Liron watched in silence as James and the party assigned to him rode out of the castle courtyard, her shoulders squared. He had promised to return; the deal had been made. He would come back to her.

When James and his party reached the border between their country and the next, they were not very surprised to find an army gathered there. Some of his men muttered to themselves, but James simply turned to the messenger that was with them.

"Send word for the king to send backup."

The messenger saluted and took off.

James indicated two of his best men. "Come with me. You three stay here."

The rest of the men nodded, and he and the two he had chosen continued on, going slow to show that they weren't a threat.

The army stirred, and a man with the appearance of a commander stepped forward.

"Why are you here?"

"I want to talk to your king."

"We have no king."

James' brows furrowed. "No king? That's unheard of."

The commander smiled a grim smile. "We had a king, but he lost his head."

James' eyes widened. "Then why do you have this army ready for battle? We have an agreement."

"The king did, yes. But why assume this army is for you?"

"My king becomes concerned when nearby kingdoms form armies."

The commander shrugged a shoulder. "That is reasonable."

"So why have you?"

The smile widened. "This land is ours."

James' frown deepened. "Ours being…"

"Ours." The commander gestured at the army, and then the country behind them.

Oh dear… "Why don't you think reasonably. What can you do with all this land."

The commander looked at him like he was an idiot. "Farm it, graze it, build cities on it."

"And what about us?"

"You can join us."

No…it wasn't that simple. "And what about our king?"

The commander shrugged again. "Your king can fall. Literally or metaphorically is his choice."

James' eyes narrowed. "What if we choose not to join you?"

The smile faded a little. "That would be regrettable."

"Then you'll have to do without us." He squared his shoulders.

"…Pity."

What? "What does that mean?"

…oh. They were surrounded. James looked around before turning back to the commander.

"Don't be stupid."

"There's twenty of us at least to every one of you. I think it is you who are being stupid."

Suddenly two men grabbed his cape, yanking him backwards as he grabbed for his sword, tumbling off of his horse.

James' men packed into a knot, all back to back, with just enough room to manoeuvre. The army around them closed in.

It did not take long for James to grow impatient, and he lunged in, dodging a strike and getting two soldiers in the throat. The other near ones paused for a moment, then all attacked at once.

It would have been a quick fight before James and his men were dead on the ground, but…the other soldiers were so poorly trained…the bankers in the castle city could probably fight better than they were.

A horn sounded loud over the hill, and James spared a moment to turn, a smile breaking out over his face. Backup had arrived.

Back at the castle, Liron paced back and forth, agitated. Becca was standing by the window and had been for the past several hours…ever since James left.

When they had heard that a larger force had been sent out to assist James and his men, the two young women had only gotten more worried. Liron started to fidget.

Suddenly Becca jumped up, slapping the bookshelf beside her to get Liron's attention.

The princess turned, and then ran to join her, hugging her tight in joy. Their knight had returned…victorious too, it seemed, judging by the number of standing soldiers in their colours.

The two of them ran down to the courtyard, uncaring of who would see, though when they got close Liron slowed to a more 'reasonable' pace befitting her station.

As soon as James dismounted, Becca had him caught in an embrace, nearly vibrating, from what Liron could see. She smiled, but it was small.

They looked so tired…she knew a battle would do that to someone, but she'd never been in this particular position…when it had been someone she loved in danger as he had been.

James freed himself from Becca and approached her. "Tired?"

"I'm fine, but I imagine you and your men are exhausted."

He nodded solidly. "Yes."

"You should rest." Liron did not jump at the sound of her 'father's' approach.

James let go of Becca's hand and saluted. "Yes, Your Highness."

He smiled. "And once you have rested, we shall have a feast for your victory!"

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Slowly the soldiers dispersed, the general that Liron's father had sent out to help speaking quietly with him…something was suspicious about the battle that day, apparently.

Becca and James went off to get him some food, and Liron's mother drew her aside.

"Your father might have to take your protector off your hands at times, from what I heard of his and General Marius' conversation. Probably in his absence, the one that Sir Barnes chooses as his predecessor should something happen will take his place as protector."

Liron nodded a little, silent and not liking the thought of that.

Her mother smiled a little and changed the subject slightly. "How do you like him?"

"We get along very well."

She nodded. "That's good."

Liron smiled a little. Oh…she couldn't know exactly how well…that would cause problems galore. Her smile fell. "Why must father make him go?"

"He is the best single knight in the kingdom at this point."

"But surely he could send someone else."

"I think it might depend on the situation."

