Regnum Lux was not home. At least, it didn't feel like it. The land was bright and merry, the light bathing every bit of her kingdom. The colours were vibrant, the ivory structures and marble pathways only adding to the kingdom's elegant beauty. It surprised her that she couldn't find a single shadow, but then again, she never would have thought most of her people were free to switch sides as they pleased; they were just as fickle as human minds. She could almost hear Theodora laughing at her expense when she had confided as much with The Advisor. They are your subjects, Elara! How could you not know? Well, in her defence, The Voice hadn't bothered to tell her as much. 

Soon enough though, she had understood the two tiers of their society. The lower of the two, the plevio, were neither purely helpful nor destructive; it depended on their allegiance. They made up most of the populace in both kingdoms. The noble amigí were pure-blooded, characterized by the colour of their features. Unlike their subordinates, they weren't bound to another; their counterparts served the other side of The Balance. Looking at the many couples that enjoyed their partner's company, Elara couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. They were lower beings than her—their peppered wings and hair showed as much—but at least they were free to live as they pleased. Sometimes, she wondered if power and duty mattered more than love and comfort, but that choice was never hers to make. Perhaps Theodora and her brother Theodore understood what it would be like to know your other half would never be yours, but at least they had each other. She was alone, but alas, that is what it meant to be a leader.

"Brooding again, are we?"

She turned to meet a grinning Theodore, his arms folded as he leaned against a tree. His long robes billowed in the gentle breeze, not unlike Elara's silken gown. "I wouldn't have to if the two of you weren't so merry all the time! Someone needs to keep you both from erupting into a fit of giggles at the slightest hint of my 'dourness', as you so eloquently put it. Where's your sister? She isn't waiting to ruffle my feathers again is she?"

"I'm afraid not," he said with a shrug, his demeanour changing into one of seriousness.

"The spies have returned so soon? I would think the demons would have taken longer to cause trouble," she mused. "Something is wrong, isn't it," she said with a sigh, turning to face him fully. "Let's go back inside."

The glass throne that usually glittered invitingly seemed so breakable now. The elaborate crown that had chosen her felt heavier as she drew closer to the seat of power. Theodora was waiting there, the characteristic smile long gone. "Your Grace," she said with a dip of her head as Elara took her place on the throne. Theodore merely stood beside his sibling as they shared an uneasy glance.

"I've been led to believe you've had word from the spies."

"It isn't so much what has been said than what hasn't, Elara," Theodora said. "We haven't heard from them lately. The last we heard of them was that they wouldn't contact us as frequently as they used to for fear of being caught. The demons have grown more bloodthirsty by the day. We might have to fear the worst."

"Dead?" Theodore mouthed.

"No. Turned. Anything else to be reported?"

"One more thing. A certain Rovan is here."

"Am I wrong to assume he bears a message, Theo?"

"You could say that. I have been told he seeks an audience with you. I suggest we see him right away. The messenger seemed to fear this man for some odd reason."

Unexpected visitors were the last thing she needed barely a month into her reign as queen, but a diplomatic disaster was something she abhorred even more. "I suppose we shall see this guest then. Send him in."

The giant doors were agonizingly slow as they slid open. Her eyes were peeled to the door as they revealed a tall figure, well-built and oozing authority in a land that wasn't his own.

"Theo, Dora, I will find you both later," she said, dismissing them with a sharp look.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Her steps were sure as she alighted the stairs making no sound save for the wings trailing her. Her argentate eyes met fathomless pools of black. She stood a head shorter than the demon lord before her, but she felt no fear.

"You," she whispered.

"Me," he echoed as his wings wrapped around her. For a moment, they were no longer divided, cocooned away from the warring world. As long as they had one another, all would be well.