess Ria's bedside. No more than I can bring Lady Ladnier back into the kingdom."

  "You don't have to complicate it so much," Kyra yawned, her voice still husky from sleep. "Mother has dozens of alternate identities she uses when she wishes to go pces others wouldn't want her to."

  "Simply going by a different name isn't going to be enough," Eurycelia responded incredulously. Her eyes unfocused as her gaze lingered on the distant wall. "We may not be as powerful as Lady Ladnier, but we the council isn't completely inept."

  "If she just changed her name and used some obfuscation spells maybe," Kyra grinned like a kid about to tell the punchline to a funny joke. Sitting upright she pced her hand on Eurycelia's shoulder. "Mother never follows the simple path. When she wishes to alter her identity she goes as far as moving her soul into an entirely new body. She has dozens of them, all preserved and waiting for when she may want to use them."

  "Umm... isn't that, unethical?" I cringed a bit as I tried to find the words to preface my question. I couldn't expect the morality of this world to be the same as what I'd known. Even still, robbing the graves of the dead, or worse—stealing the bodies of the living—was terrible. I'd never be able to look Otrea in the eye again.

  Kyra's grin falted a bit. Her eyes widened as she waved her hands frantically in front of me. "It's not like that, Bernice! Mother doesn't go around killing people or anything. She actually takes the bodies of dead animals and slowly molds them into the form she desires. With her necromancy lifeless flesh is no different than cy. She's never stolen from a grave or anything. Even Adelita's body was paid for, and the deal was struck while Adelita was still alive."

  "That's," Eurycelia gasped. "That's how Lady Ladnier has grown to be so old! The council has been trying to crack the source of her longevity for centuries now. She hasn't found a way to bypass death! She's simply changing bodies before she could ever die!"

  A look of shock and horror overtook Kyra as she realized just what she'd done. In her attempt to share a method Otrea could use to aid Eurycelia, she'd given away one of her mother's secrets.

  "Not... that I'd tell them," Eurycelia quickly added, noticing the change in Kyra's expression. "Forgive me for my exuberance. You're implying that Lady Ladnier would be willing to use one of these bodies to alter her identity and come with me to examine princess Ria?"

  "Why wouldn't she? Mother's whole life has revolved around researching and uncovering new magic. If the Princess is afflicted with a curse unknown to even the Council of Sorcery, I'm certain she'd happily take on the opportunity to examine it."

  "Then... might I return home with you? So that I can ask for her aid?"

  "I don't see an issue with it," Kyra's eyes narrowed as she gazed at Eurycelia. "Just don't go trying to drag Bernice into anything."

  "I only asked for her heritage to offer some protection and advice. I assure you, I have no intention of dragging your girlfriend into the royal family's drama."

  "G-Girlfriend?!" Heat engulfed my face as an inferno of awkward emotions ignited within me. Kyra and I weren't dating, we hardly knew one another. I'd told Eurycelia as much, but she must have still gotten the wrong idea.

  "You're dating, are you not?" Eurycelia looked at me as if as was acting preciously innocent. Was it normal in this world to call someone your girlfriend after a single date?

  As if to throw fuel on the fire of my embarrassment, Kyra wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "I know our first date didn't turn out the way we pnned. If you're willing to give me another chance I'd be happy to call myself your girlfriend, Bernice."

  "Kyra," I couldn't take the bewildered storm of romantic kindling boiling away all of my rational thoughts. Overwhelmed I buried my face into Kyra's shoulder and shut the rest of the world out.

  After I'd calmed down, and accepted my pce as Kyra's girlfriend, the three of us returned to the forest. This time, Kyra steered clear of Theodora's domain. We walked until I genuinely feared I was about to colpse. Noticing my fatigue Kyra swept me into her arms, carrying me the rest of the way home.

  Harriette was waiting for us the moment we stepped inside. Beside her, a guilty looking Lyre stood with her head lowered, and her hands pressed together submissively. From her fttened ears to the way her tail hung lifelessly behind her, I was certain Lyre had already been chewed out at length. Now it was our turn.

  "Welcome home," Harriette called out to us. Her tone was sharp, she was definitely about to y into us. Before she could, Eurycelia stepped into view. At the sight of the councilwoman, Harriette's eyes widened. "Councilwoman Eurycelia, have you forgotten that the council has agreed not to appear before Lady Otrea without a prior appointment?"

  "I am here to make a personal request of Lady Ladnier. The council is unaware of this visit, and will likely censure me heavily if they ever learn of it." Eurycelia spoke calmly, but even I could tell she was nervous. There was no emotion behind her words. As if she was doing everything she could to remain inoffensive.

  "A personal request?" Harriette crossed her arms.

  Eurycelia lowered her head, a look of submissiveness crossing her face. "Yes," she began softly. "For the past two years, I've had the privilege of serving Princess Ria as her instructor in magic. During that time, we've grown incredibly close – almost like family." A hint of nostalgia crept into Eurycelia's voice. "The Princess is now bedridden. She's been afflicted with a curse unknown to the council, and her condition worsens with each passing day."

  Eurycelia's shoulders sagged, her emotionless veneer shattered and her words became desperate. "I know that despite Lady Ladnier graciously obeying the terms of her exile, we've continued to antagonize her. She has no reason to aid me. But princess Ria is family to me, in every way that matters. I'm willing to do anything to see her healthy again."

  "Anything?" Otrea appeared out of the shadows behind Harriette. Her voice was almost mockingly saccharine as she approached us. "There's an awful lot I could take from you, councilwoman. Are you certain this sister of yours is worth such a steep price?"

  "If it is within my power to pay," Eurycelia balled her hands into fists. She was trembling. It was as if she wasn't seeing the same woman I was. To me, Otrea was powerful, but mostly benevolent. How was it that Eurycelia saw her? Before she'd spoken as if she admired Otrea, but now, she was shivering in fear.

  "And what if you are the price I ask?" Otrea circled Eurycelia as if accessing her. "What if I were to demand you step down from the council, and come work for me? I doubt you'd ever be allowed to see the princess again."

  "If that's what it takes for Ria to survive, then I'll do it."

  "Such strong conviction," Otrea stopped circling Eurycelia with an amused smile. "But I have no need of another servant, nor an apprentice. I will aid you at no cost."

  Otrea's smile grew wider as her gaze turned to Kyra. "So you can stop with the silent begging, Kyra. You are my daughter. If it is your desire to assist the councilwoman, you need only say as much."

  "Mother," Kyra's eyes widened as she gazed at Otrea. Old as she was, Kyra still looked like a young girl yearning for validation. In that sense we were simir. I had yearned for Laura to adopt me. To grant me the title of daughter when I'd been nothing more than her niece. Despite how much it meant to me, and despite Laura's love for me, she never complied.

  Maybe Kyra was trying to do the same. Perhaps there was some gap in her retionship with Otrea that I couldn't see. Some divide between them she was trying to bridge.

  "Take the rest of the evening to rest," Otrea commanded, heading toward the hallway leading further inward. "We will discuss our pns in detail tomorrow."

  "Harriette, I leave you in charge of accommodating the councilwoman." Otrea added, before vanishing from view.

  Cossimeri