There was something about him that she couldn't help but find deeply unappealing. Every time her mother sent her on the carriage to the Kingsbury Palace to spend time with Owen, Sophie felt a queasy feeling in her stomach. She loathed the days that they spent together. It wasn't hard to pinpoint his flaws; in fact, it was much more difficult to find something that she actually liked about him.

"And after lessons with mother, I usually spend time in the library to improve my skills." Owen gestured Sophie into the Grand Library, the number of books surpassing the amount she expected there to be in the world. Shelves lined from the floor to the ceiling on each wall except the one with the windows encasing the whole.

There were tables and desks and couches, where she noticed one of the princes sitting and reading. She hadn't talked to the princes much after the ball they attended - her time in the last four years was spent with Owen, getting to know her future husband.

"Justin, nice to see you again." Owen bowed to the Prince, Sophie following with a curtsy.

Justin nodded, then focused his attention on Sophie. He raised his eyebrows at her, for it had been quite a while since their initial meeting. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance again, Miss Hatter."

Sophie's lips trembled. She remembered her mother's words on how to reply when approached by a royal figure. She forced a smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness."

Justin smiled and gradually carried his eyes away from her to continue his book. Owen stretched his hand out for Sophie, who hesitated before lightly accepting his gesture. He led her to the large window and motioned for her to sit on the red armchair. She obeyed.

The windows revealed the whole of the capital city. Kingsbury was magnificent; Sophie felt lucky to be able to visit simply because of her endearment for the capital. It was much busier than Market Chipping, people bustling around and active from the moment she arrived at the Palace to the moment when she would leave. It was spectacular.

"Kingsbury is beautiful." Sophie said, her voice so soft she thought he may not have heard.

Owen coughed. "It's all right. I've been to places much greater than here. The mountains of Fiyaj, the rainforests of Monguru... those are the places you want to see. Once you've been there a while, though, they kind of bore you."

Sophie nodded, though she didn't quite understand how anyone could live in a city this grand and become bored of it. She couldn't understand how those faraway places with mountains and rainforests could ever seem dull. Every time she entered the capital city, she felt a certain enchantment and wonder that could not be found in Market Chipping.

And here was Owen, given everything he had asked for since the day he was born, and still never satisfied.

Sophie gulped. "I wonder what it would be like to visit those places."

Owen tilted his head, a sharp smile on his face. "Maybe someday you will."

As Sophie saw his smile, she froze. She imagined her future with him - going to exotic places and watching him increase his skills; bearing his children to become as powerful as him; becoming a palace housewife.

She didn't want this. She didn't want a life dictated by the will of others, a puppet in the hands of those with more power. Her mother. Owen.

Madame Suliman.

As if on cue, the Royal Sorceress stood proudly in the doorway, wearing an exquisite blue gown. Her attire always dressed like she was attending a royal ball or special occasion. She leaned against the door, her eyes fixed on the two sitting by the window.

Prince Justin had left. Sophie didn't know when or how she hadn't noticed, but she now found herself alone with those she feared the most.

"Good afternoon, Sophie." She said, slowly walking toward them. "So nice of you to visit."

Sophie nodded rapidly. "Of course. It's my pleasure...er, the pleasure is all mine."

Madame Suliman laughed lightly. "Your mother must have taught you a few phrases to say during your time here." Sophie's cheeks turned red, though Madame Suliman had turned away, Sophie hoping she hadn't taken notice. "Owen, darling. Would you be a dear and bring Sophie and me some refreshments? I'm sure she could use a bite to eat."

Owen stood up and bowed before departing from the room. Sophie felt tense as Madame Suliman walked toward the large window, her hands held behind her back as she stared at the vast city. She wasn't sure whom she feared more - Owen or his mother.

"You like it here, don't you?" Madame Suliman said, her gaze still focused on the city. "You've been visiting quite often."

Sophie twiddled with her fingers. "Well, my mother thinks I need to spend more time with Owen... to get to know him better."

Suliman inhaled a long breath. "I enjoy you two spending so much time together."

Sophie nodded, forgetting that the Royal Sorceress couldn't see her. Madame Suliman turned around, her smile soft and caring, yet Sophie couldn't help the chills that scurried up her arms and around her entire body.

She stopped in front of her, bending down to Sophie's height in the chair. She tilted her head, similar to Owen. "You like my son, do you not?"

Sophie clenched her fists, though forced a contented smile on her face. She knew exactly what to say. "Owen is a very nice boy."

Noe slammed the door shut behind her, a vicious grin clearly present. She was pleased with how she made that human girl feel weak and vulnerable. There was a certain satisfaction that came with exhibiting even the basis of her abilities and watching her opponents cower in fear. She was in control; she was leading the pack.

