Crossing the sea was not as she had expected.

Chaotic and chilly, the wind was not to Leila's liking. That she had to travel with Ellise St. Vincent merely made the journey to Herst uninviting. The woman regarded her knowingly, as if she knew her secrets. There was not a gentle soul in the woman. Ellise St. Vincent did not respect her at all.

She remembered Albert's words. He said people outside Belcourt always saw children as frail, easily manipulated. She relayed the same thing to the woman on the deck with the other passengers as they approached the island of Herst. Not far away was Robert Dior, giving instructions to his footmen. "You have very little regard to children," she added to her first statement.

"I do not think children are frail, child," Ellise said with a scoff, looking down at her as if she was thinking just that. "They are cunning and intelligent. But also full of fantasies."

Leila gritted her teeth. Her eyes flickered away from Ellise St. Vincent. "Then you have not seen enough of Belcourt's children."

"There are other children far wiser than you. You are not the only one." The woman shrugged. "I know I was when I was your age." She looked ahead at the island.

Her lips curled just slightly, the tension between them so new to her. She had never felt so challenged by anyone. Even Albert respected her, cared for her like she was family. This woman would soon realize what she was capable of. She would regret ever putting her in the same basket as other children outside Belcourt. "If you are so wise, you would not be here with me," she said. "If you truly believe I'm deceiving Robert Dior, you would not have shown yourself to me."

Ellise did not answer for a long time. But the woman was only waiting for Leila to spare her a glance. "Because you may be a threat?"

"Yes." She looked away. "You do not know what I'm capable of."

Ellise scoffed. "You are a child." Turning to look down at her once again, the woman tilted her head to the side. "Smart as you may be, child, you have much to learn."

"I believe I was taught well by my mentor."

The woman looked at her, and there it was again...the knowing, mocking smile. "Then why are you outside? If you are telling the truth, how did you get dethroned?"

She just scoffed. This woman did not know what she was talking about. Fool.

Ellise sighed, an amused one. No... it was reproachful. Condemning. Then she said, "One thing your mentor should have taught you first is that leaders do not go out and put themselves in danger. You keep yourself safe because that's how your subjects survive. You are a useless leader if you are defeated in battle. Why do you think the pawns are placed in front of everyone else?"

"You are saying I am a pawn."

Ellise shook her head. "The people who put so much trust in you should have known better. They should have not planted fantasies in your head."

"They never did," she gritted out.

The woman broke into a smile. "Pride, child, shall be your downfall."

Her nostrils flared. This woman could drive her to a different height of anger, but Leila reminded herself to be calm. "But I am no longer High Priestess."

"As you say," the woman replied in a bored tone. They stood side by side, their hair floating in the wind, hers a mass of straw sheet; Ellise's a tail of brown ribbon flipping with the waves. "Do you know what children do?" Ellise asked, stealing a glance. "They play. They learn and dream. What you do is dream, child. That you have power. But in fact, you are in a game where you are the pawn. Someone is making you play and you do not even realize it." Turning to leave, Ellise added, "Someone gave you a toy and you willingly accepted. You may be telling the truth. You may not. Either way, you made the first wrong move."

Leila sharply turned, eyes burning with rage that threatened to lash as strong as the waves.

"Do you hate me more now?" Ellise asked. "As expected from a young mind who had been told she will always win. You do not know the true meaning of failure. If you are no longer the High Priestess, you would know. But it seems you do not. That is why I think you are lying. But then, I could be wrong and it is mere pride driving you. I'm wiser than you, but I'm not perfect."

Leila's lips were stiff. She wanted to shout at Ellise St. Vincent, tell her she was nothing, that she could send Soldiers while she slept and she would never wake up. She could do so much to this woman who dared teach her because she thought she was wiser. But Leila would not do that. Not yet.

If she wanted Robert Dior's trust, she would have to deal with his fiancée who knew nothing but throw insults; by associating herself with men she thought powerful. Ellise St. Vincent was naught but a woman dolled up by her mother to marry a future duke. They may have years between them, but Leila was certain she knew more about playing games. This woman was the pawn. Soon, when Robert Dior tired of her, she would find herself in the same shoes as others who had no rights, no dignity. She may be future duchess, but she would never be queen.

Her anger had subsided by the time they reached land. She could once more ignore Ellise St. Vincent as she shared a carriage ride with the woman and Dior, on the way to the St. Vincent estate in Winfield.

