"Jinon, have you heard of the tale of the butterfly lovers?" Kyria asked softly as she nestled herself in his chest. He marveled had how naturally she seemed to fold into him, as if they were supposed to be one all long.

"Hmmm?" He said, picking a leaf from her hair.

She took the leave and examined it, "There once were two people who loved each other very much, but could not be together. The girl was promised to another and so her lover died of a broken heart. When she heard of this she took off the wedding robes she had worn to marry the other man and ran away, to her lover's grave. She begged the gods to open the grave so she could be with him. The gods were so touched that they did what she asked. But instead of death, they were transformed into butterflies so they could be together."

"Are you worried that we won't be together?"

She snorted, "If you so much as look at another woman I'll turn you into a chicken and roast you." But her hand had tightened around his arm. There was so much uncertainty around their love, she was afraid, even if she didn't say it outright. She sighed, "The current court is not in my father's favor. He doesn't approve of our reliance on our Fae allies, not with the Fae Wars having carried on for so long. He worries that it will bleed into our realms. The Fae and Folk don't care about human suffering, they only see us as tools."

"Not all of them." Jinon protested, "There are good Fae and Folk." Kyria nodded, "Yes, I'm sure, but the Dark Fae rebellion has destroyed the balance between the Dark and Light courts. If the Dark courts take over, they won't maintain peace as the Light court once did."

Jinon smiled, "But the rebellion is mostly dead, it'll return to normal. Are you planning to be the next prime minister? You certainly know a lot."

Kyria laughed, "No!" She thought for a moment, "My family is my whole world, I want to tell them about us as soon as we can."

Jinon nodded. Kyria paused, "But let's wait until the day after tomorrow?"

"Why not now?" Jinon asked, he worried that if he waited too long, Kyria might change her mind about him, he asked, "Are you worried that they won't accept me?"

Kyria smiled, "No. they'll dance with joy, knowing they can marry me off." She paused, "But we should wait until after King's birthday? My father and brother are working on the King's gift."

Jinon nodded, he was a little disappointed and was terrible at hiding it. Kyria laughed, took off her silver locket and clicked it open, inside was a magically enlarged compartment, a beautiful golden crystal lay inside, "This is the most precious thing I own. It's an amulet against evil. Since you are always at war, I can't think of a better gift. It's said to contain very powerful magic." She took the golden dagger, the gift of the king. And after a moment, gently pressed the gem into the hilt. Her fire melted the gold a little until the crystal was firmly entrenched in the dagger. She handed it back with a grin.

All Jinon thought was how beautiful she looked, never mind that she just forever changed one of the national treasures of the kingdom. He leaned in for a kiss.

"Lady? Where are you?" An attendant called out. Kyria's face reddened and she shoved Jinon, forgetting that they were sitting in a tree.

FFMMMHHPMMM. Jinon landed in a bush.

"Lady! What was that?"

Kyria looked down and then, she called out to her attendants, "Nothing! It's nothing! Just a large bat!"

"In daylight? My Lady?"

Jinon caught his breath and began to sneak away.

Kyria flew down in the opposite direction, "I'm not sure, it sure looked like one. What's for dinner, I'm starving..."

Jinon made his way back to the party but no sooner he had arrived, an attendant called out to him, "My Lord, the king asks you to attend to him."

Torin waved him off, "Go, we'll wait for you to come back and celebrate then!" The men cheered at him, their glasses raised. Jinon grinned, he felt that he was walking on clouds.

Jinon strode into the palace and into the grand hall, his footsteps echoing in the hall. King Jayin sat on the Lion Throne, his fingers drumming on the lion head arm rest.

There was a slight frown on his face, "Where were you?" He asked, irritably. Jinon bowed, "My king, I was at the Grand Vizier's residence."

There was a terrible silence, "You were at that traitor's house?" Jayin's voice was tight with anger.

"My lord?" Jinon felt as if thunder rang in his ears.

The king took a scroll and threw it down at Jinon's feet, "The Grand Vizier and his son are both traitors. They have been sending military communications to our enemies for years."

Jinon picked up the scroll with cold fingers, opening it up he read quickly, "My lord, surely they wouldn't, House Kandroc is an ancient and proud house." The king smiled coldly he beckoned, "Bring the man."

Two soldiers came in, towing a half dead man who they forced to knelt before the king. Jinon's eyes widened, it was one of the captains in the army. He looked up at the king and then down at the ground, "General Torin has been communicating with me all these years, I've been helping him sell information to our enemies." The king waved and the soldiers took the man away.

