Just like the day before, Sebastian is waiting outside the Inn ready to take me on a tour of his city. As the young King tells me about the history and people within Adelaide I can't help but think about the words he had spoken to me yesterday. 'I think you are the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on.' Then to what Miss Trewlany said when I was at the Lucky Star. 'Men must stop as you pass them, beauty in every way.' Although I don't want to admit it, I guess some might find me attractive including the King... I never thought myself as pretty.

What I can't understand is how he has been so kind to me yet hasn't tried to touch me in any way. Maybe because he knows that I am a slave. A King won't bother involving himself with someone like me.

My gaze focuses on the streets outside my window and I notice that we are up in the higher districts now. I sit up to peer out the front window to see past the driver. The castle sits at the top of the hill as we approach the 'King's Square,' is what Sebastian called it. I haven't been up here since his coronation.

The young King tells me that the highest members of his court live up here, like the priests, lords, captains and lieutenants, or anyone of the high council. As well as any people that can afford to reside in the King's Square. The carriage stops at the steps leading up to a large building that I realize was the one that Sebastian had walked into on his coronation.

As we walk up the stairs, my mouth opens in 'awe.' I look up above us and see six figures carved into the stone atop the large iron and wood doors. The carving seems to be telling some kind of story that I don't know.

Polished white marble columns tower above us in the entrance. And when we step inside it's as ornate as the outside. The white marble extends out on the entire floor and dark carved wood lines the walls and up. There are more marble columns that hold the magnificent roof over us. Gold and some kind of purple gem accents are scattered around the open room. I notice the windows have different coloured glass panels shining purple light in the large space. The ceiling itself is high above us and I find that there are more figures painted across the entire surface. How did someone get up there to paint that? Or did they use magic to do it?

Sebastian has walked ahead of me as I stand in one spot to twirl around to take everything in. It is quite magnificent the amount of detail that was put in to a place like this. The amount of talent and hard work. By the sound of our footsteps echoing, I can tell the space is large.

When my gaze lowers back down, I catch the young King watching me with a calm expression but he gives me a small smile. I quickly walk to him and I feel my face heating up again. He's standing before a large portrait with, what I am assuming, is more Elves on it. I wonder if this place was built for them. Whoever they are. Candles are neatly set among the statues along with more of the purple gems that I had seen earlier. Now that I think of it, these gems remind me of the one set in Elyse's necklace. I wonder if they are the same... My eyes drift up to the faces carved into the stone. An odd feeling rattles in my mind which makes me turn to the King looking at me.

"What is it?" I ask tilting my head to the side.

He bites his tongue holding back a... laugh then he waves a hand. "Sorry, I don't mean to stare... It's just, you look at everything with such wonderment."

"Oh.." I guess that's true. It's hard not to be amazed when you haven't seen such wonderful things before.

"Welcome to the Temple of the Divine." Sebastian says while rubbing the back of his neck.

"What is the Divine? Who are they?" Elyse has mentioned them and Mrs. Dotham prayed to them, claiming they are gods.

"Well..." Sebastian scratches his head. "We aren't too sure if they are living beings or something else. According to legend they are the oldest and most powerful entities, they created life when the universe was born. Divine Elves is what the Fae called them."

We walk deeper into the temple facing a tall statue. "This is a depiction of what they could of looked like, towering over the tallest of Fae, with their pointed ears and narrow faces. Eyes made of starlight. It is said that they don't have a gender and Elves are only reborn once every 100,000 years. Apparently, in a crater that was created from a meteor hitting the land all on a day of an eclipse too. They call that birthing Prociden."

Sebastian turns to me and seeing my frown he says. "I know, it is pretty rare for all those events to take place on the same day. That's why there hasn't been any new Elves recorded since the original six."

So much information and words like; eclipse and meteor or crater, that I don't understand or can't make sense of. There are too many questions to ask that I can't pick one. How have I not heard more about these creatures from Elyse? Maybe she didn't want to because she didn't know much about them. Or go through the trouble of explaining everything to me.

I follow him to the other side where statues stand. Six to be exact. Each of these statues have a metal plate set at the bottom by their feet with some words written on it. I crouch down to the one in the middle to get a better look even though I can't read.

