Author's Note: This story's drawing to a close. Please do enjoy this second-to-last installment. (possibly third-to-last)

CAPTIVE AND CAPTIVATED

Chapter 10

Umi dozed fitfully on the bed. Her dreams were haunted by serpents which wove and wound around her. They were cold and slimy, drowning her with their bodies and in the icy cold water in which they swam. She saw visions of underwater pillars, of a blazing, golden light and of boulders cracking and falling from underwater cliffs.

No, her sleeping mind said. I don't want to see those things.

Through cracks in her subconscious, she could see clawed hands clutching at rocks. Something black, with glowing eyes, pulled itself out of the crevice. Then awaken, it said. But you cannot escape me in your dreams, girl from another world.

No, please.

You and I are one.

Her heart seemed to expand beneath her breast. It beat sharply, coldly, pumping ice water through her veins. Her skin was coming alive with electricity.

"Ouch," she said aloud.

Embrace me, as I embrace you. The dragon crept toward her. Become one with me.

No, stay away!

I have found you, warrior from the Other-World.

Umi sat bolt upright in a panic. She wept, clutching white hands to her face that were crawling and writhing with twisting, black, snake-like images. They hissed and burned their way across her arms, around her legs…

"No," she cried. "Please, leave me alone. I want to go home!"

After her waking mind became sharper and more focused, Umi took her hands away from her eyes. They were bare and smooth as they had ever been. No creatures crawled beneath their smooth surface.

"What horrible dreams," she said. "This is Clef's doing. It's his fault. Ever since he pushed me into that water…"

She slid from the bed and shivered in the chilly castle air. She felt drained and ill—she needed to eat something, though she did not feel hungry. On the contrary, she felt very full. Not in her stomach, of course, but in her entire abdomen. She felt a burning, pulsing something inside her. It was a welling feeling, a feeling of being slowly filled.

"Blech," she groaned aloud, rubbing her bare arms. She was afraid to look at them and see the hallucinations of the black snake marks again. But of course they wouldn't be there… it was only magic. Cephiro was nothing but magic. A dream and an illusion. She had to get home.

I have found you, warrior from the Other-World.

She shook her head. Clef would be returning soon, he'd said. His face still disturbed her. He looked to be in a wild panic. He very nearly fled from her.

She was startled when the door opened and a young soldier walked in. She sighed. "So, Clef sent you to babysit me, I take it?"

The young man looked surly at the mention of the Master Mage. "You are my charge, yes."

"Hmph. Well, you don't look a day older than me. Some soldiers they have around this place…"

"Pleasure slave to the Madoshi or no," he growled, "You're not allowed to use such tones with a Cephran, even a foot soldier. Watch your tongue, Other-World trash." He stepped forward. The Madoshi had indeed done wrong by him, humiliating him so in the hall. He'd make the old man pay for it, and pay dearly.

"Trash?" Umi gasped. "I happen to come from one of the wealthiest families in Tokyo! I go to the most prestigious all-girl's schools—"

"That doesn't matter here," he interrupted, moving too close for comfort. "You're bound now, pretty one. In fact, the Madoshi is not the only man in this castle whose blood you've stirred." He smiled. "I've had my eye on you for some time. Do you not recognize me? I myself plucked you from the sky."

Umi recoiled from him as if he'd handed her a venomous snake. "I can't say it's nice to see you again. And keep your distance; as if I'd ever stoop to look on you."

The soldier glared again. He looked toward the door and listened. No one could be heard for miles down the corridors. (and surely it must really have been miles, in that huge place) He leered at her. "Well, it looks like we're all alone."

"Get away from me," Umi gasped.

"No. I've got you all to myself, pretty little Other-Worlder. I'm sure the Madoshi wouldn't mind. You've fallen out of his favor." He snatched at her wrist and held it tightly in thick, armored gloves.

"What are you doing? How dare you!" Umi struggled to free her wrist from the tightening fingers of the soldier. She glared up at him. "The Madoshi never gave you permission to have me. He'll kill you for this!"

The solider merely chuckled. "I know for a fact that the Madoshi has never sampled your loveliness. Your evil tongue has dampened the fire that once burned for you. You're damaged goods, my pretty."

"Damaged goods? Why you filthy—!"

The solider pulled her wrist and dragged her over to the bed. "I've studied your beauty for some time now, my pet. I shall have you, and then when I'm finished, I suppose you'll be put up for auction again. The King and Queen will decide what's to be done with you." He grinned. "I saw the way the Madoshi looked as he left this room. I was in the hall. He looked as if he couldn't get away from you fast enough. Do you want to know what I read in his face?"

"No!"

"Disappointment."

Umi trembled violently. "No, that's not true. The—the Madoshi… he likes me…"

"No longer, pretty. No longer." He took the thin fabric of her dress in his free hand and tore it away from her body. She screamed and collapsed against the wall.

