Juno woke before the sun. It was more of a nap for her as she usually slept during the day and worked nights. Kelton had lost his grip on her arm which she retrieved gingerly, not wanting to wake him.

Juno wormed her way off the mattress without disturbing Kelton. There was a small sliver of dull light coming from under the door, flickering from sconced candles hanging in the hall. As quietly as she could, she unbarred the door and exited with one of the table candles. She used the flame in the hall to ignite it and returned, rebarring the door.

Kelton hadn't moved a muscle. Juno smiled to see his lips parted with a slow trail of drool leaking out. It was calming to see him so relaxed. She could feel a tension in him last night, something inside him that wanted to snap, yet he never allowed it too. Now, he was languid, and that made her happy. If he allowed it, she would have made him much happier. She pulled the insides out of an uneaten piece of hard bread from the night before. It sated her hunger and gave her something to do while she watched him sleep.

"Good morn," Juno said when Kelton finally stirred. His head jerked up and he wiped his mouth in a childish way which caused her to smile again.

"You been awake long?"

"Before the sun." Juno nodded. Kelton struggled to sit up and wiped the sleep from his eyes.

"Good morn," Kelton finally returned, adding that smile of his. The one Juno enjoyed. It was a mix of masculine charm and boyish exuberance. It was aimed at her and made the world feel lighter.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Same dream. Always the same. I think I'm getting used to it." Kelton let out a deep breath, his smile undiminished. Juno hated that Serenity was still on his mind. The woman was cruel, flashing her charms then ripping his heart out. She had no idea who she was torturing.

"I'll have some tea sent up," Juno said as she gathered her things. It was best she left before she said things she would regret. Tonight would be hers, Serenity was nothing but a dream.

"I have a favor to ask."

"Ah, I forgot about that. You know the answer will be yes." Juno added her smile, letting him know she wasn't Serenity. She would be here for him.

"You haven't heard it yet." Kelton patted the mattress next to him. His shyness was waning in Juno's presence. It pleased her to sit next to him at his command.

"I need your help for a ruse. I intend to leave tonight, and I wish to leave alone." Juno's heart broke. She steadied her eyes and nodded slowly, hoping her feelings weren't displayed. Kelton wouldn't know what to do with her if she showed them. "Gossamer will not look highly on the idea, so he can't know of it."

"It doesn't seem wise to leave alone," Juno said, proud her voice didn't crack.

"Wise or unwise, it is what I'll do. I love the old man, and I won't have him dying at my side. He's already given me my life, and I cherish that. You must tell him so. I watched him last night pouring his heart out to the crowd. This is where he belongs, and this is where the world needs him."

"What about you?" Juno could feel her eyes filling. She clenched her jaw to regain control.

"That end is foregone. I will not seek it, but it will find me nonetheless." Kelton paused, then smiled. "It's been known for a while and no longer frightens me. I will lead them on a merry chase to please the Hold Lord and then meet my end standing. My life for many is not a bad thing." Juno couldn't help herself. She wrapped her arms around him and began silently sobbing on his shoulder. He stiffened in her arms as she knew he would. But in this, she would be selfish.

"I will miss you too," Kelton whispered, then surprised Juno by returning the embrace. It was beautiful the way he held her like they were meant to be folded together. "I will need dried foods and a rope to descend the window." Juno squeezed her eyes as he ruined the moment with details.

"I can get that for you."

"You can't ask Naddi, she might tell Gossamer." Juno nodded, happy he hadn't released her. She rubbed his back, stroking the muscles she had studied when he was ill. It was easier to enjoy him when he was unconscious.

"I will get them from my house," Juno said. Kelton would leave before he understood her desires. If only the Wilted Rose wasn't marking her, the curse's true nature was painful.

"You'll need to spend the night here. No one can know I'm gone until morning."

"You paid for two nights. I am at your pleasure." Juno's words left her mouth before she could pull the emotion from them. Hatred for her plight laced in every word. Kelton pulled away and looked at her tear stained face.

"I...I never..." Kelton fumbled with his words. Juno's heart broke again. It wasn't her intention to hurt him.

