"'Tis my fault, brother," Disney Princess says mournfully. "Had I but known, I might have not betrayed him."

"Your bonding to the son of the Desert Knight is an issue I cannot handle right now," he says, red creeping up his neck. "How you allowed me to betroth you knowing you were already bonded . . ." He draws a calming breath. "It will not matter, if we cannot stop the kingdoms from devastation. Witch, what can you do?"

"Nothing." My throat is tight and hurting from the Desert Knight's abuse. "I have no magic. I can't help him or anyone else." I'm back to being useless again.

The Red Knight is pacing. He eyes his sister as if he wants to give her a piece of his mind and then halts. "You swear, witch, what you say is true? You spoke to a woman dead a thousand years?"

"I did." I'm starting to slide into a bout of self-pity and shake my head. Not about to let the misery take hold, I cross my arms and face him. The Shadow Knight spoke relatively well of his neighbor and appeared surprised by the thought he'd be betrayed by the man before me. "What's your story? You just dump all your allies whenever you think someone else is going to win a battle?"

"I do not just dump my allies," comes the sharp response. "I want the curse broken at all costs. The end of an era approaches; a thousand years have passed. I, too, believed the death of the Shadow Knight would end this fog and save our realm. After trying for many, many years to reason with him and others, I waited until the day before the era ends to decide his death is necessary."

He appears earnest, but he has every other time we've interacted. Rarely do our interactions end well.

"I don't believe a word you're saying," I snap, sorrow turning to fury. "The Shadow Knight has been betrayed by everyone he trusted. I, too, let him down, refused to help him when he asked, and left him to the fate only he was able to see so clearly. I'm a fool, but you're worse! You've known this was coming for a thousand years and chose to screw him over instead of saving your world!" My shoulders sag. "It doesn't matter. I can't help him. No one can."

I never should've left his side. At least then I could've used the medallion to help him. I can't imagine what he's going through right now facing the oncoming armies and knowing he failed after a thousand years.

I rack my memories for any clue the warrior queen might've given me about what to do now. No notes appear on my hand, and fear blooms within me.

There's nothing to guide me this time. The hole in my heart is growing, and I don't think a bout of self-confidence is going to help me save the Shadow Knight. I have the urge to hug him, wrap my arms around him and wait for the world to end together. It's not his fault his family was cursed, not his fault if he can't stop what's coming.

It's not fair. Even if by some miracle this really is fiction it's still not fair.

There has to be some way. I can't give up now.

"Let us think for a moment." The Red Knight is trying hard not to explode. I can see it on his face and in his jerky movements. He sinks onto a chair and grows quiet.

I'm not holding out any hope that he can bring my magic back or convince the Desert Knight not to attack.

"The Shadow Knight would know what to do," I point out. "He always does. I bet he's already got a plan on how to win and save the world."

Disney Princess appears hopeful, while the Red Knight scowls.

"I believe you have a chance to help," he says finally. "No other battle-witch needs a medallion. Does your hand tell you aught at all?"

I glance down and shake my head. Even the scary countdown is gone.

"Still, 'tis possible your magic is simply dormant," he reasons. "Or mayhap, there is another medallion, trinket or secret the Shadow Knight knows. I dread to think I will have to outwardly oppose the Desert Knight to put an end to this."

"You do not have the numbers, brother," Disney Princess says.

"No, but I can create enough of a distraction to give the Shadow Knight and the battle-witch a chance."

"You're serious?" I ask, surprised. "You really are an ally of his?"

"I want what is best for my realm," he replies, somewhat irritated. "And I want to ensure you return home, for reasons we discussed. It seems to be in my best interest to assist."

"Why do you want to go back with me?" I ask once more.

"Those reasons are mine." He stands. "The Desert Knight is likely watching us. Sister, remain here. I need to devise a way to smuggle you out, witch." Without another word, he leaves.

I bury my face in my hands, tired and stressed out. I can't take my mind off the Shadow Knight or get rid of the wired energy boiling up inside me. I need to see him, to make sure he's okay, to smell his brownie-leather-clover scent, and help him the right way for once.

We sit long enough to snack on some hard cheese and bread. Wine helps loosen my tense muscles. Disney Princess seems as distraught as I am, her gaze frequently going to the entrance.

I'm a little jealous of her, even knowing what she's done. She had a man like the Shadow Knight in her hands for a year, long enough for there to be more than friendship between them.

