“Dani, yer like a princess now!” Azra was looking like her old self again, wide-eyed and energetic. She spun around in the wide open space of Dani’s room until she was too dizzy to stand, then fell to the floor, giggling.

“I’m not like a princess.” Dani said. She was smiling, feeling at rest for the first time in days. Her whole family was here, safe and healthy, and she was pain free. The healers had warned her not to use magic for at least another week, but considering she only knew how to make a glowstone that wasn’t a problem.

Therija looked around the big room, an eyebrow raising. “This looks like a princess’s room. An’ yer eatin’ lunch in bed. I would say yer like a princess.”

Dani shot a glare at Therija, but she couldn’t truly be upset. They were right, these people were treating her like a princess, and it made her squirm inside. She liked it alright, it was nice to be pampered and taken care of, but she wasn’t used to it. There was a part of her that felt guilty about it, considering so many people were barely scraping by in the Rats Nest. It hadn’t been that long ago that she was one of them, sleeping on rooftops or in the underground crypts, or sharing a bed with Therija and Azra while Raycor slept in the main room and Reshi slept on the floor.

“Don’t go sayin’ that type o’ thing where folks’ll hear.” Reshi said from his place by the garden doors. He and Raycor were lounging in chairs there, enjoying the warm breeze that blew in off the ocean.

“Why not? It’s not like they’re bein’ secretive ‘bout it.” Therija said and sat on the edge of the bed. She reached over, taking one of Dani’s pieces of honey toast. She took a bite out of it, a thoughtful look on her face as she tasted it.

Reshi looked at Dani with a worried frown. But he just shook his head without offering further explanation. “Just don’t. Ya hear?”

“How are they treating you? I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you sooner.” Dani rested back against her pillows, the physical traces of her injuries gone. All that was left were the nightmares now, and the gnawing fear for herself and her family.

“They’re treatin’ us like princesses!” Azra leapt up onto the bed, sinking into the covers. “An’ I even got ta meet the real princesses! They’re nice, their names are Mireya an’ Cressida, they gave me a doll an’ we played tea party together with real tea!”

“I hope your tea tastes better than mine.” Dani reached over and ruffled Azra’s hair, earning a dark glare from the girl.

“We’re watched though.” Therija said softly, glancing at the door. They all knew there was a guard standing just outside of it. It was like being in a pretty prison cell, one with good food and a comfortable bed. “I ain’t been back ta the bakery since we went ta Alodia’s. I hope no one moved into it.”

“Everyone knows who that spot belongs to. It’s been your place for years! And before that it was Raycor’s.” Dani said.

“True, but ya know how it is in the Rat’s Nest. Leave a place empty too long an’ someone else’ll move in.” Therija said.

“Well, then go on down and check it out. Just don’t go alone. You’re not prisoners here!” Dani moved her tray aside, taking a moment to drain the fruit juice before climbing out of bed. “Here, I’ll get dressed and we can go.”

“Sit yer ass back down.” Reshi growled, standing as well. “Ya ain’t goin’ anywhere, not without guards at least. An’ guards we pick.”

“Did someone say they wanted guards?” Suddenly Gull was hanging upside down outside the garden doors, her short hair more like a nest than hair.

Dani jumped, spinning to face the doors, her heart pounding. She put a hand to her chest, taking in deep breaths to try to calm down. Just Gull, it was just Gull. There was only one way into the gardens and that was through her room. Or however Gull got in, because she sure as hell didn’t come through her room. Unless she came through last night? But no, there was a guard at her door at all times! “Blessed mother of stars and seas Gull, don’t do that!”

Gull grinned impishly at her, and dropped to the ground, flipping in midair to land gracefully on her feet. “Ya don’t think the palace guards are the only ones keepin’ watch, do ya?”

“Not anymore.” Dani slumped against the bedpost, irritated at herself. She was shaking! It wasn’t like Gull hadn’t pulled that trick before, there was no reason for her to have reacted so strongly. “Did Alodia send ya?”

“She did. I’m sorry I didn’t help much when they took ya.” Gull frowned, reaching out to take one of Dani’s hands. “I told ya we’d guard ya, an’ I failed. We got a couple of us ‘ere now. Tryin’ ta get Ceria in a as a maid too, but Yara ain’t a bad sort. I like ‘er.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Dani gave Gull’s hand a squeeze and offered her a weak smile. “Ain’t your fault. We were outnumbered, and they took us by surprise. I’m just glad the rest of you weren’t hurt. Now, convince Reshi I’ll be safe if I go to the bakery with Therija.”

She opened up the big wardrobe set at one side of the room, and stared at the array of clothes within. Azra was by her side in a flash, touching the fine fabrics. “You have so many clothes now Dani!”

“How the hell am I supposed to go out in any of this? I’d get robbed setting foot in the Rat’s Nest!” She pulled out a grey-blue dress trimmed with black and gold, staring at it and it’s matching belt.

“Well, ya shouldn’t go out anyways.” Gull said carefully, looking uncomfortable. “Bear’s been lookin’ fer ya, an’ yer family. He busted up the house and bakery too, before folks were able ta stop ‘im. Sorry Therija, Raycor....”

