Lavinia had barely heard Tarquin’s last words before Val was roughly pushed away from her by a jeweled hand. Val stumbled back, but Max caught him and held on to him, positioning himself in front of Val. Lavinia was now left face to face with Cythia Dracos.

Lavinia had to admit, Cythia wasn’t as scared as she thought she would be. She swore she had written her to be intimidating, but Lavinia wasn’t scared at all. Cythia was beautiful, her blonde hair curled around a diadem. Her face looked unreal, from her big blue eyes to her full red lips. She stood out, as she was a very tall woman.

The corner of Cythia’s lips turned up at the sight of Lavinia. They weren’t really face to face either, Cythia was a head taller than Lavinia. Lavinia had to look up at her. Lavinia didn’t, couldn’t, back down in front of her. She had created his monster, it was her duty to face it now.

“Is this the little human who claims to be Fantasy?” Cythia looked her up and down. “I don’t think the great Fantasy is a mere human, honestly. I thought you Auberjonis were honorable. Aren’t you better than using humans as your shields?”

“I wasn’t aware that a conceded bitch like you could think. But I’ll inform you, I am Fantasy. And I am here because I have sealed your fate.” Lavinia didn’t know why she had that sudden burst of confidence, but something about Cythia made her feel furious. It felt like it went deeper than her crimes. 

“Hush.” She put a finger to Lavinia’s lips. “Sheep don’t speak.”

“You are nothing, Cythia Dracos.” Lavinia pushed her hand aside. She didn’t feel in control of her body anymore.

Cythia looked taken back. “What nonsense are you saying?”

Lavinia smiled softly, even though she felt like she was miles away from her own body. “She remembers, Cythia.”

--------

Silas couldn’t move or do anything as Cythia’s magic trapped Fantasy like a bird in a cage. “Do you think you can threaten me with your nonsense? Me? I will melt your mind inside your head!” She yelled as Fantasy struggled inside the magical cage. 

Cythia’s sister, Queen Morgan was a powerful Etheri. Silas could feel her magic against his own. Magic was either a rare gift or it was a hereditary trait. Morgan’s family, the Dracos, were a long line of powerful Etheri. The quietly powerful sister was controlled by Cythia. 

“Oh, see? I called you out on your sham. Your name isn’t even Fantasy. Say it!” The cage tightened and Fantasy screamed. “Go on, spit it out. Say it!”

Silas helplessly watched the blood run down from Fantasy’s ears. It stained the dress and the diamonds on her throat. Cythia was clutching her so tightly that she was bleeding too. Fantasy was holding out far longer than Silas had ever seen anyone else.

“Say it!”

“Lavinia-” She coughed up blooded. “Lavinia Pyinsa!”

Cythia laughed darkly, but her victory was short-lived. While all of this felt like an eternity to Silas, it must have been a few seconds at best. Silas didn’t even have time to think of how Fantasy had just said her full name out loud.  He watched in awe as the cage and Lavinia slowly uncurled itself from her. The glittery rods of magic attacked Cythia instead.

For a moment, everyone was confused, as Cythia’s own magic attacked her. They attacked Cythia with such force that she screamed out loud. Fantasy, or Lavinia rather, glared at Cythia despite her bloodied face and said something too quiet for anyone to hear, before Cythia’s body was thrown across the room at a shocked Morgan’s feet. 

The queen could not do anything either. Cythia had attacked an Etheri unprovoked. According to the common laws, Fantasy had every right to fight back and defend herself. Morgan just snapped her fingers and the sisters and their entourage disappeared.

A collective breath was released across the room. Fantasy- Lavinia, Silas corrected himself, collapsed as the magic left her body. He saw how the glittering energy went up from her abdomen and out of her mouth and nose. Both Max and Val rushed to catch her. Everyone else was still quiet, as though they were still trying to understand what just happened. 

Silas followed Max and Val, leaving behind the awkward situation of Tarquin having to dismiss everyone else. Lavinia’s maidservant, Neala, followed behind them closely. He could hear the women’s footsteps. Silas wondered what they would do now as Max went inside with Lavinia in his arms. Val just hugged him, crying.