Chapter 16

'I haven't met that women and I already hate her.' Stella complained.

'Welcome to the club.' Icy mumbled. She returned the dress Stella had lent her. Under no circumstances was she going to wear it again. She wanted something more comfortable. Now they were going through Stella's clothes again, looking for something her and Stormy could wear.

Darcy refused to attend the banquet and therefore didn't think it was necessary to look for a dress. Stormy hesitated but ultimately went with Icy to Stella's room.

Icy currently held a deep dark purple dress. Not too conservative but also not too revealing. The ice witch knew it was something the middle Trix would wear. She decided to not put it too far away in case Darcy changed her mind.

'Oh look, that dress could work for Stormy' The fairy of the sun spoke up.

The dress Stella held up was so pink, plushy and sparkly it almost made Stormy vomit on the spot. The storm witch looked at the dress with absolute terror in her eyes.

'Absolutely not.'

Stella pouted and put the dress away.

'Are you sure? If you wear that you might give Medora a heart attack.' Icy smirked. 'I would pay a lot of money to see that.'

Stormy wasn't certain if her sister meant she would pay money to see her in the dress or Medora dying. But she didn't care in the moment. That was the first time since her and Icy's argument that her older sister directly talked to her again.

'Here. Maybe that's better.' Icy gave her a burgundy colored dress.

'Thanks.' Stormy said quietly.

She walked behind the screen to try it on. The dress wasn't awful. It reached just below her knees. The color was nice and it wasn't glittery. She would survive wearing it for a day.

When Stormy came back from behind the screen she saw Icy picked out a blue jumpsuit with strap holders for herself.

'Alright, now that you two have decided on what to wear, I'll see if someone else needs my expertise.' Stella excused herself leaving Icy and Stormy alone.

After the ice witch changed into her new outfit, she twisted her hair into a low bun.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean it' The storm witch said after some time.

Icy wasn't sure if it was a good idea to have this conversation right now, but maybe it was better to talk to Stormy before they had to go to the banquet and before they would run into Medora.

'I have known you your entire life. I know you didn't mean it.' Icy replied putting in a few more pins to secure her hair 'That doesn't change the fact that you said it. Which means a small part of you believed it.'

'Icy…'

'I'm going to talk now and you're going to listen.' Icy cut her off and waited until Stormy nodded. 'I'm not the most sentimental person. Never have been and never will be. That doesn't mean that I am not capable of having feelings. I might not show them but I promise you they're there.'

Icy stopped talking but Stormy was certain she wasn't done yet. So she kept quiet. It didn't take long before her sister continued.

'Listen carefully, because i don't say that often. You and Darcy are my family. And I love you both. Don't ever think I hate you or that I would make you do something that could seriously harm you. No matter how cold I appear. Okay?'

'Okay.' Stormy breathed out.

'Alright.' Icy hesitated but pulled her sister into a hug. They didn't do that often but right now they both needed this.

'I don't remember anything.' Stormy blurted out.

'What do you mean?' The ice witch frowned and pulled out of the embrace.

'None of the things you told Darcy and me yesterday seemed familiar to me. I don't remember anything. Is that bad?' Stormy looked at her sister and crossed her arms.

'You're younger than us.' Icy said softly.

'That's not fair. Why do I only get the memories from Obsidian and you two can talk about old adventures of sneaking through the palace.' Stormy said

'Darcy only knows very little.' The ice witch told her sister.

'But she remembers our mother, right?'

'She does have vague memories of Medora, yes.' Icy admitted.

'I don't even know if I'll recognize my own mother. Do you know what that's like?'

'Yes.' Icy replied and pointed at her necklace.

Stormy's eyes widened immediately.

'Shit, sorry. I didn't…' The storm witch stopped herself from continuing. She did it again. Talking before thinking.

'It's alright. I get what you mean.' Icy reassured her sister.

'Did she say anything about us?' Stormy asked unsure if she wanted an answer.

'Medora said she did everything she could to get us back.'

'Do you believe her?' The storm witch frowned.

