"How do I keep her from touching him again?" Will growled, her hand protectively placed on Matt's thigh.

"If Will can't say something, can I?" Irma raised her hand.

"Unfortunately, for Darbonne, she's not out of line…" Taranee rested her head in her hands. The girls and Matt were gathered in the common area, waiting for their guide to come and get them. Breakfast had been left for them, and it was surprisingly good. After the trying night, it was very welcome. "It would be expected that Matt would kind of be available to at least the court in occasions like this." Taranee continued, passing a apologetic glance to Matt.

"Available like…"

"For anything," Taranee said. "Labor or cooking or… other things that Will might kill someone over."

Matt let out a startled groan as static flared out from Will's fingertips. "Oh jeez, sorry!"

A few of the girls chuckled. "Hey Will, no turning your boyfriend on in public!" Irma teased.

Will and Matt flushed red. "Shut up, Irma," Will retorted, as Irma snickered.

Why did you tell them about that again? Matt asked dryly.

They're my best friends, I tell them almost everything, Will commented back.

"I mean, all I can think of is saying that where we're from, slaves are personal property," Taranee shrugged. "But that doesn't get you out of possibly "performing" tonight."

That was another unfortunate discovery. When Will had woken the next morning, Taranee had revealed that Sule and the court expected to see some sort of show of torturing Matt. So far, they had not managed to think of a way out of it.

"We'll figure something out, we still have time," Taranee promised.

When Sule came to get them, she made no indication that she was surprised that Matt was no longer cuffed. She only smiled at them before she spoke.

"Good morning," She said, "I trust your night passed kindly?"

"Very," Hay Lin interjected before Will could say anything to the contrary. "We're super excited for that palace tour Reglan promised!"

Sule dipped her head. If she was put off to have Hay Lin directing the movement of the conversation she didn't show it. "Of course. But first, Will needs to be fitted for her wedding tomorrow."

A massive pit opened up in Will's stomach and she was relieved to hear Hay Lin squeal and continue. "Oh! Can we come? We're so excited!"

Thank God for Hay Lin's relentlessly positive personality.

Sule seemed apprehensive. "I suppose… Is this some sort of Earth tradition?"

The girls all nodded vigorously. "It is," Cornelia confirmed. "We have to make sure our girl looks good for her big day."

We're not leaving you alone with her, Cornelia said over W.I.T.C.H. radio.

Will nodded, her throat still thick. Thanks guys.

"Very well," Sule looked down, then at Matt. "But the slave cannot come."

"Why not?" Will found herself bursting out before anyone else could say anything.

Sule smiled, as though she had finally gotten the response she expected. "The rooms are sacred, and this is as much a part of the ceremony as the ceremony itself. It would be…" She paused briefly, and then continued, "Abhorrent for him to join."

Taranee, facts check? Will asked desperately.

I have no idea. Taranee said sadly. This wasn't in what I read, but something as important as a royal wedding wouldn't be fully revealed to the public.

"If he would like to join the palace staff in preparing for tomorrow, I'm sure they could use the help," Sule offered, grinning at Matt.

There was no way she didn't know that this wasn't how things were done on Earth. But they were in her world. There wasn't much resisting Will felt safe doing, much as she hated it.

This could be a good opportunity for me, Matt whispered to her. I could find out how everyone's feeling about the coronation and how much unrest there is?

Will sighed reluctantly. "That would be… fine," She said to Sule. She stepped towards Matt and unclipped the leash. She met Matt's eyes for a second longer before she turned back to Sule. "Will someone else escort him?"

Sule nodded. "I can see to that."

Be safe, Will warned him.

Matt nodded. I will.

Sule pointed with a head movement. "This way." And the guardians followed, leaving Matt behind.

Her "wedding dress", as Will was to find out, was purple. But not just purple, but a deep purple, almost black, that shimmered with an iridescence Will had never seen mimicked on clothing before. For the Darbonnians, who lived on a desert planet, the garb of every day was light colored, and due to lack of dye resources on their world, rarely dyed. To wear purple, and such a beautifully saturated purple as this, was a luxury designated only to very special occasions.

