“So, you have come.”

The death queen stared at her. Sasha was looking at her feet, still, she could feel the queen’s gaze chilling her spine.

“I did as I promised, my queen.”

She didn’t feel any hurt anymore, her body just soft contours of moisture floating above the graveyard. She remembered the fight, her mother's cry, and the blast of force she had used to strike her down. How long had she been gone? She remembers feeling the comfort of the hands picking her soul together, lulling her to sleep. Never before had she felt such motherly compassion as if she wanted nothing more than to weep in the embrace, forever letting whoever holding her rock her to sleep. Her brow drew together.

“You healed me?” Sasha said, surprised.

Sasha dared to look upon the women in front of her. Her gaze wasn’t chilling, it was dark, but there was a familiarity in the darkness.

“I did”, the death queen chuckled. “You did well. I don't remember when I fed that much last.”

“So I died.”

It wasn’t a question, and the queen didn’t answer. Instead, she took her closer, putting an arm around her shoulders.

“The knights of Aaliyah are enjoying their new plaything”, the queen said. “The king is waking up in another kingdom, his memory erased, and your sister will soon take the throne.”

Sasha nodded. She felt content, she had fulfilled her purpose.

“And you have a visitor with you as well.” The queen squeezed her shoulders, her black raven hair falling in front of Sasha. “Such a fine young man.”

“I have?” Sasha turned around, stunned to see Elias standing behind her.

“My lady”, Elias said and bowed to the ground. He kept his posture, looking as much as a stone figure as the gravestones.

“You died as well?” Sasha said, fog in her mind. She stepped forward, putting her hands on Elias's arm. He felt solid, warm. Her hand, however, almost went through him. There was some resistance, but she knew that if she pushed, he would cut through her, like a knife in butter.

“No”, Elias answered, softly pulling her closer to him, his eyes still darting around at the ground. Carefully his hands examined her, trying to anchor her to him. “I came as soon as I could. Didn’t I tell you not to go here on your own next time?”

A chuckle was heard behind them.

“You do realize she died?” The queen said. She huffed, stepping closer. Sasha could feel the power eradicating from her as the queen put her fingers at Elias's chin. “Look at me child.”

He had no choice but to lift his eyes, staring into the darkness of the dead queen.

“I do not favor stolen magic,” she said, her hand briefly brushing Elias's chin. “But I think you have earned up to it. You have suffered.” She pondered a bit “And you will need it.”

“I will not go back”, Elias said. “I stay here, with her.”

“Oh no, you will not”, the queen countered.

“You took them all. Sasha, my mother, and my father. Why would I?” There was anger in his voice, and resignation.

“I need you to help your father clean up. I have some people who need to come back to this graveyard.”

Behind them, they heard the squeaking of stones raising from the ground.

“Your relatives”, the queen said. The names lightning in lime green calling to them.

“And why would I?”

The queen took Elias's hands in hers. She hummed, smoke stroking his body. Sasha saw his features becoming less stiff, his eyelids heavy.

Before she had reacted, she saw his limp body just outside the queen's domain, by the blueberry arch.

“My lady”, Sasha said, “he has done nothing wrong.”

“No”, the queen agreed, “Walk to him, my dear. You will be his gift. Be there for him, and let the dragon heart guide you.”

Sasha felt how her body transformed, from gel to solid.

“Heal him”, the queen put a kiss on her head. “Give him back, the wonder of a child.”

Sasha looked at the graveyard, and at Elias, confused at the queen's words.

“But I died?”

“Your sacrifice did not go unnoticed, now my dear, off you go.”

Sasha bowed, humbled, and turned around, walking towards the limp body waiting for her, hope spreading in her heart. He had come for her, now she would be there for him.