I have missed writing this story it is after all one of my favorites. I hope you like it. I own nothing.

Chapter 23

With all the fuss she made, it would have been assumed that Mortola would spend months, maybe even a year to find a solution for Meggie and Capricorn's long separation, but that wasn't the case. A little too close for Meggie, for though she knew Capricorn needed to do this, she wanted Mortola to take her time. The longer she took the longer she would still have her husband by her side. But Mortola solved their problem quickly; too quickly. So, quick in fact that Meggie wondered if maybe she hadn't had a way to keep them connected all along, for it was only a couple weeks after their deal was struck that she presented it to Capricorn.

"May I speak with you alone, my king?" said Mortola entering the throne room to find Capricorn alone on his throne and with a nod from him Basta, who stood in the corner, moved to leave as Meggie stood just outside the door eavesdropping. Basta saw her listening at the door as he exited, but he only smiled in response.

"I have found your solution, my king," said Mortola bowing before him.

Meggie couldn't see it, but she could hear Capricorns smile. She knew he would be happy at that statement and though she loved him she couldn't be happy about it. It was making their separation draw all the closer.

"That is marvelous, Mortola. Hurry and tell me all you know," said Capricorn grinning like a cat. He could already see himself taking over the whole inkworld. He knew he would and that he would come home to his bride's proud waiting arms. That was his thought as he stared at Mortola intently giving her all his attention. Mortola couldn't hide her smile then, it had been so long since he had done such a thing.

"I have come across a potion that when both you and her drink it will allow you to appear in each other's dreams. Not just as figments you must understand, but you will really be there together. You'll be able to talk to each other, touch each other or anything really. The potion is fairly simply and I'm sure I can make up a batch as soon as possible," exclaimed Mortola her excitement over having pleased him clear watching as his smile got bigger.

"That sounds like it could work very well. As long as I will be able to speak and stay in contact with Meggie that's all that matters. I cannot do this if I must be parted from her," whispered Capricorn moving to stand. He chose to ignore the sour look on Mortola's face in that moment as he looked down at the ring on his finger. The ring that represented their union, their love, and it was then his eyes grew soft. He loved Meggie so much.

"If you will permit me, my king, there is more. I have found two solutions for you," whispered Mortola breaking him from his thoughts.

"I have found an enchantment that I think may suit your purposes," said Mortola presenting him with two journals of generous size.

"If you are agreeable I can enchant these so you and her can write to each other while apart. It will allow that anything either of you writes in your journal will appear in the others. I figured it was needed if you would both know when to take the potion at the same time," whispered Mortola once again seeking to please him. Capricorn saw that look in her eye and for once decided to indulge her.

"You have outdone yourself, Mortola, excellent. Start working on it immediately, but there is one thing I still require of you. I want you to teach my queen to brew this potion. She is as brilliant as you yourself are, she will learn quickly," smiled Capricorn watching with glee as her face fell at the very mention of his beloved.

Capricorn could see how unhappy the whole thought of teaching Meggie anything made her. He was happy with her, but after all the trouble she had been he would always enjoy making her unhappy. It would have to do until he could finally kill her. He watched her nod then giving him a bow and as she was leaving that's when Meggie appeared in the doorway. The two women met in the doorway neither of them saying a word as they passed.

"I knew you were listening," whispered Capricorn giving her a smile as he moved towards her. Striding towards her, he pulled her into his arms his lips colliding with hers, and as they kissed he knew she must have heard for she held him so tight.

"I couldn't be in the same room with your mother, so I decided to wait for her to leave," whispered Meggie in response breaking their kiss to give him a tiny smile.

"Yes, I know, but it was worth it. She found us something to keep us together even if we aren't. Being apart will be somewhat bearable now," said Capricorn hoping that would lessen the pain he knew she would still feel. As he spoke he locked their eyes keeping his arms gripping her whole body as he moved them. Meggie didn't even notice he was doing so until her back hit the wall and finding herself trapped her smile widened.

