I was standing in the sand, the warmth from the sun no longer burning my skin as I stood barefoot. The sound of the waves crashed around me as I gazed out to sea. Smiling to myself, I admired the blue water as it crept onto shore, the waves breaking along the horizon. At least for once, I wasn't dreaming about my parents. As if on cue, I heard a familiar voice call my name, a woman's voice I hadn't heard in years.

"Anna, " They called from behind me, their tone calm and reassuring, "Baby."

"Mom," I whispered as I turned around, wishing to see my mother's smiling face again after all these years. To my surprise, she stood before me, wearing a flowing white gown, her red hair falling around her face in waves as they blew in the soft sea breeze.

"Hi, baby girl." She greeted as I immediately ran towards her, wrapping my arms around her as I cried, overwhelmed to see her even if this wasn't real.

"I can't believe I'm seeing you again after all this time," I mumbled as she brushed my hair back, kissing me softly on my head.

"I know honey, I know." she cooed, "I'm glad I get to see you again too. Your father would have come too but only one of us were allowed to see you."

"What do you mean?" I asked, pulling away, "This isn't real right?"

"This is a dream, yes, but I am real. I am really talking to you right now."

"But Mom you're-" I started, before my Mother cupped her hand on my cheek, her eyes looking over at me knowingly, "How is this possible?"

"We never truly die, Anna. We are with you always." She smiled, "Also, you got yourself a looker." She teased, playfully winking at me as a blush crept up my skin. "You're going to be a great Mom, baby girl. You've grown into an amazing young woman. I'm so proud of you." She smiled thoughtfully, "Do you remember when you had to take care of that robot baby for your home economics class?"

"Yeah, no matter what I did it wouldn't stop crying." I shook my head, remembering that Dad had wanted to throw it out the window because of the noise, "He wanted to murder his robot grandbaby."

Mom laughed, a sound I thought I'd never hear again as she smiled before her expression turned serious, "Don't let your past haunt you any longer. You couldn't have prevented our deaths, nor could you have prevented my future son-in-law from being captured. Be happy Anna. Focus on your future and live your life helping and serving others as you always have, but still remember to think of yourself and your family's wellbeing." She paused, "I must go now, I was told to give you this." She said as she pulled out a necklace out of thin air.

"What is it?" I asked as she clasped the necklace on me as it hummed and glowed to life.

"It will help you when you take your true place as Queen." She said, her voice barely above a whisper, "You will be able to breathe underwater, see clearly under the darkest of depths, and the sea's harsh temperatures will no longer bother you as they once did. When you awaken, go home, to Arcania."

"But-" I replied as I turned back around to see that my mother was no longer there. I was all alone. Nothing but the sea greeted me before I awoke, staring up at the ceiling of our bedroom.

My senses came back to me all at once, the feeling of someones arms around me as I laid there, the familiar feeling making me think of Delmare. Turning over I immediately recognized the person laying beside me, his black hair a mess falling over his face as he rested beside me. "Delmare!" I exclaimed as he immediately awoke, his eyes ready for any danger as he sat up, his arm falling over me, shielding me as he protected me from what might want to hurt me.

"What, what is it?" He asked his tone set and filled with concern.

I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer to me...