I was lying in my cell. Watching and planning. Putting myself into the visions is easy now. I can think of what I want to see and I'll see it. Most of the time. Trying to see the future doesn't work very much because it is constantly changing. I think it has something to do with me seeing the future will cause me to change it. I'm not sure. It is just more answers I need to find out about the Fae Gift. All that seeing had given me a pounding headache. Not that I felt it over the pain already scolding my back. As I nodded off to sleep, I found myself thinking of my father. Of what had made him change his mind? When our grandfather arrived, father made it very clear he was not to hurt us. That didn't exactly last long. Thinking these things as I drifted off, made me fall into another vision. Despite my headache. Again, I will tell my vision, even though I write it a long time after, as though I am actually there at the time. It is the easiest way for me to record them accurately.

I am in the council chambers. My Grandfather talks with the council. My father is nowhere to be seen.

"The Princesses are arrogant," Councilman Drake says. "The king is doing nothing about it," he snaps. My grandfather takes a seat in the King's spot and leans forward, running his hand along his chin.

"My son," he sighs. "You still fail me now. After all my lessons."

"What are we going to do about them?" Another council member asks. My grandfather leans back.

"I think it is time me and my boy played an old game," he replies and stands. "Meet me back here in an hour."

The vision changes and I am standing in my father's room. His father walks in.

"Knock," father growls.

"You don't command me, boy," he snarls. My father raises an eyebrow.

"I am the King. I command everyone. Including you," he snarls as he stands up. "What do you want?"

"Your daughters. Put in their place," he tells him.

"My daughters, will not be touched by you. I brought you here to get the council off my back. Not for you to hurt my girls," he tells him.

"You really think that my presence alone will stop the council? They want results. They want their obedient princesses back. Not these arrogant whores they have become. It is revolting to see," he spits. "You should be ashamed." Father sighs and crosses his arms.

"My daughters are going to die," he snaps. "As soon as Illyana is brought home, the Queen's Trial will continue. I want their last months to be... happy," he says. Sebastian growls.

"You are a stupid boy," he snaps and slaps him around the head. "Why would you bring your eldest brat back?" he asks. "Give the Red Guard orders to kill her. That way, she can't cause any more problems." My father has Sebastian by the throat and pinned against the wall in a flash.

"No one is killing Illyana," he snarls. "Threaten her again and I'll have you executed for treason," he tells him, letting his father go. Sebastion coughs but then smiles.

"Always predictable," he replies. "Times where you think you are the strongest are always the moments you show me your weaknesses." Father doesn't say anything. He just clenches his fists.

"I'll give you a choice, son." I shudder, hearing those words again. Always knowing this game does not end well for my father.

"Seeing as you seem to want to protect Illyana, I'll give you an option. I get the council off her back. Stopping the relentless hunts and their schemes for her to accidentally be 'killed' and pin it on the Lupine," he begins. "And I get to discipline my grandaughters how I see fit. Or," he grins. "I let you discipline your daughters before I help the council track down Illyana. I will then have her take to a secret location of my choosing. At said location, I will let all my men have their fun with her before skinning the bitch alive." Father goes to attack, but Sebastian pins him to the ground. "Predictable," he snarls in his son's ear. "So, what's it going to be? Who is going to discipline your girls? You? or Me?" My father struggles and a lump forms in my throat. He is protecting Illyana. He is almost helping her. Of course, I know that she is already in Lupine territory and unreachable to any of Sebastian's men. But they don't know that.

"Chose son," he tells him. My father lets out a groan.

"You," he finally growls. Sebastian smiles and stands up. My father gets up quickly after and glares at his father.

"I knew you would make the right choice."

"You just make sure you keep up with your end," he replies. "Get the council to stop their plans for Illyana," he instructs. "If the cannon goes off with her colours, then I'll have all of you killed," he warns. My grandfather nods his head.

"I will get the council off her back. Then I will teach your daughters manners," he agrees. Father nods and looks away from Sebastian. Sebastian walks out, slamming the door behind him. Father lets out a shout and throws everything off his desk before slumping on the chair. Burying his hands in his hair, he slumps over. Tears fall down his cheeks and he curses himself at his stupidity. I gulp and pull myself out of the vision. So, father fed us to the wolves to help Illyana. Why? I am not sure. Just another question I need answering.

