Evie didn't know how to tell Niels. Whatever she wanted. Whatever she needed to say. There are millions of teenage couples out there who do nothing more than spend all their evenings in cinemas or fast food restaurants. Well, they might kiss each other when they meet to tease their classmates, especially the smart girls in the front of the class. Evie hadn't even decided what she really wanted: dating, kissing, or twirling around at the prom?

Niels was a redhead and rather odd. Sometimes moody, sometimes mysterious. But he looked so cool. Perfect.

"If Roxy becomes High Minister, Thea and I will be her princesses. And I have to have a prince! Of course, Roxy will be together with Edol – as king and queen. But I won't be left out, either," Evie decided to herself.

"In general, I'm always in the shadows. But it's for the best – I don't go for leading roles. We're so different. But when I start dating, everyone will be jealous. That someone needs me. I'll never be lonely…"

– Already back? " Galya asked Louise in surprise as she untied the strap on her sandals. "It would be good to buy sneakers".

– Yes. I was hungry," the girl replied.

– I put some lentil patties in the oven. But I know that's not the only reason.

– Everything has gone wrong. Niels is a military man. He knows my face. The pimple face. He won't kill me? " Louise asked with a note of fear in her voice.

– Are you serious? Where did you see him? " wondered the old woman.

– At the Glade. A whole troop of soldiers came there.

– Really? That can't be true! And what were they doing there?

– Well. running, doing push-ups, drinking something out of tin cans.

– Hmm, weird. Didn't they have any weapons? Swords or guns?

– Nothing.

– Then you shouldn't worry. They wouldn't kill anyone even if they wanted to. I think they're just practicing. Learning.

– But why here? Who invited them to our world? Niels?

– Do you miss him?

– What?

– The spark was real. Like all Butterflies, future or present. Your mom had it too.

– Did what?" the girl didn't understand. Galya almost never told details about her parents. The girl only knew that she would have wings. Because that's the way it's supposed to be.

– Whether you like it or not, your souls were linked at that moment. For eternity," Galya began to explain, but Louise had to interrupt her, as she usually did:

– You mean the moment we met?

– Yeah, that's what I mean. You looked into each other's eyes, didn't you?

– We did, Galya. So bottomless, but empty. And clear, like crystal. No, not empty, not empty at all!

– You're a Butterfly, Louise. And the love of a Butterfly is not an easy thing. It's the second time in my life, though it's been a long time. What a miracle!

– Are you saying Butterflies can't love human boys? Where would they find someone to love?

– Nowhere, dear. I used to be a butterfly myself. And I live alone. As you can see, I still do," Galina said, probably trying to emphasize a certain sense of pride.

– Alone? But, Galya, you are not alone. To be more precise, you… we live together!

– You realize that I'm talking about something another, " said Galya slyly.

– W… well, yes, okay. So what about the Butterflies? What will happen to me?

– I'm not forbidding you to love, Louise. The heart can't forbid it. And I don't want you to suffer. At least not for the next six years.

– What will happen in six years? " Louise asked insistently. She hadn't even gotten off the hallway rug yet.

– You're not ready for this conversation yet, baby. Grow up a little more, please.