That can't be true! she thought miserably as the soldier laid rough hands on her body. No… not with the way he looks at me; the way he held me today—unwelcome as it was, he would never look at me the way he does if he didn't care for me on some level…

His words in the garden came to her mind and her pretty face contorted.

"Do you love me?"

"It wouldn't matter, if I did."

And were his touches, his kisses, his caresses, so very unwelcome?

She wasn't sure of anything anymore.

Lantis entered the Grand Hall and saw his brother sitting in his throne. "Where is Emeraude, brother?"

"On her way," replied the King. He looked stoic and forbidding as ever; even more so, since he was summoned to the Hall without being told why. "More importantly, where is the Madoshi?"

Lantis looked around the throne room, confused. "I do not know. I spoke to him outside only minutes ago. Perhaps he went to retrieve Ferio."

Zagato sighed. "I don't understand why the Madoshi couldn't request my audience himself."

"He seemed distraught, though was making a great effort to mask it."

"This secrecy, along with the confusion over the rift between the worlds, causes me to wonder. Since the raid in the other world, the mood in the Palace has been strained. I wonder if some evil is leaking through the veil."

"It's possible," said Lantis, "Though I was never under the impression that Hikaru's world was evil."

Zagato frowned at his younger brother. He studied him coldly before rising from his throne. "Hikaru," he repeated. He approached his brother and said, "Your slave?"

Lantis stepped back. His brother's face made him desire just a bit more distance. "Yes."

"On familiar terms with her so soon? Strange, since I have yet to see the two of you together."

Lantis averted his eyes. He knew what Zagato would say next and he most certainly didn't want to hear it. He had a hard enough time coming to grips with it himself.

"You know the laws," said Zagato. "There's to be no love between a slave and master; only complete submission and dominance. Her love for you is irrelevant. Your love for her, however, is forbidden, and you know it."

"Brother—"

"If you weren't capable of properly handling a slave, you should not have opted to take her in the first place, Lantis."

"I would not have, had Ferio not pestered me so about it."

"It is forbidden!" Zagato spoke quietly, but his voice had amazing resonance to it, tolling like a great bell in the vast, empty throne room.

Lantis flinched and spoke before he could think, regretting it almost immediately. "If I recall correctly, it was you, and not I, who took his own slave as a wife and made her Queen."

Zagato slapped his brother, hard. "My transgressions are not your concern, nor are they at issue here, brother! And need I remind you that it was Mokona and not I who selected Emeraude as the Pillar candidate long after I'd taken her as a slave? Such things cannot be helped. Do not bring my own sins to light simply to mask your own."

Lantis looked away. As much as he hated to admit it, Zagato was right. Loving your slave was forbidden; it undermined the entire system. Lesser men had been punished greatly for it in the past. It was not until recently that he realized he did love the girl, much more so than he ever had any other slave. And Pillar, he didn't know why. Why?

It was on the tip of his tongue to make a snide comment about Ferio and his great attachment to the yellow-haired slave, but it would have been childish and impudent, so he refrained.

"Zagato," said Emeraude's soft voice. The pair turned to see her settling onto her throne. "Do not chide our poor Lantis. He is distraught, can you not see? I don't blame him for adoring the girl. I myself am quite fond of her."

"Highness—"

"No," She interrupted, holding up a hand to silence Lantis. "That topic will be broached another day. I doubt the Madoshi requested out presence for that. Husband, come; sit beside me and wait for him."

Zagato frowned at his brother and sat himself beside the Queen. Emeraude sighed and took his hand. "Where is Clef?"

"He approaches," said Lantis. "I sense his presence."

As if on cue, Clef burst through the doors to the throne room, dragging Prince Ferio by the arm. The look on his face caused Emeraude to jump to her feet.

"Madoshi! What is the matter? You look as if you'd seen a phantom!"

Clef pushed Ferio forward. The young Prince stumbled next to Lantis, sneering over his shoulder. "Look how the royalty is treated, sister! Mage Clef should have more respect!"

"Silence, Ferio!" Zagato snapped. "Madoshi—what is the meaning of this? Tell us why you've summoned us here."

"Of course." Clef shot Ferio a nasty look before approaching the throne. "It concerns my slave, Highness, and Ferio's." He knelt before Emeraude, speaking in a quiet voice to her, rather than to Zagato. "I have witnessed things, Highness, things which may answer a few questions regarding the tear in the Veil."

"Why not question Clef's treatment of his slave as well, Brother?" Lantis said petulantly. "He's brought you the issue himself."

Ferio frowned. "What do you mean?"

His interest piqued, Clef turned to Lantis. "What is the issue with your girl?"

"I have been accused of breaking the laws regarding slavery."

Zagato gestured silence "Not another word about it, Lantis!"

