Hi beautiful readers!

Sorry for the delay in this chapter. I wanted to try to update every fortnight but last week something urgent came up. This is one of my favourite chapters and I have had it drafted really early so I hope it was worth the wait.

Please note that the Winx's outfits described in this chapter are the ones worn in the World of Winx show.

Thank you so much for your support in the previous chapter! In particular, a shout out to the following people who reviewed chapter 21:

Saraaaaaaaa, Melanie, MarinaTheSea, waterolive, Mel, Always Be Our Buddy, that-basket-case, Guess, Rowena Dawson 02, AngelCutie ChildAtHeart, You Don't Know Me150, EmotionalBerry, and all Guest reviewers!

I promise this story is far from over and thank you for all the new readers who have joined this story's journey. I am so grateful for the support. This story is on track to not only be my most successful Winx story but my most successful story ever. Thank you so so much! xxx

Disclaimer: I do not own Winx or any of its characters, except for my OCs.


Musa had no idea how long she had been out cold. She remembered the blurs she saw and the wind that roared violently around her before the spiced scent overwhelmed her. They were only snippets though. She remembered her body practically collapsing on itself, overwhelmed by the energy she forced out in such a short time before the darkness consumed her. Several voices echoed around her as she faded in and out of the darkness. Some were male, others were female. She never heard what they exactly said though. At one point, Musa remembered being placed on something warm and soft before a few voices sounded around her again.

Suddenly, Musa felt like hundreds of ants were crawling all over her body. At first it felt like pins and needles, like the feeling you get after your foot goes to sleep and the blood rushes back to the area. Then it became too much. The ants were suddenly like fire ants and all of Musa's insides felt like they were on fire. A loud noise sounded in Musa's ears, but she could not recognise it. People yelled around her, but she could not hear them over the noise.

Just when Musa thought she could not take it any longer, a warm sensation was felt on either side of her face, before a slight pressure was felt on either side of her neck. Then the pain was gone, and the darkness grabbed her again. Musa had never been more grateful for the darkness. There was no more yelling, no more pain. It was peaceful, if only for a short while.

Soon, the sound of a constant beeping pulled her out of the darkness once more. Each beep sounded like a hammer being banged against a large bell, slamming against her head but the more Musa concentrated on the noise, the further away she became from the darkness until she managed to briefly open her eyes.

Bright light immediately stung Musa's eyes forcing her to close them quickly. She almost hissed at the pain, the type that you got when you want out to a sunny area immediately after leaving a dark cave. The beeping continued and Musa wished she had the energy to through it against something hard. After a few seconds, Musa slowly opened her eyes again, adjusting her eyes to the newfound light. A noise sounded next to Musa and the light disappeared, causing her to see a light fixture above her head. A room. Musa was in a room. Managing to cast her eyes to her left, Musa noticed a blur standing next to her.

"Musa," a voice called softly.

Musa grimaced at the noise, making her head feel worse than the beeping. The blur must have noticed for they moved to Musa's right and the beeping finally stopped. Musa let out a sigh of relief.

"..T-thank you…" Musa managed to say, her voice hoarse.

Why would Musa's voice be hoarse after may be a few hours? The blur let out a small laugh before moving back over to Musa's left and taking a seat. Silence returned to allow Musa to adjust her sight and get her bearings before she slowly forced her head to her left. Her vision slowly caught up with her and she saw none other than Tecna sitting in a chair next to her. Musa immediately smiled and could not help the tears that immediately sprang to her eyes.

"Tecna," Musa whispered with relief. "You are ok."

Tecna gave Musa a small smile before she stood up and sat closer to her. Musa looked down and noticed that she was sitting in a large king-sized bed. She looked at her surroundings and saw plain white walls, bedside tables with lamps next to her and a private bathroom at the other end of the room. The room was so plain – it could not be her Valkarian room. Musa forced herself to sit up, causing Tecna to gently put her hands on her friend's back and guide her. Once she was sitting upright, Tecna placed another pillow behind Musa's back to keep her upright. Without another word, Tecna reached to the bedside table and brought a cup of water to Musa's lips. Musa smiled in gratitude and eagerly drank the water. Once finished, she handed it back to Tecna who returned it to the bedside table.

"How are you here?" Musa asked in disbelief. "I…I was so worried about you. Where are the girls? Are they ok?"

Tecna gently took Musa's left hand in hers. "They are all safe, Musa. We all are."

"How? I have not seen you since….um…."

"Since Mitzi and her minions ratted you to Darcy?" Tecna finished causing Musa to nod her head sadly. "A lot has happened since that day, Musa."

"That day?" Musa asked with confusion. "It was only yesterday. I was in the dungeons for a day before…..before the execution. My father! Is he ok?"

Tecna placed her hands gently on Musa's shoulders to calm her down.

"Musa," she said softly. "I promise, everyone is ok. You are safe. Your father is safe. The girls are safe. The….execution was a few days ago."