"That's Yhazeal. God of the sun, or Divine Light. Fae believed that he was the most powerful out of the original six divine. There's Gahni, Divine Air, Azhan, Divine Earth. Delzion Divine Water, Fretham, Divine Fire and last but not least Shilzere, Divine Dark or Darkness. Their elements are opposites of each other creating a balance, always opposing and that's where the classes of magic come from. Light and dark magic, and then the four elemental magics, fire, water, earth and air which have their own subclasses. Blah blah blah." He says waving a hand in the air and smiles when our eyes meet and I can't help but smile back.

It sounds like there is a lot more to be told but Sebastian seems uninterested in telling me. I wish he would. It probably would take him years to explain everything to me though.

"Sounds... interesting." I say rocking on my feet as I look at the ceiling above me. There are more pictures painted into the stone showing the Divine floating among the clouds and I wonder if that is where they dwell. Has anyone ever met these beings?

"Yes." He chuckles. "That's just the leaf of the tree though. There is much more history and stories about the Fae and the Divine then later on, of course, the humans when they came into existence."

More history and stories that I don't know about, that will probably take years to understand. Each day I learn more about this world but that also brings on more questions. How could have I gone this long not knowing what is around me, what has happened. Just like a tree has many leafs so does the history of this world. And I have only caught a few of those leafs.

I walk alongside the standing statues gazing at each one and sigh. "There is much yet I have to learn about this world..." I look down. "I've missed so much of it."

"Yes, you did have a high interest in history class the other day. You should venture to the city's library when you have the time. There are many passages that will shine light on any subject you wish to learn or even this temple."

Elyse told me of libraries where they contain books full of scribbles that I don't understand. There would be no way to read them unless someone taught me. I shake my head. "It's useless."

Sebastian frowns leaning on a column then puts his hands in his pockets waiting for me to answer.

"I was never taught how to read or write." I tell him, looking into his eyes.

He sucks in air through his teeth. "That's a shame..." He pushes off from the column rubbing on his chin. "Maybe I could arrange a tutor or something for you, so you can partake in lessons. Not college level of course but there may be some hope for you."

"You're too kind. But you've done enough for me already Sebastian."

He shrugs, not pushing the subject. "If you ever change your mind the offer still stands."

A door swings open and footsteps echo on the marble flooring. Me and Sebastian look to a man in finely dressed clothes walking towards us. He must be from the castle.

When he approaches us he bows to Sebastian. "My King you are needed at the council."

Sebastian sighs glaring at the man. "Thank you for finding me Sherman."

The young King turns to me with the corners of his lips turned down. "I apologize for cutting your tour short once again but I must be off. Perhaps you would like to accompany me again tomorrow at noon. You can meet me in front of the castle gates so we can finish the tour?"

"Oh, um." I bite my lip, twisting my hands together. It has been lovely spending these last couple days with him no matter how short they are. "Of course Your Majesty, I'd be glad to." I shouldn't have said yes but I like being around him, finding out more about his city. The history of this world. He seems busy with his council lately and I wonder if it is anything to be concerned about. Like how the magic is diminishing as Sebastian mentioned earlier.

"Are you able to find your way back from here?"

I open my mouth then close it, frowning. "No, I think not.." In the King's Square and Upper Districts, the streets are larger and straighter than the ones in the lower districts. I fear once I reach the Market District I will lose my way.

"No matter." He smiles. "Sherman can escort you back to the Rosemary Inn."

I look at the small man named Sherman and he gives me a weak smile. "I can take you home Miss." He says with a bow.

Home... Sebastian takes my hand in his and kisses the top of it. "Until tomorrow Miss Camellia." My heart swoons at the touch. He turns on his heel and I watch him walk out and turns back and says. "Meet me at the gates at noon!"

Until tomorrow Sebastian... I purse my lips at the man's back. I walk with Sherman out to the warm afternoon to head down to the Inn. I shouldn't have said yes. Oh well...

To spend my time before I meet with Sebastian, I take a stroll through a smaller market area that's not far from the Inn. The backsides of buildings surround the courtyard and a pale stone fountain sits in the centre. It seems busier than usual. The people are almost shoulder to shoulder trying to walk their way through to the vendors. They sell their usual items, gems and jewelry, different dried meats, clothing and plenty of other things.