'I sure don't.' Icy said 'And neither should you.''

'What do we do now?' Stormy asked.

'We need to figure out what Medora wants.'

'If she's still loyal to the ancestral witches, she might be in contact with them.' The storm witch thought out loud. 'Maybe she can lead us to them.'

'I had the same thought.'

Where was she? They have been here now for half an hour and there was no trace of Medora.

Not a very good impression for a queen to be late.

'Is that good or bad?' Stormy whispered next to her.

'Could be either, depending on what she's planning.' Icy replied. The witch grimaced when she took a sip from her glass. It was her third glass already, why was she surprised the taste didn't get better.

They only served watered down champagne. Oh, how she wished there was something stronger. But it might be better like that, it wouldn't be good if she ended up drunk at a banquet attended by kings and queens of the magical dimension.

'Why don't we just tell everyone that Medora is trying to sabotage us.' Sky asked. 'You need to tell them she was and probably still is loyal to the ancestral witches.'

'I spent almost an hour this morning trying to convince them that I am not loyal the ancestral witches. You were there.' Icy rolled her eyes and grabbed her fourth glass.' They wouldn't listen to me.'

'Would you stop trying to get drunk.' The blonde prince took her glass away.

'Whatever this is, is not going to get me drunk.' Icy replied and took her glass back from him.

After the group arrived the Winx and the specialists were welcomed by everyone. Darcy hadn't changed her mind. She stayed in her room. But they were certain no one even took notice that one of the Trix was missing, as Icy, Stormy as well as Addy and Darko were completely ignored.

After a couple of minutes the kings and queens took a special interest in the princess of Domino. It was all still new to Bloom but she was slowly starting to grow into the whole princess role.

'You think we'll get through this evening without any inconveniences?' Stella asked looking at her red headed friend. So far Bloom was feeling fine. But it felt like she was a ticking time bomb. If she started to develop side effects during the banquet it would be difficult to hide it. Especially if she was crowded like that by everyone.

' I'm not really on a lucky streak at the moment, so who knows.' Icy said.

Marion seemed worried about her daughter as well. She was keeping a close eye on her and didn't leave her side. Neither did Oritel. Of course he wasn't as worried as his wife. He didn't know what was going on.

'For some reason Bloom was worried she wouldn't adjust to the whole princess role.' Sky said more to himself than to Icy. 'But everyone is helping her getting used to everything. The other rulers are very lenient with her.'

'Of course they are. She's the princess of a kingdom ruled by fairies.' Addy said 'I'm sure things would be different if Domino was ruled by witches.''

'If witches ruled over Domino the planet would be doomed. ' Sky replied annoyed 'They're not fit to rule over kingdoms. They only know how to cause trouble.'

'Pretty big prejudice against witches, don't you think?' Addy continued.

'Not a prejudice. It's a fact. Almost all of the kingdoms are ruled by fairies and wizards. Only very few are ruled by witches and those aren't very big. Whisperia was the exception and look how that planet ended up.' Sky said without thinking about the fact that Icy stood there listening to him. 'Medora shouldn't be allowed to attend the assembly.'

'Because she's witch?' Addy raised an eyebrow.

'Yes.' Sky answered.

'So am I.' Icy replied.

'I…I..' The crown prince of Eraklyon stuttered.

'You what?' Darko crossed his arms. ' Do continue. I am curious what else do you think witches shouldn't do? Attend nice banquets with horrible champagne. Help fairy princesses and saving them from a blood curse….'

'Darko, it's alright.' Icy said to him. She knew both him and Addy were only here because Stormy and her attended the banquet. Otherwise they would have stayed in their room.

'No it's not. You're trying to help and he's insulting you.'

' It's not like he's completely wrong.' Icy replied nonchalantly.

'I should have phrased it differently though.' Sky replied. 'Marion said you're the rightful heir to the whisperian throne'

'I am. Whisperia is ruled as matriarchy. The throne belonged to my mother and I'm her only child. Medora is only a placeholder.'

'Then we'll have to get used to seeing you as princess, even though you're a witch.' Sky said playfully.