"A few days!?"

"You have been unconscious for three days, Musa. When they brought you and your father back, you were not good. You were dehydrated, your energy was practically depleted, you had bruises all over your body, and you were in a state of hypothermia. The dungeons were extremely cold and the dress they kept you in did not keep you warm enough. You were socked to the bone when you were brought back. Extreme physical exertion and cold exposure that you experienced gave you hypothermia. You were unconscious so your body could protect itself. We were lucky you were only out for three days."

"How…..how am I ok then?"

Tecna smiled grimly at Musa. "Flora and some other healers helped you. A few Solarians slowly warmed you with their magic while the Linpheans monitored you and gave you herbal remedies. It was not pleasant to watch though."

Tecna turned away causing Musa to grow concerned. Musa gently took Tecna's hand in hers, that sat on her lap, forcing Tecna to turn back to her friend.

"What happened?"

"You screamed as your temperature rose back to normal levels. You screamed like your body was on fire and you tried pushing everyone away, but we had to keep warming you."

"I was awake?"

"Not really. More like semi-conscious. Half in a deluded state. You could not remember anyone."

"I do not even remember that. I remember feeling like fire ants were on me and I vaguely remember noises but that was all."

"I am not surprised you do not remember being semi-conscious. Hypothermia tends to make you delusional and confused. Your screams though…..your father struggled with that. You begged us to take the warmth away, the pain, but for your safety we could not. The Solarians were trying to save you."

"I remember the darkness consuming me again. Was that you?"

Tecna did not answer immediately. She simply stared at her friend having an internal struggle. Soon, she finally answered.

"We put gentle pressure on points either side of your neck putting you back to sleep."

"Like acupressure?"

"Yes," Tecna said hesitantly. "Linpheans use it for healing. Other cultures use it to immobilise opponents."

"That is the second time you have mentioned Linpheans. Tecna, Flora was the only Linphean on Melody. What…..what happened? Where are we?"

Tecna again did not respond immediately.

"What is the last thing you remember, Musa?"

Musa was confused by the question but took a minute to answer. "I….I remember being locked in the dungeons, and seeing my father for the first time. I remember the Valkarians taking us away and being put in front of my realm waiting for death. Everything else…..it is a little fuzzy."

"The rebellion, Musa," Tecna broached softly, like one would approach a baby deer. "Do you remember anything about that?"

Musa was silent for a moment as she tried to think but her mind was still a little fuzzy.

"I remember a rebel stopping my execution," Musa answered, her gaze looking into the distance as she thought.

"Good," Tecna replied. "What else?"

"….Phoenix…" Musa whispered.

"Phoenix?"

Musa nodded her head. "Someone called me Phoenix. I am sorry, that is all I remember. Maybe the more awake I am my memory will come back. Was it the rebellion, Tecna? Is that why we are all safe?"

Tecna finally gave Musa a small smile. "Yes, Musa. The rebellion came and saved you and your father. There was a battle, and some lives were lost but we were successful in the objective. The rebellion's only goal was to save you and your father. When Darcy was alerted to you and our cover was blown, the girls and I did as you ordered and were on our way to the rendezvous point when some guards found us. They were rebels in disguise."

"Sir Darien, Sir Caelum and Sir Lance," Musa gasped interrupting Tecna.

Tecna nodded her head. "Yes. They found us and managed to sneak us out undetected. They were planted by the leader long before we joined the rebellion, Musa. They had plans to save you and your father but since we were caught, plans had to be pushed forward."

Musa looked down at her hands sadly. "So, if I had not been caught than perhaps their original plan would have succeeded, and no lives would have been lost?"

"No Musa," Tecna cooed. "This is not your fault. Losing lives is a part of war. The rebels we lost, they knew the risks and were willing to pay that price for freedom. They did not die in vain for you are here alive and well."

"How many?"

Tecna hesitated.

"How many, Tecna?"

"Five."

Musa closed her eyes briefly. "Five families that will never get to see their loved ones again. Their blood is on my hands."

"Musa, they knew the risks and were willing to lay down their lives to protect our freedom. Yes, five families are currently grieving but the odds were two to one. The Valkarians outnumbered the rebellion and yet only five made the ultimate sacrifice and we saved the heirs to the throne. If we can beat those odds, then there is still hope."

"What happened after the rebels arrived?"

"We fought the Valkarians. You, Musa, by some miracle, got your magic."

Musa whipped her head towards her friend, her eyes wide in shock.

"You found your magic and had enough to call upon your winx. That is why your energy was so badly depleted. You summoned your winx, transformed, and fought Darcy."

"I fought Darcy?"

"How can you not remember that?"

"I know," Musa said in shock. "I would have loved to remember the look on her face when I kicked her ass. Wait, I did win, right?"

Tecna laughed. "Yes, Musa. You did. Such language though from a lady."

