Isobella sat in a chair in the hidden room where she would meet Calathiel. Drasna hadn’t shown up in three days, so she had focused on running the Chateau and making Calathiel happy. She gazed at the floor where three new ruffians laid, all three asleep, their wrists bound behind them with golden manacles.

  The first was a snobby noble, blond hair and a fancy red dress, she had come to visit and quickly began making demands. Isobella watched her flirt with Tristan and try to convince him to be her butler instead. Tristan, loyal as he was refused and was rewarded by a smack and a false complaint. Calathiel would love this guest.

  The second was a large merchant with a mustache, or as Isobella preferred con artist. He had arrived to sell her exotic meats. He claimed to have Griffin, Mermaid, and dragon meat, but Isobella could tell it was all chicken. Not only that, but he’d attempted to lift her dress with a spell, she caught him in the act. Calathiel would love this guest as well, he would try to outsmart her and fail hilariously.

  The third was one of her maids, Selene, she had claimed she was having nightmares of her drowning. Isobella thought if given the chance she would give those memories to Calathiel in exchange for some.

  Calathiel finally appeared and stepped through the mirror, her radiant pale skin as flawless as ever. Calathiel cocked her head, she did not expect to see Isobella, but paid her no mind and admired her new toys. It was only after she examined her prizes that she sauntered over to her warlock.

  “My my, isn’t this a nice surprise, I’m glad to see Drasna isn’t preventing you from doing your tasks. Three new guests, you are truly spoiling me, my dear sweet Isobella.”

  “Thank you mother…”

  Calathiel frowned, “Are you not excited to see me? How odd, especially when you’ve done such a good job.”

  Isobella looked up to Calathiel, “Lady Calathiel, am I a bad person?”

  Calathiel smiled and sat down next to Isobella, and began to play with the girl's hair, running her fingers through it. Isobella sat stiff, she longed for the motherly touch of Calathiel, but felt as though she no longer deserved it.

  Calathiel sighed, “Not this again, of course you’re a good girl, it's not as though you’re murdering these people. They will be my guests in my garden in the feywild and treated to a marvel of cakes, drink, and trinkets. In exchange they're asked to give me something for my hospitality. Then they are returned to your world, changed perhaps but safe.”

  Isobella shook her head, “It’s not that I worry about…a few days ago I used my powers to do something for Drasna. Only when she figured it out, she became upset with me…”

  Calathiel laughed full of intrigue, “Oh my, is that what all of that was about, I caught a peek of your squabble, but didn’t pay it much mind. You mortals find errors in such strange places.”

  Isobella explained, “I only wanted to help her, I never imagined she would be so upset.”

  “It sounds to me like she’s ungrateful, perhaps she needs an attitude adjustment.”

  Isobella jerked away, causing Calathiel to pluck a few hairs from her head, “Please no! I love Drasna as she is, I don’t want to change her in that way. Especially after how she reacted.”

  Calathiel pinched Isobella’s cheek, “Well, perhaps you just need to give it time, just know know even if she disagrees, you’re still my good girl.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Thank you mother, I believe I feel slightly better.”

  Calathiel stood up and manifested a box in her hands, “Now since you’ve been such a good girl for me and you’re feeling sad, I’ll give you a taste of something special.”

  Isobella perked up, the truffle box was different than normal, it was a polished cherry wood instead of the usual dark chestnut. She accepted the box and opened it, there were 6 truffles inside with a new red drizzle. The dark chocolate smelled of cherries.

  “I know you adore blackberries, but cherry pairs ever so wonderfully with dark chocolate. Now run along, I have guests to attend to.”

  Isobella nodded, “Yes of course, thank you mother!”

  Isobella had returned to the front desk in the foyer, she opened the truffle box and sighed. As excited as she was to try the new flavor, she knew it wouldn't help her feel any better. Yet she decided to try one anyway, only when she went to put one in her mouth, there was a knock on the door. She placed the truffle down and stepped over to open the door. It was Drasna. Both girls stared awkwardly at each other for almost a full minute before hugging the other.

  Drasna spoke first after they broke the hug, “I thought about everything, and I think I over reacted…but I would still like to talk about it…”

  Isobella nodded, “I…well…yes please come inside.”

  Isobella shut the door as her favorite monk entered, she hadn’t realized how much she missed her. Everything, her messy blond hair, the muscular physique, her slight tan, even her voice. They moved towards the den and sat down across from each other.

  Drasna cleared her throat, “So…like I said I gave it a lot of thought and, I know you never meant to hurt me or Korin…at least not in a bad way. If I saw someone beating you up, or maybe another noble being a jerk, I’d probably deck ‘em in the face. Still, that doesn’t mean you can just use your magic on people. I know you gave examples, but what you did to Korin wasn’t one of them.”

  Isobella, nodded quietly, “I understand, and I didn’t realize the full depth of the contest and why it was important. I have also been thinking about it a lot and have felt very empty without you…I miss you.”

  Drasna shook her head, “I’m sorry, but if it's any consolation…, I missed you a lot too.”

  “Do you forgive me, Drasna?”

  “Yes, it seems like we’ve both had enough time to cool off and forgive.”

  Isobella moved to the same couch and Drasna and gave her a kiss, which the monk returned appreciatively. Isobella was struck with an idea, she quickly got up and retrieved the box of truffles from the foyer. She opened the box on the coffee table, the chocolate and cherry scent creeping out of the box.

  Drasna cocked her head, “What are these?”

  “Truffles, they are especially hard to come by, I get them by doing favors for my patron, the one who my powers came from. They are rare rewards that I’ve never shared with anyone.” Isobella explained.

  “I see, I hope they don’t make you do anything bad for them?”

  “My duties are nuanced, nobody gets hurt, at least not often, and I would never let them do anything to you!” Isobella assured.

  Drasna chuckled, “Easy, I know warlocks have to be secretive, but as long as nobody is getting hurt and you’re not afraid, I trust you.”

  Isobella blushed and handed a truffle to Drasna, “They are usually blackberry, but these are a new flavor I have never tried.”

  Drasna blushed as well, “Can’t wait to try it.”

  The two placed their truffles in the other's mouth and giggled. Isobella savored the familiar bitter taste of the chocolate before cracking the shell with her teeth. The new sweet cherry gnash flowed out with a tart tang. The flavor was new and exciting, she wasn’t sure if it was simply because it was new or because she was sharing it with Drasna, but it was the best truffle she had ever had.

  Drasna swallowed, “Wow that was incredible! I know you said these are rare, so I’ll only have one, but damn!”

  Isobella giggled, “Better than curry buns?”

  Drasna smirked, “I wouldn’t go that far.”