Chapter 5

"Who are you?" It was a very unintelligent question but at the moment he didn't feel very intelligent at all.

"Raye." The blond said from the close vicinity she had found herself in and struggled free of his hands to go to the nearly nude woman with the shape that did not end. There were a few scraps of black cloth covering the important bits but it left bare a long lean stomach.

He didn't want to let go of Serenity. He hadn't been aware of it at the time but she felt good in his hands. He also didn't want the chance of losing her. He had not expected the string he'd tied around her wrist to disappear. He didn't know if she knew he'd even attempted something so foolish.

'Raye' pulled Serenity into her arms for a hug but she was continuing her glare at Endymion over the top of the little blond's head. If he wasn't mistaken the woman was his horse. "You're a horse."

"And you're an idiot. I bring you here to be protected and cared for and instead you try to take what isn't yours. You have no idea what you've just done." She looked down and cupped Serenity's cheeks in her hands. "You should have been able to give yourself if it was what you wanted. I'm sorry. I hadn't realized he'd do something so ridiculous."

Serenity shrugged in response but didn't say anything, her cheeks were mashed together. The woman who was once his horse pulled her back into her arms and just held her. "Wha-why-" He had so many questions. "You're a horse."

"Yes, I do believe I am aware of that." Raye rolled her eyes at him and set Serenity behind her. He wanted to reach out for her and drag her back to his side. Raye wouldn't keep the fairy from him but he was still trying to catch up.

"Now you're a woman."

"I am." Raye nodded. "I can actually change into quite a few animals but I prefer the horse. It's quite regal and majestic."

"Raye thinks she's a Princess." Serenity spoke from behind her new friend and came up to the woman's side. No, that wasn't right, she'd known the woman's name, they couldn't be 'new' friends. How long had the two known each other? How come Raye hadn't brought him here before or come here on her own to visit with Serenity? Thousands of thoughts whirled through his head.

"The string disappeared."

"You would rather it be visible?" Serenity asked looking at her wrist in wonder. "You have deft fingers Endymion."

"I almost didn't catch it either but he's cunning this one and I can see some of his tells from being with him for so long." Raye shook her long black hair. "I'm only sorry that I wasn't here before now. I should have stopped it if I was faster. I should have distracted him by coming in."

"I was wondering why you chose to remain out there, it wasn't quite safe for you." Serenity acknowledged. "I was a bit disappointed you didn't want to visit."

"Oh it wasn't you." Raye sounded instantly apologetic. "I just didn't want him to know. It made things easier that way."

Serenity nodded brightly, all had been forgiven and put behind her it seemed. Endymion was not quite as accepting. "He's had you for ages, I'm surprised he hadn't caught on himself, but then again he's human."

"Excuse me, but could the two of you please not talk about me like I'm not here?" He waited a beat. "Nor so disparaging in your remarks?"

"Well what else are we supposed to do when you're such an idiot and slow on the uptake?"

"What do you know? You're just a horse!" Who somehow managed to turn into a human.

"And you're dumber than I thought." Raye shook her head. "Can't you see a fae when you are presented with one? Oh, is it because I don't have pointy ears?" She touched her ears. "Sorry but that's not something of my fae kind."

"You look human. What kind of fae are you?"

"The shifter kind." She grinned. "What? Think only wizards have the market on disguises?" Then she turned to block him out and gossip with Serenity, though he supposed they might have a lot to talk about since they didn't seem to interact all too often and might have useful information for each other.

"Look-"

Raye turned back around. "Do you have something useful to add or can this wait until after Serenity and I have communicated what is more important than your little human existence and perils?" He opened his mouth to argue and then he closed it again. That was all Raye needed before she put two fingers to Serenity's temple and the small woman did the same back. Their lips moved and it looked like they were talking but he didn't understand a word that came out if he could hear them. They must have been speaking their own language. Then Raye drew away and Serenity was shaking but the dark haired girl nodded but when Endymion saw her eyes she looked almost as broken up about it as Serenity. He wanted to take the blond into his arms and reassure her that whatever Raye had said had been lies. Endymion held back. "You may speak now."

"What did you two just do?"

"A mind meld." Raye lifted a brow. "What? Never seen one in action? It can only be done if both parties are willing and maintain a trust network by keeping communication open verbally."

"What did you tell her?"

"Only what she needed to know since she's been cooped up here with only a screen in which to view events." She waved at the gateway for in and out of this world. As he looked at it, he could see the land with the rock Raye had hid behind moving further and further away.

"We need to leave, get my stuff and carry on with the mission." Endymion made the decision and Raye held back, holding Serenity back too. "What?"

"You cannot take her out of here. It is certain death to bring her into the human world."

"She will be under my protection. Unless it's breathing or something else- but I've been fine here. I don't see what the difference is."

"The issue is most assuredly of the human nature and other fae."

"I thought you said that fae won't harm you." He tossed at Serenity.

"Most fae won't. There are a few who wander the human world looking for fae to venture out into it and kill them." Raye spoke for Serenity who kept trying to speak up for herself but Raye kept shushing her and holding up a hand to stop her from saying anything.

"So then my offer still stands, I will protect you from the humans and fae alike who would do you harm."