Musa smirked in return. "Just this once could not hurt. You know, you never did answer my question."

Tecna laughed. "You had many, Musa."

"The one you have not answered, then, is where we are. Where am I?"

Tecna was silent and simply smiled at Musa making her irritated.

"The rebellion hideout, Musa."

"Which is where?"

"Magix."

Musa was in shock. They were on a completely different realm? Musa looked around the room again and was confused. If she was in a hideout on Magix then were they not safe? Where were the windows?

"The rebellion wanted to protect the civilians of Magix so the hideout is underground. That is why there are no windows."

"We are underground?"

Tecna nodded her head.

"Then Stella must not be having fun."

Tecna laughed again causing Musa to giggle. "She was not at first, but Brandon managed to show her to the sunroom for the Solarians. It looks like a greenhouse on the outside, the only room above ground, but due to the block-out windows around the room, we can see out but people cannot see in."

"Brandon?"

"Sir Darien."

"Oh….right, I remember now. We met….briefly."

"I imagine the meeting was brief."

"Brief and in-between sword blades. I was not in the mood for remembering peoples' names."

Tecna nodded her head in understanding.

"Who is he?"

"Prince Sky's squire."

"Prince Sky? Oh….I think I remember him too. Blonde hair?"

Tecna nodded her head in response. "Sir Caelum. Latin word for sky or heaven funnily enough."

"Sir Darien, Sir Caelum and Sir Lance," Musa repeated softly. "Rebels. The only ones who wore helmets."

"To protect their identity. King Kataar could have identified Prince Sky if it were not for the helmet."

"The clues were right there in front of us. I feel so stupid," Musa said sadly.

"Why?"

"The rebellion was in the castle, Tecna! We all could have gotten out much sooner if I had known!" Musa said angrily.

"We could not risk telling people of your involvement, you know that. We all agreed to that."

"Those people may not have died though."

"Perhaps but we will never know that for certain."

Musa was silent as she stared at her hands in her lap. Her skin appeared to be back to a healthy tone and whatever medicine the Linpheans gave her had healed her wounds on her hands. Musa wondered if all her wounds had healed. Well, there was one that may never heal.

"And what happened to him?" Musa whispered already feeling the tears start to pool in her eyes.

Tecna looked at Musa in confusion but did not speak. Musa noticed the confusion.

"What happened to…the prince?" Musa whispered, refusing to look at Tecna.

"I do not understand, Musa," Tecna replied with confusion.

"Is he still on Melody?" Musa asked, her voice so low that if Tecna had not been sitting next to her friend on the bed she would have missed it.

Tecna was silent for a few seconds causing Musa's heart to race. She wanted so badly to be unaffected by the question, but she knew her mind and body always conflicted each other.

"Do you really not remember the battle?" Tecna asked softly.

Musa shook her head. "Only what I told you and the bits that are slowly coming back the more we talk."

Tecna was silent again at the response causing Musa to fear the worse. The prince had decided to stay with his father. Musa knew that the prince was shocked at her alignment with the rebellion, and she should not be surprised considering he abandoned her to fight his men and Darcy in the training rooms, so why did she suddenly feel angry? There was someone she desperately wanted to see more than anything though that could distract her anger.

"Can I see my father?"

"Of course," Tecna replied happily as she stood from the bed.

Musa finally looked at Tecna as she stood at the foot of the bed. Her friend had forgone her usual handmaiden dress for a black full body suit with sleeves that stopped at her elbows. Light purple streaks covered the sides of her thighs and waist, and from her shoulders to elbows. Long high-heel boots were worn over the top of the body suit and wrist length gloves covered her hands. To finish the look, a utility belt with tools and pieces of technology were holstered in at her waist. A large electronic arm band was worn on her left arm between her glove and end of the suit sleeve. If it were another time or place, Musa would thought she looked like a spy but this was not a fiction novel.

Musa looked at her friend in shock. She was not used to seeing her friend without the plain white and brown handmaiden outfit and cloak that she was forced to wear. The purple on the outfit reminded Musa of the clothes Tecna used to wear as a child before the invasion. Tecna noticed Musa's shock and gave her a smirk before she did a little twirl.

"Do you like? New outfit curtsey of Stella. The rebellion wear suits like this to be stealth but Stella could not resist a pop of colour."

"I….um….you look like a rebel."

"Good."

"But I….I thought you were unsure about the rebels and whether we could trust them. Remember the right-hand man to the rebel leader?"

"There are some here that you can trust, Musa."

Musa could not help but notice the slight blush that appeared on Tecna's face as she looked away after her comment. Some? She could only trust some? If something had changed her tune, why could she not trust them all?

"Do I have one?" Musa asked as she gently got out of bed.

"Stella made something special for you. You are the Princess, Musa, so Stella made you something fit for a royal battle leader."

