My father meets Leander in the agreed-upon place. Leander's other friends wait with him.

"Wow," one says. "Little Matty come to play?" he chuckles. Leander laughs and pats his shoulder.

"Matty is not to be touched today," he orders. "He has been very helpful recently." They look disappointed before whispering in each other's ears as they snicker at my father. My father looks massively uncomfortable in the group. His hands have a slight shake to them as he clenches them in fists behind him.

"Come on, let's find Ivar. I need to have a word with him."

The group of boys knock on Ivar's door. He opens it groggily and Leander marches inside.

"What do you want?" Ivar asks. "It isn't training day today," he moans as he yawns. Leander signals for the group to surround him. They all look at him with frowns but follow him.

"What are you doing?" Ivar asks them.

"You thought I wouldn't find out about this, Ivar?" he asks. Ivar frowns and looks at the letter with his family seal on.

"What's that?" he asks, confused.

"Don't play dumb, it only pisses me off more," Leander snarls. "I thought we were friends, Ivar," he sighs. "I gave you everything you could want and this is how you betray me?" he asks.

"Leander, I don't know what you're talking about," he sighs, looking around the group of boys nervously. Leander clears his throat and holds up the letter.

"My dearest Yasmine," his says, his voice mocking. "I know I am meant to keep an open mind when it comes to the Queens Trial blah blah blah," he begins. "Ringing a bell?"

"I don't know what that is."

"This bit is particularly interesting," Leander laughs. "Together, we could rule side by side and do not worry about Leander. As soon as I am the King, I'll make sure he never steps foot in this court again..." He glares at Ivar who is shaking head.

"Someone is tricking you, Leander," he growls. "I never wrote that."

"It's your handwriting! It's your seal!" he shouts back.

"Handwriting can be forged, a seal stolen!" he replies as he begins to shake "But I promise, I didn't write it!"

"So someone walked right into your room and stole from you and then replaced it, without you noticing?" he snarls. Ivar shakes as he looks at his friend. My father is holding back a smile as the boy who bullied him so it tormented. "How about this for a paragraph, boys," Leander laughs. "I promise I will never let him hurt you or our children. Once I am done, the Drake name will be nothing but ash!" he throws the letter to the floor. "I think they get the picture." Ivar steps back with his shaking hands held up as Leander walks toward him slowly.

"I didn't write that, Leander!" he pleads.

"I gave you money. I gave you power. I made everyone fear you. This is how you repay me. By sending soppy love notes to the Princesses about how you're going to destroy me?" His fist collides with Ivar's face. Ivar lands on the ground with a heavy thud.

"It wasn't me!" he pleads.

"I MADE YOU!" Leander screams and stamps on the boys face. My father watches with wide, scared eyes as Leander continues to stamp and kick until Ivar is nothing but a bloody mess. Ivar turns his head to look at Matthias. For a second, Matthias drops his act, allowing Ivar to see his confident smile. Ivar's eyes widen as he tries to point at my father. Leander stamps on his chest before he can. There is a loud crunch and Ivar's body goes slack. Leander stands back, not even out of breath. He wipes his bloody boot on the rug before looking at the rest of his group. Their faces are pale and they shake like Matthias.

"Take a good look boys at what happens if you betray me," he snarls. They gulp. "Get this body cleaned up. Make it look like an accident," he orders and walks out. "Matty, you're with me." My father follows him quickly out of the room.

"What did you find out?" Fallon asks Nianzu when he returns from spying on the council.

"There are about to start a massive smear campaign against Illyana," he sighs. Fallon nods.

"I had hoped they would be too busy sorting out the Fae to worry about Illyana," she sighs.

"Sebastian," he sighs. "Is using the assassination as fuel to tarnish her name and make her more of an enemy to the Fae," he sighs. Fallon slams her fist on her desk.

"Fuck," she snarls and stands up. Their plan had backfired. "They have told the Fae that Illyana organised the attack in order to weaken them ready for her to take over," he continues. "They're going to tell the people that Ana slaughtered them brutally because they refused to betray the King."

Fallon closes her eyes and runs her hands through her hair as she begins to pace across her room.

Rayana comes in then, sneaking up through the passage.

"You know?" Fallon asks.

"Yes," Ray sighs and takes a seat on Fallon's bed.

"What are we going to do, Ray?" Fallon sighs and sits next to her sister. Ray leans into Fallon's side with a sigh.

"We are going to have to have another meeting with the Knights. Use them to spread the word about the lies and get them to insist that they would never work with the princesses and they attacked by themselves without her interference."

"We shouldn't be heading out so soon," Fallon replies.

