Night was retreating now, though darkness and speckled lights still ruled the skies. Bertrand leaned into a fire cupped in his hands, his mouth illuminated by the bluish light. Whispering quiet words that spiraled from his mouth as white vapor, he thrust the dancing flame into the air. A hiss and a flourish swivel, and the curl of fire speared upward growing redder, until coalescing with the blazing dragon that flew in a continuous loop around the fairgrounds. It watched from overhead, casting a red glow on the gleaming mist surrounding the circus. From below, Kia padded in the opposite direction, his mane glinting like a halo under the fire.

Just as with Ellie and Jin's departure, the small circus troupe came together a distance from the crystals to bid good luck to their departing horsemen and Ringmaster, though Finvarra had yet to appear. Murmurs blanketed the crowd in one steady hum of dread, and worry found a home in Leanna's heart.

Though sunlight approached, the lingering darkness was heavy with unknowns. The dew that once soothed Leanna now smothered her, and she wiped a hand over her face struggling for a breath. Finding that she stood in the darkness, she stepped aside into a small ray of light coming from a nearby tent. It was a small act, but until the sun rose, dispelling the dew and the terrifying mysteries beyond the crystals, that small light offered some comfort.

"I wish they would hurry on and go, instead of throwing it in all of our faces," Kioyo muttered under his breath from beside her. "I could have found Inara by now, in all the time they've wasted parading around basking in everyone's sudden adoration. And where is the Ringmaster?" Kioyo toured his gaze along the crowd. He scoffed. "Probably deciding which coat looks best to woo the Constable's daughter."

The words were irksome, but Leanna smiled sympathetically, reigning in her discomfort. She looped her arm around Kioyo's. With her free hand, she smoothed his arm in quiet strokes akin to the passing breeze that popped the tent flaps behind them in quiet rustles. Feeling the crisp roughness of Kioyo's wool coat under her fingers was another comfort. In all the darkness, she was not alone.

"If it helps any, remember that I am supposed to be magnificent, and for that, I need you. Therefore," Leanna straightened, and held her chin high. Forcing a feigned firmness to her voice, she said, "As this faerie goddess I am supposed to be, I forbid you go. You must stay here with me and teach me, or else..." Leanna bit her lip in thought. She'd never threatened anyone before, real or pretend. She hummed. This was harder than she thought. She waved her hand airily. "Well, I've yet to think of punishments and such, but you can't go. There, it's handled." She patted his arm, putting an end to the issue.

Kioyo cast her a sideways glance. Though he said nothing, a small smile trounced his frown, mirroring Leanna's. He brought his hand on top of hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Besides, look at Krinard," Leanna said, fixating on the centaur who arranged various vials into a muddy colored saddlebag. "He hardly seems happy about going. None of them do."

"I may risk my neck for disagreeing with the magnificent, royal, faerie goddess," Kioyo said mockingly, "but sadly, you are mistaken, Your Highness. That sour expression you see there is Krinard's everyday look—it's actually not so bad today."

A giggle burst from Leanna's mouth and she turned her face into Kioyo's shoulder to stifle it. Kioyo's frame hobbled a bit with laughter, and in such glumness, his sound and scent dispelled the darkness a little.

Leanna lifted her head. Looking back to Krinard, she watched him slide a long blade into a leather scabbard slowly, his cold gaze trained on her. He then looked to her hand comforting Kioyo, at Kioyo's hand above hers, and his lips pursed. When he finally looked away, so did Leanna. In turning her eyes away from Krinard, however, she met the stares of fellow performers eying her with doubt... blame... judgment. It prickled her skin with discomfort.

"And the Constable doesn't have a daughter. He has a niece, Elizabeth Rutherford, and she lives nowhere near here," Leanna said, adding sound to the uncomfortable void. "I'm afraid Finvarra will be disappointed..."

Leanna's words trailed off as the assembled crowd parted. First came rhythmic, hollowed thuds upon the dew-drenched turf. Within moments, Finvarra strode from their midst, leading a black stallion by the bridle. His silver sprigged waistcoat beneath red overcoat and black breeches was regal. He held his chin in a belonging highness; his top hat could have very well been a crown. Everyone looked to him as if it was. It was here Leanna realized Kioyo was right. Had the Constable a daughter, Finvarra was utterly fit to steal her heart. But looking the way he did, Leanna was sure he needn't steal anyone's heart. No, not when she was swallowing to keep hers within her chest and from falling into his hands.

