The Gift. A magic that all of Vivelle knows about, yet none understand. Perhaps that was done on purpose. There are thousands of historical and educational texts in the great palace library, yet there are only small references in regards to the gift. Barely even mentions of it. We know how it came to be. It is written clearly in the History of the First War of Vivelle. We know that The Gift can only be wielded by the daughters of the Dulavelle line. Yet what really is it?

Perhaps we aren't allowed to really know. Though it is only a theory, it is one I suspect is true... There must have been writings and studies of it, yet I have searched and searched and can find nothing. I have a culprit in mind. A few actually. The only ones who have enough power to hide such knowledge are the kings themselves. That raises the questions of Why?

I have a few theories. The Gift is something that is feared. It is how the Dulavelle family has ruled for so long. No one wants to fight against those who wield such power. It is what has kept the Land folk and Waterfolk from trying to overthrow the crown. Yet a Dulavelle daughter has not possessed The Gift for many generations. Not that we know of, anyway. Perhaps they have had it without even realising.

Of course, the most famous case of The Gift was with the Mad Queen, Orianna. That brings me on to my next theory. It is said that The Gift brought her madness which is why Dulavelle daughters are forbidden from ruling Vivelle. But what if that wasn't the case? What if all research on The Gift has been hidden because the Kings don't want people to learn the truth about it. That the madness caused in Queen Orianna's case was not even caused by The Gift, but those around her? What if they keep everyone in the dark about it because they don't want this regime to change?  They want us in the dark so we will believe every word they tell us.

That is going to change.

I have worked as the Master Scholar for Fifty years and have lived in this palace for longer still. There are secrets everywhere. I have found a few texts, hidden away where it was though no one would find them. I have been intensely studying anything I could find and now I think it is time for me to write what I believe is the truth.

~The Gift. Chapter One. Written by Master Audwin. The Master Scholar of Vivelle during the reign of  King Orion and The King Chosen Matthias.

"Princess, where are your sisters?" I am asked by one of the councilmen. I put the charming, fake smile on my face.

"They were so overcome with joy with our suitor, they thought it best they left before they made a scene," I tell them. He chuckles.

"That may be for the best. Women can make such fools of themselves when they are around the stronger sex," he smiles.

"Quite correct," I reply, trying to hide my disgust at the statement. He nods his head and leaves me. My father spots me.

"Now it is time for the first dance between the new King Chosen and The favoured daughter," he shouts and the room claps with joy. My stomach does a flip and I feel bile rise in my throat as Lord Kristoff walks toward me. There is a wild hunger in his eyes as he approaches me along with a smug look. Though I know I am the only one who can see it. The rest of the room see his charming persona.

"Princess Illyana," he bows, taking my hand. I find it uneasy how easy I find being able to put a fake smile on my face. Especially when I feel nothing but turmoil and misery inside. Though I have had plenty of practice at making myself look how others want to see me. He presses his lips against the skin of my hand before standing up and I try not to shudder. He grips my hand tightly and gracefully pulls me into him. The room watches as he begins to twirl me around the room.

"I told you," he grins wickedly. I glare at him.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You are not the King Chosen yet," I smile. To anyone else, it would like we were having a nice little conversation. Like two people who are happy with the union. He shrugs, not listening to my threat.

"Have you decided yet, Princess? Are you going to win?" he asks.

"It depends if I pass the tests. Mine are harder after all," I tell him. He laughs.

"Well, you had better try very hard because I want you and I get what I want. When I don't get what I want then people suffer," he whispers in my ear. "In this case, it will be whichever sister I end up marrying." I pull back slightly and glare at him.

"I got your message the first time," I snap at him through my smile.

"Just making sure you make the right choice," he grins as the music ends. He bows and I curtsy. Then, he walks away from me. I look up to my father. His smile is smug. I snap my head away from him and head back toward the steps. Emlyn stops in front of me.

"I'm so sorry Illyana," he whispers. "I promise I'll protect whichever one of you wins. I won't let him..."

"Em," I sigh. "You can't," I say and step around him. There is a numbness in my mind as I walk along the balcony toward where my father sits on the throne.

"My darling daughter," he says as I approach. I curtsy, yet keep my eyes on his.

"Father," I say as I stand.