The Kailu whispered to Ferio in a low voice, "See that you don't get too attached to your slave, brother-in-law. I do believe Zagato means to remove them from our keeping if he suspects that we have developed feelings for them."

Ferio frowned. "I feared that."

"Does that mean that your attachment has grown beyond the bounds of slavery?"

The young Prince only sighed. "I hardly know. There's been much confusion, lately."

Emeraude sat down, motioning for Clef to speak. "Tell me your concerns, Madoshi."

"Well," Clef sighed, "My slave, you recall, is the blue-haired beauty from the other world. The fiery one with the impudent tongue."

"I do."

"Firstly, I observed that she issued a strange light as she slept. This was last night. I consulted the pools, and they instructed me to lead her into them." Emeraude's eyes were growing steadily wider. Clef's anxiety increased. "Well," he continued, "I was able to see, when she entered the water, that the… that the Water Shrine had come alive. Its creatures reached out to her, trying to pull her down with them."

"Creatures?"

Clef thrust out his hand, showing her his palm. "The mark of Selece." Emeraude snatched his hand up and studied it. Across his palm's smooth surface was a hideous burn in the shape of an ornate S.

"How did this happen?" she whispered.

"I don't know, but she and I were forced apart by a great, magical force and when I released her, this is what was burned onto me. The Dragon God Selece has awakened from his long slumber, majesty."

Emeraude began to tremble. She traced the outline of his scarred hand with shaking fingers. "Selece." Her lips worked around the word, growing taut and pale. "But that can only mean—"

"I also have these." He reached into his pocket and produced three large, green feathers. In the sunlight that poured into the room through massive windows, great lines of gold glinted among the green coloring. Emeraude shrank from them.

"How can it be?"

"They were in the bed of the Prince, covering his slave from head to toe."

"They were, sister! I witnessed it myself!" Ferio joined Clef in kneeling on the dais. "At twilight, observe the Western sky. You'll see the Sky Shrine alight."

Emeraude stared at the feathers in Clef's hand. "Why was I not informed of this sooner?"

"I was only recently made aware of it," Clef answered. "I took the girl to the pool this morning. I didn't see these feathers until I retrieved Ferio, mere moments ago."

Emeraude reached out tentatively to pluck a feather from Clef's outstretched hand. Never in her long years had she seen magic manifest itself in such a way. To be found among the trappings of the very Gods…

"Why, it can only mean—"

"For Umi, my slave, to be touched by Selece, and for the blonde girl… Fuu? Is that her name, Ferio? Well, for her to have produced these… I do believe, Highness, that we have not one, but two Magic Knights on our hands." Clef gasped and whirled on the Prince. "Ferio! Have you deflowered her? Tell me! Have you stolen her virtue?"

Ferio jaw was slack. Realization was slowly dawning on him. "Why, no… No, I haven't."

"Truly? If you have sullied her, then Gods… I cannot say what punishment would lie in store for you." Clef began to wring his hands. "However, I suppose you would have been smitten already by Mokona, had you done so…"

"Or by Windam, her God," added Zagato.

Emeraude sank low against her throne. "By the Gods… how could we have allowed such a thing to happen? And how could such a thing happen? Two Magic Knights, brought to this world only by chance. And enslaved." Her eyes were wide and her face began to pale. "What are we to do?"

"Your girl remains untouched as well, I presume?" asked Zagato.

"She does. I had an inkling and therefore distanced myself from her." Clef hid most of the truth from his King and Queen. He decided not to tell them that he'd stroked and touched her intimately, despite suspecting that she was a holy warrior…

"But they do not have magic!" Emeraude exclaimed wildly. "They come from Earth! It is a powerless, sterile realm! How could such young children, devoid of power, be preordained warriors to the Gods? Oh, Zagato! We must send them back! It isn't their time! They were not summoned; they were brought here under the pretense of slavery! Oh, the sin…"

"Send them back?" Ferio gasped. "But how? And why? Knight them, Clef! It's their right! Allow them to stay in this world, as is their destiny! Surely they weren't brought, two at once, by accident!"

Zagato turned to Lantis. "What of your girl? She was stolen from the same place. Is she suspect as well?"

Lantis was leaning against the far wall, rubbing his brows. Two enslaved Magic Knights. In his kingdom. How could such a thing happen? He thought of Hikaru and wondered whether the same could be said for her. He'd never seen magic manifest itself in her, though. Nothing she'd ever done would suggest to him that she could be a Magic Knight. "No," he answered. "I've seen no evidence of that."

"I have," said a voice from the far end of the room. The group looked up to see Eagle standing against the door. His expresion was grave. "I have seen it."

"Eagle!" Emeraude exclaimed. "How dare you enter our chamber in the midst of this discussion!"