Musa nodded her head as Tecna helped her friend into a seat in front of a small table. Tecna left briefly before returning with a tray of food. Musa's stomach rumbled at the sight and happily ate it while she and Tecna talked. Due to her injuries, the food that she was given were bland aside from the fresh fruit of melons and berries. The healers were concerned that anything less bland could upset her stomach. Soon, Tecna helped Musa into the bathroom to shower and change into her new clothes. Each time Musa mentioned something about the rebellion, Tecna probed her memory, but she was still only getting pieces. Musa was blown away by the technology on Magix. Since most of the inventors from Zenith fled, except Tecna, at the start of the invasion, technological advances on Melody had slowed hence Musa was stunned and excited at seeing a shower. Her family had them before the Valkarians removed them claiming they were reminders of people's imagination. Imagination sparked thinking and thinking outside of what King Kataar wanted was harmful, apparently.

After too long in the shower, Musa stepped out and was helped into her new clothes. They fit her like a glove and as Musa stared at herself in the full-length mirror in the main bedroom, she was amazed. She looked more like her mother than any of the dresses the Valkarians forced her to wear before.

Musa wore black pants that hugged her figure but light enough to allow flexibility, a dark magenta tight long shirt with the Melodian royal seal embroidered in gold stitching over her heart. Over the top, Musa wore a black high neck coat with long cape-like sleeves that ended at her wrists, and stopped at her hips in length. Large black buttons adorned the front in twos starting from her collar bone and ending at her belly button, with a thin black leather belt on the waist with gold clasps. Finally, Musa wore tall gold boots that tied in criss-cross patterns all the way up the front. To complete the look, Tecna had put Musa's long hair into a side plait with a few loose strands to frame her face. Tecna smiled at her friend before putting on subtle make up and red lipstick before moving away.

"There," Tecna said proudly. "You are ready. Do you like it?"

"I….I look like my mum."

Tecna smiled again. "Stella saw an old photo of your mum in an outfit similar to this during a visit to an army base when she was a princess. She thought it was a perfect show of royalty mixed with utility in case she needed to do movement."

"Why would she at a base visit?" Musa asked curiously.

"Your mother apparently was known to getting stuck into things during her visits. She could have practiced at their firing range on base for all we know."

Musa laughed. "That does sound like her. I do love it. I….I look like a leader in this."

"You are one, Musa. You do not need to look like one to prove it. Are you ready to see your father?"

Musa took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "This would be the first time seeing him without a barrier between us. He….he has not seen me since I was a child."

"It was hard for him to leave you alone once you two arrived," Tecna said sadly. "However, we all agreed that I would be the best person you saw when you first woke up."

"I am glad," Musa said with a smile. "If I had seen my father, I probably would have thought I was dreaming."

"It is not a dream, Musa. Now, let us go."

Tecna took Musa's hand in hers and slowly led her out of the room. She opened the door and saw a long hallway and chatter echoed down towards them. Tecna beckoned Musa to follow her and the pair started slowly walking down the brightly lit white hallway. As Tecna had said, there were no windows on the walls and directions were painted on the walls in black to indicate where rooms were. At a first glance, Musa thought it was a bit clinical however she knew that an underground rebel base had to remain inconspicuous, particularly if they ever had a spy.

The pair turned down another hallway where the chatter increased. Two men walked out of a set of double doors and immediately stood at attention and held their firsts over their hearts as they stared at Musa and Tecna.

"Your Highness," the pair said in unison.

Musa froze next to Tecna, stopping her walking as she looked at the two men in shock. The first was a short blonde-haired man, possibly in his late twenties or early thirties, and was clearly a Solarian, while the other was a black-haired man with dark brown eyes and slightly tanned skin and was possibly in his late thirties. Musa immediately knew he was a Valkarian. Musa's eyes suddenly zoned in on the matching seals on their forearms – the Melodian royal crest. She then noticed that they both wore similar body suits as Tecna but with the sleeves ending at their wrists. Both men were rebels. Tecna nodded at the two men and continued walking but stopped when she noticed Musa remained where she stood staring at the men.

Musa's heart raced, slamming against her chest, as she stared at the black-haired man. The two men stared at Musa with concern. Tecna quickly stepped in front of the men and gave a smile before they enquired further.

"Thank you, gentlemen," Tecna said with a nod and gently took Musa's hand and walked them further down the hallway.

The men watched with confusion as the pair turned down another hallway away from their view. Musa said nothing but her body remained tense, and her grip on Tecna's hand tightened causing Tecna to flinch. Musa started looking up and down each hallway they entered. Musa saw Linpheans, Solarians, Melodians, and even Valkarians mingling together with other people from Magix, Sparx, Tides, and a whole other bunch of realms she could not identify. Musa was shocked to see Melodians, some she remembered being caught by King Kataar.

"They are supposed to be dead…." Musa whispered in shock as they continued. "I….I remember Kataar sentencing them to execution after being caught as rebels."

Tecna stood closer to Musa for support. "They were saved from execution and snuck out."

