It had been a week since her mother's death, and so much had happened. Ariadne couldn't believe she was staring at her reflection. The woman staring back at her was haunting.

Ariadne had briefly took off her ring, while getting dressed. Her hair hung past the middle of her back now, it was nothing short of flaming curls, while her amber eyes shone brighter. Her face had turned more feline and her cheekbones were more pronounced. Her ears had become tapered into rounded points, sitting a bit further back. The woman before her was definitely high Fae, soon the ring would not hide what she had took for granted. Ariadne sighed and put the ring back on.

It didn't feel right against her skin, and she stared a moment longer in the mirror. It barely concealed her true nature. Her hair should be a rich mahogany, but it was much redder than before. Her eyes were barely the chocolate brown she had grown used to seeing and her face, it was awkward. Like it was trapped between being feline and being human.

She had grown stronger in her short time spent in Altoria, but already her powers, her true nature had grown too strong to be suppressed by the glamour. It's power was waning. She took the ring off and put it her dress' pocket. It was more a token of sentimentality then usefulness now, still the small weight in her pocket comforted her.

Ariadne took a deep breath and pulled her hair back into a half updo. This was familiar to her, at least one thing remained that she understood. As her fingers deftly spun her hair into a braided bun, she hummed her mother's childhood lullaby.

There was a quiet knock at the door before Kendra stepped inside, followed by Iyrena. Iyrena had not left Ariadne's side in the past few days. Ariadne was thankful for it, and often told Iyrena so. Her reply was always a warm smile followed by a hug.

Iyrena had been trapped here, just like her, and Ariadne supposed that Iyrena was grateful too.

Kendra's gasp of shock brought Ariadne back to reality.

"Why aren't you wearing your ring?" Kendra rushed to Ariadne's side.

Iyrena's brow dipped slightly in a light frown, but she remained silent. In answer, Ariadne slipped the ring on and Kendra frowned.

"I see."

Ariadne took the ring off and placed it back in her pocket.

"You cannot go round like that either," Iyrena waved a hand down the length of Ariadne, motioning to her current state.

"I know but the ring won't work much longer, whatever's left is already being stretched thin," Ariadne grabbed a long hair pin and pushed it through the bun to hold it in place.

"It is the Pheonix in you, it is stronger than I thought it would be," Iyrena mused.

"Yeah... About that. What the hell do you mean when you say Pheonix?" Ariadne whirled to face Iyrena.

"Others have seen your other form?" Iyrena's face crumpled with worry.

"I don't know. Because no one will explain. I know Kallen has definitely seen my other form," the word was practically in air quotes "and I think Lord Orin knows something is different about me."

Iyrena's head whipped up at that. The movement almost gave Ariadne herself whiplash.

"Orin Redwood?" Iyrena questioned.

"Yes. He was here the first night of the dance. We spent all night together."

Iyrena smirked knowingly.

"Talking. Just talking. Nothing else," Ariadne hurriedly added.

"Sure you were...." Iyrena giggled.

Ariadne looked to Kendra for support, but Kendra was suspiciously busy with arranging some new clothes in the huge armoire. Typical.

"We talked about family and something he said made me angry. My nails kind of turned into talons..." Ariadne looked bashful.

"Ari, you cannot just show everyone what you are," Iyrena held Ariadne's hand.

"That's just it, I DON'T know what I am. No one will tell me!" Her voice got louder.

Iyrena made soothing motions and Ariadne took a deep breath.

"A Pheonix is your alternative form. Every high fae of each ruling house belonging to the courts has one." Iyrena started.

"Like shape-shifting?"

"Yes, but it is more than that too. You physically become that form, inside and out. Fae are made of energy, and when the creators made the first of us, they melded our souls with the creatures that first inhabited these worlds. It just happens that rulers of the Sun fae are Pheonix's," Iyrena explained gently.

"What about the other high Fae?" The words tumbled from her mouth.

