Yes, I was listening to cheesy love songs while writing this. You're welcome.

…

There was purple in that one. Zachary picked it up and held it close to his face as he assessed its value. It shimmered, yes, but proved to be more silver than purple. His lips twisted as he considered, then he held it down for his small companion to look.

"Oooh! That one is so very pretty!" Emmi cried, clasping her hands in childish delight. His decision made, Zachary added it to his carefully selected stash of seashells and continued down the stretch of beach. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the sand. He could hear the surge of the tide and guided Emmi up to higher ground. "I haven't seen anything more beautiful," she proclaimed, gripping his arm as she peered at the shells. Each of them had been meticulously assessed and considered, and only a chosen few had made it into the collection. "They're better'n a bucket of flowers."

"Do you think so?" Zachary looked down at them doubtfully. A few of them were cracked, but he had weighed their loveliness above that.

"I do. I think Karigan will like them a lot."

He sighed. "I hope so." He glanced at the horizon. "It's late. I need to get you back home before your mother misses you."

"And you need to give your shells to Karigan before she goes to bed." Emmi smiled. "She'll be so excited to see you."

A line appeared between Zachary's eyebrows. "I hope so," he repeated. He closed his hand over the shells and looked back over the ocean. He had slipped out before Karigan was fully awake, coward that he was. The last time they had truly spoken was that night, and they had parted so bitterly. Then there was the fire, the cave…. She had been half-dead when he'd found her, and delirious afterward. He didn't know how she would react to him now. How he wished….

"…keep squeezing like that and you'll cut yourself."

Zachary shook himself out of his reverie and loosened his grip on the sharp shells. Emmi peered up at him. "I tried talking to you but your face just got drearier and drearier. Are we gonna go or not?"

"Yes, of course." He took Emmi's hand and together they trekked back along the beach toward Marli's home. Whatever Karigan's reaction, he would remain cool and in command. No use stuttering about like a fool. He blinked with a sigh. Gods, he was a fool. A fool in love, even more so now than before. He no longer had any control over his fate—it all rested in her hands. He glanced down at the shells, a worried frown tugging at his lips. Please Karigan, he thought. Please.

…

Blankets bundled her up tightly and her head rested in a heap of pillows and her body, although stiff and sore, nestled comfortably in an incredibly soft mattress. The cold shadows in her mind fizzled beneath encroaching light and she uttered a soft moan, flinching away from the brightness. Him. She reached out her hand. Where was he? He was always there—where did he go? Where—

Her hand was caught and squeezed in a warm grip. When she opened her eyes, however, it was a woman's face smiling down at her.

"You're finally awake."

Karigan threw a hand to her forehead to push her hair out of her face. "Marli…" she mumbled. She looked about the room in some confusion. Someone—Rena stood in the corner, a happy smile on her pleasant face.

"You finally come back to us!"

"How long…?" Karigan rubbed her eyes.

"You've been asleep about a day. How do you feel?" Marli inquired gently, settling into the chair. His chair.

"Um…" Karigan shook her head. "Fine." She pulled her hand away and pushed herself up to a sitting position. Pain flamed up in her stomach and she winced.

"Yes, it will still hurt. I was able to remove the stitches earlier today." Marli smiled. "You're a fast healer." She winked.

Confused, Karigan murmured, "What? Where…?"

"You're in my home."

Karigan peered at her groggily. That wasn't what she asked. "Thank you." With a weak smile, she added, "I guess we'll use all your houses before we're gone."

Marli chuckled. "And burn down the ones you don't. Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, I think, a little." Karigan looked around the room, craning her neck to see beyond the bed. Rena watched her curiously.

"You lose something?"

Marli, who had stood, paused in the doorway.

Karigan sat back in the pillows. "I'm not sure. Is something missing?"

The two women exchanged a secret smile and Rena stepped to the foot of the bed, where she bent to pick something off the floor. Still smiling, she laid a Green Rider coat onto the blanket. Karigan's heart leaped inexplicably into her throat. The coat was tattered and singed, with holes burnt right through it, but it was too large to be hers. She stared at it.