Maybe I should buy a new dress for myself to meet the King in, he would be impressed. No, I bought one yesterday after that Sherman guy escorted me to the Inn that I am wearing today. I could buy him something for lunch. Or a gift, since I still haven't found one for him yet. If something catches my eye then I'll consider it.

So far nothing seems to interest me as I walk past the different vendors. I'm finding it difficult to buy for myself, let alone another. How will I ever find a gift for the King? I'm running out of time before I'm to meet him...

I look into a window of a shop to see if there is anything I like but someone pushes into me causing me to stumble to the opening of an alleyway. Then the person grabs me by the shoulder spinning me toward them.

"Hello." He says with a smile moving his hands onto my wrists so I can't run. How? My breathing stops as I stare at him. I don't take a step back. I know that if I am pinned to the wall, I will never break out of his grasp.

"Think you could outsmart me girl. You may be able to change how you look but that white streak of hair of yours gives you away. I know you too well Camellia."

A gasp escapes my lips. My name. The name Sebastian gave me. "How- How did you find me?"

Drakon rolls his eyes gripping on my arm. "I know people in the city. Your little lover boy, His Majesty, just can't get enough of you can't he? According to the people of his court, you two have been spending a lot of time together lately." He says with a sickening long smile.

What? How long has he been in the city? People must revel in talking about their King if word has reached a person like Drakon, who isn't even from here. How did he know to come here in the first place? I hold my mouth shut cursing myself for being too public. I should never have said yes to him. Mrs. Dotham was right... That doesn't matter now, Drakon has found me and will surely take me back to sell me to Hearthgrim.

"No, no." I look around frantically for any city guards or a familiar face that can help me. There's too many people already occupied with their own lives. They won't notice anything around them. Too many people to find a face, and maybe that's exactly what I need.

There were hats and dresses being sold on the other side of the fountain. Change my appearance, hide my identity and blend in with the crowd. But first I need to get out of his grasp. Remember what Sebastian taught you...

Drakon still holds onto my wrist and with his free hand, he reaches into the bag resting on his hip to grab the collar that subdues my magic. The metal glints in the daylight. Now, I have to do it now.

"You have no control over me anymore."

Before he can say anything I kick up my foot as hard as I can between his legs connecting with the males' most sensitive spot.

He howls in pain, hunching over and lessens his grip allowing me to bring my arm up. I twist and thrust it down, breaking free. While he gathers himself I sprint off into the crowd. I don't look back when I round the fountain. Pushing my way through the people, I quickly pay for a hat and dress.

"Thank you." I breathe harshly as I pass the coin to the vendor.

With great haste I strip down to my undergarments and slip on the dress not caring about the people's stares. My life is in danger and they have no idea. I apologize to the ladies around me and tuck my hair into the hat.

I hear Drakon calling out in the crowd, asking people if they have seen me. They don't answer which angers him more. He curses out loud making his way past with only a few people between us.

Once my new clothes are on properly, I move deeper into the crowd. Making sure to hide my face while I will the magic inside me to change my features. A shorter, more stout woman takes form. Her arms and legs are thicker. She has plump cheeks with kind brown eyes and greying hair. My image of a grandmother of 5, two girls and three boys. Elyse described me of her grandmother, her kind brown eyes. How small she was compared to her grandchildren. This is what I would imagine her to be.

This old lady slows her pace, she is in no rush to be anywhere. Nothing is chasing her. This woman is taking a lazy stroll through the market up to the higher district towards the Temple of The Divine to pray, or maybe stop by the castle. The old lady hears a man shout out in anger. He must have lost something. Whatever it is, it's his business.

Drakon moves, pushing his way through the people in the opposite direction of where I'm going now. Thank the Divine.

I need to find Sebastian, we are supposed to meet at the palace gates in less than 20 minutes. As I stroll down the street I come up to a flower shop. Pretending to check the variety of flowers, I pick a bright pink one up to smell it then turn towards the street. None of the passing faces look familiar. It seems like Drakon didn't follow me.

I pay for the flower and continue my walk up the street. It isn't as crowded here but I'm sure I'm safer now because of the guards that are sparsely placed along the streets. Farther up the hill at the end of the road, I can see Sebastian walking down the castle steps towards the main gate.

