Chapter 4

Wiccan sat in his dungeon cold and hungry and hopeless as the sun began to set outside. He could tell by the way the shadows in the tower shifted and changed that hours had passed since he'd taken Speed's place, the only silver lining to what had happened today. He sat with his knees bent and pressed against his chest and pulled his cape around him more trying to keep warm so he wouldn't freeze to death. For a brief second he thought that if he ever did get out he'd have to change his costume into something a bit warmer, at least, something without short sleeves. He was lucky he had his gloves though, otherwise his fingers might have turned black and fallen off already.

Then through the silence there was a creaking noise like metal being bent and he sat up a bit straighter wondering what was causing it. Then the door to his cell swung open and he realized someone outside had pulled the lever.

"I apologize if I've interrupted any deep thoughts." A feminine voice said from nowhere as Wiccan stood, tense and ready for a fight in case this was some trick. "But I've come to escort you to your room."

"My room?" Wiccan asked thoroughly confused, "But, I thought -"

"That the door was shut forever? Yes, well, sometimes the master can get dramatically metaphorical." The female chuckled. At least that answered something Wiccan had been wondering about. He'd assumed the Beast had put some kind of spell on the door so it actually would never open again. It was nice to know he was just dramatic and didn't seem to possess the magic that this place was clearly full of. Which also meant maybe Wiccan could find a way around whatever spell was restraining his powers without his captor knowing, that would give him an advantage when he tried to escape.

He slowly walked out of the cell still looking for the woman who had freed him. When he turned the corner he saw her standing there leaning on the wall. He gasped involuntarily seeing patches of green scales along one side of her neck and on the back of her hands. One eye was a swampy shade of green while the other was a beautiful - and human - shade of blue. Her hair was dark and she was in some kind of uniform, black pants and a white collared shirt, but she wore a dark purple formal vest over it.

"Wha- what are you?" Wiccan asked looking again at the splotches of green skin and scales.

She shrugged, "I'm Kate."

"And, you, uh. . . "

"Kate!" Came a new voice from up the stairs, deeper and definitely a man, and definitely angry. "What have you told him? Nevermind. As head of the household I demand you put him back in his cell at once."

Kate turned to the newcomer, he had darker skin and shaved his head. His clothing was more elaborate and decorated then Kate's, his blue pants had two red stripes running down the side and his matching blue jacket, that was over a red dress shirt, also had red stripes circling the cuffs of his sleeves. His nails were all sharp and green and his ears were pointed, parts of his eyes that should have been white were partially yellow. When Kate replied to him she kept her voice low enough so Wiccan couldn't hear, "What do you want to be for the rest of your life Eli? Human? Or a Skrull?"

Then Kate turned back to Wiccan with a smile and asked, "Ready?" Then she turned to Eli, "Trust me."

Kate turned and led the way, Wiccan wasn't sure he could trust her but given that his only other option was going back into the cold cell Wiccan hesitantly followed the pair. The man properly introduced himself as they walked and Kate opened a different door then the one he'd come through yesterday to enter the towner. This one led to a walkway across the castle's rooftop and it gave Wiccan a lovely view of the setting sun which he wished he could enjoy instead of wondering what the hell was going on and why these people were so much nicer then their 'master' and, of course, what was going on with their appearances.

"I hope you don't hold people to their first impressions." Kate went on as they walked, "But you are a guest of this castle now so Eli and I are at your service."

"Kate, is at your service as she is a server." Eli corrected and Kate turned so only Wiccan would see her roll her eyes. They led him through a door in another tower and down another set of stairs. Wiccan suspected these were stairs for the staff since servers were supposed to make themselves scarce when they weren't serving. He wondered how many other secret passages this castle had and made a mental note to keep his eyes peeled for more. They could come in handy later.

When they got to the bottom of the staircase Eli pushed the door open and they stepped into a beautiful hallway that was lit with both candles in sconces on the walls and electrical lighted chandeliers. The walls were ivory and had the same gold trim and detailed designs that he'd seen in the foyer. Even the wooden floor had been laid in an intricate pattern as Eli and Kate crossed it and headed into the first set of double doors that revealed a huge suite. Wiccan had to fight to keep his jaw from falling open at the beauty of the room which had obviously been designed to be the height of luxury. There were windows taller then even the Beast, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and a huge four poster bed with what looked like a very expensive fabric making up the canopy. The walls were still ivory and gold but all the fabric like the bed comforter, the curtains and the rug were a deep shade of green.

"Welcome to your new home." Kate said cheerfully, "It's modest but you'll be comfortable."

Wiccan was speechless as he looked around the room but finally was able to let out a breathy, "Thank you."