"Now will you believe me?" The king asked, his voice softening, "Jinon, tell me, do you believe me or that old snake? He is plotting against me."

Jinon lowered his head, and the king sighed, "I heard that you may be in love with his daughter. I'm sure they've spent time to make you fall in love with her. They want to turn my most loyal man against me." He looked at Jinon sadly, "My friend who is like my brother. I saved your life and this is how you repay me."

He took a step forward, "Do you remember? When I took you in all those years ago? You swore that you would care for me, to be loyal to me only. To be my right arm." He gripped Jinon's arm, "Did they wave her at you to make you forget your loyalty to me?" His voice was as harsh as the winter winds, "Did you forget your vow to me because of a woman?"

Jinon lowered his head, "No." His voice was low. He knelt down, "My lord, I beg that you give me some time to investigate this matter. Allow me to look into it, surely there is more to the story. Let me prove their innocence."

He did not see the king's cold smile, "I could, but in the meantime, to prove your loyalty, you must arrest them. All that family. I will let them live a comfortable life in jail. Until you prove they are innocent, that is where they must remain." He looked down at Jinon, "Go now, arrest them."

Jinon stood still frowning. The king raised an eyebrow, "I can send others, who will not be so gentle."

Jinon took the royal warrant and headed for the Grand Vizier's house.

When Jinon came back to the grand vizier's house, he was no longer wearing commoner's robes. Instead he came in the full regalia of the King's general, behind him, was a hundred of the King's guard. The grand vizier, seeing this, came out with his son, daughter, and wife.

Jinon opened the scroll, the bitter taste in his mouth was almost choking him, "Lord Kandroc, you and your family have been accused of treason against your country. You and everyone of House Kandroc are hereby arrested immediately and housed in the King's Dungeons."

A roar of anger sounded as people shouted, "Lies! The Grand Vizier is a good man!"

The Grand Vizier looked at Jinon calmly, "I want to know the charges against me." Jinon bowed, "My lord, I will tell you on the way." He didn't dare look at Kyria. He knew that if he did, he would not have the strength to carry out the king's orders.

"Then let us go." The Grand Vizier turned and bowed to his guests, "My lords, another day."

The premier family of the kingdom was thus arrested. Jinon made sure they were in the best chambers of the dungeons. When he arrived to lock Kyria's door, he didn't know what to do.

"I don't blame you." Kyria said, Jinon's hands paused. She looked at his face, "Whatever is going on, my father and brother will be proven innocent. They are good men who only care about the kingdom. You are only doing your job."

Jinon felt that his heart finally took a beat, "I promise you, I will clear your name." He promised, "I'm going to marry you when this is all over. Wait for me." Kyria smiled and nodded.

That night, the Kandroc family were invited to the King's chambers. But instead of the usual pomp and courtesy, the family arrived in front of the king and his fae princess in chains.

Lady Nura stood up as soon as the family was forced to kneel in front of her. She looked at Kyria who didn't even glance at her. Her lips curved up in a cruel smile, "Lady Kyria, have you heard the good news?"

Kyria ignored her, but Nura continued, "I have found the perfect lady for General Sybarius. Lady Yibaya of my clan, a high born, first blood Light Fae." Her smile was wider as she saw the proud young girl's face drain of color, Nura continued gleefully as she pulled out a small box, inside was a small purple stone, "I've already prepared a gift for the betrothal. This stone used to belong to the Dark Fae King. General Sybarius will give it to Lady Yibaya. Don't you think it's pleasing to look at?" She saw Kyria was shaking in anger.

She looked at the Grand Vizier, "Another alliance that you don't approve of, Grand Vizier." She looked at the king tearfully, "My Lord, the Grand Vizier doesn't seem happy with this proposed union."

The king stared at the Grand Vizier silently

"Tell me, Grand Vizier. Are you a wise man?" The king, dressed in red and gold stared down at the old adviser.

The Grand Vizier bowed, "Sire?"

"People in my lands call you the Wise Teacher. They build Citadels of learning with coin you give. They listen to your counsel and tell me that you are a good, learned man." The smile on the young lord's lips was barely warmer than ice, "I am told that you are a man who many follow."

"Only through the grace of your Majesty." The Grand Vizier's face was calm.

Jayin chuckled, "Wise words from a wise man."

The older man bowed his head, waiting for the unpredictable ruler to speak more.

