Responses to Reviews:

Moonlight and Ashes: Hehe, I love reading your thoughts on Clara. I'm definitely trying to make her interesting, so I'm glad you think so. Hope your tests went well, and thank you for your reviews! :)

laurenathalasa: Haha, yeah, if only I could update that quickly all the time! And they will be… hopefully. ;)

gabreader: Yay, go Charlotte! I really do love how she's such a strong female character in the series.

Sitting down in front of her mirror, Tessa ran her hand slowly over her face, from her forehead to her chin.

Only, it wasn't her face – it was the Queen's.

She wondered if one day, Tessa would be gone, and all that would be left would be the empty shell of the former Queen. A lifeless comparison to who she had once been.

The sense of foreignness had started to disappear, as she practised wearing Juliana's body every day. The only place she could be herself again, was when she was shut in the Queen's quarters, out of sight. The only other person allowed in there was Miranda, or the King himself.

Every day she was told to sit up straight, to mind her manners, and to smile pleasantly. She was taught, in every spare moment, how to be a Queen. She had also learnt everything about Juliana - from the Queen's favourite food, to her favourite route through the castle gardens, to how she interacted with people.

Tessa's short walks out of her room soon turned into long days spent looking around the castle, or visiting the nearby village. Mortmain wanted to make sure everyone saw the Queen was alive and well, because she was so beloved, and so that word would reach King Elias. Everyone rejoiced when they saw her, praying, bowing, and blessing her as she walked past. They asked if she was feeling better, if she liked their cooking, if she was comfortable, and the list went on. She still hadn't quite gotten used to the sensation. She had grown up as a nobody, a fugitive, an outcast. Now everyone adored her, even when she just wanted to run and hide in her room.

What she hadn't been taught about Juliana, were her feelings, and her desires. After honing her 'gift' at the Clave, Tessa had found she could glimpse into the person's mind when she Changed into them, and adopt their mannerisms. It didn't mean she knew everything, but she could feel some of their most powerful emotions, and understand a little more about them. If she was lucky – although it was rare – she may even be able to view a memory of theirs.

The Queen's mind, was hard to decipher. Perhaps because she was dead, or perhaps because she had slowly been driven mad living with Mortmain. Whenever she tried to glimpse into the Queen's mind, she could feel many conflicting emotions. There was hurt – far greater than Tessa had ever known – and there was anger at the treatment of her people. Above all else, there was fear. Fear of what Mortmain would do to her if she didn't deliver a healthy child, fear of his temper, fear of her cousin's safety, fear of living the rest of her life there as a caged bird, fear of-

Shaking her head quickly, Tessa blocked out the Queen's thoughts, before she was overwhelmed. She could only stand a little bit at a time, before she feared she would lose herself to the despair. Everything felt so real, as if it were happening to her.

Slipping back into her own skin, Tessa sighed, closing her eyes for a minute as the faint feeing of dizziness subsided. Now it was just like changing clothes, going from one person to the next, after all the practice. Or, it was as if one glove didn't quite fit, so she could slip on another one instead.

Opening her eyes, and glancing down at the jewellery box, she carefully removed her earrings, rings, and bracelets, which all used to belong to Juliana. All the jewels, rooms and luxuries were overwhelming for someone of her upbringing. Although she was posing as the Queen, she made it clear to Miranda, that behind closed doors, she could still do things for herself. She didn't need Miranda doing everything for her, and she needed some time to herself too.

If her clothes allowed it, she still wore her angel necklace, but only if the neckline was high enough to hide it behind her dress. However, she couldn't disguise the bracelet Will had given her, which had belonged to his older sister, or her mother's ring, so she kept them locked in a drawer, where they would be safe. Reaching down to collect the key from where she kept it hidden under the rug, she opened the drawer, running her hand over them both. She had meant to give the bracelet back to Will, for she knew how much it meant to him, but she'd never had the chance to. She still felt the ghost of Jem's ring on her finger too, but she was glad it was safe with him.

Suddenly having a thought, she tried to talk herself out of it, for she knew it would only bring her pain. But maybe it could help if she could only see a familiar face again…

Taking a deep breath, she picked up Ella's bracelet, slipping it onto her arm, before changing into some larger, more flowing clothes. She knew it was foolish to do such a thing, and to waste her energy, but she needed to see him. And maybe, just maybe, she could glimpse into his thoughts. Focusing on the bracelet, and him, she let Will's skin slide over her, the sensation familiar, from all those months ago when she last used her 'gift' to Change into him. When she finished, she stared at the reflection in the mirror, feeling her heart pound in her chest. She really did look just like him.

