Well, there was no time like the current. Feeling that timing was important, and not much to spare, she started out the window. Outside there was a small ledge. She had not realized what an impressive place this was, until she saw it from a different view. She suddenly felt like the princess that had been locked in the tower. This place was a cross between a castle and a fortress. Markus either had many enemies, or considered himself royalty. Neither would be surprising.

Standing on the ledge, she appreciated even more, the long way down. She flattened her body flush against the stone wall, as tightly as she could. She could see, about forty feet away a balcony. Now she just had to make it there. She told herself "Don't look down", and fought the dizziness she was starting to feel. Not a time for weakness, she chastised herself, and willed her foot to slide over, completely releasing her hand from her window.

"Another step", she kept chanting to herself in a mechanical type of way. Halfway to her goal she started realizing it was windier than she would have guessed at this height. Her hair and outfit making her feel like a kite being pulled at. Her legs trembled with fear. Heights had never been something she had been good at, and lately she was having more than her share of dealings with this particular fear.

On her next step, part of the ancient rockery crumbled from under her carefully placed foot. She could not stop the scream that escape her lips. She was terrified. No longer able to continue forward and not trusting herself to go back the way she had come. She was stuck clinging to the wall, while shaking uncontrollably and crying. She did not know how long she could cling here like this, but had the feeling it would not be long at all. What had she done? She risked her life, and the life of her unborn child, because she was unwilling to be a slave.

She thought of all the people who had been slaves throughout history, and even those below her out in the town. How could she of been so prideful she was willing to kill her child, to save herself? Now, that pride would be what would end it all. She debated letting go and giving into the inevitable outcome which would come shortly anyway. However, found herself not brave enough for even that. What had she been thinking?

It was then she heard it. "Going somewhere, or were you just coming to visit me"? In her ear. She did not need to turn around to know whom the voice belonged to, but the shock of hearing it and feeling the breath on her ear made her accidentally let go.

A strong arm encircled her right under her breastbone. Her back was tightly pressed against his chest.

She realized when she saw nothing below them; they were flying, or hovering in mid air. All he had to do was let go, and it would be the end of her. However, he did not.

He seemed to be enjoying this. He used his free hand to run it up and down the front of her. She could not believe his audacity. He was going to use this to feel her up, knowing if she fought him, she would fall to her death. She had even heard humor in his voice.

He found this amusing apparently.

Almost as if, he had planned it. Too late, she realized that was exactly what he had done. She had walked, or literally climbed right into his trap. He took her over to the balcony and set her down, without letting go. He quickly pulled her inside, almost making her stumble, if not for his strong grip.

When she turned back to look at the window it was gone. His eyes seem to twinkle. "So, was there something you wanted to talk to me about, or were you just missing me? As I am sure you are not foolish enough to think you could climb down from this great a height, so that must simply mean you were trying to make it to my balcony to see me. I like your spunk and eagerness, even if a little rash. You have to wait your turn Kitten" he was using his seductive voice. This infuriated her even more!

She spun out of his arm and swung to hit him hard. He caught her arm as if she was a child and twisted it behind her. Not painfully, but with the hidden threat that he could easily make it painful, with a flick of his wrist. This brought her chest to chest with him. Only hers was heaving, from both the ordeal she had just been through and from the anger, which dominated her mind now.

"You arrogant Bastard, never in a million years would I come to you willingly"! She spit at him.

He smiled at her (or was that a crooked smirk), and said, "Well, if you refuse to come back willingly, then I guess I'll have to keep you here now, why don't you get settled in Kitten, I'll have Ezra bring your stuff. Oh wait, you do not have any clothes do you? Oh well, you won't find need of them anyway."

"Are you out of your mind?" She glared at him. "I'm not living in your bedroom like some sort of pet." Seeing her outrage only seemed to amuse him more, she figured it was time to try a different tactic...reason.

"Look Markus, I don't know who you are, or why you have brought me here, but that's not really what's important. I do not have to know. If you release me now, nobody will get hurt, and I promise not to tell my Fiancée who or where you are. Just take me home, and we can forget all about this, no harm done. I'm sure you are a great guy (she lied), but my heart already belongs to someone else, whom I love."

"Oh yes, the man in the Kitsune ball, your betrothed, Damon was it?" He still seem to be smirking and the twinkle was still there. "He's going to come and defend your honor, and then you will live happily ever after? Sounds like a great guy."

Now he had touched a sore spot. She felt defensive. He had no right to mention the name she herself could not bring herself to say. Nor would she allow him to be amused at her closely guarded memory of him. He was not going to tarnish it for her. "No, my fiancé's name is Stefan."