Zagato stood. "What have you seen, son of Autozam? Wife, please excuse him—"

Lantis glared over at his second-in-command. He hadn't seen him in several days, and now the memory of Hikaru's story of near-ravishment surfaced. He felt sudden and swift anger, and was surprised at it. Eagle had trespassed… that scoundrel.

"The Forge," Eagle said quietly. He stepped forward, but paused. "With your permission."

"Come forward," Emeraude beckoned. He did so, slowly.

"I was appointed by Prince Lantis to accompany the girl, several days ago," he began. "We were at the Forge prison."

"So?" asked Clef.

"She touched the wall. And it opened for her! I saw it with my own eyes!"

Emeraude looked as if she might faint. "It cannot be—"

"It can," Eagle pressed. He motioned to the corner of the room, the corner which was windowed with a solid wall of crystal. It overlooked the south side of Cephiro. "Look to the South. The mountain churns black smoke. The volcano has awakened!"

Clef, Lantis and Zagato all stared in horror through the crystal windows. Emeraude remained in her seat. "I cannot look; I shall faint…"

Clef, too, looked pale and frightened. "The fire God."

"Send them back!" Emeraude cried. "Madoshi—with your magic and mine combined, we will work a spell to send them back! They must go, it's not their appointed time!"

"That would explain the great rift between the worlds," said Ferio. "The fabric has never been torn before, never. Perhaps their presence here, when it is not needed, has upset the balance."

Clef continued to wring his hands. "If we sent them back, it would be fixed."

"But how can we send them away from us?" Lantis asked quietly. Clef turned at that statement. So did Ferio. All three looked at one another in wonder. They had all, in one way or another, been touched by the Gods, and had never known it till this moment. At once, they all suddenly feared for their souls.

Lantis loved Hikaru. There was no denying it. He sank slowly against the wall, realizing that he would have to send her away, or be punished by the Gods. One look at Clef and Ferio told him that they were thinking the exact same thing. Ferio was clearly smitten. Lantis had never seen him display such devotion to a slave. Clef's feelings were harder to gauge. Personally, Lantis had never thought the ancient man to be capable of love. But inner struggle was apparent on his face as well, a struggle that went far beyond simple fear of punishment by the heavens.

Emeraude took Clef's robes in her hands, crying frantically into his face. "We must send them back! You have to help me, Guru Clef! My reign as Pillar could be forfeit if we do not. What then? What will happen to this land if I do not rule?"

Clef allowed her to shake him, unwilling to meet her eyes. "You're right, of course," he muttered.

"I have to send Fuu away," Ferio said aloud to himself. He was staring, unblinking at the floor. His clenched fists shook.

"Gather them," Zagato commanded. His voice sounded again throughout the room, resonating loudly, though he had only spoken in a quiet whisper. "Send the Mage Knights to retrieve them. If what we say is true, then their magic may manifest itself in ways unknown to us. They cannot be handled by simple soldiers."

Clef nodded, still looking resolutely at the floor. "Yes, Highness. I shall go and fetch her myself."

"I've seen no magic!" Ferio and Lantis both chorused.

"The evidence in all over you!" he shouted. "Lantis, turn!"

He did, and when Emeraude saw the scorch mark on his cotton shirt in the shape of a small hand, she fainted.

"No!" Umi cried, "Please! Let me go!"

"Be silent, or I'll beat you myself," he snarled. She sobbed as the solider roughly removed the tattered remains of her dress. He pushed her over and shoved his hand in her hair to free it from its binds.

"No!" she cried again. "Clef!"

He balled his fist and struck her in the face, making her gasp. "Be silent, you evil-minded scold! I said be silent!"

Umi sobbed and cradled her face. "Stop it! Get away from me!" In desperation, she lashed out at the soldier's face. He shouted and began to bleed—her fingernails had left three long, shallow gashes in his cheek.

"Filthy girl!" he growled and slapped her again. Umi fell against the sheets and went limp. There was no use fighting… she was no match for this man…

Suddenly, that feeling returned again. That tingling, welling feeling within her. That…burning feeling, of being slowly filled. She could hear its voice again.

Prove to me the strength of thine heart that makes thee worthy…

The solider cried out in pain and saw him jerk his hand away. It was covered in a layer of frost. The frost slowly crawled over his flesh and up his arm. "Damnable—what have you done?" he howled. "It burns!"

"Ah-h-h," she moaned, scooting herself backwards on the bed. Her head connected with the heavy, wooden headboard and she cried out again. Her fingers, hooked into the sheets like white claws, issued the pale light she'd seen in her hand hours before. Ice froze and melted and froze again all over her body. She shrieked.

"What have you done to me, you witch?"

"I didn't do anything!" She made ready to push herself off the bed when a familiar voice broke her spell.

"Umi."

It was Clef!

She whirled around. The frost on her flesh instantly melted and dissipated. Suddenly, she was soaking wet and freezing. She collapsed.

