(A/N: I only own Amaya and Creon as of right now.)

The next few weeks passed much the same, Amaya would rise at dawn to prepare the meals for the day. She would deliver them to Destane and his apprentice, at times even having to feed Mozenrath. That task always made her ill. Was he to treat her more as a slave than a wife if this deal went through?

Then there were their nights alone. Thankfully they were less awkward then the times before. They spent their time together planning how to capture the gauntlet. Part of Amaya began to wonder if she had been wrong thinking him too young and rash to be a king. But that would not matter soon.

The day of the task came quickly and Amaya awoke to the sound of thunder. Outside there was a dark, blackness that she doubted would allow her to wander the streets. Dressing silently in a plain blue dress she made her way towards the kitchen to begin her tasks for the morning. Sighing, she tied her hair back in a messy bun. No one would see her, or at least no one she cared about. Quietly she prepared the tray with some slices of bread and fruits.

"You remember our deal?" came a cool voice from behind her. A shiver ran through her body, which she tried to hide. She wouldn't show weakness around this brat.

"As long as you remember you half we'll be fine," she said, turning to face him. Her gentle features were set as if in stone. She did not smile, nor appear afraid. But inside she was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Failure was not an option. If she failed, Destane may loose patience and kill her. And if he didn't Mozenrath no doubt would.

"Yes yes. You get me the gauntlet, I let you go free. Happily ever after, right my little Death Princess?" he said with a wide grin.

"Will you stop calling me that?" she snapped, throwing an apple towards his head.

Laughing, Mozenrath caught it in his hand. He took a bite, set it on the table, and walked forward, "Of course, Kitten."

He got close to her and hesitated. There seemed to be a moment of softness, puzzling Amaya. But soon it was gone, as if it was never there.

Pushing back Mozenrath silently cursed himself. Something similar to emotions had escaped. He had to be rid of this girl soon, before he felt anything that would jeopardize his position.

Amaya picked up the tray and silently walked past him. Her eyes were down cast as she made her way into the dungeon rooms. She passed the lab rooms and entered the library, setting the tray down on the table. Sneaking a glance up she could see Destane was bent over a book. He gestured for her to leave him be.

She glanced towards the gauntlet. An aura surrounded it, protecting it from being taken… by Mozenrath. She smiled, so Destane did not trust him after all. She slipped off her shoes, and quietly snuck closer without the click of her heels. Looking once more at Destane, whose back was now stiffening at not hearing her retreat as normal. She grabbed the gauntlet and ran.

Behind her a chair flew against the wall, the room now filled with cursing. She could see Mozenrath at the end of the hallway, urging her on. Suddenly pain shot through her legs. She threw the gauntlet towards Mozenrath, it sliding within just feet of his outstretched hand.

He jumped for it.

"Stop Mozenrath!" Destane screamed, shooting a large ball of fire at the other man.

Amaya looked up to see Mozenrath holding it in his right hand. The gauntlet seemed more powerful then she thought… She moved she that she could lean against the wall of the narrow hall. Looking down at her legs she could see dark lines from where the magic had cut them as well as her skirt.

"No, Destane. Your time is over," he crushed the fire and a black smoke leapt at the elder wizard, wrapping around him.

"Destane!" Amaya cried, through she was drowned out by the screams of agony coming from the smoke. In a moment it was all over; and there stood… a Mamluk.

Mozenrath's laughs filled the hallway as the Mamluk Destane knelt before him in submission. Amaya looked at him as if in shock, a deep fear taking root.

"You promised not to harm him!" Amaya yelled, rising to her feet. Limping forward, she made her way to Mozenrath. When she was almost there her legs trembled and she began to fall.

He reached out to catch her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, a bright blush on her cheeks. His arm remained around her waist for a moment…But then he had pushed her to the wall again.

"Get out of here. Return to your kingdom for now… I will come if I have need of you," he said. Then he added, almost to cut her deeper upon see her blush, "Though what use I would have for you, Kitten, I do not know."

She glanced away, not allowing the tears she felt fall. She was escaping with her life, she should be thankful. It was only his power she admired Amaya told herself. Standing up straight she waved her hand, mending her garment. She could not heal her magical wounds so she looked at the chair in the hall. Turning it into a dark brown mare that trotted to her she looked once more at Mozenrath. Then, mounting, she galloped off.

Mozenrath allowed himself to glance at her back, at her legs, then at his right hand. Pointing his hand at her legs they healed, though she felt nothing. In his head he told himself it would not do to have her return damaged to her kingdom.

That was his story and he was sticking to it.

(A/N: Yes I gave him a heart. Bad me?)