Bodin held Randy effortlessly. Despite his struggles. He lifted his head and gave Ena a single nod.

She pushed open the shutters and made a long bird-like wail out the window.

Shrubs and tree trunks came to life as creatures formed from those shapes and stood in a more human-like form. Clutching bows and daggers as they crept furtively forward.

Walking before them, was the regal form of their leader.

The Fey King led them to Charters House. He launched himself up the lattices climbing the sides of the House. The other fey leapt from trim to trim behind him. Jumping nearly a story at a time to keep pace with their King who was climbing the lattice at a run.

Randall's eyeline had followed Bodin and Ena's gazes to watch the window. His head tipped over the foot of the bed to see what was coming.

The Fey King caught the top of the windowsill and tossed his body in feet forward. Hitting the floor within the chamber without a sound.

Not missing a beat, he walked to the bed and moved as one with Bodin. Bodin's hand slid away, and the Fey King's grip snatched Randall's shirt collar. Hauling him up off the bed, to dangle a foot off the floor.

"What are you doing?" Randy shrieked. His feet kicking helplessly "Put me down."

The Fey King scoffed. Aiming for the window, without a word to his prey. Dragging Randy out the window despite Lord Demetrius' cloying grip trying to catch at anything with an edge.

His strength was no match to that of the Fey King who unceremoniously dropped him to the cluster of fey waiting on an outer balcony just below the window.

They caught him and tossed him airborn.

He was caught at ground level by another layer of fey. One of which stuck a rough bit of cloth in Randall's mouth so deeply, he wondered if he'd choke. Another wrapped a vicious wire around his wrists behind his back. They stuck a bag over his head and another over his feet to keep him from kicking. Lifting him up and heading back for the enclosure of the forest.

Set on taking him back to the Fey King's castle.

***

The Fey King faced his son. "He won't be seen again. But others will come for your maid. If she has the dowery you suggested and as fine of mind and face as she is, others will want her for wife. And now she knows far too much about us. You need to conduct the appropriate ceremonies to make her your bride. Whether human or fey ones, is your choice. But she must be made one of us or you'll force my hand."

The Fey King's tone was hard enough to indicate to Bodin that he was not being given a choice.

"I've always wanted to marry her, Father. I fully intend such." He frowned slightly. "One way or another."

The Fey King's brows lifted. "What do you mean, 'one way or another'?"

"I don't think she'll happily skip off into the sunset with me."

"Then bring her to my castle and seduce her." The Fey King shrugged.

Bodin frowned. "That doesn't work on every woman, Father."

"Did on your mother." He pointed out.

Bodin frowned.

"Fair." The Fey King acknowledged his poor wording. "I'm off. Stop by and see us soon. Your mother misses you."

He returned to the window and stuck out a leg to leave but Bodin's groan stopped him.

Bodin rolled his eyes. "She's smothering."

"She's no such thing. She's perfect in nearly every way." The Fey King said wistfully before becoming more serious. "Besides, she's your mother. She's supposed to be."

Bodin sighed. "I'll be about once I've secured my mate."

"Good. Luck." The Fey King enunciated with a laugh. "Remember, My Boy, the harder they are to acquire the more worth it they will be."

Bodin snorted. "If that were true Dear Belle would be made of solid gold."

The Fey King frowned. "I don't understand."

Bodin reminded himself that the fey saw no worth to the pretty metal. "Never mind, Father." He dismissed. "Tell her I love her and will be by to see her soon."

The Fey King grinned and nodded. Dropping out the window. Though it looked like he'd surely fall and break his neck, Bodin knew very well he'd somehow manage to land precisely on his feet.

He always did.

***

"She's a good girl, that one!" The Fey King called up from the ground.

Bodin stuck his head out to harrumph. Rubbing his forehead as he considered precisely what he was going to tell Belle.

He met the knowing smile of Ena, his personal guard.

"You can go, Ena. I'm fine for tonight."

She lowered her head in deference. "As you wish, My Prince. If you've need of me further, I'll be at the edge of the gardens."

"You always are." He drawled.

They exchanged a fond smile. Very much like siblings, since she'd been charged as his bodyguard since he was a child and she barely more, they had great familiarity. Obvious in their fond glances.

She aimed for the door.

"Goodnight, Ena." He whispered.

"Good luck with your woman, My Prince."

He nodded. "I'm afraid I'm going to need much more than that."

***

Bodin was out the chamber door soon after Ena.

He slowed as he neared a chamber a few doors closer to the stairwell. Hesitating by the door a moment, before deciding to go elsewhere first.

Stalling.

Taking a long breath, he veered to the stairs and went down to the bottom level. Rounding into the doorway of the kitchen where he found the individual he sought. Sleeping atop her forearms which rested on the table.

So tired she'd fallen asleep still sitting.

He walked over and put a palm along the side of her hair.

She awoke, blinking blearily. "Is it done?"

"'Tis." Bodin affirmed.

"Is he gone?"

"He is."

"You were right to come to me, Ginny."

It was true she'd gone to the housekeeper first about Lord Demetrius' plan to hurt Belle, but when the housekeeper had brought her to Bodin so urgently, Ginny had confessed everything.

Tears poured over her face as he continued.

"You've committed many crimes. I can forgive you the parts that are mine to forgive. But I can't promise you Belle can do the same."

"She won't." Ginny said knowingly. Lifting her head wanly. "She shouldn't."

"She may consider it more greatly if you tell her what you told me."

"What he-he d-did?"

Bodin nodded. Understanding how hard it was for her to confess that she'd murdered the old Lord Demetrius and betrayed her lady for the love of a man that was using her as a tool of his plots.

Bodin was curious about one thing though. "What gave you the foresight to lead him to my chamber rather than hers?"

"I could've told him I misspoke when he arrived. It was a failsafe, if I'd backed out."

"I'm glad you did."

"Even the blind can occasionally see a flicker of light in the darkness."