"How?"

"It is a long story," Tecna replied as they continued their journey.

Each time they ran into someone, they immediately stood at attention and placed their hands over their hearts, greeting Musa by her royal title. After the tenth person they passed, Musa had enough.

"There…..there are Valkarians….." Musa whispered in shock and fear. "T-they k-know we are here. I….Tecna…we need to leave."

The pair stopped walking in an empty hallway and faced Musa.

"Musa," Tecna said softly. "I know this must come as a shock, but I promise it is ok. There…..there are Valkarians here." Musa took a step back as she gasped in shock. "There are Valkarians who joined the rebellion years ago."

"No," Musa said in disbelief. "They are lying to you."

"I said the exact same thing when we first arrived. I still do not truly believe it myself, but they joined before we did. They were hiding in plain sight in the royal palace and amongst the ranks of the Valkarian army."

"That cannot be true. They are doing this because there is something in it for them. They want power. They enjoy war. That is what Valkarians do. They want my power and will end me as soon as I have it back."

Tecna shook her head. "No, they follow their true ruler. They do not follow Kataar. They never thought it was right to invade Melody."

"Then why did they never stand up before?"

Tecna looked at Musa with pity. "People need one strong person to stand up first to evil before good can reign. They thought they were alone – powerless against an army. They needed a strong ruler to bring them all together. Numbers can mean power and they need power to stop Kataar."

"What is their motivation? They are in it for something, Tecna."

"They want you on the Melodian throne."

"No," Musa said as she turned and started walking down the opposite end of the hall.

"Musa, please!" Tecna yelled as she started running after her.

"No, Tecna! It is a trick!" Musa yelled back as she started running.

This could not be true. Valkarians were selfish and thrived on war and power. If they were at the rebel base, then they could be invaded at any second. Tecna clearly had been fooled and she could not risk her father remaining on site if they were to be invaded again. Musa ignored her friend's calls as she continued running down the hallway, ignoring a few rebels as they greeted her much the same as the others. She needed to find her father and escape quickly. The sight of being underground with the Valkarians was unsettling to Musa and she needed to leave. The air was getting thick, and she wanted to vomit. A pair of double doors, similar to the ones she saw the first Valkarian, appear at the end of the hallway and Musa pushed herself to run towards it.

"No, Musa! Do not go in there," Tecna instructed a few steps behind her.

Musa ignored her friend and grabbed the door handles with both hands and ripped them open. The moment her eyes met what was inside made her wish she had listened to Tecna. Inside, Musa was greeted by at least twenty people, all ranging in different ages, standing around a large wooden rectangular table. All wore the same suits, each with their own rebel band. Maps and documents littered the entire table and a 3D model of the royal palace sat at the head. All heads in the room immediately turned to Musa and instantly stood at attention and placed their fists over their hearts.

"Your Highness," they greeted in unison.

Some even bowed their heads slightly. Musa's eyes widened to saucers. People of every nationality were in the room staring back at her but that was not what sent ice through her veins. It was the sight of several Valkarians standing amongst the crowd, their dark eyes staring at her – similar to Kataar's. The sound of panting echoed behind her, and Musa knew Tecna caught up with her. A curse sounded from Tecna, a rarity for her, before a hand landed on her shoulder. Musa tensed and out of instinct, knocked it away with her own as she continued to stare at the group.

Then her eyes drifted to the head of the table and Musa's heart stopped. There, standing front and centre was her father. He looked better than the last time she saw him. He had a healthy glow, looked like food managed to get in his stomach, and his face was clean shaven. He wore the same suit as the rebels but his had the same gold crest over his heart on the front. A golden holster wrapped around her father's hips securing a large sword with the Melodian crest on the handle. The rebels must have freed it during the battle for him, Musa thought. To his right were the Winx in the same suit as Tecna but in different variations.

Flora wore the exact same suit as Tecna except she had baby pink on the sides of her legs and wrapped around her thighs, and on her shoulders, and the sleeves ended at her wrists. Bloom's suit was sleeve-less with a blue open collar, blue gloves that ended at her wrists, and blue stripes down the sides of the suit. Stella's was the same as Bloom's minus the collar and had orange down the sides of the suit, particularly on the side of her waist and chest, and black gloves that ran up to her elbow. Finally, Layla's suit had a rounded shirt-like top with sleeves ending at her forearm, and black gloves ending just before her elbow. Pale blue stripes ran up the sides of her suit and up to her armpit.

A movement next to Musa's father caught her eye and was suddenly hit with a wave of memories of the rebellion battle. Prince Riven stood tall next to her father – that is right, next to her father, the King of Melody. He wore a similar suit to his men including the arm band of the rebellion. Sir Hammon stood to Riven's left with Brandon, Sky and Timmy, Musa now remembered his name, and two other men she did not recognise. All wore the rebellion arm bands on their forearms.

