Johnathan held his jaw as he looked up at me. “Izzy—” Stella started.

I pointed at her, and she stopped. “Don’t!” I snapped, facing her. Our eyes met, and it brought me back. 

“I want her arrested!” Johnathan yelled as he stood up. He had a bruise starting to show on his jaw.

Everyone around us stood frozen, just staring at each other. “You freak!” Jean yelled. She went to him.

“Stella, I don’t know why you keep her around. I get that you have a soft spot for the lower class. But you can’t stand around and let her do this. You have to do something.” Helan snapped, going to his other side. 

I just turned and faced Stella. Meeting her panicked eyes as she looked around. “My, that was quite something.” A man walked up. He held his hands behind his back.

“You must be King Alexander,” Johnathan said. He stepped closer to Stella.

“We’re in the west wing, sir. Everyone is about settled in.” Chestnut eyes said, walking up. 

I never took my eyes off Stella. She looked everywhere but at me. “Can I have a word, Stella?” I snapped. 

“Like hell I’m going to let a slave anywhere near—” Johnathan started. I turned and faced him. He flinched a little.

“Of course. If you excuse me, we have much to discuss.” Stella pulled away and looped her arm with me. I tried to pull my arm away, but she used her gift to hold me in place. We walked back to the table. 

“What the hell was that! You used your gifts on me!” I pushed away from her.

“You left me no choice!” She snapped back. 

“That’s rich.” I laughed.

“I get that you don’t like him, but—” She started. 

“Don’t give me that bull that you love him.” I rolled my eyes and sat down in one of the chairs. “We both know you don’t.” Leaning back, I crossed my arms over my chest. 

“I do love him!” She yelled.

“Sure, you do,” I said.

“Maybe if you weren’t so stuck in your ways, you could see it. Not everyone is like him.” She said softly, almost like she was trying to convince herself as well. 

“No, some are worse,” I said.

“Grow up, Isadora. Stop living in the past.” She started to walk away. “Sometimes you need to forget the past and move forward.” Then I was alone. 

A part of me wanted to believe her, but I just couldn’t. I know he’s going to hurt her. I had to stop him. Standing up, I went to go back inside, but some guards walked up. Johnathan’s guards, four of them. 

“Let’s have a little chat.” The one up front said. They all surrounded me. The next thing I knew, two grabbed my arms, tight. Another one went for my legs, but I jumped up and kicked him right in the face. He fell onto the table. The other one punched me. This time, they grabbed my legs. I squirmed in their arms, trying to get free. 

“Let me go, or else!” I snapped. They laughed as they walked into the woods.

“You embarrassed and hit our king. For that, we have to teach you a lesson.” The two that held my arms pushed me to a tree as the other two took turns punching me. I managed to get my feet up, kicking one in the stomach. He stumbled back, and the one to my left gripped loosened. Taking my chance, I pulled my arm close and head-butted him. Now it was my turn to hit them. I took one at a time. Making my way back took longer than I thought. Almost out, I heard someone walking around. I froze, if it’s them. I can’t take them on again.

“What do we have here?” The real Alexander said. The fake one, the chestnut eyes, and he walked up. Seeing that it was them, I eased up. Leaning against a tree, he stepped closer. 

“Just going for an afternoon walk,” I said. Leaning my back against the tree, I faced him. 

“Does this walk have anything to do with the guards we just saw walking out a little bit ago?” He asked, putting his hands behind his back. I just smiled at him, lying my head back.

“I really hate kings,” I said. My legs gave out, and I slid down. But he caught me.

“Yes, you’ve said that once before.” He said. He brought me back to their wing. An elderly woman walked up. As she looked me over, they stayed in the room. Whispering to each other. Then she left after she said something to them.

“That walk was something else,” Alexander said. He was the only one who stepped closer. “Are you going to tell me what happened?” He sat in the little chair next to the bed.

“Does it matter?” I sat up, with my feet off the bed.

“Truthfully, not really. I can care less what happens to his men.” He said.

Giving him a small smile, I stood up. “Easy, you were—” Chestnut eyes started as he stepped closer with his hands out.

“Aww, how cute. You care.” I smiled at him.

“A slave endures more than you think,” Alexander said. 

I gave him a funny look before I stood up. “Now, if you excuse me. I have business to take care of.” I started for the door. 

“How do you plan on doing it?” Alexander asked. I stopped with my hand right on the doorknob. “You and Stella seemed close, but after your little show earlier. I don’t think even she can save you.” He said. 

“That’s where you're wrong. I don’t need her to save me.” I said, opening the door. “I just need her to hear me out,” I said under my breath. The closer I got to the sunroom, the more unsure I felt. The Stella I knew is gone, replaced with this version that has to please the people we swore we would never be.