Reaching a hand up, she ran her hand through his dark hair, like she'd wanted to do so many times before. His impossibly blue eyes blinked back at her, and she felt her breath catch. Pulling herself together, she closed her eyes, concentrating on her thoughts, before pushing them aside, and searching for his. Although she felt like an intruder, looking into his private thoughts, it was the only way she could make sure he was still okay. It was the only way to feel close to him again, even if for the last time.

She could feel his anger, burning inside of him like a flame. Although what about, she wasn't entirely sure, since there were too many things it could be directed at. Then there was his sorrow, worry and regret, about her, Jem, Ella, Cecily, Charlotte, and the rest of the Clave. His determination was evident, and she felt like he was focused on a goal. The most important thing, was that she didn't sense he was in any immediate danger. That was what she'd been most worried about – that the King had found out where the Clave's hideout was, and that they were in trouble. However, she breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to calm her worries.

Pulling away from his thoughts, Tessa opened her eyes and stared at the reflection again. Reaching out, she held a hand to the mirror, her palm touching the reflection of his. He was so close, but yet so far.

Startled, she jumped when there was a knock at the door, and a guard's voice. She hurriedly Changed back into Juliana, and pulled her previous clothes back on, adding a cloak over the top. Taking a moment to smooth down her hair, and collect herself, she then opened the door, making sure to act like the Queen. It was like wearing a mask, and acting a character.

"The King requests the Queen's presence in his room, Your Majesty," the guard said reverently, standing with a straight back, and bowing when he saw her.

She wanted to refuse, but she felt she didn't really have a choice, so she nodded, replying with, "Could you please lead the way?"

Pulling her cloak further around her, to ward off the chill in the air, she followed closely behind the guard. Her mind worried over what the King would want with her at this hour, in his room. Surely it would just be to talk, right?

When they reached his door, she was ushered in to his sitting room, and she took a seat at his command. The King looked the picture of relaxed, as he lounged in his own chair, watching her. She eyed him nervously after he ordered the remaining guards to leave.

Once they were alone, he gestured at her. "You don't have to pretend with me, and no one else is here. Relax, be Tessa."

Following his advice, she Changed back into herself, feeling relieved as her energy waned after a long day.

"Do you know why I called you here?" He asked, tilting his head to the side slightly.

Tessa shook her head, not bothering to say anything.

"Of course you don't," he said, with a small, satisfied smile. "Well, besides the fact of keeping up appearances, I also wanted to congratulate you on how quickly you've been learning. They all love you. And," he continued, leaning forward in his seat. "I believe you are ready for your final test."

Taking in a startled breath, her eyes quickly took in the room, looking anywhere but at him. The decorations were certainly befitting of a King, and she stared at a lifelike portrait of him on the wall for a moment, before she finally dared to ask the question.

"What are you talking about?"

Mortmain gave a soft chuckle, drawing out the suspense, before he finally replied. "The King and Queen will dine together with James, and my daughter, Clara, for dinner. Your task is to convince your beloved friend, Jem, that you truly are the Queen. If you can convince him, then I'm sure you can convince anyone."

Tessa's eyes widened at the thought of seeing Jem again. She had missed him so much, and she would feel so much better if she'd be able to talk to him again. Then she'd know he was alright.

"But Jem will see right through me-" She started, before falling silent at his expression.

"You better make sure he doesn't." His eyes bore into hers. "If you fail, your parents will not be long for this world. Do you understand?"

"… I understand," she whispered, looking down, so her hair covered some of her face.

"Now," he said pleasantly, as if nothing was wrong. "It will be held tomorrow night, and I can assure you, there will be a lovely feast prepared by my cooks. Miranda will help you get ready. I suggest you go and get a good night's sleep, because you'll need it."

Tessa frowned at him. "Wait, what about my parents. Can I see them if I succeed?"

"Maybe, maybe not," he responded casually. "It depends how well you do."

Fighting with her frustration, she clenched her fists, feeling her nails dig into her palms. He always replied with something similar. What if she never got to see them again?

Eager to get away from his presence, she rose, heading towards the door.

The King stopped her in her tracks. "Wait, are you forgetting something?"

Catching herself, she quickly used her 'gift' to Change back into Juliana. She turned back to glance at him, to see if that was all he meant.

"Good. And your manners," he said, giving her a pointed look.

Sighing inwardly, she curtsied, knowing it was all a power play with him. He always wanted to be in control of everything. Her emotions, her feelings, her actions. It was all a game to him. However, she was sure to keep her chin up, and her back straight. He couldn't control her determination, or her pride.

When he nodded, she opened the door, asking the guard to lead her back to her room. Her thoughts drifted to the upcoming dinner, and her heart soared at the thought of seeing Jem again, before falling when she remembered the deception. She had to convince him though.

She didn't have a choice.

A/N: Hope you liked the chapter! I'd love it if you left me your thoughts in a review.

~ SilverJem5