She stood, her back towards him, her shadow inked in his heart. He put up his hands and covered his eyes from the sunlight. A light wind blew her hair and dress in the direction towards the great plains. The scent of summer danced between them as he took another step towards the girl on the golden hill.

"Cybelline...my Cybelline." He said with a foolish grin, his heart, which had been unsettled for days fell back into his chest.

She turned around, her red hair shown in the morning light. He could not see her face, the light was too strong.

He stepped closer, longing to see her face. And when he did, he froze, afraid to move forward.

He had seen the terror in her eyes. That terror he remembered so well. That terror and hatred that he had met for the first few years of his life. He was an abomination, a beast, something disgusting that should have died in the womb. How dare he think he was worthy of love?

Cybelline took another step away from him, her face pale, the bloom of her lips "Monster."

She stepped forward, in her hand was a long, golden sword. Killian looked down and saw that his arms had become blacked, distorted claws. Grotesque things that smelled of death and decay.

She moved, faster than the wind. The golden sword plunged into his chest, blood seeped out as he fell to his knees.

She turned around, another man at her side, holding her hand. The man's fae wings blocked her from his sight. Killian looked into their fading backs, the pain in his heart intensifying.

The cold general, the god of war who had lost more blood than tears in his life, felt the sting at the corners of his eyes. The man who welcomed death on the battlefield, who would rather die than beg, now now ran after the tiny figure like a lost child, fear gripping his heart. She would leave him, the one lived in his heart.

She was gone, like falling snow that melted on the earth. Now only darkness remained.

Anyone but her he could endure. The world could hate him, but if she did, what was the point of living? Faster and fast the blood seeped put of hole in his chest.

------

Killian sat up in his room, gasping for air. Cold sweat dotted his forehead and soaked his shirt. He looked down at the wound, it had healed after the last two weeks, so why did it ache?

"What's this, child?" A lyrical voice ask. A white hand came into his view with a cup of tea, "Killian, you're shaking."

Killian shook his head, "Thank you, aunt. I'm fine." He

The Lady of Light sighed, "When you were a child you used to say that to me as well. No matter how hurt you were, you would always tell me that you were fine. But I know better."

Killian looked out bleakly at the window, his blood red eyes glimmering back at him in the candle-light, "There is a girl, she is..." he smiled in the memory, "She is like no one you've ever met, aunt. And when we were little, she was like a small ember that had forced itself into my colorless life. She had taken all the ugliness and burned it away. But She had never seen the ugliest, most repulsive part of me." Killian gestured to his eyes, "I am afraid that if I stood in front of her the way I am now...she would hate me."

"She sounds most amusing." Kyria said with a smile, "Tell me, how did you meet her?"

Killian closed his eyes, "She...she came to me the night my mother died. She wanted to make me feel better and kissed my eyes." He remembered the children that they were, her laughter and her joy.

His mother had died and all he had was a kingdom of people who wished he had died. She was the only want who wanted him to live.

"She was there the night your eyes turned." Kyria mused, "And you found her again? Forgive, but your story is so strange yet beautiful to me."

"Yes." Killian said quietly, "Now that I know she is real, I will never let her go." His smile was hard to understand, "Do you know aunt, sometimes I thought she was a dream. When it was the worst of times I would think of her, that girl who saved my life that day."

"Is she as you remembered?" Kyria asked, "People change."

"As have I" Killian said, "She has changed for the better. She could protect herself, she is powerful enough that she doesn't need me. But every time I'm with her, I only want to be closer, to be by her side. I want to spend every moment with her."

"Are you sure that you have not fallen in love with an idea?" Kyria asked, "Sometimes we hold the image of a person in our hearts. It blinds us from the reality, from who they really are. What if what you feel is for the perfect image and not the actual woman."

"Aunt." Killian said, his voice cool and serious, "The girl who lives in my heart has always been and always will be her."

"Is she still the same?" Kyria pressed, "Consider this carefully. You are the most powerful man in the world, you a general. Any woman would die for a man of your esteem. At your word nations have risen and fallen. If she means you harm then it won't be just you who suffered. Think carefully, child. Can you trust her?"

"I would die for her." Killian said quietly.

Kyria looked at him for a moment, "Would she die for you?"

"I would never want that." Killian said, his face even more pale than before, "She should never have to choose."

"And one day, if she had to choose between you and someone or something else?"

Killian thought back to his dream, the man who would take away his Cybelline. His face turned to stone, "She will never have to chose. I love her and won't make her choose."

"And what if that love is not enough?" Kyria asked softly, "Trust me child, love is an emotion that fades. When it comes to life and death, most people think only of themselves. You must be sure."