"Does the Shadow Knight know you were betrothed to another?" I venture, not caring if it's my business or not.

"Aye," she admits. "I swore him to secrecy."

Ugh. That makes me feel worse. He was serious about me being his queen. If only I'd known . . .

Am I seriously considering a proposal at a time like this? I don't know what I'm thinking. Regret is heavy in my gullet, settling beside the guilt of knowing I'm the first battle-witch in a thousand years unable to protect the Heart of Black Moon Draw.

I study the cracks of the crust of the bread in my hand. There are moments when I want so badly for this world to be real and others when the possibility of dying in two days horrifies me.

"M'lady." The Desert Knight's harsh tone makes both of us jump.

Disney Princess hops to her feet, gaze sliding to Westley, who enters behind his father. I stand more deliberately, dread sinking into my gut.

"Where is your brother?" the Desert Knight demands gruffly.

"I am unsure, m'lord," she replies with a pretty curtsey. "We were resting."

His tan gaze falls to me and I resist the urge to shrink away. He signals to men behind him and two warriors enter the tent, approaching.

My fingers drop the bread automatically. Before I can move, the two each take an arm. "What's happening?" I ask, heart in my throat.

"New plan, witch." The Desert Knight turns away smartly.

I glance at Disney Princess, who is frowning. "Go get him!" I mouth the words to her.

She nods.

With fear bubbling, I wait to see what horrible fate awaits me.

We step outside the tent, where there are half a dozen horses waiting for us. The Desert Knight says nothing to me and mounts his while the others follow his lead.

Westley motions to the guards, who take me to him. With some effort, they get me on the horse behind the teen, and I wrap my arms around him, not looking forward to yet another trip on horseback. My ass is never going to recover.

If the world ends tomorrow at sunset, I guess it doesn't really matter how sore I am.

Judging by the position of the sun ball in the sky, it's late afternoon. The skies remain dark gray, and the fog appears to grow darker, the closer it is to its source in the city. I lean around Westley to see where he's steering the horse.

Columns upon columns of mounted warriors line the foothills, as far as I can see. They're waiting at the mouth of the pass leading through the mountains. The sight makes my breath catch in my sore throat.

There's no way the Shadow Knight can defeat such an army without his own and without my shitty magic.

I rest my head against Westley's shoulder. Escorted by several warriors eyeing me like I'm some kind of stray dog with rabies, we start into the pass, his father and four others ahead and the entire army of Brown Sun Lake behind.

"What's going on?" I ask quietly. "Are you throwing me off a cliff?"

"My father would love to throw you into a pit of despair, but he has a better option."

"Is there really a pit of despair?" I ask.

"No, witch." He glances over his shoulder at me. "'Tis an expression."

Nice, LF. Assuming this is still a book, that is, which I'm starting to doubt. "Then where are we going?"

Westley is quiet for a moment before responding. "The Shadow Knight offered to surrender, in exchange for you."

"He did what?" I nearly shout the words, drawing the attention of everyone around us.

"Quiet!"

My god! The man thinks I have magic. He has no way to know the medallion is gone. "He can't do that!" I hiss.

"Naia, keep quiet!" Westley shifts, eyes on his father. "I do not know what else to do. You are his battle-witch. You can do something or mayhap he knows aught we do not about your magic."

It's hard not to panic and jump down to run screaming for the hills. I hug him harder and press my face to his back. The only thing worse than knowing I've disappointed the Shadow Knight: having to tell him it's my fault his world is about to end.

Tears sting my eyes. I have no idea how to tell him the truth and it crushes me thinking about it.

The ride through the pass is the longest two hours of my life. I can hear the sound of doom the squeak of horse leathers, ring of hooves on stone and rattling of weapons in their sheathes coming from behind me and know I'm bringing with me the destruction of Black Moon Draw.

The emerald hills beneath gray skies draw my gaze when we reach the other side of the mountains. Instead of cheering me up with their sweet scent, the knowledge I can't save them sends me tumbling into despair.

All this will be gone tomorrow. The place that feels like home, the man who makes me feel alive.

It's not real. My chant no longer works. All I can think about is how much this is going to hurt. If this is a book, or a dream, I'll never recover.

We ride along the foothills of the mountains on the road leading towards the mile long walls of the city at the heart of Black Moon Draw. The walls soon tower above us, smooth, carved from the stone of the mountains. The sky above the city's center is black.

