Ella pushed forward, and the guard tried to stop her, grabbing onto her wrist, but she spoke a word and he snatched his hand away with a yelp.

Ella turned the handle of the door and opened it. "Shani? Bartolo?" she called. "Oh…"

Ella stepped back and immediately closed the door. She knew her face must be bright red.

"I tried to warn you," the guard said.

"I see," Ella said. "Well… I'm glad to see they're well and recovering, both of them."

"It seems that way to me." The guard grinned.

"Good night," Ella said.

Ella walked back out of the Poltoi Palace and onto the terrace where Bartolo had saved her and Shani's lives. A bladesinger and an elementalist — who would have thought! She knew they would be good for each other, and most of all she was happy for Shani. Love came from the strangest of places.

She could hear singing and warbling music wafting up from below, carried on the warm, moist breeze. Looking out, Ella saw that the sun was about to set. Ella was again taken by the view from the top of the tiered city. It had been a long, eventful day.

"Always I come to you, and always you leave me," a male voice, smooth as silk, came from behind her.

Ella turned and caught Prince Ilathor's smile, even as the sun fell behind the crater's edge and the stars came out. "Does it seem that way?" she said.

Barely visible in the rapidly fading light, she saw the prince shrug. "It seems that way. The first time was in the desert, when I thought you were Evora Guinestor, High Enchantress of Altura. The second time was high in the tower above Torlac, when I again felt the connection between us. The third time was just now, by the gate of this city. Here I am. Please don't leave me a fourth time, Ella."

"Everyone is celebrating," Ella said.

"But not you?"

"I'm tired. I don't even know where I'm sleeping tonight."

"It's all been taken care of. Just down the hill from the Poltoi Palace is the house of a merchant, a man kind enough to put his rooms and servants at our disposal. I do not know if house is the appropriate term, his manse is nearly as big as this palace."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"No, Enchantress Ella. Thank you." He paused. "For today, I mean. You were… amazing."

"I think I'm going to lie down," Ella said. She reached out and squeezed the prince's hand. "Good night, Your Highness."

Prince Ilathor didn't let go of her hand. Ella could feel his cool, dry touch, her hand enveloped in his larger one. His thumb ran over the skin on the back of her hand, sending a tingle travelling up Ella's arm and down her spine.

"At least let me walk you down," Prince Ilathor said.