Noe set her broomstick against the line of bricks that stuck out of the wall for the living room fireplace. What was the point of having two fireplaces in one home, she thought. There wasn't much she remembered about her old classmate Kenta, but she highly judged his housing choices - he wasn't the sharpest wizard in the apprenticeship.

She rubbed her temple, wishing she had blocked that attack before Gwenda had made her move. She saw a stubbornness inside that insolent human. She didn't know how she let her slide with that one blow. Noe hadn't expected her to fight back; she had underestimated her. Gwenda was tough, and it would take a while before she'd break, but Noe was willing to do whatever it took to please the Madame.

Noe heard laughter and a clinking of glasses. Nade and Xarx sat at the round table, enjoying their drinks with a deck of cards. Noe fumed at them. "You know, it would be nice if you two would help me with some of the work. I was the one who found this dump to hide the girl and actually kidnapped her. All you two have done is gotten comfortable with your drinks and laziness."

Nade looked up, his cool smile perked at one side of his face. "C'mon, sweetheart. We're doing the best we can."

Noe groaned. "Nade, you have done literally nothing since we were assigned this mission."

Xarx shuffled the deck. "Again, remind me why we can't just stash the girl at the Palace? There is way more security there."

"Don't you dimwits listen to the Royal Sorceress? Ever?" Nade and Xarx shook their heads. Noe rolled her eyes. "Madame Suliman knows they'll look there first. They were able to get that Sophie girl out the first time and she doesn't want to risk that happening again."

Noe wondered why Madame Suliman had placed her with these two idiots for something as crucial as this. Nade, while physically strong, had the mental capacity of a chipmunk. He could cast a hundred spells that utilized his strength, yet couldn't manage a deceptive strategy to save his life. It was a miracle the Royal Sorceress found worth in him.

Xarx was a strangely different story. Noe always wondered how he even graduated the apprenticeship, let alone made it on Madame Suliman's secret operatives. As she recalled, he had a hard time even discovering his source - she wasn't even sure he had one, in all honesty. As she observed him closer, though, she could have sworn his eyes were changing colors beneath the shield of his scraggly hair.

She brushed it off. It was probably just a weird reflection of the lights.

Both of these idiots knew Noe was determined to be at the Madame's highest ranking and would do anything to achieve that goal, so when it came time for important missions she was left to do the majority of the work while they took partial credit. They didn't deserve to work under someone as prestigious as Madame Suliman.

Xarx set the deck of cards on the table and pushed himself to stand up. "I'm going to take a leak." He entered the restroom and shut the door, leaving Nade and Noe alone.

Nade turned to the door where Gwenda was held captive. He cracked his knuckles and puffed his chest. "She's kind of cute, that little human girl."

Noe glared at him. She pointed her finger. "Don't touch her. She's a prisoner, not a prostitute."

Nade chuckled and threw his hands up. "C'mon, sweetheart. Can't I just flirt around?"

"Not with prisoners."

Nade narrowed his eyes at the bedroom door and shook his head. He took a quick sip of his drink. "That pregnant one should have just listened to the Madame when she proposed a marriage with Prince Justin. I was fine chilling out in my little cage. I hate having to actually do something."

Noe turned to him in disbelief. "God, you are so lazy. And lucky for me, I was never caged like an animal."

Nade snorted. "Oh yeah? What made you so special?"

Noe smiled wide, her back naturally straightening. "Madame Suliman put me on reconnaissance. Due to my stellar abilities, we were able to track everything in Howl Pendragon's household since Justin's final proposal."

Just as Nade prepared a snide response, they both felt the ground rumble. The furniture vibrated and the light fixtures wobbled in their places. Noe prepared a fighting stance in the instance that Howl and his friends had somehow discovered their hiding place. Nade stood behind her, his eyes scanning the room for any intruders. Xarx exited the restroom, his senses heightened and searching for anything out of the ordinary.

The three magicians slowly walked toward the front window, expecting to see Howl and Kenta on the offensive.

"Good evening." Nade and Xarx jumped from the sound of the Madame's voice coming from behind them, their pulses racing against each other. Noe turned on her toes, her dress flowing in a twirling circle. She was not surprised in the slightest that Madame Suliman paid them a visit. She had foreseen her visitation moments before it occurred.

"Madame Suliman." Xarx fell to one knee, resting his arm over and bowing. Nade and Noe soon followed. "It is an honor to be in your presence."

Madame Suliman held a straight posture, her red gown flowing down to her ankles. Her hair was manicured so firmly and exquisitely - only one hair out of place hovering between her eyes. Noe was always impressed by her beauty. She wanted to be like her in so many ways.