"Hmmm, I could have sworn you told me just yesterday that your virginity was only for the man you loved and would marry. You must have changed your mind, from what I saw, or were you stepping out"?

He seemed to be staring at her intently, while leaning against a floor column, as if he could care less.

She recognized he was toying with her, trying to get her flustered, and it was working ... very well in fact.

"It wasn't like that," she practically whispered.

"Oh really, do tell, because from what I could see you looked like you were having a good time, and I know you said Damon, not Stefan. So either you are lying to me, or to yourself, which one?" he asked.

Elena tried to answer, but no words came out. She opened her mouth again, just to close it again. She simply did not know how to answer his question. She had not yet had time to figure it out herself.

Finally, she blurted out in a rush "It was an accident".

The twinkle left his eyes. It was, as he had feared. It had been his vampire persuasiveness that had entranced her, and now she regretted it.

"Go take a bath" he pointed in the direction behind her. "I will not have anyone dirty in my bed".

Elena went pale. "I will not be sharing a bed with you," she screamed at him.

"Oh, but you will my pet, now unless you want me to help you with that bath, I suggest you do as I say. No matter how eager you are, good things come to those whom wait" he replied.

"NO" she said, and took a stance with hands on hips as if to say...and you cannot make me.

"Wrong answer pet" he said, with no amusement left in his eyes. He walked over slung her over his shoulder and in a couple strides was in the bathroom, where he leaned over and started the water, while still holding a screaming and beating on his back with her fist, Elena.

"Last chance, are you going to be a good little Kitten and take a bath, or are we going to take one together? On second thought that sounds like fun." he told her while setting her down on the floor.

"All right, all right I'll do it," she said feeling very defeated, but not doubting he would make good on his threat. "Just please don't mention his name again" she pleaded.

"Who's?" he asked while looking at her intently again?

"His, Dam...her voice trailed off, as she began to cry. "The one in the Kitsune ball." she finally managed to say.

He was stunned, by her reaction to his name. He must have truly hurt her; his sweet Princess could not bare to even hear his name much less say it. God, what had he done to her he wondered?

"Deal, you be a good little kitten, and we won't talk about the past anymore. I see it causes you pain, and I'm sorry for whatever he did." he said with a softness that made Elena wonder if she had imagined it. With that, he left the room to allow her to bathe.

He had already poured bubbles that smelled of Lilacs in the tub before leaving, and Elena could not help but think what a rare commodity that must be down here. Nevertheless, here body was thankful for it, as she slid under the water. She had not realized how tense her muscles had been the last few days.

It felt wonderful, and she started drifting off while still in the tub.

She realized her mistake when she started sputtering and felt strong arms pulling her up. "Are you doing an imitation of a downed cat?" he asked. Why drying her off. She was still gasping, and leaned heavily into him, he was the only thing keeping her still standing. "There is something for you to put on over there" he said and pointed, before leaving the room again.

She walked over and found what looked like a black silk nightgown. This was far better than the harem outfits, and she felt grateful for the extra covering.

She brushed her hair, and then waited. She suddenly felt scared to walk back into his bedroom, although she knew she could not hang out in his bathroom all night.

As if on cue he called to her, "kitten, I don't like being kept waiting." Her mind wanted to rebel, but all the fight was out of her for now, she was exhausted. Slowly she opened the door and stepped into his large room. She glanced at his bed, which luckily he was not on. It reminded her of Henry the eight's bed in Tudors, only twice the size. Markus was obviously a man of means, and use to getting his way.

"Do you see something you like" he interrupted her thoughts. Where had she heard that before?

Her head snapped to him over by the fireplace, and she felt a flush spread over her cheeks, as she realized she had not only been staring at his bed, but he had seen her doing so.

She straightened her back, and slowly walked over to him where he was seated at a table.

She saw steak and potatoes, and mushrooms, and grapes just to mention a few of the items on the table. Her tummy picked that moment to let its presence be known, and embarrass her further.

"Sit down and eat. This isn't a time to be stubborn Kitten, you are eating for two," he reminded her.

He was right, she thought to herself and she was not sure she could deny the food even if she wanted to. She was famished! He poured her some wine, and she stopped him saying, "I don't think that's a good idea under the circumstances".

"I'm sorry to bring it up, but unless I'm mistaken the father was a vampire. The black Rose wine will do it more good than harm." he answered her.

Did he just say was instead of is a vampire, she thought to herself? How much does he know, she wondered? She realized guiltily that she had forgotten about the baby. She was not use to the idea of being pregnant yet, or thinking for two. She had been worried about drinking around him.

