Disclaimer: I do not own the Fable universe. Characters you do not recognize were created by me for the purposes of this story. These include Von, Ezra, Malakai, Scarlet, Vienna, Loki and Shiloh. Story contains scenes of a very mature nature, do not continue if anything of that nature could offend you (sex, violence, sub/dom, non-con). This story will be quite dark at times, you have been warned.

The lyrics listed at the beginning of this chapter are from "While Your Lips Are Still Red", a song by Nightwish that I suggest you all listen to at some point. It is an absolutely lovely song and it fit very well with this chapter.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for the encouraging reviews that have been left :) - Fallon.

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Sweet little words made for silence not talk,

young heart for love not heartache,

dark hair for catching the wind,

not to veil the sight of a cold world"

"While Your Lips Are Still Red" by Nightwish

Maya awoke to the warm sunlight tickling her flesh. She opened her eyes, and saw the clear blue sky through the opened skylight above.

Groaning, she squirmed in an attempt to get up, but was quickly pulled back down.

Von nuzzled into her neck, "You can't get away from me that easily..." He whispered, a tired smile on his lips.

His arms around her holding her in place, Maya smiled and relaxed against him, "I don't want to."

Von kissed her neck and ran his hand down her back, trailing his fingers teasingly over her posterior, "I hope that does not change, my love..."

"Hmm," she purred, kissing his chin as she enjoyed his caresses, "I very much doubt that it will."

He propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down at her. The smile remained on his lips, but his striking eyes were filled with sadness. Not knowing what the day would bring made him sick with fear.

After the night they had shared together, he was more sure of his feelings than ever. Losing her was simply not something he could deal with.

Maya ran her thumb along his jaw as his eyes mesmerized her, "I'm right here, Von"

He sighed and rested his head on her chest, "But for how long..."

"As long as you want me," she assured him.

He hugged her, placing a tender kiss upon the soft flesh between her breasts, "Hmm, then I am afraid you are stuck with me, Princess."

She smiled, "That is not such a bad fate."

He watched her with hungry eyes as he freed her from the coat. Von held her close as he cupped her breast, running his thumb over her nipple.

Maya sighed in contentment, "Hmm, yes, I think I could get used to having you around..."

Von chuckled, wishing inwardly that she felt as strongly for him as he did for her. He kissed her soft, pale skin, sneaking his hand down her stomach to her thighs.

She moaned, "Have you not tired of me?"

He neared her womanhood, "Not in the slightest, my love."

A knock at the door pulled them both back into reality.

Von quickly covered her back up and looked to her, now knowing what she wanted to do.

"Hello? Maya? You there, love?"

It was Ben.

Von growled in frustration.

Maya kissed his chest and slipped a hand down to gently cup his groin, "Hide, darling." She said with a wink.

Groaning, Von quickly leapt up onto one of the rafters above, reluctantly leaving her side.

Maya hurried to get dressed, "Just a moment, Ben!"

She donned her blouse and leggings, and hid Von's coat under the blankets before hollering for Ben to come in.

The Captain opened the door, glancing down at the ground as soon as he registered her lack of clothing, "Sorry, Princess."

"No problem, Ben. What is it? Is Walter ready to leave?"

"Shortly," Ben said with a nod, "Kalin is just finishing up with the last of the loading. We're going to have six Auroran ships following us, nearly a hundred men." which is sadly all of Aurora's able-bodied men left thanks to the Crawler."

Maya slipped into her skirt and fumbled with her belt, "It is more than generous of her to send so many when she has so few. Tell them both I'll be right there."

Ben nodded and was about to leave when he turned back, "Have you seen wolf-boy?"

Maya blushed, "No, why?" Surely Ben did not spy the coat from where he stood?

Ben shrugged, "I haven't seen him since last night. He gave me some bloody speech about how I don't appreciate you then hurried off to find you. Guess he got lost or something," he shook his head, "bloody moron..."

Intrigued, Maya pushed for more information, "What exactly did he say, Ben?"

From his perch on the rafter, Von held his breath.

The Captain shrugged, completely unaware that they were not alone, "Something about you smelling like lavender and earth. The he went into a rant about me being unable to appreciate all that because I'm a "roaming male", he chuckled, "what nonsense!"

Maya quicker her brow, "Really? He said all that?"

Ben nodded, "Rather forward of him, if I do say so myself. You'd best have that one castrated, Princess, Avo help us all should there be more than one of him to deal with someday."

"Rather forward of you, Captain," Maya spat back, playfully yet angrily, "to judge one so cruelly when your past is just as spotty!"

Ben blinked, swallowing hard, "I meant no offence to you -"

Maya sighed and rubbed her temples, "I know, Ben...I'm just tired I guess," she eyed him apologetically, "you best get back to Walter, I'll be there shortly."