"If she was to turn against me, it would be because of my eyes." Killian said bitterly, "How could she love a monster? A curse?"

"Oh child, your eyes are a gift." The lady of light admonished gently, "I am sorry, Killian. When your mother wrote to me about your eyes, I should have asked more. She told me that you may have had the affliction of your cousin, but that she wasn't sure. Since only the male line had inherited the Gift, she had never seen her brother's eyes. Had I gone, had I seen your eyes, I would have taken you in a heartbeat." She smiled at him, "The color of your eyes are the purest I've seen of all the children who had inherited them. They surpass the eyes of any king of Novoria. Had I seen your eyes I would have taken you out of that place and brought you here."

Killian shook his head, "Father would never have let you into the borders. His court still supports the fae. If you had come, it would have ignited a war."

Kyria placed a hand over his, "You don't know how special it is to have eyes like yours. You and your cousin Kiernan are both so special."

"If we are so special, then why do people hate us and fear us?" Killian asked with a coldness in his voice, "Kiernan is loved and respected at his court but behind his back they call him demon eyes. It is only because of your influence that the kings of Novoria have not been killed."

"They fear what they do not know." Kyria said cooly, "They are wrong."

"My father said that my eyes are a sign that I am fated to destroy everything." Killian said quietly.

"You father has never been a source of reliability. That old peacock." Kyria said with a sigh, "Your eyes are a gift from the gods. Never forget that."

Kyria only smiled, "And, you are the only one who can turn them back to the color you chose."

Killian's eyes looked up, shocked, "But no one..."

"You did, once." Kyria reminded him, "I had thought perhaps that the gift had left you, but it seems that it had been briefly locked away by magic. You are the only one who can do it."

"Why has no one been able to?" Killian asked

"No." Kyria said, " Your ancestors on your mother's side, the Novoria line was a branch of an ancient and powerful family of mages, they are the keepers of a magic so rare and powerful that it kills them if they are not able to withstand it. It is why the kings die young. The power is then transferred to the next heir."

Killian thought of his sickly cousin, "Then Kiernan will die as well?"

Kyria paused, "They die because they can not withstand the power of the Gift. You my child, I think, will be different. And you might even be able to save your cousin."

She smiled encouragingly, "In a few days I will help prepare you to receive the gift in your power, once you receive it, you eyes will return to normal once more."

Kilian turned to his aunt, disbelief in his eyes, "There is a cure?"

Kyria sighed, "Yes, there is. All you have to do is think of your love and endure. If you can take the power and use it, then you can change your eyes as you please. If you refuse the power, then it will kill you before you reach thirty."

Killian stood up and looked at his red eyes in the mirror. Could Cybelline accept him as he was? Did he only want only eight years with her?

He turned to her, "Help me, aunt. I will do whatever it takes to change my eyes back."

Kyria placed a hand on his chest, "Then rest. You need to be healthy for the trial."

Killian closed his eyes and did not see the smile that played on Kyria's lips. Her fingers moved and grey wisps entered his mind, continuing to wreak havoc with his dreams and the woman in them.

------

Londaros - Captial

Myrai had been sparing with Miri in the courtyard when she felt the wave of power.The barrier that Solana had built wavered. The Imp ran out to them, his body translucent as he looked in horror.

"Mother!" He cried and fell to his knees.

Myrai threw down her sword and knelt by the boy. She looked at the barrier, it held but now took on another color. Myrai's blood drained from her face and she looked at the Imp sadly, "I'm sorry, so sorry."

She looked up and saw Ithos already by her side, "Solara is dead."She said quietly to Ithos. The old man nodded, the lines on his face seemed to deepen. "Let's get the boy inside. He won't last long like this."

Miri stood outside, looking at the couple who took the boy in. Solana, that ever smiling aunt who gave her treats and took her on trips.

A hand gently wiped her tears, "Don't cry." Miri looked up into a kind and familiar pair of eyes. Ryion, the grown up version, now held her hands. He, like her, looked to be in their early twenties. Handsome and sharp, with eyes of light grey, he had inherited the light mage powers and was a full fae. Though he was disguised, now and then, there seemed to be a hint of his power that he had not fully concealed.

Miri sighed, "Thanks, Ryion"

Ryion led Miri back into the house, "We'll get this sorted out. And give Solara a proper burial."

"We have to find Cybelline, perhaps she will have a way of saving Imp." Miri said as she started pack their things, "I have to contact the Augur. It'll take him some time to find Cybelline. Once he does, we'll leave tomorrow, when the city gates open."

