A thousand stars fell the night the darkness broke free. Calla watched them descend from the highest tower of the Lustera, her heart in her throat. It did not matter that she had expected this; the Realm was not prepared for what was to come. Icy dread crept up her spine as she went over the words she planned to say once more. 

“Queen Calla.” 

Calla turned to see Pir standing in the archway. Calla did not have to ask to know why her companion trembled through her robes though she tried to mask it well. She forced a smile to comfort the elf but Pir’s face remained drawn.

“Is he here?” Calla asked. The bright golden light of the falling stars illuminated the room with brilliant flashes. 

“Yes, my queen.” Her square jaw twitched. 

“Send him in then.” Calla turned back to the balcony. “Pir? Have the scouts returned?”

“Not yet, my queen.” 

Calla dropped her head to her chest. They were scarce on time. How long could it possibly take to find a place suitable for hiding such an asset? A countless number of treasures were hidden throughout the Realm and yet her scouts could not find one quiet, hidden corner that would do? Calla could only hope she would not have need for it after speaking with the king. 

Pir bowed and left the archway. The sturdy form of Calla’s son filled it a moment later. His tawny mane fell over his eyes as he inclined his head towards her. 

“You know you do not need to do that, Callion,” Calla muttered. Her son rose, a smirk skipping across his face. “I am no longer in power. Did you forget you are the king again?”

He chuckled. “Absolutely. Troublesome thing, being king. Some days I find forgetting makes it easier.” 

Calla sighed, studying her son. His handsome visage would have secured him any mate he desired and he chose a Dragonfae who spat fire. Their child was welcomed into the Realm only a few moons ago when the earth cracked open and let the monster out. 

“I heard some disturbing news,” Calla began. She had practiced this speech over and over, trying to get the words right so Callion would not resort to his usual anger and dismiss everything Calla had to say. “You have quested your Finder to locate the Balora. It is a forbidden tome for good reason, Callion.”

The king rolled his eyes and leaned into the doorframe. “Yes, mother, I’ve heard that. And yes, I have sent Myre to find it. I think it is the key to discovering how best to navigate the situation we find ourselves in. We have exhausted every other possibility. We have to dig deeper into the past.”

Frustration threatened to burst from Calla in a scream but she held it back. Arrogant fool. The past was left behind for a purpose. How did her son not know this?

“I understand that. It is a brilliant thought. But I am afraid it is the incorrect one. Nothing good has or will come from the Balora. We will find another way.”

Callion scowled. “And risk the lives of every soul in Revera? Mother, our greatest enemy has escaped the cage we kept it in for a thousand ages. There is no time to waste. It is clear to everyone but you what must be done.”

Heat surged up Calla’s neck. He was more impossible than she had predicted. While she was grateful the queen had remained in the Kingdom, she could have used another mother’s instincts to join in this battle. 

“You do not know for certain, my son.”

Callion crossed his arms, striding into the room. “I know it enough. I have seen what can happen. You may take in the cursed strays you find in the Realm but I prefer to banish them to Oren Shore or better yet, the Fringe.”

“Callion, you haven’t!” Calla gasped. Could he have become so malicious towards the dark?

“You’re right, I haven’t.” Relief washed over Calla. “But I plan to if they continue to grow in numbers. We can not have dark beings controlling our world, mother. They only have violence on their warped minds.” 

Calla thought of the Trites in her galley that very moment preparing dinner for the court. The poor creatures were cursed by the light, not the dark. She came up short trying to make her son believe that. If only his father were here to correct Callion’s impulsive choices but he had long left this world, leaving her to tend to their stubborn child. 

“Callion, it is more than the creatures that listen to the dark. Revera is on the edge of corruption–”

Callion groaned, cutting Calla off. “Everything will be well, mother. Trust me. I did not make this decision lightly and Avalon agrees. You are welcome at the castle when Myre returns with the Balora and we can continue this discussion there.”

Trust me. That is the last thing Calla could do. 

“Callion, you are not hearing me. There is too much at stake to dally with a book of shadows and think it can help us!”

Callion flew forward, his lip curled. Calla flinched but held her ground, her jaw clenched so tightly she thought her teeth might break. 

“Mother, I do hear you. You just said you are no longer the leader of Revera, I am. I know what is best for my kingdom.”

Calla swallowed, her mouth dry. “As you wish, Callion.” He snorted and turned, running a hand through his hair. 

“I am terribly sorry but I have to leave you now.”

Calla blinked. “Why so soon? I thought you might stay for the night. The journey must have been exhausting.”

Callion only shrugged.  “I must get back. I do not wish to be away from them too long.” 

Warmth coated Calla’s heart as Callion embraced her, his eyes sparkling with a radiant joy only a new father holds.

“Give them my best,” she whispered in his ear. He nodded and left her alone in the tower.

Calla stepped back onto the balcony, the stars slowing down. From the Lustera, she could see a sliver of scarlet light bleeding into the night sky from where the ground had unearthed its captive. 

Soft footsteps padded into the room. Pir cleared her throat announcing her presence. 

“The scouts have returned, my queen.” 

Hope fluttered in Calla’s chest. “Do you know if they found a suitable location?”

“Yes, they believe they have.”

Calla nodded, looking out over the sparkling forest below.  If she did this, her son would never speak to her again. The fracturing it would cause in her bloodline sent an arrow straight to her heart. But family was more than just blood. Laughter rose up from the evening market in the courtyard. The souls in her charge had no clue what had been birthed into this world and how much turmoil lay ahead. This choice would divide the Glimmer from Revera even more than it already was but it was crucial for its survival. 

“Send them in. We have much to discuss.”