The road leads to an entrance made of wooden planks wider than the trailer of a semi-truck. One of the planks is open, and I find myself peering around Westley to see into the home of the Shadow Knight.

Edifices carved out of the same stone as the walls, wide streets lined by lit torches, wooden doors and window shutters painted different colors. Even before we ride unchallenged through the entrance, I'm in love with the understated romance of the city. As we enter, I can make out the light filigree that decorates each facade.

It's as unique and beautiful as the hills except for the plethora of lifelike statues scattered everywhere. They're are downright creepy.

Lost in wonder, I admire everything around me, except for the statues, not even noticing the lack of people until I hear one of our escorts muttering about ghosts.

It's true. There's no sign of life anywhere. The city hasn't been vacated for the impending war; it looks like no one has lived here in years.

We follow the main avenue that wraps around the city, each lap around growing smaller as the spiral tightens, until we reach the open doors of a castle on the hill at the center of the city, directly beneath the eye of the black clouds swirling above. The castle has dozens of spires, towers and layer upon layer of levels, enormous, a sign of wealth unlike any I've seen in this world so far. This is what a castle should look like.

I could've lived here. The thought makes my cheeks warm. Then the devastation kicks in, and I want to cry again.

I don't, instead focused on the incredible world around me. The Desert Knight marches triumphantly up to the open gates of the castle without so much as a single Black Moon Draw warrior appearing.

If the statue-strewn streets of the city are dead quiet, the castle's bailey and interior are downright eerie. We dismount and enter through doors hanging sadly off their hinges. At one time, the castle was the height of grandeur. Tattered tapestries depicting great battles hang from the walls, which appear to have been gilded at one point. Flecks of gold and silver sparkle in torchlight. The soaring wooden beams far overhead are almost white with cobwebs, and a thick layer of dust covers the heavy stone furnishings and floor in the massive foyer area.

I'm surrounded by the men of Brown Sun Lake, who halt in the center of the torch lit foyer. Three dark corridors lead out of this area while the fourth wall is behind us, containing the sagging wooden doors marking the entrance.

The temperature drops around us and fog clings to the corners of the ceiling. I shiver, grateful for the cloak and hood. My breath hangs in the air. The world is beginning to darken as night grows near, and torchlight alone provides visibility in the windowless interior.

"What is this?" the Desert Knight growls. "Where are the guards? The people?"

I'm wondering the same.

"Welcome to Black Moon Draw," Atreyu's voice is quiet, hard and far more unwelcoming than I've ever heard.

I turn, crowding Westley.

The castle wall ahead of us morphs from a corridor entrance into a well-lit stairwell. The Shadow Knight stands in his black cloak with his boar's head on the landing. His powerful form is still, his forearms chiseled with tension. The combination of theatrics, the Shadow Knight's size, and creepy castle wears on more than me.

The Desert Knight's men are reaching for their weapons. Westley grips my arm, less out of fear I'll escape and more because he appears as scared as I feel.

"He will not kill us, will he?" the teen whispers.

"I don't really know. He's got nothing to lose."

"Then the safest place to stand is with you."

"Unless he's afraid I'll use my magic against him."

"Where are the people?" the Desert Knight booms. "Do not think to ambush me!"

"There have been no people in Black Moon Draw in nearly a thousand years. Only an army, a Shadow Knight, and . . . the fog."

"Impossible!"

"'Tis the way of Black Moon Draw. The rumors of madness are true. Should you stay too long in the castle or the city, you will die or go mad."

What a lonely life. My heart aches as I gaze at the boar-headed man, understanding even more what his sacrifice has been. Twenty-five years sleeping under fog, a constant reminder of the war he fought. Two decades without a home.

The Desert Knight's eyes narrow and he glances at me. I have a feeling he's ready to chop me to bits.

"The city is yours," the Shadow Knight says. "If you can leave it alive."

Silence.

My heart is beating so loudly, I'm afraid Westley can hear it. He's pale, scared.

"These were not our terms," the Desert Knight warns. "You swore to surrender in exchange for her." Striding to me, he yanks me free of his son, his grip hurting.

"I have surrendered." The Shadow Knight takes two steps down the stairs and then stops. "The city is yours. Black Moon Draw is yours. I promised you unopposed entry. At no point did I promise you the ability to leave."