"Tell me, wise man. What kind of a man am I?" The king wondered, "Am I a merciful ruler like my grandfather?"

He picked up a jeweled cup and took a step towards the old man, "Or am I a lordly man with airs and graces but no brains, like my father, so easily swayed by your wisdom?"

The king sipped his wine and waited for the old man to answer.

"The Old Kings and I were friends it's true, but I have only given council. I could no more sway them than change the direction of the tides."

"Don't underestimate yourself, wise man. Many say that your mere shadow covers this land." King Jayin said coolly, he looked at the Grand Vizier's son, "And one day, your son may inherit that land."

The grand vizier frowned, "My king, I have been a faithful servant of your family for many years. If I was to try and claim the throne, I would have done so long ago." He looked at the young king intently, "You are the future of this kingdom. You will see it grow and flourish, and the kingdom will become a citadel of learning and culture. Do not see enemies were there are none."

"I see the world that has been presented to me, nothing more. Nothing less." The King responded coldly, "So this citadel you speak of, will it be filled with students who worship your words?"

"No, Majesty, these students are loyal to the king and country." The Grand Vizier protested, "New generations of scholars who can help aid your Majesty. We need build on our own strength, our pride should be our knowledge. Magic isn't the only answer."

"Knowledge that you use to question my authority." The king beckoned, soldiers came close to the old man.

The old man shook his head, "A ruler who hears the counsel of his advisers is a wise man."

The king stood in front of the kneeling old man, his fingers tapping on the half-filled chalice.

The young king raised his cup, "No, a ruler who rules his subject is a wise man. " He raised the jeweled cup and smashed it into the old man's head.

A strangled cry sounded as blood sprayed down.

Kyria raised her hand as her brother lunged for the killer.

CLICK - Someone behind Kyria grabbed her by the hair and violent shoved a cold band around her neck. At once, Kyria felt her magic drain from her. She fell to the ground weak and sick.

"NOOOOO!" Her mother screamed as the weak king smashed the cup against her husband's face over and over again.

Lord Torin was held down by five men, he screamed curses as he watched the king murder his father in cold blood.

"My lord." A gentle hand stopped the king's arm mid swing. Nura smiled, "You need to enjoy the moment more."

Power flowed from her hand as she started to slowly separating the Grand Vizier's skin from his body. "He should suffer, for all the time he's kept us apart." She smiled as she kept the man conscious and screaming as she skinned him alive, "You have to make it last." Her eyes did not break from Kyria's face.

It took a long time for the Grand Vizier to die, his blood poured without stop as he grew more feeble. It soaked the clothes of his daughter, wife, and son.

The King turned to look at Lord Torin, "Take him to the dungeon, have him tortured. Tell the world that Lord Torin tried to attack me, that is an offense for which he will be executed the day after my birthday." He gave his cup to his attendant, "Rinse it and fill it back with wine. I want a drink."

Nura looked at Kyria, "Can I have her? I can think of a million delicious ways to break her. You can have her back before the execution, we can kill her then."

The king smiled indulgently, "But of course." Nura clapped her hand and then, as if she had a brilliant thought, she took the purple necklace and placed it around Kyria's neck, "When it's time, I'll have Jinon Sybarius take that off your neck and give it to Lady Yabala. You will be a walking jewelry stand."

She looked at Kyria's mother and waved her hand, "Kill her, I don't want to dirty my hands." Her elfin attendants rushed to do her bidding.

Nura bent down and grabbed Kyria by the hair, forcing her to watch as the Fae all took small knives and began to stab the woman over and over again.

She smiled as Lady Kandroc screamed, her death as gruesome as her husband. The king departed, saying he was exhausted.

"This would have never happened if your precious General Sybarius hadn't been so eager to arrest your family." Nura purred. Shook the much weakened girl by her hair, "I can hardly imagine the pain, seeing your entire family destroyed by the man you love." She tsked.

Kyria spat at her, "I'll kill you."

Nura laughed, "With what? As long as you wear that collar you don't have any power. And you need a lot of power to just unlock it, more than any mere mortal can have."

Nura's voice was low and vicious, "You see? This is what happens when you oppose me and my people." Her voice was vicious and victorious, "Your people will never be good as us. And when my son is in control of this kingdom, I will start my empire here. My people will conquer your world piece by piece. I will make you watch it all, you are nothing, and you'll do well to remember that." Her voice was gleeful, "This is where you belong, beneath me. Always beneath me."