"I am so sorry," Tecna panted out. "We did not mean to intrude."

"Musa," Hoe-Bo whispered with joy. "You are awake."

Musa did not respond as she stared at the room in fear. Tecna noticed the tension and tried to de-escalate it.

"I am sorry, Sire," Tecna began rambling. "She only just woke up this morning and I was taking her to find you, but I thought you were in your study and-"

Tecna's rambling was interrupted when the king quickly ran across the room to pull his daughter into a hug. Tecna quickly stepped to the side to give the pair some space.

"Musa," Hoe-Bo said with relief as she held tightly to Musa. "My daughter. I am so sorry. I am so sorry it has been so long since I have hugged you."

Musa could not stop the tears that silently ran down her face as she wrapped her arms tightly around her father.

"I will never leave you again," Hoe-Bo swore.

For a split second, Musa forgot where she was and enjoyed the feeling of her dad in her arms safe and sound. All too soon, though, her brain reminded her of the danger. Musa quickly pulled away and grabbed her father by the wrist and pulled him behind her back.

"Musa," Hoe-Bo said as he stumbled behind her.

Musa positioned her body in front of her father and stared down the Valkarians in the room. Riven's posture straightened further at Musa's defensive stance.

"Give us the room," Riven ordered.

Without another word, everyone except for the Winx and the men to Riven's left quietly left the room, nodding towards Musa and her father as they left. Hoe-Bo tried to pull his hand away from Musa's but her grip was too strong, well too strong while he was still regaining his strength.

"What are you doing here?" Musa seethed with anger.

How could the prince of all people be here? He walked away from her when she needed him and then he suddenly reveals to be the rebel leader. Musa now knew why it took her time to remember that – it was because it was insane, and her brain was protecting itself. Why would a Valkarian prince want to save her realm? It is because he wants it for himself. He wants to use the Melodian rebels to take Kataar's throne from underneath him and claim Melody as his own. The prince left Musa when he found out her true allegiance. He does not want a Melodian. He wants a Valkarian princess. He wants Melody for the Valkarians. That is all a Valkarian ever wants – power.

"Musa, please calm down," Hoe-Bo tried to reason.

"No," Musa immediately replied, her eyes never wavering from Riven's. "You are Valkarian. Valkarians cannot be here."

The prince merely raised an eyebrow in response and crossed his arms over his chest. How dare he! This was serious. He was the enemy. He was lying to all of them, and they practically laid out the welcome mat for the Valkarians to their secret lair. Was everything a lie? Was everyone around her lying to her now? Could she trust anyone? The prince lied to her! He was the rebel leader the entire time and allowed so much hurt and pain become to her people. He is lying. He is no rebel leader.

Musa stared up at Riven, hearing everyone's words and seeing what was happening around her, but it was like her brain could not process any of it. Or her brain was processing it and her heart….her heart was denying it. None of it could be true. Riven was a liar! Valkarians always lie. Why did she not see it? Musa's entire body recoiled at his stare.

A muscle flexed in Riven's jaw as he looked at Musa. "You and I need to talk."

"Talk?" A laugh escaped Musa, and it sounded all wrong. Was the man serious?

"I am sure you have a lot of questions," the prince continued, and Musa thought she heard a shade of the teasing tone that she was familiar with. It caused her to flinch again, making her hold on her father loosen and he stepped away from Musa and towards the Winx. There was a buzzing in her ears as Musa became aware of the others staring at them in the room. She finally escaped his psychopathic father. She was done playing by their games. Riven took a step toward her. "Let's—"

"No. Tell me what is going on here," Musa demanded, her glare on the prince intensifying.

Riven stopped. When he spoke, his voice had softened just a fraction. In another life he would have been a good actor. "You know what is going on here."

The next breath Musa took scorched her throat and lungs for she realised that she did. Oh, god, she did know what was going on. The buzzing increased as Musa saw the Winx's eyes giving her pity, pity for the pain they knew she would be in once she discovered the truth. Found out that Riven was really the rebellion leader. He lied to her. He told her to trust him—she trusted him with her life, and with….

There was a sudden pain in Musa's chest that felt as if someone had shoved a dagger through her. When Musa looked up, a muscle flexed in Riven's jaw. She turned back to Riven, feeling as if the ground were splitting and shifting beneath her.

"You…..you lied to me this whole time."

"Technically you also lied to me. We both had to gain each other's trust for our plan to succeed. Mitzi's alliance with Darcy sped up the process. I was the only one close enough to get close to you."

Musa sucked in a shuddering breath as her heart seemed to split open. He needed to get close to her. It really was a lie. "Well, you succeeded at that, didn't you?"

That muscle in his jaw flexed again. God, she really wanted to smack it off his face. "What you are thinking…..you could not be further from the truth."

"You have no idea what I am thinking," Musa suddenly yelled, her hand tightening painfully into a fist. "And all of this was…what? Guilt? You came back to get close to me?"

