I thought a week of confinement wouldn't be too bad compared to six months. I was now on my second last day and I had started climbing the walls on day two. I had no visitors save the brownies who brought my meals. Some of them actually gave me kind looks and I had a feeling Woodburn hadn't been their favourite guy. More positive reasons that his beating was worth it.

Alpin didn't like coming in my rooms and I had received a message that Lady Sorcha was caring for him in my stead. That woman really was beginning to win me over. Before this confinement started I actually liked my rooms but now, I just wanted to burn them to the ground.

I had never been an indoor person. I loved being outdoors in the wild, going for runs, something I hadn't done since I'd come to Faery. On day three I started doing laps of my room. I got to two hundred before I stopped, feeling dizzy from the constant circles. I started doing sit ups and push ups to try and get my body ready for the training to come. After the first day my stomach had been so sore, the muscles not used to being abused so much. Still, the pain reminded me of my goal and I kept pushing through it, determined to start getting in my shape.

I even contemplated cleaning at one point but quickly laughed that aside. There wasn't a single speck of dust in my room. I also had a feeling the brownies would be offended if it looked like I thought they weren't doing their job. I'd just gotten on their good side I wasn't about to blow it.

I had no books to entertain me, my other history book was taken off me on my first day, and so I started trying to remember song lyrics. This wasn't too hard so I pushed myself to remember the dance moves too. A particular favourite of mine was The Spice Girls, Stop right now. I'd loved the song as a kid and practised the dance moves every day. Now I was trying to perfect it.

I stood on my bed, singing the lyrics as I did the dance moves. "Stop right now, thank you very much. I need somebody with a human touch. Hey you! Always on the run, Gotta slow it down baby gotta have some fuuu arghh!"

My fun turned into a scream as I spun around in my final body twist to see Kalen watching me from the archway, struggling to contain his laughter. Horrified, I tripped on the blankets in my rush to get off the bed and fell face first onto the floor.

Kalen burst out laughing, as I rubbed my forehead, wincing at the pain. I hope I didn't get carpet burn. "What the hell Kalen? Why does no one understand the concept of knocking!"

Kalen continued laughing as he struggled to answer me. "I'm sorry Laila. I will try and -pfft - remember for the future!"

Disgruntled I sat on the floor, rubbing my forehead as Kalen collapsed on the ground in laughter.

"Shut up!" I threw my shoe and was happy it hit him in the face.

"What on earth were you singing?" he gasped, tears streaming down his face.

"The Spice Girls,' I muttered. "They were pretty awesome back in the day."

"I don't understand,' his laughter had finally died and he leaned against the wall, grinning. "How can they be spicy?"

"No they aren't spicy they are just - argh why am I discussing the Spice Girls with you? How did you even get in here, I thought I was isolated for another day?"

"You are, I just used my princely powers to get in and see you."

"So you threatened the guards?"

"Just a little bit," he admitted.

Giggling I stood up, and leaned down to help pull Kalen to his feet. "Cup of tea?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

We went over to the table and I grabbed my kettle placing it over the fire. Even though it wasn't cold there was always a fire going in my room. It didn't over heat the room and it didn't really need to be going but I liked it. It gave the room a cosy feel.

"So to what do I owe this pleasure?" I sat down and waited for the kettle to boil as Kalen stretched out in his chair, placing his legs on my table.

"I've been dying of curiosity of all week, I want to know what you and mother dearest talked about."

"Oh. I wasn't expecting that. I just thought you missed me. We didn't talk about much, I mean I didn't talk about much but your mum certainly didn't hesitate in giving me her life story. She told me how she met your father and how they were arranged to be married."

"Ah, I know that story. We used to hear it all the time as children. She doesn't speak of father much anymore." Kalen looked up at the ceiling. "She must like you."

I snorted. "Are you serious? She does not like me. She was probably just being nice and sharing for some secret scary reason."

"Oh I have no doubt,' Kalen agreed so quickly and my suspicions were confirmed. "My mother always has an ulterior motive, always. She's lulling you in with her sweet words and pretty smiles and then boom!" As Kalen said boom he shot up in his chair, his face inches from mine and I gasped.

He grinned wickedly. "Just like that, you'll be caught in her web and then its game over."

I shoved him away putting my hand in his face. "Don't scare me like that!"

He just chuckled, putting his hands behind his head in a cocky pose. "I can't help it, you're so fun to tease. How goes the wooing of the Lady Sorcha?"

"Well since I've been stuck in here all week smartass its come to a standstill."

Kalen rolled his eyes. "I meant in general. Geez confinement brings out the worst in you."

I poked my tongue out. "Actually it's going pretty good. I haven't had to do much, I think she's pretty smitten with him already."

"Really?" Kalen leaned forward. "Now that's interesting. She's been very good at hiding her emotions so far. How can you be so sure?"

"Trust me, a woman knows these things."

Kalen snorted and I glared at him.

"Anyway, in this place don't you kind of have to be good at hiding your emotions?"

He nodded, stone faced. "It's something we learn as children. Go on, guess; what am I thinking of right now?"

"Hmmm, you're hungry?"

"Nope."

"The Spice Girls?"

He smiled. "Nice try but guess again."

"It wouldn't be a certain golden haired knight would it?"

Once again I'd put my foot in it. Kalen's blank face vanished, replaced with shock. His eyes darkened, in a flash he gripped my wrist painfully. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing,' I said hurriedly. "I was just being silly -"

"No you weren't Laila, be truthful!"

