I stared into Cedar's silver pools only to be looking back at my own relived expression.

Cedar pulled me to my feet instantaneously letting me go before returning his attention to Fayé. She was laughing yet again, clearly indulging in something she wanted to show off. "Isn't he such a prince charming?!" She grabbed him hugging him to her as I stared perplexed by their familiarity. "This is my adopted son, Cedar Croix." I felt a knot twist itself up in my stomach that just refused to settle.

"What?" I croaked, which seemed to be nothing but a joke to her.

"Don't worry dear! You won't have to marry him too. Cedar is already promised to another. Instead you get to be Queen of the world!" She exclaimed it so excitedly I thought her face would crack and fall off. "Though for now; since he helped bring you here for his brother, he will be your honorary personal bodyguard."

I felt myself go flush and I cursed Mormon for giving me such false hopes. Why would he show me Cedar betraying my kidnappers if he wasn't the one who would help me be free? In fact he was the adopted son of my captors. "When did you adopt him?" I asked through the skin of my teeth trying to make sense of it. Hoping to see if there was even a chance that I could trust him.

"When he was about 3 years old." I internally broke. All the weight I thought I got rid of by meeting him had doubled in the account of Fayé's over joyed announcement. "Enough about my adopted son. Please get her into something more enticing ladies. Oh, and be sure to try to relax her nerves." 

I was internally raging. My emotions were a utter mess and I felt myself hyperventilating.

"Oh my..." Were the last words I heard before succumbing to my darkness.

        I willed myself out of my body, becoming more familiar with the feeling. I was frantic, alone, and I just wanted to be back in the warmth of Fabians arms. I craved the security of the sceptor walls and the reassurance that I was still in control of my fate.

Mormon was no where in sight or mind, just that cheshire cat grin and mess of a lions mane. I felt the urge to run so I did. I ran; running as fast as I could carry myself through this double world, away from my body that was trapped in this hell and back to where I came from. Just like before when I chased the stag I ran passed countless beautiful lands, countless desolate burrows, a city that seemed to be restless, a forest full of monsters, and a wall that held in all my power and security.

I willed myself passed it all. I willed myself to Fabian; my eyes landed on his furious form, he looked as if he hadn't eaten or slept for the two days I've now been away from him. His hair stood on end as dark bags began forming under his eyes on his handsome face. He was cursing a string of profanity to the guards who stood before him. I recognized General Grier, she stood before him uselessly trying to reassure and calm him.

"Sir for years we prepared for any and everything. We assure you our agent will bring her home." Fabian raged the golden halo of his hair shaking with his devilishly handsome form.

"You expect me too trust in some kid! Some orphan, whom you raised to be adopted by her captors!" Fabian flung papers at them with a maddening glare. "He was raised practically as royalty and you all are still foolish enough to call him a loyal soldier!" Fabian was beyond livid I then noticed Elaine sitting in the corner holding the bridge of her nose looking as if she caught a headache.

"Fabian enough!" Elaine exclaimed her peace.

"Enough-" Elaine stood.

"You will shut your raging mouth and leave this to the royal guard. You were trusted with the job, but you failed. Get-over-your-self!" Fabian still stood tall over his mother. "What do you rather Fabian, her never to come back and possibly becoming someone else's wife? Or would you rather swallow your pride to let Cedar do the job he was practically born and raised to do?"

"But-" Elaine slammed her hand down on the desk making even me flinch.

"Or nothing Fabian! It's this or nothing. Look here at this monitor." Elaine pointed to a yellow dot on the monitor of a world map. "That is Ambrosia in the heart of the enemies den. We cannot just waltz in and destroy it; even if Cedar hadn't told us, everyone who has eyes can clearly tell The Atruim is darn near impenetrable." Elaine then pointed to a red dot.

"That is Cedar. That is Ambrosia's only way out of a very tight and damning situation. From the looks of it he is  already carrying out his purpose. Now you're gonna have to just suck it up and let him do his job! At the end of the day she will still be your Fiancé if; and only if, you let him save her." Fabian slumped both defeated by his mother's words and drained of all his being. He walked out the office to walk all the way to his rooms bathroom before shattering the mirror with his fists.

I wanted to hold him, I wanted to hug him, and so I reached for him as he looked in the mirror. His whole face changed into shock as he reached for his mirror. "Ambrosia?" I flew backwards screaming.

He could see me!!!

He could see...

He could?!

"Fabian!" I snapped my eyes open to be met face to face with the devil of my current hell. Vladimir chuckled lowly.

"I cannot wait till you scream my name with such desperation little one." He brushed my hair out my face. I looked down and instantly tried to sheild myself. Vladimir smiled smugly at my attempts to be hidden from his view. "I made sure to look at you well while you slept little one." The dress I wore was made of strings of pink, blue, and purple jewels that dangled loosely off of me. Whatever littlebits of puffy pink tulle and chiffon fabric the dress adorned had scantily covered my lady bits. Otherwise I was exposed to him and it made me feel so raw.

Vladimir picked me up and out my bedroom. My hair fell in fluffy waves it was completely out and natural. He lifted me and I noticed how dark the sky was then from the balcony window. Before being placed on his lap in the hovercart Vladmir waved off Cedar who was standing at the door.

        I had been dragged around for hours through throngs of people while Vladmir both showed me off and held me close. Just like before my lips were sealed unless I was granted the privilege of talking the right words.

The ballroom we danced in was like no other. The floor was made of a thick translucent substance allowing us to view the lava that pooled, wathed, and burbled below us. The ballroom was at the bottom floor of the base of this mammoth equestrian palace. The moon; mixed with city light, shined on us from the ceiling to floor windows that rimmed the room. Everywhere fire danced from the chandeliers to floors under our feet.

The fire, burning my feet forcing me to dance. The torturer, holding my lips forbidding me to speak. The woman, miserably happy to have a friend in hell.
The savior, no where to be found.

       The night dragged on and it's people never wanted it to end. To my surprise Vladimir was easily drunk and now leaning on me in a drunken haze. Vladimir kissed me, touched me, and rubbed against me. I could do nothing for I was paralyzed to his wants. "That is quite enough my brother." Cedar placed his hand on his brothers shoulder and Vladimir looked as if he were brooding.

"I am to be king of the known world. What gives you; an adopted orphan, the right to order me around?" Vladimir reeked of liquor yet Cedar still proceeded to separate us completely.

"I am pretty sure it would be poor manners for a proper King to spoil his Queen before their wedding." Vladimir slightly paled with clear shame at Cedar's words, but he held onto my wrist.

"Can you truly blame me brother? I have waited for so long for her. There is no woman in these outer lands that can ever compare to her. None whatsoever." Cedar helped me release myself from his grip.

"All the more reason you need to treasure her." I was whisked away from Vladimir and Cedar placed me in Bron's hovercart. "To her rooms please Bron." Cedar sat down next to me and the cart began to move. I held myself feeling as if I could fall to shambles in that very moment. I couldn't do anything against Vladimir, yet the one who saved me was the one I barely wanted to trust.

Cedar ruffled his pockets before pulling out his phone and began typing away, flashing it toward me to gain my attention. 'I am going to get you back to the sceptors Queen Vignette, I just need you to give me more time. My original mission here was never to blow my cover helping you escape, but for another.' I read the words then stared to Cedar in a distressed stupor. Who is more important than setting me, The Queen of The Sceptors free?

Cedar stared ahead at Bron for a long time before typing the words very slowly.

"Your mother."