Awe was too weak a word to describe the look on each of their faces. They were dazzled. It was as if they had finally found the last missing piece of a puzzle. Perhaps it was close to what these women would feel should they ever come face to face with the people who placed them here in the first place, the mothers who bore them into this world, the fathers who did not want them. But as children who grew up without one, the High Priestess was their mother. And Arielle intended to be just that. To be the one these women could rely on. The one they would trust.

"In light of all that has been happening in Belcourt, I understand why everyone will be confused and lost. At some point, you must have all started to question Belcourt," she said, voice even and calm, but powerful. "You must wonder why we keep so many secrets, why we do not show ourselves." She motioned her head to the Maidens behind her. "Perhaps I should start by addressing the articles that have been circulating in our home. I do not deny anything. It is true what Sasha has said. Most of them, at least. Belcourt has been run by the Vandenbergs."

They looked horrified, their dreams finally crashing down on them. But the questions followed right after, clearly painted on their faces.

"For centuries, the Vandenbergs had been leading Belcourt. All High Priestesses were Vandenbergs. So is the queen." If anyone wanted to say anything, they did not do so. They did move, however, perhaps to see if anyone else was thinking the same thing as them. But their lack of speech, their lack of action, gave Arielle hope. They were still in their practiced manner as ladies of Belcourt. They would not speak unless spoken to. "But I am not a Vandenberg. I only became the High Priestess a few months ago. After the Vandenbergs killed the last High Priestess simply because she did not fulfill her duty. Yes, ladies, they killed their own."

This time, the women uttered a sound. They gasped, their eyes widened. There was a gentle buzz. The children looked confused, growing restless.

"She was killed by Princess Esther, daughter of the queen," Arielle continued, moving her head to sweep her gaze across the great hall. "And Belcourt is on the hunt for the princess as we speak. We are seeking justice for what they took away from us." She waved her hand. "The Vandenbergs, all the High Priestesses before me, never understood all of you. They had their families to go home to after a day in Belcourt. However, that has changed because I am one of you. I was born and raised here because my father did not want me and because the queen killed my mother." They looked at her, some with doubt in their eyes, others with empathy and understanding. "That is why I'm here today in flesh because I know what it feels like to be kept in the dark, to do only what I'm told without explanation. I decided to change that. You, all of you, are children of Belcourt. You deserve the truth."

She stepped back and squared her shoulders, held her head high. "My name is Arielle. I am the bastard of the king. My mother was Elizabeth Blackwood." This time, the buzz grew, the shock on their faces apparent. But the understanding slowly cleared the frowns of confusion. "Like all of you, I was an unwanted child. My father's wife had my mother killed by Belcourt, thrown to Sinhold. She managed to do so because at that time, she was the High Priestess herself."

This was her moment to show them that she was one of them. That they were all the same. "At this time, Belcourt is being attacked from all forces outside. The kingdom wants to ruin us because the queen wants to take control of us. The Royal Circus wants to destroy us because they desire for the previous king to return and they believe we are powerful enough to stop them. And we are threatened because we are indeed powerful. We are capable. But we are not united." Silenced echoed in the hall as the woman stood frozen. "They managed to plant doubt amongst us. They took some of us and turned them against us. Sasha is not the only one. There are others as well and they may be among you now."

The fear returned. She would erase that as well.

"We have all been used long enough to fight battles we are not even a part of. We have to stand on our own, but first, I want complete loyalty. Today, I give you a chance at freedom." She looked around her again, at the women and the children. "Anyone of you who wishes to leave Belcourt can do so today. Leave without a Vow. And those of you who wish to fight for our home, and those who wish to see a better Belcourt, you are welcome to stay." A sudden stir erupted. The ladies moved, they whispered. Some looked lost, others started crying. "But know, ladies, that if you choose to stay, you will still be bound by Belcourt laws and with that comes specific punishments. I will be different, but I will be as firm. I am, after all, reclaiming the only home I have ever known and I cannot have any traitors." Arielle took a deep breath, then let it out. "The gate will remain open for you to walk out freely until midnight."

*****

The bells signaled the afternoon prayer in the abbey. The nuns' quiet footsteps echoed down the halls. It had become a familiar sound now to Sheridan. She was not one who prayed, but these people were keeping her safe. Or at least that's what Ruby told her.

They prayed for hours. She did not join them and they never forced her to. Prayers should be heartfelt, Mother Marissa said to her. The woman did not look physically appealing. Her small stature made her look frail—vulnerable. Her black hair had streaks of white that glistened whenever she moved. And she moved a lot. Restless, even. One could tell even as she walked that she was different from the rest. She openly laughed and spoke her mind too often than necessary. Her words were always good and comforting, always fun and sometimes even wicked. But one conversation could easily convince anyone that she was where she wanted to be.

The abbey welcomed them without question when they arrived five days after they left Coulway. The journey was long and the abbey could not be easily reached. One had to know where it was to find it. It sat at the foot of the mountain that separated the land from the sea, but they had to first cross the forest to get to it first. Mother Marissa was the first to talk to them and guide them to their rooms. It was not long before Sheridan realized who she was in Ruby's life. She fussed over them like a mother would, scolding them at times as well. But she never asked Ruby.