Ben gave a quick bow, "And you'll find the wolf? I'd rather not deal with him before I absolutely must."

"Of course."

Finally, Ben left and the door closed behind him.

Maya sighed, gasping ever so slightly as two strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

Von kissed her neck, resting his chin on her shoulder. He breathed in her scent and held her firmly to his chest, "Good, I thought he'd never leave..."

She smiled, leaning into him, "So what was this speech you so kindly gifted Ben with?"

He cleared his throat and shifted nervously behind her, "It was nothing."

"It seemed like something more to Ben." She pushed, her smile growing.

Von slipped a hand down between her legs, "Enough about him..."

Maya slumped against him, "Hmm, you sure know how to distract a girl..."

He fumbled with her belt, sending it and her skirt tumbling to the ground. Von slipped his hand under her leggings, roughly cupping her sex.

She whimpered as his fingers parted her folds and found her clit, "We can't be too long..." she said between gasps, "they'll wonder what's keeping me..."

Von licked her neck and rubbed his finger slowly up and down her slit, "As you command, my love."

Maya approached the dock first.

She had left before Von so as not to arouse the suspicions of passers by, but she truly wanted nothing more than to stay in the house with him.

There was still so much she had yet to figure out, but she recognized and trusted the feelings she had developed for him. They made her vulnerable yes, but she felt stronger too. She wondered if that was perhaps the nature of love, and if so, why that aspect of it had never been in the poems she had read as a child.

Maya sighed as she approached the ship.

It would take her off to battle, of to her future as Queen.

She was still unsure if she was ready for it all, but the time for second guessing had long passed.

Albion needed her, the people needed her, and she was going to do her best to live up to their expectations. They deserved nothing less than a loyal, determined monarch.

"Morning, Princess!" Walter beamed as she approached, "Fine day for sailing, is it not?"

She grinned, accepting his hand as he heaved her on board, "As fine a day as any, Walter."

"Where is wolf-boy?" Ben piped in as he approached them, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes narrowed.

Maya turned around to see if he was on his way, only to smash into Von's chest.

Von gently grabbed her arms, easing her back so she was steadied. He glared past Maya to Ben, "Your concern for me is touching, Finn."

Ben huffed, "Believe me, I don't give a damn what happens to you."

Von nodded, "Same to you."

Walter cleared his throat and stepped in, "Well, since we're all here..."

"Right," Ben said with a nod, "I'll let Kalin know we can be off." He hurried off before anyone could get a word in.

"Well, you'd best get some rest Maya, we've got a long road ahead of us," he turned to Von, "could you help me and the other lads with the ship, Von?"

Reluctantly, he let go of Maya and turned to address the old knight, "Of course, Sir Walter."

Maya stretched out over the covers of the large bed below deck.

Unable to sleep, she stared at the ceiling, worrying about what was yet to come.

At the end of the sea, there was a crown waiting for her. But what about Von?

His time as her protector was coming to an end, and surely Ezra would recall him back to Silverpines. What would happen to them then?

No matter how much she loved him, could they ever be together?

Tears clouded her eyes and she quickly pushed the thought to the back of her mind. For now, it was too much for her to consider.

"You're crying."

Maya shot up from the covers and spotted him almost immediately in the shadows.

"No I'm not." She countered stubbornly.

Von grinned as he approached the bed, "Don't lie. I could smell it in the air from above deck."

She hung her head, a frown on her lips.

Von climbed into bed with her, urging her closer to him, "Talk to me..."

Maya allowed him to embrace her. He lightly kissed the curve of her neck, his breath warming her pale flesh as it trailed over her.

"The closer we get to Albion," she whispered into his ear, "the more I fear you'll be forced from my side..."

"Oh, Maya..."

She sniffled, "Our paths will take us in opposite directions...and I don't want them to."

He pulled back to look her in the eye, "I'm not going anywhere. I swear it on my life."

"But what about the Family? Ezra -"

"He doesn't matter anymore," Von said quickly, "He does not command me...you do."

She cupped his cheek and smiled sadly as he leaned into her hand, "Don't say such things, I don't own you, Von."

He smiled as her fingers trailed over the blue scar on his cheek, "Yes, you do. Ever since you marked me. I could not leave you if I wanted to - I am bound to your side until the life leaves my body."

Maya frowned, "I am sorry I've trapped you so -"

Von roughly kissed her, determined to silence her and give her something good to replace her great sadness. His lips moved against her's, gently urging her to follow his movements. Maya slipped her arm around him, pulling him down to deepen the intensity of their kiss. No matter how many times he kissed her, she could never get enough. She parted her lips to allow him access, much to his enjoyment.

His tongue twisted around her's, not to dominate or posses her, but to give her a fraction of the pleasure he would someday give her as his mate.

They parted, both panting but both with smiles on their lips.