Even with her fire red hair, Will couldn't help but feel beautiful in this dress. She had been fitted with a skirt that cinched at her waist, and flowed down to her ankles. The top was fitted around her neck, and draped over her shoulders, over her arms and a foot or so below where the skirt cinched.

She had felt slightly awkward at first, as when she moved her arms or wings, she felt as though her breasts were exposed. However, she soon found out that the Darbonnians did not sexualize breasts as her culture did, and tried to feel a little more comfortable.

Although the girls were supportive, oohing and ahhing at the appropriate moments, Will could not help but wish that Matt was there too.

Hey, you doing okay? She asked him, wincing as one of the seamstresses poked her with a needle she had learned was derived from a cactus like plant on their world.

Fine, she'd heard him respond. Just really, really hot.

What do you mean? She asked, concerned.

So, I guess the quarters where you guys have been are ventilated in some way. The area that's just for the slaves… not so much, she heard a faint chuckle in his tone.

That's not right, she retorted angrily, but Matt shushed her.

No, I mean, the Darbonnian slaves are fine, He explained, It's just a bit hot for me, the human. He added somewhat sarcastically, They keep giving me crap for how many breaks I have to take.

Will smiled a bit despite herself. Are they treating you okay?

Yeah, Matt responded, It's actually kind of nice. First time I've felt like an equal since I got here.

Will cringed, and could feel Matt registering that. No, it's not your fault, he argued, You're playing a part. Will, I signed up for this.

I know, she answered, but the guilt still lingered.

"We should be able to finish sewing from here," The Darbonnian Will had come to realize was the head seamstress stepped away from her, meeting Sule's eyes.

"Wonderful," Sule smiled back at her, and there seemed to be a secret message passed between the two, but it was gone before Will could really comprehend it.

"So," Sule turned back to the guardians. "Would you like a tour of the palace now?"

Will didn't see Matt the rest of the day. Whenever she tried to inquire as to his location, or having him rejoin the group, Sule brushed it off. He was more useful with the staff than following her apparently. She couldn't help but feel there was something sketchy going on with it, but didn't want to mess up their mission getting too particular over it. He seemed okay from their conversations.

And having him working with the other slaves was actually procuring a lot of intel. She was getting a better picture of what was going on behind the smoke screen that she was kept in front of.

It's weird, but most of the other slaves and Darbonnians I've encountered aren't comfortable with Reglan taking over, he informed her. The Matriarchy is so ingrained in their culture that they don't think that he'll represent their goddess in a way that will please her. They tend to shut up as soon as I walk in but… His tone was tinged with dry amusement, I'm getting bits and pieces.

Do you think they'll revolt? She asked, If he is crowned?

I'm not positive, he responded, I feel like it could really go either way.

With that lovely bit of news, the knots in Will's stomach tightened to a nearly unbearable degree.

Are we even doing the right thing? She asked the girls.

The oracle seemed to think so, Taranee said, but there was doubt in her voice. Theoretically, as long as it seems to be the will of Ayaka, it should be okay.

That was when everything changed.

The guardians were wandering through one of the upper level gardens, open to Darbonne's sky and two suns. While the rest of the planet seemed arid, in this small balcony a wide variety of plant life was amassed, displaying the wide variety of flora on the world. Hay Lin flitted from plant to plant, trying to take in all their details, lamenting how she didn't have her sketchbook on her.

They resembled cacti to a large degree, but much more colorful than Will knew cacti on earth to be. There was a large plant that resembled a Venus fly trap, although on a much larger scale in order to accommodate the large insects that populated Darbonne.

Will sat on a bench, enjoying being in the sun. It was hot outside, away from the ventilation of the indoors, but the heat was helping her relax. She watched one of the carnivorous plants snap shut on a beetle, starting a nearby Cornelia and Irma into shrieks that devolved into giggles.

Will smiled faintly, brushing her bangs out of her face. She wasn't relaxed, exactly, but some of the tension was starting to leave her muscles. She leaned her head against the backrest. She was being reminded again and again that Darbonne was not just a world with one characteristic, but a rich culture with it's own history and traditions, a world it would be constantly interesting to be queen of.