"Yes, I heard. I'm glad," whispered Meggie attempting to give him another smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Meggie…now we can still be together or at least talk to each other. Doesn't that make you happy? What's wrong?" whispered Capricorn letting one hand cup her cheek. He used his other hand to draw her closer pressing her body flat against his and peering down into her eyes he silently waited for her answer.

"Oh, my king, I love you, and I'm happy for you. You're going to go conquer the world and I couldn't be prouder, but that means something else too. That you'll be leaving me sooner than I thought. That I must let you go and I really don't want to. I love you so, so much and I'm going to miss you. I'm going to miss you…really miss you," exclaimed Meggie letting her tears fall down the length of her face. She couldn't picture one single day in their castle without him, one night in their bed without him, and then the thought would enter her mind that he might not come back. Meggie hated thinking of it, she had lived a portion of her life without him, and she never wanted to live that way again. She had married him because she intended to spend the rest of her life with him, but now there was always the chance that that wouldn't happen. And it scared the hell out of her. He held her tight against his chest then feeling as her arms moved languidly around his neck.

"I love you too, my queen. I love you, so much, and because of that I know I must do this. But I understand what you're feeling right now. I love you and I will miss you just as much. I will spend every day apart from you missing you and it will be the thought of seeing you again that will keep me going when I'm gone. Just remember that, that I love you, and I'm going to miss you too," said Capricorn catching a stray tear as it left her eye. He kissed her forehead then and looking down at her he smiled. It was a smile she returned after a moment laying her head against his chest. He knew it didn't lessen her pain, but he knew it put her mind at ease. And if it did that he was glad.

"You better miss me. If I find out you've been carousing with any women over there I will find my way over there and you, my love, will know hell. I love you, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't kick your ass for doing something like that," said Meggie finally looking up into his eyes with a smile still on her face letting him know despite that smile that she was serious before pulling him down to kiss her not giving him a chance to respond though as he processed her words he didn't know what to say because he didn't want any other woman; that was his only thought as he let her dominate the kiss. The kiss was brief their heads touching as soon as it was over. Capricorn looked at her in that moment letting his eyes roam over her. When he saw what she was wearing he pulled back looking her up and down.

"Going somewhere?" said Capricorn. Meggie looked like she was all set to go on a trip somewhere. She was wearing a trench coat which gave him no idea as to what she wore underneath her long legs bare leading to a pair of black very sexy six inch stilettos that he remembered her wearing only once. He would never forget them; she was wearing them when he proposed and later when he made love to her later. Her hair fell over her shoulders as usual and it was as he was admiring her that he found himself pulled back to her.

"We've been so busy looking for a solution to our separation problem that we haven't had time for anything else. I decided today it was time to put a stop to that. I've missed having my husband…especially now since soon I won't have you for who knows how long," breathed Meggie gently drawing away from him as she finished. Walking in a seductive way, Meggie could feel his eyes on her as she approached the double doors pulling them closed with a loud slam, and turning to face him she beckoned him towards her. As he followed her call she locked the doors with a click turning away from him then to make sure they couldn't be opened. Only when this was done did she face him once more smiling as she opened the coat letting it fall to the floor in the same moment.

"Meggie," growled Capricorn in response halting for just a moment before continuing towards her. Beneath the coat she wore nearly nothing, just a red and black bra and panties with sheer black stockings held up by equally black garters. Every time he saw her he swore she was the most beautiful woman in the world and in that moment that thought entered his mind repeatedly. He couldn't stop looking at her, all his, standing there waiting for him as he was, and finally coming to stand right there he looked into her eyes. He brought his hands to be on either side of her head on the door and letting his eyes run over her Capricorn couldn't help the growl that left his lips.

"So, has the queen pleased her king?" whispered Meggie making him meet her gaze again her grin a mile long, but sexy telling him he had to make the first move.

"I'm going to miss you," answered Capricorn leaning in close.

