Andy smiled at Yuki, riding ahead of him.
He grinned, kicking his horse to catch up. "It's so beautiful out here."
She nodded, "Yeah, it is. Thank you for coming out here with me."
He shook his head. "You've been so busy lately. It's nice to have you all to myself."
"Sorry I've been busy. You know I'd spend every minute with you if I could."
He chuckled. "I'm just a needy little boy."
"You're my needy little boy and I love you," she smiled.
He giggled as he rode ahead.
There was a 'thwack' sound, then his eyes went wide. He looked down to see a crossbow bolt jutting through his side. Blood began to pour from the wound as he tumbled from his horse.
"Yuki!" Andy rushed over to him, jumping from her horse to try to check on him.
He reached out a shaking hand, blood streaming from his mouth. His eyes were dimming, his hand falling to the ground as they closed.
She pulled the bolt out and began to focus, purple light starting to surround him. It vanished as she felt a hand on her arm, pulling her away.
"Leave him."
"Who are you?" She tried to get away.
"Prince Maxim's protector. He wishes for you to join his kingdom." The man gripped her arm tight, dragging her toward his horse.
Tears filled her eyes as she got a final look at Yuki. She kept trying to pull away but wasn't strong enough.
"Forget him. You have a new suitor now." He forced her to climb onto his horse, seating himself behind her and kicking it into a gallop.
Tears ran down her cheeks as she was carried far from her kingdom.
They arrived at a castle several hours later. Her nameless kidnapper lifted her over his shoulder as he dismounted. He walked quickly into a throne room, then placed her on her feet. He bowed to the man on the throne.
Andy looked around, tears still on her cheeks.
"Queen Andaka. I am Prince Maxim."
She stared at him quietly.
"You will be my wife, combining our kingdoms together."
"And if I say no?"
"You have no choice."
"I have people who will come for me," she spat.
"Your castle is gone. No one will be coming for you."
Her face fell, thinking of the others.
Prince Maxim looked at the other man. "Take her to a room." He smiled coldly at Andy, "I look forward to our marriage."
The other man bowed, taking Andy's arm and escorting her to a room filled with female servants. He left her there, returning to the throne room. "Your orders concerning the suitor?"
"Put him in a cell. I want to have some fun with him."
The man bowed, then left the throne room. He went out to the courtyard, where Yuki lay semi conscious in a cart flanked by guards. "Put him in the dungeon. The Prince wishes to play with him." He turned and walked away as Yuki was dragged out and chained, then carried into the castle.
Andy sat, looking around the room. Eventually, she was fed, and the thought of using the knife to 'escape' her situation crossed her mind. She shook her head and decided to wait until the next meal, waiting to see if she could escape another way.
Prince Maxim went down to the dungeon, finding the cell Yuki was in. He entered, giving Yuki an evil smile.
Yuki couldn't help the hard swallow, wishing he wasn't chained to the ceiling. He gritted his teeth for the pain he knew was coming.
The Prince pulled a whip out, cracking it at Yuki's already injured form. He cracked the whip a few more times, slicing through skin.
After a few minutes, the Prince's hand crackled with power. He put a hand on Yuki's chest, shooting electricity into him.
Yuki screamed, thrashing around in desperation as he tried to escape the overwhelming pain.
The Prince laughed cruelly.
Andy waited for any chance to escape, but saw none.
She took a knife, quickly slicing into her wrist.
One of the servants noticed, rushing to her and grabbing a medical kit. She sewed Andy's wrist up and told someone to tell the Prince.
Andy felt weak from the blood she lost, but didn't fight further.
She was dragged in front of the Prince, "You can't escape that easily. You at least have to live through the wedding ceremony. And of course the wedding night," he grinned.
She stared at him in silence.
"We'll have the wedding tomorrow. Until then, you'll be monitored so you don't pull any tricks again."
Andy gave a nod before she was pulled away. She was led to a bed, servants watching her with sharp eyes.
Andy woke in the morning, servants beginning to dress her for the ceremony. She was shoved into a dress, her hair and makeup done before she was led out to the throne room.
The Prince smiled when he saw her, "You'll make a wonderful bride." When she was close, he whispered in her ear, "And tonight I'll have fun taking that off you."
She stared at the ground, emotionlessly until an officiant began the ceremony.
There was the sudden sound of fighting outside the door. It burst open, several guards being thrown through followed by Tet and Kiba.
Their eyes were blazing as they fought the guards racing toward them.
The Prince growled, trying to shoot lightning at them but missing.
Andy's eyes registered what she was seeing, a hint of hope finally shining in them. She watched, trying to figure out how to help.
Ryusei came in, an unconscious and severely injured Yuki over one shoulder.