"We have to. We have to go to as many of our connections as possible to get them to spread our message as much as possible. Otherwise, Illyana won't be welcomed back." Fallon closes her eyes and kisses Ray's forehead.

"Shae can't cope with that," she sighs. 

"I know," Ray gulps. "But we need to get her out too. They need to see us."

"When are they planning to start this plan of theirs?" Fallon asks.

"At the end of the week, they'll begin the whispers and rumours," Nianzu replies.

"Right, we'll keep quiet until then. Once the news starts to spread, we'll head out with some rumours of our own," Fallon tells them. They nod their heads.

Breakfast the next morning is quiet as everyone eats in silence. Amalie has been moved further down the table. Away from the princesses. Something Fallon is very happy about. The doors open and a form is dragged in. Shae's heart skips a beat and her face pales as she recognises a member of the Knights. Oliver. Fallon and Ray look at each other with knowing expressions.

"Found this scum bag stealing from Lord Grey," the guard says, throwing him to Sebastian's feet. "Look at the pin he is wearing," he says and lifts the collar of his jacket to reveal the Pheonix. Shae's face remains neutral, but panic sweeps her body. Luckily, Oliver doesn't make any indication of recognition or warmth toward the girls.

"So our guards report to you know, not the King?" Fallon asks standing up.

"Sit back down," Sebastian snarls. She looks at him and walks to the knight.

"Let me guess," she begins. "You brought him here because you think he has something to do with the assassination." She states. She turns to look at her grandfather.

"Take him for questioning. Get him ready. I'll be down after breakfast," he replies. Fallon gulps, knowing that questioning will lead to their secrets spilt. Her Grandfather will break him. Just like he breaks everyone. Fallon's heart sinks as she realises what she has to do. Tears sting in her eyes as she looks briefly to Shaelyn. Shaelyn knows it too. She holds her head high and gives Fallon a small nod. Fallon clenches her fists and closes her eyes, stopping the tears about to fall. Sorry Shae, she thinks. She is about to attack when an arrow flies into his chest from the roof. She looks up to see Nianzu perched on the rafters, his black cloak swirling around him.

"Shoot him down! Secure the princesses!" Their grandfather calls as guards descend upon the girls and drag them from the room. Fallon looks back, but Nianzu is already gone from sight. Leaving nothing but a Pheonix flag hanging from the spot he was hanging in. Fallon grins. Their grandfather catches up with them, his face red with anger.

"No, not to the safe room. To the dungeons," he tells them. Cordelia a part of the group this time.

"Why?" she asks. "We haven't done anything wrong," she says. Sebastian jumps toward them, his face right in theirs.

"He got in somehow," he snarls. "I think it was one of you," he growls before turning.

"If the Pheonix scum bag can't answer my questions, then you four will," he calls back as the girls are dragged to the dungeons. Shaelyn's heart races in her chest and her body begins to shake with fear again as they are lead through the passages into the dungeons. Cordelia and Fallon also struggle, but can't free themselves.

"I didn't do anything!" Cordelia calls, her voice trembling.

"Shut up, Cordelia," Fallon snaps. "They don't care," she replies. "Just keep your head held high and don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you suffer." Shaelyn is already crying as they get separated and thrown into the cells. She huddles in the corner, clutching her hands and tucking her head between her legs.

Cordelia is thrown into a cell, landing on the floor with a heavy thump. Her breathing is frantic. She has not been treated like this before. She turns to the guard and looks into his eyes. Through her panic, she tries to grasp onto her powers before she stops. Kristoff. She gulps and moves to the back of the wall, sinking down onto the floor. Her hands shake as the plan forms in her mind. If she plays this right, then she could use whatever torchers her grandfather inflicts upon her to further the rift between Kristoff and Sebastian. If she was good enough, she could use it to further dedicate Kristoff to her. She had tried using her powers on him. But, his mind is not as frantic and easy to crack like the other man's. That, and the fact she hasn't been in such a state to access that amount of compulsion again. She had been protecting Giovanna at that time. That is how she managed to bring the newfound power to the surface. What would pain bring? Only one way to find out. She gulps and shakes her head. It is a stupid plan. But, if she plays her cards right after, then that would be one step closer to Kristoff being hers.

Nianzu appears at the doors of Rayana's cell, holding the keys in his hand.

"What is it with you girls getting yourselves locked away in cells?" he asks. "I won't always be here to get you out," he tells her.

"You won't be getting us out this time," Ray tells him. He pauses.

"What do you mean?" he asks. Rayana takes his hand and holds it.

"If we escape, then the next punishment will just be worse. Plus, grandfather already suspects we are working with people like you. If we miraculously find a way out..." he drops his hand and frowns.