"I came back to Melody with one goal in mind," Riven answered. "And that was you."

Musa shuddered. "How? Why?"

"You would be surprised how many of those Valkarians close to you support your family, who want to see the kingdom restored. Many who paved the way for me. I was watching you as long as you were watching me," he said softly. "Even longer."

That blow nearly killed Musa. It was like her chest had shattered. "You….you were planning this for a while."

"For a very long time."

Musa was shaking, she could feel it. Just like she could feel the walls of the room closing in on her. She was suffocating. Tecna stepped closer to Musa again for comfort, but she gently pushed her friend away. Musa had been so incredibly naïve. Of course, he never liked Musa in any way other than helping get to his goal. Yes, he is leading the rebellion that is saving her realm, but she fell for him, shared everything with him, and it was all a lie. She was brave enough now to admit it to herself. Getting the prince to fall for her Valkarian counterpart may have been the plan but falling for the enemy surely was not. A lie intended to save her home and yet, why did it hurt so bad? Had everything been a ploy?

"Jet?"

Riven immediately shook his head.

"Do not lie to me!" Musa screamed, causing the girls to jump where they stood. "Did you know what Sir Jet was planning? Did you use him knowing that he would be punished, and you would get close to me? Why you suddenly were there when Jet attacked me?"

"Musa," Hoe-Bo said in shock. "How can you-"

The hollows of Riven's cheeks became sharper and his response interrupted the king. "I would never have allowed that to happen if I had known what he planned to do. His disgusting behaviour was not my doing but I stopped it either way. What I know is that you are upset. I do not blame you, but I have also seen what happens when you get really angry," he said, taking a step toward Musa, lifting his hands. "There is a lot I need to tell—"

The pain erupted out of Musa like an explosion and there was no stopping it. She had no control over herself. Musa moved out of instinct, she grabbed a sharp letter opener from the table, cocked back her arm and threw it. This time, Musa aimed for Riven's chest. If she had to hurt, then she will make sure that Riven did too. Riven let out a curse as he stepped to the side, snatching the sharp object out of the air. Brandon, standing next to him, let out a low whistle as Riven whirled on Musa, the look of disbelief on his face almost comical. But in the back of Musa's mind, she had known Riven would catch it. He did so before. All she needed was a distraction so she could dip down and grab her father's sword from his holster. A few of the Winx gasped and cried out as Musa swung out, aiming for Riven but someone crashed into her from one side and then the other. Musa's arm was twisted around, and she reared back, using my opponent's weight against them. They fell, arms still around her but the sound of cursing made her internally smirk.

"Musa, you must stop this!" Stella yelled out. "This is not necessary."

Musa quickly snapped her head, cracking her skull into their face. There was a yelp, and the hold loosened enough for Musa to tear free.

"That was very naughty," Riven chided, snatching the sword out of Musa's hand as if she had not been holding onto it, passing it back to Hoe-Bo. "You can be so incredibly violent." He dipped his chin and whispered, "Not going to lie, I kind of like it."

A scream of fury tore out of Musa as she jabbed her elbow out and up, snapping Riven's head back. He cursed, laughing. He was laughing. "Does not change what I just said."

"This is not a joke, Riven," Hoe-Bo said angrily. "Musa, you must stop this! He is not your enemy."

"I beg to differ!" Musa said angrily as she spun and started for the doors but skidded to a stop as Stella and Layla appeared in front of her, having moved in a blink of an eye. They shook their heads, knowing that Musa would be a danger to others in her current state if she left the room. Turning, Musa saw Brandon and Sky, who look bored, and she whirled, seeing an opening through a back door on the opposite site of the room. She took off—

Arms caught Musa around the waist, and she would recognise the scent anywhere. Dark spice. Riven. And the hard, floor raced up toward her face. This was going to hurt very badly. The impact never came though. As agile as a cat, Riven twisted so he took the brunt of the fall, but the landing still stunned Musa, winding her for a moment. For a moment, Musa could not move.

"You are welcome," grunted Riven.

"Surely there was a better way than that," Bloom chided Riven as she looked at the scene with shock and pity.

They could have used magic to separate the two, but it could injure someone in such a small space, particularly underground. Worse yet they could cause the roof to cave in and the room be flooded with soil and rock.

Musa shrieked at being in close proximity to Riven and she slammed the heel of her booted foot onto his shin. Riven's gasp of pain brought a smile to Musa's face as she rolled, twisting until her stomach screamed in protest, but she was able to turn in his loosened hold. Musa straddled him—

Riven grinned up at Musa, the dimple in his right cheek appearing. "I am liking where this is headed."

"Riven!" the King roared and was about to lunge at the prince too before the two unknown men grabbed the king's shoulders.

"Musa, we are begging you, please stop this," Tecna begged. "I know you are angry, but this is crazy!"