"What do you think of my choice?" he asks. I take a seat on the heir's throne. Seeing we are about to have a talk, all those around the throne area leave so as not to overhear.

"None of us will marry him," I state. He laughs.

"You don't have a choice," he replies darkly.

"We'll see," I simply reply and I can feel his anger building up.

"He is the commander of the Red Guard. What could you possibly do to a man of such power?" he asks. I just look at my father and let a real, dangerous smile cross my face.

"I will do anything to protect my sisters from marrying that monster," I tell him. "You have made a very dangerous mistake father. You have made all of us your enemy and you will regret it." He laughs.

"Is that supposed to scare me, Illyana?" he asks. "You may have the courage to speak up against me but you lack the ability to actually do anything. Your sisters are even more pathetic than you. They will never disobey me or the rules of the land. I suggest you follow by their example and do as you are told," he threatens. I shake my head.

"You forget, father. You've sold us to a monster and all but one of us is going to die anyway. We have nothing left to lose," I say as I stand up. He doesn't say anything. "Goodnight, father," I say and walk away. The ball will continue into the night. It doesn't have to continue with us though. Our disappearance will hardly be noticed. It is all about the New King Chosen now.

I head back to my room. Cordelia, Rayana and Shaelyn have all stopped crying.

"How was it?" Fallon asks. I sigh.

"Horrible," I tell them as I pull the dress off my body and replace it with a plain white gown. 

"We need to find a way out of this," Shaelyn says. They are desperate. We all are.

"How?" Rayana says. "How can we get out of this?" she begins to shout and I can hear the panic in her voice. "All but one of us are going to die and the one who lives has to spend the rest of her life at the side of that monster. Pushing out his babies for him to raise to be exactly like him because we won't be able to raise them. No. We'll either have died from childbirth or beaten to death!" She shakes her head, tears falling down her cheeks. "I don't know what fate is worse," she sobs. Neither do I.

"There must be something?" Cordelia says.

"I don't know," I tell them. "We should talk about it tomorrow. For now, we should rest," I suggest. They agree with me and they change into the simple white gowns. I put out lots of fresh sheets over the floor as we all decide to stay in my room tonight. I let Cordelia, Rayana and Shaelyn sleep on my bed whilst Fallon and I lie on the floor. We are silent as we wait for the soft snores of my exhausted sisters.

"So," Fallen whispers. "What are we going to do?" she asks, lighting a small candle between us.

"One of them has to win," I tell her. She nods her head. The two of us decided long ago that we were going to throw the trial to give one of our sisters a chance.

"It should be easy for me to fail. I'm already going to have harder tests," I tell her.

"What about Kristoff? It is all good making sure one of the three survives, but what about the future they have waiting for them. You and I may be able to handle that life, but it would destroy them," she tells me.

"I know," I sigh.  "Which is why we have to do something drastic," I tell her. She sees the expression on my face.

"Ana?" she asks.

"We are going to have to kill him," I say to her. She doesn't react for a few seconds.

"How?" she asks.

"Poison," I tell her. "Something that will make his death seem natural," I tell her as I stand. I tiptoe over to the corner of my room and remove one of the floorboards. Inside are lots of little, liquid-filled tubes along with a variety of dried plants. I have always had a knack for making potions.

"There is one more ingredient I need," I tell her as I grab my cloak.

"You're going out now?" she asks. I nod my head.

"Take some sort of weapon," she tells me.

"Already got it covered," I say, pulling out a tube of lip paint. I layer it on my lips, feeling a slight tingle. It doesn't change the colour of my lips so is pretty hidden.

"What is that?" Fallon asks. I smile.

"One of my own creations. Let's just say I have to be very careful when licking my lips," I smile.

"You need to teach me," she chuckles.

"When I get back. Guard the girls, we don't know who may decide to show up to my room at this hour..." I warn her. Fallon pulls a dagger out from underneath her dress.

"I know," she replies, spinning it in her hand. She turns serious and alert as I exit the room.

The fires in the hallways have been extinguished. The party is long over and those asleep in all our spare rooms want no light so they can sleep off all the alcohol. Wearing the black cloak makes it easy to hide in the shadows of the dark corridors. I also move quickly and silently. My feet don't make a sound against the stone floors as I make my way quickly to my destination. I find the little door I am looking for and squeeze my way through it. It is hidden behind a tapestry and blended into the rock. It is so small, that most men won't be able to crawl into it. Beyond the door is a very tiny, narrow passage. I have to crawl on my knees in order to get through. It is also pitch black, though I have been through it so many times, I hardly need light to know where I am going.