Her brow creased as she considered that. Though she had accepted the offer, more and more she was beginning to worry that this may not be the best path for Darbonne. The more she was observing their people and hearing from Matt, she was coming closer to the conclusion that they didn't seem ready for the kind of change that the guardians were here advocating. How long had it taken Earth to get to the point where it could consider female leaders in an equal stance to male ones? Some people still didn't consider them equal.

Darbonne was still at a point where one gender was barely human, or… not a creature. Will didn't think they were ready to be lead by someone they viewed as barely better than an animal.

But they had orders to follow… right?

"Advisor Sule!" A female Darbonnian walking swiftly towards their tour guide captured Will's attention. Will's ears perked up and she moved quietly towards the conversation.

"-without warning, we thought we had a few more days," The newcomer seemed to be apologizing, while Sule looked as though she had just swallowed something unexpectedly bitter.

"What's going on?" Will asked, a feeling of dread growing in her stomach.

The Darbonnians looked up at Will, pausing in their conversation.

"Guardian…"

"Go assemble the council," Sule ordered sharply, and the messenger departed as quickly as she had come.

Will leveled her gaze at Sule. "What happened?" She asked tightly.

Sule didn't even try to beat around the bush. "Ayaka has passed unexpectedly."

Will's heart dropped into her stomach. Ayaka had been one of the factors the guardians had been counting on keeping peace on Darbonne. If Ayaka was not there to condone the wedding and coronation…

"She's dead?" Will wasn't sure why she needed the clarification, but Sule just nodded, seeming to be in an equal state of shock.

"I thought we had longer," Sule didn't seem to be talking to Will, rather to herself.

Guys, Will broadcasted over W.I.T.C.H. radio, we have a problem.

She filled them in, the girls congregating together around her, none of them really knowing what the next step was.

Sule was the person to make it. Seeming to pull herself together, she said, "There are several matters of state that need to be discussed right now. I need to meet with the council. I will have you escorted back to your rooms."

"I'm coming," Will said instantly.

Sule looked at her incredulously. "This isn't a game for children," She said.

"Good thing I'm not a child," Will retorted.

Something in Sule's face twitched. "I will be meeting with the delegates from all the provinces in order to help prevent a war once this news gets out."

"And as your future queen, I ought to be there," Will said, putting her foot down. "I will be married to your future king tomorrow. I need to be aware of these things. I don't want a war any more than you do." Dammit, this was important.

The two had an impromptu stare down, Guardian of the Heart versus Darbonnian advisor. For once, Will let the strength and power that made her such an effective leader bleed into her gaze, and saw when it took effect on Sule.

Sule's gaze was tight, but her tone was polite when she finally spoke. "Very well. Follow me. I will send someone to take your friends back to their room."

Will nodded. "Thank you."

Will had forgotten how much she hated the politics that came with her job.

"Guardian, most of the world does not yet know of the Queen's death, but there is no doubt that they will know when she is not there to administrate your union with the prince tomorrow." One of the provincial representatives, Helgi, wasn't even looking at Will anymore, her gaze tightly on her papers. "Once they know, I cannot promise my province will not break into uprisings."

The sentiment was echoed by many of the representatives in the room. The representatives of the provinces of Darbonne were meeting in the wake of Ayaka's death. With Sule and Reglan on either side of her, she felt slightly better, but it was still intimidating to be stared down by nine other Darbonnians who had no impression of her.

Will's fists were clenched in her lap, but she outwardly did not let the Darbonnians see her unrest. "Of course, it is my intention to prevent conflict on your world," She said evenly. "That is why I am here."

"An offworlder is little better than a slave," One of the representatives muttered.

"Respect!" Sule barked. "She is a Guardian of the Infinite realms and you will not disrespect her in such a way."

In this political clusterfuck, Will had found an unlikely ally in Sule. The Darbonnian woman seemed to not want war any more than Will did, and although she clearly did not like it, she was doing her best to uphold Ayaka's wishes.

"I do not like you, and I do not like what my queen has chosen," Sule had prefaced Will on their trip to the council. "But I respect her, and I do not wish to subject my daughter to war."

"I'm not exactly thrilled to be Queen either," Will hissed back. "But I don't want to have to fight in another war, and this plan was the only way Ayaka could see to keep that from happening."

That had seemed to take Sule aback. "Another war?" She had enquired. "You are but a child. The age of my own daughter."

