As the day wears on and we get deeper and deeper into the forest, the gloomier it gets. To make matters worse, the heat presses down on us like a pot lid simmering away about to boil over.

"Hold up, gang. Let's take a rest and water break," I call, noting Lyra's flushed face. I trot over to her. "Here, sit down and let's get you cool." Cat pours water into my cupped hands, and I splash water on her cheeks.

"I don't like this place, Ladybug. Its very eerie," Hydra says, looking around. "I know, take a drink and restore your energy. If it helps, this place makes me uneasy too." A crow cawing suddenly close by makes me jump and shiver, and we move on quickly.

Towards mid-afternoon, we catch glimpses of a foreboding looking castle. "I'll bet you all the mystery meat in the Temple dining room, that's Scorpius's castle," Cat says. Lyra gives a delicate shudder. "Ugh, isn't already bad enough without mentioning the mystery meat?"

I wipe sweat off my brow, pushing back my bangs. "Shouldn't we be making a plan about how to get into the castle?" "Ladybug's right," Hydra says. "I'm all for jumping in the moat," Cat grins. "But if I see an alligator tail, its every bug and human for themselves."

"Really?" I snort, laughing. "And who would feed you if I got chomped?" Cat crinkles his brow. "Take out?" "Cat, I am not going to be gator food!" "No, you'd be bug food." Oh, this boy. Mme, maybe I should try a different ploy. I walk over, touching a hand to his arm.

"You know how you can help me and be the most paw-some Kitty ever?" His triangular ears twitch and his emerald eyes brighten. "How?" "You can carry me on your back." "How is that coming up with a plan?" I tug him to a stop. "Cat, shh," I place a finger on his lips. "How many times have my plans gone wrong?" Cat opens his mouth, then shuts it. "Climb on up."

Plans whiz through my head and I think furiously as I scramble up on his back. Somehow, my mind always is circling back to the water.

The day becomes more and more sweltering, but we don't have a choice, we must press on. Towards nightfall, we make camp and I can't seem to sit still.

"Oh, this blasted spoon!" The batter from the fire cakes I make splash and sizzle on the hot stone, and my hands are shaking. I need time alone, my mind says. I need time alone with Cat.

"Ladybug, let's take a small stroll, shall we?" Cat lays his hand on mine. I flush red, though it has nothing to do with the heat from the fire. He knows me inside and out, Cat does, and this is one of those times.

When we're away from our friends, Cat and I just hug for awhile. "You okay?" he asks, holding my hands. "I think the water option be best, Cat. I just don't know why its so hard to think. Everything is just so...foggy."

"Hey, let's just focus on you for a minute. What do you need?" I look into Cat's gentle eyes and scramble into his lap, mumbling into his neck. "You."

Cat encircles his arms around me, rubbing my back. "Claws In."

Black leather vanishes into cotton, and I breathe in Adrien's scent. My life would be so bleak and empty without him. "I love you, Adrien Agreste." Adrien makes a muffled choking sound, whispering he loves me too.

For awhile, we stay huddled in each other's arms, listening to the rustling of leaves on the trees, the sunlight making patterns on the path ahead.

Much later, we hear footsteps and I ready my yo-yo. Adrien puts a gentle hand on my arm to stop me. "Its only our friends, love."

"Ladybug? Where's Cat?" Adrien and I share a private silent look, and he nods. "Cat's right here," I smooth back those buttercup bangs, and kiss his forehead. "Only when he's not in the suit, his name is Adrien Agreste."

I hear Adrien inhale sharply, and I know he's scared our friends will treat him differently. But everything's the same.

"Ladybug, we should get to the castle if we want to make it by nightfall," Hydra tells me. I nod.

"So, are we still on plan A, M'lady?" I look into the deep water, but then the gates swing open and I gasp. Scorpius walks out to greet us, no weapons, only a cane to help him walk.

"Get behind me, Ladybug," Cat's voice is cold. "Oh, there's no need to protect her or be scared," Scorpius opens his hands wide. "You have traveled far and must be weary. Come, for you are our guests."

Cat and I share another look at each other. It could be another trap, but this might be our only way in. "Alright, we'll follow you."

Despite its evil owner, the castle is impressive. "Dinner will be served shortly. I assume you'd like to walk through the gardens? The night flowers will be blooming soon."

I hesitate, then nod. Perhaps Cat and I can talk privately and work out the next part of the plan.

My mind is preoccupied as we walk through, though I wander over to wall, covered in roses, a small courtyard hides us from the main view.

I pluck a rose, admiring the lovely dew drops, its almost the most perfect flower. "Cat, isn't this…." Cat's eyes are dark and hungry and I'm backed against the wall as he kisses me, like we only have so much time left.

His sweet breath clouds my judgments and my thoughts, but I don't want to resist. "M'lady," Cat steps back and takes the flower gently from my hand. Then he goes down on one knee. "Cat, what are you doing?"

"I may not have a ring but a rose, Ladybug, but its the words that matter. Marinette, will you marry me?"

Tears gather in my eyes, and my answer is sharp and not the one he wants to hear. "Get up," I snap, getting him to his feet.

"Princess?" Tears make my vision blurry, but I must stay focused. "Kitty, its not the time."

It takes all my strength to walk away, then I collapse only a few feet away.