Shae is shaking. A mixture of shock and coldness. Her body throbs with pain as she lies hunched on the floor. Drifting in and out of consciousness. It is constantly dark and she doesn't know how much time passes. None of them do. After some time, the cells open. Rayana stands slowly when hers open.

"Come with me," a voice says. It is one of the guards. Fallon is also standing when her cell is opened. Though she charges straight out, running down the corridors looking for Shae. They chase after her, but she turns to them with her cold glare. They freeze.

"Ray, where is Shae?" she asks with a shaking voice as Rayana walks weakly out of her cell. Ray leads the way. Though after a few moments, Fallon doesn't need Ray's help. The scent of blood slaps her in the face, almost burning her nose. She could tell it was Shae's.

"Shae!" she calls and rattles on the bars. Shae doesn't respond. She just lies on the floor, her body shaking. Fallon snatches the keys from one of the guards and opens up the cell. There are tears streaming down her face as she rushes to her sisters. Fallon scoops up Shaelyn's limp body and carries her out quickly. She isn't stopped. Nor does she let her own pain get in her way as she rushes Shaelyn to the healing rooms.

Sebastian Baylon waits for them inside.

"Good morning, girls," he says. Fallon has to force herself not to charge at the man. Though an image of her tearing out his throat with her own teeth puts a smile on her face. Amalie stands in the corner, her arms crossed and a smug grin on her face. Rayana looks at her. Her skin is pale and heavy bags sit around her eyes. Her brown hair is matted with blood and the thin white dress she was stripped down to is bloodied and muddied.

"You shouldn't have threatened my daughter," Amalie grins to Rayana. Ray smiles back and sits down on one of the beds carefully.

"You shouldn't have ignored my threat," Rayana replies.

"Everyone knows you don't have The Gift," she replies and Sebastian holds a hand up to silence her. Still shaken by Rayana's words. 

"Be silent, girls," he orders before looking at the princesses. Rayana just smiles at Amalie.

"I hope you said goodbye to her when you left her," she says. "Because you won't be seeing her again." The slap rings loudly as Amalie's hand connects with Rayana's cheek.

"I said," she growls "Don't threaten my daughter." Rayana doesn't react.

"It wasn't a threat. It was a fact. I've already seen to it," she smiles. Amalie shakes and goes to slap Rayana again. Sebastian grabs her hand and stops her.

"The bitch is playing mind games," he snarls. "She has no idea where your brat is," he tells her. Rayana raises an eyebrow but doesn't speak. "I hope you three have learned your lesson, after yesterday," he sighs. Fallon glares at him, still holding Shae close to her.

"She needs medical help. Now," she replies.

"She'll get it. As soon as you bow to me and Amalie," he tells them, his face straight. Fallon and Rayana put aside their pride and bow to their grandfather.

"That's better. That is how you'll greet me every time," he tells them. Fallon forces down an insult and looks at Sebastian with a smirk.

"Yes, grandfather," she replies. Sebastian nods and smiles.

"That wasn't too hard, was it. You three may get medical attention now," he says. He leaves the room, followed by Amalie and his men who were there to protect him from Fallon.

The healers all come in at once and fan around the princesses. Fallon practically collapses once Shae is taken from her arms. Their backs get covered in various lotions to clean and stop the infection. They are then each given a siren's tear.

"The King said these are to be the only tears you get. If this happens again, you will have to recover fully by yourself," the healer says and leaves the room. Fallon stretches her muscles and rushes over to Shae who is sleeping peacefully. She picks up her sister's hand, feeling tears again. Had is been recent, they would have been able to reattach the digit and use the sirens tear to heal it. However, it was too far gone. The wound had healed at least, though still looked red and sore.

"I'm so sorry," Fallon says ande kisses Shae's forehead. Shae's eyes flutter open. Fallon helps her up to sitting. Her eyes water as she looks at her hand.

"At least it was only a finger," she gulps and puts it out of her sight.

"It shouldn't have happened," Fallon snarls. "I'm going to kill father. I thought he had our backs!" she spits and slams her fist into the wall. The wall cracks and shudders. 