"I dream again," Juno said, then she lost control of her eyes. They drained down her cheeks as she studied the confusion on Kelton's face. He did not waver from her, staunch in his misunderstanding. His hand caressed the tears from her face. A smile, an ugly one she thought, graced her face amid the pain.

"I have caused this," Kelton said softly. It was as much a question as a statement. Juno rose from the mattress and turned away to wipe her face.

"You have caused nothing," Juno said as she pulled herself together. "I have done it to myself. There is already too much the world asks of you. I will ask no more." She turned back and forced a smile on her face. "I will do as you ask."

"If it is too much..."

"It is not," Juno interrupted, waving away Kelton's concern. She hardened her heart, a skill the cursed learn early. "We will eat again before you leave?"

"Yes, of course." Kelton's face tilted as he examined her. His confusion still evident. "I'll wait for darkness, mayhap midnight when things quiet down."

"Our last meal then." Juno forced another smile and gathered her belongings. She almost took the flower she had placed on the table, the one that had been in her hair. She decided to leave it though it felt as if she was leaving a bit of herself. "I'll tell Naddi you're ready for some tea."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Juno said with conviction. Kelton stood as she unbarred the door. She left before he could say anymore. It was a necessary lie for him. And for her.

~~~~~

"And how is our boy?" Gossamer caught Juno as she headed down the hall. He was still rubbing his eyes as if he had just awoken. She would have preferred not to have the conversation.

"He is doing well." Juno kept moving toward the stairs. Gossamer followed.

"Is he well educated with females now?" Juno turned, forcing Gossamer to stop quickly lest he run into her.

"It is not for me to say, nor is it polite to ask."

"But, you're..."

"A cursed woman," Juno finished. "But still a woman." The words came with strength. It was Kelton's fault she was putting the Wilted Rose second to her gender. It was the way he looked at her that made it so. She stared Gossamer down.

"My apologies," Gossamer said with a small bow of his head. "It is my wish that he would know some joy. There's been so little of late."

"Then we share a common goal." Juno smiled. "I am to return tonight, so he was not unpleased."

"Well, that is good to know." Gossamer smiled back, friends again.

"I am to tell Naddi that he would like some tea. Perhaps you can share it with him."

"That is a fine idea," Gossamer said. Juno could see the growing pleasure in his eyes and knew he loved Kelton. She didn't relish being the one to explain Kelton's leaving tomorrow. They traveled downward together and ordered the tea. She left before it was ready.

~~~~~

"Mother!" Juno said when she entered Floren's room. Floren was slouched in a chair, which was uncharacteristic. The right side of her bottom lip was enlarged and crusted with dried blood. The cheekbone on the same side was blackened with a tint of green about it.

"It is nothing," Floren said, waving away Juno's concern. "Captain Devro was displeased." She shrugged and sat up straighter. "Or pleased depending on your view. He and his men are leaving tomorrow, so it matters little."

"It is not right."

"The curse and his coin give him the right," Floren spoke in her teacher's voice. The strong one that delivered facts that needed to be taken to heart. She signaled for Juno to take a chair. "Tell me of the boy."

"He leaves this night, once it is dark," Juno said as she took the offered chair. "He wishes me to stay the night as a ruse so Gossamer won't follow."

"There is sadness in your eyes."

"I am tired is all." Juno lied. Her pains seemed minor to Mother's injuries. "I do not like him leaving alone. Gossamer has guided him this far, should he not guide him farther?"

"It does seem strange, though the boy is anything but normal. Did he tell you why?"

"He wishes to die alone. Take no one else with him." The words caught in Juno's throat. Her eyes began to betray her.

"Tired you say?" Floren asked.

"Very," Juno said, once again gaining control over her emotions.

"He is certain of his death then?"

"He intends to lead the King's Own on a chase. And yes, he expects to be caught in time. He knows what will happen when he is."

"An odd bravery. Why would he wish to have them chasing him?"

"To save his witness and her family." Juno's eyes began to bleed tears. "He is doing it for one of us. He believes his life is worth less. How could he think such a thing?" Floren held her arms wide. Juno stalled for a moment, then moved to Floren's chair and collapsed into her embrace. Juno could no longer control her tears.