"The man can't even keep one room tidy," Rena murmured. She patted the coat. "We go get food."

They left Karigan, who was still staring at the coat. Long moments passed, then she finally reached for it. She hesitated when her fingers touched the fabric, but with a breath, she clasped the collar and dragged it over the blanket. The thing was a disgrace, really. It should have been disposed of long ago. Holding it up to her face, she was swathed in the strong scent of smoke. She buried her nose into the inside lining and inhaled deeply. There it was. She breathed again. Clean, heady, distinctly masculine. She had smelled it once before, a long time ago in a hayloft. Along with his voice, this smell had suffused her dreams. It was how she had known he was real.

She didn't know how long she sat there, looking down at the shabby thing, but Marli eventually returned with a plate of bread and fruit. She placed it on the table and raised Karigan's chin so she could look in her eyes.

"You look better," she said, pleased. "Now, eat."

"Marli," Karigan murmured, touching the hem of the coat gingerly. "What happened?"

Marli sat on the edge of the bed. "What do you remember?"

Karigan tossed her head. "The cave. The cold. I remember crawling out."

"Do you remember Zachary? He's the one that found you."

"I thought—that I had—" Faint memories returned to her. Crawling through the cave, collapsing, his voice.

"You'd crawled down the wrong corridor. He found you there and carried you all the way back here. You'll be glad to know that we all thought you were dead, except for him. He's as stubborn as a mule."

"That's what he told me," Karigan said softly, still brushing the frayed hem with her fingertips. "The blacksmith said that he would think I was dead and that he would leave me here."

Marli pursed her lips. "At first, maybe. I've never seen a man so…." She shook her head. "You could stand and watch the life leak out of him. We did try to get him to leave, thank the gods he didn't. He was determined to find you, even if it killed him."

Karigan absently lifted the coat back up to her nose. "Oh."

Marli's lips closed over a grin. "Rena brought your things over. Your boots are right here. They're a bit singed, but I'm sure they've seen worse."

"Thank you," Karigan mumbled, her eyes distant as she recommenced stroking the edge of the coat.

"Your horse is fine, as well, and itching to see you, I'm sure."

Karigan raised her head and a smile ghosted across her lips. "Condor," she said fondly. "I should go visit him." She glanced at Marli. "If that's all right."

One of Marli's eyebrows rose. "You're asking me? If I say no, would you stay here?"

Karigan blinked at her, then laughed. The sound brought a smile to the mender's mouth. "No, I suppose I wouldn't." She pushed back the blankets and stood, pulling on the coat despite the evening's warmth. Someone had put her back in that ridiculous nightgown and she shook her head at it as she stuffed her feet into her boots. "So…" she said, stomping, "So where's—err, where did Zachary go?"

Marli's lips twitched. "He went down to the beach with Emmi. Something about seashells. It's the first time he's left your side since he found you."

"Oh, that's—that's neat." Karigan stood and plucked an apple from the tray. "For Condor," she explained.

"You're not hungry?"

"No…" Karigan glanced at the plate. "No, no I'm not really. I'll—just—" She gestured to the door then walked through it with a vague wave to Marli. Rena and AnnElyse were in the main room. The latter gave her a polite nod, but Rena rushed to envelop Karigan in a meaty hug.

"So happy you're alive," she said.

"Yeah—" Karigan gasped in the tight grip. "Yeah, me too. Thanks." She stumbled out the door when she was finally released and made her way toward the stable. Night Hawk blinked at her, but Condor began prancing and kicking in his stall. Karigan grinned when she reached him. "Hey, you," she greeted, rubbing his nose. He ignored her caresses and stretched toward the apple. Karigan rolled her eyes. "I see how it is. I did almost die, but I'm fine now. Thanks for worrying." A great whuff blew her hair into her face and she chuckled and gave him the apple, which he accepted eagerly.

Lingering at the stall, Karigan raised the coat collar to her nose and closed her eyes as she inhaled. There was a time, she thought, when she had walls and arguments and self-control. She inhaled again and leaned her face against Condor's. Now she felt groundless and vulnerable, like she had cracked open and couldn't put herself back together again. The worst part, though—the most perilous part, really—was the knowledge that after all this, after everything, she didn't care anymore. She just didn't care.