"No," Rayana sighs. "But he has Illyana's," she tells her as she explains what she saw. Fallon's laugh is dry once Ray has finished.

"I am not sure whether to be happy about that or not," she replies.

"Be happy," Shae replies. "Illyana would be if it was one of us out there who was being looked out for by father," she tells them. They nod their heads.

"What do we do now?" Fallon asks.

"We continue. Just more carefully."

"How are we even going to sneak out?" Fallon sighs. "I bet grandfather will have all the stops in place to stop us from getting out of our rooms."

"Just leave that to me," Ray tells her and pats her shoulder. "For this week, we follow all his rules. Especially now the Fae are here," she tells them. "We do what he says. We make him think he has won this round. When the Fae leave, I'll help us get out to help the Knights." Fallon nods her head.

"Okay," she replies. 

When night comes around, Shae lies in her bed. Her whole body shakes as her mind flashes back to the previous night. Her hand runs over her little stump on her right hand. She could almost feel the finger still there. As her panic increases, the energy swirls around her. Dust begins to fall from the walls as they start to shake. Rayana bursts inside quickly, making Shae jump.

"Hurry Shae, we don't have much of a window," she gulps and drags her sister from her bed and over to the window. Throwing the black cloak at her.

"What bout keeping our heads down?" Shae asks, not wanting to be caught.

"What about not destroying a city?" Rayana snaps back. "Don't worry Shae, I have everything planned out. We will get out and get in without being seen. No one will know we are gone." Shae doesn't move with her sister. Her body stays frozen in place.

"I can't," she whispers. Rayana walks over to Shae and cups her cheeks.

"I know you're scared, Shae," she whispers and kisses her cheeks. "But don't let him win," she says. "Don't let him succeed in breaking you." Shae closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as she reaches for the cloak. Her whole body is shaking with fear and she can feel it echo in the walls and earth of the city. Not enough for it to be felt by anyone but hair. But, the ground is shuddering to her fear. Ray opens the window and begins to climb down the outside. Their rooms face the sides of the building and there are a series of ledges and windows that help their climb down.

"Hurry, the patrol is coming soon," Ray urges. Shaelyn's room is the lowest of the sisters. On the fourth floor. They land in the courtyard and rush to a small gate. Somehow, it is open and unguarded. The girls rush through into the city. Disappearing into the night. Shaelyn had never felt such apprehension whilst out during the night. She can't help but think about all the possibilities of them being discovered. What if someone goes into her room and see she isn't there? She forces the thoughts out as they enter the King's Wood. As soon as the trees are around her, the energy almost knocks Shae to the ground. So much of it everywhere. Travelling through the soil and the roots of the flowers. The stones shudder beneath her. The girls run for at least an hour and a half until Ray comes to a stop. Both pant for breath. 

"What now, Ray?" Shae snaps, still terrified.

"Now," Ray says. "You think about everything that's happened to you," she says. "And you go fucking crazy. You release that energy that has just been itching to get out." She tells her. Shae looks at her sister and her throat dries.

"I can't. I don't know what will happen," she whispers.

"Exactly. This is how we find out." Shae looks ahead of her. It is dark. Tough the moon is full and silver. Perhaps the brightest is has been for a while. The canopy through the trees isn't that heavy either so they can see a little.

"You're sure?" Shae asks.

"You need this," Ray says, tapping her back. Shae removes her shoes and sinks her toes into the soil. The energy begins to tingle against her skin as it is almost absorbed into her body. She can feel the vibrations through her feet. Tickling her. Her mind goes back to the events of the previous night and she drops to her knees with a sob. The siren's tear may have healed it, but there was still pain. She doesn't know whether it is stinging now, or whether it is just the vivid memories that are swirling in her mind. Either way, the energy responds. It fills her whole body up, leaving her body shuddering. The ground beneath her begins to move as her rage and pain fills the energy. Almost like the two forces bonding together. The black walls of the cells, the sound of the lashes, the image of her finger staying on the block surrounded in blood whilst her hand came up to her face. All of it fills her head. The pain, the humiliation. The fact that her life has and always be nothing to any of them. She should be dead by now. Everyone knows it. Everyone wants it. She may be a princess of Vivelle. But she is a worthless one.