"You wish to go with him. Take care of him," Floren whispered. Juno nodded into her shoulder, fighting back sobs. "I know the dream. It is powerful." Juno expended her tears in Mother's arms. The curse had hit their lives hard. Juno wondered if she wouldn't have preferred getting beaten to letting Kelton leave. After the tears stopped, Juno broke away from Floren and returned to her chair.

"Tell me about why he thinks leading the King's Own about will save his witness?" Floren asked. Juno told Floren everything she knew about the Hold Lord. She added a better description of Joycelyn and her family. At the end, Juno talked of Kelton's desired supplies.

"I will have what he needs gathered," Floren said. "Are you strong enough to see him tonight?"

"I am not strong enough to stay away," Juno admitted.

"If he is the one," Floren pointed out, "then this Serenity may be the other." Juno pursed her lips and nodded. Floren sighed. "It is probably all for naught like times past. We tend to raise our dreams to truths well before they prove viable."

"He is Kuschel's Answer. I can feel it."

"He does not feel it," Floren reminded Juno. "Either way, we must let it take its course. You should not disparage this Serenity anymore."

"I did not..."

"You called her mean," Floren said, adding a knowing smile.

"She is," Juno admitted, looking at the ground.

"The boy trusts too easily, though in our case it is not misplaced. He will speak to anyone who is kind to him. Trust will be the death of him."

"I like his trust," Juno said.

"You like him trusting you." Floren emphasized the 'you.' Her smile softened the words.

"It ends tonight." Juno sighed. "I will have one more meal with him then let him go. Most likely, it will be the last I see of him."

"Most likely." Floren nodded. "Get some sleep. You must be fresh and smiling when you see him again. It would please me to have him leave happy."

"I wish the same. Thank you, Mother." Juno left knowing Floren was correct. Kelton needed as much happiness as she could deliver. Her feelings were secondary and of little importance. The curse had seen to that.

~~~~~

Juno took a deep breath before knocking on Kelton's door. She forced a smile on her face and put knuckle to wood. She heard the bar lifted off and then the door opened. Kelton's smile was framed by bright red hair, the curl in his lips honest and only for her. Juno no longer had to force her smile.

"Where do you find flowers this time of year?" Kelton asked. His eyes had gone to the side of Juno's head where a small purple flower was weaved into her hair.

"Mother grows them inside. She suns them midday by a fire." Kelton reached up and felt the petals, caressing Juno's hair in the process. It sent a shiver traveling down her neck.

"The color is good on you," Kelton said, then moved out of the way so Juno could enter. Two bowls, steaming with meated broth, and hard bread waited on the table.

"Naddi was early." Juno wondered if she sounded as disappointed as she felt. She desired more time, and a quick meal meant less. Juno placed a small bag of dried food that Floren had assembled down on the floor next to the table.

"She said it needed time to cool." Kelton's eyes panicked as Juno lifted a layer of her skirts. She laughed.

"I wrapped the rope about my waist. I didn't think you wanted anyone seeing it." Kelton chuckled and barred the door as Juno unwound the rope. He didn't look back until her skirts were reset. Still so easy to tease.

The talk at the table was light. Juno lingered over her food, delaying the end of the meal for as long as possible. Kelton fished into her memories, pulling out more of her childhood one story at a time. She didn't realize he was doing at first. It seemed to please him, so she continued. They were good memories, some she hadn't thought of in a long time.

"Where did you get that woven bracelet?" Juno asked, pointing at Kelton's wrist. She hadn't noticed it at first, mostly hidden by his sleave.

"A gift," Kelton replied as he fully exposed it to Juno. "Gossamer put in my pack when I fell ill. I had almost forgotten about it. I saw it when I gathered my gear."

"I've seen its like before." Juno took his hand and pulled it closer. "A traveler wore one like it with the same intricate knots."

"Do you like it?" Juno nodded as she pulled the bracelet about Kelton's wrist, noting that the complex pattern wove itself around without breaking. It was woven from a single thread. "You can have it if you like." Juno looked up into his smile.

"It was meant for you," Juno said, shaking her head.

"It reminds of a boy," Kelton admitted as looked at the bracelet. "A small babe that I was able to make smile over and over again." He laughed. "He peed on me, and still I held him. It was comforting in some way, him being so small and fragile."

"You let him pee on you?" Juno's smile grew at the thought.

"Soaked my pants through and through." Juno found it hilarious. It was as much how Kelton said it as the event itself. It was so him. She had trouble regaining her composure and had to look away so she could breathe normally again.

"Birthing is one of my favorite times," Juno said. "The mother tires quickly after and Floren has me care for the new one for a short time. They are precious before the world has a chance to do its damage." Juno thoughts intermixed with her days with Kelton. Taking care of him was much the same. When he finally woke from his fever, he was fragile and seemingly undamaged by the world.

"It is nice to hold them," Kelton agreed.

Naddi arrived with a bucket of warm water. She greeted Juno politely, collected the empty bowls, and reminded Kelton to bar the door. Kelton thanked her more than he should. Juno thought it was to make up for leaving without a goodbye. It reminded her how difficult it would be with Gossamer the next day.

"You wish me to wash you again?" Juno asked, her eyes traveling to the bucket Naddi left. She hoped his answer would be yes. She enjoyed caring for him.

"No," Kelton replied. With hesitancy, he added, "I wish to wash your hair this night."

"What?" Juno thought she misheard him.

"It felt nice...last night," Kelton said, though his confidence was fading fast. "You said it was your favorite thing with your mother...I thought...I wanted to do something for you...Mayhap the wrong thing."

"You want to wash my hair?" Juno's eyes were becoming traitorous again. She was supposed to be all smiles and supportive. She was supposed to be taking care of him. Doesn't he know she's not worth such things?

"Yes." Kelton's concern was apparent. "Is it not to your liking? I don't have the purple flower..."

"No," Juno said, "I mean yes. It is to my liking and the flower matters not."

"You are crying."

"I am not," Juno lied, wiping her eyes. She smiled at Kelton. More dreams she shouldn't be dreaming.