"I am not about to let you be beaten for my crime," he growls and goes to unlock the cell. "I have seen Illyana's back, I will not let that happen to you." Ray takes his hand again and gives it a small squeeze.

"Go, Nianzu. Before they come back down," she tells him. He stares at her with wide eyes and goes to open his mouth.

"I can't..." he gulps.

"You have to."

"I made Illyana a promise to look after you," he gulps. "All I have done is make it worse," he shudders.

"No, you didn't," Ray soothes. "Fallon was about to kill Oliver so he wouldn't tell grandfather about us. If she had done it..." Rayana shudders, not wanting to think about it.

"You only pissed grandfather off and made him paranoid. Trust me, this is the much better option out of the two." His eyes are wide as he stares at Ray. His jaw is clenched as he slowly pulls his hand away.

"Wait for us somewhere upstairs. You don't need to see or hear this." He shakes his head.

"I got you in this mess. I won't abandon you in it," he gulps. "I hang around and make sure they don't go too far." Ray smiles.

"Okay," she replies. Nianzu disappears into the shadows. Transforming into a small animal to watch but not be seen.

The girls sit for an hour, alone and in the silence. The only noise being the occasional damp drip. When they hear the door open and the footsteps approaching, all of them begin to panic. Sebastian's fist appears at Cordelia's cell.

"Cordelia," he begins, opening the cell. "There is a distance between you and your sisters. I can tell," he begins, sitting on a stool in front of her. "Out of all of them, you are the star. An image of what a princess should be. So, if you know anything about them, do not hesitate to tell me," he says to her. She smiles delicately at him.

"I am sorry, grandfather, I know nothing," she says. "Ever since I showed a desire to be the Queen, my sisters have distanced themselves from me." She may be working against her sisters. But she was not about to reveal that to her grandfather. She wants them gone, for sure. She wants to be the Queen. But she does not want to see them suffer and she certainly doesn't want to give Sebastian Baylon an upper hand. He sighs.

"That is a shame," he replies and stands up. Two of his men rush into the cell and turn her around, slamming her front into the wall. She lets out a squeal.

"I didn't do anything," she gulps. "Grandfather," she continues, feeling her breathing increase.

"Five lashes," he orders. Cordelia screams as the lashes slash the skin of her back. Tears fall down her cheeks and she slumps to the floor once they are done.

"Think about who your allies and enemies are, girl," Sebastian Baylon tells her. "This is only a small punishment because your behaviour is usually exceptional. It is a warning." The cell closes behind her and she curls up on the floor.

He goes to Fallon next. She grits her teeth and glares at her grandfather through the bars.

"Are you going to tell me how the Knight got in? How he knew how and where to get to his friend before he was brought down here?"

"I don't know how he got in. There are hundreds of people working in this castle. Any of whom can be traitors," she replies. The cell opens and she readies for a beating.

"Very well," her grandfather says. "If you don't want to talk, you can suffer." The guard grabs her and pulls her from the cell.

"Get that one too," he says, pointing to Ray. She is dragged from the cell alongside Fallon. They look at each other nervously.

"You may be innocent," he says. "But I want to make sure," he tells them as they arrive at Shae's cell. "Chain them to the bars," he orders. "Make sure they watch," he replies. Their faces are held tight as they are made to look into Shae's cell. She is huddled tightly against the wall. Two of her father's men grab her and pull her to the edge of her cell. Kicking out her legs and dropping her to the floor. She lets out a gasp.

"It has come to my attention," Sebastian begins as he draws a knife. "That the two of you don't seem to be fazed by physical pain," he begins. Fallon and Shae begin to sob in terror. "I must say I am very impressed. Not a lot of people can withstand lashings like the two of you," he chuckles. "Or this one," he gestures to Shae and cups her chin. "Keeping so quiet all the way through her last ordeal. She must really love you both," he chuckles. "She didn't let you hear her scream. So noble, trying to protect a sister," he laughs. "So, as she wouldn't sing last time. I'll make you watch this time. Psychological torture works so much better than physical anyway. Just ask your father," he grins as he pulls Shae's hair back.

"No," Fallon says and desperately pulls on the chains.

"Keep her still," Sebastian growls. The guard holds her tighter. Fallon struggles more though, her Lupine strength coming through. It is a look from Shaelyn that makes her stop. Her eyes are wide and filled with tears. But her teeth are gritted and determined. The earth doesn't shake with her powers. She is going to see it through and if she isn't going to expose her gift, then neither will Fallon. Against every fibre in her body, Fallon slumps and stops struggling.

"You may be innocent. You may not," he shrugs. "I don't really care."