Will looked forward resolutely. "I was general of the Meridian Wars at fourteen," She squared her shoulders. "I am no child and neither are my friends."

Since then, she seemed to have garnered a tentative bit of respect from the advisor. And it was lucky too. She had been in war councils before, but she was never comfortable in them. She always felt that though her experience in war outmatched many of the older members, she looked like their daughters, and thus, many had a hard time taking her seriously.

"My province has already been mobilizing," Betran, a representative from what Will gathered was a poorer area of Darbonne, spoke. "Matari has not been kind to us these past few years. I have been dealing with low profile resistances for a long time now."

"Your people doubt the will of Matari?" Reglan spoke.

"My people are beginning to believe that the will of Matari has been impractical and flawed." Her tone made it clear that she too believed it.

Will grit her teeth. It was so hard dealing with societies so influenced by their deities. It made navigating their social norms a minefield. "Believe me when I say I have no desire for war. I have been there before and have no desire to go back,"

"There has not been war on Darbonne for many centuries," Sule's hands were folded on the table, an illusion of calm. "Would you put your people, our daughters, at risk for this?"

"It is not for me to say how my daughters will react to having a male lead Darbonne," Betran said flippantly, with her second meaning clear. She also would not stop them if they did revolt.

The council argued back and forth for a while, and Will listened, not knowing how to address this situation. But she did notice a common theme in the arguments. Many started with the phrase, or some variation of "now that the Queen has passed." So… would they have been content to let this happen if Ayaka had not passed?

She asked as much out loud, cutting between two bickering representatives. Some of the looks she received were outright hostile, but Betran replied, "What we would have accepted had Ayaka not passed is irrelevant now, as she has passed into the arms of Matari."

"No its not," Will insisted. She now had the room's attention, as though they could not believe this offworlder was speaking as if she knew something. She looked down for a moment, stealing herself, before casting her gaze around the room. "But did you have faith in Ayaka?"

There was a murmur of discontent. Will raised the authority in her voice. "I ask you again, as and Guardian and Daughter of Matari," God she hoped she wasn't fucking this up, "Did you have faith in your Queen, Voice of Matari, Leader and Protector of Darbonne, Ayaka?"

They all stared at her resolutely. "Because I did," Will said, and fuck it, maybe she was swinging in the dark but she had to make these people listen to her. "I only knew her for a short time, but what I knew of her showed her to be a leader of conviction and love and faith for and in her people." Will met eyes with the hesitant Helgi, and hostile Betran. "I know also my reputation precedes me, and that while you may view me as a child no older than your own, you know also what my friends and I have accomplished, and the lives we have saved."

There was a murmur of assent. Some of the representatives gave her a slight nod, while others still sat hostile, daring her to mess up. Will felt the Heart of Kandrakar pulsing inside of her, reassuring. "I know in times of hardship it is difficult to have faith in those above you. So I ask that if you have no faith in Matari, then have faith in me. Have faith that Reglan, I and… my future daughter can keep peace in this world. It was the will of Ayaka, who speaks for Matari, but I would not be here if I did not believe in her."

There were still some incredulous faces. "Take that back to your provinces. I do not want war, and will do anything in my power to prevent it."

The council, grumbling, dissipated after that. Some looked at Will with a newfound respect. Others clearly still had some doubts. But it seemed they were willing to let the wedding and coronation proceed as planned. No matter what their personal feelings might be on the matter.

Will sagged into her chair after everyone but Reglan and Sule had left. She ran her nails through her hair and took a few deep breaths. She thought it had gone well, or, as well as it could have gone given their situation.

Reglan seemed more visibly impressed with her when she turned back to him. "Because of you," he said, "For the first time since my mother suggested this plan, I am beginning to think that it may work."

Sule nodded. She paused, then exhaled, and then turned to Will. "I have a confession to make."

Will frowned, nodding her head as permission to continue.

"When I first met you and your friends, my intention was to make you not want to stay, because I believe that if you did not stay, I, as primary advisor to Ayaka, would be crowned."

Frustration and anger must have show on her face, because Sule explained tersely, "It was not out of selfishness that I had this desire, but belief that it would be the best path to avoiding war." Will nodded, the girlfriend inside of her still wanting to hurt Sule for putting Matt through what she had yesterday, but the politician warning her to stay calm.

