A slightly exhausted Isabella experienced tingling in her hands and arms from her magical presentation. With her energy depleted the group of unknown men and women surrounding her began to feel more uncomfortable. She stole a glance at her husband hoping he would rescue her from her hordes of admirers, but Nathanial appeared oblivious standing several feet from her. Isabella peeked around the crowd in front of her desperate to find a place to rest. Across the ballroom, she spotted a few vacant chairs and decided to maneuver through the crowd to the seats. Isabella politely smiled to her company and waited for a break in their conversation to excuse herself.

Regrettably, the members of the royal court continued speaking amongst themselves as Isabella cursed herself for having difficulty in speaking up. Her legs became wobbly as her strength began to evaporate. Isabella kept smiling and nodding fearing she would collapse onto the floor at any minutes. She spotted a ginger bearded man pushing past her admirers and approached her. The bearded man with clear blue eyes took Isabella’s arm and asked her. “Ma’am, are you all right?” She would have normally played it coy but fearing the possible embarrassment of fainting, Isabella answered him quietly. “No, sir, I need to rest. Could you help me get to those empty seats?” She pointed to the chairs across the ballroom.

“Certainly.” The ginger bearded man held onto her arm, stood beside her and faced the members of the royal court. His demeanour was sombre as he spoke. “Excuse me. Make way for us please.” He began to push through the throng of people as Isabella gingerly stepped forward. She did her best to hold her head up high as faces blurred together in a menagerie of color. Isabella knew Nathanial would insist she remain regal even though she never heard of someone gracefully passing out. With increased effort, she kept her back straight as she crossed the ballroom floor holding on to a stranger’s arm.

Thankfully they reached the vacant seats before Isabella’s legs buckled underneath her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she took a seat and touched her forehead checking for beads of sweat. Isabella gazed up at the ginger bearded man thankful for his assistance in breaking away from the crowd. She observed his well-groomed appearance including his neatly trimmed beard. He was dressed sharply in black with a tailored coat covering his wide torso. His muscular physique stood out for the thin framed members of the royal court. She watched him as his attention focused on the ballroom occupants.

Isabella spoke to him. “Sir, thank you for your help. I am afraid I would have embarrassed myself if I collapsed in front of those people.” Still standing, he turned towards Isabella replying. “It was my honor Madame Isabella. You appeared a little shaky.” The ginger bearded man gracefully sat down beside her. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Klause Sorbin from the Lilo Clan.” As he held out his hand for her to shake, Isabella recognized the clan as one of the Vilkros pacts from up north. She exclaimed as a smile lit up on her face. “Nice to meet you Klause.” She felt a thrill of excitement as she had not formally been introduced to a werewolf. Her only experience was being knocked off her feet by the Vilkros during her escape attempt.

“Madame Isabella, I was hoping to have a chance to meet with you tonight.” She noticed his lightly speckled brown eyes shone as he spoke. “I know this is not the place and time to discuss such matters, but I need to speak about an important concern for the Lilo Clan.” Isabella could hear the urgency in his voice when he spoke. She recalled her handmaiden state that a good queen listened to her people. Isabella wanted to hear from her constituents and their concerns. She stated to him. “Not a worry Klause, please tell me what is troubling your clan.” Isabella folded her hands in her lap to give him her full attention.

The ginger bearded man clasped her hands. “Thank you, Ma’am.” Isabella quickly glanced at their surroundings to check for any eavesdroppers. “Certainly Klause, please tell me what is troubling you.” The bearded man began to explain. “The Lilo Clan believes knowledge and guidance is gained from connecting with our ancestors. In the natural world, certain areas have a thinner barrier between realms where we can contact past spirits.” Isabella listened intently and could understand as she discovered locations within the forests with a strong magical presence. She answered Klause. “I think I may have stumbled across these types of areas.”