The solider had crawled to the corner, rubbing his arms, which had slowly been freezing solid. He looked up in horror at the small figure of Clef. "Madoshi-sama!"

Clef stood at the door, jaw limp. He did not at first seem to register the scene. He merely stared at Umi.

"Clef," she said again.

Coming out of his reverie, the Madoshi strode forward, looking from the red mark on Umi's face to the cowering form of the foot soldier. "You have struck her." His eyes narrowed. Umi cringed, feeling a dark and powerful energy gathering about his small frame.

"M-Madoshi-sama, forgive me, she was getting out of hand!"

Clef closed the distance between them and slapped him soundly in the face. "Liar."

"Madoshi-sama, please!"

Another slap. "Get out of my sight!"

Umi pushed herself farther across the bed. Shivers wracked her body in great waves. Her cheek smarted and stung and she clutched at it, not aware of the small, animal-like squealing sounds she was making.

The infuriated Master Mage delivered a series of blows to the poor soldier's face. "You—do—not—hit—women!" Blood poured from the boy's nose and mouth and he tried to stand, blubbering and stammering his way across the carpet. Clef grabbed his collar and snarled into his face, "I will kill you, boy! Do you hear me!"

She heard snapping and hissing sounds, saw bright flashes of light sparking from Clef's fists. The soldier howled in pain. But he did not kill him. Clef threw the solider bodily across the room toward the door. She gasped. Clef had so much strength for one so small. The solider struggled to his feet and fell over himself trying to run from the room. Clef let him go, staring at the open door with narrowed eyes, breathing heavily.

"Clef," Umi sobbed. "Please, help me!"

"Are you all right?" he asked. He hadn't bothered to turn and look.

"No, no I'm not. He hit me."

"I'm sorry." She heard him sigh. His shoulders slumped a bit. "Dress yourself, please, and come with me."

Umi didn't know what to say. She was momentarily stunned. Soon, however, grief swept over her again and she began to weep anew. "Clef, what are you talking about? Look at me, look what's happened! Please, can't you just… please, just hold me or something—"

"Dress yourself please," he repeated, "and come with me."

Umi sobbed and hiccupped as she crawled across the bed with shaking arms and legs. She almost fell to the floor, but managed to steady herself. "What's happening to me?" She buried her face in her hands and cried. "Clef—tell me what's going on!"

But he wouldn't speak to her. Wouldn't even look at her. What was the matter with him?

Umi felt incredible despair. If she was forced to be alone in this world, then how would she get by if the one person she was forced to be bonded to turned his back on her? "What did I do wrong?" she cried. "Clef!"

"Umi, please calm yourself."

She crawled forward on hands and knees, still weeping fiercely, and clutched at his back. She collapsed against him with her fists anchored in his robes. "Please—just look at me!"

He wouldn't. With her wet face buried in his back and her sobs shaking him, still he did not turn. Eventually, Umi released him and fell back on her hands.

"I have clothes ready for you," he said quietly. "Do you require your Page?"

Umi sniffled and hiccupped. She was positively devastated by his cold behavior. Of all the times he forced his intimacy on her, he was holding it back when she actually felt she needed it. She flared anger. "For what?"

"We must make ready to leave tonight for the Forest of Silence." He glanced out of the window. "Quickly. The sun is beginning to set."

Umi gaped at him. What was he talking about?

"In that room," he motioned to his left, "you'll find a wardrobe. In it should be something that fits you. I'll wait outside."

"Please—"

"Be quick," he said.

She stumbled backwards from him. His back was still turned resolutely to her. God, she wished she could quiet her crying…tears still streamed down her face. She sniffed and wiped her nose, making quiet little gasping sounds as she staggered away from him into the next room. When she fell against the wardrobe, she heard the doors to his chambers close behind him. She slammed her fists against the wall. "Bastard!"

She continued to sob as she pulled open the doors to the wardrobe and pulled out its contents. Her body shook with her gasping and hiccupping and her fingers trembled when they clutched at the hems of the dresses she found. Her skin still felt cold and sensitive. That strange liquid feeling also continued to well within her. She clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing she was about to be sick.

She fell against the wall, retching, and hit her head against the heavy frame of a picture hanging there. She cried out and crumpled to the floor. "Clef," she gasped, "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you…"

With her face pressed against the lush carpet, Umi had never felt more miserable. She wished to be anywhere but there. Tokyo seemed miles and leagues and eons away.

But she wouldn't be broken. Oh, no, Clef would most certainly not break her. She saw the way he looked at her. He was enamored of her. If she was smart about it, surely she could twist him around her little finger, old and wise though he was. She could use her feminine wiles. She chose to ignore the voice in her head that reminded her how little of those she had and how unused they were, if they were in fact there. She tightened the fist that still held the sleeve of a silk dress. He'd pay.