Iyrena pursed her lips in thought.

"Should you be telling her this, Lady Iyrena?" Kendra's voice was soft.

"I cannot see Kallen telling her. It is better it comes from someone she shares blood with."

Kendra nodded and went back to arranging more clothes.

"High Fae can learn the skill, but the rulers and their kin come by it naturally, it is in our blood. It is harder for others because they have to train." Iyrena finished.

"What's Kallen's?" Ariadne asked.

She couldn't force the words back into her mouth now.

"You have seen his other form?" Iyrena asked.

"No, but he's not normal, anyone with good eyes can see something is off about him." Ariadne admitted.

"Then it is not my place to say. If he wishes it to be seen, he will show you." Iyrena fell quiet.

Ariadne understood, but her curiosity itched beneath her skin, making waiting for the answer unbearable.

"What's yours?"

Iyrena jumped, startled at the question.
"Mine?" Iyrena held a hand against her chest.

"No... The King of Lys', who did you thinking I was asking about," Ariadne chuckled.

Iyrena looked stumped.
"There is a King that rules Lys?"

"No, I was just joking with you. There hasn't been a ruler of Lys since the war," Ariadne looked away, and busied herself with closing the buttons at her wrists.

Ariadne knew Iyrena was skirting the question, and her silence on the matter did nothing to abate the pit of churning acid roiling around in her stomach. If Iyrena did not wish to answer for whatever reason, Ariadne would respect that.

She turned to Kendra and held out her wrist so she could help with the fiddly buttons. Kendra deftly did them up, and tapped her arm gently when she was done.

"I do not have a second form," Iyrena's words were quiet and hung in the air.

Ariadne stilled, her hand paused over the delicate necklace Kendra had placed around her neck. That was a blatant lie. Iyrena was high Fae, and daughter to two powerful rulers. There was no way that Iyrena didn't not have a second form.

Ariadne sighed. Whatever motivations Iyrena might have for hiding the truth, she would have to live with them. It was not her place to badger and push.

"So... Kallen wants to see me?"

"Yes." Iyrena's reply was short and cautious.

"Do you know why?"

"No. It could be anything with him," Iyrena feel quiet again.

The absence of noise told Ariadne all she needed to know. The monster in her stomach reared it's head and roared. Ariadne looked at Kendra and Kendra looked back. Something laid unsaid between them, and Ariadne gave a slight shake of her head. No. Kendra shrugged her shoulders and Ariadne left it at that.

"Will you be coming with me?" It was a last attempt to gain a shred of helpful information. Ariadne would not try again.

"No. He has requested you, and only you. A Royal summons as it is, is personal, only the person invited may attend." Iyrena stepped up to Ariadne and gave her a quick hug.

Ariadne could tell something was wrong. Her grip lingered on her arms longer than any other time, and Iyrena's hands shook slightly. Before Iyrena stepped back a breath skipped past the skin of her ear. Ariadne shivered. Iyrena stepped back, and Iyrena's face was all but stone. Ariadne scanned her step sister's eyes and saw fear hiding in the depths of warm gold that looked back. Iyrena looked away, Ariadne had seen more then she was meant to.

Ariadne took one more glance as Iyrena silently left her chambers and closed the door behind her. Kendra grabbed Ariadne's hand and slipped something cold and metallic into her hand. Her skin began to itch. Kendra carefully closed her fingers over it. Ariadne looked up from her closed palm, the question glimmered in her eyes.

"As long as you keep this in your pocket, he can't harm you. Come back and fight this with everything you have," Kendra pleaded softly.

"What is it?"

"A ball of silver." Kendra smiled weakly.

Ariadne looked around and noticed that the puddle of molten silver was missing.

"Thank you," Ariadne gripped Kendra's hand tightly.

Kendra smiled then Ariadne was left alone to go and face the king. It was going to be a long and silent walk to the throne room at the centre of the castle, and she was going in blind.