“Oh no…” Addie trailed off. She stared at the crumpled yellow parchment in her hand.

“Oh yes,” Archer replied grinning. “Please tell me this is a joke?” Addie asked.

“Oh, it’s absolutely true. You can check the signature,” Archer replied tapping the paper with his hand.

“I was just a little kid when I wrote this, I didn’t know it would determine what would happen when and if I die.”

Addie said tugging on her sweater’s sleeve.

“If? Addie please, you’re so clumsy you’ll probably die stumbling off a cliff you didn’t see was there.”

Addie slapped Archer on the arm.

“Hey, I don’t make the rules. Besides, we have time to get to know each other again before-“ Addie shoved her hand over Archer’s mouth, her face bright red.

“Would you not?!” She scolded.

Archer laughed again and pushed her hand away.

“It’s gotta happen sooner or later, I’ll be waiting,” he said as he winked and flew toward his house.

Addie’s shimmery pink and blue wings seemed duller as she flew up through the beautiful forest to the Waterlilly Cafe.

Maybe Camryn could help.

Addie woke to a thump on her window. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the dark room.

Archer was crouched on her windowsill, and when she saw him he grinned.

She hated that he looked so cute.

“What do you need creep?” She asked opening her window.

Archer ducked and slid inside her room.

“Just, y’know, stopping by,” he said walking around.

“Don’t you have some princely duty to get done?” Addie snapped as her anger from a long time ago came back.

Archer’s smile faded.

“So that’s why everything changed.”

Addie glared. “Why what changed? You never had time for me since you became royalty. The only thing that ever changed was _you_.”

She said, her throat clogging up. She tried not to let the emotions take control as her eyes watered.

Archer stepped closer to her.

“I never wanted to lose you, Dee, it wasn’t my choice.”

A tear slipped down Addie’s cheek.

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” She yelled. “Why didn’t you tell me what was happening?”

“Addie I know-“ “No you don’t!” Addie practically screamed.

“You just disappeared, stopped showing up, and I had no idea what was happening to you. You just _left_.

“Do you have _any_ idea how _terrifying_ that was for me?”

Archer looked at his feet as Addie choked on her sobs.

“I’m sorry Addie, I had no idea. But I know sorry doesn’t cut it.

“I understand if you don’t forgive me yet. I hope one day you’ll be able to.”

The sadness in his eyes looked so sincere, so real. Addie almost gave in.

“I need time.” She said quickly, glad Archer had finally acknowledged what he’d done wrong.

He wasn’t all that bad.

Archer managed a small smile before climbing out of her window.

“Wait!” Addie yelled, reaching out her hand. Archer poked his head back in.

“I… I think I’ve had enough time. I miss you.” She mumbled under her breath.

Archer grinned broadly and ran to her. He hugged her tightly.

“I missed you too Dee.”

“Do you think we could try? Try and be… what we wanted to be before you left?” Addie whispered.

Archer’s smile slipped.

“I’m sorry, it was a stupid idea. I mean, we hardly know each other anymore and-“ Archer cut her off with a long, drawn-out kiss.

Addie was shocked. Her eyes went wide.

“Woah, what? Didn’t you just? How did you?” She was more confused than she’d ever been before.

Archer smiled.

“I was just surprised you still wanted to try and be something. You’ve always seemed distant, even before I left. I figured I should take the chance as soon as I got it.”

Addie smiled a tiny tiny smile.

She tried to force it down before he could see, but she couldn’t.

“Your smile is cute, you should do it more.” Archer teased.

Addie frowned. “I don’t smile.”

Archer took her hand and kissed her again. “You do when I do that.”

Ugh.

He was right.

Camryn burst through the window.

“It didn’t work,” she said to Archer.

Archer’s hand dropped. “What? It’s only twelve.” He said rushing to the window.

Camryn paled. “I don’t know what happened, but it didn’t work.”

“What didn’t work? What’s she talking about Archer?” Addie asked worriedly.

“I’ll explain later. But for now, we’re not safe.”

He pointed out the window.

Addie walked to the window and nearly fell backward.

The city was on fire. Engulfed in blue and purple flames.

“I need an explanation. _Now_.”

Camryn and Archer shared a nervous look before Archer told her. “That paper… it wasn’t fake, it just wasn’t the whole truth.

“What was really written on your paper was _‘find your prince.’_”

Addie crossed her arms. “And you just assumed that was you?”

Archer blushed. “That’s not the point. Addie… you’re special. There’s always been something different about you.

“That’s why I like you so much.” He paused. Addie suddenly felt bad for him.

His whole life he’d been pushed out, and now he had finally been getting the credit he deserved.

She stepped next to him and looped her arm through his.

He continued.

“Your wish twisted something in the universe. We were supposed to discard it, and discard you, but my dad didn’t. The curse put on our people was harsh.

“Instead he gave you to a woman in the forest and said _‘her destiny is far greater than you believe.’_”

“Oh,” Addie said, moving her arms.

He had only acted that way to complete something. She was just another royal task.

“We were supposed to have that checked off by tonight, one day before your seventeenth birthday. That’s why I came by. I figured you would give in, but you can never be sure.”

Archer said.

“So this was all just for something an old man told you a long time ago? You don’t…” Addie tried her best not to trail off, but it happened anyway.

“Absolutely not. It was a perfect opportunity to reconnect with you and fix everyone’s lives forever. I swear to you, it may seem fake, but I mean it.”

Archer squeezed her hand and she looked at Camryn.

“So what now?” She asked.

“Now we go into hiding and hope the new king doesn’t kill us for what Archer’s dad did,” Camryn responded.

Addie took Archer’s hand as they climbed out the window.

“You ready?” He asked.

“Not at all,” Addie responded.

“Let’s go,” Camryn said