Cybelline was brought in chains through a secret corridor at the base of the Goddess Gardens. Her wary guards eyed her with hawkish attention as they walked through the long tunnel.

Cybelline looked at everything with the curiosity of a tourist and leaned over to her guard.

"Does the City of Light glow in the dark?"

The guard looked straight forward and said nothing.

Cybelline continued to talk aloud, "Because for a hidden city, the name is a dead give away of its location."

The guard chose to ignore this.

They arrived at the Hall of Light. Here magical orbs floated above, reflecting on the marble floors as if stars in the dark purple sky. Columns and curves of elegant architecture stated the simple yet delicate tastes of its mistress.

She sat like a goddess on the marble throne, a wreath of roses and pearls atop her anointed head, a symbol of her immense power and one-ness with nature.

Cybelline looked at the woman whose wise smile seemed quizzical and impartial.

"Kneel." The guard commanded and moved to kick her knee. Cybelline easily evaded the gesture.

"Not interested." She said with a polite smile. Yet there was something about her gaze that made his body freeze all over. He took an involuntary step back in fear.

"That's enough." The Lady of Light raised a hand and gave an apologetic smile, "You aren't suppose to be in chains. Release her. She is a guest."

"And some water, please. Trying to get captured is hard work." Cybelline said. The guards looked confused but the Lady merely nodded, "Do as she says"

The guard nodded and worked to take the chains off Cybelline's hands. Cybelline grinned and winked at him as he handled her a jeweled cup "Don't you wish you treated me better now?"

With a wave of her hands, the lady of light dismissed the chagrinned guards.

The Lady of Light studied the young woman, "Why have you come here?"

"Why have you been looking for me?" Cybelline asked as she sipped the cool contents.

The Lady of Light sighed, "Killian has been asking for you."

Cybelline looked at the contents in her cup, "And I assume he's well?"

"Yes. He will be fine." The Lady of Light said cooly, "But tell me, how is it that you escaped unscathed by the Fae?"

"He did something stupid, but admirable." Cybelline shrugged, "The idiot blocked the knife meant for me."

The Lady of Light sighed, "Men. Sometimes if they just used their minds, then they won't have to sacrifice their bodies. Enough of my idiot child. Tell me about you."

Cybelline smiled. "I'm sure you've already done your homework."

The Lady raised her eyebrows, "Can you blame me? You magically walked into Killian's life and have a mysterious past. One that even my spies can't seemed to find any information on. All I know is that you can some magic and that you have an insane servant whom screams in horror every time he hears your name."

"He could be screaming in joy." Cybelline said, a little offended.

The lady of light ignored this, "Killian is like a son to me. You have to understand that I do not want him to fall for someone who is wrong for him."

"Ahh." Cybelline gestured to herself, "I think you might be a little late to the party."

"You are...as interesting as he says you are." The Lady said with a smile, "But I have ways to make sure that he won't miss you."

"You seem like such a nice aunt" Cybelline said with a smile, "Sweet. Caring. Murderous. Very typical aunt behavior."

"Can you blame me?" The lady of light's eyes narrowed, "I don't trust you. You might be here to destroy everything that I've built. I will never allow that."

"Or I could have come here for a vacation. It's not often one gets to visit the city of light." Cybelline pointed out

The lady of light stared, "Are half truths and falsehoods all you know?"

Cybelline looked into the Lady of Light's face, "And is that fake smile all you know?"

Finally, there was a crack on the veneer as the kind face seemed to melt into a mask of cold cruelty. The lady of Light looked at Cybelline as if she's a bug, "Tell me, how much do you love Killian. Answer this honestly child, it could decide your future."

Cybelline raised an eyebrow, "None of your business."

The Lady of Light stared at her, "I do not approve of your union with Killian. You are not high born, you have no right to stay by his side as his lawful wife. But I can allow you to be his mistress, with conditions."

"Wow. Generous." Cybelline said, "And your conditions?"

"Only if you promise me your loyalty, and allow me to bind you power so that Killian can control you...Should you become too...headstrong." The Lady of Light said, "Then you may stay by his side. I might even let you have a bastard or two. After Killian marries and fulfills his husband duties of course. This is the best course of action for you both."

The Lady of light watched as the girl grew silent, as if she was mulling it over. The Lady of Light's face seemed to relax a little. This was just a girl, after all. She might have some power and may interest Killian a little, but she proved to be, after all, controllable.

"You're drive such a hard bargain" Cybelline said for a while, "Tell you what, if you throw a cow, three goats, and a chicken in with Killian I might consider renegotiating the terms."

"Renegotiating?"

"Well, for starters. I wouldn't be the mistress. After I marry Killian, if I do marry him, and we aren't even close to that step yet so don't hold your breathe. Or do, if it means the world doesn't have to suffer from your idiotic drivel. But I digress... If I marry Killian, I promise, that I won't have more than three permanent lovers on the side and four for backup when I get bored - one for each season, of course. And, being that I am such a lowborn, they have to either be princes or dukes to elevate my status, I'm not too picky but absolutely nothing below the title of Marquis and definitely no Counts." Cybelline said as she watched the Lady of Light's face darken, she continued, "If you throw in few ducks, I might lower the number of lovers to two a year. They have to be Grand Dukes or Kings, after all I am to lowering myself to only two lovers."

"How dare you..." The lady of light began.

Cybelline frowned, "Alright throw in a duck pond and I promise that I'll allow my lovers to bare me children after Killian bears them first. After all, he would be the primary husband in my harem."

The lady frowned, "You don't seem to understand or fear your predicament. I am the Lady of Light, I could crush you with my fingers if I wanted to."

"But you haven't." Cybelline smiled.

