**3rd Person POV**
Prince Lucian could not respond to Aegan's duel because right then his attention was needed by his mother. He excused himself and went straight to his mother's quarters where he saw her making arrangements to leave the palace.
“Mother?” quipped Lucian, surprised to see his mother ready to leave when they had not discussed such before.
“The fairies reached out to me, Aegan moves very fast. He is threatening to exterminate the fairies. I must return home,” she said hurriedly.
“It is a threat. He cannot do such a thing. If he tries to…”
“Son. I must be prepared for the worst, okay? I already spoke to the Lord of the skies; we are nearing the end of our exile here. Perhaps, he will allow us to return to our rightful place,” the queen of Fae said.
“Mother, you cannot leave now when…”
“I trust that you will do right by us, son but I must leave now. By the way, Regina is fine. She stepped out of the palace to see her father,” the fairy Queen said with a smile on her face. She knew her son had been worried about her.
“Her father?”
“It's a long story dear but you need not worry yourself over her. Just concentrate on what's important. Remember the son of who you are; Aegan is no match for you,” she planted a kiss on his head.
He watched his mother summon a floating carriage and in a whiff she was gone.
He had never felt so alone in his life like he felt now. There was a time his mother had to leave home but he had been very young and his father had not ascended to the throne yet. He had cried when his mother has left him saying that he was all alone
His father had held his hand and told him he was there for him and would always be there. There was no father to hold his hand this time and comfort him.
“Stop sulking, are you child?” he turned around surprised to see Regina standing right behind him.
“You told no one you were going out, I was worried,” returned Lucian, relieved to see her.
“It was a personal errand and I was tired of you breathing down my neck,” said Regina with no remorse. She was happy that she had some breathing space and she had gotten to see her father.
She had asked him if he would be returning home when it was all over but his response had disappointed her. He had told her there was no home for him without Marilyn. Regina had tried to persuade her father to come home seeing as he had her and his grandchildren. He had insisted that he would remain here because it was possible that he might find Marilyn’s soul. Regina had signed in envy. She wondered if anyone would ever love her the way her father still loved her mother.
“I see. I'm relieved you're safe.”
“I'm going back,” Regina announced, “my twins are safe. I want to see them,” there was a wide smile on Regina's face. Her smile infected Lucian who had never seen her smile from her heart before.
“Okay.”
“I will let Dagen know that the twins are safe so we can return home,” said Regina.
Lucian stared at her departing figure. If he felt alone minutes before, he felt it even more now. However, like his mother had said, he only needed to focus on what was important. He would accept Aegan's duel and fight until he could not anymore. He was going to do everything in his power to ensure that he emerged victorious.
****
Dagen stared unblinkingly at the body before him, unable to believe his eyes. How the hell had this happened? He had thought that the next time he would ever see Nydia he would be filled with rage and would want nothing more than to tear her body into pieces. He had not expected to feel pity for her. However, there was nothing else he could feel for the woman who was sprawled on the floor mumbling unintelligible things.
“She's the reason you came here,” the sadness in the voice is what made Dagen lift up his head to see Regina.
“No, no, you misunderstand. Someone dropped her here. I had no idea she was even here,” Dagen said quickly in his defence but Regina did not seem to believe him at all. She looked at him with doubtful eyes.
“I came to tell you that we can return home; the children are safe at home. I believe you will take her with you; she's the love of your life anyway,” Regina's voice was full of bitterness. Her anger blinded her to see that Nydia was in need of urgent help.
“Regina, please…”
“I was stupid to think for even a second that you would allow me to use your portal back home. I would find my way home and you had better stay away from my children,” returned Regina as she walked out on Dagen.
Dagen felt overwhelmed but he had to decide quickly. While he could never forgive Nydia for the things she had done to him, he could not forget the contribution she had made to his life. He could not forget how she had remained by his side during the darkest period of his life. He was not exactly sure how she had ended up here but he could not leave her here to rot while he could still bring her home and treat her.
On the other hand, Regina was the mother of his children. He hated that he could not bring two people along with him through his portal. It would also take a very long time for him to build another portal in order for him to return to this place.
He was stuck between a rock and a hard place and for a very long time, he did not know where to turn.