She had so many questions about the place. She wanted to know how many people were on the island, if there were other ports, but she stopped herself. They would only think she was ignorant.

This place was not safe for her, she thought when they entered the large manor not long after they left the port. It was as she had expected—a large white manor with white columns, screaming with power.

But it was too loud. A little boy was running around the hall, excited to see Ellise. And somewhere, a baby was crying. Soon after, she learned who the mother was.

It was no other than Aliya Guideville herself. She would have not recognized the woman if not for Oliver St. Vincent, who introduced his wife without providing other information other than her name. Aliya smiled to her, told her she should feel welcome in Winfield, take advantage of the sea to recuperate her injured leg, and then took her baby out to the veranda with the little boy Leila later learned was named Mason.

There were other adults in the manor, but they were not available to meet a mere child from Belcourt. However, there were two other children exactly the same age as her.

"I'm Camila," said the girl with curly blond hair and chestnut eyes. "This is Jamie." She motioned at the boy beside her who had the same brown hair and eyes as Trent Durham, his brother.

She wondered where these two were when Leila was on a shipwreck. They must have been in the arms of their mothers. Safe, pampered, told they were perfect.

"We are betrothed," Camila's words drew her back.

Leila's brows cocked. "Betrothed," she repeated, glancing at both children. "Why?"

Jamie shrugged. "To unite our families."

"You mean to unite your fortunes and influence."

The pair looked at each other and smiled. "Of course."

"Odd."

"No, not at all," Camila said, shaking her head. "My sister is married to his brother."

"You are Caroline's sister."

"Yes," said the girl. Looking around, she asked, "Would you like to join us?"

"Join you where?"

"We have been guarding a nest at the edge of the woods nearby," Jamie explained. "We should go there now before any animals come and eat the eggs."

She was uncertain she wanted to guard a nest, but Camila took her hand and led her outside on the wide veranda that opened to the sea behind the manor. "You only have one crutch?"

"I was freed of the other a week ago."

"Good. We should be careful, Jamie. Leila is injured. Guide her down the steps."

"We should take Mason with us," Jamie told Camila as he stepped down the steps, taking Leila's hand. "Ellise taught him how to ward off a wild boar one summer ago. He shall be useful."

Camila nodded and turned toward the direction of Aliya, walking by the shore with her child, Mason running and circling her. "I will get him. But we have to get rid of the nanny. She is too fainthearted."

Soon, the three of them, together with Mason holding a stick in one hand, marched to the edge of the woods.

Leila looked over her shoulder, at the slight form of Aliya and her child, the nanny looking around for Mason. Everyone else had disappeared into the tearoom, probably planning how they should deal with her here.

*****

"Two months!" Oliver erupted in the study, glaring at Robert and Trent. "Two bloody months with that child here in Winfield! Are you bloody insane!"

"This is Darcy's decision," Robert droned. "She thinks it best to keep the child away from Coulway."

"Of course, it's Darcy's decision! You must all think just because I'm too bloody good, I would take in anyone for charity!"

"She also said that, yes," Robert said. "And she knows you would want to study the child, see how she behaves around normal people."

"She will be with my family. There is nothing normal with the St. Vincents!"

"She meant the Diors," Trent pointed out.

"If a High Priestess can get out of Belcourt, they can very well cross the sea and get here! Good Lord, my family is here. Mason is here!" Oliver hissed, his large form seemingly expanding as his anger grew.

"I will be here, St. Vincent," Trent said. "Darcy gave us orders to watch. Your group is with mine nearby. Shaw's group is on their way. They shall stay in the cabin in the woods."

Oliver shook his head. "This is insane."

"Stay in Herst with the child," Robert added. "Two months is not too long."

Oliver frowned. "You sound like you are not staying. This excursion is happening because of your engagement with my sister."

Robert nodded, then sighed. "You and I both know Darcy has other priorities in Coulway."

"Was this part of Sasha's plans?"

Again, Robert nodded. "Taking Leila away will protect her if she is telling the truth; or take her out of the equation if she is planning something. Either way, we can move on with our plans if the child stays here. You were quite chummy with the child in Coulway."

"Well, that was because she was not living with me!"

"Sheridan Garmont believes she is compromised. There are men following her. And she is working on a bigger project as she says. I have no one else I can trust to guard her in Coulway. And we cannot spare and expose more Royals. We all know Belcourt is not the only ones wary of us. Herst is the closest thing to prison this child could get—Darcy's words, of course."