The passage begins to slope down and I see a small light at the end of it. It is a tiny little window with rusted metal grates. Though this isn't my way out, it is very useful. The way to my destination is round to the left. Hearing voices through the little window, I decide to stop. The window looks over the council chambers. Many times I have come down here when I know there has been a council meeting. They have no idea this place exists. I have a brief look at the room. My father is in there with Councilman Drake, Kristoff's father.

"Illyana may prove to be a challenge," my father speaks. I stay completely still so as to not make a noise.

"That girl has always been a challenge," the Councilman replies. "She took after her mother in not knowing her place," he spits. "How are you going to deal with it?" My father sighs.

"I've already got your son on it. I've told him exactly what to do to get her obedient," he chuckles. "He's heading up to her room now." My heart races wildly and I feel adrenaline and fear fill my stomach. 

"What if your other daughters are in there?" the councilman asks. My father shrugs.

"Fallon," my father begins. "Is an excellent fighter. No doubt she will get a few good hits in. But one slice from his dagger will send her into a nice little sleep along with the others if they cause to much trouble..." I leave before I hear the rest of the sentence, rushing back to my room. Getting back through the passage quickly is a struggle especially in my panic. He is going to hurt my sisters.

I crawl back out of the little door and begin to rush back toward my room. A force slams into me and a hand clamps around my mouth as I scream.

"Quiet now Princess," a cruel voice whispers from behind me. His arms press tighter around me as he drags me down the corridors and into a small room. Pain slams into my back as I am forced against a wall. My heart races wildly as fear pumps through my veins. His hand is still clamped around my mouth and he pushes me against the wall with the weight of his body. His other hand is skimming the skin on my leg as he pushes up the skirt. I let out another scream against his hand as I struggle. There is a sharp pain on the side of my face as he slaps me.

"Be quiet, little princess," he whispers in my ear. In the light, I begin to see the outline of his features. Like I had suspected, my attacker is Kristoff. I let out a pained gurgle as he forces a liquid down my throat. It burns my neck and I choke as it forces its way down. I take in deep, shaking breaths as he allows me a few moments to breathe as the liquid goes down.

"Stop," I plead.

"You should have done as daddy told you, Illyana," he whispers. "I didn't want it to be like this."

"I'm sorry," I plead. He laughs at my shaking voice and hands, letting his weight against me ease a little. 

"What was that?" He asks as he continues to push my skirt up against my struggling.

"I'm sorry!" I beg. "Please don't!" My breathing is so heavy.

"Illyana, you have to be shown your place and I don't think I can wait until our wedding night," he chuckles.

"Not like this," I plead, letting the fear fill my voice. He eases off me a little more, clearly excited by my fear and begging. "I understand now," I say, looking up into his eyes now. "I'll never disobey you or father again." He lets go of me almost completely and I drop to the floor. My back presses tightly against the wall as he puts his arms on either side of my head. He looks down at me with a sadistic grin. I look up into his eyes, allowing the fear to show on my face.

"I thought you would put up more of a fight," he says as he steps even closer to me. So close, I can feel his hot breath on my skin.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"I know you Illyana. You don't give up like this," he says sceptically as watches me intently to find any sort of lie in my words. I gulp, my words dry in my mouth.

"I've never been attacked before." My voice is hoarse as I say it. "I'm scared."

"Oh, Illyana," he says as he strokes my hair from my face.

"Prove it," he grins wickedly. "Show me how sorry you are," he tells me. I gulp and go on my tiptoes.

"I'm sorry, my King," I say as I delicately stroke a strand of his ruffled blonde hair out of his eyes. Then, I lean up and press a soft kiss on his lips before pulling away slightly, yet not taking away eye contact. He smiles like he has won the biggest prize. I let out a gasp as he picks me up. I lean into him, kissing him again more intensely. I move my way down his neck, nibbling and placing delicate kisses on his skin. He gasps as I pierce the skin but continue to kiss. The taste of blood lingers on my tongue as I kiss at the small cut.

