Aaron's POV.

'Here's the map of Grey Meadows,' said Claramay,  spreading out a thin film of pixie dust on the grey floor and mumbling some incantations.

There were intertwined roads and tall turrets as far as I could make out from the map. But the actual labyrinth of the roads was yet to be experienced.

'Do you know your way around here?' I asked Claramay.

'It's my home, my own land.' she snapped, 'Obviously I know the place like the back of my hand.'

'There aren't any Dracula's mansions or ghost houses with bats I hope,' I tried to lighten the situation.

'Mr Carine, the oldest of the vampires lives in Tower Regalia. It's the biggest of the houses adorning the posh areas of Grey Meadow. And I'm not joking. Bats—we left them behind. Ghosts are warded off from this land by magic charms guarding this place from unwanted and irritating objects — ghosts and humans alike. Me bringing you here is akin to treason and the consequences could be terrible.' she went on in one breath and then released her anger with a huff,' So it would be better if you use your little, puny brain to the minimum and let me do my work.'

'Yes ma'am.' I gave my cavalier style goofy grin.

Her frown faltered and actually turned into a broad grin, 'Enough of the goofiness. Follow me!'

I gave her a regal bow, earning another grin of pure pleasure from her, before we set off on our way.

'Aaron, I guess it's better you cover yourself with a cloak. That will help me conserve more magic by not making me waste a great portion of it to mask your appearance. I have meddling with the visions so that you become invisible to a person, unless they are specifically searching for you, which they aren't. '

Claramay' s words had a point and soon I was dressed in dark purple robes.

'You are Amethyst.' she declares before I could protest.

I just shrugged in acceptance.

We both traveled along the road, winding through the grey city, on the lookout for the palace where Poppy stays. The streets were dusty and the earth seemed parched.

'Doesn't it rain here?'

'It snows. We don't like to get ourselves dripping wet. We have a class.'

'Wait a second. You, yourself said you feel suffocated here, but then you're talking about this place as if it's your home and you love it. That's double standard,' I protested.

'That's not. I, sure as hell may hate my home, but at the end of the day, it's my home and I have some soft corners for this place. This place didn't build itself. These buildings you see today are the result of months of combined effort by Guardian Emerald and all the Vešterkas out there. We built our homes and so we definitely have a special attachment to this place. '

I narrow my eyes at her,'Don't bluff me. I know you love it in here. Admit it.'

Her eyes flared red.

The older me might have made peace and backed off in such a situation, but the newer me was more bold and more resolute.

'Confess it. You can't hide it all from me Claramay.'

She kept quiet and moved forward. I stopped moving and crossed my arms, a clear signal of defiance.

'You know what?' she hissed at me, 'Yes, this place isn't as bad at it seems. You can't call a place names, because of its inhabitants. Emerald is a nice person. Yes, he loses his control at times, but everyone does. Only his magic has no control when he's angry. That makes him very dangerous. Else, he's a good administrator and there is peace in the land.'

'I don't blame you,' I mumble. 'I can completely understand your love for your land and for Emerald...'

'You have no right to blame me anyway,' she retorts, stopping me midway.

'But then, will Poppy not face a problem if I take her back? I mean, the human world won't accept her, right? She'll be an outcast. I don't want that for my sister.' I ramble nervously.

'Look, Poppy is the least of my concerns right now. The appearance of Ruby in our land has upset the equilibrium of the entire setup, making it more difficult to establish peace on both sides,' she huffed.

'And how's that?' I was surprised at the new revelation.

'We had the same number of Vešterkas in Grey Meadow as there were guardians in the Violet Hollow. This equality made them feel a bit safe, a bit reassured, though they are nothing compared to us,' she sounded smug and I couldn't help wonder if that's what happens to people who've constantly been treated as a misfit throughout their lives.

'And now with the coming of Ruby,' she continued. 'We have one more member. They grew self conscious and strengthened their security. They feel threatened by our number. Inter dimensional travels and deals became completely forbidden. A fairy and a Vešterkas had to duel each other if they met. I had to fight five of the fairies before they finally declared me eligible for even a trial. Most are killed.'

'So, you wanted to get rid of her by hook or by crook.' I nodded my head, 'Does it mean you came back to search for me and everything wasn't just pure coincidence?'

'Exactly yes. Why would I go to your world without any work? I knew if there was anyone who could motivate your sister, it is you.' she looked away.

'Then why did you pretend and cause so much of confusions. You could've just told me the entire thing.'

She gave a smile again, though the sadness seemed to be seeping from her eyes into her words. 'If I told you the entire thing then, you'd be somewhere out there getting yourself killed due to your foolishness.'

'You don't have patience. You're hot tempered, restless and an emotional fool.' she continued.' I needed you to figure out the way to reach here, to make sure that you have the basic minimum amount of common sense needed to let a human survive around here. '

'That was a test? You almost had those spider beasts kill me.' I shuddered.

'That particular battalion of the guards work under me, so there was nothing you needed to worry about. No one will even take a guess that you came here. They wouldn't have hurt you, as I gave them the command to restrain, and not kill. Your face was worth all the drama. ' a  satisfied smile spread on her lips.

'Very funny,' I rolled my eyes,' I'd be furious with you if I didn't need your help right now!'

'Ha! I knew it. You can't do anything without me.'

'You're impossible,' I muttered as she strutted ahead of me.

Claramay has changed, but for the better or for the worse?

But what I know is, I fell for her once, I love her still and I will continue loving her till death separates us.