Fatigue starts to hit me. I can feel my magic along with my strength draining. Although I have been eating better and gaining my strength, using this amount of magic for this long is still exhausting. I glance around me making sure no one is near. Then step into the nearest alley and return to my normal self.

Whenever I turn into someone else fully like that, I like to create a life for them. So I can escape from my world to a happier place. I imagine a different upbringing. What their family would have been like, like the ones Elyse would describe to me some nights. A life where they weren't born with magic or became a slave at birth. Where this person grew up with loving parents and had brothers and sisters.

If only it were true though. To be one of those people far from a world of strife and misery.

The clock high above me chimes signalling the new hour. I'm now late meeting Sebastian. I hope he doesn't worry or isn't mad. I poke my head around the corner cautiously and scan for Drakon again.

The street seems to be clear, so I head out to the castle with Sebastian waiting out front now.

I cross the King's Square, walking through a group of members of the high court. When Sebastian sees me he crosses his arms and leans on the stone wall.

I approach him and he clicks his tongue. "You're late. It's not polite to keep a King waiting."

I lower my head hiding my face behind the hat. "Sorry, Your Majesty. I wanted to gift you something so I stopped and bought this flower for Your Highness." I shift my arm that was hiding the flower behind my back and present it to him.

He squints his eyes at me then smiles pushing off from the wall. "A Camellia! Well thank you, fair maiden." He plucks it out of my hand and gazes at me. "A beautiful flower from a beautiful girl."

A compliment like that from any other man would have made me want to retch. With him it makes me blush. Wait.. Did he name me after a flower? I shouldn't be too upset, the flower is beautiful...

"Thank you." He says again smelling the flower then gazes at me with a slight frown. "Bought new clothes?"

I look down at the dress hanging off of me and shrug when I glance at Sebastian. "I may have got the wrong size." And style, no one my age would wear something like this.

Sebastian chuckles and nods. "That's okay. It still looks good on you."

I smile at him, starting to blush but a figure catches my eye. They are standing at the top of the castle stairs behind Sebastian. Who is that? He's watching us, watching me. He stands just in the shadows of the entrance, holding a wooden cane to keep him steady. The man's dark eyes won't move then finally he turns away, walking back into the castle. I step to the side quickly so I'm behind the wall. That was odd.

"What's wrong?" Sebastian asks, watching me closely.

I shake my head holding my purse tighter to me. "Nothing just wanted to be in the shade. What were you going to show me today?" Drakon is here and I need to get back to the Inn so I can leave. He knew where to find me because I have been seen with the King. I shouldn't have come here... Who knows what else Drakon found out, he could know where I'm staying... The satchel.

"I wanted to show you the Castle Gardens." He holds out his arm. "Would the fair maiden like to accompany me?"

No, but I can't leave suddenly without a good excuse. "I would be glad to." I tell him with a small smile and he nods then hooks his arm under mine. How could I come up with an excuse to leave? Or maybe I can convince Sebastian to help me. He knows that I am a slave. He wouldn't have taught me to defend myself if he didn't think that Drakon would find his way here...

My head stays lowered, hiding my face behind the wide brimmed hat from any people that might be watching us. We walk down the street along the castle wall and take a left then come up to an open black iron gate. I can see the tops of the trees peeking above, showing shades of orange, yellow and red coloured leaves. Colours I didn't even know could grow on trees. A guard standing at the entrance gives us a slight nod as we step past him. Into a tunnel within the wall we go.

"This was originally meant for the castle. But when my mother started taking care of it, she ordered for an outside gate to be installed for the public to visit the gardens. That's why there's a tunnel." He explains.

It's a short walk through the dimly lit tunnel and on the other side, I can see tall green grass and sparkling water through thick hanging vines. As we get to the mouth of the entrance to the garden, a cool gust of wind blows from behind. It sends a chill up my back. When Sebastian moves the vines out of the way I'm met with more colours, colours I've never seen before and wouldn't know the name of. There's different flowers and plants of shapes and sizes and the trees I saw moments before. It's so green and bright and alive here. My breath leaves my chest as I gasp at the beauty. I thought the forest was amazing but this place wins over.