"I was going to let you live, for Killian's sake." the Lady of Light acknowledged, "But you will not make even a good mistress. I will show him that you are not fit for him. You will be the sacrifice for the ceremony. The only and last time you will look upon his face is when you die."

She waited to see the look of horror on Cybelline's face. But there was none, only polite disinterest.

"Is that so?" Cybelline said with a shrug, she looked at the Lady of Light, "Are you sure you're not keeping him away because you're scared I would kidnap him and kiss him without your permission?"

The frown on the Lady of Light's face deepened, "He is a protector of Man. He has a duty to his people, he would not dishonor his name with such foolishness. And I would never give you the chance to enchant him thus."

"Like I said, you're a little late on that aspect." Cybelline said under her breath. She looked up as the cup fell from her stiffening fingers, "I assume that this water was poisoned?" Cybelline felt her body grow more and more tense, she found that she was unable to move even her finger.

"Only to keep you immobile until your body is needed." The Lady of Light smiled, "My guards will conduct you to a room, you will stay there until the ceremony."

Cybelline shrugged, "Sounds good. Are meals provided while I wait?"

The Lady of Light blinked, "You...are not screaming. Why?"

Cybelline raised her eyebrows, "Are you providing me food and lodging during this time?"

"...Yes."

Cybelline gave a bright smile, "In that case I'm happy to wait."

The Lady of Light stared at the girl for a while, she turned and walked to her throne and lightly clapped, "Take Cybelline to the hidden villas."

Cybelline gave a slight cough, which captured the Lady of Light's attention, "One last question."

The Lady of Light raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"

"Does the City of Light glow in the dark?"

As they carried the girl away, the did not notice a little blue bird that flew out of her sleeve and seemed to disappear into thin air.

---

Killian was having another bad dream as he slept. He felt darkness take over his mind as the girl who always protected him seemed to fade away faster and faster.

What if he could no longer keep her safe? What if she discovered his true self, his hateful eyes and hated him like the rest of the people.

What did her face look like? Killian felt a rising sense of panic as he searched his mind. What did she look like when she was little. Why did the images fade from his mind?

His blood red eyes flew open and his arm shot out, gripping someone by the throat.

His cousin coughed and tapped Killian's arm, "It's me, Kiernan. Let go."

Killian's eyes adjusted to the light and let go of his cousin, "What are you doing here."

Kiernan rubbed his neck, "I came to see you, cousin. The Lady of Light asked me to be here for the ceremony."

Killian stared at the youth with cloth over his eyes, "Why?"

"She said it was important for me to be here." Kiernan replied, "I'm no too sure either. I came in here because you were muttering and moaning in your sleep."

Killian shook his head, "I'm alright. Go rest."

Kiernan got up, "Tomorrow is the ceremony, you get some rest as well."

Kiernan hesitant before he left the room, "Cousin, I heard that you have been paying attention to a woman."

Killian frowned, "What of it?"

Kiernan's mouth fell open, "You aren't denying it?"

Killian's head pounded, its throbbing threw bolts of pain into his bones, "Cousin, I don't wish to discuss my love life right now. Leave." His tone held more than a hint of impatience. It was darkness and coldness in his voice. Kiernan was sure that if he did not leave now, he would be dead within minutes.

Kiernan walked out reluctantly and met the Lady of Light in the hallway.

She smiled and shook her head, "He is in pain. You must forgive him." And walked into Killian's room

"You're in a mood." The Lady of Light poured some cold water for him, "The Ceremony is tomorrow. You must rest."

Killian stood up, "I have to go find her."

"Who?" The Lady of Light asked, lightly.

"Cybelline." Killian said has he pulled on his outer robes, "I keep having dreams that she's disappearing."

"Stop, Killian." the Lady of Light sighed, "Your ceremony is tomorrow. You need to rest."

"Aunt. She's out there, without me." Killian said, the fear overwhelming his heart once more, his head felt heavy. He shook it to clear the thoughts that he didn't dare to think.

"Killian, how much do you know about her?" Kyria asked once more, her voice is low, "I have heard rumors that she is sympathetic to the fae."

Killian paused and looked at his aunt.

Kyria smiled a little helplessly, "I am the Lady of Light."

Killian looked at his aunt, "I don't wish to discuss it."

"The fae is the reason your mother died. Your father locked you both up because he trusted the word of a fae." Kyria said as she watched Killian's face carefully, "You have duty to your people. The ones who have fought by your side since your youth. The fae have destroyed so much of your life."

"Aunt, she's different. She showed me fae who -"

"Injured you." Kyria said flatly, "Has your love for her made you forget how your mother died? Starved to death, forced to live a half life until her son could take care of himself."

"I don't wish to hear any more of this." Killian said as he tried to shake the gaunt, haunted face of his mother out of his head. The fae had done that, suddenly it seemed as if the only way to revenge his mother was destroy the fae. Kyria saw the change on his face with a small smile.

Kyria sighed, "I know you love this girl. But Killian, if it comes down to the day where you had to choose between loving a girl who protected the fae and your people. What would you choose? For if you allow the fae to thrive, humans will suffer."

"I don't believe that." Killian said, his head was killing him. Kyria smiled as he put his head in his hands.

Kyria handed him a cup of tea, "Here. Drink this."

Killian took it and drained it. Kyria smiled.

"My boy, you are our hope." Kyria suddenly said, "And if you believe that she is your true companion then who am I to stop you."

Killian looked up, the joy suddenly over taking his pain.

Kyria smiled and nodded, "I have found the whereabouts of your girl. She is coming for the ceremony. So rest tonight, she will be by yourself tomorrow."

"I have to..." Killian said but the room spun once more and he closed his eyes. More black wisps went from Kyria's fingers into his head.

Servants came in and carried him to bed.

Kyria stood up, "Rest. Tomorrow is the ceremony. After that, everything will be clear."