The ground is shaking wildly and Shaelyn holds her arms into her chest like she is trying to force all the collected energy to remain in her body.

"Let it all go, Shae," Rayana whispers in her ear. Tears are running down Shae's cheeks as she sobs. The energy continues to fill her. Comforting her until finally, she can hold it no longer. A scream leaves her mouth. Loud and broken as her arms are forces away from her chest. Energy explodes out of her in one massive pulse. It shakes the ground violently around them. Trees crack and topple. The noise is deafening. Shaelyn stands up slowly, looking around her. Her eyes widen as the rage fills her again. She holds out her hands. Breathing heavily, she controls the energy. Well, a loose term for what she is doing. She watches as the ground ahead of her begins to disappear as she forces it to be pulled apart. Her hands move apart and as they do, the crack gets bigger and bigger. Rayana falls over as the ground shakes before she dives out of the way of a falling branch. Shae doesn't pay attention. Her eyes are on the expanding crack. She watches as the trees fall in, crashing as they go. She thinks about the way she pulls the dirt and stones from each other. At how the roots of the trees and plants tear and rip apart. She screams again as she forces more energy out. It is angry. It wants to destroy and she is happy to let it.

Then, it is gone and she falls to the ground, panting.

"Holy fuck," Ray says, scrambling to sit next to her sister. A massive creator sits before them. One huge bowl of destruction. Shae looks into it, breathing heavily. She gulps and lifts her hands again. Channelling the same energy again. She closes her eyes and feels the way it pulses through the soil and roots. It doesn't pour into her as it had before. Now, it is softer. Matching her calmness. She had used the energy to separate the stones from each other and the roots from the trees.  Now, she will use the energy to fix it.

She can feel it. The connection as rock is drawn back to rock. Soil to soil and roots grow new branches as they reach for the trunks. Slowly, the crater begins to repair itself. The trees grow stronger than they were before and the hole begins to fill as dirt and stone move back. Leaves begin to grow again, replacing the ones that had fallen during the waves of shakes. When Shae is done, she sits back down, panting heavily. Her body feels strange and tingly. She can still feel the energy of the earth thrumming beneath her. But, she doesn't feel the need to collect it an manipulate it.

"That was..." Ray says. Shae doesn't reply, not wanting to talk.

"Let's just head back," she replies.

Over the next week, the girls do exactly what they are told. Sebastian keeps his eye on them. His loyal men spying on them as each day goes by. Fallon doesn't get a chance to see what the Fae were talking about with the King and what deals they came to. All she knows is that peace is sorted and the Fae are leaving in two days. That meant, they had two days to get the message to the Knights. The princesses, rightfully, are scared. Their grandfather is twisted and a manipulative fuck. The princesses had grown arrogant. They are going to have to be much more careful from now on. Fallon sighs as she gets ready. Getting into a delicate dress and styling her hair to match. Though she does attach a knife to her thigh. Not her prefered style, but she is laying low. She does not want that to happen to her sister again.

Shaelyn dresses similarly. Her grandfather had provided her with special gloves that have a fake finger built in. No one can see a princesses imperfection. No one needs to know what actually happened to them. What a mess. They appear early in the morning to breakfast. Their grandfather has them on a tight schedule. One they arrive at breakfast, they curtsy to him. Fallon biting her cheek as she does.

"You may rise," he says. They do so and walk to their spaces at the table. Sebastian sits at the head of the table. On either side, Kristoff and Amalie sit ahead of the princesses. Fallon gives Cordelia a looks to say, 'are you going to sort this out?' Cordelia gives her a 'give me a chance,' look back. Cordelia sits on the other side of Kristoff, who is making googly eyes at Amalie. Fallon rolls her eyes and sits.

"Something wrong, Fallon?" Sebastian asks.

"Not at all grandfather," she replies. I am going to rip your nails out of their sockets then feed them to you. He looks away from her disturbed smile, knowing the jest of what she is thinking. He knows that the girls are just playing along and that as soon as they get an opportunity, they'll stab him in the back.

"Amalie," Cordelia smiles innocently. "Can you please stop gawking our fiance. It isn't very ladylike of you," she says. Sebastian looks at Cordelia who still smiles innocently.

