Here is some fluff to go with the angst of Poisoned Mind. If you have found me on AO3 then you have already seen and read up to chapter three of this one lol. Betaed by Beej88, DarkenedHrt101, and SailorMoon489. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Chapter 1

Completely surrounded and nowhere else to turn, she flopped into the high grass, hiding from view. Having run off after her morning chores, it would take a while for either of her sisters or her mother to find her here. It was her safe haven.

Hills spread like waves on the ocean around her, green and wide, some with homes on the top of them. Her home was one of them, sitting on the very tip of the wave in the near distance from her. Above her, nothing but bright blue skies and white fluffs that never seemed to move. This was the magical land she was born in, Hamilton Scotland. She had never been anywhere else and she suspected other places held more magic, but they were a mystery.

Laying on her belly, she pulled out the small and beloved book, its pages safe while its bindings suffered. Battered, the cover no longer bore the color it was given and now was yellow with time and sun. Many of the pages were filled but it was those that were not that were her main interest. The ink filled tool her father had procured for her on his last trip to London had served her well these last few years, and now it was in her hand again.

March 1894,

I await my dear Prince, the one who will take me to the faraway lands of Gaeilge and away from the toils of my wicked sisters to freedom. Glad filled tidings will greet us as returning victors of this realm and a feast will meet us. He will take me as his Queen and the two of us will live happily ever…..

"Are you writing nonsense again?"

Startled, she glanced up, finding her hiding spot discovered. "It isn't nonsense!"

He had been peering down at her long enough to know the truth of her words. "Princes and faraway lands sound like nonsense to me!"

Rising, she smacked his shoulder with her writings. "You once did not think so! In fact, you once helped me to write this nonsense!"

He chuckled at her, taking her hits without recourse. "If you say so, Serena. Although, I have no memory of it."

Now a bit calmer, she took in his appearance, his black hair, a bit long, was tied at the base of his neck and he wore a suit that did not look like his own. A handsome man on any day, today he looked more fair than usual. "What are you up to?"

Trying to smirk, she saw the nervous twitch in his cheek. "I'm going to ask him today."

"Today?!"

"Yes. We have waited long enough don't you think?"

"But...you have no job and no prospects…"

"You are my prospects!"

She twisted the fabric of her skirts in her fingers, keeping her eyes from him. "I was still hoping to go to University…"

"Serena...you and I both know that is just not in the cards for you. You can't keep dreaming or you will miss your whole life."

It was a truth she'd rather not face that Sloan was able to point out to her. A smile grew on her face, unable to hide her joy at the moment. "You really wish to ask for my hand today? Why now?"

"Would you prefer I wait?"

Her head shook hard and fast, "No! In fact, let us haste now!"

The tall grass bent in the breeze and under their feet as they made their way in silence back to her home. Her heart was racing, beating loudly in her chest, that was more than enough to make up for the silence. Before they reached the house, Sloan reached over and took her hand in his for a spell. His soft palm on hers made her breathing labored, knowing that soon he would hold her hand before the Church and the world. The years they had waited would not be in vain, surely, as she neared her 18th year. Not a single proposal had come her way and she knew it was all because she was fated to be with Sloan, the man she had loved all her life.

Ever since he was seven and she six, the two of them had promised to one another that they would someday wed. And as her third cousin, no one could be more suited for her. These were the words of confidence she told herself as she waited in the hall, Sloan inside the office with her father. She did not pace or rock, knowing the answer would be in her favor and feared nothing. Instead, she reflected on the years she had spent with Sloan, the hall she stood in the very one they met in.

Braided pigtails and short dresses, Sloan had found her in the hall and as soon as their eyes met, they knew. The years passed before she saw him again and the memory tried to fade but when he appeared, she knew it was him, running to his arms. She remembered the day as if it were yesterday, him arriving at the house and father greeting him. It was a shock, finding him thinner and his eyes darker than she had remembered, but it had been so long since they last met and he had been through so much. He had never forgotten her and neither had she, the end of their time apart much celebrated by the two of them.

And now they would celebrate again, as husband and wife.

