A bucket was shoved in my arms, then a brush was dropped into the water. It splashed half dirty water into my face. I wiped it off as I kept my face calm.

"Clean this hall before dinner or we'll put you on the spit for a few turns."

Right, chores. Seems they had the same pee brains for ideas this time too. The muck on the floor looked like they had scooped it up and dumped it in here. It reeked like the wyrm pit. I scooped all the mud I could and tossed it out the window, no regard to what was below.

I scrubbed and scrubbed and when I was halfway done, all the water I had been using, turned black. It wasn't clean to start with, but I thought I could finish. I scrubbed and scrubbed until I felt my arms burn.

This stupid floor was dirtied on purpose. A task meant to make me feel less than. I shook the brush out and scooped what dirt I could into the bucket. The door clicked and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.

A woman poked her head through the door before she walked in a little. She pointed to the bucket. "For giving your name in the place of my son's life, my debt is paid." I looked into the clear water, so clean you could drink it. But before I could thank her, she was gone.

Her eyes resembled Lucians. I smiled softly, as I washed the rest of the floor like I had been told to do. A while later the guards came in to see me sitting against the wall. I completed their impossible task.

There teeth bared at me as the walked me to my cell. The next day I was sent into a dark room.

"Here, pick all the lentils out of the fire pit. Get done before the master comes back or he will peel your skin off for being in here. A mistress dropped them."

Pick up lentils? I looked at the fireplace. The door slammed and locked. I jumped a little at the loud noise. If he did not want anyone in here, then why would they have me clean this?

I lit a couple of candles and one by one, I pick them up and put them in the bucket. I scooped ash with it, not caring as I wanted to get this done.

Wait, they locked the door, surly it unlocks from the inside. Unless it was a glorified cell. Better living but you're still trapped here. She was a monster. An absolutely terrible person.

The door clicked, and the blood in my face drained. Darkness flowed into the room, snuffing out the candles with a cool breeze. Closing the door slowly as it settled on the bed, taking form.

"As wonderful as it is to see you, Cali dear, why?" Rhysand sprawled on the bed; his head propped up by a hand. "Do I want to know why you're digging through my fireplace?"

I huffed a sigh of relief. "They told me to clean all the lentils out or the owner of this room would peel my skin off." I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my hand. Realizing I just made a fool of myself by smearing ash.

"Did they now." A feline smile.

"Yes, and there is a lot."

"Why were there lentils in my fireplace to begin with?"

I gave him a flat look. "One of her household chores, I suppose. Something to potentially peeve someone off. Mostly me, I think. I am sure you enjoy seeing my face at this point." I smirked.

"Hm," he said, examining his nails. "Apparently she or her cronies think I'll find some sport with you."

I sat in the chair, pressing a hand to my forehead as I looked at him. "Men like you should not exist."

He chuckled. "Why is that."

"Because anyone one who did not know you, who you really are. Would take one look into those violet eyes and faint. Swear they fell in love or something silly like that."

He breathed a small laugh. "Is that your attempt at flirting, and with me?"

"Nah, I was putting it straight. Also, I just wanted to sit on something softer than concrete for a change. You laughed twice; goal accomplished." I leaned back. "What I would not do for deep fried Oreos."

"What is that?"

"It's like a cookie with a white sugar crème in the middle. You dip it in thick pancake batter, and then you fry it in hot cooking oil. SO sweet, and just. the chef's kiss." I did a small chef's kiss.

"I know your first task when you visit me." I gave a thumbs up. "Before that, I would like to know why you play stupid. I must admit, you have the whole court fooled, but why?"

"Makes for a dramatic ending." I spread my hands arching out as I wiggled my fingers. "Rhys, how come you seem more powerful than the others?"

"She allows me to use my power more. This little bit I do get." I felt something on my mind, and I lifted my head to glare. "This is all I get to play with. Your Tamlin has shapeshifted and brute strength, but I had a deadlier assortment."

"That really sucks. Sometimes, I wish I had some kind of ability. Be more useful, I broke the curse, sure, but look at me now. "

"Don't be hard on yourself, you killed the Middenguard Wyrm with your bare hands, and your human. Do you know how many fairies had died in that pit before you?"

"Not exactly. I was just armed."

"And cleverly disguised."

"He also allowed me, my life over his. Hell, I still almost died because I'm human." I paused, looking at the black ceiling. "Human." I huffed. "I'll be dead in fifty years, give or take. I doubt he will like me when I'm old and all wrinkly. Almost through deaths door giving my welcome."

"Do you not think his love reigns true. Do you not love Tamlin?"

"I… did… I think. I… Honestly, it would be better for everyone that I pass these trials and disappeared."

"Oh, but you can't. Our bargain."

I held my hand up and smiled. "If I get so old I cannot take care of myself, would you, do it?" I tilted my head, resting the tattooed arm on my chest.

"Finish these trials, and once we are freed it is guaranteed."

"I better see that in writing someday then." He looked at the door and waved a hand over the hearth.