"I can do what I want," Amalie replies.

"Then if she can, so can I," Fallon replies, looking at her grandfather. 

"I think it is only fair that Amalie gets treated like we do," Cordelia continues. "She is still a representative of your family and the crown after all." Sebastian sits back in his chair and looks between the two of them with narrowed eyes.

"Amalie is not a princess. She doesn't have certain expectations," he replies. Cordelia laughs.

"Of course not, grandfather. It was stupid of me to say it. I apologise." Amalie smirks again and it takes all of Fallon's strength not to stand up and slam the bitch's face into the table repeatedly. Her hands are clenched under the table. So tightly, she can feel the nails pinch her skin. "I am simply saying that being the king's mistress is not a very good reputation. I mean, could you imagine if they had a child?" Cordelia asks. Amalie pales and Rayana smirks. She had told Cordelia about the child that had been born in secret to Amalie and Kristoff. Not that Kristoff new. Though, to them, Cordelia knows nothing. She is merely speculating.

"I think," Sebastian says, leaning forward, "You should stop, Princess." Cordelia smiles.

"Of course, Grandfather. I just worry about the possibilities. A bastard child is a tricky situation, we can all agree," she carries on. "Imagine what a queen would do if she found her king had fathered another child," she shakes her head and sighs.

"A queen," Sebastian says. "Will not have to worry about the affairs of her husband. As long as she does her role and produces Dulavelle heirs. The king is free to do what he wants." Cordelia looks at Kristoff.

"I would never dream of telling his majesty what to do. But, I am also your granddaughter, grandfather," she begins. "We all are," she says. "How do you react when someone disrespects you?"

"Drop it, girl," he orders again. She smiles and stands up, curtsying.

"I am sorry to have upset you, grandfather. I just don't want to bring shame down on this crown," she replies, looking at Kristoff. His eyes fall on her and widen slightly. "Do you not agree, your majesty?" Fallon watches as a haze seems to fall over Kristoff. He licks his lips, not breaking his stare with Cordelia.

"I think," he begins... then shakes his head. Snapping out of whatever daze he was in. "That Princess Cordelia is partly right. A child born to a mistress would be bad and would need dealing with accordingly. We cannot have a bastard prince or princess"

"They wouldn't be a prince or princess though if he was yours," Fallon shrugs. He glares at her before continuing with a frown.

"Still. It would complicate things and possibly bring about a grab for the throne from whatever family raised the child," he chuckles. "When I am king," he says. "and if there was ever a child between Amalie and myself, I would question your motives, Lord Baylon. I think that opportunists like many nobles families would use an excuse of a child born to a king as a way to try and rid Vivelle of the Dulavelles."

"What would you do to your child? If you had one born out of wedlock with some random noble whore?" Rayana asks.

"I'd have the brat killed, of course," he shrugs. Rayana looks to Amalie and smirks. Amalie gulps, her skin paling. At that moment, Rayana has all the cards. But, now was not the time to play them.

"Of course, the people wouldn't like a baby-killing king," Cordelia shrugs. "Safer to make sure a King stays loyal to his queen," Cordelia says as she touches Kristoff's shoulder. "Especially, when we give up so much to be your queen," she says softer this time. He gently touches her hand and Amalie stands.

"Excuse me, grandfather," she says and rushes out of the room. Sebastian stands up and walks over to Cordelia. The slap rings loudly through the room and she falls to the floor with a scream. Tears spring in her eyes as she clutches at her cheek. Kristoff is on him in a moment, clutching his arm tightly and his face close to his ears.

"Touch her again," he snarls. "And I'll have your fucking head," he says and throws the man to the floor.

"Lord Kristoff," Sebastian snaps standing up.

"Princess Cordelia stepped out of line. I punished her accordingly," he snaps back.

"Hardly," Kristoff replies as he holds Cordelia close. "She was bringing up fair points on how to protect this families reputation. In fact, she seems to be doing a better job of it than you." Sebastian looks between the two before straightening his jacket. He nods his head.

"My apologies," he says and turns away from them, looking at the other girls.

"You may leave," he tells them. They stand up and rush from the room quickly. Smiling as they do so.

