Author's Note: Thanks for your review, juudjv :)! Juudjv said that although Clarion was out of character at first, it's clear now why I wrote her that way. I only have four responses about if I should rewrite the first chapter (50/50 vote). I'm really torn because I don't want to turn off readers, but then I want to show how she changes after meeting Milori.

Ahhh! 60 reviews in the second week! I'm so excited! Thank you! It's always exciting to hear from returning readers, and it's so fun to hear from new ones!

"The rumors are true? You've been seeing him?" he asked with wide eyes full of hurt.

"Your plan wasn't working, so I had to come up with one myself," Clarion answered, unsure why he looked upset.

His brow furrowed in confusion.

"Gliss was never arrested or exiled-she simply showed up in false chains with Thomas, who is my other undercover. She was planted to hear what Bernard would say and to help me catch you and Sled if you fell."

"Um, speaking of that...aren't we going to lose our wings any minute?" Sled asked nervously as they hovered over the waves.

Gliss giggled. "She un-exiled you and Lord Milori right after we left."

"When you said that he gets power hungry when I give him a task, and when Gliss said he was constantly asking my whereabouts the other night, it gave me an idea. Someone who is power hungry and nosey about my happenings would very likely want to get closer. The question was who can get closer to me than one of my guards." Her eyes met Milori's. "The answer was you."

"Me?"

"Yes. A courtship. It only took a little bit of ego stroking at first. And then if I was heartbroken and needing consoling, he would likely swoop right in and try courting to get closer to whatever it is he wants. It was a perfect seduction," she said with a smile. "What sealed it was a kiss last night."

Milori's eyebrow cocked dryly, but she didn't see because Sled grabbed her attention with, "How did you get here before us?"

"I can fly much faster than other fairies. I was in Neverland before you had even reached the second star." She turned to Milori and eyed the sugar beginning to seep through his shirt. "We have to get back to winter."

Milori nodded. "Thank you," he replied stiffly. "We are indebted to you, my queen."

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Sled and Gliss, please start heading home. We'll catch up," she told them while holding Milori's eyes.

They were left alone.

"You are jealous," she accused.

He shook his head. "Aside from the fact that he's a criminal, I have no reason to deny you happiness. No, I'm not jealous," he lied.

"I wish you were," she replied softly.

His eyes flew to hers and he stiffened. "But he said he was in your chambers last night to do your treatment..."

"I thought you weren't jealous," she replied with a small smile.

His scowl told her that he was far from amused.

"It was part of a plan, nothing more. It was only a kiss after he helped with my wings." She gave a soft laugh and laid a hand on his arm. "Stop scowling. I promise there is nothing between him and I. I'm sorry I had to make you think that I doubted you, but he needed to believe it. Mary said that males cannot fake heartbreak well and Bernard would know something was off." She gently took his large hand in her delicate one. "I'm sorry that I did doubt you."

"I'm sorry that I came up with this whole damn plan. And that I caused you so much heartache. I'm no longer in exile?"

She shook her head, her curls escaping her topknot from her wild rescue.

"I don't want someone courting you." He pulled her closer. "I want to court you," he said huskily. "Would you be agreeable to it, my lady?"

She nodded with a blush, and the last pin in her hair fell out.

He ran his fingers through her loose locks that fell to her waist. "Beautiful, just like their lady." He held her close. "Clarion?" he whispered against her lips.

"Hmmm?" she sighed and closed her eyes.

"Your rescue was incredibly sexy," he said huskily and started to kiss her.

She burst out laughing and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Who says it has to be the damsel who is in distress?" she beamed up at him. "I'm so good that I should be my own undercover agent," she said thoughtfully.

He laughed and kissed her. "Alright, my little spy, what is the plan now?"

"You three, dear sir, are dead. I must go back and play the grieving queen." She looked at him when he didn't smile. "What?"

His brow furrowed in concern. "One of your men of nearly fifteen years betrayed you. You seem to be taking it awfully well."

Her smile faded and her arms fell from around his neck. "I had some time to get used to it. And I'm so drained from thinking you betrayed me that I can't really think about him right now."

"I don't want you around him. He's dangerous, and we don't know what he's after precisely. It could be your head." He took her hand and started flying home.

"How do you propose we get him to talk if I'm not around him? Think about it-if he wanted me dead, he's had years to do it. Why now?"

He shrugged. "Perhaps he's tired of being just the guard. Perhaps he wanted to earn your trust so he wouldn't be suspected. Who knows?"

"The courting will continue. He will eventually get sloppy thinking you've taken the blame-"

"I won't have you running with a madman." He stopped just outside of morning and looked at her sternly.

She blinked and her brow furrowed. "I don't think you really have say in this. I have a responsibility to Pixie Hollow to keep it safe, and this plan is working. And may I remind you, I'm the queen."

His eyes pierced her. "You have a responsibility to Pixie Hollow and to me to stay alive. And do not, do not play the queen card with me. If we are together, we are equals."

"This has nothing to do with us," she replied tersely.

"It has everything to do with us," he said tightly, pointing his finger down forcefully in the air. "I almost lost you. I'm not about to standby and watch you court death!"

"Ughhh!" She buried her face in her hands. Taking a deep breath to calm down, she dropped her hands and held his gaze. "I'm not going to argue about this right now. You need to get home, and my wings sorely need a rest."

He released a deflated sigh, gently scooped her up and started flying toward the second star. "I don't want to argue, Clarion. My nerves can't take anything else today, and I'm getting ornary. Just let me say one more thing and then we'll put it to rest for now." His blue eyes looked down at her with gentleness. "I love you and don't want to see you hurt. I'm not trying to give you orders. I'm well aware that you don't need me to hold your hand for anything, but it doesn't mean I don't want to protect you from grief or danger."

She touched his cheek and searched his eyes. "I know. But you have already given enough."

He shook his head. "It is a fairy's place to protect you at any cost. And it is mine even moreso because I love you."

She sighed, realizing this was a battle for which he would not admit defeat. "We can talk more later."

Kissing the top of her head, he flew them home.