Slowly, she pushed herself from the ground, rubbing her forehead. It ached and smarted where it had collided with the picture frame. There'd be a bruise there by tomorrow. Just lovely.

She wiped her nose and held the dress out before her. It was nice enough, simple and white. There were a few spots on it where her tears had fallen, but those would dry. She only wished she could find a bra. Apparently women in that land never heard of such a thing, for after a long search, she turned up nothing. She sighed, taking a corset and fumbling with its laces. When she glanced up at the wall, she gasped in outright shock.

The frame she'd smashed her head against was very thick and made of dark, ornate wood. Patterns had been carved in it in the shape of waves and dragons. The picture it held was of her, the one Clef had painted of her days ago. What she'd seen on his palette was no surprise now. The portrait had been done entirely in shades of blue and white. He'd hung it in his private chamber.

Tentatively, she reached out to touch it. The part that intrigued her most were the eyes, her eyes. They were…

She fell against the couch. She just couldn't take her eyes off the thing. It was beautiful. But why would he hang it here? This was his study. He spent nearly all his time here, and she'd never seen a single portrait hanging on any of the walls in any one of his rooms. How surreal. There she was, immortalized on his wall.

The moment was fleeting, however. Very soon, reality came crashing around her. She was a slave, hated by her master, or so she thought. He'd abandoned her. Perhaps what the soldier said had been true. Clef would move on—he was taking her outside the castle to discard her.

With shaking hands, she pulled on the silken dress. She held up the corset and thought, damn, I'll need help with this.

Finally, when she was dressed, she splashed cold water on her face. In the mirror, her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. She squinted and thought most ardently that she'd be damned if she'd let him see that she was still crying.

Outside, Clef was standing in the hall with a handful of Mage-Knights. He looked at her, eyes carefully blank. "Come, follow me."

Ferio paused outside the door to his chambers. Fuu would be inside, possibly still slumbering. What could he say to her? He'd been sent to retrieve her. He'd have to cast her out, watch as she was sent back to the Other-World. How could he, a Prince of Cephiro, be so distraught over a lowly pleasure slave, a silly girl from another world?

He sighed and pushed open the door. Fuu was awake, to his dismay, and sitting up in bed, thumbing through a large, leather-bound book. She looked up at him, studied him for a moment, then returned her gaze to the pages of the book.

Something tells me that she's in her element, he thought. It looked all too natural for her to have a book poised between her elegant fingers with her glasses tipped down on her nose. He hovered in the doorway, remembering how those hands felt in his, and again he feared for his soul.

"Well, Fuu," he said striding over to the bureau and picking up a decanter of amber-colored liquid. He poured himself a glass and finished it in one long gulp. "It's just you and I again."

"Hm," she answered, still poring over the book in her lap.

He chuckled. "What are you reading?"

"I don't know," she replied, "I cannot read your language, however, I can deduce what it's discussing—something to do with the history of your land, if I'm not mistaken." She held the book up and pointed to a picture of a strange-looking creature. "What is this?"

"Ah, that is Mokona, the creator."

Fuu's mouth quirked. "Really."

"Indeed." He poured himself a second glass and sipped at it. "You know, the way you look right now excites me. I've always liked the idea of a learned lady."

She raised her eyebrows at him and said nothing.

He licked his lips, very much liking the taste of the fine aged Cephran mead. "I think you suit me well. You look almost like a proper Cephran; beautiful, wise… Who knows? If you play your cards right, my love, you could very well be destined for great things once your time of servitude here is over."

"My time?" she repeated. The book closed with a loud clap. "What do you mean?"

"All slaves in the palace leave this place after their time is through. No one ever stays forever. Truth be told, many of the nobles who reside here were once slaves themselves." He chuckled. "Many married, though never to their former masters. That is not allowed."

"Pity," said Fuu, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ferio finished glass and poured himself a third. "Indeed. What would you think about being wife to one of the future kings of Cephiro?"

Fuu laid the book on the bed next to her and studied Ferio long and hard. Her eyes took on that scrutinizing look, the look she usually had when she was trying to analyze a situation. She was silent for a long time, which rather unnerved Ferio. Finally, she said, "Something has happened. You're acting very strangely. What exactly is it that you want, Ferio?" she asked.

"Oh, I want a lot of things. World domination, mountains of feather pillows, my mother and father alive, a puppy, endless supplies of mead, beautiful women—"

"A puppy?"

"Don't concern yourself with it." He smiled. "I came to fetch you." He took another great swig from his glass. "Get dressed."

Fuu blinked. "Dressed?"

"Yes, my lady. We're going on a little trek."

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you responding to everything I say with a question?"

Fuu bit her lip. It was on the tip of her tongue to say something scathing to him, but… well, to be perfectly honest, she was growing weary of her calm and careless front. The handsome Prince terrified her in some dark, unknown way. She feared she couldn't mask it for much longer, and angering him certainly wouldn't help. She drew her knees up to her chest. "Where are we going?"