"I still believe it would be the best path," Sule continued, "But Matari speaks in unknown tongues, and Ayaka believed in you and her son." She looked Will in the eye. "I am beginning to see why."

Will didn't quite think a thank you was appropriate, but she nodded her appreciation. "I have nothing but your world's best interest at heart. That I swear to you."

As Sule started making motions to leave, Will checked in on W.I.T.C.H. radio. Hey, how's everything going?

We're at dinner now, Taranee's voice was the first to come on, and Will's stomach reminded her she had been playing politician for the better part of three hours. We've been experiencing some more of Darbonnian culture…

Uh… okay? Will wasn't sure about the tone of unease she could hear from Taranee.

They've been torturing people, Cornelia said, Like, while we're eating.

Will's stomach twisted. She had seen one too many torture victims for that sentence to bring anything but unease. What?

Some of the scenes are kinda fun to watch, like, really playful, Hay Lin quipped.

It's a form of entertainment, so they can't really, like, damage the victims too much, Taranee interjected. But some of them… you can see they really don't like it.

Like this one, Irma said. Oh! That poor guy's junk…

Will cringed at the thought.

She listened to the guardian's commentary as she Reglan and Sule started heading towards the dining hall. She had mostly tuned them out until she heard Hay Lin ask, Wait, is that Matt?

Will's heart turned to ice. She demanded, Guys, is that him?

A brief pause, and then, Oh yeah, that's him, Cornelia confirmed. Shit…

Almost didn't recognize him with the blindfold… Irma said softly.

Matt hated blindfolds. She knew that from one too many hostage situations. Shit. Matt! She cried over their bond.

When she felt him respond, there was an undercurrent of panic behind words he was clearly trying to keep calm. Hey babe, how's it going?

Matt, what's going on? She demanded.

I uh… see I really can't tell, he was trying for lighthearted, but it came across slightly hysterical instead. I'm uh, kinda blindfolded right now.

Matt, I'm coming, She promised. She turned to Sule. "They're about to torture my slave in the dining hall and I need to get there now!"

Reglan's eyes widened and Sule looked at her incredulously. "How do you know that?"

"Uh…" Forfeit which telepathic advantage? "He's connected to me telepathically," She explained. Ignoring their shocked responses, Will pressed on. "I need to go to him now and stop it."

Recovering the quickest, Sule only sighed. "Unfortunately, that's something I can't stop."

"Why?" Will almost shrieked. "I didn't give my permission." Part of her knew she was giving up how much Matt meant to her, but the rest of her didn't want to be the reason Matt had a panic attack melt down in front of everyone as he was tortured again…

"You've been told, on our world slaves are fair game," Sule almost sounded apologetic, but her words were still unforgiving. "And unfortunately for you, it is tradition for him to be tortured tonight, as you are visiting our court."

She felt the first out lash of pain from Matt as Hay Lin cried, Why are they whipping him? and Taranee reminded everyone that there was really nothing they could do but look away.

Will was panicking. Her mind raced frantically, trying to figure out a way that she could possibly prevent this from happening as they walked. She could feel Matt's pain through their bond like a phantom sensation, as prickling started up across her chest. Matt, just… hang on, okay?

I'm trying. His tone, even mentally was tight. Not quite as much fun as when its you doing the torturing…

And then the idea struck her. She spun around, and both Sule and Reglan jumped at her rapid movement. "If he has to be tortured then at least let me do the torturing. He's mine and I know how to put on a good show with him."

Sule paused, before she met Will's eyes and nodded. "This would be acceptable."

Will's stomach relaxed incrementally. "Then let's go," Will picked up her pace as Reglan and Sule followed behind. Sule only had to remind her of directions a few times before they were stepping out into the dining hall and Matt's cries, so familiar yet so wrong, met her ears.

She attracted attention as soon as she entered, but slowly the room fell into quiet murmurs. Will heard nothing but Matt's quiet whimpers and a crackling sound that she couldn't pinpoint until she felt her quintessence snapping over her skin from her hands and her hair, electricity dancing across her body in a way that probably looked quite terrifying to those who had never seen Will the warrior, just Will the diplomat.

