A/n: Sorry for the late update, I've been shoved back and forth between my parents' houses lately and had no time to write.
Dorothea skirted into the room and stopped where Zalean knelt on the floor beside the bed. Zalean made to be rid of the bracelet, but she found it was no longer on her wrist.
"What are you doing?" Dorothea raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
While reading Zalean found out that the Blood had some sort of physic ability, so she changed her thoughts from the jewel to her home. Standing up she curtsied and smiled at her matron.
"Just admiring the craftsmanship of the bed." Dorothea seemed to buy the lie. "Do you need me for anything?"
"Breakfast will be held shortly, only my First Circle is invited and their pe-" Dorothea stumbled over her words before saying, "Consorts. I'll make an exception for you though, it is an honor as well as a chance for you to met some of my court."
Zalean didn't understand the importance of this invitation, but she forged thankfulness and followed Dorothea out the door. Her mind wandered to the bracelet but she pushed it aside for now.
The dinning hall was lavish, with one long table centered in the middle filled with food. On each side of the table sat strangers, and when Zalean entered they raised their heads to stare. Their gazes were piercing and Zalean couldn't help but fear the rest of the meal.
"Sisters, this is Zalean my newest friend. Zalean, meet the Coven." Dorothea stepped aside and let the eyes focus entirely on Zalean. Two women stood up leaving their place to take Zalean's hand, and guide her to a seat between them.
"I'm Naomi," The dark haired witch pointed to her red headed friend, "and this is Kalie. When did you come around, and how do you know Dorothea?"
The two women seemed polite enough but there was something they were hiding, Zalean didn't know what to say.
"Well actually I came from-"
Dorothea cut in, her voice harsh bordering on anger, "Don't pry girls, it is rude."
The meal was a quiet one in which Zalean met many people. Along with Naomi and Kalie there was an Opal jeweled Warlord Prince who sat across from her, Jolouque. The Sapphire jeweled Black Widow he served was called Earn.
Jolouque was unnerving, staring at Zalean with lust filled, golden eyes; it gave her the creeps. In fact the few males present all seemed to be looking her over, and this in turn made the women angry. When the witches looked at her their expression would sour, and if they caught a male looking they'd suddenly have something important to tell him. Naomi, Kalie, and Earn seemed different though they were pleased by her presence, or at least they pretended to be.
When the dishes were cleared the First Circle all filed into an adjoining room, and the males left to handle other matters; thus leaving Zalean to herself. Her mind wandered back to the study where she could relax by herself, but then she remembered the disappearing bracelet.
Looking down she was surprised to find the bracelet had reappeared on her wrist, but she was more surprised by the milky whiteness of the jewel. It had changed colors, but how, and why had it disappeared? Zalean had read that the Blood could vanish their jewels and maybe she had done that subconsciously. Then again she wasn't Blood, and that didn't explain why her jewel was now white. White was the lightest jewel rank of the jewel caste; Zalean knew that much, but did that now make her a low rank witch.
A sudden sound broke through her thoughts, and it came from behind the double doors where the Coven had gathered. Curiosity got the best of her so she slide out of her chair, making sure no one was around, then pressed an ear to the door. Voices floated to her ears that were indistinguishable but they seemed to be talking about her.
Dorothea's voice rose above the crowd, "We will speak of her no more. She is of importance to me, not to be treated badly or toyed with. Talk to her no more than needed to be polite. Is that understood?" There was a low din as everyone replied, but when that settled Dorothea continued. "This afternoon I have a special treat for all those loyal to me. It seems one of my pets has been undermining me and his punishment will be satisfying to you all."
The rest of her announcement was unheard because, just then, a hand firmly grasped Zalean's shoulder. Zalean was pushed and she fell, landing with a bruiseing thud on the cold, stone floor. When she looked up she was confronted with the familiar figure of Jolouque. This Warlord Prince was rather appealing to look at. He was tall and well built, with long auburn hair that was tousled characteristically. His eyes were so cold, his expression matte, but he seemed to be burning with- with something.
"Zalean." He looked at her coldly, his gold eyes spiritless. "Is Dorothea allowing you to listen in to her meetings? I think not."
"I was- I was just going to ask her a question." Zalean knew how stupid she sounded, but as she stood up and looked him straight in the eye his face seemed to soften.
"Well don't, and don't snoop around. I think I see why Dorothea likes you so much." He raised his hand and caressed her cheek, his touch making her queasy. "Now get away."
Zalean almost tripped in her struggle to leave, but as she did she realized what it was burning inside him…. Possibility.
A/n: I know this one was probably really bad and I'm sorry. I had a minor writers block but I'll try hard to make the rest of the chapters a lot better. It probably strays very far from the book, but I didn't have much to work with considering Dorothea isn't really explained. Also these new characters I made up aren't all important, just one. Please review. Oh yeah, just in cause you're wondering this is all happening during the third book when things are pretty chill.