The water I saw before is set in the centre of all the trees. There's large leaves floating on the water. Up behind that, more water flows from different levels of rocks falling into the little lake and a small wooden bridge sits above that stream. It looks like there's a walkway going in a large circle around the water because on either side of us there is a path.

Bees, butterflies and small birds flutter through the trees. One bright blue butterfly drifts past me. I follow it trying to grab it but stop suddenly so I don't fall in the little lake. I crouch down to touch the water and two large white birds float across my view and stop in front of me. They both dip their heads low, the tips of their beaks almost touching the water. When they lift their heads up they flap their wings, stirring up the water then squawk and continue floating by. What a wonderous area, to have such beauty tucked away in a large city is a shame.

"Beautiful creatures."

"Those swans usually never acknowledge anyone." Sebastian comments quietly.

A swan. If I shape shifted into one of those, my white streak of hair probably wouldn't show. I could give myself white hair but that would look odd if I'm not an old woman.

The water is so clear here, that I can see right to the bottom seeing the little rocks. My reflection stares back at me then another blurry figure appears as Sebastian crouches down beside me. He picks up a flat rock and tosses it at the water. It magically jumps across the top, bouncing four times before falling in.

"How did you do that?" I gasp.

Sebastian laughs. "With physics.."

I peek up at him and he's smiling back.  "Is that a type of magic?" I ask with a frown.

He shrugs. "I guess you could say that. Science and magic are two sides of the same coin."

Science, physics... I follow his gaze out to the now calm water. The two swans drift across then I look up around us. At the trees proudly hanging tall above us, at the flowers that have sprouted from the earth. "Your Mother made a wonderful spot here."

Sebastian nods. "Indeed she did. I always feel so close to her whenever I come here, it relaxes me."

I can feel it too, that calmness. Just how I felt when I was in the forest, are there other places in this world that look like this or the same as the forest. "Do you go outside the castle much?"

He shakes his head. "Hardly. I have never even left Adelaide. My parents thought it was safer to keep me here and look what good it did them."

I can see now, why he wishes to be a bird. Being a different kind of prisoner than I was. To have everything and nothing. This city being his prison, the tall walls closing him in. I guess freedom comes in different forms.

"Outside is a lot like in here but the trees are different and it's not as warm. There is also a lot more of it, the trees, they are everywhere. And the animals of course. There's also no buildings or as much people, no cobblestone roads to guide you." I tell Sebastian as he crouches beside me with a chuckle. He picks up another rock and plays with it between his fingers.

He holds back a smile then says. "Sounds like paradise, maybe one day I'll get to see it."

"Where are your parents?" I ask out of curiosity.

For a moment I think he isn't going to answer as he stares out ahead of us then he speaks up. "Well my mother died when I was young and my father was killed almost two years ago." He sighs standing up so I do the same. We walk together towards a trail on our left. The branches from the trees hang over us creating a tunnel of their own all the way down the path.

"They died because they stayed in here. Because someone out there wants to control Adelaide and the power it holds. I don't want to be assassinated in my sleep. I don't want that same fate. All I want is peace again."

How did his mother die? To be so young and lose your parents like that. Sebastian is only 21 and he has a grand responsibility to take care of his people and kingdom. Not to mention there are others outside of these walls trying to kill him.

"Your father was killed by an assassin?"

"Yes as you heard from the other night." He glances at me for a moment then continues. "There is no doubt that they are coming after me next. We just don't know when since it has been so long when they killed my Father..." We stop at the bridge sitting on top of the running water. I look out to the little lake and I can feel his gaze on me as he says. "It could be anyone, it could happen anytime. That's why I am suspicious of you..."

"I'm sorry to hear that about your parents." I say, when I glance up he's staring at me. Wait. "Did you say you are suspicious of me? You think I am going to kill you? Why have you been so friendly to me then?" Panic builds as he stares at me. I try to step back to put some space between us but he grips my wrist pulling me closer.

A corner of his lip twitches and his nostrils flair. "Yes Cam. You still haven't told me how you got on that wall and I swear you looked younger when I saw you that night." He stops, turning away and shakes his head. "Every time I bring it up you deny it but I keep replaying that moment in my mind. How frightened you were, how small you were too. You looked like a child. And that streak of white hair, I feel like I see it everywhere..." He looks back for a moment with his jaw jutted out.