It is midnight when Ray makes her way to Fallon's room. Using the secret passage that leads right inside.

"You weren't caught?" Fallon asks.

"I know exactly which routes to take to avoid the patrols," she grins.

"Of course you do," Fallon replies. "What about Shae?"

"Shae..." Ray sighs. "She should be left out this time," Ray replies. "She can't deal with the fear of being caught. I managed to get her to the Wood the other night because if I didn't, she might have toppled this castle. But since then... she's terrified."

"Rightfully so," Fallon replies.

The girls sneak out of the castle. Using much more dangerous and creative ways than they used to. With their rooms being watched almost constantly and there being patrols on the grounds beneath their windows, it leaves very little time to sneak in and out. Of course, Fallon's room is the easiest one because of the passages beneath her floors. They follow their usual route through the city, finding the Knights with ease.

"Where is Shaelyn?" Evie asks as the girls enter. Her throat dries when she sees the look pass between the princesses. "Is she okay?" he voice wobbles as she asks. Ren comes over and some of the others.

"We were expecting to see you sooner," he replies. Rayana gulps.

"There has been, an incident," she begins. "We haven't been able to get out or find out as much as normal. Not our normal way anyway," Fallon sighs and looks at Ray.

"The Fae are leaving in two days. At midday. I am not sure of their route yet, but they'll be surrounded by guards and knights," she tells them.

"How will we find out the route?" he asks. The girls look at each other.

"We'll need Shae to track them," Fallon sighs.

"What's the matter with Shaelyn?" Evie asks, her voice almost desperate. Rayana looks to the floor.

"Our grandfather made his first move to keep us in line," she laughs dryly.

"Shae got hit the worst," Fallon gulps.

"Is she okay?" Ren asks, stepping forward. Rayana glares at him.

"Like you actually care," she snaps. He goes to open his mouth but doesn't say anything.

"We've told you what we know. Let's just plan the basics for the day and then make our way back. Just in case one of grandfather's creeps decides to look in our rooms and we aren't there," Fallon replies.

They are only there for another fifteen minutes before they are rushing back to the castle. By the skin of their teeth, they get in unnoticed. Rayana tries to see what she needs to in order to come up with a plan on how the princesses can all be out of the palace for that day. As well as still having an alibi for it. It takes her two hours to come up with something. By the end of it, her head is pounding again. She lies down in bed, her mind spinning with all the things she's seen and the plans. It is necessary though.

"Grandfather," Ray says that morning at breakfast. "Are you worried about the Fae's safety through the city?" she asks.

"I don't see how that concerns you," he replies, not even looking at her.

"I was just thinking..."

"Don't," he orders. She closes her eyes and sighs.

"I was just thinking that perhaps, my sisters and I should head into the city at the same time. To draw the crowds away," she suggests. He looks up and crosses his arms.

"That way, the people get to see us again and know we are still around," she gulps. "And it is easier for the Fae to get through without the risk of there being so many people around."

"I'll think about it," he replies. She nods her head.

"That is all I ask," she replies with a delicate smile.

Later on that day as she suspected, her plan is approved. She talks to her sisters that night. Sneaking into their rooms to tell them the next steps.

The day the Fae leave, the princesses leave the castle grounds in open carriages. The streets are full of people as they make their way through them. They are kept back by rows of guards who have cleared the paths.

The girls watch their carriage ride below them. Inside, three of their ladies in waiting sit. The women having all traded spaces during a blind spot of their route through the city. The ladies in waiting are dressed in the same dresses the princesses were wearing and also sport wigs and tiaras. The city folk too far away to notice the difference. That and the decorative veils they wear over their head. The driver is Emlyn. He'll make sure the girls have enough time to sneak back into the carriage before it makes its way back to the castle. The knights protecting the streets are too busy looking for any attacks than too closely at the princesses.

"You're sure it will work?" Fallon asks. Ray nods.

"It will," she says.

"Are you sure you're up to this?" Fallon asks Shae. Her hands shake slightly but she nods her head in determination.

"Let's go and assassinate some Fae scumbags. It'll be good to take my anger out on people who deserve it," she snarls. The girls nod, give each other quick hugs before joining up with the Knights of the Pheonix, ready to kill.