A/N: Please be aware that the story's rating has changed from T to M due to the content of this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it, and please review.

Faron Woods had grown quiet as the sun began to set. Zelda had found shelter inside an enormous hollow tree, big enough to sit and sleep comfortably. She knew the bokoblins were likely still in the area, and she had to stay quiet and be careful. She wondered what other kinds of monsters might go bump in the night. Zelda shivered and pulled her knees to her chest, trying to maintain warmth.

Zelda was racked with guilt, worried she had shamed herself beyond redemption already. So many emotions swirled through her head: shame, anger, and confusion. She felt absolutely disgusted with herself. She felt as though she were about to vomit.

She listened for the telltale grunts of the bokoblins, but there was no sign of danger, at least for the moment. She soon grew tired and lay on the mossy ground inside the tree.

"What did you think, Zelda? Did you think a demon could love?" Zelda hears the old woman say the same thing she had asked in the temple. She looks over her shoulder. No one is there, but she can hear a low indistinguishable murmur in the air, as if an invisible crowd were watching.

Zelda is teetering dangerously close to the edge of the pit, except she can't see the bottom of it. She looks to her right to see him standing by her side. His moonlight white hair hides half his face. His gloved hand reaches out for hers and she takes it. She is uncertain, but his shapely pale lips curl into a half smile before he looks down into the pit. She doesn't feel afraid when he looks at her, but she can't bring herself to smile back. A gentle wind blows through her hair. She looks away for a moment.

"It's not too late to turn back. You can still turn back." Zelda hears the soft feminine voice plead with her. It's the same voice she heard in the temple that had whispered to her. Zelda finds her both comforting and distressing all at once.

"I'm so afraid." Zelda replies to the voice, without ever moving her mouth.

"I've been watching you from the edge of time. I understand how you feel. We share the same soul. I know you're afraid. I'm afraid, too, but this is a war. I believe in you and I know we can finish this with my chosen hero's hep. You just have to trust me."

Zelda looks back at Ghirahim, who hasn't said a word yet. He is smiling down at her serenely, unaware of the voice she hears. She feels lost in his dark eyes. She is hypnotized.

"It was I who took his powers away and caused the ritual to fail. But I also gave him a chance at a new life for your sake, Zelda. I did it for you knowing your brokenness."

Ghirahim bends slightly to meet Zelda face to face. He is drawing her in, beckoning her. Her lips part. She hesitates.

The soft voice continues. "There is another reason...I saw his desire for you was true. But that doesn't make it right and it doesn't change his evil nature. He is still a creation of the Demon King. Do you still love him, Zelda? You can't maintain the seal effectively like that. Would you choose him over your destiny?"

Zelda thinks he might fade before her eyes if she doesn't act.

"I'd give up everything to be his." Zelda leans in and kisses him in front of that invisible crowd. She kisses him just as passionately as if nobody were watching. The murmurs increases in pitch and intensity. Her mind is screaming at her to stop, but she can't begin to explain why she suddenly feels so free. It is intoxicating. She feels him corrupting her innocence. She loses herself, and worries that her purpose is becoming undone in that very moment, but it feels so right. She almost wants to laugh hysterically, almost. They break the kiss slowly, sadly.

The low murmur in the background fades out. Something is rising from that pit. Something sinister is opening its massive jaws down below and Zelda recognizes the sharp pointy teeth and the dark scales that cover its body.

Zelda feels someone or something push them. She lets herself go as they fall hand in hand into the darkness.


Zelda jolted awake from her nightmare when she felt the sensation of a silky glove caressing her cheek. She knew who it was even before her eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight.

"Ghirahim...I'm glad you're here." She said cheerlessly. Dread began to build inside her.

"Well little goddess, care to explain what you're doing in a place like this at this ungodly time of night?"

"I remembered what I had to do to maintain the seal..." Zelda said with some apprehension, worrying how he would take the news.

"And? What was it?" Ghirahim tried to find a comfortable position next to her.

"Back at the Temple of Time, Impa told me I had to travel to the distant past. I didn't understand why, or rather Impa remained very cryptic and didn't tell me much. Today, inside the Sealed Temple, I remembered Hylia's plan. The old woman tells me it's a sacrifice I have to make. Back then, I would have fulfilled my destiny without a moment's hesitation, but now..."

Ghirahim frowned. "Is there something you're not telling me? You aren't to keep any secrets from me. So, I won't keep any secrets from you. The Demon King created me as a vessel to a dark power. He created me perfect - a demon made in the likeness of your people." Ghirahim gestured proudly to his long pointed ear with the blue diamond shaped jewel dangling from it. "The Demon King spared no human ability and with my demonic powers I was greater than any mortal. I am a living weapon."

Zelda's deep blue eyes widened. A weapon?

Ghirahim continued. "But, I'm also a man of good taste. I like beautiful things, so ever since I laid eyes on you, I desired you. I was filled with thoughts and feelings that confused me. I pushed them away at first. I didn't know how to deal with them. I was completely surprised I could feel a desire for anyone, especially a human. It even scared me just a little. Demise may have created me for one purpose, but rather than fulfill that purpose, I choose to be with you. Nothing can change my mind, Zelda. So you will trust me, and you will tell me everything."

Zelda's heart sank as she began to speak, trying to gauge his reaction. "I must travel to the distant past when Hylia first sealed the Demon King away, and in order to maintain the seal, I will sleep for thousands of years. I can only wake up once the Demon King is defeated. But it's a very dangerous thing, maintaining the seal. As time goes on, I'll only grow weaker and as a result the seal will suffer. What I'm trying to say is...my very life would depend on Link's ability to vanquish Demise. I don't want to think about what will happen if he fails. I may never wake up."

