Rather painful turned out to be an understatement.

Quain had wrapped my hand in a strange cocoon of bandages which smelled like a mixture of manure and bees wax. I decided it was best not to ask what the bandages were made of. In some cases ignorance is indeed bliss.

Once it was wrapped and my fingers had been set, I was told to leave it wrapped for the rest of the night and I could come back in the morning to have it removed. The pain became unbearable and so Quain had given me a draught of something. It tasted like chamomile but gave me a head rush as my pain disappeared. Drake and Kalen helped me back to my room. The journey back was hazy but I do have memories of singing Hotel California at the top of my voice. The guys hadn't joined in and I have a feeling I yelled at them, telling them how disappointed I was that they didn't know such a classic song. I cringed remembering as I shouted the lyrics 'so I called up the Captain, please bring me my wine', at Drake who just looked amused at my erratic behaviour. After shooing them away I collapsed on my bed and knew nothing more.

The morning sun was now shining through my window and for the second time in a week I woke feeling like I was hung over. Rolling over, I lifted my hand above me. There was a slight throbbing in my hand but nothing compared to the pain I felt yesterday. The colour had returned to normal in what I could see of my fingertips and instinctively I tried to flex them. Nothing happened though since the bandages were wrapped so tight. An added bonus; my bed now smelt like bees wax and manure.

"Wonderful," I muttered sitting up. I bit back a scream upon seeing Drake and Eva sitting at my table.

"What the hell?' I breathed. "Are you guys trying to scare a girl to death?"

"You know, when you sleep, you sleep like the dead," Eva stated as she popped a piece of fruit in her mouth. The bruise on her face was gone and I stumbled over for a closer look amazed that it was gone.

"That poultice must have been amazing."

"It was. Quain is very talented." Her voice was light but lacked its usual cheeriness. Her eyes gazed upon me and I saw the guilt.

"How is your hand?" She asked softly.

I saw Drake's head turn towards us and I waved it around. "It's fine, doesn't even hurt anymore. As you said, that Quain is pretty talented."

"I'm so glad it's feeling better."

I saw her struggling to find the right words and I raised my good hand. "Don't say anything Eva. If the same thing happened, I would break my hand all over again. That guy was a prick and he deserved it, hell he deserved more but your brother stopped me before I could break my other hand."

A small smile tugged at Eva's lips and I grinned. "Don't ever say you're sorry Eva, you have nothing to apologise for. Now take me to the healer man, I want this damn thing off of me."

"Not yet, my Lady" Drake spoke. He pushed out a chair and gently pushed me into it. "Eat breakfast first. You will need your strength for this afternoon."

"Why? What's happening this afternoon?" I asked as I threw a grape in my mouth.

"A gathering shall occur to decide your fate for hitting Lieutenant Woodburn."

"What?" I stood up. "You know why I bloody hit him! The guy is a grade A jerk!"

"I know that my Lady but the Queen cannot let you get away with striking one of her guard. It would not sit well. Do not fear, you have friends ready to stand behind you."

Groaning I sat back down, covering my eyes. Great. I held up my hand, sensing Eva beginning to apologise. "What did I say Eva?"

"But you're going to get in trouble. I can simply tell the Queen -"

"What that he attacked you? Then everyone will know. Do you really want the whole court knowing your dirty laundry?"

Her eyes were answer enough. "I will take the fall for this. I'll tell the truth but I won't reveal your part in this. If he says anything, I'll just break my hand again."

Eva's eyes widened and I stuck out my tongue. Drake growled in his throat.

"Don't worry, Drake I won't be doing it anytime soon. If I have to wear another one of these bandage cocoon things I'll stink like manure and bees wax forever."

"Bees wax!" Eva exclaimed, "I knew it smelled familiar!"

I burst into laughter as Drake smiled at his little sister. I let myself enjoy the moment, thinking it was probably the last good moment I was going to have that day. After breakfast we went back to Quain and had my bandages removed. I marvelled at the sight of my hand. It was as if nothing had ever occurred the day before.

"You sir, are a miracle worker." I informed him.

He flushed at my praise and Eva grinned. "Quain's not very good at taking praise, are you?"

Quain's face went redder and I sensed his attraction to the girl beside him. Now this was a guy I could approve of. He wasn't traditional handsome but more nerd handsome. A bit tall and gangly but muscles were evident in his arms. His body reminded me of Abed from the show Community.