Quickly gazing down at her own garments, at her muddied slippers and wrinkled muslin, Leanna made a face half wishing she would have gone to see Minerva. And heavens, her hair. She attempted to run a hand through the tangled tresses, but to no avail. It was as disheveled as the rest of her. Mid-stroke, she paused. Why on earth did she care what she looked like anyway? Nonsense, Leanna chastised herself. She shouldn't care what he thought. Still, lifting her hood over the unkempt hair, she stared at Finvarra as he made his way toward Krinard.

From the shadow of her hood, she admired the snow white skin that on any other would look sickly—as it did on her. But Finvarra simply looked as if fashioned out of snow, or better yet, birthed by the moon, so light and ethereal, he could vanish into thin air... as he'd often done. No, he wasn't a normal human—if human at all, Leanna mused. But what on earth was he? Had she not touched him, and he her, she would have thought him a figment of dreams.

Finvarra caught her stare in the distance, blue eyes still marred by disappointment. Locked in each other's gazes, neither said a word, neither one a gesture. His gaze dipped then to her hand covered by Kioyo's, and for the briefest moment, he paused. A moment Leanna couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Part of her urged her to take back her hand... the hand he had kissed.

Her other half, paralyzed under his expressionless scrutiny, didn't know what to do. Indecision made a fire of her face, and she only stared him, unaware of how the narrow fractures on the bare ground iced over with rains that had never fallen. The minute over, Finvarra lithely mounted the fine black stallion—as kingly and intimidating as his master—and, with a firm nod, signaled their departure without saying goodbye.

Wind shuffled through the trees in quiet wails, and in the spaces between the gusts, Leanna heard it... the taps and rasps of her dreams. Leanna looked up to the trees visible in the distance, towering over the mist. She stared into the dark hollows and shadows. Was Machina in there... somewhere? Would the trees tell her of Finvarra's departure? Of Inara's disappearance?

Trembling now, Leanna held fast to the words Jin told her when he gifted her his luminous black feather. No fear, Leanna reminded herself. Fear would do her no good. Surely what she heard was just the sound of the trees, of the leaves... illusions of her anxiety. She couldn't let her mind run away with itself.

Yet, when the departing men turned to the whiteness beyond the stakes, an ominous shiver trailed down Leanna's spine. She burrowed deeper into Kioyo's coat, her shudder of dread lagged by one of guilt. So much was at risk of being lost, much sooner than they foresaw, so soon after much of it had been gained...

And it was all her fault.

Trapped in this coffin of silence, each hollow hoof beat nailed this blame deeper, drawing Finvarra closer to the crystals and away from her. Perhaps for the night. Perhaps, forever.

Tap, tap. Leanna's heart pounded.

Tap, tap. She unwound her hand from Kioyo's arm.

Tap, tap. A breeze moaned, and fear propelled her feet forward. The mist curled toward Finvarra, and the name burst from Leanna's mouth before she'd realized it. "Finvarra!"

Finvarra trot to a sharp stop, but did not turn. Noting Finvarra's delay, from paces behind, Krinard held up a staying fist to his horsemen. He turned eyes of black coal on Leanna. Ignoring his stare and subsequent mutterings from the crowd, Leanna jogged the distance toward Finvarra, stopping a foot beside the black horse.

"Before you go," she panted, the cold nipping her lungs with every heave. While she took a moment to catch her breath, muffled thuds clapped as Finvarra turned round, stern blue eyes first, followed by the slow turn of his body and horse. Leanna was grateful for this slight movement, as the horse and its rider now blocked her from the gathered troupe behind him.

"Have you come to bid me a slow and painful death?" His voice was dark, grim and cold... much like the first day she'd met him.

Leanna's mouth gaped. "Never! I would not wish that upon anyone, especially not someone... someone who has shown me kindness and—"

"Kindness?" A chuckle rumbled in his chest, as if offended at her politeness. "Tell me, Miss Weston, was this kindness found in my threatening to eat your heart, or feed you to a lion?" His stare grew frigid, and the temperatures dipped enough to be felt. A challenge, Leanna gathered. He dared her to find an instance of kindness.

Leanna moistened her quavering lips against the bitter chill. "It was found the moment you gave me a choice at freedom—freedom from the slow and painful death of an unwanted marriage."

Finvarra glanced at her, but shrouded by the shadows of his top hat, Leanna could not read the expression in those eyes. A long silence followed, Leanna and Finvarra staring at one another.