That made sense, but still…

The conversation shifted again, and soon Liron excused herself. She wanted to do something special for her treasure.

When James returned to the princess' apartments after taking Becca back home, he was surprised to find Liron nowhere in sight.

He shed his boots and armour, laying it by the door and continuing in just his shirt and trousers, when he heard a faint sloshing of water.

On silent bare feet he strode to the doorway of Liron's bedchamber, a soft smile painting his lips at the sight before him.

There were candles set about, flickering softly, and someone had drawn a bath…probably Liron, judging by the smell of it that he could only determine to be magic. Liron herself was dressed only in a silken dressing-gown, her hair cascading down her back and shoulders in loose sheets of pale gold. She looked like an angel.

"You're a sight for sore eyes."

His princess lifted her head with a smile, gliding toward him and running her hands over his shoulders. He melted into her touch.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too." James looked into her eyes for a moment, before running his hands softly down her collar, parting the collar of the dressing-gown a little.

Liron nuzzled him, kissing his jaw gently. "How are you feeling?"

His eyes slipped closed. "Sore." He kissed the left side of her jaw. "Cold." He kissed the right side of her jaw. "Tired…hungry." The last word came out in a faint growl before he kissed her lips, soft, but deep.

His princess' hands roamed his back as she returned the kiss, and he pulled at the dressing-gown until it fell to the floor. She somehow managed to get his shirt off without having to break the kiss, before pulling back a little.

"Let's get you cleaned up, and then we can continue."

"Don't want a dirty lover, hm?" He smirked at her.

She booped his nose. "Not when you're actually dirty."

James chuckled. "Alright."

Liron smiled and led him to the bath, then helped him undress the rest of the way and get in, pausing every once in a while to return his kisses.

James relaxed with a deep sigh once he was enveloped in the warm water, and Liron's hands carding through his hair only furthered that. His eyes slipped half-closed as she helped him wash…well, it was more like he was helping her, but all the same…

She kissed his shoulder, and he nuzzled her.

"I love you."

She nuzzled back. "I love you too."

He sighed softly and let himself relax more. "You don't have to do this."

Liron's smile was cheeky. "I know."

James let out a soft huff of a laugh, and let her do as she wished.

Once she had him all clean, she helped him out of the tub and dry off, kissing random places every so often and giggling when some of those places – like the inside of his elbow – turned out to be ticklish.

Soon she was kissing ticklish places on purpose, and James quickly grew tired of that, so he just pulled her upright and kissed her on the lips. She kissed back, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close.

Some time later, Liron smiled and broke their kiss to look at him. "You're so handsome."

James grinned. "You're so beautiful…like a goddess."

Liron chuckled and blushed. "Even like this?"

She let her glamour fall, showing her true form, and James sat up quickly beneath her, jolting her.

He sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Sorry…I wasn't expecting that." …at least he wasn't scared.

Liron stopped moving and just sat there, watching him as his eyes roamed over her form, emotions flickering in their depths. This may not have been the first time he'd seen her like this, 'cause that's how this whole thing started in the first place, but…this was the first time he'd seen her like this this close.

After a moment, he smiled a little and looked back at her face, his hands closing around hers. "Still beautiful."

A soft smile curled Liron's lips, and she kissed him, her hands leaving his and holding the back of his head. His arms wrapped around her, and he pulled her with him as he laid back down. The kiss broke, and she smiled down at him, bracing her arms on either side of his head.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I can't wait until we go back to the Other Realm."

James smiled. "Me either, and Becca's excited too."

"Good. And if I end up being the next Unseelie Queen, having you as my Knight will make me the envy of probably the whole of both Courts."

"Up there? Or down here?"

Huh? "What do you mean?"

"I thought we were going to live up there in the Fae world."

"We are…" Oh! "I was talking about the Seelie and Unseelie Courts of the Fae, or the Summer and Winter Courts respectively."

"Oh! So you're a queen up there too?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I mean...I'm one of the ones who could be the next Queen, but it's more of an election-based setup since we all live so long."

"Oh. Well, I'll be beside you every step of the way." He grinned.

Liron beamed. "My treasure…"

"My love."

Morning dawned. James was the one first awake, and he nuzzled his princess with a smile, watching as she awoke and stretched languidly.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"How did you sleep?"

"Well. You?"

"All the better for having you here."

James grinned. "I love you."

"I love you too."

They shared a tender kiss, and he was the first to pull away.

"I should go soon."

"No."

He gave her a look. "I have to."

