She had a headache from stress the next afternoon. Bernard was constantly at her side and making it known he was courting her. The public attention around it wasn't something she had counted on. And neither had she counted on the cessation of alliance with the winter fairies when they learned their lord had died during the exile.

Clarion was walking to autumn, her wings too tender to even lift from yesterday's strain. Bernard was prattling on about something when she happened to glance up into the evergreens in winter. Milori was hidden in the branches-only his eyes gave him away. He looked upset when Bernard leaned over and brushed a kiss over her lips. "What is it, my queen?" Bernard asked with a smile.

She glanced at him. "Nothing."

When she looked back, Milori was gone.

It was late in the afternoon when she managed to slip past Bernard and take Mountain to Dewey's house so as not to leave tracks.

She knocked on the door and Dewey answered with a surprised look. "Queen Clarion, how d' do?"

"Hello, Dewey. Is he here?"

"Uhhhh...He is, but I'm not sure now is a good time..."

"Please."

He opened the door wider. "You can wait in the back room. I'll get him."

She waited in the room where she had left Milori and soon heard a heavy tread. She turned to see him storm in.

He slammed the door shut behind himself so hard that the windows rattled. His eyes were blazing. "Do not ever do that again!" he boomed. He pointed at her angrily, "I was stuck in bed for twelve hours while you're running around with a lunatic!" He marched over and leaned his hands against the wall on each side of her head. "Just because you can take pixie dust doesn't give you the right," he snarled.

"You wouldn't have stayed away otherwise," she said softly. Her heart raced seeing him so angry...so sexy with his raw strength fueled by anger that she knew wouldn't harm her.

His chest rose with a deep breath, clearly battling to control himself. He slammed the flat of his palm against the wood wall, making it creak from the force. "Do not undermine me, Clarion," he growled. His eyes were bright and fierce.

She tilted her chin up. "Are you trying to intimidate me? Because it's not working."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm making sure I'm very clear. It takes a great deal to get me upset, but you seem to be adept at it. You know I wouldn't hurt you," he breathed angrily. "Why in the name of Neverland are you back in winter?"

She looked up at him. "You are fierce when you're angry," she said with a soft smile.

He cocked an irritated eyebrow.

"Promise if I ask you to not follow, you won't, and I'll promise not to take your dust again in a kiss."

His jaw muscles flexed as he clenched his teeth. "No."

She frowned. "Then I have no choice if you're going to keep throwing yourself in harm's way because you think you have to protect me."

He literally growled in his throat and bowed his chin down to his chest, trying to keep his temper. "Why is this a battle of the wills? Why is there no other option?" He lifted his head and met her eyes. "I'm just as stubborn as you, Clarion. You outwitted me once, but you won't do it again. If you want to battle me on this, fine." He shoved himself away from her and crossed to the door.

"I came for advice."

He stilled but didn't turn.

"Milori, the winter fairies are incredibly angry thinking that you died from the guilt of Sled and Gliss being exiled. And I don't think Bernard is going to slip anything-he told me this whole story last night about how you threw yourself over and he tried to rescue you, but you drowned."

"What do you want to do?" he inquired, slowly turning.

"I want to know how much you trust your fairies. If you think they are loyal, I'm wondering if we should bann them from the border and show them you're alive."

He met her eyes. "And if one is a traitor, we just gave ourselves up."

She sighed. "Milori, I don't know what to do."

He stared at her, lost in thought in his head. "There is the option of arresting him for attempted murder."

"But what if there are others involved? What if he didn't set the fire? What if he admits nothing?"

"I don't know. Do you fear the winter fairies causing trouble?"

"I don't think so. They seem to be keeping to themselves. But if Bernard has others involved and they are trying to overthrow me or whatever, they might join him out of anger." Then her brow furrowed. "With you dead, who is the successor?"

"Well, that is the million-pixie-dust question. Sled likely would have been my successor. With him and Gliss gone, it would fall to Dewey as my other surviving keeper. But everyone knows he's not exactly equipt to rule winter. He has the knowledge, but he doesn't have the exact qualities."

"He's not strong enough," she filled in for him.

He gave a reluctant nod. "So it becomes whomever the fairies vote. If I was truly dead, it could be possible that another lord would be born." He stepped over to her and took her hands. "This will get incredibly messy if another ruler is put into place-it's likely that fairy would be against you. As much as I hate to say it, you might be right that we need to blindly trust all of them."

"Do you doubt any of them?"

He shook his head. "Not right now."

"My other question is if we should restore your talents first. Or do you think they will respect you without them?"

He shook his head. "Fairies are not innately evil. I think we can trust them. But I think it's important that you are not there when they learn of this. There will be feelings of betrayal that we have kept this hidden from them. They aren't sure if they can trust you right now. Let me go and tell them how you rescued me. Let me feel them out to make sure you can trust them."

She nodded. "When will you tell them?"

"I think tonight. The longer we keep me being alive a secret, the less they will trust. I shall tell them I needed a day to recover from injuries."

"Be careful," she said, wrapped her arms around him and leaned her cheek against his cool chest.

His eyes looked troubled. "Please make sure Thomas is near at all times. Sled and Gliss also believe he's loyal, and he's aware Bernard is against us. If you insist on Bernard courting and I can't be with you, at least keep Thomas within sight. Mind that I do not like this, though."

"I know. I'll be careful."

He pulled out a hollowed acorn the size of her thumb. "If you are in trouble, blow this. I trained Mountain to come when it's blown. He screeches loudly and will fly to you. I'll hear his screech and follow." He wrapped her hand around the acorn and held her eyes. "Swear to me that you will be careful. With me gone, I fear Bernard will turn his sights on you. Whatever you do, do not let him be your night guard when it's easy for him to slip into your chambers undetected while you sleep."

She cupped his jaw. "I'll be careful. Meet me at our spot tonight so I know you're alright after your resurrection."

He nodded. "We can't see each other during the day like this. Meet me at the border at midnight each evening. If you are late, I'm coming after you."

She brushed a kiss over his lips.

He looked scared for her and reluctantly let go of her hand as she backed up toward the door to go. He suddenly marched forward and captured her in a passionate kiss and held her tight.

Her arms wrapped around his neck as she returned his kiss, scared herself of the feeling of dread in her stomach.

He slowly broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "Come back to me," he whispered.

"I will," she promised.