At first Meggie thought he would kiss her then, but he didn't. Instead he simply kissed her cheek laying his hand against the other both staying like that until Meggie finally looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. Using his tie as an anchor, she attacked his lips letting her tongue slip to be with his almost immediately. The fact that they would be apart soon didn't leave their minds as they both moved in a frenzy lips against lips. They wanted nothing more than to be skin against skin. That was apparent when Capricorn grasped the fine skin of her waist and using it to push her up against the door he felt as she clung to him tighter in response.

"Meggie…I need you…I love you. I don't know how I'm going to survive so long without you," whispered Capricorn feeling as she ran her nails over the back of his neck her breathe hitching as he spoke making him look at her before scouring over her throat. His lips weren't there long though, for soon their lips were moving against each other until he pulled away. Making Meggie squeal, Capricorn picked her up into his arms feeling her legs go around his waist immediately before he slammed her back against the door. He let his body hold her there as he focused on making love to her.

Capricorn heard his own name leave her lips as he marked her neck then her cleavage wanting them as reminders for her. He may be gone, but when she looked at herself she would know who she belonged to. As he did this, Capricorn kept his eyes on her watching her out of the corner of his eye, and as he did he memorized her. He would not, could not forget her. Her face would be the thing that made everything he did in the Inkworld worthwhile. It was all for her, for them.

"I'm going to miss you so much," whispered Capricorn his lips just touching her ear as he left a mark with it deep down happy to have a solution, but hating the circumstances of his departure. Despite that, it also meant that he would be leaving her soon, and that thought was heart shattering to them both.

"I promise you I'll come back to you though," breathed Capricorn looking into her eyes as she turned her head letting him run kisses over her jaw. Meggie only gave him a silent nod, she couldn't say anything, she knew if she did she would start crying, and she didn't want to do that now. Instead she only pulled him closer letting his lips touch hers and sliding her hands down his chest she heard him growl against her lips as she began the work of opening his pants. His own hands left her sides then his body hard as it held her against the door and feeling his fingers suddenly at her thigh Meggie gasped into the kiss as he ripped her panties away. The garters came off to the sound echoing through the room and smiling Meggie only pulled him closer feeling another type of hardness suddenly helping him hold her to the door.

"I love you, Capricorn…so much," whispered Meggie breaking their kiss. She continued to undress him grinning as she ripped his shirt open with a tearing sound. It was followed by a laugh that his lips soon stifled.

"I love you too, my queen. You are the only one I want…you won't have to worry about me carousing with anyone…no one else does this to me," growled Capricorn chuckling as he pressed kisses to her throat before doing the same to her lips once more moving to hold her tight against the door. But then he nearly dropped her; it had been too long. When she grasped his hard cock finally Capricorn nearly lost it. It had been weeks since they were last together. He looked at her then his eyes heavy the same as hers and kissing her they both knew what was next.

"You are my one and only queen," whispered Capricorn making her look at him as he aligned himself with her entrance their eyes not breaking as their foreheads touched.

"No other woman could ever compare, my love; you have nothing to worry about. I would never touch another…not when we're apart, not ever because I am madly, hopelessly in love with you. I love you, Meggie. I would never do that to you and even if I did…if I made some mistake you wouldn't have to kick my ass because I would do it for you. You're mine as I am yours," exclaimed Capricorn making her cry her head nodding in answer. Their foreheads were still touching as she pulled him to kiss her and as he slowly entered her Meggie gasped pulling away to look at him. Tears of love, sadness, of so many different emotions were leaving her eyes now, and kissing her once more Capricorn got rid of them as he settled inside her never wanting to let her go as he did.

"You're mine as I am yours, Capricorn. I love you more than anyone or anything and I always will," exclaimed Meggie holding his face in her hands. As he moved inside her Meggie just looked at him savoring the moment with him knowing that he was doing the same. This moment was special because it was them. They might not be together again for a very long time.