"Karigan, dear."

Karigan turned. Rena, Marli, and AnnElyse all stood in the doorway.

"The sun is going down, but if you'd like to join us, we're going to take a short walk."

"To the beach," Rena added. Karigan's heart fluttered and she smiled.

"I'd like that."

Rena beamed and Marli chuckled. "I thought you would." Karigan's unorthodox outfit was noted, commented on, and soon forgotten as the foursome set out. Light conversation passed between them, but Karigan kept silent, her eyes and ears straining for something just beyond the next tree, or behind that rock. Rena and Marli shared many a grinning glance, and AnnElyse's frown, which had recently become a permanent fixture on her face, lightened imperceptibly.

Silence hung over them as they passed the remains of AnnElyse's house, but soon the ruins disappeared behind the trees and the group stood at the edge of the beach. Karigan hurried out onto the sand, apparently having forgotten all about her companions, and her wide gaze swooped across the scene. She stood on her toes and craned her neck, and a slight pout began pulling at her bottom lip. With a sigh, she turned back to the other women.

"Ooh, look! There's Karigan!"

Karigan whirled around. Out of the shadows of the trees two figures walked. One, a small, bouncing girl, and the other, a tall, much more subdued man. Catching sight of Karigan, Zachary's steps faltered. He quickly regained his composure, however, and threw his chin into the air. Karigan merely stood there, and as she gazed at him she couldn't have known how her heart was in her eyes. The king slowed, entranced by what he saw, finding it even sweeter than he could have ever imagined. He pushed the shells into Emmi's surprised hands and walked forward as one in a trance. Karigan seemed equally captivated, rooted in place as his walk turned into a jog, then a run. Blind to all but his love, Zachary succeeded in tripping over every tidal pool and hillock in his path before coming to an abrupt halt before her.

They stood an arms-length away, staring; Karigan in her nightgown, boots, and tattered coat, Zachary all seawater and sand.

"Hello," Karigan said.

"Hello," Zachary responded. He swallowed. "You're awake."

"I am." Karigan gripped the hem of her coat with white hands. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He paused. "For what?"

"You found me."

"I did."

The onlookers stared in suspense, breaths held; Emmi watched this incomprehensible scene with blossoming delight, sensing something powerful was taking place.

Karigan looked somewhere off to her right. "Thank you for staying with me while I was, err—"

"Recovering. I wouldn't have left. I—" He glanced back vaguely to where Emmi stood. "I left now to find seashells for you. I thought they'd cheer you up."

Karigan nodded, feeling all sorts of emotions bubble up in her throat. "Thank you," she manage to croak through them. "They're beautiful."

"You're welcome. You, ah, haven't seen them yet."

She laughed through oncoming tears. "I know they'd be beautiful, because—because anything you'd choose for me would be—perfect."

Hope lighting up his features, he replied, "You deserve nothing less."

She dragged her arm across her nose in a distinctly unladylike gesture and nodded again. "Thank you."

"Karigan—"

"You're all I thought of," she interrupted, followed by a weak sob. He stared. "You're—you're the only thing that—kept me from…" She took a rough intake of breath, looking everywhere but at him, cursing the silly tears that blurred her eyes. When did she become such a wateringpot? "I thought—he told me that you wouldn't look for me, that you would leave me…" She heaved a sob. "That I would never—never see you again. He said I'd never—" She looked at him desperately. "He said—and I couldn't bear—"

Zachary finally breached the space between them by reaching one hand to her face. "I would never leave you," he whispered with all the passion he was capable of. "I love you."

She took that hand in hers and touched his fingers gently, almost reverently. Sniffing, she croaked, "I know." Her fingertips drifted across his skin and he watched, eyes wide and heartbeat wildly irregular as she pressed her lips to his knuckles. The kiss lingered until finally, with the last of her courage, Karigan whispered, "I love you, too."