The Prince aimed a large shot of lightning toward Ryusei.
Andy noticed, running to push Ryusei out of the way. She let out a scream as the electricity coursed through her body. She struggled to move, blocking another hit, this time from a guard. She took a sword to the stomach, crumpling to the floor.
"ANDY!" Tet screamed, racing to her side. He cradled her as Kiba ran the guard through.
Kiba advanced on the Prince, snarling.
The Prince grabbed a sword, aiming it at Kiba.
Andy weakly cracked her eyes open, reaching up to gently touch Tet's face. He noticed the stitches on her wrist as she lifted her hand.
"Just hold on, we'll get you healed in a minute." Tet gave her a shaky smile.
Her hand fell back to her side as her eyes started to close.
"Angel stay with me.." He picked her up just as the Prince ran Kiba through. The Prince kicked the warrior off his blade and began to advance on them.
Suddenly Yuki was in front of them, blocking the Prince. "Get her safe. I'll deal with him."
The Prince came after Yuki, swinging his sword at him.
He dodged, yelling at Tet. "GO! SAVE HER!"
Tet picked Andy up and ran.
Ryusei watched in horror as Yuki grabbed onto the Prince as his power began to build. The mauve light began to get brighter.
The Prince put his hand on Yuki, shooting him with electricity.
Yuki gritted his teeth, calling his fire to engulf the Prince.
The light flared as twin screams of agony rang out. Then Yuki fell backwards.
The Prince disintegrated where he stood.
Ryusei raced to Yuki's side, searching for a pulse. He sobbed when he found none. Gently he lifted the young man, carrying him out as Ryon did the same with Kiba.
Andy held on a bit longer before completely going limp in Tet's arms.
Tears ran down his cheeks as he ran faster toward the Fae's location. He burst into the medical tent, laying Andy down.
Tsukasa immediately extended his hand, light enveloping her.
After a few minutes, she sucked in air. She still lay unconscious but her breathing evened out.
Tet sat down, his reserves of energy drained. He looked up as Ryon brought Kiba in and Daiki began healing.
Ryusei slowly entered with Yuki. He shook his head as he looked down.
Kenji attempted to revive him with no success and Tet hung his head in sorrow.
Andy woke slowly, opening her eyes in confusion.
"Angel?" Tet asked softly as he sat forward in his chair.
She looked up at him a moment, "What happened?"
"You got hurt pretty bad. You've been unconscious for three days." He brushed a hand through her hair gently. "The Prince is dead."
"Everyone else..?"
"Kiba is still unconscious, but most of us are alright. Minor injuries." Tet avoided her gaze.
Her eyes narrowed, "What aren't you telling me?"
"Just rest."
"Please..?"
He took a deep breath, fighting tears. "Yuki..he took out the Prince. But he…" Tet lost the battle, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Where is he?"
"Next door. Everyone tried to revive him, but it didn't work. Ryusei and Ryon cleaned him up and he's laid out. We debated on whether to bury him before you woke, but decided you have the right to see him before.." He gritted his teeth as he stopped talking.
Andy weakly pushed herself up, swaying when she stood. She struggled to make her way out of the room, trying to get to her son.
Tet picked her up, slowly entering the room. He brought her to Yuki's side before gently lowering her to the floor.
Her eyes filled with tears as she saw him. She closed her eyes a moment, focusing as purple light surrounded him.
Electricity crackled around the light, seeming to emanate from a spot on Yuki's chest.
She focused, touching his chest, trying to pull the electricity from him.
Her hand went through a large hole and she recoiled as she felt a charred lump under her fingers.
She continued to push the purple light into him, trying to heal the injuries. She knew it was unlikely, but kept working. She put her hand above his heart, trying to heal the damage the Prince had done.
Tet watched her sadly. He knew if he tried to restrain her, she'd hurt him. But he also knew nothing would bring the brave boy back. After ten minutes, he finally reached for her hand. "Angel, he's gone. He protected you till the end. You should be proud. Let him go."
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face as she continued to push the purple light into him.
"He wouldn't want this. He would want you to rest, heal." Tet wrapped his arms around her.
"Just a few more minutes.."
Tet sighed and reluctantly nodded. He stepped back.
She continued her work, praying it would work.
Yuki lay still and cold, not responding at all.
She sobbed, pushing the light as hard as she could.
His body jolted, then resumed its motionless state.
She did it again, wishing with all her heart to bring him back.
Nothing happened.
She continued to push energy into him even when she felt like passing out. She finally collapsed to the ground, barely conscious.
Tet picked her up, giving a final look at Yuki before carrying her out.
She was asleep before they got to the bed.