Kate and Eli stood in the doorway and gave him a moment to take in all in, watching him silently as he walked around. Looking at the windows Wiccan got an idea. He turned back around, faked a yawn and Kate immediately ushered Eli away saying they'd leave him to get some rest. Once they were gone and the door clicked shut behind them Wiccan rushed to the window and pushed it open. He bent over the marble ledge and looked down but it was much further up then he had imagined.

He turned over one hand and looked at it as it glowed a very dim blue. No way could he try to fly or levitate out of here. He'd probably end up falling and breaking his neck. He looked around the room again and saw the wardrobe. He rushed over and opened it, immediately pulling out the first clothes his fingers touched and started tying them together.

.

.

I'd never go out with you. The words kept repeating in his head as Noh sat in the pub. He wasn't old enough to drink by human standards but the restaurant had been designed to accommodate every age in town to bring in more customers. One end of the single story building was a bar with a few pub height tables while the center had several smaller tables for families where the waitress Agatha – who'd been working there for years wasting away her youth - stood at a stand by the door waiting to seat whoever came in. On the opposite side was a large room with a couple pool tables and a pinball machine. There were some more pub height tables where some kids from school sat chatting but Noh hung away from them for once, slouching in a chair by a television that was playing some earth sports game.

I'd never go out with you. The words Wiccan had said mocked him again. Noh didn't really have feelings for the mage, he just hoped that play would be the easiest way to trap his target. So what Wiccan had said didn't knock Noh down because of some heartache. No. This was wounded pride, which in his opinion, was much worse.

Av-rom came over just then and pulled over a stool as he passed Noh a glass of cola. He accepted it but didn't take his harsh stare off the wall in front of him, looking at the bottom of the television instead of what was actually on it. Av-rom seemed to notice this and stayed quiet as he sipped his own drink.

"He has no other options in the whole town." Noh mused to himself out loud softly, "There's not one other young man here that Wic- William could choose. I offer him everything a boy in his position could want. A way out of this horrid small town. A relationship. Pleasure. And what does he say? He would never go out with me? Me!"

"You know." Av-rom said hesitantly, "There are other ways to lure prey away from safety."

"Not with that brother around." Noh grunted. "Not with how fast he is. Any violent or rash action he'd catch on to and zip in and snatch his brother away. And he knows about the Cube. We're already lucky he hasn't run to the Avengers and ratted the Warden out or we'd be locked up for good."

"It disturbs me Noh, it really does." Av-rom said sincerely, "Seeing you so down in the dumps. Every human in town would love to be you, there's no one as revered or admired as you."

"Oh stop trying to play to my ego." Noh waved his friend off. To make his point Av-rom turned his head and pointed out some of the cheerleaders from school who were looking over at him with love sick eyes.

Seeing them made Noh grin as Av-rom went on, "They're all awed and inspired by you and it doesn't take a genius to know why."

Av-rom stood and approached the group of men at the pool table. "Kesler! Tell Noh to stop sulking, he's missing out on all the fun." Av-rom said wrapping his arm over Kesler's shoulders as the jock stood from where he'd been aiming on the pool table.

"Your friend's right Noh. You've been like this all day. What have you got to worry about? Too many girls to choose from?" he laughed.

"Yeah." One of his buddies chimed in, "The good looks weren't enough? You had to also score the winning goal last season?"

"That was a slick move!" another teammate said.

"Quickest guy on the field!"

Av-rom walked around the room as they praised his friend. He ran his fingers along the triangle sports banners that hung from one wall, each one for a different sport played at the school, "Ask anyone who's team they'd prefer to be on."

He sipped his cola and grabbed some darts from a table before throwing one and hitting the board across the room but missing the bullseye.

Noh pushed himself from his chair and grabbed the remaining darts from Av-rom, throwing one with ease and hitting the center of the target.

Av-rom chuckled, "Who plays darts like Noh-var?"

"Who breaks hearts like Noh-var?" Kesler chuckled too before lining up his shot on the table again.

"As a specimen I know I'm intimidating." Noh admitted leaning against the wall and winked at the girls swooning over him.

"What a guy that Noh-var." One of the teammates chimed in with a shake of his head and a smile but you could still see the envy in his eyes. You could see the envy on all the men's faces, what they'd give to be the best player on the team, to be the most popular, to be that handsome. It was mostly Kree genetics of course, their races pure superiority. But that didn't mean Noh didn't love the advantage his otherwise normal attributes gave him on earth. He'd only be an average guy back home, here he was a superstar.

"Thank you for your encouragement old friend." Noh thanked Av-rom as the others all went back to what they had been doing prior. "Why is it you never became as popular with the earth youths like I have?"

