Shuryntus just frowned at her, as Kalli pulled off a pair of long stockings. She stumbled and cursed her clumsiness as she tried to pull off her clothing, her jewelry, and her makeup, all at the same time.

"This stuff drives me insane! I can't stand it another minute." With her hands over her hips, the Phoenix tumbled over to her guard. "Aren't you going to help?"

Her guard looked up at her with a look of distain. "I'm not your servant, Kalli. I'm your guard. Just because you won't allow me to do my job doesn't mean you can come up with other things for me to do. And I refuse to help undress you. Raenel would kill me, first of all, and second, it's really funny to watch you trying on your own." He chuckled dryly, leaning back in his chair.

Kalli frowned at the name; Raenel was Mae's second guard, a horribly sensible woman, if you asked Kalli. 'What the hell does Ry see in the witch anyway?' "Damn that Raenel; she's so fucking jealous. It's not like I want to sleep with you, anyway."

"She doesn't know that. Besides, you slept with everyone else in the castle." The guard's tone was condescending, but playful. He was making fun of her.

There was an annoying bit of truth to Ry's logic that was irking Kalli. Her eyebrow twitched in anger. "I haven't slept with everyone, Ry." She pulled out her earrings, throwing them onto the dresser. "And don't be so callous; you're starting to sound like Mae."

She hadn't meant to be so cold when she said it. Kalli looked forward into the mirror, hoping Ry hadn't noticed. 'Gods, I look like hell. He knows I haven't been sleeping, haven't been eating. That I've been running off in the middle of the morning, to be alone.' Studying her reflection, the Phoenix could see the emptiness of her eyes and the dark rings underneath. The lack of sleep had ravaged the healthy glow of her skin and peeled what little fat there was from her face, leaving her cheeks sunken, her eyebrows heavy over her tired eyes. 'Under all the makeup, I look like hell.'

"Is that what this is all about?" Heavy hands settled on Kalli's shoulders. "Is all this about the Dragon?"

Suddenly, Kalli was crying, the tears raging down her cheeks like angry rain. She tried to turn away, to hide her pain from him. But Ry pulled her back, into his arms. His shoulder was solid and strong as she bawled into him, all the anger and pain of the past few weeks drowning and melting away.

Still sniffling, Kalli clung to her guard, wiping her eyes on a handkerchief Shuryntus. "Damn it, Ry, my own wife... she hates me. Oh, Phoenix, why does she have to hate me?"

"Gods, Kalli. You really think that of her?"

The Phoenix's voice was muffled as she clung to his shoulder. "I know it's true."

Ry dragged her backwards, forcing her down onto the bed. She sat with a bit of reluctance, looking up at him with nothing but trust in her eyes. "Phoenix, you really need to sleep. I'm going to go get the healer to mix you up something so you can rest." He touched the side of her face, gently, kissing her forehead like a brother comforting his heartbroken sister. It was wonderful, that feeling of family between them...

"Please, Kalli, don't leave. Please, stay where you are. I'll be right back for you, I promise."

And he was gone. The only warmth in her room faded away, leaving it dark and empty. 'Oh Gods, I feel empty, so horribly empty. This room is so stifling...' Kalli pressed her hands to her face, trying to ignore the crushing claustrophobia. Her head throbbed under the weight of her crying, her eyes burning and blurred. 'I'm sorry, Phoenix, for whatever I did to deserve this... Please forgive me sins; I can't stand this anymore.' She stood, pulling on a long robe and buttoning it securely over her white robes. 'I'm sorry, Ry, I have to get out of here...' Tears brimming in her eyes, Kalli crawled out of her window, sobbing silently into the night.

More on Raenel, Colin (Mae's other guard), and Shayn (Kalli's other guard) later. They'll be relavent later, I think.

Okay, it's sleep time; what a weekend. I'm always so tired...

Mina