It had been two weeks since the kissing incident, Isobella had woken up disappointed that Drasna had left early. She was mostly upset with Tristan, but didn’t bother with a punishment, she learned long ago it wouldn’t deter him. She had made sure all her staff knew to welcome Drasna at any time, but Tristan was always weary for some reason. He practically raised her so she supposed it made sense, but so did Calathiel.

  Isobella hummed happily as she walked around the chateau, carrying a purple clay pot, it was a gift from Drasna. The pot was nothing special visibly to the eyes of Isobella, but Drasna claimed it was the best she had ever made. The noble was determined to place the gift in the perfect spot, one where Drasna could see she was displaying it, and where it would be safe. While she was looking a few kids came running through the foyer, after bolting down the stairs giggling, nearly slamming into her. Isobella scowled and grumbled, she didn’t hate kids, but she hated when they rough housed around breakable things. Still the fault was not theirs alone, the parents should have taught them better, they were who she really hated. Parents who did not watch their children are who she should send to Calathiel.

  As if on cue, a skull cracking headache struck her, causing her to fall onto her knees and drop the vase. It shattered into a dozen shards as Isobella brought her hands to her head. The pain came in waves alternating between piercing and throbbing. Then a voice echoed in her head, it was Calathiel.

  “Come to me child, you and I need to have a word.”

  Isobella shivered and went pale from fear, the tone had said it all, Calathiel was displeased with her. She rose to her feet and looked around, one of the maids had seen her fall and gave her a look of concern. Isobella ignored her and stared at the broken vase, she wanted to cry, but she had no time. Even now she was being judged on how quickly she would go to Calathiel.

  “Oh no lady Isobella! Was that the gift Miss Drasna gave you?”

  “Indeed, please have Tristan check for loose boards and pick up the pieces, I have to go.” Isobella managed to choke out.

  She wiped away a tear and made haste to the reading room, which was occupied by a guest. She felt her eye twitch with irritation, she was already in a bad mood without obstacles. Seeing no other way to clear the room, she raised a hand and snapped her fingers. For a brief moment her eyes glowed violet as she spoke a simple command to the occupant.

  “Leave”

  Without hesitation, the guest closed the book they were so engrossed in and left the room. Isobella, soon after turned the wall sconce upside down and entered her secret room.

  “I apologize for the delay mother”

  Calathiel appeared in the mirror, then proceeded to step out of it. Her dress slid across the floor and her wings fully opened as the room allowed. Her pale porcelain skin piping amongst the dark interior of the room.

  “No bother. I’m much more concerned about you. You’ve brought me no lovely sacra- ahem, delinquents to play with in quite some time.”

  Isobella bowed her head, “I apologize mother, the guests have been very well mannered as of late.”

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  “Perhaps you’re right, I won’t fault you for that, I shall simply have to make my toys last longer. Though perhaps you’ve also been distracted?”

  Isobella felt hot, as her neck sweat, “Distracted? I assure you nothing is more important than pleasing you lady Calathiel!”

  “Good, I’d hate to think Drasna has been a bad influence on my good girl.”

  “No lady Calathiel, I don’t believe she will be a problem…, please don’t take her..”

  “Oh? Does that worry you? You must be especially enthralled with her, fear not.” Calathiel, cupped a hand over Isobella’s cheek. “As long as you continue to keep me happy, I won’t take away what makes you happy. Though I must say, I’m a bit jealous it’s not simply me anymore.”

  “Please don’t make me choose!” Isobella pleaded.

  “Not today I won’t, now onto the matter of what makes ‘me’ happy. Bring me someone soon, or I’ll ask for Drasna. Think of all the things I could take from her. I wonder would you still love her without that lovely blond hair? Or perhaps if she had no teeth?”

  Isobella hugged Calathiel, with a few tears in her eyes, “Please no! I’ll bring you someone today! Two even!”

  Calathiel grinned and ran a comforting hand through Isobella’s hair, “I’m glad you understand. My lovely Isobella, the fae always get their way.”

  The hug broke allowing both to look the other in the eyes. Isobella was well and truly shook, which made Calathiel amused. She reached forward and pinched Isobella’s cheeks, she had won like she knew she would, but now she had a new favorite word, Drasna, the one that would make her doll dance for her.

  “If you’re true to your word, and bring me two new toys before midnight, I might have a dress that’ll make you irresistible to miss Drasna…but until then.”

  Calathiel turned around and stepped back through the mirror,leaving Isobella feeling ruffled and uncertain about many things. Isobella didn’t dare move a muscle for a full minute upon her departure. When she did finally move it was to peek through a secret peephole, to make sure she could exit the room unseen.

  Isobella’s first stop was to return to the fragments of the broken vase. The maid had cleaned it up like she had been told and placed it in a box. The sight of it made her upset, what would Drasna think now that she broke her masterpiece? Trying to glue it back together would be tacky. Her thoughts were interrupted by a new voice, it was Tristan.

  “Most unfortunate, Lady Isobella, but perhaps I can offer a solution?"

  Isobella replied, “Speak”

  “There is a western practice called Kintsugi, which takes broken pottery and restores it, the cracks are filled in with gold dust. If you desire, I can teach you how, that way you may not only fix the vase, but make it a collaborative piece between yourself and Miss Drasna.” Tristan suggested.

  “Make the preparations, I have other matters to attend to first.”

  “Of course m’lady, I will do so at once.”

  Isobella turned to the front desk, and pulled out the box of truffles from Calathiel. She picked one of them up and pushed it into her mouth. The bitter flavor of dark chocolate was firm and present, until she bit down and the blackberry gnash spilled out. The sweet gnash melted in her mouth and she slowly chewed, savoring the flavor. There was a sense of calm that washed over her whenever she ate one of Calathiel’s truffles, something magical. Isobella was always careful not to over indulge in them and to save them for when she felt especially out of sorts, or for special occasions.

  Now that she was calm and in a better head space, she pulled out a ledger with all her current guests written down inside. She combed through the pages, judging them by attitude, hair color, even hygiene. Two of them had to go, and she had to make sure she picked the perfect ones for Calathiel.