She woke again slowly, finally opening tear filled eyes. She noticed the stitches still on her wrist and stared at them blankly.
Tet watched her from the doorway, his heart aching. Finally he entered. "Do you want to come?"
She looked up, giving him a small nod before looking back down.
He picked her up, carrying her out across a meadow she suddenly recognized.
Tet gave her a soft smile. "We felt it was fitting if he rested in our meadow. You think he'd like it?"
She nodded slowly.
He carried her to the coffin so she could see in.
Yuki lay dressed in the royal colors, medals of bravery pinned on his chest. His dragon lay under one arm. His hair had fallen into his eyes.
She stared at him sadly, too numb to cry anymore.
Tet quietly asked "Do you want to hold him?"
She nodded slowly once again.
Tet sat her down, then picked him up and positioned him in her lap. He stepped a short distance away and turned his back to give her privacy.
She stared down at him, running a hand through his hair gently, sweeping it from his eyes. She let out a sob, finally breaking into tears once again. Her eyes were unfocused through the tears and he looked blurry because of it.
"Mommy?"
She looked at him in confusion, thinking she was hearing things.
"Mommy, please stop crying. I need your help." His eyes were struggling to open. "My chest hurts…"
She stared at him further before pushing purple light into him.
His breath hitched, then steadied. One hand clasped hers weakly as his dark eyes finally opened. "Thank you for not giving up."
"Is this real..?" She asked, wondering if she was hallucinating.
He gave a shaky laugh, then began to cough. His hand tightened on hers as he struggled to stop. "Would I be doing this if I wasn't real?"
She gave a small chuckle, "I don't know, baby."
"It's cold out here. Can we go inside and have hot chocolate?" He shivered in her arms.
"Of course, baby." She was quiet for a moment before calling, "Tet?"
Tet approached, then froze as he realized Yuki was looking at him. "By the gods...how?"
Andy shook her head, "I don't know.."
He hurried over, cringing as he felt Yuki's skin. "He's freezing."
"He wants hot chocolate," she gave a small chuckle.
Tet rolled his eyes, then called Tsukasa over. The Fae stared at Yuki for a moment, then picked him up and headed for Andy's wing of the castle.
Tet picked her up and followed. He was quiet for a while, then he asked softly "Why did you do that?" He gently touched the bandage on her wrist.
She sighed and looked down, "I was told the castle was destroyed..I thought you guys were all gone.. and Yuki.. and I didn't want to marry him."
Tet sighed. "They tried to destroy the castle. But they screwed up the explosives. None of us were badly hurt. We tracked both of you to Maxim's castle and came to rescue you two. You know the rest."
Andy nodded.
"We found Yuki in the dungeon. Apparently the Prince had been torturing him the whole time you were held. He was beyond furious when he found out what was going on."
"I thought he was gone.. I didn't know they had him."
"The Prince taunted him with that fact. I think that's why he fried him like Dakon." Tet pushed open the door. "Want to walk?"
She nodded "I'll try."
Kenji appeared with a smile and a tray of hot chocolate. "He's in the bath. He needs you, Andy. He's hurting."
She nodded, gently taking a couple of the hot chocolates before going to find Yuki. She entered the room, handing him one before kneeling beside him.
He'd managed to take off his coat and shirt, revealing semi healed whip marks along with the bolt injury and the hole in his chest, which was only marginally healed. She could see the faint outline of his heart beating through translucent skin.
She focused, covering him in the purple light again.
He tried to smile, wincing instead as he moved wrong. He dropped his eyes. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I could hear you and sorta see you, but I couldn't move because it hurt so much. I wanted to tell you I wasn't dead so badly.."
"I'm just glad you're alive," she gave him a small smile.
"I couldn't let him hurt you anymore. He was purposefully letting you believe I was dead. He kept laughing about how you tried to die. He said he would let you have your wish, but not until he possessed you completely. He said you'd be married, then he was going to kill me slowly in front of you, then you would die..I couldn't let that happen."
"Thank you.."
"But I hurt you more by doing what I did. I could hear your crying, your praying. And I couldn't move to relieve your pain. I'm a horrible son."
"It's not your fault," she said quietly. "You're the best son I could ever ask for. I love you." The purple light surged as she went back to focusing.
He stayed still, closing his eyes as he sipped the drink. The skin began to strengthen and soon she couldn't see his heart anymore. The rest of his injuries quickly healed afterwards. The empty cup began to slide from his hand as he leaned against her shoulder.
She took the cup from his hand and then started rubbing his hair. "I'm glad you are okay."
"I almost wasn't. But I knew you wouldn't leave me." he answered sleepily.
"I'll never leave you," she kissed the top of his head.
He smiled as he drifted to sleep.