Ashara woke, the blanket covering her tumbling to the floor as she stood. Her chest was heaving and her hands shook. The fire crackled, sounding like thunder. Ashara jumped. She stumbled, the blanket tangling in her feet.

"Eolande!" Ashara's throat ached, making it difficult to speak loudly. She swallowed wincing at the dryness of her throat. Ashara looked around, frowning. There, in the other cream, high backed chair, sat Eolande. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, mouth slightly ajar. Ashara sighed, relieved. She's still here. She didn't to go Tatiana.

Ashara walked across the carpet, coming to stand Eolande. Her black hair streamed over her shoulders like ink. Ashara shook Eolande's shoulder gently.

"Eolande," she whispered, not wanting to startle her friend. The elf stirred, blinking slowly.

"My lady?" She covered her yawn with a slender, pale hand.

Eolande rubbed her eyes, frowning. "What time is it?" Ashara shrugged.

"Not sure. Didn't you say queen Tatiana would be coming by?" Eolande jumped, looking more awake. She nearly ran across the room, slamming Ashara's bed chamber door open. What is she doing? Ashara walked across the carpet, hesitantly poking her head through the doorway.

"What are you doing?" Eolande stopped her frantic tugging at the rope to look at her mistress. "I need to summon the queen's handmaids and the servants to run you a bath!" Her face was flushed red. Ashara raised an eyebrow, pursing her lips. The Hunt is tonight. A cold shiver swept over her skin. I feel like there hasn't been much time to think about anything since George left. Will I be able to escape tonight during the festivities? We'll find out. But Eolande and I need to make a plan...

Ashara looked at Eolande; The willowy elf wrung her hands, dark eyes downcast. She worried her lips between her teeth. Ashara felt the hollowness in her gut once again. She hasn't been given cause to betray me, I hope.  Ashara smiled, smoothing out her hopelessly rumpled chemise.

The two women spent the next few moments staring at each other. Uncertainty mounted in Ashara's mind. Eolande was silent, her dark eyes wide and sparkling. A few tears streamed down her cheeks. A light tapping came at Ashara's sitting room door. Ashara's handmaid curtsied, excusing herself.

A moment later, she returned. "My lady, I have called the servants to draw your bath, and the queen's handmaidens should be on their way soon enough." Ashara nodded, pressing her lips together. "Would you like something to eat? I called for a small meal to be brought to your chambers. We can't have you fainting during The Hunt, can we?" Ashara shook her head, smirking.

"I'm sure it wouldn't do to be caught too soon." Ashara's handmaid flinched. If she has betrayed me, I will find out soon enough.

A knock came at the door. Ashara's handmaid left her, going to answer the door. Ashara followed, watching as a few dozen servants entered into her chambers, walking across the carpet and going into her bed chambers. They carried a large ivory tub; Some carried buckets. A maidservant carried a platter of food, and another carried a wine pitcher. At least there is a moment of peace before I leap. Whether or not I make it across the chasm is another matter entirely.

"My lady?" Ashara's handmaid stood just behind her, her voice soft.

"Yes?" Ashara's voice was cold and distant.

"Would you like to eat or bathe first?" The queen's handmaids filed in, heads bowed and black hair flickering with orange light from the fire.

"I will bathe first." Ashara turned, not waiting for her handmaid's reply, and went into her bed chamber, stepping into the steaming water. Her bright blue wings fluttered and she sighed. Ashara sunk deeper into the water. It smells like honey and lavender. Ashara smiled. She wiggled, feeling something that felt like grainy sand.

"My lady? Is something wrong?" Ashara turned towards Eolande, frowning.

"There's something-"

"Tis part of The Hunt's ritual," Tatiana's voice rippled through the room, making all who heard it silent. Ashara looked at the queen. Tatiana made a dismissive gesture at the servants. They filed out of Ashara's chambers, Eolande closing the door softly behind them.

"The significance of each event will be explained shortly before it happens." Tatiana's lips flicked downward; Her eyes looked to the polished wood floor before looking back to Ashara. "But why?" There must be a reason! Tatiana's frown deepened and she glared at Ashara.

"All will be explained to you as the ceremonies unfold, and the reason for such discretion will be made clear after your handfasting." Ashara frowned. I suppose it won't matter. I'll retrieve George from the Unseelie court, if he's there, and be back soon enough. After that, the reasons behind the ceremonies won't matter.

"Handmaid, retrieve the cloak." Tatiana looked at Eolande. She jumped, looking at the queen's handmaids. Ashara watched as her own handmaid carried the large white, gold embroidered cloak, coming to stand by the queen. Ashara stayed in the warm bath water for a few more minutes, simply enjoying it.

When she'd dried off, dressing in a comfortable blue silk robe, Ashara sat down to eat. The silence was broken only by the sound of her fork scraping agianst the plate. After Ashara was satisfied, full on wine, small slices of meat and fruit. Let's get this over with. Ashara stood, waiting for Tatiana to give Eolande her next command.

"Are you finished?" The Queen asked. Ashara nodded. The Queen turned her head, looking at Eolande. "Clothe Ashara in the cloak of the goddess. Then we will leave," Tatiana said, addressing the second part of her sentence to Ashara. This is the beginning of The Hunt. Ashara's heart pounded in her chest.

Eolande's hands shook as they lowered the cloak over Ashara's shoulders, coming around the fasten it with the falling star pin. Eolande smiled down at Ashara, winking playfully.

The forest loomed in front of Ashara. She could do little but follow Tatiana, as her handmaids were on all sides of her and would surely stop her from running. Ashara's stomach curled into itself. She clenched her jaw. I wish someone had told me more.

"My queen! You said all would be explained to me before the ceremony began." Tatana continued walking, staying silent.

"The Hunt is the first of the seven day ceremonies. You will be chased by Dandelion. It is a symbolic ritual, representing the horned god and the goddess and the fertilization of the land." Ashara blushed. She was no maiden; George saw to that. Yet another thing they will not take from me.

The forest was silent as they entered. Bright, twinkling lights peeped out from between the trees, seeming to move. Ashara paid them little mind as she followed the queen. Tatiana came to a stop a few feet away from the tree line, which opened up to a wide clearing.

"Give him a good chase, Ashara," Tatiana said, before squeezing her hand and stepping aside to let Ashara pass. I will.

She stepped into the clearing, feeling hot tears prick her eyes. Nausea swam in her gut. What if I don't make it to the unseelie court? What if George is dead? What if Dandelion catches me before I leave the summer court? Ashara sank to her knees, giving in to her tears. Arms wrapped there way around her.

"My lady... We must run! Neither the queen nor the king will interfere with The Hunt. The prince will expect you to run. They will think nothing is amiss if we run." I have been overthinking this. Eolande is right. I should never have doubted her...

Ashara shook her head, taking Eolande's hand and running into the treeline with her. Ashara's spirit felt lighter, her heart thumping wildly in her chest.