Chapter 7 Finders, keepers

Frederick could not make out what made isabelle jump. She was still dealing with the aftermath of taking an alcoholic beverage down her lungs. Her eyes were red and her voice was hoarse. Frederick could notice her stare at Lucas as if they had met before. The latter also had the same look. Isabelle excused herself and the attention was turned back to the host and her bewildered son.

"Sorry for the interruption." The woman apologized like it was her fault. The party soon got back to it's merriment but Isabelle wasn't out yet, Frederick wondered if she was still in the ladies room and what her it was appropriate of him to check on her. He was about to listen to his inner voice when a late guest was called out and given a standing ovation.

"Prince Richard." Frederick mumbled under his breath. The prince was dressed in the appropriate clothing and a crown to his head so was his "new" woman. She was brunette and her skin looked pale. Her lips looked swollen and ready and Frederick could not but desire her or her body. The prince turned in his direction and his smile faded to an unapproving glare. Frederick could see him whisper something to the girl and despite being far away, he could guess it was to stay away from him.

"Game on." He challenged. He was going to see the girl and tonight. He had quickly lost interest in looking for Isabelle, he had to focus on ridiculing the prince.

Frederick approached the prince with two glasses of wine, on for his Lady and of course for the prince.

"Hello Richard." He greeted.

"Prince Richard." The arrogant prince corrected taking a drink from Frederick to forget his disgusting presence.

"And for my lady?" Frederick offered the drink to the woman who still clutched to Richard's arms.

"Thank you." The lady politely said with a smile and took the drink but Richard snatched it from her hands. With a dangerous glare and a beastly growl, he said;

"Stay away from my woman."

And walked off holding the woman as s he tried to keep up with his pace.

Frederick smiled, he had laced the drink and it wouldn't be long before the Crown prince became drunk and he would have his way with the girl. Frederick did not know why he? lusted after the girl but he just wanted to spite Richard, he enjoyed infuriating him.

***

"Clear your thoughts." Isabelle instructed herself. He probably might not even remember her, would he? He did return her stare when she foolishly choked on her drink. Isabelle rinsed her face with water again to clear her head. Somebody suddenly knocked on the bathroom door followed? by a farmiliar male voice, "Isabelle, are you alright?"

It was Lucas and he mentioning her name confirmed her fears. He still remembered. Oh no! Her mind wandered to the kiss. Would he also remember that too. She was so ashamed to even talk. She waited for a few seconds expecting him to give up and leave but he stood there refusing to leave, if she concentrated enough, she could see his shadow underneath the door.

After an afterthought, Isabelle opened the door to meet his gaze. He had a sheepish smile on his face when there gaze met. Isabelle began to feel uncomfortable as he refused to take his eyes off her or even talk, he just stared.

"Hey." Isabelle said just to break the creepy silence.

"How are you tonight, miss Isabelle?" Lucas asked.

Isabelle could picture the conversation taking the wrong turn and they would end up kissing and waking up next to each other the next morning id she did not do something.

"I have to leave." Isabelle said and excuse herself before he could pull her back. On her way back to the party, she bumped into a man, he had a gold band adorned to his head. The only accessory that only a prince could wear.

"I'm sorry, my prince." She bowed, resisting the urge to slap him for sending his men to assault her. If she dared do that. She would be rotting in the dungeons for the rest of her simple life. A soft music began and people began to pick their partners and waltzed. The prince still stared at her in an intimidating fashion. She had to make a quick getaway but her partner, Frederick was nowhere to be found.

"Why don't we dance together?" The prince offered.

Isabelle actually regretted leaving Lucas. She did not want to dance with the prince but she could not refuse him, "it was the law."

"Sure, my prince." She bowed brushing off sweat beads that had began to form on her brows.

The prince took her hand and pulled her in a close embrace. Seeing his ambitious eyes, she could tell he wanted something.

"So, Isabelle tell me. How did you kill my men? I've been wondering how a sweet and innocent woman like you could do such a collateral damage." He said so casually that it even made Isabelle more uncomfortable.

"I-i didn't." She stammered.

"Then who did?" Richard asked still dancing like he had no worries.

"The Pegasus did." Isabelle knew her reply was foolish but what could she do? No one would believe her but at least it would give the prince a good laugh and earn her the little time she needed to escape.

The prince did more than laugh, he bellowed.

"A Pegasus." He managed to say, unable to keep a straight face. Immediately he released his grip off her back, Isabelle fled. She ran back to the ladies. When she got there. The door was locked from inside but that did not stop her from struggling. She tugged on the door until the lock got loose and it burst open. Isabelle saw another upsetting sight right in front of her. Frederick was on top of a woman. He stood up, seeing he had been caught yet again in the act.

"It's not what it looks like." Frederick tried to voice out.

"Yes, " Isabelle sobbed, " No worries, I'm trapped anyways." She said and took her leave just to cry. The party was still going on so the rooms would be empty. Isabelle needed somewhere to cry without interruptions. She needed to blame the universe for her predicament. There was a room, two stairs high at the uttermost part of the building. The room smelled ancient as it reeked of moss. It definitely had not been used in a long time, now she could cry. She wept, she let them roll and didn't try to stop it, covering her face to cope with her own shame.

"Isabelle?"

Another of her problems had come again looking for her. Lucas was in a robe and his hair was wet like he had just taken a bath.

"What do you want?" She asked, refusing to put her head up.

"Are you alright?" He asked, truly in innocence but that question made something boil in Isabelle.

"No!" She screamed shocking even herself.

"I am not okay. I hate myself, I hate Frederick, I hate my family and the world and you want to know why?"

Isabelle paused, she barely even knew why she was angry or why she was annoyed at the world. The door to the balcony suddenly swung open thanks to the cold November wind. It was like an answer from above. If she could have what she wanted in this world then perhaps she could in the afterlife. Lucas anticipated her thoughts and rushed to stop her but it was far to late. Isabelle jumped and plumetted down the building.

"Soon it will be over." She thought.

The sound of heavy flapping prompted Isabelle to open her eyes. Lo and behold, she was on the back of a purple flying bird. No! Her vision cleared and she could see the animal clearly now. It was the Pegasus, her guardian angel who always saved her from harm.

The Pegasus threw Isabelle to the ground when it was safe enough probably to punish her for attempting to take her own life. The animal had an amulet that shimmered and suddenly it was gone, the only presence was the unapproving look on Lucas' face. It made little sense now, Lucas was the Pegasus. He was real and she wasn't mad, she was never mad.

***

Eleanor knelt on the Rocky ground with her raw knees. High mother glared at her and Eleanor could swear she would have been dead if she was not her mother.

"You have still been unable to take back the coven's magic." She said, fuming.

"I'm sorry, high mother." Eleanor begged.

"Why don't you just kill him?" High mother asked with the other coven members nodding in unison.

Eleanor could not kill Lucas for the power house of blessing. She had originally been chosen but she rebelled and found a loophole by giving the lordship to Lucas. She had thought initially it would have no effect on Lucas since he was human but it did. The after effects had made him a Pegasus as he was not of magic. She thought he would pass it on till her coven couldn't find the "power source" anymore but Lucas had not been able to do give it on. If he did not give it to Isabelle whom she had no feeling for, he would have to be killed to retain the power house within the coven or become a witch himself.

"Don't worry mother, I just need five more days."

Eleanor pleaded.

The high mother sighed and bid her farewell.

"Remember Eleanor, the survival of our coven depends on it." High mother said.

Eleanor knew. She knew Lucas was damned if he did not place the curse on Isabelle but she feared the return of the power house into her coven as she knew very well what catastrophe it could cost on Astoria.