Eva seemed completely oblivious and I decided I would need to sit down with her and have a little chat about the right type of guys to date. Drake remained with us all morning, never letting us out of his sight. I understood his concern for Eva but with me I guessed that maybe Kalen had asked him to stick with me. I hadn't seen Kalen all day and was told by Drake that he was getting prepared for my trial which was looming closer by the minute. I hadn't been nervous at first but it was now an hour before the trial was set to begin and butterflies were tearing my stomach apart.

Lady Sorcha had joined us an hour before. Eva had told her the truth of what had happened and she picked up my newly healed hand. "I don't know if I should call you brave or idiotic Lady Laila."

"When it doubt, use both." I suggested.

"Very well,' she smiled. "You are idiotically brave."

I returned her smile. "I like that description. I think it suits me quite well."

She leaned down and whispered quietly so only I could hear, "I have left some food out for Alpin in Daphne's grove. I hope that's alright?"

I gave her a quick hug. "You're awesome. Thank you."

She moved away and we were also joined by Sir Ambrus, Eva and Drake. My rooms were getting a little crowded but I felt safe knowing these guys had my back. As the others talked of anything other than the trial, I pulled Drake aside.

"Give it to me straight Drake. What's likely to happen today?"

"The most likely thing to happen is you will be given some form of punishment, most likely confinement for a certain period of time. If however, you allow us to tell the truth -"

"No. I'm not leaving Eva to the dogs. I'll do this alone."

Drake stepped closer and my hand brushed his chest as I tried to put some space between us. "You don't understand my Lady. You are not alone in this. We are all here to help you. We will not let you be punished for trying to right a wrong."

"Thanks Drake." I said quietly.

He started to move away but hesitated, eyes on the others as he stated, "Also, you have a mean right hook my Lady."

Gobsmacked, I watched him walk away, a smile struggling to break free. I didn't want to admit it to myself but I was liking Drake more and more.

The rest of the hour soon passed and Kalen arrived to collect us. Kalen looked like he hadn't slept all night. Weary lines traced around his eyes.

"Time to begin," he said wearily.

Linking my arm through his, we left my rooms with dread in our steps.

"How bad is this going to be?" I whispered.

"That depends,' he murmured. "It can go a few ways but it won't end well in any scenario."

"So how can I stop it from going too far south?"

"Just follow a few simple guidelines which all lead toward one goal; don't anger the Queen."

Walking side by side he whispered in my ear all the things I should not do. Don't talk back to the Queen, don't listen to the voices of the crowd, speak honestly and don't let them see my fear. I tried to remember everything but all too soon we were at the main hall and my thoughts fled.

Kalen sensed my panic and surprised me by giving me quick hug. "Good luck Laila. I'll be cheering you on."

Drake took Kalen's place at my side and I watched as the other's entered through another entrance, each giving me a final reassuring smile.

"Are you ready my Lady?"

I had déjà vu of my first day in Faery. Hell, it seemed like a life time ago. "Ready Freddy."

Drake moved forward and I let him lead me to my impending doom.

The first thing I noticed it wasn't as crowded as the first day. It seemed one sighting of the half mortal was enough for many of them. I saw Lady Isobelle in the crowd, grinning smugly and I resisted the urge pull a face. My friends were sitting together near the front of the hall and in her throne of glory sat the Queen.

I hadn't seen her since that awful dinner and I felt an old fear settle in the pit of my stomach. Her gown was a deep red today, as if she had bathed in blood. I wondered if my blood would be added to that dress today. As always her face remained cold, eyes following me as I stood before her, curtsying on shaking legs, I took my position in what felt like the guilty box before the throne.

"Lady Laila,' the Queen began, her voice loud and clear. "You have been summoned here today with charges of assaulting an officer of the Royal Guard. Do you deny these charges?"

"No, Your Majesty." I felt all eyes turn to me but I remained focused on the Queen, refusing to let their stares faze me.

"Can you give a reason for your actions?"

"Lieutenant Woodburn attempted to hurt a friend of mine who shall remain nameless, Your Majesty. I let my emotions get the better of me and in turn punched him in the face."

A few sniggers sounded in the crowd and I had a feeling there were a few who were more than happy to see the Lieutenant knocked down.

"Do you feel that your act of violence rectified the situation?"

I heard the hardness in her tone and her power brushed my skin, sending fear through my core. If she was trying to scare the crap out of me it was working. "No, Your Majesty. At first I simply wanted to talk with him but when I saw him, my control snapped and before I knew it I had assaulted him. It was inappropriate I know, but I'm afraid to say, Your Majesty should it ever happen again, I would do it the same way."

A murmur rose through the crowd as the Queen's eyes finally showed her displeasure. I heard Drake sigh softly behind me and knew I'd gone a little too far but screw it. I said I would be honest and it was true. I couldn't change who I was.