For a moment Zelda saw a flash of distress in Ghirahim's features.

"That wretched brat is searching for you as we speak, but..." Ghirahim's expression relaxed and he leaned towards her. "I can take you away again. It will be just like before. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Ghirahim purred, stroking her cheek.

"I'm sorry, I can't." Zelda's forced herself to reply, but she gave Ghirahim a desperate glance that belied her words.

"You can and you will." He said more forcefully this time.

"If the Imprisoned breaks free..."

"Let the Sky Child deal with it."

"It's not safe. It's not safe for Link, and it's not safe for you. I'm sure the Demon King does not look kindly on those who betray him. This is why I must do this."

"Enough of this foolishness. I've already lost too much. I can't lose you, too. I swear to you, whatever it takes, I won't let you do this. We're leaving right now. We'll..."

Zelda's hope faded. As much as she longed for him to take her away, she knew he couldn't. He certainly couldn't teleport now without his powers. Leaving now would mean traveling on foot. She worried that they might run into Link along the way. If that were to happen, it would surely start a fight that Link would most certainly win. Ghirahim did not need to be reminded of this, but didn't want to admit out loud the horrible truth. That soft boy in green had become more powerful than him. Ghirahim gritted his teeth. If only Link didn't have that sword.

"No, Ghirahim...just stay with me. I'm very tired, aren't you?" Zelda tried to speak calmly, but her voice trembled.

"We will leave first thing in the morning then. Hmm...there's still the outstanding matter we talked about last night. My plans for you... I promise you a life beyond your wildest dreams, one you could never have imagined growing up on Skyloft. Whatever you desire will be yours. Now, tell me. What is it you desire?" Ghirahim held her chin, looking into her eyes. Zelda looked down, not meeting his gaze.

"I will fulfill my purpose...even if it kills me, but when I seal myself away I want to do it as your queen."

"No more talk about sealing yourself away." Ghirahim wrapped his hands around Zelda's waist and his strong arms gathered her to himself, sitting her down on his lap, with her legs straddling him.

He leans in close, nearly pressing his lips to hers and whispers, "Someone of your splendor should become one with someone as stunning as myself, don't you agree?" She can see a smirk form on his white lips.

Zelda began to weep softly.

"There are no need for tears. You are a beautiful queen...my beautiful queen."

She stroked the bangs out of his face and softly kissed the diamond tattoo on his cheek. She pressed her lips to his, but he kissed back fiercely. When Ghirahim slid his tongue against hers, he was surprised to feel the spirit maiden deepen the kiss and do the same. Ghirahim dug his fingers desperately into the skintight fabric around her hips. Zelda whined, but didn't break the kiss. Her heart started to skip a beat as she felt his growing desire for her. Zelda's cheeks grew hot, realizing the thin layers of fabric between them. Zelda lay back and pulled Ghirahim down with her, interlocking her fingers with his. She removed his gloves and pulled his bare hands towards her beating heart.

"Let me feel your bare skin against mine," she whispered. She didn't feel so cold anymore, even as he began to undress her.

Zelda wonders to herself how it started. How in Hylia's name had they got to this point? Zelda finally decided it had started with the first forbidden glance or maybe at his touch or his breath on her neck when she had been held captive. She knows tomorrow there is the possibility of entering into a sleep without end, so she gives herself over to him completely. There is a sadness in his voice when he says her name. Ghirahim kisses her long pointed ears and nuzzles against the thickness of her hair which has become unbound in the frenzy. She can't help but quiver as Ghirahim's hands explore her body. His long white bangs tickles against her skin as he kisses down her front. Zelda tries her best to stifle a whimper as he lavishes attention on certain parts of her. She fears that they will be discovered like this. He brings his lips to hers again just before he climbs on top of her. His toned muscles flex against her. When their eyes meet, Zelda is overwhelmed, realizing how intimately close they are. Their arms are wrapped around each other in a tight embrace. They roll and she is straddling him once again. He grasps her hips and controls her motion. Their muted gasps fill the air, mixing together. She feels the sensation of melting into him. Ghirahim has to cover her mouth when she nearly screams.

And when it's over, they lie like that, her body entangled with his.

"I love you to death, Zelda." Ghirahim sighs as he brings his face close to hers once again, giving her one final long kiss. The sun is rising and he waits for her to fall asleep.

...

Sunlight poured through small holes in the tree. Zelda awoke to the sounds of birds. She opened her eyes and raised her head slowly, pushing her hair away away from her face.

"Ghirahim...?"

He was gone. She wondered where he had wondered off to. Zelda shivered. She collected her clothes off the ground and quickly got dressed.

Before Zelda could ponder anything else, she heard footsteps coming her way. She held her breath and stayed perfectly still, but the footsteps grew closer. Whoever it was must have heard her. Zelda carefully poked her head out of the tree to see Link. When Link saw her emerge from the tree, he gave her a relieved smile and ran to her.

"Zelda, why did you run away like that? You had me worried."

"I'm sorry, Link."

"If you're ready...I'll take you back to the Sealed Temple."

Zelda looked around her. The woods were empty, except for them.

"...You're right. Let's go."

Zelda followed after Link. She glanced back at the tree a few times until it grew smaller and smaller, until she couldn't see it any longer. No turning back now.