I glanced upwards from where I sat, noting that the sunlight was growing stronger. I had been in this cell for nearly a day now. I stood quickly, walking to stretch out my tired legs. I was growing apprehensive. Blue Jay should have returned by now.

Suddenly there was the two sharp blast of a horn. I rushed to the bars, as if by gazing through them I could see what was happening without. However, there was nothing to see. I was alone in the dungeons, with no one to save me. Kicking some hay on the floor, I sat down once again, thoroughly frustrated. It's over, I thought with a sigh, if I can't get out of the cell then there is no way I can possibly help Astra. But how can I help Astra now? I asked myself. Even by some miracle if I managed to get out of here, there was no way the prince would love me. One wish, one stupid wish, and I throw everyone's life into disarray. Yet, Astra had done so much for me. Because of her I had actually had a life these last couple of weeks, an insane, stressful, life, mind you, but a life nonetheless.

"Look at the poor princess, locked away in a tower." I looked up quickly, even though I placed Marigold's acidic voice immediately.

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Marigold mocked. "You've really done it now," she said, examining her nails.

"Done what? Goodness Marigold, I am tired of your games. So what exactly have I done?"

"You're knight in shining armor is storming the palace gates. Everyone is in uproar. I am sure someone will be down very soon to rescue you."

"And?" I asked, still not understanding what she was getting at.

"Well, I just can't have that." The iron gate opened slowly and as soon as I could fit through the door I made a run for the staircase out of the dungeons. However, a bony hand grabbed my ankle, throwing me to the ground. I yelped in pain and kicked my legs but it was useless. The next thing I knew Marigold was dragging me down the few steps I had managed to climb. She smiled maliciously, her form having changed to the frightening, towering witch.

"I don't understand," I said frantically, hoping to buy myself more time. A horn was blasted again and I wondered in vain what it meant.

"You don't? Foolish, foolish girl."

"How could a princess be so … horrible?"

"I am no princess. No, Princess Marigold is a weak, timid, excuse of a girl. I am Ravelyn, great sorceress."

"Why are you here then? What game are you playing?"

"I want the Prince's heart. Do you know what I can do with that type of power?" Marigold said her face bright with the thought of it. "So I made a deal, and I always honor my deals until you and that girl got in the way." She lifted me up then. I was pressed against the stone walls of the dungeons with no escape in sight. Marigold laughed, noting my look of wild panic. "But never fear. I will get what I desire." I attempted to loosen my hands from her grip but it was no use. She opened her mouth and delicately blew some of her moist breathe. The smell was revolting. I gagged, my lungs expanding in a vain effort to draw in oxygen.

"Please," I managed to whisper. For once Marigold was silent, simply exhaling once again. My eyes watered and my vision became blurry.

"Let me let you in on a little secret." Her breathe was arsenic to me now. I felt myself fading away even though she held me. "This is all much bigger than you Bella. You are absolutely nothing but insignificant." She allowed me to fall from her hands. My body cried out in pain. Stepping over me to reach the stairs, Marigold smiled. "You will die a very slow and painful death love. It is a pity really. One so beautiful and pathetic."

I slipped into between rest and unrest once she was gone. My lungs felt as if they had been burned. Each breath caused my entire body to shake in agony. I attempted to move towards the staircase but found I could not. The air reeked of the iron smell of blood and I realized with a fright that it had to be I who was bleeding. Marigold was right, I thought. I was pathetic. Even by some miracle I lived I would be forced to marry Lord Cadaver.

"My lady," a voice said suddenly. It sounded so close and familiar that I knew for certain I must be dreaming. "It is I, Sir Lawrence." I smiled, amused by the noble announcement of her name.

"I told you it was nothing," said another voice, this one decidedly female. "She is smiling."

"Oh dear," Sir Lawrence mumbled. "I fear she has completely lost it."

"Do not be so over dramatic!" cried the bird. I could just picture her fluttering about haughtily and Sir Lawrence's brows crossed in frustration. There was the sound of heavy footsteps on the staircase.

"Chris Hood, she appears to be in bad shape."

"Thank you Sir Lawrence," Chris responded. Reaching me, I was lifted into his arms.

"Bella," Chris coed. My vision cleared somewhat and I smiled, delighted by the sight of his face. There was something wrong. His blue eyes appeared darker than normal. He took the stairs swiftly and I moaned every time I was jostled in his arms. Chris held me closer and I tried to concentrate on his tan face since his words were making little sense to me.

"Belle," a soft male voice said. I had fallen asleep on something soft and was determined not to wake up. "Why is her breath so labored?"

"I do not know your highness. The superficial wounds have been treated. She should be on her way to recovery."