Remembering she'd run to him and their lack of time, Leanna found her thoughts. She hauled in a shaking breath in hopes to keep her voice from trembling and used it to push out her words quickly. "The Constable is a proud and stubborn man, a-and very frugal. He isn't very fond of strangers in his town, and sadly, has only heard ill of you, which will not help your cause."

Finvarra slid off his hat, the left of his mouth twisted upward in an emotionless grin. "And this is supposed to frighten me into taking you with me?"

"Of course not. I just think you should know that though the Constable rules the town, his wife rules him. It is her you must appeal to. I know you would do anything to prove a point and to get your way, but," Leanna paused, holding this gaze of moonlight. "But in this case, the woman in question isn't one of your many conquests. She is the constable's wife, and kissing her perhaps isn't the wisest way at getting what you want... sir."

Surprise came into Finvarra's eyes quickly, but before it had a chance to settle, Leanna spoke. "She fancies gifts. My Papa would always bring her chocolates from the confectioners shop on Chester and Lane, the ones with coffee filling. The coffee is imported from Pale Clearing, and it is quite costly—more than she could force out of her husband. But they're delicious, and well, perhaps it will encourage her to help sway the Constable's hand."

Finvarra didn't speak. He only looked down at her, a war in his eyes of surprise and wonder, as if she were some puzzle he'd trouble solving. The intensity of it weighed down on Leanna's chest, but her stare didn't falter—not willingly at least.

"Fionnbharr, light approaches. We must go." Quiet hoof beats tore at her attention as Krinard trod forward behind Finvarra, speaking to him as if Leanna didn't exist. "I will ride out first and check the grounds, then signal you all when it's safe."

Finvarra looked fleetingly to the horizon, and nodded. Krinard's black gaze lingered on Leanna for an added moment before he trampled off, black strands whipping the air around him. With each gallop, Krinard gained speed and vanished past the crystals with a hiss. Leanna sucked in a quiet breath at the sound. However much he hated her, seeing him disappear into that unknown left her feeling a little hollow, and guiltier.

The fog curled, swallowing the impression left upon it by Krinard's departure. Soon it was as if he never existed, had never left the safety of the crystals. Leanna lowered her sights away, wishing to pretend it never happened either. They fixed on the stallion's pale eyes—blue, but not ice. She lifted a hand toward him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Finvarra said, tightening his hand around the reins. He looked back to her. "Cróga doesn't like to be touched."

Meeting Finvarra's gaze, Leanna offered her palm slowly to the horse. A moment, and it rested his nuzzle in her hand. Feeling the warmth tickling her fingers, Leanna neared it and gently stroked its mane in delicate caresses. It was a lovely horse, a dark beauty like its master. And it didn't deny her. Starved for affection, Cróga nestled against her fingers, whiffling contently at her tender strokes.

Something in Finvarra's eyes softened at the quiet affection being exchanged—only for an instant before freezing over once more. He cleared his throat. "Is there more or is my traitorous horse free to leave?" he said tightly.

Fear churned in Leanna's stomach. She gulped. Don't go. It's dangerous—

"Yes," she lied hastily. "That is all."

Finvarra slid his gaze to her hand stroking Cróga's mane. "Are you sure? Your hands, they tremble."

"Yes, well," Leanna paused, fisting her fingers gently on the midnight tresses. "It's dangerous out there, and I'm scared for Inara, and..." scared for you.

Faltering, Leanna shook her head and whispered endearments to the stallion to keep from looking up to its rider, who would undoubtedly see the whole truth in her eyes. Oh, he'd know in an instant she was frightened for him, that any harm would befall him. Her mind tried to deny it, but regardless of the previous night, her heart felt what it felt and she was helpless against it. Foolish, foolish heart, she cursed it, You're nothing but a fool...

Leanna's breathing hitched quietly at the feel of Finvarra's cool fingers upon her chin. He encouraged her head upward, slow and devastatingly gentle as his fingers splayed and cupped her cheek. Leanna looked to him, stunned. Stunned at his actions, yes, but more. She knew this sensation—had felt it before, somewhere... far away.

It was the same feeling after her nightmares, the cool tingling of a ghostly breeze that drew her back to the safety of reality and away from the bloody terrors of her dreams, away from the horrid taps and rasps, away from the pain that inflicted her heart. Whenever she'd open her eyes from the nightmares, the comforting sensation would too vanish, and she'd feel so overwhelmingly alone. But she felt it here... and it didn't disappear.

