Kate didn't fret over the children being gone. She knew the kingdoms, and she knew kids that age. What was really getting to her was the fact that Sophie's words stuck in her head to the very last minute as she packed her stuff. She's like eight, what does her opinion matter? But it did matter. kate pushed her thoughts away and looked at her neckalace for a map. lucky for her, it seemed jonathon was closer than he had appeared.

--

Jonathon stared at the Queen with malice.

"What do you want me for?" He asked. Jonathon stood in the middle of the room, clothes torn from being kicked into the castle by the vicious guards.

"You? Why nothing at all, really. I needed someone for bait, you seemed a proper bait for Kate."

"It's always about Kate isn't it? Well then please, do tell me, why didn't you take her frikking parents instead of me?" Jonathon asked, eyes flashing.

"Why! That seems a simple enough answer, you must be dimmer than you appear. Her parents have had their share of adventure, and they live happily ever after now. Lovely? Or not. If Kate is taken, they too shall pay." The swamp witch said, carefully pacing the room.

"So I am bait for kate... who is bait for her parents... who are bait for...Wendell?" Jonathon asked, piecing the truth together.

"There! Now was that so hard? Really. Yes well you're close but not close enough. yes, they're all bait, what's it matter to me? But besides Kate and Wendell, I don't plan to leave any alive." her eyes narrowed. "That doesn't include you, gypsy boy."

"And what if I warn her?" Jonathon asked coldly.

"hah! as if you could. kate is not half of her mother, Jonathon. She is selfish, and unkind, and not very clever. I don't know what you see in her. But you won't see it for long. My point is that her future lies in my hands. Care to know what I have in mind for her?" Jonathon winced.

"What?"

"She will marry wendell and become Queen. With this new found power, she will go power mad. I will then convince her to kill Wendell and her and I shall rule in piece."

"And what of myself?" Jonathon cried.

"Mary seemed a suitable choice. You will be married tonight, plain and simple. Kate will be there so don't worry, you'll have to say good bye."

"MARY?!"

"yes, she's helped me all this time, why shouldn't I help her? Now go to your room."

--

Kate was tired when she arrived at the castle doors, and the sun was setting. She felt that she had arrived here all too fast, and suspected some magic about. She opened the door and slid in. Silence.

"hello? am I in the right place?" She managed to whisper, her voice echoing.

"Yes, kate, you are." Said the swamp witch.

--

Kate was pushed into the room.

"There. Five minutes to say your last words and then...good bye."

Kate stared at Jonathon for a moment.

"So how do we escape?" She asked, not meeting his eyes.

"I don't follow." He said quietly.

"How. do. we. escape?"

"I don't know." He said dumbly. kate paced noisely.

"Well let me think, you're getting married. I suppose we should avoid that."

"what about your marriage to Wendell?"

"What marriage?!" Kate cried.

"You didn't...know? You're getting married and ruinging, I mean I ruling, the kingdom together." Jonathon said.

"And what if I say no?"

"How can you, your family is on the line! Do you really not give a damn about family in general or was that a one time thing?" Jonathon asked, getting to the point.

"Don't even bring that up! Look where you are! Look at this! If you had just listened to me...!"

"Listened to you? You were lying to me, a good friend never lies." Kate bit her lip.

"Lying was the wrong thing to do. and I'm very sorry. Really. But I need to get out of this. And I'd really appreciate any help." Jonathon sighed.

"well, first things first. Mary has to go." Kate raised an eyebrow.

"How?" She asked.

"Well who wants to marry a frikking half monster?!"