"I am sorry to hear that, Lady Laila. I hope you understand that just because you are my son's fiancé does not mean you won't be held accountable for your actions."

"I understand, Your Majesty and I'm ready to accept my punishment."

The noise level grew as many shouted their desire to see me punished. My stomach turned at some of the more creative ideas the minotaur was shouting. The Queen pursed her lips and raised her hand. The crowd fell silent in an instant.

Now that was a neat trick.

"Bring out Lieutenant Woodburn," the Queen called.

Woodburn was marched in and took his place in the box beside mine. I tried not to stare at his appearance. My bruise was now accompanied by a multitude of others. His lip was broken, eyes bloodshot as he struggled to stand before his Queen. I turned to Drake, wanting to know what the hell had happened but he refused to look my way. I saw Ambrus looking at Woodburn darkly and had a feeling he had contributed to the black and blue artwork on Woodburn's body.

He bowed stiffly with help from the two guards holding him up. The Queen looked at Woodburn's injuries with a suspicious gaze. "Lieutenant Woodburn, I doubt that Lady Laila inflicted all this damage upon you. Would you care to explain your current state?"

"I'm sorry, my Queen but I have sworn to reveal nothing of my current state."

Been threatened more like, I thought. It would seem Drake had gotten his revenge. Note to self; don't get on Drake's bad side.

"Then I shall question it no further. It is not the reason we are here, though I'm sure it is involved in some way. To the matter at hand; Lieutenant Woodburn do you deny these accusations against you?"

"I do, Your Majesty. Lady Laila knows not of what she speaks, she is simply trying to put me in a bad light. She has been against me since we first met and I have done nothing but show her kindness."

A hand touched my shoulder and I knew Drake was restraining me. Good thing too because I had been seconds away from jumping the banister and tackling him, the lying bastard.

The Queen's eyes narrowed and I wondered if she knew of his womanising ways. Woodburn continued. "I implore you, Your Majesty do not let her get away with this act of violence. Just because she is the Crown Prince's fiancé should not mean she should not face punishment."

A cheer rose from the crowd and I realised there were more creatures here against me than they were against him. My heart sank.

The Queen stood, her dress falling in pools as it shined in the light and the crowd fell silent. "If the alleged victim that Lady Laila stated is present, please step forward and Lieutenant Woodburn shall be stripped of his rank and sent from the Seelie Court.

However, if no such victim is present then I shall sentence Lady Laila to a month of confinement and kitchen duties for six months."

A murmur rose through the crowd and I had a feeling being in the kitchen wasn't so good. I'd been down to the kitchen once and the sound of angry cooks and flying plates shattering had been enough to stop me from entering. Instead of a Kitchen Aid I pictured myself being used as the Kitchen Aid.

Drake squeezed my arm again and I tried to let his gesture comfort me. Sadly, I was already resigning myself to my fate.

"I am the victim Lady Laila speaks of, Your Majesty."

Eva stood up from her seat, eyes defiant though I sensed her fear. The crowd erupted into noise once more, gasps of shock resonating through the walls. I guessed they were shocked that it was the Captain's little sister who was the victim. I glared at Eva to sit back down but Drake murmured in my ear. "This is what she wants my Lady. Do not deny her this."

With a huff I turned back to face the Queen. Woodburn's face had paled and the Queen's eyes darkened. "Step forward and speak your piece Lady Evangeline."

Eva stepped through the crowd and standing before the Queen, she told her story of pain and shame. I wished I could stand beside her and hold her hand to give her comfort but I was also proud that she had stepped forward and she stood tall before the Queen, refusing to appear afraid. Once she finished with me leaving her in the healer's room, the Queen's eyes turned to me.

"It would seem you have a loyal friend in Lady Laila, Lady Evangeline. I offer my apologies to Lady Laila for the pain she suffered at your expense but I am afraid I must still give a form of punishment as well as a reward. I shall offer three boons. One for your loyalty to your friends, another for your willingness to sacrifice yourself to keep her shame a secret and the other I shall take away with your punishment which shall be confinement to your rooms for one week. Do you agree to these terms, Lady Laila?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." I tried not to let my joy show but the Queen seemed to see it anyway. She looked at me with amusement before turning to Woodburn.

All amusement vanished and the cold Queen returned. "As promised, Lieutenant Woodburn for assaulting one of my ladies, I decree you stripped of your rank and cast out of the Seelie Court. Violence will not be tolerated especially towards women. Ensure you are out of my realm within the next 24 hours."