"Illyana," he moans as I softly press my lips against his again. I pull away, looking up at him. His smile is wide and he strokes the skin up my legs.

"Good start, but you still have more to apologise for," he whispers.

"Of course, my King," I tell him. "But you don't look so good," I say with confusion in my voice. There is sweat pouring down his face and I can feel his hands begin to shake.

"What are you talking about?" he asks.

"You're all cold and you're shaking. Are you sure you are okay?" I ask. He stumbles back slightly.

"What's happening?" he asks, looking at his hand as though it weren't part of his body. He falls to the ground.

"I'm not sure," I tell him, feigning innocence.

"Get help," he wheezes as his nose begins to bleed.

"Though it could have something to do with the poison that you've both ingested and is running through your veins at this very moment," I say as I crouch next to his body. He lets out an awful gurgling scream.

"Poison?" he chokes.

"Yes, the one that I coated on my lips," I tell him. He lets out another pained moan as his head falls back. His breathing begins to get heavier.

"Don't worry. It won't kill you. It will just make these next few days very painful. Oh and it will make you very talkative," I shrug.

"You bitch," he spits. I laugh.

"Wait until I tell your father. He'll beat you and your sisters as punishment," he manages to cackle.

"It's a good job you aren't going to tell him then," I sigh.

"You just said it won't kill me," he mutters.

"Oh it won't, but if you tell my father, I tell the whole court." 

"They won't believe you," he says.

"Well, when I said I'd tell them, I actually meant you'll tell them yourself," I smile. "Remember what I said, this poison makes you talk. Anyone who even finds you won't be able to help but tell them the whole truth of what happened. When they find out you tried to rape one of the Princesses then all favour you have will disappear. When they find out that a small little princess managed to incapacitate you, then you'll lose respect from the men you lead. Your father will be forced to remove you from the Red Guard and the military completely. All those at court will hate you and my father will be forced to admit he made a mistake in choosing you and he'll have to pick someone else."

"You're lying," he grunts.

"Let's test it, shall we?" I clear my throat. "What was that liquid you made me drink?" I ask. He looks at me and groans. I laugh at his twisted face as he tries not to tell me.

"It is a potion that makes you immediately fertile once you drink it. It was the same thing your father gave your mother," he finally spits out. I frown.

"Will it wear off?" I ask as anger courses through my veins.

"In two days," he gurgles "Your natural cycle will be unaffected."

"Why were you making me drink it?" I ask, though I already know the answer.

"Your father wanted my child in your belly before the trials," he manages to spit out before continuing. "He said that if you knew you were pregnant, then you'd try harder so you could save the baby. Even if it was mine." He lets out a huge breath of relief as he finishes the sentence.  I feel sick.

"That's..." I can't even find the words. I shake my head, dazed for a few moments. Then I gulp and try and hide my shock. I laugh instead. "That is the most ridiculous plan I've ever heard. Why would I go against my sisters because of the possibility I was pregnant? Why would I sacrifice them for a child conceived through rape?" I tell him. He groans, his face twisting. Then, a chocked chuckle leaves his mouth.

"Well, it worked for your mother. You're the reason she won her trial," he gulps. I freeze and my throat dries. Trying to hide my shock again, I smile.

"Thank you for the information," I say. "I would ask for more, but you are about to pass out and have a very painful next few days," I tell him with a shrug. "I'll make sure no one will find you in this state. I'll show you this one kindness even after what you have done to me." I tell him as I dab away some of the blood. "This kindness will not be shown again Kristoff," I say to him as his eyes cross. I know he can still hear me though. "Try anything like this with myself or my sisters again and you won't even see me coming. I have many poisons which hurt a lot more than this one and do a lot more damage. If you push me to it, I will kill you and I'll do it with no remorse or hesitation. So, I suggest it is you who learns your place," I tell him with a cruel smile twisted on my lips.

"You stupid bitch," he gurgles. "You don't know how to play this game. You will lose."

"We'll see," I say as I stand. "Have fun," I say as I walk from the room and lock the door behind me. He gurgles my name behind me as I leave.

"Thank you, Kristoff," I mutter under my breath. "For bringing me to the abandoned part of the palace. It meant I didn't have to drag your body through the palace," I say through the door back to him. "It also means there is no one to hear you scream," I tell him and walk away with a smile on my face.