The door swung open of its own accord, revealing the blue skinned guards who'd dragged me here. Rhysand waved a lazy hand at them. "She accomplished her task. Take her back."

They grabbed for me, but he bared his teeth in a smile, and they dropped my arms.

"No more household chores, no more tasks," he said, his voice a caressing purr. Their yellow eyes glazed over and dulled, their sharp teeth gleaming as their mouths slackened. "Tell the others, too. Stay out of her cell, and don't touch her. If you do, you're to take your own daggers and gut yourselves. Understood?"

Dazed nods as they blinked and straightened. They beckoned me forward but didn't dare touch me. I smiled, waving with my tattooed hand. Thank you. I pushed down that little connection I felt.

Rhysand smiled at me. 'You're welcome,' he smirked as I walked out. I handed one the bucket, and he held it for me as the other took me to my cell. When I sat down, I gazed at the eye of the tattoo.

This was protection. 'Cali Dear.' I liked it, more than I should have.

Hot meals had been brought to my cell, I scarfed them down, leaving not a crumb. They did not touch me; they did not give me a task. I laid in the cell daydreaming, eating and sleeping, not that it was peaceful. My nights were nothing but torture.

Counting the meals I was given. I would say it had been three to four days since I had seen him when two high Fea entered my cell in the shadows, their bodies not quite solid.

I stood, tilting my head as they held the sides of my arms. They felt solid, and cool like the darkness. They guided me out the cell through the bars. Shivers ran up and down my body like a swarm of bugs.

We passed several people who gave no head to us. It was like I had become the shadows, and they sang. They had taken me to room where they stripped me naked and bathed me roughly. I gave no protest, enjoying the feeling of being clean for a change.

They dried every inch and began painting me. I flinched and the shadows locked me down. The painted everything from my neck, down to the most intimate parts of me. It was torture as they worked.

They continued the design of the tattoo up my arm and down my body. Once it dried, they placed a thin dress over me. It was practically toilet paper. Enough to cover my breasts and then drape between my legs in the front and back.

They done the makeup on my face too. Red rouge, a little blush, and gold on my eyelids. Then it clicked, I knew what was coming.

"You look precisely how I imagined."

I whirled, Rhysand's eyes trialed my skin, up to my face. "Don't, loose lips sink ships."

"Hmm? Cali, whatever do you mean?"

I held him by the collar. "Don't take me."

He pushed my hands off, smearing the paint. It fixed itself. "Don't flatter yourself."

"The party, you idiot." I held my hand up. 'I know you're not interested; you're doing this purely of out entertainment, teasing Tamlin.'

His voice was loud inside my mind. "Am I that easy to read, what has you scared Cali?" He hissed.

'I know the answer to the riddle, I say it, even in our minds like this. It could fuck all this up. I'm waiting until the last trial to say it."

'I already have you here; besides, I need an escort.'

I huffed. 'Then you better will my mouth to not speak, when I drink, all the words come out with no regards to who will hear them.'

He smirked; the bastard smirked. "Done, the paint will smear if someone else…"

"I know, touches me. I saw. You don't want anyone to touch your new toy. Need I remind you; the bargain has not started. One party, Rhys, then leave me in the cell. "

He grabbed my upper arm, pulling me in close. His breath sending shivers as it embraced my ear. "I would like to know, how you know, how to use the bond that ties the bargain. Better yet, I would like to know many things. Just maybe, I will use that tonight to get all my answers. Hmph, I could through that exact bond."

"I… have dreams. In them… I was using it, so I tried it."

I felt the claws on my mind. "Cali, Cali, Cali." His voice was calm, but I could feel disdain in it. "You're lying to me. That is not a good way to start our relationship."

"Rhys, just trust me."

He stared into my eyes as I pleaded with them. "You will not answer anyone's questions but mine." I felt his hold, his words were like honey to my ears. "You will not talk about the riddle, or the trials. You are to stay by my side and my side only. Am I clear?"

I nodded, he could tell me to lick shoes and I would do it gladly. That was a dangerous power to have. "Just don't touch me past my hip and arms." I gave the consent, something I knew she never did. Regardless of if it was the same things he was going to do. I looked to the door, shaking my head. He walked close to me as we arrived together.

"Merry summer's eve." Rhysand bowed to Amarantha who wore a rich lavender dress, much more modest than my own.

"What have you done to my Captive." I did not look at Tamlin, did not want him to see how ashamed I was. I was half loony; I barely remember those moments.

"We made a bargain." I turned away slightly as he brushed a stray hair behind my ear and ran a finger down my jaw. With an eye glance I seen him grinning as he looked at Tamlin. "Two weeks with me every month in exchange for my healing powers." He raised my left arm to reveal the tattoo. It was the only non-shiny piece of me. "For the rest of her life." He was so casual.

He was treating this like a game. Amarantha twirled the finger bone in her hand. "Enjoy the party." Was all she said as she relaxed in her chair. I took a single glance at Tamlin as we walked off, his white knuckles looked like they were about to burst with claws.

"Wine?" He held out a glass.

I closed my eyes, took the goblet and downed the glass. Giving into the fall.