"There must be something you can give her," the first voice continued. I sighed and turned away from the voices. I was too tired to care in whose company I had befallen. They continued to discuss something urgently even though I attempted to block out the voices. Finally, thoroughly fed up, I sat up, ignoring the pain which shot up my chest.

"She has awaken," announced an white haired man whom I presumed to be a physician. I had never been in this room before but it appeared safe and decidedly unlike a prison cell which was odd considering that Prince Chadwick stood before me.

"Dear Belle," he said. He knelt before the devout in which I lied. I tilted my head wondering what on earth had happened while I had been asleep. Where was Blue Jay? Sir Lawrence? Or Chris? Had they not been with me in the dungeon? And surely Chris would not leave me here, in the presence of the person who thought I was trying to murder him.

"Princess Marigold," rushed out of my mouth before I could process my questions into coherent sentences.

An older man dressed in a Royal Militant uniform approached. He drew out his hand as if to steady my frenzied thoughts. "She has been apprehended."

"But,"

"We received a very important message from a certain knight without which you would still be imprisoned. The witch is under heavy guard Isabella, and you are safe."

"Thank you," I responded, my eyes becoming heavy once again. I attempted to fight the drowsiness. "Chris Hood?"

"Ah," answered the man with a furrowed brow. "The Hoods are undergoing some questioning." His pointed glare made it clear that so would I if not for the intersection of Prince Chadwick.

"I am so very sorry Belle. There is still much I do not understand, but I feel in time you might explain it all to me. For now my only regret is not trusting you." His brown eyes reflected his sincerity.

"Please," I said, ignoring his apology for the moment, "I need to speak to Christopher."

Chadwick turned toward to the older man and gave him a single nod. The knight left the room swiftly and I lied back onto the devout, quickly falling back to sleep.

"Bella," Chris said one he entered. He was being held aggressively by one of the guards. "How are you?" I nodded in reply. In truth, I felt decided worst than when I had previously awoken. Most of the occupants of the room had left leaving only the physician, Chadwick and Chris as my company.

"What happened?"

"Everything will be alright Bella." I shook my head. That is not the answer I wanted. He appeared even more exhausted than I felt as if he would collapse any second.

"It is a curse."

"What is?"

"Marigold said I would die a slow and painful death. She must have meant to curse me." I had thought this information would have come as a surprise but the physician seemed to have already realized this.

"What can be done?" Chadwick asked. He obviously had not been informed.

"Nothing," the physician answered.

"Christopher," I whispered. He came closer and sat beside me, drawing me into his arms.

"Rest now Bella. I will be here when you awake."

I spent the rest of the evening slipping in and out of consciousness growing weaker by the hour. I did not know what to do or say so instead remained silent in Chris' arms. He stroked my hair comfortingly causing me to smile even in my sleep. It was nearing dawn when I awoke with a start, causing Chris to jump.

"What's wrong love?" he asked, attempting to calm me.

"It's gone," I said with a laugh. "Chris it's gone!" His eyes darkened with confusion. "The pain."

"Really? Honestly?"

"Yes." I nodded wildly and stood as if to prove my point. I was not sure what had happened but was suddenly determined to get out of the palace as quickly as possible. I had told Chadwick that Chris was all I needed so my step-mother had not been alerted of my predicament. For all he knew I was an orphan who walked around masquerading as ladies.

The halls were deserted at this late hour but I quickly found my way to the western garden where the Queen's Breakfast had been held. "Follow me," I whispered to Chris, not exactly where I stood in this house and determined to leave before I could find out.

"Wait Bella." I turned on my heel and shot Chris an annoyed glance. "I promised my mother I would see her once I could leave you."

I sighed. This was really not the time for a family reunion. "Now?"

"Yes now." It was too late anyway. A guard had spotted us and was curiously approaching.

"Very well then," I managed to say before he was on us.

"Halt you two," the Chris called. Chris and I shared a smile since neither of us had been moving. "Bloody hell. You are that Hood character, are you not?"

"Yes Sir," Chris responded.

"Come with me then. We are under orders to deliver you to the Queen." I groaned, with Queen Evangeline nothing was a request.

"Leaving so quickly," said Queen Evangeline with an accusatory glance as Chris and I were led into her chambers. I bowed my head as a blush crept up my cheeks. Judging from her tone it was clear that the Queen thought I was nothing but trouble.

"You wished to speak to me," Chris began. It was clear that we were in quite an awkward situation. His hand was grasped around mine protectively as the occupants of the room, Prince Chadwick and the head Royal Militant member, studied us through confused eyes.

"Yes please sit." We complied and took our seats at the two chairs before her desk.

"I am sorry mother, but I am puzzled. What is the Hood boy doing here? How was Belle cured?"

"This Hood boy, Christopher, is your brother Chadwick." Chadwick and the others in the room stood agape.