"You cannot protect her. There are unforeseen issues and you will fail." Raye argued. "It is best if we all just stay here from now on. Or you and I can go together." Raye touched Serenity's wrist as if she could burn off the string with her fingers.

"I shall release her and make sure she gets back to her fae world before leaving her once more if I get all that I want before it is through."

"What do you want?" Raye demanded. "What can she possibly offer you?"

"He hopes to sell me." Serenity cut in gently. "Highest bidder, am I wrong?"

"You cannot!" Raye gasped but Endymion was looking at Serenity, wondering how she'd figured that out. "That's not acceptable. That goes against even what you've just promised."

"I will try not to but I imagine that one day she will become useful and when that day comes I shall have to barter her for what I want. I imagine she goes for a pretty penny."

"If it ever comes to that day, I will leave your side. I will no longer be your horse and by your side, no matter what life throws at you." Raye was glaring at him. "There is no acceptable reason for that to pass."

"Why would I even care?" Though Endymion knew she was a good horse and had seen him through many issues. She would be an asset on the field, had always been so and now he could trust that she knew what she was doing on a different level. He turned to Serenity. "If I can avoid it, I will not sell you but let you free."

"You say that now, but I fear that soon you will change your mind." Serenity sighed. "I will agree to this on one condition."

"Name it."

"You shall not do this to another fae. If you attempt to slave another fae then I will guarantee that you do not get another chance of enslaving me."

"How can you do anything of the sort?"

Her lips quirked up to the side. "We are fae. We know what's what. It is obvious you do not know all the rules of the fae."

"But if I sell you, you will not know if I do so or not."

"That is why you will swear it on your life that you will not enslave another fae."

"Serenity!" Raye snapped. "Except one."

Serenity looked at Raye for a moment and then nodded. "Sure sure, I will give you one exception. Do we have a deal?"

"What benefit do I get out of this? I could always keep you as mine and 'enslave' another fae. Or a dozen if I should wish to do so."

Serenity and Raye both shook their heads. "It doesn't work that way. You may only have one at a time. It will not work otherwise."

Endymion thought about this. How could he know if this fairy would be the best fae to have on hand? There might be another one out there that was rarer still. He didn't think Raye would qualify, a shifter was impressive but a fairy? He heard only fantastical tales about them. But she kept insisting that she wasn't a fairy nor an elf. What was she really? And was that something others would want? She had given him one chance to upgrade. But he didn't need to agree to this and what chance was there that he'd even run into another fae? On the other hand it would be better if both the fairy-elf and the horse were on his side and not making his life difficult. The one had no choice but the other- well she would go where her friend went, wouldn't she?

"Why are you a horse out there?" He asked stepping aside the topic for the moment.

"It is better than being a human. There are dangers out there that would only increase my risk if I was caught turning from one to the other or anything else. It's just easier to stay one animal for now." Raye lifted a brow. "We are well aware of what you are doing."

"I assure you Endymion, once we leave this place you will want no other fae than myself. You will not even want to give me up for money. You may not want me now as I am, which is strange indeed but it would be even stranger still out there."

"Serenity." Raye warned as if the golden one was saying too much but Serenity ignored her darker companion.

"Agree to the promise. Raye will not lead you to other faes if you do not." Serenity looked to Raye. "She will kill me first."

Raye visibly blanched at the idea but she still nodded. Whatever happened when Serenity stepped foot out of this place must have been bad. So bad indeed that Serenity would rather die than do so unless forced and if she were to survive it would only be as suffrage to a greater cause. Endymion didn't know her very well and so far didn't particularly like this jeweled creature but he didn't want any harm to come to her. "Idiot." Raye whispered and Endymion wasn't sure which person she was talking to this time.

"I promise." Endymion didn't know why he said it but it pleased Serenity and Raye still looked upset. "I will release you too if I don't sell you."

"You won't."

"How can you be so sure about it?"

"I know." Serenity's eyes were mysterious. "And if you do end up selling me... I pray that you'd be kind enough to kill me before delivery. Even dead I offer great rewards to my owners."

Endymion's jaw tightened. "Why do you insist on dying?"

"It is the only bearable alternative."

Endymion opened his mouth to question that but Raye shook her head. "We must leave. Already your world is slipping by us. Soon we will be in another country entirely and then we must contend with crossing borders. Not all will understand your plight."

Serenity's eyes widened and looked out to the land slipping by. "This is not the best land to find ourselves in. If you think the Queen unkind..."

Endymion turned to look and understood their plights. "Ah yes, well then, onward hoe steed!" He tried joking but the dark haired girl only gave him a dirty look as she headed towards the portal. He walked towards it looking as she slipped through and was instantly a horse again. "Will I turn back into that blond man?"

He felt Serenity's hand slip into his and he looked down at the girl in surprise. "No, you removed that if you recall. We shall go together." She took a step forward and pulled him out after her. He didn't really consider that 'together' but he supposed they were still connected physically. He remembered at the last moment to throw up a disguise for himself, he'd deal with Serenity and Raye if it came to it. Raye stuck out as his horse but at the moment she'd be fine. Serenity would be a beckon to all and they'd try to tear her apart so they could sell parts of her individually.

It felt like cool water brushing his skin as they went through and when he was on the other side he was dry. He couldn't remember going through before. When he looked down at Serenity he realized his fears had been for naught.