Happy Friday Everyone! Here's another chapter because I love you all so very much. Plus I love Felicity.

Felicity thought she was done for in French when Mademoiselle LeFarge asked Gemma up to the front of the room. When Gemma's lie worked, Felicity made a mental note to destroy Cicely someday for her betrayal. She made a second mental note to thank Gemma for all the secrets she seemed to be keeping.

When Pippa, jealous Pippa, decided to insult Gemma, Felicity actually felt resentment toward her immature friend. She wanted nothing more than for the two of them to get along. But, more than that trivial wish, Felicity wanted Pippa to suffer a punishment for insulting Felicity's new friend. As a result, she gave Gemma the note and allowed Pippa to suffer some.

Of course, Felicity could not stay angry at the beautiful girl for long, especially when Mr. Bumble came unannounced. Felicity hated the man for the way he looked at Pippa. As she spied on the pair walking through the gardens, she couldn't help but wonder why there was no justice in the world. Felicity knew that in an ideal world Pippa would find someone who saw her for more than aesthetic beauty. It was staring through that window that Felicity realized she would always choose Pippa. But she also recognized that only in an ideal world would Pippa choose her.

Felicity was not one to sit around and wallow in misery. Putting on the mask of bravery was just as simple and routine as getting dressed in the morning. She hid behind a carefully constructed mask at all times. And sometimes she wondered if she would ever feel comfortable enough to take it off.

After Pippa's call from Mr. Bumble, Felicity tried to cheer her melancholy friend up. She sported one of Pippa's new gloves because it brought a smile to her stunning lips. Felicity knew that the simple gesture was a reminder to Pippa that she belonged to her—that for the time being, Felicity was still favoring her best. What Pippa could not know was that Felicity had come to favor her differently than anyone else. Gemma offered Felicity a friendship that she had never tasted before. Pippa, on the other hand, offered a glimpse into the person Felicity could have been if her innocence wasn't stolen from her. Pippa single-handedly had the ability to strip Felicity of the mask she buried herself behind.

That evening, Felicity felt more at ease in the caves. The reading of the diary, like the previous night, excited Felicity in ways she wouldn't allow herself to admit. She began to wonder if these girls, Sarah and Mary, were more like her than the others realized. Moreover, Felicity began to wonder if the diary was true.

When Mary described the power of the Runes of the Oracle, Felicity immediately assumed that the girls were Sapphists. It seemed like the perfect time to bring the subject up. She had been waiting patiently for a chance to mention Sappho to Pippa. The opportunity arose, and Felicity met it.

Pippa's reaction was altogether amusing for Felicity. She wondered if she had looked as shocked and bewildered when she had learned. The blush on Pippa's pale cheeks only made her more appealing to Felicity. She had to fight the urge to kiss her right then. Luckily Gemma asked to continue reading. The uncomfortable urges settled back down into the back of Felicity's mind.

The contents of the diary left Felicity feeling a little uneasy. She felt a deep connection to Sarah. She understood why Sarah would feel the need to regain some power. Felicity wondered if she would make the same choice in that situation. She decided that she would not—that she was strong enough on her own without the help of a sacrifice.

And those were the thoughts that commanded her attention when Pippa suggested they join hands and try to summon some magic themselves. Felicity thought it to be a joke, but she was willing to try. She could not shake the feeling that maybe some real magic did exist—that maybe there really was justice somewhere.

With her eyes squeezed shut and her mind wishing with all its might, she felt something. There was a tingle first in her fingertips, but it quickly advanced up her arm. And when it happened, Felicity felt something more. Somehow she could sense Gemma's thoughts and intentions. All too quickly though, Gemma broke the contact.

Felicity wondered what it could have been. When Pippa and Ann admitted that they felt it too, Felicity looked to Gemma. But Gemma denied feeling anything. That's when Felicity knew. She made a snide comment that Gemma lacked magic, but knew full well that Gemma was the source of the magic. And Felicity could not help but secretly resent her for whatever power she possessed. But, Felicity was not one to judge prematurely. She shoved those bad thoughts away and led her friends into the dark night.

Felicity immediately felt better once out of the musty caves and into the cool air. More and more as she got older she felt that she belonged to the night. Even in the cold air, Felicity was still dripping in her own sweat. Her corset was too restricting. She didn't like being barred into anything.

In the cold lake water Felicity felt truly free. Here, in this moment, she was in the present. The past didn't matter. And neither did the future. All she cared about was her friends. Even Ann was growing on her. Felicity didn't care that she was being immodest; or, that she was forcing both Pippa and Gemma to as well. She was satisfied to be alive—to be herself.

But all great moments end. The appearance of a dark haired Gypsy broke her melodious joy. If it were any other night she probably would have looked the other way. But too much happened in under a second.

The first thing Felicity noticed was Pippa scurrying for her clothes; the moonlight combined with the moisture of her white chemise left very little to the imagination. Felicity only had a moment to dwell on this realization before the Gypsy stepped out from the woods. His eyes glanced at Pippa, but lingered too long for Felicity's liking. She noticed the way they seemed to darken. It sickened her to see anyone look at her Pippa that way.

Felicity was surprised at her reaction. But she meant every word. She would put his eyes out the next time she saw him. She wanted to in that moment. She longed to chase him down and kill him. But her reason why wasn't because he saw Pippa. Her reasoning was because of the look in Pippa's violet eyes. Felicity had noticed that too. And no matter how hard she tried to erase the image, there was no denying that underneath all the fear and shock on her face, there was also a curiosity for him—a longing to be touched by a man that was young and handsome.

The Gypsy ran off. But Felicity could not shake it. She dressed quietly and pretended not to care. But there was no denying that Pippa wasn't secretly gloating because she was beautiful enough to stop a Gypsy in his tracks. Felicity wished she could take the whole night back. All except that one moment, that one tingling moment of ecstasy—of hope.

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