Until one afternoon, as the nuns all filed into their prayer hall and the entire abbey became still and silent. They were in the garden, relishing the cold air from the forest nearby.

"She loves him," Ruby said. Sheridan turned to her and found a weak smile on her lips. "He's a priest."

"You met him?"

"Of course. He lives in a parish nearby, although I do not think they meet in person."

She blinked in disbelief and Ruby laughed. "You look horrified."

"I never thought it's possible."

"That a nun and a priest can bear a child? Surely, Sherry, you know they are still humans. They have the same anatomy as everybody else."

"No. I meant... How did you find them?"

Ruby shook her head. "I never did. They never lost me. They just placed me in Belcourt. They always visited me. Not together, of course, but one at a time. They would teach us prayers and about God once every month." She motioned her head toward the main building of the abbey. "She told me in secret. And he told me in secret. It was our little secret, us three."

"So you knew."

She nodded. "And I understand."

"Understand why they chose to give you up?"

A sad smile curled Ruby's lips, the tiny mole under the corner of her left eye lifting slightly. "I understand their love." Sheridan shook her head to convey her confusion. "Their love for each other, for me, and for their God." She took a lungful of air and sighed. "And their love for Him is unconditional, Sherry. I understand that. I see it. Don't you?"

She turned to the abbey. "No." What she could see was a fanatic love for someone who may not exist, that they chose that love over their own child.

"They serve God not because they are selfish and wish to be saved in return. They are doing it out of pure love, not just for me, but for others as well. They spread His words and they do His deeds."

She could not grasp what Ruby was trying to say. Maybe because she was too human, too selfish.

"They are mortals with mortal flesh. They committed a sin and have repented," Ruby said, as if she heard Sheridan's thoughts. "They only had that one night of weakness and I was the product of it. I like to believe I am the link to that love. I connect them to their human selves, remind them of their sin and also the love they cannot share."

"That is an odd thing to say, Ruby."

Ruby chuckled. "She rolls her eyes every time I say it and he only laughs in amusement. They are different in many ways. Makes one wonder why they were attracted to each other in the first place." Her laughter died down. "But that's how feelings go, doesn't it? Most often, it sees no reason and relies on instinct." She stole Sheridan a look. "Sadly, instincts are also vulnerable to faults." She reached for Sheridan's hand and squeezed. "I'm going back to Belcourt tomorrow."

Sheridan stiffened. For three months, she had forgotten about Belcourt or Coulway. The abbey seemed so far away, a world of its own. It had been safe for them both. But she knew Ruby had been keeping correspondence in Belcourt. The letters kept coming. And they could not stay here forever. What would they do here? Be nuns who could not pray?

"After what happened with the ship three months ago, Belcourt has made some changes. They are willing to hear my story."

"And what are you going to tell them?"

Ruby's hand tightened around hers. "That I took care of you, of course. I manipulated you into thinking I'm saving you. And that you talked."

The past three months flashed before Sheridan's eyes. They had shared the same room every night and did nothing but talk through the wee hours. They did tasks Mother Marissa ordered them to, spent the mornings walking through the fields behind the abbey, the afternoons drinking tea with the nuns, and the evenings preparing dinner. Nothing extravagant or special. Normal.

And for people like them, normal was phenomenal.

"Will you be safe?" she asked.

Ruby nodded. "Of course. No one can fool Belcourt better than I." But she did not look too convincing. Her smile wavered as she stared at Sheridan's eyes. "I'll have Robert Dior send for you once it is safe. I will have to see what the Circus can offer you."

"I can talk to them on my own."

"No. You stay here. You have done enough."

"You do not know what I'm capable of, Ruby."

"Sherry, you are only powerful because you own the Sutherland Post. Before that, you were naught but a pampered rich niece of a man Belcourt killed." She did not take offense, but it still hurt her pride to be slapped with the truth. Suddenly, she felt lacking. Here was a woman who had a broader understanding of a peculiar love between the two people who gave her life. She had a different vision this stupid game between Belcourt, the Circus, and the kingdom. Her purpose was far more than revenge. It was never that. She was doing this because it was the right thing to do, and she was doing it with grace. Just like a true Belle. "I will be fine, Sherry."

"How will you go back? Hire a carriage?"

Ruby's charming smile widened. "No, of course not. I'm a Belle, Sherry. My gentleman will fetch me."

*****

Queen Helena Vandenberg Davercher looked just like her daughter. She did not smile as she walked down the giant halls of Calbridge. If she was not wearing her crown and royal gown, she could join a crowd and be no one. Escorting her was her son, the crown prince. The two of them together felt too tempting for Ellise. Two bullets. That's all it would take to kick them out of the game, she thought from where she stood on the second landing, looking down at the scene below.

But killing the queen would not end Belcourt's plans. Nor would it make things better for Reginald. She held no power inside Belcourt anymore. And she was not as powerful outside either. And that's what they should play with—their weakness. Their greed for power.

"Will she agree?" she asked.

"She will have no choice," Theodora Vandenberg said beside her, eyes following her sister.