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I sat up in bed, groaning. Between what had happened and what was to come, it would be so much easier to spend the rest of my life in bed.

Last night I had had a horrible time explaining to grandmama what I had done. I was supposed to be out buying a dress and it was not until I walked in through the door that I remembered. I had to make up a lie, and fast. If she paid me as much attention as usual which is none whatsoever, I should have had no problem…

"Gemma, where's your new dress?"

"I erm…that is, we went to the…" I trailed off, waiting for an idea to come to me.

"You went to the what?" She stopped her needle work, which was a very bad sign. Something that would satisfy her finally came to mind.

"We went to all of the shops that we knew, but the dresses were all simply atrocious! Miss Worthington told me that it was no use to buy a dress that was long out of style. She said that it would be better for me to wear something that I already have and she will buy me another dress when they are suitable enough for her standards." It all came out in a rush, but by the look on grandmama's face, she believed me.

"Very well. You will have to wear the blue silk one that was bought last month."

"As you wish grandmama." I turned around before she could see the relief on my face…

Last night was nothing compared to what I'm going to have to hear this evening, I realized. Anything that Simon had heard about Circe could not be good.


Lounging on the isle of Aeaea next to Absyrtus, Felicity was in complete bliss. At home, her parents were still away and in the realms she had no problems. She was next to someone who looked better than Ithal's and Simon's best features combined, which by itself was enough to distract her from any problems she may have had.

She was on the good side now. Gemma had lied to her. She should have known from the diary that the Order could not have been a good thing. She had spent too much time tagging along behind her, helping her to destroy the realms. When Circe had spoken to her, it all became so clear! Of course, Absyrtus confirming it had helped…

"Felicity?" A voice brought her out of her thoughts. Absyrtus was speaking to her.

She rolled closer to him.

"Yes, dear?" Absyrtus cringed. He hated it when she did things like that, but if it was the only way to make her cooperate…well he could live with it for a while.

"Do want to be able to enter the realms alone?"

"I don't even believe you just asked me that. Of course I want to!" This was what she had been waiting for and he was wasting time with words.

"Do you remember the last time that you went into the river?" he paused as she nodded her head.

"Well, you have to do it again."

Without hesitation, Felicity walked toward and into the river until she was waist-deep. She stopped, caution overriding greed for just the briefest of moments, before she continued on, completely submerging herself in the water.


"Good evening, all. I believe that my parents are waiting in the parlor." Simon spoke after he had opened the door. We all said our good evenings as we walked past him, heading towards the parlor.

As I passed Simon, he held me back for a moment. Just a moment.

"I believe that you are going to have another sick spell before dinner." He mumbled when the others couldn't hear.

"I will, but you will have to play along." I mumbled back. He nodded his head in acknowledgement and I continued toward the parlor.

Now was the time to put my illusionary skills to practice.

Passing through the door to the parlor, I let my knees buckle, grasping the doorframe for support. Behind me, Simon said quite loudly:

"Miss Doyle! Are quite alright?" Everyone looked at me with concern. Everyone, that is, but grandmama.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, picking myself up off the floor. "I can't imagine what must have happened."

"If you are sure that you're alright, I'll just escort you to your seat." He took my arm to walk me to the chair. I blushed, doing what they expected any young lady in his presence to do.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but Simon played along so nicely. How could I ruin that?


The water rushed around her. She felt as if she was at the center of a whirlpool. She could feel the power surrounding her and she opened her arms to receive it.

Finally it would be hers! No one to rely on but herself. She had use of the powers. She could do what she pleased! Gemma would get what she deserved for fooling her. She could imagine now. Herself in all her glory. How cold she would be towards Gemma when she would have her begging for mercy

When Felicity emerged from the river, dripping wet, she was smiling.


The butler came to the door of the parlor to announce dinner. From then on he would be my hero. If had had to speak one more time about how lovely the curtains were or how delightful the lace was, I was going to be sick for real. We all rose to go to dinner.

As soon as we entered the dining room, I quickly said "Oh my!" and I fainted. How wonderfully convenient of me.

After many attempts to revive me, someone (most likely Tom) picked me up and carried me to lie on the chaise longue in the sitting room.

Lord and Lady Denby had asked if they would like to carry me home, but of course, grandmama said no. She could not pass up an opportunity to eat with them.

Chivalrous Simon volunteered to stay with me. He said that he would sacrifice eating dinner now so that everyone else would be able to. He was overplaying his part, but no one noticed.

"You can open your eyes now, everyone's gone." I felt Simon sit beside me.

"Thank goodness! I thought that they were going to stay here forever!" I knew that grandmama didn't care and that father was just biding his time before he could get some laudanum, but did Tom have to stay so long and bother with formalities? I know that he loves me, but he was just trying to appear concerned for Simon's parents. Now, on to business.

"So what did you find out about Circe?" Simon then proceeded to tell me the long story of his second unfortunate encounter with Felicity and what she had told him.

I had done everything for nothing. Circe wasn't trapped; she was running through the realms with more power than she could ask for. Now I'd have to fix everything! I could feel the tears welling up. This was just too much.

I didn't even have anyone to help me. Felicity's gallivanting around the realms with my enemies. Ann if off working as a governess for her family and Kartik, my Kartik, is running around doing who knows what with only God knows who!

Emotion took over everything as I started to cry. I couldn't stop.

"Gemma don't-" I cut him off as I started to cry even more.

Simon looked perplexed for a moment before his face lit up. It clearly said 'I know what to do!' He took out his handkerchief and handed it to me

I was crying and all he could do was hand me his handkerchief. I ignored it.

Simon shuffled a little closer and put his arms around me, pulling me into a hug.

"It's okay. I know it must be hard to deal with this. For a while, I accepted his comfort, staying like that long after my tears were dry.

We heard them before we saw them. At least, I know I did. The voice of Lady Denby.

"Simon, we finished eating and we were just coming to-" I heard a sharp intake of breath. My eyes snapped open.

Everyone was standing in the doorway, looking absolutely scandalized. I jumped away from Simon realizing how it all must look. I was embracing a man that was not in my family and we were in the room alone.

I could only hope that no one took it seriously.

"Well, there's no question about it. They will have to be wed." Leave it to grandmama to crush my hope.

"We agree completely." Lord Denby said. I would have no say in the matter and Simon would not be taken seriously, even if he did think to protest.

I looked at him. He looked positively delighted. In fact the only person that seemed to be perturbed about it was me.

Bloody hell.

Author's Notes:6th January, 2008

So was anyone shocked? Did you like it? So sorry that I didn't update yesterday. I got serious writers block.

sigh I have to go back to that prison they call school, so slower updates will be in effect starting now. Sorry! But this does take a lot of time.

I put a poll up on my profile so if people would vote on it please...

I am tired of not getting reviews so I'm going to call some names: I want to see some reviews from:

AlmostLover17

Penopeni

Chopperchick123

Snaffle.

That's right! I know your names! Please leave me a review!

Ever and always grateful to luneress and snickers.