"I swear if she does anything to anyone in Winfield—"

"We can deal with her," Trent interjected.

"Oh, no. I will not dare touch a child. But I'm certain my wife will. Or your wife," he said, pointing at Trent. "Or Camila and Jamie!"

Trent rolled his eyes. "Do not be dramatic, St. Vincent. I will be here. So will everyone else. Aliya will know how to deal with her."

Robert straightened his coat. "Now, if we are done, may I excuse myself? The parents are currently discussing the settlement."

*****

The three men found Caroline and Aliya in the tearoom, their ears pressed against the wall that separated them from the library where Mr and Mrs St. Vincent and the Duke and Duchess of Calbridge were in discussion.

"What are you doing?" Oliver asked, walking over to his wife who pressed a finger on her mouth. "Are you eavesdropping?" he asked, aghast, before joining the two ladies, pressing his ear on the wall, covered with light blue damask wallpaper.

"This is spying," said Caroline, grinning when Trent walked over and leaned against the wall with interest. "You know these parents are capable of something diabolical. We have to save our friends."

Dior went straight to join Ellise, who stood in front of the window, studying the ocean outside. She observed Leila walking by the shore with Camila and Jamie, Mason and his stick not far behind.

"They came from the woods," she informed him.

"The others look alive."

"She would not dare hurt them. She is should at least be wise enough to know that."

"They are now discussing the dowry," Aliya said by the wall, addressing no one in particular.

"Yes, I agree with mother," Oliver said after a while. "Should Ellise die, the money should go to the children."

Ellise frowned, tilting her head slightly as she listened to the reports from behind.

"But what if they do not bear children?" Caroline wondered.

"My daughter shall naturally get the money, of course," Oliver said.

"Ollie!" his wife hissed.

"Are the pair of you not interested at all?" Oliver addressed his question at Dior and Ellise.

"No," they replied.

"This is your settlement agreement, Ellise. You might want to be more involved."

"I trust my mother to defend my interests," she replied, eyes on the children. Leila had stopped walking. Camila urged her to sit on the sand with her while Jamie showed Mason how to defend himself with a parry. "The child already knows how to parry and riposte. I do not know why he is pretending not to."

"He enjoys Jamie's attention perhaps," Dior said. "Or he must have forgotten how to do it."

She threw him a look, then realized he had a grin on his face. "You are teasing."

"He has a good stance."

"Of course, he does."

They fell quiet as their friends murmured information one of them missed to each other.

"Camila and Jamie are perhaps the worst example of normal children," Dior said.

"They are simply odd."

The sky had turned orange, with streaks of lavender and other shades of pink. Soon, it would be dark. "I'm going to the woods after dinner," she said. "We should check the cabin before Shaw's group arrives." Under her breath, she asked, "Have you given Trent the instructions?"

"Yes."

"And others in Coulway?"

"They will wait for us there."

"You told them none may leave the city?"

"Of course," he droned. "You are terribly anxious."

"I'm not. I'm excited."

They looked over their shoulder when Trent chuckled at something he heard. Catching them, he said, "The duchess wants the firstborn to be called Augustus Claude."

"But I may bear a daughter."

"As your mother pointed out," Trent said, shoulders shaking. "To which your mother," he said, pointing at Dior, "the name can be changed to Augusta Claudia."

"It is not a bad name," Oliver said.

"It is, darling," Aliya said, shushing his argument with her finger.

They turned away and faced the window again. "Is it because the child is now out of the picture? Your excitement?"

"Of course."

"They may look for her."

"They will have to deal with our men here. Father has men all over the island. The Royals will know the very moment someone from Belcourt arrives in Herst."

"You truly thought this through."

"I have nothing else to do in the past few weeks. Of course, I did," she murmured.

"Shaw and his men will not like your cabin."

Ellise just smiled. The cabin deftly hid thirty minutes away from the edge of the woods, tucked from view by three giant alders, camouflaged by leaves and wood from the same trees. Built for Ellise by his father when she went through a phase of hating all things human, she had many good days there. Now, it was used only for occasions when she wanted to be left alone in peace.

"Your collection of taxidermy animals will not make their nights easy."

"Unless they sleep with their eyes open, I'm certain they will be fine." Then she added, "We will not be missed tonight. We can spend the night in the cabin."

"No way in bloody hell," he said, shaking his head. "I would not make love to you with those animals looking on."

"They're dead."

"Their eyes look alive."