~~~~~

Kelton's hands, cloaked in warm water, bathed Juno's head as she lay on the mattress. She closed her eyes and remembered the love her mother once imparted. Kelton had no idea what his fingers were doing to her. He was so careful in his task, repeating what she had done the night before.

"Am I doing it right?" Juno mumbled a sloppy yes, much like a moan. She opened her eyes to find him in intense concentration. Dipping his hand into the water and pulling more warmth across her scalp, then slowly massaging it in. It was pure luxury and she never wanted it to end.

"Your hair is soft," Kelton said as if he expected it to be otherwise. His fingers combed through the strands, lightly pulling it tight which was its own pleasure.

"You could be a healer," Juno whispered, closing her eyes once again. "You have the hands for it."

"If you were ill, it would be my joy to take care of you." Kelton sighed. "Alas, I would most likely be stuck with all the bald, ugly ones." Juno had trouble not laughing. She didn't want to disturb the washing in any way.

The washing lasted for a small part of eternity. The water was cool once Kelton had finished. He used cloth to blot her hair, removing the bulk of the moisture. Juno sat up and used her fingers to reset her strands as best she could.

"That was lovely," Juno said.

"I've never done lovely before." Kelton smiled with pride on his face. "I just knew I liked it, so I guessed you would too. Too bad the water gets cold." He moved the bucket by the door. "Do all girls, I mean women like that?"

"I would think so," Juno replied. Outside her smile held firm. The question hinted at her washing being a trial run. Practice for Serenity. She had never met the woman, and already her dislike was enormous. She didn't want to share Kelton's mind with his memories of her. Not on the last night. Floren's words kept Juno quiet on the subject. Kelton seemed to store her response away and moved on to other topics.

It was well dark when Kelton indicated it was time for him to leave. Juno tried not to show her disappointment. The sun had moved faster than ever before, the darkness coming too soon.

"Where will you go?"

"Away," Kelton said. There was sadness in his voice. "It's best if you don't know where. I'll move quickly as I can at first, then slow when I'm sure I not being followed."

"Gossamer?"

"I suspect he will try." Kelton looked at the ground. "I do love the man. It is why I must be alone when the running ends." His eyes were teary when they came back to Juno's. "You will tell him why I had to go and make sure he understands." She nodded.

"I don't want you to go," Juno admitted. She didn't want to say it. She told herself she wouldn't. It came out on its own anyway.