With a single step, he closed the distance between them, pulling his hand from her grip to catch her head in a trembling hold. She clasped his wrists and breathed him in as their lips brushed and hovered. No longer a king, and nothing more than a fool in love, Zachary could no more have stopped himself from kissing her than he could have stopped the earth from turning. Karigan caught his questing mouth with hers and blinding exhilaration infused her bones, her muscles, her heart. He crushed her against him with a low growl and she was no less demanding as she endeavored to claim him as hers, once and for all. Hands caressed and held and touched, kisses strove through smiles and whispers, radiant glances stole between glowing eyes. The small group of sighing females carried a dazzled five-year-old back home, where they revolted their young sons with a recounting of events. A small supper was prepared and left out, but it was universally doubted that any of the food would be touched come morning.

Breathless and giddy, Karigan pulled away only to be swept up and whirled around. She tried to smother a cry of pain when her stomach was wrenched, but Zachary heard and clumsily put a stop to their spin, stumbling over one thing or another and sending them both crashing into the sand. Long moments passed as they gasped for breath, days of bruises and scrapes washing over them. Recovering and laughing hoarsely, Zachary rolled and pushed himself up to lean over her. Karigan grinned despite her pain and reached for him, an unspoken request he was more than willing to fulfill.

After a blissful interlude, Karigan nestled in the circle of his arm and watched their intertwined fingers balanced on his stomach. By this time, only a faint red haze blushed on the horizon. Zachary stared at the stars, then pulled his hand away and pointed to the sky. He began naming constellations, most of which she had never heard. With a smile, she pushed his hand away and pointed at the one thing she did know.

"The moon," she said proudly. His low chuckle rumbled through her chest and she snuggled closer, finding his hand once again. His thumb stroked hers and he gave a great sigh.

"Karigan…" he whispered. She smiled and buried her nose into his shirt and breathed in deeply, vowing to remember him forever. He watched her curiously, but said nothing until she asked, "How did you find me?"

His fingers tightened around hers. "I followed the trail of your blood." She said nothing, and so he proceeded to relate all that AnnElyse had told him, about her family, Karigan's family, the fire, the two Riders. Karigan remained silent throughout, concentrating on their fingers. Once he finished, a silence hung between them.

Karigan took a breath, paused, then said, "Her bones were in there with me."

Zachary's arm tightened around her. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's not your fault."

"I should have found you sooner, figured things out earlier, instead of wallowing like I did in self-pity."

Karigan smiled. "Self-pity? No grief for me?"

He started. "That's not—what I meant was—"

She laughed and placed a hand on his chest. "I know what you meant." Silence fell once more over them, then Karigan pushed herself up and insisted, "Kiss me again."

He obeyed enthusiastically. There was relative silence, if not inactivity, on the beach, until Karigan suddenly gasped out, "Mickey!"

The king frowned. "Zachary," he corrected, only half-joking. He tugged gently on her hair, but it was yanked away as she sat up.

"Oh gods," she cursed. "Mickey!"

Zachary leaned back on his elbows, admiring the glow of the moonlight on her skin. "He was never found. What—err—made you think of him?"

"He's gone to the castle! Blast and hell." Karigan scrambled to her feet and smacked the sand from her clothing. Zachary followed more slowly, watching her dubiously.

"To the castle?" His forehead creased in thought. "I suppose he could have left this morning, with the merchant ship."

"No, he went before, when he left me in the cave." She let out a growl of frustration and snatched up her coat from where it had been abandoned earlier. The king took her wrist and made her face him.

"It will take him weeks to get to Sacor City." A smile crept onto his lips and he curled a tendril of hair around his fingers. "It will take us weeks…"

Karigan's face flamed, but she shook her head briskly. "No, he's already there." She slipped and tripped toward the trees. Zachary hesitated, then jogged to catch up with her.

"Karigan, that's impossible."

She waved her hand curtly. "It was the machine. He used it to—to—I don't know what it did, exactly, but one second he was there, then the next he was gone."

Zachary grabbed her hand and turned her around once more. "Explain."

