The chambers of her room in the Dark Court seemed cold and lifeless to her as she returned to them. Tri-colored eyes flickered with the haunted reminder of the last time she had been here. It was not so long ago but such had meant the destruction and 'death? of the Darkness thatshe was terrified over. One would believe that she would be thrilled to have overcome her fear, but for the "Flame within Darkness" as the Queen called her"there was only the thick weight of guilt and terror.

Her glamour had faded to leave her true presence exposed. It was there within the dark confines of her room illuminated only by the faint flicker of candlelight that she blazed in her true glory. Firebrand hair gleamed and shimmered as the richest mane of hair the color of blood rubies, tri-colored eyes of peridot, evergreen, and emerald shone as multi-faceted jewels. Intoxicating that smolder of heat was that licked and curled around her pupil as a kiss of sunlight"a forbidden flame. Pale flesh seemed painted in honey and gold, her spirit and power leaving her with that hidden glow that would only quicken and blaze to life upon the awakening of a perfect match.

Rummington closed her eyes before reaching out to touch the outfit that had been laid out for her. The crimson silk of the fabric could only mean that she was meant to pay a visit to the Queen of Air and Darkness. The little flame was herself terrified of the queen, but her fierce anger and stubborn temper overruled that fear. Unrobing to set the comfort of breeches with the thin form-fitting silk, she left her hair loose as she knew such would please her Queen. The dress was backless to leave the fairy winged tattoo that fluttered and moved at her back to blaze into its awakening" a prism of sunlight and fire hues: blood, garnet, ruby, citrine and gold touched.

Worry touched her eyes as she added the faintest touch of gloss to her lips and stepped out of her chambers to head towards the very corridor of the Queen's chambers" but the Raven's directed her to the throne room. Her fingers curled into fists and she hissed inwardly. Teeth clenched she raised her head proudly and stood before the Queen.

"So, it has come to my attention that our little Flame within the Darkness has been disobeying my direct orders. You know he is mine" and yet you disobey."

Brows arched as that poise burned her to the very core of courtly manners.

"Whom might you speak of, my Queen?"

"You very well know. I intend him for my chambers and if he proves favorable" as my Raven. I suggest you advise me of Quaid's location."

"Forgive me my Queen, but it is not my place to say. I only know the Sithean are alive and playful."

The blow struck before that defiant flicker could even come forth in Rummy's eyes. A hiss of breath and she regained her balance. Standing tall as her chin rose in that rare outleash of defiance.

"Little Flame of the Shadows" I know your intentions well" and well enough of how to contain and control you. Remember. I have done so before. I know that you have consorted with him in my court long before he disappeared" and I seek only your obedience and his return."

The corner of her eyes twitched as she nearly flinched at the Queen's reminder of where she once had been. She did not wish to be back in the dungeon where the Prince and his consorts gave a new meaning to torture. Swallowing thickly her voice came as an ember of a whisper.

"He is not my consort, nor has he ever been."

Tri-colored eyes hid the near agony for that sinking realization of the Queen's intentions for the Fae of her court that Rummington had found so recently. Freed by the Sithean by some assumed prank she could only wonder of the other reason he could have arrived at the new land she had come to occupy. She only recalled him from the fragmented shards of her memory as being one of the UnSeelie court, however she felt that self sworn obligation to keep him from the Queen and her ill intentions. A shake of head as she locked eyes with the Queen, her voice lifted to speak out clearly.

"I am sorry my Queen but I can not assist you with finding your Dark Storm."

Rummington cared nothing for the pet name the Queen may have given Quaid" she knew nothing of his hand of power, only knew that he reminded her of storms and the wild. Howling winds and Roaring Thunder, she closed her eyes as fingers curled into fists at her side. She was mute to the Queen's next words but she knew well enough the weight of them. She was strong enough not to scream when they threw her into the dungeon room with the one known only as the Executioner.

Minutes felt like Days" Hours felt like Months" the torture continued till her back was a beaten bloodied mess. A breaking of her spirit was what the Queen intended but the Flame's loyalty was elsewhere. Still she knew that any additional defiance could risk both of their lives. Tri-colored eyes of a Summer forest held back the tears threatening to spill, the tremble of chin the only reveal that the Queen was successful again in her intentions. A confession offered, as close to a lie as Rummington could offer. A hope that such could save them both for the Path the Queen had planned for them.