Dani felt a chill go through her, remembering snippets of what had happened after Bear had taken her. She clutched the dress tighter, staring at nothing at all as her heart pounded.

This was her fault. She had put her family in danger.

“We’ll rebuild.” Therija said, although tears gathered in her eyes. Her family had spent years building up that bakery, working hard, scraping and saving to get things like pots and pans. They had scavenged what they could from old houses and the underground, putting everything they had into it.

Dani took a deep, shuddering breath, and steeled her resolve. She wasn’t going to let that asshole get away with this. She was a lady now, she was going to use what power she had to make him pay for what he had done. “Do you know where to find him now?”

“Where ta find him? Probably at the guild. Why?” Gull looked at her, eyes widening slightly. “Dani, ya ain’t goin’ after him!”

“I need him out of the guild, someplace the guards can get him.” Dani stepped behind the carved and bejeweled screen that sectioned off one corner of her room. She stripped off the nightgown, switching it out for the soft, lacy underthings that a lady wore beneath her clothes. They weren’t exactly designed to carry a knife, but she’d find a way. Her hands shook as she tried to lace up her corset, fingers fumbling with the lacing. But then Therija was there, pulling the laces tight and securing them in place.

“Dani, don’t do anything rash, we can rebuild the bakery, but we can’t replace ya.” She said softly. “How many times ‘ave we nearly lost ya these past couple o’ months? We can’t keep doin’ this.”

“He’s not just after me, he’s after you and Azra, an’ I ain’t going to let him get ya.” Dani pulled the dress on, smoothing it out over her petticoat. It was an interesting style, the belt hanging loosely on her hips, looped over itself with one end hanging down nearly to the floor. The black trim had red roses embroidered in it, edged with gold. Dani stared at herself in the mirror, her face pale, lips pressed tightly together. She straightened her back, and let out a soft breath. “I’m goin’ ta lure him out, and have the guards arrest him.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Therija helped her step into soft black boots that fit like a glove, with just the slightest heel. “You’ve only just healed!”

Dani smoothed out her dress again. She smirked at Therija’s question, eyes sparkling as she looked at her. “But I am healed, and I’m not going to sit idle while he goes around free.”

She wasn’t going to be a prisoner of her fear. Dani stepped out from behind the screen, smoothing out her hair as she headed for the door. But she stopped when Reshi stepped in front of her. “No, I ain’t lettin’ ya go risk yer life like this.”

“Reshi, I’m a big girl, and I’ll have guards waiting to grab him.” She clenched her fists, feeling the heat rise in her face as she glared at him. “I won’t get hurt like last time.”

“Ya don’t know that, an’ ya can’t trust the guards’ll have yer back. Far as anyone ‘ere knows, yer just some commoner the royals decided ta call a lady.”

Dani glanced at the others, who were looking on with a mixture of worry and curiosity. She could practically see Gull’s ears perk up at Reshi’s words, an eyebrow raising in question as she looked at Dani.

Dani shook her head, she’d have to tell Gull about it later, when they were alone. Azra was a good kid but she was just a kid, and Dani still wasn’t sure about Reshi’s theory. There was no proof! And even if there was, why would anyone be looking for her now, after all these years? “Reshi, I’m going, ya can’t stop me.”

“Like hell I can’t. Ya ain’t too big ta spank.”

“Reshi! I’m a grown adult, and I’m going!” She tried to step around him, only to find Raycor blocking her path as well. Her eyes widened, and she stared up at her fathers twin. “Raycor? You too?”

“Lass, I seen ya come ta us out o’ yer mind from ‘ealin’. I ‘ad the full tale of ‘ow they found ya this time, an’ I ain’t lettin’ any o’ us go through that again. Ya listen to yer pa this time. We’ll ‘andle Bear.” He set his hand on her shoulder, smiling gently down at her. “Ya seem ta be safe ‘ere. Ya an’ the girls. We’ll fetch Ervel an’ some others I trust ta ‘andle ‘im.”

“But what if he hurts you?” Dani clenched her fists tight to her sides, tears spilling over at the mere thought. “What if he ain’t alone when ya find him an’ ya get hurt?”

“We won’t. Now, chin up lass. Dry them tears.” He wiped the tears away gently, smiling. “Yer pa an’ I got this ‘andled. Let’s go Reshi.”

Reshi nodded, looking over the girls, including a stern look to Gull. “You lot stay here. If I find any o’ ya snuck out I’ll tan yer hides, don’t care how old ya are!”

Dani grit her teeth as the two men left the room, barely containing the fury that threatened to boil over in her. She wasn’t a weakling, or some simpering lady that needed to be protected! She could fight as well as any man!

“D-Dani?” Therija stared at her, eyes widening and face pale. “Are ya a’ight?”

“I’m fine.” Dani spun to face the others, hesitating when she saw Therija’s look echoed on Gull’s face. Azra just stared up at her in amazement.

“That’s a good trick! Can ya teach me how ta do it?” Azra asked brightly.

“Do what?” The anger faded to confusion, and she suddenly noticed that her mouth tasted like cooking fire. “Blech, is the chimney workin’?”

“There- there was smoke, comin’ out of yer mouth.” Therija whispered.