Woodburn bowed stiffly before sending me a death glare. He limped from his platform and exited the hall as the onlookers began to disperse.

Looking back the Queen was gone and I realised the others were already heading toward me.

"That's it?" I whispered to Drake, looking up at him. "It's over?"

"It's over, my Lady." he said kindly.

I was a little confused. That felt way too easy. I mean I was happy it was only one weeks confinement but it felt like such a drop from the initial punishment.

Eva practically tackled me and I held her close as I whispered furiously, "Don't you ever do that again."

She just held me tighter. "If the same thing were to happen again, I would not hesitate to offer my life once more."

My eyes started stinging. "Dammit woman you're going to make me cry."

She laughed and released me as she jumped up and down beside her brother. Lady Sorcha smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Congratulations, my Lady. I'm glad justice was on our side today."

"Me too."

As Eva started talking with Sorcha, I noticed Kalen and Ambrus standing near the throne, heads bent close as they spoke quietly. I watched their body language trying to figure out what they were saying. My eyes widened when I saw Kalen look at Ambrus and his eyes revealed everything he was feeling.

"Oh my god."

"What? What is wrong my Lady?" Drake asked.

I quickly turned away as the two men looked our way. "Nothing. Nothing at all, just everything hitting me that's all. Am I allowed to go back to my room?"

"Of course, I will take you."

I let Drake escort me from the hall, Eva and Sorcha apologised both stating they had other plans for the rest of the afternoon. I was secretly glad, I just wanted to lie down and pretend I was back at home with nothing to worry about.

I tried not to over think what I had just seen in Kalen's eyes. The love and affection as he looked at Sir Ambrus had shocked me. I had nothing against it, if my theory was correct. Love is universal, regardless of race or sex. I was just surprised because he was a Seelie prince. It was unheard of.

Ambrus and Kalen caught up with us and the four of us walked together.

"How are you feeling Laila?" Kalen asked interrupting my thoughts. "In the end it wasn't so bad, at least you get a couple of boons for punching Woodburn."

"Yeah,' I said distractedly. "That should be good."

"What will you ask for?" Ambrus asked.

His question jolted me from my stupor and I looked up at him without hesitating, "To learn to fight."

Drake came to a standstill and I was forced to stop as well when he refused to let go of my arm.

"No,' he said shortly. "You will not ask for this."

"Yes, I will,' I said defiantly. "You wouldn't teach me so I'll ask the Queen to get someone else to teach me."

I looked over to Ambrus. "Sir Ambrus, will you teach me?"

He nodded, eyeing his Captain warily. "If the Queen allows it, I would be happy to -"

"No!' Drake growled. "If you are to learn how to fight I will be the only one teaching you."

"What? You don't even want to do it." I protested.

Drake started moving and I stumbled forward, trying to keep up with his long strides. "If you are going to be stubborn about this then those are my terms. I won't have you flirting with my men."

Kalen snorted as I spluttered in anger. "I do not flirt! I think you forget I am engaged! You know, as in engaged to be married? Ringing any bells?"

"I don't care. I have laid out my terms. This discussion is over."

"But -"

"It's over."

He glared at me and I made a small noise of frustration. "Fine! If it's the only way then I guess I have no choice!"

I heard Kalen and Ambrus laughing behind us and I turned my head back to give them a glare. "Shut it!"

"Nope,' Kalen grinned. "This is too amusing to just ignore. Wait until I tell Kheelan."

"You've heard from Kheelan?" I asked sharply, my annoyance forgotten. "How is he? Is he coming back soon?"

"In another two weeks he estimates,' Kalen said. "Negotiations are going well and he hopes to be home soon. I spoke with him this morning through our link."

"What link?"

"As siblings and with our lineage we can communicate with each other across large distances. It actually comes quite in handy during a battle."

I nodded, thinking I had another two weeks to try and put him in Sorcha's good books. I knew she was already smitten but it wouldn't hurt to keep nudging her in the right direction. I still had to work on telling her why I was really here.

"I'm glad he will be back soon." I said softly. Drake's body flinched and I felt his hand tighten on my arm.

When we reached my door, I detangled myself from Drake and stepped forward, spinning around to face them. "Thanks for the company boys but I can take it from here."

All three bowed and groaning quietly I curtsied. Kalen spoke as I opened my door. "I'll come by tomorrow after breakfast to collect you. Your confinement will start tomorrow and you will also have your chance to ask the Queen for your two boons. So think over what you want the other one to be."

I nodded, waving them farewell as I shut the door leaving them on the other side. Sighing I looked around my rooms realising after tomorrow I would be stuck here for a week.

This is going to suck.