Nadine had finally found an opening for a job. She searched everywhere. Jarrow Grove, Helia Hills, the caves of winds, under the Glass Lake...but finally she got a job as a palace servant. She was a waitress.

The cook said that all she needed to do was be there at 6:30 in the morning, get a two hour break, and then stay until 11:00 at night. It was long hours but it paid. She had to wear a moss uniform and an apron. She was to start immediately since a staff member was recently 'on holiday' but that probably meant they were jailed...or high and incapacitated.

"Don't think, just because you're new we'll go easy on you," the saucy head-waitress said after the head cook was done talking.

"I won't," Nadine said meekly.

There were hundreds of acorn bowls of soup they had to carry out to the dining hall. There was one large oak table that had about a hundred places. Then two minor ones for about fifty. Every night, all the seats were filled.

Nadine worked slow since her wings still didn't work.

"Move faster," demanded the head-waitress.

"I'm trying!" Nadine cried and began to run. Other waiters and waitresses were flying about placing the soup bowls at their places. Nadine was moving half their speed.

"Why can't you fly?" the waitress snapped.

"My wings are… I don't know but they wont fly right now," Nadine said.

"That's just an excuse, now keep moving," she said.

Nadine's face flushed red. She hated being chastised for something that wasn't her fault. She was a healer, but not a professional and she was ashamed she couldn't cure her problem.

But finally after an hour of setting the humongous tables, they were finished. A giant horn trumpeted out to the forest and beyond calling Royals to eat. Nadine didn't have long to rest because they had to start serving the drinks and appetizers for the early meal.

Nadine was handed a pitcher of nectarine juice. Along with other waiters and waitresses she stood on beside the wall and waited for the King's address.

The princess and the prince weren't at the main table. It was strange.

"Fellow fairies and fairiettes...my son has been kidnapped..." the king said sadly. The queen wept. There was unanimous gasp from all Royals.

"Who done it your highness?" shouted a Royal from far off.

"Blaire Rye," the King spoke angrily "I need your help! If you know anything about this or of their whereabouts. Contact an official immediately! If you can, arrest any members of the anti-Royal movement!" There was a roar from the Royals in their agreement.

Nadine slunk back. She was a member of the movement. SO that's who Blaire had brought home last night? This was seriously odd for Blaire, had she lost her mind? Julius Rovan was at her hollow as the King spoke.

"With this in thought, let's eat," the king finished and the servants fanned out to pour the drinks.

"Get going," urged a waiter from behind her. Nadine was shaking, if they found out about her involvement with Blaire Rye, she would probably be jailed.

She went along numbly pouring the nectarine juice when she saw a familiar face.

She was paces away from Taven Argalos. It was odd he was at the palace since he had a well know reputation for being a raver party fairy. That meant he only ate and danced at the clubs. 'Scarce earth' was what the marking on his face meant, she remembered, after seeing it when he took her to the agency a day before.

She straightened up and she filled his glass. He didn't pay attention to her, he was talking with some other Royal about bird trade.

"Is that enough sir?" she couldn't help asking. He looked annoyed at his cup and then looked at her. His light greenish eyes recognized her and he spoke "...yes."

She nodded and went on. He turned his head and followed her with his eyes. He must have been surprised she had gotten a job so fast after he'd gotten her fired.

She came upon a Royal who looked at her hungrily.

"Hey baby," he said and laid an his hand on her arm.

"Is your glass full enough for you sir?" she asked uncomfortably.

It was a risk to be an Underclass servant. Even some Royals would go after beautiful Underclass servants like her.

"It's good and full. What are you doing tonight?" he asked tightening his grip.

"Excuse me, I've got to serve the others," she said politely.

She stole a glance at Taven, he was still staring at her.

"Forget them. Serve me," he said and she knew he meant something else.

She tried getting out of his grip but he held strong.

"Get moving," snapped the waitress behind her.

"Let me go!" cried Nadine in a hurry.

All the Royal did was pull her closer. With a straining moan, Nadine's wings beat and she pulled out of the Royal's grasp. There was a ripping noise and pain seared up through her back. She fell limply onto the marble floor. The juice jug smashed and nectarine juice spilled out.

"Oh my sakes! Someone call a healer!" cried the waitress that had snapped at her.

Nadine opened her evergreen eyes slightly. They were bleary from tears and pain so she couldn't see a thing.

There was a worried face in hers, "Don't touch her. Her wings look pretty bad." it was a familiar male's voice. She felt herself being lifted into strong arms. The pain grew as she was carried. Finally it was so painful that all consciousness left her, and all that was left was a dark void.