"The Forest of Silence Fortress." He ignored the look of frightened bewilderment that crept across her features. One more glass of mead would be in order for him to continue with this. The decanter was almost empty; he emptied it to its last drop into his glass and tossed it back in another long gulp. He could feel the liquor swimming around pleasantly in his head, though it did nothing to dull his senses as he'd hoped. "We're to leave within the hour," he said darkly.

"But why? Ferio, I don't understand. Please don't tell me I'm due to entertain the masses again."

He studied the wall beside him, clenching his empty glass in his hand. "No, no you're not." In a sudden rage, he hurled the glass against the wall where it shattered. Fuu gasped. "God's be damned!" he shouted to no one. The empty decanter soon went the way of the glass and Fuu scooted backwards against the headboard.

His breathing came ragged and heavy and he stared around at the glass fragments that littered the carpet. In the corner, he spotted a neglected feather and could almost feel the color draining from his face. He turned to Fuu, who started and tried to press herself harder against the headboard. She started shaking violently when he began to approach the bed."Ferio," she gasped. Her foot slid from the bed, touched the carpet tentatively. "Please, don't come any closer." She stood up and inched her away along the wall, trying to maintain distance between them. He looked like he was raving.

He didn't stop. Fuu pressed herself as tightly as she could into the corner. He closed the distance between them and stopped a foot short of her. His movements were deliberate and slow, which made him seem that much more frightening. Her pert mouth trembled. "Ferio!"

He stood there for some time, staring at her intensely into her eyes. His face was… well, it was just odd. He'd never looked at her that way before.

She flinched when he moved—down to the floor. He exhaled heavily and dropped to one knee. Her mouth dropped open in shock. "Ferio…"

"Fuu." He kept his eyes downcast, one elbow resting across his bent knee. He was…bowing. "Lady, please excuse my trespasses. I am—decidedly unworthy."

The blonde gaped at the top of his green head. It was official. The young Prince had gone mad, and oh God, was he shaking?

He shifted his weight, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Forgive my urgency, but we must make haste. You must dress yourself and we must depart soon."

"What on Earth are you doing on your knees, Ferio?"

He smiled. "All men fall to their knees in the presence of a Magic Knight."

"What?"

"Nevermind."

"But," she frowned. "Why are we going to a—a fortress?"

"All will be explained to you in due time. Until then, though, please…make ready to depart."

She considered him for a long time. He seemed to be waiting on her word as he remained kneeling with his eyes downcast. Why? It was strange seeing him this way. It was as if…but no, she couldn't quite give it words. He was... changed.

"All right," she said.

"Thank you." He rose and took her hand. "If I may."

She allowed him to lead her into a dressing chamber. She stood dumbly, watched as he pulled dress, bodice, slippers, sashes and stockings from a nearby wardrobe. He motioned for her to stand before a mirror. "I can call women, if you'd like, but I'd be very pleased if I could dress you myself."

"O—ok."

And he did dress her, slowly, very delicately. She faced the mirror and watched his reflection. His face remained passive, almost reverent. He prodded her arms and slipped the sleeves of the dress over them, following them with the bodice. His fingers were quick and clever—clearly, this wasn't his first time dressing a woman. The thought, however, was not repugnant. She stood as straight and still as she could, but the warmth of his hands on her and the pressure of his body against hers was oddly sensual, even though he maintained a respectful distance. His eyes met hers in the mirror, just over her shoulder. He was lacing the color of her gown, moving careful fingers over her neck. His mouth was very close to her ear. "Ferio," she whispered. His eyes closed. He kept his face near her neck, slid his hands down her back, tightened the laces of her bodice.

"Yes?" he asked. His voice was low. It made her shiver.

Ah, she thought when his eyes once again met hers in the mirror. That's the face, the look. I feel like I'm seeing him, and not his Princely face.

She rubbed the soft silk of her dress against her cheek. "This is lovely."

"Agreed. It suits you, Fuu."

He pulled away from her. "Ferio, I—"

"Come along, lady. Time's pressing." He smiled. Fuu's heart fluttered a bit. She may as well have never seen him smile before, for how much it warmed her.

She extended her hand. "Lead the way."

Deeply. Delving into dreams—more burning landscapes, more faceless creatures with piercing eyes—she was lifted suddenly by strong arms.

She swam up through sleep. "Wha?"

"Come, beloved," he whispered. "We must go."

Hikaru started when the blanket was removed from her. Her skin, burning hot, quickly raised cold bumps. "No…" She came awake in cold, stark awareness. He clutched her and she thought, Where am I?

She saw the carpet moving beneath them, saw the passing shadows of furniture and the long slip of torchlight illuminating the doorway. "Lantis."

