Disclaimer: Do I have to say it?

This chapter is dedicated to Purple Eyed Cat because she wrote 80 percent of this chapter! -bows-

Oh, and don't kill me!

Chapter 7

The sun cast its noon rays across the sky, and the sunbirds followed them, spinning and twirling in their amazing dance of color that made them seem like pieces of glass thrown against the pure blue sky.

The rays shafted down into a valley, where—nestled between two flowing green hills—lay a small house. Smoke drifted up from the chimney, flirting with the breezes that passed it by. The house was simple, with a golden thatched roof and soft green shutters. The house looked ordinary enough, but it was the occupants that made it extraordinary.

The house had a large fenced garden, flowing with plants and trees, fed by a small sparkling stream that wound its way through the garden. The trees were heavy with fruit, and the plants sent their many pleasant fragrances on the wind.

Occupying this garden were a myriad of animals, from the smallest ant to the large elephant that grazed comfortably in the corner. At its feet, a lion cub played, but the elephant continued its meal, undisturbed by the would-be predator at its heels.

Horses grazed comfortably while wild dogs lounged in the shade, looking well-fed. Fox cubs chased small baby rabbits for fun, not for the hunt, and a fawn and wolf pup slept side by side. None the prey and their potential predators made any hostile move towards the other, and one had to wonder who could keep the natural predators from preying and the prey from fleeing.

This idyllic scene was interrupted by the arrival of a large black house cat, who carried a dead mouse in his jaws. All heads went up as the cat hopped over the fence, and all waited in what seemed to be a respectful silence until the cat had entered the house. Then, the occupants of the garden went back to their leisurely activities.

The cat entered a large kitchen, and hopped onto a chair, then catapulted himself onto the large rough wooden table that sat near large windows that looked out onto the garden. He watched with large violet eyes as a woman entered the kitchen from her room, looking flustered.

Her red-gold hair was in a large plait, and the braid swung down almost to her knees. Her leaf-green dress with its delicate embroidery was mussed, and she hurried about the kitchen, muttering to herself.

"First he wants me there to help, then I'm called away by someone who needs me and then--" She broke off as the cat on the table dropped his dead mouse and voiced an inquisitive mew.

Turning to face the table, she spotted the cat and smiled. "Hello Rae," she murmured, her expression soft, and then she caught sight of the dead mouse next to him, and she glared at him sternly.

"Oh, Rae," she sighed, turning back to her attempts at cooking, "I wish you wouldn't bring dead animals into the house. You know I don't like it."

The cat's mind-voice was amused. But they are gods, he said, cocking his head as if to inspect her closer, they are reborn.

"In case you've forgotten," the woman snapped back, "I used to be a mortal. I still think that they can never come back and…" her voice broke, "I can't stand that."

Turning off the oven, the woman turned her back to the cat, but Rae knew better. Leaping off the table, he grabbed his mouse and left the house. Quickly burying it in the yard, he returned to find the woman setting the table for four.

Padding up to her, he sat on the edge of her skirts until she was forced to pick him up to be able to move. He touched his pink nose to hers, his mind-voice humble. I'm sorry.

"It's alright," she murmured, eyes downcast, and the next second, she held a man in her arms, one with thick black hair and bright purple eyes.

"Rhea," Rae whispered, lifting her chin so their eyes met. She gazed back at him, her emerald eyes shining. He remembered a time when those same beautiful eyes had been clouded over, milky-white, and she had been trapped in darkness.

He held her close, and she played with his shirt strings, refusing to look at him. "Rhea," he whispered again, and this time, she looked at him. A slight smile curled his lips at the stubborn look on her face.

"I love you," he murmured, capturing her lips with his. Rhea leaned into his touch, wrapping her arms around his neck, and a slight moan escaped her.

Parting for air, they gazed at each other, until Rae broke the comfortable silence reluctantly. "So," he asked, "what were you muttering about earlier?"

"Mithros," Rhea grumbled, grinning wryly, "he was being demanding."

"When isn't he?" Rae quipped, grinning along with her. Rhea's eyes sparkled a leaf-green now, and Raedashe wished he could stay here stare into them forever. He would always be pleasantly surprised when she looked at him, really looked at him, with her eyes.