“I figured you might understand being a witch.” Klause explained to her. “Well, one evening, one of our younger boys followed ancestral voices and found one of these natural spots. The men of our clan tracked him down to this spot. To their surprise they found carvings and small fossils that indicate our ancestors used this area for rituals.” The ginger bearded man gazed across the ballroom as his brows knitted together. “The problem is this sacred spot is outside of the Lilo Clan’s territory. It was located inside the territory belonging to the Canavr Clan.” Isabella knew enough about the different werewolf clans to understand territory boundaries were contentious issues.

“Oof.” Isabella let it slip from her mouth to which Klause replied. “Exactly.” She sat in silence for a moment before volunteering. “Can we discuss it with Canavr Clan? I am sure they understand the significance of sacred land. Maybe we can discuss redrawing the territory boundaries. How far is this spot from the boundaries of the Lilo Clan?” Klause appeared invigorated by her questions and promptly answered her. “Not too far. The Lilo Clan would be willing to give a few acres of land to the Canavr Clan in compensation.” Isabella wondered if a solution could be reached for his clan’s problem.

She gazed out at the ballroom to see Nathanial conversing with a couple men and women. “I am sure my husband can find an amicable solution for both parties.” Klause began to shake his head. “Unfortunately, your husband will not even entertain the idea of discussing the matter. It was brought up in today’s meeting and King Nathanial will not listen to our situation.” Isabella was shocked to hear of her husband’s dismissal of the issue. She could understand not wanting to create any unnecessary conflict between the two clans. But was not this part of the monarchy’s position to create peace. “I was hoping dear Isabella if you could have a word with your husband about this sacred parcel of land.” She nodded at him. “I promise Klause I will discuss the matter with my husband.” Isabella did silently wonder if Nathanial would even listen to her on the subject, but she was sure there must be a peaceful solution.

“Klause?” A deep voice bellowed out interrupting her conversation and her train of thought. Isabella’s head turned at the sound and heard her companion shout out. “Edward, is that you?” The ginger bearded man stood up and embraced the other man in a bear hug. Isabella observed the middle-aged man and beside him a smiling curly brunette woman. She recognized Brianna, Nathanial’s sister, and greeted her warmly. “Hello Brianna, how are you?” The tall brunette pulled Isabella into a hug and stated. “Good evening Isabella, it is so nice to see you out.” She could smell her flowered perfume during the warm embrace.

When the two women pulled apart, Klause motioned Brianna to take his seat. Isabella resumed sitting in her chair as the curly brunette sat beside her. She enjoyed spending time with her vampire sister-in-law as the brunette was always kind to her. Brianna exclaimed to Isabella. “Don’t you look lovely tonight.” Blushing at the compliment she fidgeted and folded her hands in her lap. “Thank you, Brianna. You appear stunning as usual in your pink gown.” She admired Brianna’s tall statuesque figure and how she moved with such elegant grace. Isabella felt like a sack of potatoes compared to the picturesque Dulra.

The two men stood in front of the women as Edward motioned a greeting to Isabella. She smiled and nodded at him as the conversation involved all four of them. Klause explained to Edward. “I was just speaking with Isabella about the sacred site my clan found in Canavr territory. I am hoping that she can convince Nathanial to change his mind.” Isabella watched the men’s facial expression as Edward slowly shook his head. “My dear friend, we had a meeting about it today.” Klause’s face lit up. “And?” Edward sighed, looked down and shook his head again. She could see defeat register on the ginger bearded man’s face as he spoke. “I am afraid this could end in war.”

Isabella bristled at the comment and spoke up. “This does not have to end in a battle. Maybe I can sway Nathanial on this decision.” She knew when clans battle it ends with several unnecessary casualties. Isabella would do her best to explain the importance of the matter with her husband. She would make him see there could be a peaceful resolution. She could see the pitying glances from Brianna and the two men as Klause spoke. “Dear sweet Isabella, you have such a good heart. Much bigger than your husbands.”