Here is another chapter! :) You know, I was cruising around YouTube and I just found the perfect Fiyero/Elphaba song for this FanFic. It's called Poison by Groove Coverage. Anyone know that song? Anyway, enjoy and review!

"I'm not being Mr. Romantic." Fiyero crossed his arms in defense and stared at the green girl.

"Sure, Fiyero, but I swear, if you come out of nowhere and try to give me flowers or anything of that nature, I will have no choice but to break your face." Elphaba gave him a characteristic smirk and crossed her arms in a physical form of a retort. Fiyero's smile fell and he looked at her with his mouth hanging open.

"You wouldn't." He shook his head and Elphaba nodded, her eyebrows raised. Fiyero laughed at her faux seriousness and a small smile passed his lips. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to go to work." The tone of her voice showed Fiyero that he should not mind and that even if he did, she wouldn't listen to him. The prince kissed the back of her hand and flashed a seductive simper at her. Elphaba rolled her eyes at him and then slapped him right across the face.

"Fae, what was that for?" He jumped back, placing his hand to his tattooed cheek in pain.

"I told you not to be romantic." She told him simply.

"I wasn't trying to be romantic." He whimpered, removing his hand. There was an extensive red spot that covered his cheek. Elphaba kissed his cheek, on the wound, and patted his head. "I'll see you later, love." Fiyero watched as Elphaba traveled down the hallway, out of his sight. He sighed and hung his head as he walked back to his chambers. He had his hand on the gilded doorknob as he heard the blood-curling scream. It was Elphaba. The man bolted down the corridor (faster than it was proper than a royal to do), determined to get to his girlfriend before any danger could reach her.

When he turned the corner, the hallway was abandoned and he came out into the middle. Fiyero could have sworn that her voice was coming from this exact spot. Maybe I'm just imagining things, he thought even though that he knew it wasn't true. It couldn't be. He just could not have imagined that. The scream was far too realistic and he knew that he wasn't crazy. The prince shook his head and turned back before he heard it again. This time, it was his name. "Fiyero!"

Fiyero turned to the left and ran, shocked at the picture that was displayed before his eyes. Elphaba was backed up against the wall, being overpowered by Etai. The older man drew back his fist and connected it with the green girl's face, grinning sadistically as she fell and cried out in pain. "Shut it, you impertinent bitch!" He hit her again and Fiyero just could not control himself. The prince flung himself at Etai, taking a hold of the man's shoulder and pulling him back. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Elphaba groveling on the floor, coughing up blood. Fiyero's heart broke at the sight and he bent down and offered his hand to help her up, but Etai grabbed him and thrust him to the floor.

Elphaba's screams attracted curious household members and Marillot, Baxiana, Carole, and Glinda came out of the parlor from their afternoon tea. At once, Marillot abandoned his kingly stature and rushed to protect his son. The king ripped Etai off of Fiyero and cast him to the stone floor.

"Everybody, stop!" Carole's authoritative voice resonated throughout the hallway, and Glinda pressed through the crowd of workers and knelt down next to her best friend. Elphaba had blood running down her face, it had made a pool around her on the floor, and it stained her patched dress. She sat up against the wall and managed a small flicker of emotion to show Glinda that she was actually able to do something with her face.

"Etai, what the hell is wrong with you?" Carole shouted at him, grabbing his forearm and practically pulling him to his feet. They all ogled her in amusement; no one guessed that she had an ounce of strength in her body.

"The bitch deserved it," snarled Etai, turning and spitting in Elphaba's general direction.

"You know what? Get out, Etai." That was the last straw and Carole had had enough.

"What?" Etai turned to her, shocked.

"You heard me. Get out. I will not allow you to treat anyone in such a manner, even if she is a servant." Carole had to take a stand. She barely punished Etai for whipping Elphaba and she knew that she should have. She would not allow another Thropp to die under her watch. Etai glared at her and spared one last kick at Elphaba before storming out of the hallway.

The servants returned to work after one fierce glare from Carole and the woman held up her skirts and knelt next to her daughter. "Elphaba, can you hear me?"

The green servant nodded briskly. She brought the hem of her dress up and wiped her nose on it, coating it with her blood. "Is he gone?"

Glinda nodded and Fiyero took her hand. "It's okay, Elphaba. He can't hurt you anymore." He promised her, wrapping his arm around Glinda's waist. Elphaba's eyes traveled to his arm and she grimaced. Even though they were engaged, she couldn't help the flame of jealousy that flamed up within her. She wished that they were all gone, that is was just her and Fiyero. That he would take her in his arms and protect her from Etai; that he would take her away from all of this pain.

Carole patted her hand, feeling tears well up in her eyes. She flashed back to seeing Melena in the exact position that Elphaba was in, blood gushing from her chest. The woman looked at the three. "I doubt that she needs a hospital, but if you need any other medical supplies, please call me." She left, not being able to handle seeing the scene. The last thing she needed was to cry in front of her daughter and Fiyero's parents. She looked at Marillot and Baxiana, gesturing them to follow her into her private chambers to finish their tea.

"What did you do for Father to injure you like this?" questioned Glinda, helping Elphaba to her feet. Fiyero slung the girl's arm around his shoulder and let her lean on him, ignoring her glare. He knew how independent she was and he knew how much it pained her to have to depend on someone.

"He saw Fiyero kiss my hand. He knew." Elphaba moaned, resting her head against Fiyero's other shoulder. The Arjiki prince cursed himself silently. If he hadn't been so stupid, Elphaba would be healthy and unhurt right now. Instead, he had chosen to flaunt his affection publicly and his lover had to pay the price.

They managed to lay Elphaba down on Glinda's couch and the blonde retrieved some oil and a roll of bandages from the bathroom. She unbuttoned Elphaba's dress and painstakingly peeled it off of her, doing her best to keep the pain at a minimum. Normally, Fiyero would have been aroused by seeing Elphaba with her dress off, but all he felt was fear.

"Fiyero," Elphaba stroked his cheek tenderly. "I'm sorry that I hit you."

Fiyero couldn't believe that she was thinking of his little bruise when her wounds were far more severe. "It's alright, Fae. I'm okay."