"Do you want to watch the sunbirds before Sarra and Daine get here?" Raedashe asked, and Rhea nodded, looking longingly out the window. Pointing white Gift at the mess she had made trying to cook, it all vanished, leaving the kitchen sparkling clean.

Rae watched this and shook his head. "You and your cleanliness." In response, Rhea smacked him lightly on the arm, and then took his hand. The two walked out into the garden, greeting animal friends along the way.

Leading Rhea to a garden swing he had made especially for her under the orchid tree, Rae settled down next to her, stretching cat-like, onto the seat. They watched the sun-birds flash against the sky, and Rhea nestled against Rae chest, hearing his rumbling purr comfortingly close. Snuggled together, they watched the sunbirds' display, dazzled by the colors and enjoying the other's presence.

Rhea shot up in bed, sweating. She could see nothing, but the images from her dream were burned into her brain. Slowly she lay back down, wondering, What was that all about?

Sighing, she rolled over and felt for the comforting warmth of Raedeshe. Not finding it, she sat up and felt for his weight anywhere on the bed. She may not be speaking to him since he had told her the prophecy, but he was the only comfort she had.

A hand caught hers and she tried to pull away, the grip was too small to be Rae's. "Hello, my dear." The voice that spoke was too cold and it took her a moment to recognize it. "Prince Laius? Where am I?" A chuckle came from beside her and she shied away from the icy laugh.

"Away from the palace…Actually, you're not even in Maren right now." Her blood ran cold and a small gasp escaped her at his words. "You filthy pig!" She snapped, still trying to free her hand, "You kidnapped me!" She wrenched her hand free of his and reached for the dagger that was tied to the inside of her arm. Pulling it free, she slashed in his general direction. A sharp hiss and a small resistance on her blade told Rhea that she had at least scored a mark.

His hands caught hers, putting pressure on her wrist until she dropped the dagger. "We'll have none of that, wench." The anger in his voice and the feel of his breath, hot on her face, made her stop trying. She felt her skin tingle and suddenly his lips were smashed to hers, making her squeak in protest. She writhed, trying to break free but he held her tightly.

He came up for air and she spat, getting the disgusting taste of him out of her mouth. She felt him come closer again and pulled her hand free, slapping him across the face. He hissed and the next thing Rhea felt was a brick-like hand slapping her face. As the pain crept into the corners of her brain, she dropped the barriers that blocked out the animals' and Rae's mind voices. -Rae!- The pain swamped her and she floated into unconscious oblivion, not hearing Laius's scream as the wild animals answered her plea for help.

Miles away, in Maren, Raedashe slumbered fitfully in cat form, sheathing and unsheathing his claws. He had been inconsolable since Rhea had disappeared two days ago, and Maia couldn't coax him to eat. He stayed in Rhea's room, curled up on her bed, often staring into space, waiting for her connection to open up again.

Suddenly, her pained voice shot through his sleep, startling him to feet and making his fur bristle. -Rae!- Her mind-voice screamed, and he could feel her pain, rage and fear as though he was there with her.

-Rhea?- He cried silently, panicked, but she didn't answer. What he did hear was the animals' response. He heard the silent roar as they advanced on whoever was attacking her, and sudden rage boiled in his veins. Whoever was attacking her was his to kill, not theirs.

Jumping off the bed, and without even thinking of informing Maia of what was going on, Raedashe changed swiftly. Growing large by the moment, he ripped the door open as a panther and bounded out into the courtyard. Reassured by its emptiness, he changed again, but this was no mortal animal he became.

Silver claws grew were cat claws had been moments ago. Smooth black fur changed into smooth black scales, overlapping in places. His slitted violet eyes remained unchanged, while his underbelly changed into bright purple scales, and black leathery wings sprouted from his shoulders. With a roar, Raedashe the dragon took flight, following the path Rhea's now open connection left him.

Their connection directed him towards the Maren border, and Rae hissed in rage. Whoever had stolen Rhea would answer to him. He covered the ground effortlessly, and followed the connection to a small inn just a few miles beyond the border. His prey in sight, Raedashe let loose a full-throated roar of triumph. He ignored the screaming people that pointed to him; his only concern was Rhea. Finding the window of the room in question, Rae ripped it open with one silver claw and changed rapidly.

