Aggie sighed happily as she sat out in Tork’s courtyard by herself. It had been the second night in a row that she had been fed a filling meal, and best of all, since setting foot on the property, Aggie had felt safe.

She had had so little time to reflect, and truly process everything she had seen and done, that when she finally had a moment to think about it all, she was awed.

She had escaped.

She hadn’t been caught immediately, and she had made it all the way to the North King’s settlement.

Aggie couldn’t help but feel pride in herself. Despite the odds, and her worldly inexperience, she was surviving. Granted she had help, but even so. She had never heard of someone successfully running away from a powerful betrothed. Or maybe it was that no one talked about the ones who succeeded…?

She was in the middle of this line of thinking, when a shadowed figure exited the house. Aggie could easily tell it was Arlen, and it took him only a moment to see her sitting atop the weaponry trunk in the shadows of the courtyard.

He walked slowly over to her, his shoulders as straight as always, and his hands hanging loosely at his sides. Aggie briefly wondered if his body was in as much agony as her own from all of the training and running.

“Lady Agnes, I will be retiring for the evening. Is there anything I can do for you before I do so?” His tone was quiet, and calm, but there was something else behind it that made Aggie uneasy.

“Is something wrong, Arlen?” Aggie’s life had, until now, been about political correctness and manners. To now have the freedom to ask someone a direct question, made her heart beat a little harder in her chest.

“No my Lady. If you believe me to be distant, I am merely trying to solidify our bond as Servicer and Mistress. You have expressed discomfort regarding to my gender, and so I believe that my behaving professionally will help you feel more at ease.”

Aggie felt annoyed instantly, and she had to force herself to calm down before calling Arlen a slew of names.

“No Arlen. I would rather you not behave this way. I would prefer if you were comfortable.”

“Not at the cost of your own peace of mind, my Lady.”

“Arlen, I’m a grown-ass woman. I’ll get over it. It’s just… an adjustment period.”

Arlen said nothing, so Aggie continued, feeling rather pointless in her efforts. His rigid posture didn’t relax at all, and she could see his resolve, so she decided to try a different tactic.

“Arlen, I ran away from my old life for many reasons. One of which, is that I never felt like I could be genuinely close with anyone.”

“We are Servicer and Mistress. We do not need to be closer.”

With a polite nod, Arlen turned, and retreated back to the house despite knowing that she wanted to argue the point further. This meant Aggie was left alone in the dark with only her thoughts keeping her company.

Aggie stared straight up at the stars above her, and let out a breath, her former contentment vanished.

“I need to free him before everything else.” She murmured to herself, resting her head on the cool stone wall of the house, and enjoying the mild spring night with the distant chirp of crickets, and the rustling of the bare pear tree branches in the wind.

While Aggie enjoyed this peace, she failed to notice her surroundings subtly shift.

The breeze grew warm enough to be a summers eve, the smell of jasmine flowers wafted around her, and a floating stream of fireflies slowly drifted down from the sky in larger and larger numbers, until the entire courtyard was alight in their warm glow.

Aggie opened her eyes dreamily, and marveled at the beautiful sight before her. For some reason, she wasn’t concerned to see this odd occurrence. A lovely warm breeze reached out, and brushed her cheek, while gently pushing her up to her feet.

As Aggie awed silently, she slowly walked to the middle of the courtyard to stare at the rows and rows of floating lights. A small number of the fireflies drifted down to her from the edges of the courtyard, and began to dance in slow circles around her, starting at her feet, and slowly winding their way up higher.

Aggie smiled at their beauty, and for some reason, could’ve sworn she saw elegant faces swirling around her, smiling and laughing with faint tinkling sounds.

She wasn’t sure when the music had started playing, but suddenly it was there. Its source was a mystery, but the music was sweet, and pure, tinkling and bright. Yet there was also an ancient depth to it…

She could feel herself becoming lost to its melody, lifting her spirit up higher and higher, until she felt light as a feather.

Aggie looked around her, and realized that though she was still standing in the courtyard, there were suddenly flowers crawling all over the walls and ground. Flowers of such brilliant blues, purples, and yellows, that Aggie felt tears come to her eyes to see such beauty.

Even before she saw the Fey man, she already knew she was in the presence of magic. Wondrous, beautiful magic, that stole your breath.