The doors to her father's study opened and Sloan met her eyes for only a moment before walking away without a word. Even when she called after him, he did not stop until he was gone from the house.

Father stood, looking morose in the doorway at her. "Serena, please come here." Shutting the door behind her, she watched as father rounded his desk to sit before her. "Your Cousin, Sloan, just asked me for your hand. I assume you know this?" She gave a nod, holding her breath at what he said next. "Then, I must tell you, that I have declined his offer."

The room was spinning, needing to fill her lungs and ask the burning thoughts in her head great. "Why?!"

"I cannot give you away, Serena, you belong to someone else already."

"I do not understand Papa. I want to marry Sloan!"

But father shook his head. "I'm sorry my darling child, but this promise was made long ago and will not be broken."

"Why not? No one asked me if I wanted to marry some...some stranger!"

Standing, father came around and held her shoulders tight. "Have you never wondered why no one came to ask for your hand before? Since you were a child this has been known. The entire town knows of it and so no one dared to challenge such a match."

"And just who is this man? The man I've been forcibly fated to?"

Releasing a sigh at her stubbornness, her father met her glare with his own. "Dr. Darien Shields."

OoOoO

He released a moan once inside his foyer, the signs of an unwelcomed guest clear before his eyes. There was no preparation for such a visit, best he take a deep breath and push through.

Mrs. Moon greeted him, taking his coat and briefcase from his hands, giving him a cautionary glance before disappearing to deposit the items. He didn't need the warning, knowing full well what laid ahead of him. What was unclear; where she was and what she wanted.

As usual, his dinner waited for him in the kitchen. Instead of searching her out, he thought it best to allow her to find him. But she was waiting for him with his meal.

"Darien Shields, I gave birth to you and you dare to make me wait and eat alone for you?!"

"Hello, Mother." He bent down to kiss her cheek, sitting across from her at his warm meal.

"And just where have you been?"

"Work, Mother."

She was silent, allowing him to get half his dinner in his mouth before revealing her purpose for being there. "Well, now my time is limited since you only now deemed my presence worthy of your attention."

"Mother, had you given notice, I would have made the proper preparations and been here for your visit."

"You would have slept at you practice had I done that!" He smirked but hid it as best he could in his plate of food. "I am here to remind you of a certain obligation you have yet to fulfill!"

"No, Mother. Not until she is 18."

"She turns 18 this year! And you are not getting any younger either my dear boy!"

"She deserves to have as much time with her family as she can get. We will be uprooting her and taking her far from them."

"A day's ride by train is hardly a long distance…"

"It is for her. She grew up there, it is all she knows."

Mother twisted in her seat, "All the more reason to hurry and bring her here! The sooner then the sooner she can get adjusted."

Sighing ruefully, he dropped his fork loudly to his plate. "What is it you want, Mother?"

"I want you to go and claim your bride! I have waited long enough for this day! I demand we have a date set before I will leave today!"

He was silent, testing her resolve. But he knew his Mother best, she would not let this rest. "Her birthday is the end of June."

"...Yes?"

"Then the date is July 1st."

OoOoO

They knocked, but no matter what she said, they would still enter. It had been three months and her Mother and sisters were yet to let up. Neither had father, her having given up on pleading when it was clear the man had no intentions of ending the marriage pact.

Refusing to leave her room for anything more than chores, food, and baths, she laid on her bed and pouted. One on each side with one standing at the foot, the females of the family started in again. Greer sat next to her, running her little fingers through her hair while Kyla held tight to the metal rungs of her bed. The two of them had been looking at her with stars in their eyes ever since her impending marriage was announced. Once she was married, they would be allowed to seek out their own happiness. She was never more jealous of the two of them, their freedom a shadow over her.

Mother sat down as well, across from Greer and sighed loudly. "Dear, it isn't a death, it is marriage."

"It is a death to me."

Greer's fingers hit a knot but she pulled through it. "Sloan has forsaken you anyway, sister."

"He is free to do as he pleases. I am the one trapped."

Mother ripped the pillow she held under her chin out from under her. "Child! Enough of this! Dr. Shields is a fine man. He is high in both the social and financial latter and will take far better care of you than your wayward Cousin! If anything, you have been saved from a life of destitution and should be thankful for your lot in life!"