'Don't bother. When this is all over you won't see me at such royal gatherings again.'

'You're not going to keep the title?' Sky frowned.

'Nope.'

'Why let the opportunity slide to rule over a kingdom. No one could stop you from claiming the throne.'

'Where's the fun in taking over a planet when the throne is given to you.' Icy smirked.

'We have been here now for quite some time. Do you think Medora is going to show herself?' Musa asked.

'Maybe someone should check where she is. I don't particulary like the fact that she is roaming around the school like that.' Layla added.

'Do you know who to look for? I don't' Tecna replied

'Can I take a wild guess?' Stella cleared her throat 'She's a middle aged woman and if she walks into a room her presence gives off a very bad vibe. She has long brown hair, is rather tall and her eyes are so dark and piercing that you feel like she could look into your soul. I don't think dark olive is her color. A soft saffron colored dress would be more beneficial for her skin tone.'

Stella turned to look at the ice witch.

'By the way, the dress you picked out for Darcy earlier, the blackberry colored one, suits her very well. But she should've pinned her hair up. That would have given her even more elegance.'

They all just stared at the fairy when she finished.

'Don't look at me like that. I 'm just describing what I'm seeing. And if I'm right and that's Medora..' Stella pointed at through the crowd at the end of the room '…someone should rescue Darcy, because she doesn't look like she's enjoying her mother's company.'

'Shit.' The ice witch mumbled under her breath.

It was indeed Medora who walked into the room with Darcy in tow. And her sister looked absolutely distraught, like she genuinely didn't want to be here. Medora looked quite pleased with herself and the whole situation. Either she didn't notice that Darcy felt uncomfortable or she didn't care.

Darcy looked relieved when she spotted Icy walking towards them. Medora didn't.

'I was worried you wouldn't find the time to come.' Icy said politely to Medora. 'You're a bit late'

The white haired witch stood directly next to Darcy.

'I was here on time. But I noticed one of my girls was missing.' Medora answered. 'Care to tell me why you left Dakota in her room all by herself. Why did you only take Stephanie with you?'

'We go by Darcy and Stormy.' The witch of darkness said annoyed. It sounded like it's not the first time Darcy told her that.

'Those are not the names I have given you. And I refuse to call you by them.' Medora replied softly and turned to Icy. 'Now I want an answer, Isabella. Why are you only giving Stephanie the opportunity to be introduced as whisperian princess and Dakota has to stay locked up in her room.'

'She didn't want to come. And I didn't want to force her.' Icy said 'Something you clearly did.'

'How dare you say something like that. I would never force my own daughter to do something she doesn't want to. She just needed a little push.' Medora looked at Icy with absolute hatred. 'And if you're done accusing me of doing something to harm my own flesh and blood I would like to meet my other daughter as well.'

There was a lot Icy would've liked to say, but she didn't reply anymore. She didn't want to draw too much attention to them, especially if Medora wanted to put her in a bad light.

'I'm here.' Stormy suddenly appeared next to them.

Without missing a beat, Medora pulled the storm witch into a hug. Stormy didn't hug her back.

'The last time I saw you, you were tiny. I'm so happy to have you back.' Medora pulled back 'God, we have so much to talk about.'

'No, thank you.' Stormy replied to Medora's surprise 'You wanted to see us, now you did. Have nice evening.'

She turned around and walked away again. Both Icy and Darcy had to restrain from laughing when the saw Medora's baffled expression. She clearly didn't expect that.

'You'll get used to it.' Icy patted her stepmother's shoulder and walked past her taking Darcy with her.

'What happened?' Icy whispered to Darcy as they walked away.

Darcy immediately started to talk

'She just appeared at the door. I was completely overwhelmed when she came in. Started to talk about how much she's missed me and all of a sudden she saw the dress you hung at the door and wanted me to change into it. She insisted that I come with her and said I should get used to it. To being a princess.' She made a slight pause and looked at her sister 'I need a drink.'

'I'm afraid they only serve champagne.'

'May I sit down?' Flora asked as she walked towards the table Stormy sat at.

