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“My queen,” Amarasa turned toward the source of the voice. “Captain Mapp wants to speak with you.” The soldier retreated into the hall, and Amarasa swept out of the room in front of him. He followed like a lapdog as she walked down into the entryway of her castle. Treyton Mapp stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the trees slowly sway in the breeze.

“You are dismissed,” he said, and the soldier bowed before leaving the two together.

“What is it, Treyton?” Amarasa asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“We’ve found the girl,” he kept his face to the window. “Your spy saw her jump from the bell tower.”

“Where is she?” Amarasa was anxious now. 

“With the wizards,” Treyton’s voice contorted in hate.

“Bring her to me, now. Alive,” Amarasa stood beside him. He looked over at her, wishing he could kiss that flawless neck. He controlled himself with a swallow.

“My queen,” he took her hand and kissed it, “it will be done.”

“Do not speak a word of this to my husband,” she commanded. “I want to take care of this problem quickly.”

“Yes, my lady,” Treyton nodded. He placed a hand on her bare shoulder. They both stared out at her kingdom for a silent moment.

“What are you waiting for?” Amarasa snapped her head over to look at Treyton. “The faster you bring her to me, the faster that we can meet again.” Hunger flared in Treyton’s stomach as he thought about the queen’s words.

“It will be done,” he kissed her hand again and left the entryway.

Treyton walked along a back alley of the castle, and to the soldier’s barracks. He walked in where his men were playing a card game on a small table. 

“Prepare my troops for an assignment,” Treyton commanded of his general, who nodded. Soon, his soldiers were assembled in the courtyard outside the barracks. 

“The queen’s beloved daughter has finally been found,” Treyton paced back and forth in front of them. He and the queen were the only ones who knew of her malevolent intentions toward her daughter. “Our goal is to reunite mother and daughter. She is in the captivity of wizards, and we are to bring her back. Fall out!” he called and climbed onto his horse. He would make his love proud.

Amarasa watched as Treyton led his soldiers out of the front gates and off into the thick forest. She paced in front of the window for a moment. She would get her wretched daughter back, and she would be destroyed. But first, Amarasa had to get into her heart. She called a few servants to her and had them prepare a room for her daughter. If the queen could convince the girl she loved her, it would be so much easier to kill her.

Amarasa walked into her rooms and to a giant bookshelf where she trailed her nimble fingers over the worn covers. She paused at one book and swiftly removed it from its spot on the shelf. She tossed the random book on a comfortable chair next to her. Amarasa closed her eyes and pressed her hand to the back of the bookshelf. She muttered a few magic words and the bookshelf creaked. Amarasa replaced the book and pushed on one side of the shelf so it swiveled her around into a secret room. 

The room was dark, but a single light bulb flickered to life above her as she clicked her fingers. The corners were still shadowed, and she crossed her arms.

“Come here, Tuesday,” she sighed and something moved in a dark corner. “Are you listening?” The shape moved again, and crept into the small light. “What have I told you about disobeying me, Tuesday?” Amarasa looked disapprovingly down at the figure curled on the stone. “How long has it been since you have seen my face?”

“Seven thousand, two hundred minutes, and thirty seven seconds,” came the whispered response.

“Yes,” Tuesday answered, but Amarasa ignored it.

“Do you miss me, darling?” Amarasa reached down to pull the blanket off of the person, and a red-haired girl huddled on the floor. She was dressed in a dress that, at one time, had been beautiful.

“Yes, mother,” the girl kissed her feet. “I always miss you.”

“Good girl,” she stroked Tuesday’s head. “I’ve missed you too, but you know how busy I am.”

“Of course,” the girl nodded her response.

“Your twin sister is back,” Amarasa crossed her arms and set her mouth. Tuesday looked up at her in amazement, but said nothing. “That’s why I need you, love,” Amarasa lifted her daughter from the floor with a hand under her chin. “I need you to find and track her for me. Do you think you can do that?”

“Yes, mother,” Tuesday nodded and kept her head down. “I will do what I can.”

“No you won’t,” Amarasa grabbed her daughter’s arm forcefully, causing the girl to cry out in pain. “You will use your time-seeing to find her, or I will kill you along with her. Do we have an understanding?”

“Good,” Amarasa walked back out into her rooms, and managed to close the hidden door and mutter the spell to lock it before a voice came from behind her.

“Amarasa,” she turned to see the king standing at her door.

“Yes, my darling?” she answered as he slowly walked in to stand in front of her.

“What is so exciting? Everyone in the castle is buzzing about something.” He smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“I have found my daughter,” she smiled, leaving out her horrible plans.

“That’s great news, my love,” he hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy to finally meet her.”

“Hopefully she’ll be here in a few hours, if the captain of the guard does his job,” she smiled.