"My king…I'm going to miss you…life won't be the same without you. I need you here with me. What do I do while you're gone…life will be lonely and sad and completely different. I hate already," whispered Meggie making him smile even against her lips as he nodded feeling the same way she did.

"I should be saying the same thing," laughed Capricorn in answer kissing her once more.

"We'll be lost without each other," whispered Capricorn cradling her in his arms as her hands left his face gripping his shoulders nodding in response before wrapping her arms around his neck.

"But it'll all be worth it…I know you'll go off and come back a success. I know you'll conquer the Inkworld and until then I'll be here waiting for you to come back. I'll always be waiting for you no matter what," whispered Meggie pulling him into a deep kiss knowing her words only spurred him on as he pressed her hard against the door making her moan his name in between kisses.

"Capricorn," moaned Meggie again this time making it sound like a sob on her lips as she buried her face in his neck. He kept his pace slow wanting to draw this moment out with her, his arms holding her as hers held him. He worshipped her. He made her scream drawing out their end until finally he let his hand snake between them. Seeking out her clit, Capricorn gently flicked at it watching her face knowing exactly what he was doing to her. He loved the way he could make her shatter, the way he could make her his like this, and be the only one to ever do so. Next, he kissed her lips moving down her neck again before bringing another hand to cup her breast making her lean her head back against the door. They were both close. He played with her breast his lips still against her neck leaving one last mark. He could feel Meggie's nail then through the skin of his clothes and looking at her he smiled. She was his and he was hers. If that wasn't clear before it was now. No one else did this to him, no one else was as beautiful to him or as precious. It was then that Meggie caught his eye and making him bring his lips back to hers she held his face in her hands.

"You better come back, you're all I got," whispered Meggie the emotion heavy in her voice as she clung to him. Her words made him hold her all the closer. Capricorn just kissed her moving harder inside her refusing to let her go. Being away from her, leaving her would be the hardest thing he ever did; he knew that as he finally drew away. Suddenly Capricorn could feel his own tears wanting to spill, but he wouldn't let them. He pushed them away refusing to look at her until finally she gave him no choice. Meggie pulled his face to hers nodding her understanding her own tears on her face. She would cry his for him. Gently, as he continued to make love to her, he moved the hair out of her face, and nothing was said. They didn't need words; they never had. Their eyes said it all as did the movement of their bodies and the kisses they shared. They would never need words.

They both knew he would come back. He had to, he couldn't live without her. For why would he ever willingly, permanently leave her. Meggie was his world, Meggie was his queen, Meggie was his wife, and Meggie was the single greatest thing that had ever happened to him. And Meggie felt the same. Capricorn was her savior, her life, and without him she knew she wouldn't go on living. They were each other's everything. Each other's life. Each other's breath, blood, and soul. They needed each other; they loved each other. And that would always be the only thing that mattered. Telling each other that with their eyes only then did they kiss with the deepest passion feeling as she came in that same moment. Capricorn came with her burying his head in her neck as she did the same. That didn't last though, for their eyes met in the same moment, and soon so did their lips.

"As worth it as my leaving may be…that doesn't make it any easier," whispered Capricorn feeling as Meggie nodded leaning into his arms both sharing a sigh.

"But we'll see each other again. After that hopefully we'll never be parted ever, ever again," whispered Meggie their foreheads touching as she looked at him gently kissing his lips chastely feeling him smile even as he pulled her away from the wall. They held each other tight still as he made it back to his throne. He sat in it with only her in his lap and looking at her he brought her to kiss him once more. He didn't want this moment to end because when it did it would mean he would have to prepare to leave her. And as much as he wanted to conquer his world that still didn't mean he wanted to leave her. Because he didn't. He never would that was his face as he looked at her giving her one last chaste kiss.

"I love you, my king," breathed Meggie tears still in her eyes as she took his face in her hands.

"Not as much as I love you, my queen," whispered Capricorn pulling her into another searing kiss determine not to stop it until he absolutely had to.