The witch shrugged. She had her head propped up on her hand in boredom.

'I'll take that as a yes.' Flora sat down next to her.

They sat like that in silence for a minute, before Flora started to talk.

'So that's your mother. You wanna talk about her?'

'She's a bitch.' Stormy replied. 'Acts like we are a happy little family that just got reunited. What did she expect! She gave us to the ancestral witches. Which mother does that to her own children?'

'A bitchy one.'

'Good answer.' Stormy looked at the fairy 'Why are you here?'

Flora pointed at the other side of the room. Stormy followed her gaze to a girl with long lavender hair and green eyes, who stood at the buffet taking two glasses of champagne.

'Am I supposed to know who that is?' Stormy asked confused. She doesn't remember seeing this girl before.

For a few seconds they continued to watch the girl as she took the glasses and walked over to a table on the other side of the room

'That's Krystal.' Flora replied. 'She's the princess of Linphea.'

'And you are avoiding her because?' Stormy wanted to know. She watched as the girl gave one of the glasses to someone. The witch was certain that someone was the flower fairy's boyfriend, Helia 'Don't bother answering. I think I know.'

'Apperently they're old friends.' Flora said 'She's been throwing herself at him since we arrived.'

'Afraid she's gonna steal him from you?' Stormy asked. 'If it bothers you do something about it.'

'You just want a little drama to lighten up your mood' Flora replied amused.

'You're absolutely right.' Stormy grinned. 'But I also think that if you have a problem you need to find the cause and get rid of it.''

'You know what. You're right.'

Flora suddenly had a determined look on her face. Taking a deep breath the fairy stood up.

After a few seconds she sat down again.

'Wow, you were almost there.' The witch chuckled.

Flora groaned and laid her head on the table.

'I'm gonna have to disappoint you' Flora mumbled 'There won't be any drama today.'

'Boring.'

'You're a bad influence.'

Stormy couldn't argue with that.

'Back to my problem. I would love to know what my mother's hiding.' The storm witch watched her mother. 'You think she's staying in Alfea ?'

'Probably. Why?' Flora didn't look up, but she felt how Stormy left the table 'Hey, where are you going?' She looked up.

'If she's staying in Alfea, she must have a room. I want to see what she's hiding in there.' Stormy replied.

''You think that's a good idea?' Flora asked.

'She's here right now. Which means no one is in her room. Maybe we won't get an opportunity like that again.'

She didn't care if Medora noticed it. Icy constantly kept an eye on her. The ice witch wanted to be aware of where she was at all times. Currently her stepmother was in a conversation with some of the other kings and queens. She didn't know what they were discussing but as long as she didn't bother her or her sisters she didn't care.

'I know something you don't know.' Addy said cheerfully as she walked up to Icy.

'Good news or bad news?' The ice witch asked curiously without taking her eyes off of Medora.

'Depends on the perspective.' Addy smirked.

'Alright, you've got my attention.' Icy looked at the girl.

'She's a witch.'

'Yeah, I know.' Icy rolled her eyes and turned gaze back at Medora.

'What?!' Addy said confused. She followed Icy's gaze at Medora.

'No silly, not her' Addy put her hands on Icy's shoulder and slightly turned her making her gaze shift from Medora to someone else. 'Her.'

Marion. She was looking at Marion.

Addy saw how Icy looked absolutely puzzled. It took her a few seconds to comprehend what Addy just told her.

'Are you serious?' Icy widened her eyes.

'Yep.' Addy smiled ' I'm certain her magic isn't pure fairy magic. She either has practiced witchcraft before or someone in her family is a descendant of a witch. Pretty difficult to detect. Call it an Elementalist hunch.'

'Have you told anyone?' The ice witch asked.

'Nope.' The girl said.

'She is the queen of a kingdom that is ruled by fairies. If you're right she could lose her title as queen.' Icy whispered

'That's cleary not something you want people to find out.' Addy nodded.

Icy agreed. That was not something Marion would want to become public knowledge.

'You think her husband knows?' Icy looked at Oritel who stood next to his wife.