Sitting up, she glared back at her Mother. "I wanted to marry for love, Mother. Is that so wrong? To want to marry someone I love instead of a stranger?!"

"He is not so strange! You met him. Several times when you were a child. How do you think this arrangement was made? By chance?! Your father and I know the Shields very well. They are fine people, of the highest caliber. It is because of this, no one has ever challenged the match for they knew they could not hold a candle."

"Sloan challenged!"

"Sloan folded like wet paper once your Father told him of the match. He did not fight for you. If he had truly wanted you and tried, I'm sure your Father would have considered. As is, the boy is too weak and lackluster!"

Her chest hurt, the words her mother spoke having such an effect on her. "He...did not fight?"

"No. Even he knew when he was bested and has moved on already. There is word he is courting a few young ladies in town as we speak!" Stealing her pillow back from Mother, she fell back to her bed and wet the cloth with her tears. "Now, you can move on as he has. Dr. and Mrs. Shields will be here tomorrow to meet and then prepare with us for the wedding. You will be there and dressed appropriately."

They knew when to leave at least, her now alone to sob.

OoOoO

The home was not as fine as he remembered, age having taken its toll. Its size was still impressive, large foyer he stood in now the example. If memory served, the door he could see on the right was the study, and it was full of books on various subjects. The staircase was before them, to the left of the long, poky hall and at its end was a large opening to the formal living room. Where he suspected they would be ushered to any moment now.

A nervous maid passed, a quick courtesy before dashing away. "Certainly a strange household I must say."

Hushing his Mother, she pouted and he rolled his eyes. Thankful for the disruption, a woman made her way down the stairs, broad smile on her face. "I am SO sorry for the wait!"

She was hustling down the stairs but keeping her pose. "It is fine."

Going around him, Mother grabbed onto the women that was to be his Mother-in-Law, the two almost missing the two young girls that bounded down the stairs shortly after. Short dresses and braided pigtails, they reminded him of the girl he met here years ago. His new sisters giggled past, glancing up at him every now and then before racing away with their silliness. Definitely related.

The study opened, the father walking out to find them. "Dr. Shields! Mrs. Shields, so good to see you all again."

Mother went to his side to greet him. "I agree, Mr. Badar. Far too much time has passed since we last got together."

"I must say! I barely recognized the good Doctor here!"

Mr. Badar held out a hand that he took easily, "Please, Darien is fine."

"And you may call me father if it pleases."

His skin tingled at the familiarity, him releasing Mr. Badar's hand soon enough but his silence put a cloud over the room. "Forgive my son, he never did learn the art of socializing."

They all gave a chuckle and he did his best to relax. It was true, he never was very good at these situations. Any social meeting was difficult for him as he found them a waste and bore most of the time.

The thought had him searching out his bride, her appearance still missing. Looking back at the stairs, the noise that escaped his throat had all following his gaze. There she stood, silent and unmoving at the top of the hill. The pale pink of her gown brought out the creamy color of her skin while golden hair spilled in wildly spun curls around her shoulders and back. It looked as if it had been dipped in strawberry juice, the red tents of her hair mixing in with the gold in tandem. The same strawberries had been used on her lips as well, thick and red.

Her decent was slow and he watched every second of it. Her eyes refused to meet his though, keeping her head down as she found the floor. It truly didn't matter, her beauty already past what he had expected from the child he once knew. But he found himself wanting her to look upon him, to see the bright blue eyes he once held captive.

Pushing gently past the others, he took her hand in his and received a gasp in return. Her eyes made their way up him to his, holding her captive again with one stare. Bending at his waist, he brushed his lips against the back of her hand, earning him another small intake of breath.

"Ms. Badar, it is nice to finally make your acquaintance."

OoOoO

Standing behind her, Cote worked on her hair, her long locks taking significant time to prepare for her wedding walk. She watched in the mirror, not really seeing.

It had been a week since Dr. Shields and his Mother arrived in town for her and the wedding. Mrs. Shields was truly capricious, a loud woman whom she liked immensely. Her son, however. Other than their first meeting, he had scarcely said two words to her. He continuously allowed his mother to do all the talking for him and barely looked at all interested in any of the conversation.

