I didn't struggle as the Sparrow Men flew away with me in tow. They clung to my upper arms tightly, much more tightly than was necessary causing memories of the night before to flicker undesirably through my mind adding to my trepidation. My heart racing, and head light, tingling with fear and shock I felt weak and helpless in their strong, vice like grips, hands bound, and vision darkened to pitch by Airitie's blindfold. This feeling was expounded upon by my alienation from the cool of night I knew. The sun which I had always imagined to be relatively cool having encountered it only at twilight and dawn was hot and oppressive as it beat down upon me.

I wanted to speak several times, to ask how much farther, what I should expect when we arrived, or even at one point when feeling faint and my wings as if wilted that we might stop for a respite but I dared not. My escorts gave me no warning, and our arrival went unannounced. There was just the sharp and unexpected bite of tree bark scraping against my bare feet. I winced curling my knees towards my chest to protect them from further assault relying on the men's strength to hold me aloft.

I heard the queen murmur to them when I had done so but was unable to pick out her whispered words. The cool of a shadow pass over me then, and I knew we were inside. Tentatively I placed my feet down after the Sparrow Men had come to a halt, feeling the breath of still living wood beneath my toes, age rings expanding out before me.

I was released, though stumbled forward when met with a strong shove to the small of my back. It was awkward trying to catch myself, blindly reaching out with both hands, still bound. After steadying my legs I reached up and removed the cloth from over my eyes. I was in a small, pain, and dimly lit room, with a bed to the right, sink and toilet to the left. I turned seeking explanation when I saw them swinging shut the barred door meant to separate us. This wasn't a room, it was a cell. One of the men motioned for me to step forward, I did so cautiously.

"Give me your hands." he instructed firmly as producing a knife. My bonds were cut relieving some of the pressure and discomfort. After this the Sparrow Men, clad in green took point one on either side of the door, there was no one else to be seen. Standing with a self conscious anxiety as I gingerly rubbed my wrists I reexamined my surroundings.

The bedding looked warm, and soft, and the sink and privy were clean, a towel folded neatly on the sink. There were no windows on this side of the bars, but there was one on the other. I turned when I heard a light, clear female voice behind me. Queen Clarion was standing there her glittering gold dress shining like a star, folded cloth held neatly in her arms.

"Leave us." she instructed her soldiers with a cool, composed air. They looked at her briefly with concern before giving respectful nods and turning sharply to obey.

Now that we were alone the Fairy regarded me for a long moment before speaking. "Nightshade, was it?" she asked a fine brow arching slightly.

"Yes, your majesty." I replied softly with an inclination of my head eyes downcast. She nodded as if I'd confirmed her suspicions.

"These are for you." she explained, tone pinched as she held out the bundles I reached for them which she offered through the bars, her hands recoiling quickly when our fingertips brushed against one another causing the items which turned out to be more conservative, Fairy style, clothing to spill to the floor. Gathering them up again I ruefully wondered if her reaction had been out of fear of my poison, or my heritage, long held, ancestral grudges surfacing in my blood.

I was truthfully grateful for the apparel, the hemlock skirt though it was of my favorites rode high far too revealing for the moment, and state I was in, as I wanted desperately to hide what shame I could. My face fell a bit when I saw the undergarments, realization that I had forgotten to dawn any in my haste I insecurely wondered if she had noticed this during the flight here.

When Queen Clarion showed no sign of intent to turn while I changed I kept my back to her as I unclothed. It was while I gingerly slipping into the underwear that she spoke again. "You weren't a willing consort of your king then?" she questioned in a way I couldn't read, eyeing my cuts a bruises, all of which were heaviest between my legs.

Turning on her with steely eyes I couldn't keep the ice from my voice. "As he said, his majesty saw to my punishment." I bit out trying to keep my breath steady.

The queen nodded her lips pressed together grimly but said nothing more about it, leaving me to finish dressing. The clothes were plain autumn colors, the hem of the brown tunic extending to my knees, a green sash for about my previously exposed midriff and a pair of red breeches. It all fit rather loosely but was very comfortable.

"There are a few matters that have to be resolved before your trial may begin." Clarion said her tone measured as though she were trying hard to control her emotions. "I will be sure to keep you abreast of the situation." She looked me over once more before turning to leave.

"Your highness." I called after her putting my own suffering and upset aside I was still riddled with a consuming guilt, and remorse, I had to know. "Lord Milori, does he-"

"Live?" she snapped without turning to face me. "For now," she said. "But things may change."

A heavy silence stretched between us before I dared speak again. "Queen Clarion, I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry, and that what happened was an accident." I muttered forlornly.

In a torrent of rage the Fairy queen stalked towards me, taking long vicious strides to stand just inches away, the bars my only protection. "An accident?" she shouted showing a side of herself I doubted any had before seen. "You took his wings, crippled him when you killed that owl!" she bellowed a hand cutting sharply through the air.

I wanted to defend myself, explain how the bird had attacked me without provocation, that I hadn't outright killed it, when in truth the act had been difficult, hurting me deeply after the immediate threat had passed, but I found myself suddenly mute. "And then," she railed on tears standing in her eyes. "You attacked Lord Milori, poisoned him, and left him for dead, alone, and bleeding!"

The love of this woman's life was dying, probably fading fast, and I was the cause. In the sea blue of her eyes a storm raged. Seeing her so flooded with pain and anger, and hate, a realization struck me one that made my world tilt horrifically. They must have been meeting in secret, why else had he left his winter home at the dead of night? How else could he have been found in time? My lamentations for her, and the man I'd likely doomed expounding I truly grieved her but I was just as equally frightened by her too.

"I'm sorry." I managed at last under the weighty scrutiny of her gaze. "I'm so very sorry."

Queen Clarion's eyes narrowed dangerously. Turning to leave she spied the thick curtain covering the room's only window which was on her side of the bars. I was blinded as she tore it down, scurrying away from the light towards the bed hands shielding my face in desperation.

"The trial will be held in Fairy court, I suggest you try to acclimate to diurnal life for the time being." She muttered irately. Squinting I saw her pause near the doorway, hands clenching into fists, a low sigh of resignation leaving her. "I will have a Healing Talent Fairy look in on you." she added her voice softer, almost lilting as she offered me, her enemy, and prisoner, compassion I was no longer certain I deserved.

Falling onto the bed in a fit of tears after she had left, I ignored the silent guards who had resumed their stiff positions. I was utterly overwhelmed by the last day and a half, I hadn't meant to hurt anyone, to kill anyone, I had just been trying to protect myself. Now, it was all just too much to bare, the fear, the regret, the shame, the beautiful, terrible cruelty of Clarion's kindness. The Fairy seemed at war with herself over me. At once she seemed to despise me, yet she pitied me for Dusk's ravagings. And knowing that she was kinder still than my own king after all I had done to her, her people and love, only made it worse. In the end though I thought bitterly it would have been better to just let the owl eat me.