Miri looked down. A hand gently touched her shoulder, and Miri found her mother standing in front of her, "Myrai, do you want to remain here? Once we find Cybelline we'll come back for you."

Ryion's eyes flashed with concern, "Miri belongs with us."

Myrai smiled, "Foolish boy, Miri belongs where she wants to belong."

"But she is your firstborn." Ryion argued, "I would understand if you told me or Istan, Berin, or Ceric to leave. We aren't yours, but she is. How could you ask her if she doesn't want to go with us."

"Ryion." Ithos interupted, "You are ours. You and your brothers will always be a part of this family. Our family was never determined by blood. We love you as much as we love Miri. Never question that."

Ryion frowned, "Then why..."

"Miri has grown up, she can protect herself. I will not stop her from doing what she wants to do." Myrai said and gently patted Ryion's arm, " You know she loves someone here. She is betrothed to the Prince of Londaros."

Ryion's face drained of blood and he stared at his family, "I know, but he is mortal, she's fae."

"There's nothing wrong with a mortal marrying a fae." Ithos said bluntly, he looked at his wife, "After all, I'm human and my wife is fae."

"But You're you. What if he's wrong for her." Ryion asked hotly, "What if he hurts her?"

Ithos's face broke a little, "You know, wife, Ryion has a point. Maybe we should kill the prince of Londaros."

"I asked myself the same thing, before I married you." Myrai said gently and put her hand in Ithos, "I knew that I was wrong to love you. I knew that if I could I would never had loved you. I wanted to kill you. But in the end, be it good or bad, I knew what I had chosen and I would bare the consequences."

Ithos kissed her cheek, "Thank the gods you didn't kill me."

"Ma." Miri said with a soft voice, "there is a part of me that wishes to stay, but." She looked up with a smile, "My family comes first, I want to be with you."

Myrai's smile was a little bittersweet and a little bit relieved, "Then let's leave at dawn." She was not as strong as she looked. The thought of leaving her only daughter in a strange land made her heart shake. But she did not want to force her daughter to do something that she did not want to do.

Miri hugged her mother, "I want to go say goodbye to him. For now, at least."

Myrai kissed her daughter's head, "Go."

-----------

City of the Light - Outer Forest

Cybelline looked at the group in front of her, and rubbed her forehead, "What happened to escaping to where-ever Solara told you to go?"

Melas looked down at the ground, "I am sorry. There are too many of us and it is too dangerous."

"So you decided to remain in the proximity of a city where they are known to kill Fae on sight?" Cybelline sighed, "I am really hoping your thinking involved the idea that the most dangerous place is the safest place to hide and not because you had no where to go."

Melas only bowed his head lower, "My people were heavily injured in that battle. I don't have a way to get them to safety."

"Well, at least your honest." Cybelline sighed. She knew that Solara had warned her not to take too many people to the land in the ring, it would be more stress on her. But they literally landed in her lap.

In the distance, there were the sounds and shouts of men, bent of finding the dyrads.

Cybelline looked at the children who were quietly crying in the arms of the adults and with a sigh "It'll be hard, but I'll manage."

There was a look of relief on the Dyrad's face.

Suddenly he knelt, "Thank you" He took out a green gem, "This is all I have, it is the greatest treasure of my people."

The sounds were getting closer. Cybelline closed her eyes and forced the entire population of dryads into the Land Within the Ring. It was much more difficult this time, the source was now housing much more than just the few lost fae. The pressure on her mind and body increased as Cybelline threw more of the Source in keeping the land whole.

Solara was right, Cybelline thought ruefully, Keeping a nation in your consciousness is hard. She shook her head and looked down at her bracelet. It had all the gems and kept the wild powers in her body in control. Just like it did for Titania. Cybelline frowned and looked down at the bracelet. Was it really just to help control her powers?

Suddenly the forest was a lit with flames, and she was surrounded.

The City of Light soldiers pointed their spears at her, their eyes full of suspicion.

Their leader came out, in one hand held a scroll with her likeness, "Are you the woman named Cybelline?"

"What took you so long?" Cybelline asked, "I've literally been circling these forests the last few days looking for you. It's been a really long game of hide and seek and I'm tired."

The captain blinked, "Huh?"

"Yes. I've decided to surrender." Cybelline smiled and held up her hands, "Take me to your leader. Actually before you do that, can you get me some food and a nice bed? I like to be at my best."

------

Author's Note -

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement the last few weeks. I finally updated! Your support has carried me far. You guys always manage to brighten my day. I appreciate the comments, votes, and views. Have a great day!