His grip tightened and I winced. "Well, the day of the trial I noticed you too standing close together talking and when you looked up at him you had that look."

"What look?"

I tried to look away but his grip tightened, pulling my gaze back to his. "What look, Laila?"

"Love."

Kalen released my wrist and he cursed smashing his fist into the table. I hadn't expected this type of reaction. It scared me. I didn't think the Fae were all that fussed about gender. If it was love, it was love.

"Kalen, it's alright. I won't tell anyone I promise. I have nothing against it."

His eyes flashed to mine and I was shocked at what I saw. He was scared too.

"Why are you scared?" I whispered, hesitantly touching his hand. He didn't move, eyes fixed on me.

"It's not uncommon in Fae, for people of the same gender to be together,' he whispered. "But amongst royals? Never. It's not something my mother would ever approve of. If she ever found out she would send Ambrus away. Once Kheelan gets married, she'll start on me. I don't want to marry anyone. I just want to be with Ambrus."

I gave his hand a squeeze. "I promise I won't tell Kalen. Your secret is safe with me. Please trust me with this and hey; if you ever need someone to distract your mother I may be available if Kheelan gets Sorcha."

His face gentled and he chuckled at my lame attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't know why but I trust you Laila. There's just something about you. Thank you for keeping this a secret."

I looked at him nervously. "Do you want me to make some sort of vow so I don't tell?"

He shook his head. "I'll take your word for it."

I sighed in relief. "Oh thank god."

"Besides,' he said grinning, "I know where you live if you ever do reveal it."

I slapped his hand, glad happy Kalen was back. Angry Kalen was scary to behold. I had to remember to think before I spoke. It was going to kill me one of these days.

Kalen didn't stay for much longer after that. We talked lightly of what had been happening outside my room. Apparently Eva had been begging Drake to sneak her in to see me which made me smile. I was looking forward to seeing her cheery face again.

Kheelan still remained at the negotiations though Kalen thought it wouldn't be long before he came home. Hopefully another week. He needed to get back so he could do some of this actual wooing himself.

Once Kalen was gone, I thought about all the things I would be doing once I was free of my prison. I could go out in the gardens with Alpin, go and see the children again and finally start my training with Drake.

It was something I'd been thinking about all week. I wanted to improve myself and I was secretly happy that I got the Captain of the guard to teach me. After all, he was a Captain so he had to know some killer moves.

My only worry though was Drake would try and hold me back and refuse to teach me certain things. I'd been thinking over his refusal to teach me for the last couple of days and I wondered if it had something to do with my father. Maybe because Drake saw him as a traitor he didn't want to train me? Did he think if he trained me I would somehow betray them?

It was these thoughts which plagued me at night, as I wondered why Drake acted the way he did. He had let his guard down in the time I'd been here. I thought I was getting through to him, that maybe we could start to be friends. I didn't know why but I wanted to be his friend. I actually enjoyed his company. I didn't know why that was too.

I'd been asking myself the same question over and over and I still couldn't understand how I suddenly stopped being scared of him. Instead I wanted to prove something to him. I wanted to prove he could trust me.

"Stupid brain stop it!"

Flustered I stood up and started pacing again, my Drake filled thoughts beginning to confuse my brain and other parts of my anatomy. Standing on my bed again I rolled my shoulders, deciding it was time to distract my brain. "Alright let's take it from the top Spice Girls."

* * * * *

My last day of isolation seemed to drag longer than the others. No one surprised me in the morning and I spent that time trying on every outfit I had in my wardrobe.

Some were lovely simple gowns, all soft colours with simple sashes. I found some extravagant ball gowns in the back of the cupboard when I dug deeper. It was like I was finding Narnia.

Climbing into my closet I went deeper, not knowing how this was possible. I'd seen the dimensions of the wardrobe from the outside. It was not this big. Maybe I was heading to Narnia. Kheelan did say there were heaps of different worlds. The logical part of my brain told me to stop being stupid but I ignored it. Sometimes going with stupidity was more fun.

I finally hit a wall, literally with my knees and I yelped in pain. It was dark and I ran my hand over the wooden back, feeling for a handle or a keyhole. Sadly I found nothing.

Looked like I wouldn't get to meet Aslan today.

My hands ran along some fabric and I pulled it. It had a soft leathery feel and yet it felt sturdy. Tucking it under my arm I started crawling back through the clothes until I saw the light from my room.

In a very undignified manner I tumbled out of the wardrobe and landed on the floor. Grabbing my find I held it up to look in the light.

It looked like a travelling outfit. A white cotton shirt was tucked underneath a brown leather vest which could be tightened by the corset style strings at the back. It also had a pair of brown pants though they weren't made of leather but another design I couldn't name. There was also a skirt similar in design to the leather vest underneath the shirt.

I gazed at it in wonder, eager to try it on. I quickly undressed and put the clothes on, rushing to the mirror. Just like everything else in the wardrobe they fit me perfectly. I was instantly comfortable in the pants swinging my legs around surprised at the freedom of movement. I couldn't do the vest up properly but the strings didn't need much altering.

I had to find the creature who made this outfit. I wanted to wear it every day. As much as I liked the dresses it was nice wearing pants again. Much easier to move in.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt like a warrior without a sword. I was definitely wearing this to train in. I met my eyes in the mirror, grinning. I couldn't wait to see what Drake said when he saw me. I'd show him just how determined I was to do this.