Scales melted to become rippling black fur, and silver claws retreated into their sheaths. Raedashe was now a panther, but he was the largest panther anyone had ever seen. Leaping into the room with silent grace, Rae surveyed the scene.

Prince Laius lay on the floor, weakly trying to fend off the barrage of animals that attacked him. The only animals that could come to Rhea's aid at such a short notice were mostly cats, dogs, birds and squirrels, but they did a good job of keeping the prince away from their friend as more animals poured in.

Rage boiled in his veins, and at Rae's commanding snarl, the animals retreated, allowing the prince to sit up. Weakly, he squinted, and raised his arms as if to fend off another attack. What he found was the largest panther he had ever seen towering over him, and there seemed to be an almost human-like rage glinting in those strange violet eyes.

Lifting one paw, the panther pinned him to the floor, growling softly. Laius recognized the strange violet eyes as the ones from Rhea's shape-shifting friend, and he sneered up at the large cat.

Snarling now, Raedashe lowered his head so he was eye to eye with the prince. Staring at him, he held the prince's gaze, then dropped his head suddenly. Laius braced himself for the killing blow, but the panther merely sniffed him and backed away.

A soft moan emitted from Rhea's prone form on the bed, and Raedashe looked up, hope shining in his violet eyes. Leaping for the bed, he changed rapidly until by the time he hit the bed, he was a large black house cat.

Purring ecstatically, Rae covered Rhea's face with his rough tongue, but when she waved him off weakly he ceased. –Rae?- She asked silently, confused. Her hands sought the comforting black fur, or even a large soft hand, so Raedashe climbed into her arms, letting the girl bury her nose in his fur as her tears soaked him through.

-It's alright Rhea,- Rae purred to her. Even if she said she wasn't talking to him, he could feel Rhea shaking with fear and relief.

-Where's the prince?- Rhea asked, too tired to speak aloud. She could feel Rae's gaze on her face as he answered.

A growl rumbling in his throat, the cat twitched his ears under her soothing hand. –He's still here, but your friends attacked him.- Feeling Rhea tremble with unsaid fear, Raedashe murmured soothingly, -Don't worry, I won't let him hurt you.-

Rhea buried her nose in his fur again, comforted by his familiar scent, but she shrank back as she heard someone else approaching the bed. Rae growled menacingly, and the person backed up slightly, clearing their throat nervously.

-Excuse me.- Rae retracted himself from Rhea's arms reluctantly, but Laius was not gone, and his anger was not yet spent. Shifting, he turned into a dragon again.

-Rae.- Rhea's frightened voice sounded, and he turned to find her sightless eyes staring right at him. –Don't kill him.- Her mind-voice wavered, and although he could feel her fear, Rae listened. –Don't kill him,- she pleaded, -just get him out of this room.-

-Of course I won't kill him.- Rae promised, although he was itching to do just that. Turning to the prince, he picked him up none too carefully and deposited him in one large black paw. Rae took flight, promising Rhea, -I'll be back. Just stay there.-

Dropping the prince onto the stone courtyard of the Maren palace from a height of fifty feet satisfied part of Rae's anger, but he still wanted to kill the prince for what he had done. Watching the prince scurry into the palace, or more accurately he was crawling into the palace, Rae turned away and took flight, knowing Rhea was waiting for him.

Padding back into the room, Rae leapt onto the bed again and proceeded to wash. Mid-wash, searching hands connected with his fur, pulling him towards her. Wriggling away, Rae changed again, pulling on the spare set of clothes he kept with him. Climbing onto the bed again, he touched Rhea's hand.

The girl shied from his touch for a moment, then wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his chest, weeping softly. Rae soothed her, whispering comforting words and brushing her damp red-gold hair out of her face.

"I'm never going to leave you again." He promised, and there was silence for a moment before Rhea answered.

"Never?" She asked, sounding like a lost child.

"Never." Rae said firmly, soothing her into sleep. He waited until her breathing was soft and even, an indicator that she was asleep, and then let sleep overtake him also.