Av-rom shrugged as they retreated back to their more private corner of the room. "One female did say I was 'clingy' but I am unfamiliar with the earth phrase."

Then the door slammed open and a white haired teen rushed in. He nearly plowed into Agatha who was cleaning tables and setting them up for the dinner rush that would start in an hour. Tommy Shepherd said a quick apology as he turned to the pub side of the room and shouted, "Help!"

But no one turned, the men who were on their second or third beers had the music too loud and were too focused on their own conversations to pay any attention. Noh wandered over to the open double doors that separated the rooms and called to him. "What's wrong Shepherd?"

The platinum blonde turned to him with wide eyes, "My brother, he –"

Then he swallowed and looked like he was rethinking whatever his original plan had been. Noh knew from observing the twins for months that Shepherd wasn't friendly toward the Avengers, he was distrustful, which explained why he hadn't gone to them when Wiccan got into whatever trouble he was in now. But now the look in his green eyes started to become distrusting of Noh. He couldn't have that. He needed information on his target.

He rested a hand on Shepherd's shoulder and spoke as kind and sincerely as he could muster, "Your brother what? What's happened?"

He swallowed again, "He's been taken prisoner."

Noh looked at him curiously. Had the Warden grown tired of how long Noh was taking? Had he sent someone else?

"There's a castle in the woods." Shepherd went on, "No one's ever seen it before but it's there. And the thing that lives there. . . it's like nothing I've ever seen before. It's almost Hulk-ish but smarter, it has scales, wings. It's a Beast."

"And it has your brother?" Noh asked feeling eyes on him and knowing they were now catching the attention of the humans. Agatha was also watching with a weary eye from behind Shepherd. Tommy nodded also not wanting to draw more attention but the horrified look was still in his eyes.

"I'll help you." Noh offered which took the fright out of Speed's eyes and replaced it with shock.

"You will?"

Noh nodded, "I've seen lots of things as I've traveled the world. I might have some skills that can help you."

He pondered that for a long moment and just in case he decided to turn down the offer Noh cut him off.

"Take us to this Beast." He insisted confidently.

The look in Speed's eyes hardened like a man on a mission and he gave one sharp nod.

.

.

Prince Dorrek hit the door to the dining hall open as he stormed inside and sat at the table. His place was already set and waiting for him. The fireplace was lit to keep the room warm and instead of last time when that intruder was here and everything was darker this time Cassie had gone ahead and lit all the candles that were mounted to the walls on brass fixtures. The bulbs on the chandelier that hung above the table were all on making sure the room glowed and all the golden filigree glittered in the shining light. But Dorrek paused when he noticed the seat at the other end of the long table was also set identically to his.

"KATE!" He bellowed as he stood, knocking over the ornate chair as he marched into the kitchen where he found his servants. "You're making him dinner!"

Kate was standing beside a table of prepared trays of food, probably waiting for Cassie's finishing touches before serving them. Eli wasn't far away looking into a mirror on the wall as he straightened the tie that matched his military dress jacket.

"Master, you wanted to keep him prisoner forever." Kate defended herself, "Well he can't be locked away forever if he starves to death." Kate reasoned then elbowed Eli, "Right Eli?"

"Sire, this was all her idea." Eli replied turning from the mirror with crossed arms. "I tried to stop her. But would she listen? No of course not -"

"Fine! Send him a glass of water and the crust of some bread." Dorrek grumbled.

Kate cleared her throat and suddenly had trouble looking anyone in the eye, "Um master, have you thought that maybe this young man is the one who can break the spell?"

"WHAT!" Dorrek shouted in a mix of shock, offense and disgust.

But Kate persisted, ignoring the insinuation and better explaining her theory. "Sire, he is called Wiccan, perhaps he has some sort of magic that can undo the curse." Kate suggested.

Eli just shook his head as he folded his hands behind his back regally, "You and your fantasies. Sire, I want to assure you that I had no part in this hopeless plan. Prepare him dinner, give him a wardrobe, let him stay in the best suite in the east wing -"

"You gave him a bedroom!" Dorrek asked incredulously.

"No, no. She gave him a bedroom." Eli corrected nodding toward Kate.

"Master, it's one thing if this young man can break the spell, but he won't if he doesn't like us. . . or you." Kate pointed out, "But if you can form an alliance with him – though after what's already happened it might take a bit of charm - maybe he will at least try. Even if he can't break it he may be able to buy us some time."

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Dorrek scoffed with a shake of his head making his blonde hair shake and fall across his eyes. He swept it off his forehead angrily as he went on. "Forget that he's another man, more importantly he's a prisoner."

"Please, just try." Cassie said over by the stove where she was working on dinner, looking over her shoulder at the three of them. "What have we got to lose?"

