Jim was looking out at the crowd. Anya saw a frown cross his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked. He did not know, did he?

Jim shook his head. "Will you excuse me, please, Anya?" he said, as he stood up. His attention was across the room.

"What's the matter?" Anya asked again, standing up.

She desperately hoped he had not noticed there was something wrong with Lord Wildwood. She also hoped that he had noticed and could somehow stop what was about to happen.

"Probably nothing," he said briskly as he strode across the room.

Anya followed and she could feel her legs shaking with each step. Jim walked straight towards Lord Wildwood and Lady Theresa. Lord Wildwood looked a bit pale, but there were no other signs of what Anya had done.

Lady Theresa looked at Jim with a big smile as he approached. Her face was flushed. "Jim. Anya. Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Up close, Anya noticed that Lord Wildwood's hands were shaking almost as much as her legs were.

"We are, my lady. It is a beautiful celebration," Jim said politely. "I was wondering if I might borrow your husband for but a minute?"

Lady Theresa grinned. She looked heartbreakingly happy. "I suppose that I can do without him for a few moments."

Jim glanced at Anya. "Stay with Lady Theresa, please Anya."

Anya nodded and Jim led Lord Wildwood across the room and into the crowd.

Lady Theresa smiled again. "Jim is so serious," she said, and lifted her goblet to her lips. "You know, he's the one who sent me to my husband. I have an odd sort of sisterly affection for him."

"Yes, my lady," Anya agreed, her eyes searching the crowd for the two men.

"So, what is bothering him now?" Lady Theresa asked in a surprisingly unconcerned tone.

"He did not tell me," Anya answered honestly, although she had a good suspicion what it was. Her heart felt lighter even as it sunk like a stone.

Lady Theresa took another long drink from her goblet and looked at Anya slyly. "So, you and Jim seem to be getting along well."

"I suppose," Anya said noncommittally. She wondered how much wine Lady Theresa had consumed throughout the evening.

"Are you... interested in him?" Lady Theresa asked with a smile.

Anya grimaced. Lady Theresa acted a bit like the lady's own sister when she had excess wine in her system.

"Oh, I am sorry," Lady Theresa said. "I'm just so happy and I want to see Jim happy, too. I think he might be intrigued by you, and I... I think I'm going to be sick," she announced.

"Perhaps you should get some fresh air," Anya suggested, still searching the crowd.

"That might be just the thing," Lady Theresa agreed.

As Anya led Lady Theresa outside, she saw Lord Wildwood and Jim emerge from the other side of the crowd and head towards Sir Thomas. The three men conversed and she saw Lord Wildwood give a short nod of his head. She saw Sir Thomas close his eyes. There was a hum of magic in the air, and then another burst of his magic came forth.

Anya saw a couple people in the crowd stir slightly at the disturbance, but most of the guests continued their revelry completely ignorant of the magical works in progress. Ildri was speaking excitedly with a handsome young man, completely oblivious.

Anya and Lady Theresa moved beyond the point where Anya could see.

Anya found an empty bench and deposited Lady Theresa upon it. What had Sir Thomas done? Was there a spell that could show her guilt? It seemed certain that they knew that something was wrong with Lord Wildwood, but could they tell that he had been poisoned and that it was Anya who had done it?

"Thank you," Lady Theresa said with a shaky smile.

Anya felt the strongest urge to open her secret vial and fly from the castle, but if she had not succeeded in truth Thorne would take out his anger on the twins. She wished that she had not suggested that they move outside. She needed to see what was happening. "Would you like me to fetch you some water, my lady?" Anya asked.

"Yes, thank you, Anya. You're very thoughtful," Lady Theresa said.

Anya knew that she was not thoughtful. She was scheming and desperate and she did not deserve the praise. "I'll just be a minute," Anya said and hurried off.

Anya's eyes immediately flew to where the three men had been standing and found them where they had been. They were speaking together and then the small group dispersed. Anya quickly went to the serving room and filled a glass with cool water for her lady. She carried it back outside.

Two other ladies had descended upon Lady Theresa in the short time that Anya had been gone. Anya moved closer and felt unsure of whether she should interrupt or not.

Lady Theresa saved Anya the decision. "Oh, thank you, Anya." She looked to both of the other ladies in turn, and said, "I was just taking a small break. All the excitement..."

"Oh, I understand," agreed the shorter and plumper lady. "Getting married really does take its toll on the nerves."

The other spoke up, "We just wanted to congratulate you, Lady Wildwood."

"Thank you," Lady Theresa agreed. The two ladies excused themselves quickly.

Lady Theresa took the glass from Anya's hands and she smiled gratefully. "I truly can't wait for this day to be over," she confessed. "We did have social events when I was growing up, but I was usually only paraded out to show everyone how happy and healthy I was briefly and my aunt always had a firm grip on my mind. Managing myself is always so taxing."

Anya nodded.

Lady Theresa's eyes lit up. "Keaton."

Anya spun around and looked at Lord Wildwood. Was he coming to confront her?

He walked towards Lady Theresa, almost as if Anya was not there at all. She tried to even her breathing.

"Perhaps it is late enough to make our excuses," he suggested as he took her hand and helped her to her feet.

Lady Theresa nodded. "I'm not feeling so well. Perhaps I overindulged."

She turned her face towards Anya and smiled, "Thank you, Anya."

Anya understood that she was being dismissed. She walked back into the great hall. The noise seemed even louder and Anya was pleased to retreat back to the bench where she had begun.

Anya leaned back a small amount and wondered if they knew it was she who had tried to poison Lord Wildwood. She could feel the vial in her sleeve and a strong urge to use the potion to escape.

Anya reminded herself that she had probably not yet been found out. She must not draw attention to herself.

A small ripple of magic returned to Anya and she realized that one of the guests who she had bespelled had gone off to bed and taken her hair out. Anya felt the spells that were left and realized that it was the eldest woman who she had administered to. It was like a magical weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Lady Theresa and Lord Wildwood walked across the great hall and there was a small commotion as they exited the room. Anya wished that she knew exactly what was happening, but she had no way of discovering the truth.

Jim sat down beside Anya again. He looked tired and worried. He did not appear to be aware of what a base traitor she was.

"What happened?" she asked. She wanted to know.

"Probably nothing," Jim said dismissively, but the expression on his face said the opposite. "There was something wrong with Lord Wildwood. It was probably nothing. Sir Thomas could not be sure, but it might have been food poisoning. Or perhaps something worse. Something more deliberate. Either way, Lord Wildwood is not in any danger at this time."

Anya tried to look concerned and hoped that she did not fail miserably. "That's good."

She had forgotten that Sir Thomas was a healer. He was a wizard, a healer, and had put an arrow into Gage's back.

"Troubling things have been happening in the kingdom," Jim said. He looked as if his mind was far away. Anya nodded. He was not wrong.

Anya wanted to know what he knew, but she was afraid to ask and arouse suspicion. She could not help the surge of relief that her plan had not worked but the feeling brought with it more worry for Damani and Kallie.

She felt like she was in a small boat in a storm, being battered by waves and against the rocks until she was destroyed.

Anya swallowed past the lump in her throat and tried to plan more. The next day she would write to Thorne and explain what had happened so that he would not think she was stalling. She could not put the twins in danger. She needed a new plan.

* * * * *

Anya could not decide what she would do next. She finally retired to her room and lay on her bed thinking through various ideas. They had not suspected her, but now they would be on their guard.

If only she had not been forced into the situation.

Anya lay there until the last lady let down her hair and finally Anya collapsed into an exhausted sleep.

* * * * *