The last time he spoke was when his mother revealed her doom to her two days ago.

"London is such a vast and interesting place. Well...you shall see for yourself dear Serena, soon enough."

"Oh? Are we taking Holiday there?"

Dr. Shields' eyes landed on hers for the first time since they met, the shocking dark blue taking her breath away again as it had before. "You are moving there. With me."

Tearing away from his hold, she looked to her parents, her mother the only one brave enough to hold her glare. "Is this true?"

"Darien lives in London, dear. His practice is there as well. You didn't expect him to move in here with us did you?"

Truth be told, she hadn't given it any thought. This had always been her home and in her mind, it always would be. When she had plans with Sloan, even then she imagined them moving into her room together to spend out their days. But Sloan had no place of his own and no job to support the purchase of one either. No job and no inheritance and now he was courting many fair ladies in town….

It was wrong to think of another while she wore the dress she was to be married in. Along with her marriage a few hours away now.

Cote had braided and twisted her curls so that a majority of it rested on the top of her head like a crown. Little white flowers threaded intermittently stood out against her rose gold coloring. The long mirror she stood before now showed herself in full; the blushing bride that looked back at her did not hold her usual image. A stranger to her, off to marry another stranger it was hard to find a relation to the reality.

Mother's image appeared next to her, having come in unnoticed by her. "You look stunning my darling."

"I look like another."

Scooping up the hair that remained loose, Mother fluttered it a little, spreading it across her back. "You look like the child I bore grown into a woman."

"And yet, I feel more like a child playing dress up."

Mother found her eyes in the glass, a rather grave look on her face. "After today, you will no longer be mine and you will no longer be a child." Turning her, she faced Mother who now wore a small frown. "Tonight, after the wedding and the reception, you will be leaving with your new husband and he will make you a woman."

"What do you mean?"

Mother sighed, dropping her head and shaking it. "Perhaps your father and I have been too protective of you and these things." Her confused look only seemed to trouble Mother more. "There are expectations for a wife, even a new one, that you must fulfill upon your husband's asking."

"What is he going to ask of me, Mother?"

"He will ask you to lay with him. Share a marriage bed and consummate the binding you will be making soon. You must consummate my dear or your marriage will be unstable."

"What is consummating? And why will it be unstable if not done?"

Mother squeezed her hands in hers and tried to look her in the eyes. "You will soon be another's so I will just say it. Consummating is sex dear. It is where your husband puts a piece of himself in you. For a few moments, the two of you are one. It must be done at least once or the marriage is not complete and then again if you want children. It must be done many times just for one child."

"Does it...hurt?"

"Yes. But it doesn't last. Men are quick about it."

"And….you and father?"

"Once on our wedding night and a few more times for you and your sisters."

She wanted lots of children. Meaning, she would have to let Dr. Shields put a piece of himself inside her many times. Starting with tonight.

OoOoO

The church was stuffy, filled with far more people than he would like. But his mother and mother-in-law had been in charge of all.

The kilt he wore bore the clan of his family, generations ago the Kemp clan wore this Tartar as they roamed and ruled large portions of Scotland. Now, its colors served to make him feel a fool as he stood up before only a few familiar faces. But Mother insisted.

Trying not to fidget, he waited like the others for his bride to appear at the end of the aisle. If she showed. He would not hold it against her to run, after having met him and seeing what he was like after so many years. She, a youthful beauty that wore her heart on her sleeve for all to see was a far more precious and blessed creature than he. It was clear she had no memories of him. He thought, if this were the case, that he would be able to let her go. But even now it was a struggle. As it were, if they had called off the wedding, it would have scandalized her beyond repair. And he couldn't do that to her.

White and gold, a fluttering in his heart, she appeared and took her father's arm. The aisle felt as if it stretched on for eternity as he waited for her to be handed over to him. The veil that covered her face still allowed him to meet her piercing and bright blue eyes. He had to turn away, focus on the hand her father offered him, or the feeling he did not have a grasp on would run away with him.