'I don't think so. He doesn't seem to like witches.' The black haired girl said. 'Are you gonna use it against her ?' Addy asked carefully.

'You wouldn't?'

Addy hesitated. She looked like she was searching for the right words. Icy noticed her hesitation.

'Addyson?'

'I don't think she was looking to harm you.' Addy said cautiously. She didn't want to make the ice witch angry. 'I think Marion gave you an advantage by forcing you you to join the assembly. Your title is an insurance.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'What do you think will happen when this is all over?' Addy replied. 'Right now everyone's focus is on the ancestral witches, but once that problem is fixed you three will be back at the top of the wanted list.'

Icy had to admit that she hadn't thought about what's going to happen after they got rid of the threat. She only concentrated on the present right now. But Addy was right. It would be stupid to assume they could just walk away after everything.

'No one can harm you right now. The other kingdoms are bound to accept the fact that you're royal. Not even Medora could change that. You could insist on going back to Whisperia as rightful heir to the throne when this is all over. They couldn't stop you and they couldn't put you in prison.' Addy said.

'We could evade a trial.' Icy understood what Addy meant.

'Only if you don't renounce your title.'

'Did you tell Darko?'

'No.' Addy said ' But I wanted to.'

'Please, don't.' Icy knew very well that if she kept the title, Darko wouldn't agree to a relationship with her. And if Addy told him of her opinion he would agree with her.

'Icy, you need to think this through.'

'No, stop. I'll find a way out of this without a trial and without a title.' Icy hissed. Addy immediately stopped talking. It took a few minutes until Icy regained her posture. 'You actually think Marion was only trying to help?'

'Yes.' Addy nodded.

'Why would she do that? I tried to kill her daughter.'

'I don't know. But now you have something to make her tell you.' Addy replied.

Icy only hummed in response.

She let her gaze wander back to Medora. Confusion crossed her face when she couldn't find her.

'Maybe we should've told your sisters we're breaking into Medora's room.' Flora said as the two girls walked down the hallway.

'I don't need my sisters permission.' Stormy replied. 'And they wouldn't have agreed. They never agree with my ideas.'

Both of them managed to find Medora's room through a little location spell.

'There's a protection spell on the door. It's a pretty strong one' Flora said.

'That means she's hiding something.' Stormy concluded. She was only more determined to search her room.

'I can't disagree on that, but we might have a little problem.' The fairy looked at the witch 'How are we supposed to get in there?'

' I hadn't thought of that. You know any counter spells?'

'There are a few things we could try. But without knowing the exact spell she used, this could take some time.'

There were thousands of protection spells, under no circumstances were they going to find the one Medora used.

'We should try again some other time. Maybe the others have an idea on how to get in.' Flora said.

'Damn it' Stormy hissed and kicked against the door.

'Stormy…'

'No, don't.' The witch stopped her 'You're right, we should ask the others. It's just that I hoped we could go in there, find something and get rid of her, tonight.'

'We'll find a way.' Flora assured her 'You'll be out of Alfea in no time'

'Yeah.' Stormy said quietly and sat down against the wall opposite of the door.

'That didn't sound very enthusiastic.' Flora said and sat down next to the witch 'Careful, people might think you like being here.'

'Don't be ridiculous.' Stormy rolled her eyes.

Both of them fell into a comfortable silence. Neither of them seemed eager to go back to the banquet so they just sat there. Each lost in their own thoughts.

'You should've caused some drama' Stormy said so quietly Flora almost missed it. 'You're not that bad for a fairy and I don't think you have to worry about him choosing this lame princess. But if it bothers you, you need to do something about it.'

'Why are you saying that?' Flora turned to look at the witch.

'I don't know' Stormy shrugged.

'Can we talk about the other day.' Flora whispered which made the witch roll her eyes.

'No'

'Please'

'Why? Nothing happened.'

'You wanted to kiss me.' Flora said quietly.

'But I didn't. Which means we have nothing to talk about.'

Before Flora could reply, a voice interupted them.

'What is going on here?!'