Musa too did not like Riven's response and punched him in the face, right in the cheek. Pain lanced across Musa's knuckles, but she drew she arm back. Riven caught her wrist and yanked her down until her body was almost flush with his. "You hit like you are angry with me. That is not how I taught you."

Musa shifted, jamming her knee down between his legs and aiming for a very sensitive area. He anticipated the move, and her knee hit him in the thigh.

"That would have done some damage," Riven muttered.

"Good," Musa growled.

"Now, now. Most people would be disappointed if I could not use it."

"Seriously, Riven?" Layla scoffed as a dark skinned man holding the king away chuckled.

"This is no time for jokes," Flora attempted to reason. "Everyone must calm down."

For a moment, Musa could not believe he had actually said that, but he had. He totally had. "I would damage it completely," she hissed completely ignoring the spectators. She wanted to hurt Riven as much as he hurt her.

"Liar," he whispered.

The sound that came from inside Musa would have scared her if it had come from anyone else. It sure did scare the Winx as they stared, immobilised by their shock. Musa jumped up, breaking Riven's hold. She went to bring her foot down on his throat but Riven caught it and pulled. Musa went down, landing on my side. Pain flared, but she ignored it as she slammed her fist to his side.

"Damn," Sky drew the word out, more impressed by the fight than worried.

"Should we intervene?" Flora asked in concern as Sky's comment broke her shock.

"No," Brandon answered with a chuckle as he leaned against one of the walls. "This is the best thing I have seen in a while. Who would have thought the princess could throw down?"

"Perhaps Riven taught her too well," Timmy commented as he rolled his eyes at the scene. "This is why you do not mix business with pleasure," he said directly to Riven.

"Kind of busy, Timmy!" Riven yelled in annoyance.

"You did what?!" Hoe-Bo yelled, his face turning red. "Riven, you are dead! Musa, I have changed my mind."

"Is that the case?" Brandon whistled at Timmy's comment. "My money is on her then."

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," a long black-haired man in a ponytail added, causing the other boys to chuckle.

"Traitors," Riven gasped, rolling Musa until he was on top. Musa went for his face, but he caught her wrists. "Stop it."

Musa tried to lift her hips just as, unfortunately, Riven taught her and when that did not work, she pushed her upper body up. It took everything in Musa, and he simply pinned her wrists to the floor. She growled in anger and annoyance.

"Get off me!"

"Stop it," Riven repeated. "Musa. Stop—"

"I hate you!" Musa screamed at the sound of her name from his lips, ripping one hand free in her rage. Musa slammed her fist onto his face. "I hate you!"

The room immediately went silent at the comment. Riven caught Musa's hand, jerking it back to the ground as his lips peeled back. "Stop it! I am not your enemy!"

Musa stopped. She went completely still as she stared up at him, the shock robbing Musa of her ability to speak for several moments. She shuddered as something deep inside her withered. His eyes flared into an intense dark purple almost black colour, and they were not normal. They had never been natural. They were never truly Valkarian or Melodian eyes. Riven lied. He used her. He was his father's son. "You are a monster."

Riven stilled above her as the silence in the room thickened. "You finally voice what you truly think of me."

Musa did. He was the epitome of her nightmares hidden in the guise of a dream, and she had fallen for it. She fell so hard. She did the very thing she tried to protect herself from. She let her emotions take over and blind her from the mission. She was to flirt with the enemy, not fall for it. She was to gain information, not fall in love. She was so careful not to be heartbroken and yet she had. He was the son of the monster that destroyed her family, and the monster that took her trust and her heart and tore it apart with his lies.

Riven seemed to sense it because he moved swiftly, hauling Musa to my feet. Musa's father rushed instantly to her side and pulled her into a hug, his back towards the prince. The Winx crowded around Musa, and she could sense their pity and distress.

"You need rest, Musa," Hoe-Bo said gently, forcing her gaze to his. "This information is a lot to take in. I will take you back to your room where you cannot hurt yourself."

Riven's chest rose sharply. "Or hurt anyone else, which is more likely than the former."

"Shut up, Riven," Layla hissed as she glared at him. "You were not any better."

"So you were ok with her attacking me then?"

"Yes," Hoe-Bo growled back at him. "You and I will have a chat later, Riven."

Riven kept his mouth shut at the king. Musa looked at her father before tears started to pull in her eyes again. The king may have been forced away for much of his daughter's life, but he knew heartbreak when he saw it. The prince may have led the rebellion that allowed them to be reunited but if what Timmy said was true then the prince had a lot to answer for. The rebellion did not include using his only daughter as a pawn.

Without another word, Hoe-Bo and the Winx escorted Musa out of the room and back to her room. The boys watched in silence as the royals walked away. Once the doors were closed, the boys turned to Riven as Brandon let out a slow whistle.

"Wow, that was something," Brandon muttered.

"Shut up, Brandon," Riven scoffed.


So what did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time!

~AngelAlexandra~