"No."

He sighed. "Liron…"

She sat up enough to cross her arms. He rolled over onto his back.

"We've been through this."

"James, you can't just leave again, now that you just got back. You can't." There was a flicker in her eyes, a pleading sorrow under the stubbornness.

He ran a hand over his face. "It's my duty."

Liron did not respond, and James looked over, reaching to gently run his metal hand along her backside and up her spine.

"I'll be fine. I'm just patrolling. And I'll have others with me."

She shivered, but again did not reply. He kept running his hand up and down her back, then shifted up, the covers falling down a little as he trailed kisses up her neck to her cheek.

"You're not mad, are you?"

"Not at you."

He nuzzled her. "Don't be mad at him. He's just nervous. As everyone should be."

"You are mine."

"I know. And I always come back."

Liron turned to face him, her glamour falling and her eyes glowing. "Make it official again."

Huh? "Make what official?"

"Your promise. You swore it, now make it a contract. Then you can never break it."

Oh. James smiled and chuckled a little. "Now you're being paranoid."

Liron glared at him lightly. "Not paranoia when you're still just a mortal."

He shrugged. "Fine."

A muscle in her jaw twitched. "If you don't want to, there's no point in it." She turned away again.

James' brows furrowed. "No, I meant I'm fine with making it official."

Liron turned back to face him again. "Oh…I'm sorry, I..."

"It's fine." He smiled a little and ran a gentle finger under her chin and down the back of her neck.

She shivered and smiled back. "I love you."

"I love you too."

He kissed her softly, and she pulled him close as she kissed back. They lingered there, lips just touching, not even really kissing, for a few minutes before James pulled away and held her close. He breathed deep, kissing the top of her head, savouring the peace.

"If you die, I will personally come down to the world of the dead and drag you out by your ear. Or your hair."

He laughed. "I doubt I'll be there."

"If you die and you're not in the world of the dead, you'd better be coming to find me."

"I will."

"I'll hold you to that."

He nuzzled her before getting up carefully, about halfway to the wardrobe when he heard her trying to do the same. "You okay?" A little smirk curled his lips.

His princess held herself up with the bedpost. "I don't think I can stand."

Oh, well then…he strode forward and scooped her into his arms. "Where to, milady?"

She snuggled in. "Well, I think there would be an issue if we went through the castle naked, so...the wardrobe, please."

James laughed a little and carried her to the wardrobe, helping her dress in the gown she chose.

She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"Anything for you, my love."

"I love you."

"I love you too. No matter what."

Liron turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "And I will love you through eternity."

James grinned and pecked her on the lips. "Good."

She pulled him into a proper kiss, and they stood there for a moment, just holding each other before he pulled away.

"I'm going to be late."

His princess nodded a little, letting go of him to hold herself up with the wardrobe. He bit his lip, then just scooped her into his arms and carried her back to the bed, relishing the contact.

"I'll be back."

He kissed her one more time, unable to resist, then headed down to receive his orders.

The general saluted him before he was able to do it himself. "Take your patrol and make sure the border near yesterday's battle site is secure."

"Yes sir."

The ride was peaceful…until they got to one of the forests near the edge of the kingdom.

"Are there any other ways around?"

"Not without going two days out of our way."

James drew his sword, ignoring the unsettling feeling crawling up his spine. "Then we move on."

They travel through the forest was slow, and they were not attacked, but it was so dark, and…that unsettling feeling strengthened with every step. They were being watched.

After a time, James sheathed his sword again, ignoring the looks that his men gave him. Instantly the feeling lessened. Whatever was in this forest did not like bared blades, it seemed.

The rest of the ride through the forest was uneventful, but by the time they made it out, night had fallen.

"Make camp. I'll take the first watch."

His men dismounted and obeyed the order with grateful mutters. They ate, his men went to sleep, and James set himself up by the fire, facing out into the darkness. When one of his men awoke to take second watch, he fell asleep quickly and dreamed of Liron.

Shouting awoke him. It was still the middle of the night, swords were clanging, men were shouting…and bodies were falling. He rushed to his feet, hand closing about the hilt of his sword. Too many of the men falling were his…they were sorely outnumbered. But he had to get his men out. They had to escape. They all had families waiting for them…

James tried his best, using all his skill and strength, but there were so many of them… Before he could even register what was happening, he was on his knees, his sword thrown far away from him, and the point of another man's sword aimed at his throat.

He tried to get up, but then something hard and solid slammed into the back of his head and he toppled forward as his world went black.