However, the Madame was not there to receive praise. She wanted results.

"I assume the mission went as planned, yes?" Madame Suliman turned her eyes to Noe. Somehow, she appeared proud and intimidating from the same view. "Seeing as you were top of your class, dearest Noe, I expect great accomplishments from you."

Noe cleared her throat and stood up. "Madame, even though we couldn't capture Sophie, as would have been the preferred target, we were able to take a close acquaintance of hers. A girl named Gwenda."

Suliman frowned at the sound of the girl's name. "Yes, one of my previous servants." She walked up to Noe, holding her chin softly. "You are my prize witch for a reason, dearest Noe. You will be rewarded wonderfully for your deeds."

Nade shot his head up, appalled by her words. He stood up next to Noe, Xarx quickly following suit. Nade gestured to himself and Xarx. "What about us? We fought against Howl and Kenta, too!"

Suliman gracefully turned her head to the wizards, her adoration transitioning into disappointment. "It seems to me that locking you in those cages has made you both very... lethargic. And if you will act as such, I have no purpose to keep you."

Madame Suliman raised her arm, sending Xarx and Nade to their knees by their own free will. Not because she forced them, but simply because they were absolutely terrified of how she would dispose of them.

"Please, Madame." Xarx said, his voice trembling. "We have failed you; we understand. Give us one last chance to prove our worth to you and we will not disappoint."

Xarx heard a short laugh escape from Noe, nothing short of what he expected. Nade clenched his teeth, though he hid his emotions well from the Madame. He knew his submission to failure on both of their accounts was far from what Nade believed, but Xarx knew it to be true. They had failed her.

Madame Suliman stared at them for ages. The cottage was quiet, no sound coming from the wizards or the proud witch or the helpless human girl locked in the next room. Not even a whisper of sound from the Madame herself. The silence was punishment enough. Their fate was unknown, hanging on the balance of Madame Suliman's decision.

She sighed exhaustively. "I will grant you one last opportunity." Nade and Xarx breathed sighs of relief. Xarx looked up to Noe as she rolled her eyes, turning away from them. The Madame continued. "I have another task for you both to complete. Noe will not take any part in this; I want to see dedication from both of you."

Nade nodded. "Of course, Madame. What is it that you wish from us?"

Madame Suliman paced toward the front window, her eyes gazing over the fields of grain. So much farmland in this part of the country, she noticed. She rarely came to this area, and was now discovering how much she had pushed aside to focus on more important issues. She had wondered why the doves of Kingsbury had flocked away, why they hadn't stayed close to their home. Yet here they were, pecking into the dirt of a lowly farm town.

She turned to the boys. "Capture each and every one of the doves that reside in this area. Not a single one will be forgotten. If you are short by even one, the punishment will not be pleasurable."

Xarx looked up, his eyes black as night. "What for?"

Madame Suliman crooked her smile. "That is my business." And with that, a smoky cloud erupted from her feet and covered her entirely. As the smoke disappeared, they noticed that she had gone with it.

Noe crossed her arms. "Well, better get to it."

Nade stretched his arms, waving his hands toward the fireplace. A warm flame appeared, bringing heat to the desolate room. He snapped his fingers and a cot appeared near the fire, a pillow and cotton blanket perfectly set atop.

He jumped on the cot, the springs squeaking from his weight. "Ah, we can wait until morning. The Madame knows we need strength."

Noe turned to Xarx, who merely shrugged and snapped his fingers, producing the same cot and falling onto the soft mattress. Nade chuckled at Noe's temper before turning over and drifting into a gentle slumber.

Noe stood at the windowsill, watching the doves flock and fly and peck at the ground. She rested her chin in the palm of her hand, wondering what plan Madame Suliman had up her sleeve this time. Though premonition was her source, there were many enigmas about the Royal Sorceress that were locked safely in the Madame's mind.

Doves - what an odd request. They were such peaceful creatures, wielding a pure innocence that Noe had left behind years ago. She couldn't remember exactly when she lost it, but she knew the defining moment that diminished it entirely. The feeling was so far gone, she didn't want to remember the word's meaning.

She jostled as one of the doves landed on the windowsill. While her instincts told her to capture the white-feathered bird, she held herself back due to Madame Suliman's direct instructions.

Noe will not take any part in this; I want to see dedication from both of you.

She pushed the window up enough for the dove to be within arm's reach. She slowly reached her hand forward, surprised that the bird was willing to let a person pet her. Her feathers were gorgeous, a white so clean she shined like the moon.

But what really stood out to Noe was the oddity of her eye color. Since when did birds' eyes burn a fiery red?