"Unless there is some other reason you want to deprive the child"? He asked, in a way, which seemed like a dare. She looked him straight in the eye, picked up the glass, and downed the whole thing.

He looked amused. "Or not" he chuckled, and refilled her glass.

It tasted wonderful! Like liquid gold going down the throat of someone dying of thirst. So smooth, she actually wanted more. She ate until she was full, and after another glass and a half, she had to admit to herself she was feeling the effects of it. Her mind started to go back to the time in the Kitsune world with What's-his-name, but she quickly steered it clear, once she realized where her train of thought was leading.

There would be plenty of time tomorrow to think of all that but right now, she was full, and warm, and slightly drunk. It just felt good. She yawned and stretched, feeling sleepy again. She went to get up and stumbled.

Markus quickly swooped her up, and she could not help the giggle that escaped her lips. He set her down on the big bed. It was huge, the largest she had ever seen. In her drunken state she rationalized with herself, that surely there was enough room for both of them without ever coming anywhere near each other during the night.

Markus folded back the covers and she wiggled down inside them.

She watched through lower lids, as he went around the other side and proceeded to take off his clothes down to his underwear. Her heart sped up, and she realized that maybe she would not just pass out, as had been her goal, when she had accepted more than the one glass of wine. However, she could pretend she had, she told herself, as she continued to watch him through lowered lids.

He had the body of a Roman God, like something straight from the cover of a romance novel. She could already feel her body starting to react to his, and her mind started to remember his fire like kiss, that had threatened to consume her whole. She felt his body weight on the bed, when he started climbing in. Suddenly the bed no longer felt big enough. He seemed way to close. Her mind seemed to be doing a tug-a-war between wanting to snuggle and wanting to run out of the room. She could smell his nearness.

He smelled, of leather, and spice and something else, a pipe? She lay there trying to figure it out when she also smelled the wine on his breath, meaning he was definitely to close.

Her nerves getting the better of her, she bolted upright.

Markus asked her "Is something wrong?"

"No", she answered, "I just suddenly wanted another glass of wine, maybe it's a craving, if you don't mind"?

"Are you sure that's a good idea Kitten?" he asked. "Yes, I'm certain." she answered him. Thinking she would make sure this time she would pass out, so she could survive this night, without betraying herself. She got up and poured another glass.

It took everything Damon had in him to stop himself from laughing aloud. He had heard her heartbeat pick up as she laid there playing dead. He could even see her watching him (she must of forgotten about vampire sight in the dark) and had taken his time undressing, to allow her a full show.

He was glad that even though he had changed forms, so she would not recognize him, she still was not immune to him.

He could smell her arousal again. His beautiful liar, whom at this very moment, was lying even to herself. He watched as she tried to drink away her lust. How Ironic he thought, remembering all the nights he had done the very same, as she lay with his brother. Actually even last night, he had drunken himself into a stupor, to stop from entering her room and taking her then and there. Now the shoe was on the other foot.

It occurred to him that she had claimed to be saving herself for marriage. This meant she had not slept with his brother yet, (no big surprise there, he thought.) More importantly, it also meant she had only had the one sexual experience, the one with him.

Had she turned around even once, she would have certainly recognized his signature smirk, but she never turned around.

It was his turn to pretend to be a sleep. When she was convinced he was, and it was safe she practically crawled back to the bed. Once there, it took all her strength to fling herself up into it, which she did with an exaggerated motion. Being drunk made her klutzy he thought to himself. Once in bed, she quickly curled up to him like a child seeking shelter.

He wrapped his arm around her and whispered, "Right where you belong, Princess."

Elena's heart skipped a beat and she stiffened under his arm, when she heard him call her Princess. Making him realize quickly, his mistake.

Elena rationalized to herself that Princess was a common word, and she could not freak out every time someone said it. There was obviously no way he could know the meaning of the word to her. With this, she promptly passed out.

Damon lay there amazed at having her in his arms again. He relished every second. His Angel, his Princess. He made a mental note to try not to call her that anymore. Or she may figure everything out, (judging by her reaction) before he was ready for her to, if he was every ready.

Being Markus, might give him the opportunity to start over with her. Since clearly as Damon, he had hurt her. She may never forgive him as Damon. However, as Markus she was currently wrapped in his arms. He knew it would not be easy. Elena was strong willed, and would not take being captured easily. The good ones never do, they always put up a fight, a fight he was determined to win. Winner takes all, he said to himself. That is exactly what he wanted...all!