"Those are not real eyes." Caroline gasped at something. They looked over at the two couples still pressed against the wall. "Your dowry can build you an entire hospital, sister," Oliver relayed. "Should you die, Alannah will be rich." He received another slap from his wife for that.

She looked away and murmured to Dior, "And Emory?"

"The missive was sent, but we can only hope."

Her smile stretched wider. "This will be quite exciting."

Dior hummed a yes. "We will be alone in Coulway," he murmured to her, stepping closer, just slightly behind her, taking her hand in his.

"I know."

"Will you stay in my villa?"

"That depends on what you plan to offer," she said, biting back a smile. By now, the children were all sitting on the sand, watching the sun disappear behind the horizon.

His finger drew deliberately drew circles in the middle of her palm. "Do you have expectations?"

"You know how I feel toward expectations," she managed, moistening her lips when he raised her hand, brushing it with just the slightest touch of his lips.

"That they bound to disappoint."

"Yes."

"I do not plan to disappoint you."

"One reason I chose you," she retorted.

"I'll make you scream," he said, voice thick. A prickle shot through her spine. He lowered her hand but did not let go, tracing a finger along one finger. "First with my fingers." Looking over his shoulder, he stepped closer, lips brushing the lobe of her ear. "Then with my mouth." He leaned away, digging his thumb in the middle of her finger, just deep enough to send a shot of tingling sensations through her arm. "Then you will beg."

She moistened her lips again, quite aware he could do those things. Her heart hammed in her chest, anticipating the moment.

His warm thumb rested on her wrist. "Your heart is racing."

"You sound proud because you know you're the reason."

His smile was disarming because it was the rare kind. "I am," he replied.

"We will leave tonight." She could tell he read her thoughts. He nodded.

Aliya was laughing at something, but this time, they did not look back.

"If this Monday does not happen, Dior," she almost growled under her breath, "say goodbye to your villa because I shall burn it down."

He chuckled. "It will be a different burning, Elle."

She pulled from his grasp. "I already am," she said, tone deadly. "Burning."

His eyes turned darker than it already was, clouded by potent desire. She turned and left the tearoom to call Mason. Perhaps the child could tell her about his adventure with Leila in the woods.

*****

Leila woke up the next day and sprang up in bed in panic. Then she remembered where she was.

Winfield.

She was alone in a large room. The bed larger than the one she had in Coulway, the walls painted white; the windows showing the ocean outside. White curtains filtered the sunlight, which was warm on the sheets and her skin.

A maidservant was humming a tune as she walked. "Where's Bella?" she asked. "My maid in Coulway."

"Good morning, Miss," said the middle-aged woman, carrying a pitcher to the washbasin. "I'm not familiar with your maid in Coulway, but I assume she must have stayed on the mainland. There are enough servants in Winfield. Now, we should prepare you for breakfast."

"Where's Robert?"

The maid blinked in confusion. "Why, he left, Miss."

"When will he be back?"

"We are uncertain."

"What do you mean? Where did he go?"

"He left last night with Miss St. Vincent. They have both been invited to a ball in the mainland. And she has to return to her studies. As her fiancé, it is only natural he would want to also stay in Coulway."

She stiffened. "Then why am I here?"

"You are here as a guest of the family, of course. Small child like you will not enjoy Coulway this season. Here, there are too many things to do."

"You mean to say they left me here?"

The maid grew uncomfortable. "Well, surely not in the way you think, Miss. They left you here to enjoy the excursion."

No, they left me here alone!

"Two months will not be too long in Herst, I swear."

"Two months?"

Dread slithered up her spine.

They trapped her here!

*****

Sheridan walked into the room and found Ruby already sitting there. The woman's straight black hair was down, deep-set blue eyes bright and excited as she looked up. The mole under her the outer corner of her left eye lifting as she smiled and said, "I have done it. They will help me."

Sheridan nodded and closed the door behind her before taking off her gloves. "Then shall we start?"

Ruby enthusiastically nodded. "Yes." As Sheridan walked behind her desk, Ruby added, voice almost cold. "If I find out you are using me, Sherry, I will kill you myself."

She chuckled as she watched Ruby's perfectly beautiful face. "I know you are capable of that, darling. Fret not. Between the two of us, I am more likely to meet an unfortunate fate."

Ruby stiffened. "Do not say that. You should help me first."

Her chuckle rumbled and rang out in the room. "Of course." Tearing her gaze off the Belle, she looked down. "Now, are we ready to destroy Belcourt?"