Morning came not a moment too soon in lisa’s opinion. She wolfed down her breakfast and could barely wait to be out of the room. It felt filled with the memories of last nights dreams. Filled with the nightmare of her old life that still clung around her like a bad odour. “Are you ready?” Mira asked as she pulled her cloak on. “Never been more so.” lisa said. She wanted to get to the gardens. She wanted to feel fresh air and remind herself that she was far far away from that school and in a completely different world from the one where Matt and Bianca existed. More guards followed behind their every step as they made their way down. Indi and Nela walked with them as though they were four companions out for a stroll rather than under their watch.

Prince philip was halfway down the corridor when he realised there had been no guard on her room. He paused thinking, even with the Ball going on they wouldn’t have left their post. Then he heard the scream. He knew without doubt that it was her. He ran back into the room smashing the door off its hinges. Inside he saw two men, one had lisa by the throat, the other made a lunge at him. He punched the man but he got back up and jumped on his back. Roaring he spung round and flipped him onto the floor. Lisa watched, feeling the other man’s hands holding her firm, but she decided that she’d had enough of being a bystander in these attacks. She’d had enough of being a bystander in any of it. She stamped on the man’s foot as hard as she could then elbowed him in the stomach. He doubled over and released his grip cursing as he did. He made a lunge and her and she kneed

Lisa huffed with frustration. She’d been trying for the last half hour to light the damn second candle in front of her. The first had been easy. She’d barely thought about it and the flame had flickered to life. But this second one, it was like all the Magic, all the energy inside her had ebbed away. “Focus.” James said not for the first time and she gritted her teeth before replying. “I am focussing.” She muttered still not taking her eyes from the candle. A light smack to the back of the head made her look round. Now she realised why he was wearing gloves.  “If you were focussing properly the candle would be lit.” He remarked and she cussed under her breath. It turned out James was a complete taskmaster of a teacher and

“Drink.” phillp said forcing the cup into lisa’s hand. “I don’t want it.” She said glaring at him though unsure why. He’d been nothing but kindness and it confused her. She wanted to hate him. Hate him as much as she hated his brother but deep down she felt that they were no longer enemies. Not that she’d go as far as to say they were friends. His cloak still hung around her shoulders and she felt exhausted. “All I want to do is get away from here. From this room. And all those people staring at me.” She said quietly feeling herself blush. “We’re a long way off that.” He replied. “What do you mean?” She asked.&nb

“Seaford?” lisa repeated the strange name confused. “Why are we going there?” Nela and Indi shrugged. “Prince phillip has ordered it.” Nela stated. “So you better get sorted. We’ve got orders to have you at the stables within the hour.” Lisa scowled. But she also felt confused. It had felt like they were past this, that after everything that had happened, she and Prince phillip were somehow friends or at least not enemies anymore. And yet it seemed suddenly he was back to his old tricks from right at the start, ordering her around and expecting her to simply jump at every moment. She huffed getting up out of her chair because in reality what choice did she have? Prince phillip clicked his fingers and she had to go running