"Yes."

"Where—"

"I must take you to your Page. He waits for you in the Slave Hall."

The term made her cringe. "No, please…"

"It is by order of the King and Queen."

It occurred to her to protest. Lantis often did the things she asked. It seemed futile now, though. He had her in tow and gave no indication that he was going to put her down. But sleep still clung to her mind. Things were confusing. She rubbed her eyes. "Wait, where…?"

He chuckled softly and it thrilled her, which she found both agreeable and disturbing. "You'll feel better once you've bathed. I think that it is what your Page has in mind for you; a bath and a proper dress. I'd bathe you myself, but…" She felt, rather than saw him color slightly. "Well, I feel it'd be rude, firstly, and secondly, they would not allow it."

Hikaru blinked at the walls, at his shoulders, down at her dangling feet. "The Slave Hall?" she asked.

Lantis tried not to smile at her confusion. "Yes. Though, I feel I wrong you simply by carrying you this way." Blasphemy, he thought bitterly. It was like a stain on his soul, now.

"I don't understand." She rubbed her eyes again, finally starting to take in her surroundings. "I'm being prepared for something. What's going on?" Her heart clenched in her chest. "Not another… not another dinner, I hope."

Oh, but if there was one thing that Hikaru could have possibly said to put the fear of God in him, it was that. "Don't worry yourself," he said quietly, "you need not fear such things anymore."

Lantis. She furrowed her brow. He was being evasive and vague, as usual. She curled closely into his body since it was chilly, and did her best to cover her nakedness. People were passing them in the halls, after all, people who had wandering eyes. Amazing that she'd been naked for days and still felt shame. Her forehead against his chest was soothing, though. He was warm, just like she'd remembered before… well, before…

"Hey," she said suddenly. "I fell asleep! Wait, you brought me to your rooms and then…" She bit her lip and hid her face in his shirt. And then he'd had his way with her and left her. She assumed that, anyway. "Why did you leave?" she asked quietly.

"I told you, I had urgent business with the Madoshi."

"The short guy."

Lantis shuddered. She may as well have uttered a filthy obscenity. "He's a bit more than that, I'm afraid."

"Yeah, I heard." She couldn't contribute much more to the conversation than that. Why should she? Her mind was occupied with ravishment... ravishment that she could not, for the life of her, remember. All she remembered was that fever, that heat and blackness that he seemed to bring into bed with him, or wherever he happened to have her. It wouldn't occur to her for several hours yet, as she sat in the window overlooking the Forest of Silence, that it was not he who induced those feelings in her. She didn't mind the feelings; they were fine. Alien, but fine…

…I don't want to say enjoyable…

But…

"Lantis," she said.

"Yes?"

"I don't… well, I don't remember much before I fell asleep. Did we—" She bit her lip and trembled. "Well, did you enjoy it, at any rate?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know…" It occurred to her to reach between her legs to check for soreness. Didn't all those shoujo mangas say that there was always blood and soreness the first time? It would be vulgar to check, of course, while she was anchored in Lantis' arms. "Was it nice?"

"Hikaru," he chuckled. "I didn't deflower you, if that's what you're trying to ask me. I was hoping you'd think better of me than that, to take advantage of you so."

"Oh." Hikaru blushed. "That's…that's very noble of you, Lantis."

He sniffed. "Of course. I'm royalty."

"Ok, well… I still don't understand why I blacked out." She rubbed her eyes. "I didn't say or do anything stupid, did I?"

Lantis only laughed softly again.

Hikaru peered down the hall. Ahead, she could see the entrance to the Slave quarters. She shuddered. What could they be pampering her for? Hopefully she wasn't going to someone else's bed. Why else would they bother to truss her up so much?

"Where am I going?" she asked again.

"Outside the confines of the castle," he replied, all humor gone from his voice. "I cannot say more than that. You'll find out very soon." He adjusted her in his arms so that all of her body was pressed against him. It was as far as he dared to go, quickened as he was by her heated blush. "As we don't have much time, I insist you hurry."

For the first time in ages, Fuu found herself gazing at the wide open fields of Cephiro. The dying twilight gave everything an ethereal glow. Ah, how wonderful to be freed finally from the confines of the castle.

She turned and saw more horses approaching their group. Coming out of the gates, she saw Lantis, the other Prince, with his red-haired slave in tow. Her other Earth friend. Behind her was Umi, saddled in front of an unknown man.

It was the first time she'd seen either of them in days.

What's to become of us? she thought miserably.

It was a tense moment. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a great precipice. Something was standing between her and a great destiny, and she felt she wasn't alone in that respect. Both girls had the same looks on their faces; looks that said something's coming.

The back of her hand twinged painfully and she rubbed at it. Far to the East, she could see the dark outline of a wide forest. Was that were her destiny lay?