Karigan jerked her fingers through her hair. "He had the device thing and those instructions AnnElyse told you about. He became upset when I didn't know what it was, kicked me a bit, then saw the necklace—or the key, or whatever it was. The one you gave me in the fire. He stuck it in the machine, turned it a couple times, then just—vanished!" She found the path that led toward AnnElyse's house. "All this time, wasted!"

Zachary, who didn't feel like any of the time had been wasted, fell into step beside her. "How do you know he went to the castle?"

"I saw it as he was disappearing. It's—it's hard to explain. There was a flash and I saw a glimpse of the city and the castle, then everything went dark again."

Their steps quickened. "What would he be doing, going there?"

"I don't know. Maybe he knows you're the king and he wants your throne. Why would anyone go to the castle? All I know that he's an evil man and we have to stop him."

Zachary slowed to a stop. Karigan stared at him. "What are you doing? We don't have time—"

"If he's already there, then there isn't anything we can do. We'll be far too late if we go by conventional means."

"Then what do you suggest? That we just stay here and do nothing?"

"No…" He reached to stroke his beard, discovered it wasn't there anymore, and scratched the scruff on his jaw instead. "If we travel there by unconventional means…"

Karigan frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged at her. "Perhaps the same way you got us here?"

She inhaled. "You mean the white world."

"Yes. Is it possible?"

She began pacing. "I don't know. It's not something I can really call upon at will. It tends to just…happen."

"But when we were escaping the city, you were calling for someone. Can you not do the same now?"

Karigan furrowed her brow and shrugged. "I can try."

He smiled grimly and took her hand. Together they ran to the Spinter home. The house was dark and silent when they arrived. Wincing at the creaking front door, the pair crept through the shadowy rooms.

"They left food for us," Zachary whispered. Karigan glanced at the plates and her stomach rumbled. She stared at the food longingly, but time was of the essence. But she was so hungry.

Sensing her dismay, Zachary kissed the back of her head. "Eat," he whispered. "As much as I hate to see this adorable nightgown go—" He grinned down at it. "—I'll fetch your clothes."

"Thank you," she said as he hurried away. She bent over the food and inhaled most of it before he returned. He took a plate and turned away from her with a smile that made her blush, munching as she dressed hurriedly in the darkness. "Should we tell them we're going?" she hissed, buckling her belt.

"Perhaps a note…" They searched for paper, found some, but no quill or ink appeared despite their rummaging. Karigan tapped her foot until an idea came. She dipped her finger in the gravy pooled on a plate and wrote a very brief, 'Thanks. Goodbye. Will visit' across a few pages. Zachary smiled. "Clever."

"Right. We need to go."

They snuck out of the house and dashed across the yard to Fedir's rickety stable. Condor and Night Hawk watched curiously as tack was gathered, but they were quick to sense the humans' urgency and began shifting and snorting in their stalls. They quivered as they were readied and tried to run even before their riders had their seats. Restraining her big horse, Karigan led the way out of the small copse of trees. The village was to the right, AnnElyse's home and the ocean to the left. Straight ahead, however, fields stretched over soft hills.

Karigan looked at Zachary, but he was looking over his shoulder. "Something wrong?" she asked.

He paused before responding, "I may never see this island again." His gaze dropped, then raised again to meet hers. "We will never come back here together."

Karigan stared, very aware of his double meaning. Returning to Sacor City meant returning to the way things were. This island—this place—was theirs, only theirs. "What's going to happen?" she asked softly.

He gazed at her, long and intensely. She could see the emotions warring in his eyes. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "I don't know what is coming." He guided Night Hawk closer. "But I will do—"

Karigan raised a hand and he stopped short, surprised. "Don't make promises you can't keep." Clearly affronted, Zachary opened his mouth to protest, but she kissed it before he could speak. Holding his face a breath away, she whispered, "Just promise that you'll remember."

Forcing his frown away, Zachary nodded. "I promise."

Karigan took up her reins and looked at the space ahead. "This might not even work," she reminded him.

He followed her gaze, his lips a thin, determined line. "It will."

"If it doesn't, just remember it was your stupid idea."

"My ideas are never stupid."

She glanced at him and they shared a secret smile. He held out a hand. "Shall we?"

In an instant, the horses were flying.