"The slave is mine," Will asserted, putting all the command she could muster into her voice. "No one touches him but me." She lifted a hand, and in a rather immature show of power, shot a bolt of lightning from her fingertips to Matt's chest, a good fifty feet away. The lightning let out a loud crack, and other than Matt's cry, the room was silent when Will lowered her hand.

No one tried to stop her as strode forward, eyes passing over the other guardians in a single-minded effort to get to Matt. The woman who had been whipping him stepped aside, respect in her eyes, and maybe a little bit of fear for the guardian who wore electricity as a cloak.

Matt's chest was dotted in red streaks from the whip, and his hands were bound in manacles to a rectangular piece of sandstone that held him upright and vulnerable. The blindfold had been removed, allowing Matt's wide eyes to meet hers. "Unchain him," Will ordered. "He doesn't need to be restrained to stand for torture." There was a presence in Will's voice that she didn't recognize, but one that Matt seemed to react to,

"Will…"

"That's Mistress, slave," A bolt of electricity struck his chest and he yelped, his head dropping. "You will refer to me correctly."

She could claim forcing their roleplay on this one, but if she was honest with herself, she was going on a hunch with this. It was something she hadn't even considered up until this very moment, but a theory that had accumulated over the past few days and all the signs Matt had given her.

If she was right…

Matt's head lifted off his chest, meeting her eyes. A silent conversation passed between them in that millisecond.

Is this okay was over laid with the sentiment am I right?

Yes was over laid with you are.

And when he spoke next, his voice was low and submissive, and filled with lust. "Yes Mistress…"

At this, two Darbonnians moved forward and unclasped the chains around his wrists. He fell to his hands and knees but when Will barked, "Up on your knees, hands behind your head." He obeyed without hesitation. She knew he had to, but somewhere, she also knew he wanted to.

Will lifted her arms, now about three feet from him. She had never really had the chance to show off like this before, show him off before. She never knew she wanted to, but with his eyes looking at her like that, she couldn't believe she hadn't.

She made a show of her powers, electricity arching in elaborate patterns before descending upon Matt's waiting body. He arched and convulsed, cried out and shouted, but never lost his form, eyes staring resolutely at Will except when they closed in reaction to the pain.

Will could see his body reacting like it did when they were alone, as someone had stripped him of all clothing before torturing him as one last act of dehumanization. But he was so far into that other space he went to when she did this that she doubted he even noticed. She forgot that everyone, including her closest friends, could be watching. The world narrowed down to her and Matt, and side of their relationship Will had never known existed.

Matt's voice alternated between "please Mistress" and "thank you Mistress", and in this headspace, Will couldn't bring herself to be disturbed by it. It felt so natural, and like all the walls that had been between them were coming down.

And then, they really did. The guard that Matt had been keeping on his mind dropped, and Will felt everything, all the emotions that had been coursing through Matt since they arrived and she put her collar around his neck.

Lust, shame, something wrong with me, so good, mistress, I'm hers, she's mine, so wrong, so right, gonna hate me, I'm so sorry, feels so good, feels so right, please, lust, love, pain, love, need, love, trust, love…

Will stepped up to her slave and, kneeling, gripped him firmly in her hand, static still darting from finger to finger over the sensitive skin. She grabbed his hair with her other hand, forcing him to look at her, and when he did she pushed everything she felt over the bond, love acceptance perfect thank you okay you're fine amazing I love you won't leave you need you and then with one stroke Matt was done, eyes locked on hers as his body pushed out, leaving him shouting with a tone she hadn't heard him make before, as the pleasure crested in his eyes until he could only let out ever diminishing cries as the aftershocks wracked him.

"Move as you wish," Will whispered to him, and he collapsed to the ground, shuddering but still reaching out for her. She dropped into a sitting position against the piece of sandstone and pulled him against her, whispering, "Good job, I'm so proud of you," and other endearments as he whimpered against her chest.

His mind was finally all the way open, and Will did her best to sift through all the negative emotions. They would still have to talk this out when he came to, but for now she could go through and smooth out some of the rough edges of his mind.

She hooked the fingers of one hand in his collar and pulled his head against her chest. "Mine," She whispered, stroking his hair, and Matt snuggled against her, nodding his agreement.