"Then why are you doing this?" Ray asks. He looks at her with a terrifying smile.

"To remind you that I can," he tells them as he tilts Shae's head to the side. "All actions have consequences girls," he tells them. "I know that somehow, you are involved and I will continue to push until all your secrets are spilt. Or her guts. I'm fine with either one." He presses the knife to the top of Shae's ear.

"I finger was not enough last time," he says as he gently strokes her hair back. "You did not learn your lesson," he tells them as he gives them a glare. "You just learnt to get better. I'm impressed. But I know that you have not truly submitted."

Shaelyn can't stop herself from screaming as her body convulses in his tight grip. His knife cuts alongside her face slowly. Creating a bright red line between her face and ear.

Fallon and Ray both scream and sob as they are forced to watch. Ray has to shake her head at Nianzu in the corner who is getting ready to attack. If he attacks, then Shae's pain is for nothing.

Cordelia sits up as she hears her sister scream. Her hand comes up to her mouth as she lets out a sob.

Shae cries desperately as she struggles in the arms of the brutes who hold her. Sebastian cuts so agonisingly slowly as he tears her apart. It takes a good minute and a half before he holds her ear between his fingers. Holding it up for the girls to see. His men throw Shae to the floor as she continues to shake and cry.

"Leave them there," he orders and goes to leave. "Next time," he tells them. "It will be her eye," he warns and leaves them alone. Rayana sobs and reaches for Shaelyn through the bars. Shaelyn stays lying on the floor, her breathing laboured and body shaking.

"You must have the power to change this," Fallon says to Ray. Ray shakes her head.

"I can't," she gulps. Blood pools around the floor and Shae's eyes flutter shut.

"Shae!" Fallon calls. "Don't!" Nianzu is by their side in an instant. Cursing.

"Let me out!" Cordelia calls from down the corridor. "I can help!" Fallon glares at her direction. Ray's eyes widen as she sees something.

"Yes, go and get Cordelia. She has the Mer and Siren gift." Nianzu rushes down the corridor, unlocking the cells. Cordelia rushes down and sobs when she sees Shae. Nianzu lets her inside and she crouches over her body. She turns her over to see the ear. Cordelia retches, seeing the blood and gaping hole. Tears stream down her face, dropping down and touching the wound. Nothing happens.

"Ray, it's not working. Maybe I only have their compulsions," she gasps frantically.

"Our powers work differently," she gulps. "They are stronger. Perhaps you don't need tears,"

"What do I do?" Cordelia asks frantically as she tears off a part of her dress and presses it to Shane's face.

"You calm down," Ray tells her. Cordelia takes deep breaths and gently strokes Shae's hair.

"Okay," she says breathlessly. "I can do this," she gulps and holds out her hands. She lets her tears continue to fall as her hands shake. "Please," she sobs. Her eyes close and she allows her love for Shae to fill her. Cordelia's palms begin to glow. As does Shaelyn's wound. They all watch in silence as the blood quickly clots and seal before scabbing as Cordelia speeds up the healing process. All until there is nothing but an angry, raised pink line in place of where Shae's ear should be. Cordelia slumps back, breathless.

"Nianzu," Fallon snarls. "Get me out of these chains," she orders.

"No, Fallon," Ray orders. "We are already going to somehow have to explain the healing..."

"Just cover the wound in the blood from the floor. They won't notice," she growls. "Now get me the fuck out of these chains."

"Fallon," Ray snarls. "You can't go on a killing spree," Ray snaps.

"Why not?" Fallon argues, pulling at the chains with enough force to have them bending and breaking.

"You'll get us all killed. It will ruin everything."

"I don't care about the plan any more, Ray!" she shouts. "I want him dead. I want them all dead!" she shouts as the chains break.

"Nianzu!" Ray shouts as Fallon makes a dash for the exit.
He rushes after her, getting to her before she can leave. He slams her head into the wall, knocking her out.

Shae wakes in her room. Rayana is sat at the end of her bed, gently stroking her leg.
"You're awake," she sighs. Shae groans. For a few moments, she doesn't remember what happened. Then, her hand darts to her ear. It shakes as it runs along the jagged line. A sob leaves her mouth and Ray goes to hug her. She strokes her hair softly and holds her tight.

"What happened?" Shae asks. Rayana sighs and explains what happened after her grandfather left. How they were let out the following morning. The medics didn't tell their grandfather of Shae's miraculous healing and she is going to have to wear a bandage over it for a while so it looks like it is still healing.

"What are we going to do now?" Shae asks with a gulp. Ray gulps.

"We are getting you out of here. We aren't going to let him hurt you again."