Finally, the dancing lights gently drifted back to their companions along the edge of the courtyard, and allowing Aggie to see the Fey man standing between the 2 pear trees, looking every bit as magical as their surroundings.

He approached Aggie, and bowed to her with the grace of a King. His blue coat and matching pants with their silver designs, glinted in the firefly light. He wore no ascot, but instead, allowed his tunic to show his bare throat in a far more relaxed style than seemed normal.

Aggie didn’t bow or curtsey back, despite every instinct in her screaming at her to do just that. She waited until the man with his dark hair raised his brilliant eyes to her own.

“It is wonderful to see you again Mistress.” Chay smiled at Aggie, with charm that would’ve made grown men swoon. Aggie lowered her eyes in acknowledgment, and his smile grew even wider.

“I do not believe we had a chance to be introduced last time. My name is Chay, and I am a full-blooded Fey.” He did another smaller bow, but then straightened himself to his full height, and smiled down at Aggie in wait.

Instead of looking away in modesty, Aggie lifted her chin defiantly.

“I’m Aggie.”

Chay let out a soft chuckle, and took a step to her side, while still maintaining eye contact.

“That is not your full name Mistress. You are Lady Agnes Elizabeth Quinn Beatha of the Southern Kingdom. Daughter of Lord Archibald, and Lady Farrah Beatha.”

He was continuing to circle her, and Aggie broke eye contact until he sidled up in front of her again.

“Why did you ask my name if you already knew it?” She asked, making sure to keep her tone light.

“Lady Agnes, you and I both know that it is the polite thing to do.” He grinned down at her in a somewhat boyish manner, obviously trying to change his tactics of appeal.

Aggie sighed sounding somewhat annoyed, which only seemed to amuse Chay further.

“Are you a prince of the Fey? Or a Lord?” She asked dully. She was trying to see if she could annoy him at all, but much to her dismay he laughed again.

“Not at all. I am a Fey being with no title, or of any importance… yet.”

“Yet?” Aggie’s stare sharpened.

What did he want? Arlen’s warning about the Fey echoed in her head.

Was he trying to seduce her?!

As Aggie's mind touched on this possibility, she was disturbed to learn that she was not entirely opposed to the idea of being swept off to his world away from her troubles.

Even though she knew that would be the cowards way out. Also, just because she went there, didn’t mean she’d get to stay there.

“Yes. Yet.” He clasped his hands behind his back casually, drawing her attention back to their discussion.

“Very few individuals know the future. Seers occur more often for you humans than they do for the Fey.” Aggie felt that he was cheating his answer, but also sensed she had to choose her questions wisely.

“What do you want with me?” Chay’s eyes fluttered as he finally broke eye contact with her, and instead gazed around them. He seemed to be admiring the glamour every bit as much as Aggie had.

“Quite honestly Lady Beatha, I am more interested in your Servicer. You come as an added bonus.” He finally returned his focus to Aggie, who had been staring at his exposed throat, wondering if it was as warm and soft as it looked.

Aggie swallowed hard, and she saw his eyes twinkle at her.

“What do you want with Arlen?” She asked, hating that her voice sounded uncertain.

“Pardon my rudeness my Lady, but that is my business.” His permanent smile seemed to bear endless amounts of meanings. In that moment, he looked cheeky, and Aggie frowned slightly at the sight of it.

“Then what is your business with me?” She demanded, her voice still trembling slightly. She was fighting the urge to reach out, and touch Chay’s soft black hair. She was even wondering what he smelled like up close.

Chay’s smile dimmed only for a moment, but only so he could stare at her more gently. He took a small step closer to her, his body mere inches away, his hands clasped behind his back, as he lowered his lips to her ear.

“One day, you will want to come to my world, and you will need to bring your Servicer with you.” Aggie’s body was on fire, goosebumps riddled her skin, and she felt every part of her want to touch the Fey in front of her.

“When that day comes, you will know exactly what I have in mind for you.”

Chay withdrew slightly, his face so close to her own, that Aggie caught the faint aroma of spiced wood dampened from a night rain, drifting off of him. He smelled every bit as good as she thought he would.

“How…” Aggie cleared her throat, fighting to not close her eyes, as Chay’s would occasionally move to her mouth. “How will I find you at that time?”