"He is lost, my Queen"all but a fleeting glimpse"and then gone."

A shaky whisper and her head bowed. She cared not to see the triumphant smile of her Queen nor wished to hear the orders to seek the one with a voice like a wild storm unleashed. Deep in her heart she could only fear that she had betrayed and defied her own spirit as much as his own?

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The Flame within Shadows was deep within thought. That afternoon she sat upon the porch of the manor house. She considered it Quaid's home but there was that tug to heart strings. Their home.

Fingertips ran along her face, sighing as that glamour was dropped to offer the Flame in all her glory. The firebrand hair became flame twisting in strangs of blood and ruby hue. A glistening and gleaming mane of fire and beauty to cascade and lick at her honey gold flesh....those tri-colored eyes of peridot, evergreen, and emerald shimmering into a melting pot of the forest in the spring as the sun shone through it.

This all seemed so new to her. Granted, she had her share of lovers but never this....never with one of her own. A noble from the UnSeelie Court that the ring had spoken of. He was her intended. Her consort. The ring did not lie.

She was tempted to head back to the Court if only to steal that very ring, to place it on her finger and see what was intended by their joining. Surely it could not just be to disturb and infuriate the Queen. Based on the way he made her feel....that surely could not be the case.

Her glow had returned to her. As dim as candlelight within darkness but it had awakened with every kiss, every word of affection.

They were to make their life here and eventually it would seem....start a family. It was one of the many ways to keep them safe. A way to save him from the Queen's intention of making him one of the Ravens.

The mug of warmed cider was lifted to her lips as she sighed quietly. It was a strange thing not to wish to run....a stranger thing yet to feel like all the old wounds....all that sorrow and terror and uncertainty had all been washed away.

Like rain in the storm.

She had always believed that love was a slow gaining burn while lust was a wildfire. She had felt the burn of both....but this was so much different.

"Goddess, what is it you wish of us?"

She closed her eyes even as her senses drew in the sweet aroma of roses. Whatever the Flame within Shadows saw....it caused her to smile.

The lightest touch was brought to her visage. As she opened her eyes she saw the Goddess in her hooded cloak for to see her was to see the face of all women. Blindingly beautiful. Her eyes touched upon the Goddess before she bowed her head, her gaze finding the Consort there in the distance. Standing by the trees.

Her world was the Spring reborn....a sun rise that caused the sky to explode in fire, even as a delicate mist of the forest awakening from its slumber touched her skin. Her palms raised out to hold the gentle rain even as it slipped through her fingers.

"Even a Storm can be calmed and captured, my child..."

Rummington's eyes lifted back to the Goddess as she smiled softly. The Goddess rested palm upon the Flame's cheek, and even though she could not see it she believed that the Goddess smiled within the confines of her dark cloak. The Goddess motioned to her consort.

"You and the Dark Storm were what I intended to be. To bring upon the change. The Sithean answers to you now. To both of you....just as they will when the time comes. This was what I intended"

The hand of the Goddess dropped, touched briefly to Rummington's smooth abdomen. Brows furrowed as she looked in question to her Goddess.

"I don't understand..." Though she knew what the touch implied she had yet to come to decipher the hidden intent of her Goddess....and the reasoning for why the Sithean now would answer to her and the Dark Storm.

The Goddess smiled once to her and pointed to the far distance of the forest edge

"Queens and Kings are not always named by birthright....but sometimes by choice."

She only wanted to ask the Goddess for more guidance but her eyes were enraptured by that beautiful dance of lightning in the far distance. The quiet growl of thunder....the promise of Spring Rain.

She knew that their Winter would not be a harsh one.

"Thank you, Goddess....Consort."

Never wanting to forget the Consort of their Goddess....the one that sealed the perfect pairing. However her thanks went unanswered for when she looked away from the edge of the storm....they both were gone.

Nothing more save for the scent of the musk of the forest after the rain and the trace of rose kissed perfume in the air. She was not able to speak her thanks....but she knew they understood.

Even in the cold of winter, it was easy to tell the presence of the wild roses bushes growing around the manor. Waiting to bloom when the Spring did come...

It was enough....they had been given the blessing of the Goddess herself