Von ran his thumb over her parted lips, her breath tickling the pad of his thumb as he went, "You're lips are red, my dear."

"And whose fault is that..." She replied seductively, her eyes heavy with desire.

With a wicked, playful grin, he kissed her forehead, "Surely not mine."

Laughing, Maya forced him onto his back and straddled his waist, "Damn you, Von Kaiser." She said triumphantly from her perch atop him.

His eyes opened wide and, to Maya, he looked quite fearful.

"For what?" He said in a gasp.

"For making me laugh," she said sincerely as she looked down at him, "when all I want to do is cry."

His eyes grew softer and he ran his hands up her sides, "You look much more beautiful with a smile on your lips, my love." he smiled, "I'd do anything to keep sadness from you..."

Maya leaned down and kissed him lightly before resting her head on his chest.

They stayed like that for a while, until Von couldn't put off the inevitable any longer.

He brushed her hair out of her face, "We're nearing the shore, Maya."

She looked up at him, "So soon?"

"Aurora's ships, though few, are fast," he sighed, "the shores of Silverpines are on the horizon and my pack is calling for me." Their howls echoed in his mind still.

She looked at him sadly, "I thought you wouldn't leave me?"

He caressed her cheek as a tear streaked it, "Amaythea..."

She ignored his use of her full name, truly not minding it when he used it. Her hands curled into fists on his chest, "Please don't go, Von."

"I have to meet up with them," he explained calmly, "I'll be leading one of the first waves of fighters into the city."

Though tears still fell from her cloudy eyes, she nodded, "Will you be in your balverine form?"

Von swallowed hard and nodded. Though he hated the idea of changing, he would be a hundred times more powerful in his true form. And the stronger he was, the better he could protect her.

She leaned down so their noses touched, "H-How will I know which one is you? I...I have yet to see you fully turned after all."

He smiled sadly, twisting a lock of her hair around his fingers, "My fur is as black as my hair and my eyes do not change colour." He kissed the tip of her nose, "But you'll not have to search for me. I'll stay by your side during the fight, you can be sure of it."

She forced a smile for him, but it wasn't sincere.

A part of her felt like this was goodbye, that this was the last time she'd ever have to tell him the truth.

When she'd first met him, she had wanted so badly for him to leave her alone. Now, all she wanted was for him to stay. After everything she had said to him, all the cruel words she had spat in the heat of the moment...still he was right here before her, still he cared for her.

"Why does it feel like we're saying goodbye..." She whispered under her breath, not wanting to speak it too loudly for fear it would come true.

He stared into her eyes, "We aren't, Maya. I'll be right by your side through it all...and don't think you're denying me a front seat for your coronation!"

She smiled weakly, "I wouldn't have it any other way..."

They stared at each other, both afraid to walk away and break the moment.

He touched her cheek, "I love you, Maya."

Her lips quivered and her heart swelled, but she said nothing in return. Though she loved him more than she could ever describe, she still feared saying those words. And that fear made her weak, too weak to be of worth to him.

Von kissed her, then rolled her off of him. He did not expect her to confess the same, but still kept the hope in his heart that she did. After all, she would not have given him what she had the night before if she did not care for him.

At least, that was what he told himself.

Maya watched from the bed as he straightened his trench coat and adjusted his sword at his hip. He looked strong and determined, like a man at peace with his destiny.

Intending to leave before the farewell became even more difficult, Von headed for the door.

Maya sat on her knees, fresh tears falling down her cheeks. He was right, she knew it, but the parting still hurt more than she could bare.

Von passed through the doorway, leaning heavily against it as it shut.

He could hear her sobbing from the other room, but knew that going back to comfort her would only make it worse.

He would see her on the battlefield, where he would protect her just as he had before.

Swallowing hard, Von ascended the stairs and walked out onto the deck.

"Said your goodbyes, wolf-boy?" Ben sneered as he passed the Captain.

Von walked past him, not wanting to waste his breath on someone so insignificant, and approached the railing.

Though miles of open sea separated them from the shore, he could see his pack waiting for him.

Walter approached him, "Do you want to wait until we're closer, Von?"

He shook his head, "This is fine, thank you, Sir Walter..."

The old knight nodded, "Then we'll see you and your Family near the docks."

Von grasped the ledge, but just before jumping over, stopped.

"Walter?" He asked.

"Yes?"

He kept his gaze on the horizon, "You'd better go and speak with the Princess. I fear she is upset..."

Walter looked at him strangely, then nodded. He had seen how close the Princess had been getting to the balverine, and he knew Maya too well to be blind to the look in her eyes.

"Of course. Just be sure you come back in one piece, Master Kaiser." Walter said sternly, certain he'd give the lad a good smack if he did otherwise.

Von glanced back at him, a sad look in his eyes, then jumped into the sea.