“When your Servicer willingly wants to come with you into my world, you will ring this bell.” Chay suddenly held a small silver bell above them for her to see. It’s wintery gleam catching the light, and shimmering.

Chay turned to look at Aggie, smiling again, as she wavered closer to his lips.

“Why wouldn’t… Why wouldn’t Arlen want to go to your world with me?” Aggie could feel a small blush rising in her cheeks. She had never felt desire before, and this experience was so potent that she wondered if she would faint after drowning in it.

“Because no being can be enslaved in Tara. All magical bonds from this world are lifted the moment someone enters.”

Aggie blinked.

“You mean… Arlen… would no longer be my Servicer in… Tara?” The name rang with power on her tongue, and she realized why it was so rarely spoken.

“Exactly so. In fact, if he stayed with us a short while, the Rulers of his kind wouldn’t be able to find him easily.”

Aggie’s breathing grew more shallow, it sounded like a perfect solution but…

“He will have to come willingly. We cannot take anyone who doesn’t wish to come into our world.” Chay’s tone was serious, but his gaze still danced over Aggie’s face as he answered the question she had been beginning to broach in her mind.

The young woman could no longer form words, as she stared at Chay’s perfect face. His mouth…

“Until we meet again my Lady.” Chay lifted his hand, and stroked Aggie’s hair, pausing to rub his thumb along her cheek, and then letting his hand drift down until the ends of her hair slipped from his grasp.

Aggie’s eyes were tearing from trying to hold herself back, her hands trembling at her side. She blinked with the image of his face, no longer smiling, but still watching her with such burning intensity, that Aggie doubted she would forget him as long as she lived. When she opened her eyes again, she was standing alone in the middle of the courtyard, holding a silver bell she never remembered taking.

*

Aggie awoke the next morning from a fitful sleep, and sat up slowly. Arlen wasn’t in her room, and she was wildly grateful for that fact as she felt her face heat at the memory of her encounter with the Fey the night before.

Never in Aggie’s 21 years of life, had she ever desired someone.

She had never been in love, or had any interest in anyone. She had been happy to live in the fantasy worlds she would read about in books about tales of adventures, and heroes. Going for strolls along the ocean side, and in the public gardens that existed in the North of her hometown.

It had been a simple life, but a restrained one as she abided by her parents orders each day, and learned from governesses, and tutors. She even had lessons with her own mother on rare occasions. Though it was was atypical for Farrah Beatha to not be recovering from a lavish party from the nights before.

Contrastingly, Aggie's father Archibald Beatha, was always busy calculating profits and expenses, and holding endless meetings with local merchants, vendors, sailors, captains…

The list extended longer than Aggie cared to remember. She would enjoy the occasional greeting from her parents, but suffice it to say, Aggie never had to wonder why she had been an only child.

Her parents weren’t in love. Desire seemed a thing of myth, and love a trite childish ideal.

Aggie found the truth of the former’s existence disconcerting, and… overpowering.

Touching her cheeks revealed their heightened temperatures, and once again Chay’s face flashed into her mind.

It was at that moment, when Arlen strode into her bedroom, and Aggie jumped as though she had been caught in a lewd act.

Arlen’s blank expression cracked slightly, as he twitched while regarding his Mistress sitting in her bed.

“My Lady, are you feeling ill again? You look flushed.” He placed down Aggie’s clothes on the bench as he had the previous day, and walked to her bedside.

He placed his hand on her forehead, and somehow this only made Aggie grow warmer.

“You’re warm but-”

“WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THIS!” Tork’s unmistakable voice snapped both Aggie and Arlen to attention. As Aggie leapt up from the bed, Arlen took off already running down the hallway.

Aggie ran after Arlen, forgetting that she was still in nothing but a shift.

She followed the flashes Arlen’s boots out to the courtyard, where the full power of the sun blinded her. After a moment, when the pain subsided, Aggie realized what had alarmed Tork.

The entire courtyard was covered in lush grass and flowers that had already begun to creep up the house walls.

Tork was turning around in astonishment, and Arlen stood frozen a couple feet from the door.

It wasn’t until Tork finished his pivot, that he saw Aggie and Arlen standing in the doorway.