Soft and warm, her hand pressed into his as he led her the rest of the way to the dais. None of it seemed real, this angel soon to be his or the ceremony to seal their fates together. His mother had been right, he waited far too long to do this. But he had made a promise and he kept it, whether she remembered it or not, he held no guilt from it.

It all went terribly slow and yet when it came time to speak their words, it felt rushed. Watching her out of the corner of his eye, he almost missed his turn to say 'I do', causing a small stir from those behind. Ignoring them, he returned his stare to his bride, the flush on her cheeks hard to miss as she said her vows.

He took her hand again, warmth flooding him from the simple touch, and slid the small, metal band on her finger. The gold that was twisted and shaped to look like the Celtic love knot stood out on her pale skin greatly. A plain gold band was placed on his hand by her, the two now introduced as husband and wife to all those who cared.

OoOoO

The reception was small, half the size the wedding had been. But they could scarcely fit the whole town in their house like they had the church.

Spiced wine was passed, her allotted one glass, it being passed to her by her new husband. Even then, he didn't meet her eyes. The entire ceremony, he barely glanced her way. And then had the audacity to hesitate on his vows. Was she not the one being forced into this union? Why was he acting as the one jilted?

It was true, he was a fine man, tall and broad with dark locks that, until today, had fallen messily over his brow. Every lady they had passed since his arrival nearly fell at his feet for his beauty alone. No matter how pretty the girl though, he remained cool and silent. This seemed to bother no one but her, her cousins giggling as they passed while stealing glances at her husband. Husband. What a lark. For so long she believed marriage was built on love, that to approach the Lord with any other reasoning was blasphemous. It was her grave folly to believe such a lie.

Twinkling filled the air, the guest lifting their glasses for them and gently touching them together for a blessing. Taking her sip, she was gently pulled closer to his side, an arm snaking around her waist. Lowering her glass and lifting her chin to look, she found his lips on hers.

Her heart thumped in a strange rhythm, his lips caressing hers with the most sincere gentleness, it was hard to believe it was the same man taking her first embrace now. When he pulled away, her eyes took a few heartbeats to open, blinking him into her vision. The hot grapes of his mouth lingered on hers, even with them now inches apart as did his arm around her waist.

"Its tradition."

Blinking a few more times, she realized he was speaking and speaking to her. Dark blue eyes danced around her face a moment longer before he released her completely, the tradition held in his book and therefore, moving on. His attention never on her, she touched a finger to her lips, the lingering burn of his felt on the pads of her tips. Her first...her only kiss. What was she to know if it was what it seemed….magic.

OoOoO

The reception was nearing its end and they would soon be free to leave. Never the one to be comfortable in the company of a small handful of people, he was struggling with the sheer onslaught of affections and 'best wishes' the masses placed upon him.

Serena stood by his side, so at least he had that for him. He would be content just having her near, able to glance at her from the corner of his eye all night. Taking a large breath, her chest swelled while she twisted her fingers together in front of her belly. Looking away, he found the source of her discomfort in the form of a man. Now standing before the two of them, the stranger shot a grimace between the two of them.

"Sloan…"

It sounded as if Serena struggled to say his name, let alone look at the man. Following protocol, he held out his hand to this Sloan, making him one more of the hundred hands he had shaken that day. But the man refused to take it, pushing past him and going straight for his wife.

He took her hand instead, the one she never offered and pressed it to his lips. "Best wishes, Serena. I wish you happiness."

Swallowing his growl, he let the man have his moment with his bride, knowing he would never get another. When Sloan stepped back, he had the audacity to square his shoulders at him, challenging him. He didn't take the offer, as he had already won. Serena wore his ring on her finger and there was nothing this scruff of a man could do about it now.

He soon disappeared into the crowd and Serena's voice followed, light and small. "I'm sorry. That was my Cousin, Sloan."

She left it at that and he wanted to press, but she was upset enough as it was by his appearance. He did not want to upset her any further. Whatever that man was to her, Sloan was selfish, coming here only to shake her. Soon, she would never have to worry about such a person again as they would be far away in the safety of his home.

He would make it his mission to never have her make the face she wore now again.