I want to thank Opaque Opalthe one whose reviews have kept this story going!

Very short chapter but next shall be longer.


I felt a very distant, very faint throb in my leg. No, it wasn't my leg…it was my knee. There was no sunlight pouring through the window like I had secretly subconsciously hoped for. There was, however, candle light. How could I tell? I could feel a very dim source of warmth on my skin.

I sat up and looked around. The room was dark and somewhat cold, despite the small warmth from the candles near by. It wasn't even morning…probably midnight or one from the looks of the moon. How long was I out? Only a few hours…

Risking a look while trying to control my empty stomach, I pulled back the covers for my leg. A sigh of relief escaped my lips; new clean bandages were on my knee. I assumed they had scrubbed out the dirt and all from the wound.

"Where exactly were you, Lavender, to dirty yourself up so bad?" Claude's voice echoed in the dark room, coming from a corner. I jumped and placed a hand over my heart, willing it to slow down.

Looking up, I felt like a deer about to get shot. What was I supposed to tell him? He was my fiancé, old but still attractive. What would he do if I told him I was with a bunch of gypsies? What would he say if I told him I had went down a tomb and through filthy water?

But if I lied, he would find holes to poke through my story with ease. I felt so confused and irritated, so anxious and worried. Closing my eyes, I inhaled slowly. I'd have to make up a very convincing lie that did not make him mad enough to kill.
…Well, I'm dead.


Next chapter: Lavender answers Claude's question. Will the lie keep him from finding the Court of Miracles? Review please. Next chapter will be LONGER.