In the back of her mind, Ellyana heard a scream. She recognized instantly that it was Sebastian. She jumped from her bed and ran to his room.

"What happened?" She questioned. "I heard a scream."

"I can assure you that scream wasn't from me." He replied. "At least, not out loud."

"What do you mean, out loud?"

"In my dream," he explained. "Before I woke."

"What happened?" She repeated.

He dodged the question. "What are you doing awake? You should be resting."

Ellyana shook her head. "You know I can't. Not until I know we're safe." She felt as if she should be mad at him. She couldn't bring herself to be, however easy it used to be.

"You can't do much if you're exhausted."

"Underestimating me again are you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Never." He sighed and raked a hand through his sleep mused hair. "You don't need to take all of this on by yourself."

"Yes Bash." She said. "I do."

"This is as much mine and Emilia's problem as it is yours." He argued.

"Get some rest Bash." Elly instructed, attempting to end their conversation. "I'll see you in the morning." She left his chambers and stalked back to her room.

The next morning, Ellyana walked with Bash through the trees to greet the king.

"Bash. Ellyana." Mary called to them. She and Emilia joined them on the path.

"Good morning Your Majesty." Bash greeted.

"We have a problem." Emilia said. "Mary." The queen held out a hand, holding a necklace with stag-like horns.

Ellyana flinched while Bash stiffened.

"It's left a mark." Mary said, showing them her palm. "What is going on?"

"It's the pagans." Bash growled. "They've chosen you for sacrifice."

"I told you we shouldn't have removed that body." Emilia scolded Sebastian. "Now look what's happened."

"Now is not the time." Ellyana snapped.

"What do we do now?" Mary asked.

The vision rose again. Ellyana closed her eyes against it. "Find a way to stop them." She said, head aching.

"We will do whatever necessary." Emilia promised.

"We must tell Francis." Bash said.

"Let's not worry him." Mary insisted.

"It's too late for that Mary." Emilia said. "They've chosen you. Francis must know now."

"Don't worry Mary." Bash said. "We'll keep you safe."

"The carriage is here." Ellyana said. "Let's go before any of you are missed."

Later that night, Bash hovered in the darkness for a minute. With a sigh, he stepped into the torchlight.

Another dark figure leaned against the wall in front of him. "And what, exactly, are you in the dungeon for?" Ellyana asked, shifting so that light slanted across her body. Her face stayed in shadow.

"I could ask the same of you." He remarked.

She shook her head, golden eyes glowing in the darkness. "I am watching out for you, reckless one."

It was the way her voice restrained itself. He knew that after this night he could lose her. But he could also lose Mary.

Neither was an option.

"I'm going to take care of the Pagan threat." He admitted softly. "To save Mary."

Ellyana emitted an animalistic growl. "I told you and Emilia, I would do that."

"I don't want you to get any more blood on your hands." He pressed his palms to her cheeks. The unearthly depths flashed with surprise. "Elly..." He breathed, touching their foreheads together.

"You hurt me." She whispered. "When you kissed Mary."

"I know." He sighed again. "I didn't mean to. It's just that I can't let either of you get hurt now." He pulled back enough to kiss her forehead.

When he moved away, she called, "Sebastian!" He stopped and did not turn to her. Expecting her to yell or to curse at him for being foolish. Instead her voice broke. "Be careful."

He walked away in silence.