"I looked away for one minute and you disappear without a trace from that wall. Just gone. How? Then I see you at my coronation, I recognized you. You stood there right in the front. You didn't even try to hide in the crowd. I thought you were going to come after me right there. Then you disappear for a couple of days and I see you again as I last saw you staring at my castle all distraught, as if you were in a fight or something."

He runs a hand through his hair. "There is a saying to keep your enemies close. Throughout the last few days I've been testing you to see if I can read you. To see who you truly are but the truth is, I have now idea what's real... Nothing makes sense with you Cam."

This is it. This is what he wanted. He didn't trust me, he didn't want to be my friend. He only saw me as a threat. "Sebastian, I..." My heart pounds in my chest. How do I tell him? Will he believe me? I knew I couldn't keep this from him. How can I convince him that I'm not trying to kill him, that I really am a slave who ran away...

"Please don't tell me you are impersonating a slave just to gain my trust and you really are some kind of assassin sent to kill me."

"No! By the Divine no." I shake my head, ripping my hand out of his right grip. "I really am a slave.. Please you have to believe me."

He crosses his arms over his chest and steps closer to me. "Then explain to me what I saw. Tell me how did you get on my wall and how you somehow vanished in thin air. I need to know that I can trust you, so tell me the truth because you are still hiding something. Why are you here?"

My fingers twist together as he stares me down and I sigh, looking away first. The papers, the papers will prove to him.

"I have been telling the truth to you. All of this is real... I swear to you that I am a slave." I bite down looking away from him. Our lives are in danger and I come to find that he hasn't been a true friend, he thinks of me as an enemy... I'm wasting time trying to convince him. I need to get back to the Inn.

That's when something snaps within me and I glare back at the king. "There is something that I haven't and can't tell you, and I'm glad I didn't. I have to go now because my life is still in danger!" I yell pushing forward but Sebastian steps in front of me with a hold on my wrist again. I try to rip it out of his grasp but fail. Curse him! I can't fight two men in one day...

"No. Stop lying! I am not letting you leave until you tell me everything or so help me Cam.." He says with wide eyes. The blue in them as bright as the sky above us and I see his other hand move to his dagger.

I close my eyes tightly trying to contain myself. He won't let me leave and I can't be away from my satchel much longer. "Please let me go..." He doesn't yield so I stare into his glaring eyes. Fine. "Can I show you rather than tell you?"

We get to the Rosemary Inn not saying a word to each other and Sebastian follows me as I walk to the room. Thankfully, he obliged without much of a fight but now I can feel how tense he is. How straight his back is. The way his eyes dart in every direction and how he holds his hand to his small dagger. He hasn't let go of my wrist yet either. Please believe me. I hope this works... There's no sign of Drakon which eases my mind as we walk to my room.

I enter the room and ask him to wait by the door and lock it while I grab my satchel from my hidden spot behind the wardrobe.

He's standing by the chairs flipping through a book when I step out. He glances at me with a frown. I told him to wait by the door...

"What's this?" He asks when I hand him all the papers from the satchel.

"I was hoping you could tell me. I needed to find someone I could trust to read this, since I can't." I say with a shrug.

"And you trust me? Even though I don't trust you."

He will once he knows the truth by reading whatever is on those papers. I stare into his eyes and give him a slight nod.

"Okay." He says slowly, opening to the first page. His eyes dart back and forth quickly as he reads the words. He turns the paper reading the next one and sits down on the chair.

The ticking of the clock and my heavy breathing fill the air as I watch him read on. What could possibly be in there? A Will those papers be able to explain? I chew on my lip and sit in the armchair next to him.

He rubs his chin. "Interesting." Then flips to the last page.

What's interesting? "What does it say?" I need to know.

Sebastian runs a hand through his wavy brown hair. "A lot, I mean you have been a slave since you were a baby and you were in the circus... Then, um, these last few years just seem vague. But a Lord Hearthgrim was going to buy you to marry you as it says in an agreement parchment. The last page here is a spell to bind you with a new master. And..." He chuckles softly while rubbing his chin. "There is also mention that says you are born with magic."