He didn't respond as he contemplated their ludicrous idea. Looking to push him Kate added, "The rose has already begun to wilt."

He huffed blowing some strands of hair from his face. He didn't need Kate to tell him that, he saw that damned rose every day where it rested on the balcony of his chamber. He'd known it had begun to wilt earlier that very week. Which was partially why he was in such a foul mood, foul enough to take prisoners, to refuse a brother's plea for his twin to be let go. It wasn't his fault, Dorrek consoled himself, it was that damn dying flower, that damn witch, they were the cause of all this suffering. Dorrek was just a tool of its delivery.

However, as he looked around the kitchen at the only people who had ever stood by him and saw the changes in their faces, the yellow eyes, the green skin, the scales sprouting – he gave another huff. It seemed he didn't have a choice. If he did nothing and just let their fate come to them then he'd have to see his own failure in the Skrull faces of his friends for the rest of their miserable lives. His duty was to protect his people, Kl'rt had always taught him, no matter what his own feelings were. Set aside everything and anything he wanted and protect them. That was the duty of a king.

So, angrily, he stomped off to the east wing.

When he got to the suite Dorrek knocked hard on the door causing the sound to reverberate down the hall. But there was no answer. So he knocked again, harder, which made the hall tremble as his friends caught up to him.

"Gently master." Cassie reminded him, "The poor boy lost his twin brother, most of his powers and his freedom all in one day."

Dorrek gave an aggravated sigh and turned back to the door knocking gently this time, "Would you join us for dinner?"

"I'm not hungry." Wiccan called back.

Dorrek turned back to the others, "See? He likes being difficult." He said teetering on the edge of his rage.

"Try saying please." Kate suggested softly.

Dorrek groaned and turned to the door again, "Would you please join us for dinner?"

"No thank you." Wiccan replied throwing manners back at him which Dorrek took as mockery, whether it was intended or not.

"You can't stay in there forever." Dorrek called his voice getting louder.

"Wanna bet?"

"Fine! Starve." Dorrek shrugged before turning to the others, "If he refuses to come out, then he's refusing to eat!"

Then he marched off muttering about what idiots they all were.

"What does he expect me to do? Beg him? He's the prisoner, he should be begging me to let him eat!" Dorrek kept muttering until he got to his quarters and slammed open the door before knocking over a table and kicking a chair across the room where it broke into splinters adding to the mess already strewn about his chambers.

He stormed over to the balcony and rested one hand on the table next to the glass case over the magic rose. The sight of it made him pause as he took a few more deep breaths and calmed down.

"This is hopeless." He sighed, his blue eyes now sad. Then he saw the silver mirror on the table glimmer in the moonlight. He picked it up and gave it an order. "Show me the Wiccan."

The mirror rippled and soon he saw the young man in his room sitting on the edge of the bed. His red tattered cloak hung around his shoulders over his navy short sleeved top. It didn't look like regular clothing Dorrek noticed but it wasn't thick like armor either. He thought back to all the lessons Kl'rt had given him over the years, most of them military related. Carbon polymer was a thicker flame resistant fabric and was handy if there were tanks firing at you heightening the risk of fighting into a fire. The Skrulls had been looking into a Kevlar-based ballistic nylon the humans had started to use in their utilitarian-style black-ops uniforms. Back before Kl'rt had died and Dorrek became cursed obviously. Was it possible Wiccan had gotten his hands on something that exclusive? Or had he acquired the thicker more protective fabric with the help of his magic? Dorrek looked closer and part of his mind wandered to the idea that he could stare at the young mage all he wanted and would never get caught. Pushing those kinds of thoughts away he told himself he was looking merely from a strategic position. Along Wiccan's sides there was a silver swirled pattern that matched the barely there pattern in his headband that helped keep his hair out of his face. He wore a belt with a circular buckle that held up his pants which looked like they were made of the same fabric as his shirt. They were form fitting but obviously not skin tight thanks to the thick protective material the suit was made of. He also wore a pair of fingerless gloves but Dorrek couldn't see much other then the color since Wiccan's hands were buried in his dark hair.

He looked miserable as he put his head in his hands, hunched on the side of the bed. He stayed like that and something about the position made Dorrek's heart clench. He saw Wiccan's shoulders move for a brief minute and wondered if the young man was crying. Half a minute later he took his face from his hands, wiped his eyes and took a deep breath, his hands now clutched at the comforter on the corner of the bed as he stared at the floor like he'd been a prisoner for months and not hours.

Then Dorrek had seen enough and turned the mirror over as he set it down again. Something moved in the corner of his eye and he turned to see a petal fall from the rose.