Months ago on tumblr there was a post talking about what if our hearts start glowing when we meet our soul mates. And, somehow, this was born.

And, since I know people are going to ask: Nightlight and Ombric are from the Guardians of Childhood books by William Joyce.

Standard disclaimers apply. I'm not really in a mood for author's notes today, so just enjoy the show!

Across The Lines

By Song Of A Free Heart

Prologue

The Winter Palace, nestled between two mountains at the heart of the kingdom, was built entirely of shimmering, silver-white Lunar Stone. The ground were surrounded by ancient evergreen trees that grew right up to the fortified walls. Firs, pines, and spruces, and a few birches that grew, and managed to bloom in the brief months that passed as Winter's warm season – but most of the year they were bare branched. Turrets rose proudly towards a sky that, at this time of year – was almost always grey and heavy. The only color in the landscape was the dark green of the trees, but even that was usually obscured by white snow piled up on the branches.

It was a rather miserable landscape. One that would only improve so much once the cold season passed. (Winter was rarely anything but cold, but someone had still decided to divide the year into a cold and a warm season.)

The guards called out the all clear as they recognized the crown prince riding towards them. The gate was opened just as he and his retinue of guards reached it.

A stable hand met them at the massive doors that lead into the main building of the palace complex. The young man took the reins with a bow as the crown prince dismounted, nodding his thanks as he headed for the doors, which were already being pulled open for him.

Stepping inside the palace, after the dreary grey outside, was a lesson in contrasts.

Nightlight took a deep breath of the warm air as he stepped inside, pulling off his fur lined gloves. He inhaled the familiar scent of cinnamon and evergreen that permeated the palace, and told him that he was home.

Unlike outside, the palace interior was a world of color. Nightlight was used to it, having been raised in the palace. But he still had to blink at the sudden brightness. The walls were simple white, but they could hardly be seen behind the silk banners dyed deep shades of scarlet, violet, golden yellow and royal blue.

From the ceiling, more than two stories above his head, hung a massive crystal chandelier, light reflecting off the stone facets. To his right, brilliant yellow orange flames danced in the large fireplace, lending the room both light and warmth.

The warmth made him all the more aware of just how cold his nose and cheeks were.

The entryway was opulent, to be sure. But familiarity had a way of making even the most magnificent sights mundane.

As did exhaustion.

Nightlight didn't pay attention to any of it as he made his way to the staircase that would take him to the royal wing.

The border dispute with Spring had been standard. Nothing Nightlight hadn't already handled a hundred odd times before. But tensions ran higher with every year that the Lost Princess wasn't found. Between the negotiations, and racing to get home before the oncoming storm, he needed rest. Preferably before anyone realized he was back.

He was on the second floor landing, turning up towards the third, when the question came.

"Where is your brother?"

So close, Nightlight thought, sighing as he looked at the old man who had just come through the hallway mouth.

It was almost cute how people kept asking the question. As if the answer this time would be different from the last ten thousand or so times they had asked. And Consul Ombric was usually the one asking. (He was also probably part of the reason why the question needed to be asked so often. He knew his brother wasn't exactly fond of the Consul's lectures.)

It was as though they were trying to forget his brother's personality.

Nightlight pulled loose the tie that held his cloak shut around his throat, shrugging out of the fur line garment. "There was a rumor about bandits on the south road. He may have gone to look into it."

When Jack had been born, Nightlight had been bold that it was his responsibility to help looked after his younger brother. A responsibility he had taken seriously… for all of about two years. About the time people regularly started asking where his brother was.

He had decided that he couldn't focus on his studies and constantly look out for his headstrong brother. And since his responsibility was impressed upon him even more than his responsibility to his brother, that was the one he had chosen as his priority.

He loved his brother. But Nightlight was under no illusions that he could tame Jack's wild side. And since most of what Jack did was for the good of the kingdom, he didn't see any point in trying.

Most people didn't see things that way, however.

"Your Highness, war with Spring and Summer looms on the horizon, and the cold season is setting it. Now is not the time for your brother to go wandering off on one of his reckless adventures.

The council seemed to think that lecturing Nightlight in jack's absence would some how make a difference. Normally he could tolerate it, but at the moment his patience was already pressed to the max.

"Consul, Jack has been doing this as long as he's been able to walk. He can take care of himself.

Or at least find a way to fake it. Not that Nightlight would betray his brother's secrets.

"Tell my parents I'll join them for dinner," he said, making it clear the conversation was over.

As he continued up the prayers, he said a prayer that his brother would stay safe.

Especially as he heard the wind howl outside.