“Servicer.” Tork walked over to Arlen, his face an unreadable mask, but his voice clearly struggling to stay calm.

“Keep a better eye on your Lady.” Tork looked at Aggie, and she blushed without meaning to, and took a step back.

Arlen turned around hastily, and stared at Aggie with an indescribable expression.

“My Lady… Did you… Have you-”

"Did you give yourself to a Fey?" Tork broke in to Arlen's stammering brashly, his face showing his deep concern.

“Not your business!” Aggie snapped turning crimson at being under their scrutiny. She was suddenly very self-conscious of her shift, as though everyone was staring at the ideas she had been entertaining that morning.

“My Lady! It most cert-” Arlen was interjecting, his eyes wild, and his former composure long gone.

“No! It damn well isn’t!” Aggie cut him off, and tore off down the hall back up to her chamber.

The maid’s daughter let out a surprise squeal at seeing Aggie appear in the room. She had been in the midst of making the bed, when Aggie slammed the door behind her, and without thinking stripped off her shift, and dressed herself hastily. She didn’t care that the maid’s daughter who was only a few years older than herself, had now seen her entirely nude.

Aggie stomped out of her room, and when she touched her foot at the bottom of the stairs, saw that Arlen and Tork were in the midst of a heated discussion near the courtyard doorway. Aggie let out an annoyed sound, and turned on her heel.

It was with no small amount of fist clenching, that Aggie exited the house through the front door, and turned onto the busy street.

As she went, she made sure to tie her hair back with a leather thong that Ora had given her. As she passed by various window boxes, she helped herself to a handful of dirt, and rubbed it all over her face, not caring about the strange looks she was getting from people passing by her.

Aggie stormed up the street heading closer and closer to the King’s castle, her anger barely subsiding as the minutes ticked on.

Hadn’t she said to Arlen that she wanted her own freedom to do what she wanted? Who the hell was he to butt in, and demand she had to share everything? Who was he to judge her?

These were the thoughts that whirled around Aggie’s mind, but not once was she curious about what Tork and Arlen were discussing in her absence.

*

“-You heard her! She doesn’t want it to be our business!” Arlen exclaimed folding his arms across his chest in defiance.

“For fucks sake Arlen! You’re going to let her be seduced by a Fey?! Do you know what happens once they’ve had their fun?” Tork was gesturing around at the flowers wildly, and though he did notice Arlen’s fist clench, he didn’t care.

“I’m aware of what happens when the Fey take a mate. It is the way of nature after all.” Arlen’s voice was cold, but there was fierceness in his face that Tork was glad to see. It meant that Arlen didn’t like this at all either.

“So what’ll happen if there is a babe after her encounter with him hmm? Are you going to have to run and protect and hide both of them? Do you really think Aggie will be happy with that?” Tork’s tone was less frantic now, but his voice was now a growl.

Arlen’s knuckles were turning white as he fought off the urge to explode.

“It is not my job to tell Lady Agnes what to do.”

Tork said nothing, only studied the Servicer’s face at great length before deciding on the best approach to take with him.

“Do you really think you are serving Aggie well, by letting her make such a decision? It is our loved ones who hold us accountable to ourselves, Arlen.”

“I am not a love-”

“No you’re not, but you’re all she has.”

Tork turned away from Arlen, and gazed around his courtyard that had been transformed into a small mystical meadow. As pretty as it was, it made him uneasy, and so he turned to return to the house, only to find Ora was standing in the doorway, staring at the courtyard with tears streaming down her face.

“Ora!” Tork got to her in 3 strides, and wrapped her in a warm embrace. The large female began to sob into Tork's shoulder, as he held her tightly, whispering soothing words to her.

Arlen’s rage immediately faded, as he watched how upset Ora was at the sight before her.

Arlen found himself asking even more silent questions regarding the Beast Awares, when Reggie joined the dramatic scene.

“Oyy, is anyone going to drag back the wanted fugitive from wandering around outside?”

Arlen was the first to move when he realized what Reggie meant.

His heart skipped a beat as he fled across the courtyard, down the tunnel, and threw open the iron gate to the side street. He took off at a sprint towards the sunny main road where the front of Tork’s house faced, and immediately began searching the crowds that rolled by him for a particular Lady, whom was already beyond his eyesight.