Finvarra looked at her, too, as if suddenly finding himself and what he'd just done. His hand did not waver, however. Neither did Leanna.

There was a unicorn to find, there was an enemy somewhere beyond the mist, and there had been so many other girls, but in that instant, with their mirroring crystals between them, time stilled. Shielded from the world by the black stallion and the circus' timelessness, there was just Leanna and Finvarra, and a soughing breeze that carried what leaves remained on the skeletal branches between them in shades of red and gold, a curtain of death between their stares. There was just his hand at her face, a thumb grazing the delicate skin while he searched for the truth in her eyes, in her soul.

He gazed at her for several moments in the intimate shadow offered by coming day and fading night. "Is that all?" he murmured. That is not all, his eyes told her.

Against the feel of his hand, Leanna closed her eyes briefly before he could see just how much his touch stirred her, moved her. Curse this fear, she thought. It changed everything. It made her care for him and be angry at him all at once. More, it made her want him back before he'd even left. She wanted to run away from him while running to him, to push him away while holding onto him to keep him from going. But how could she ever tell him that? And why did she feel that way at all? Oh, curse it all!

The black core of Finvarra's eyes widened as Leanna parted her lips to speak.

She swallowed. I hate that I'm scared for you, I hate that I feel this way. "I'm... I..."

Squawking ravens streaked the pale gray sky in black, and a piercing neigh resounded. Behind Finvarra, the horsemen looked to one another with a firm nod, and Leanna's heart stilled. It was time.

Finvarra tensed at the sound, and his fingers stilled against her skin. "Miss Weston, whatever you need to say..." All coldness was gone from his voice, but an open, honest note remaining. Just as she'd encouraged him to say whatever he needed to Krinard, he now offered her the same—to tell him the truth that she was truly worried for him. Sadly, regardless of what she felt, Leanna reminded herself that he didn't care about her feelings, only those of his Leanan Sidhe.

"That was all," Leanna said hastily, firmly, before he asked her again. "That was all I had to say... nothing more."

Leanna stepped back, letting Cróga's midnight mane trickle through her fingers, and her face fade from Finvarra's hand. The loss of his hand against her face felt foreign and longing filled her instantly. The world righted itself around them, and the spell now shattered, a wistful emptiness seized her stomach. Clutching the crystal necklace to hide the trembling of her hands, she took another step back, and another. "You should go."

Finvarra lowered his lashes, tension marking the side of his mouth. His brows dipped, troubled, but before Leanna could see more, he put on his top hat. Lifting a hand to the brim—a wordless goodbye—he paused. The leather of the harnesses crunched as he wound the reins tighter, and with no more words, he trot away.

Just outside of the mist, the remaining horsemen waited, and behind them, their Ringmaster joined. The silence then was painful. Not a leaf fell. Leanna's pulse pounded wildly in her ears as if to counter the terrifying void.

One by one, the three horsemen rode out. Finvarra was last to enter the mist. Slowly his outline faded to a shadow in the silvery white. A sudden terror gripped Leanna, thrusting pain into her heart and pulsing the words from her mouth. "I'm scared for you..." she whispered, a secret between her and the air.

The tempo of Finvarra's retreat stopped. He turned, and though she could not see him clearly, she felt those eyes of devastating blue find her at once. Frozen, he watched her, his cloak billowing black waves in the mist.

She looked at him, too—at the whiteness behind him, at the grayish blackness above, and worry strummed. Her hand tightened around the crystal.

"Be careful," her mind, heart, and voice whispered together in a shaking exhale, finally in agreement.

Finvarra's shoulders rose slightly with an inhale, as if devouring her words on the wind. A timeless moment later, they lowered. And with it, the winds shifted. A cool draft hushed through skeletal branches, curling the shimmering fingers of fog toward the circus, toward Leanna.

She closed her eyes as the sigh of the mist and song of the breeze reached her—a cool, tentative caress that stirred her hair and skimmed her skin in phantom ruffles scented of vanilla. It brushed within her lungs and twined around her heart coolly, coercing the pain away. With each cycle around her—within her, the tightness in her chest eased until the normal timbre of life beat within her.

The breeze retreated slowly, dying. But in its last traces of life, it brushed away from the back of her hand as an icy kiss. Leanna gasped at the sensation. Her eyes snapped open, and gazing down, her heart stilled.

Frozen onto her hand was an intricate web of frost in the form of a feather. Though smaller than the one Jin gave her, the message was the same: No fear.

Closing her other hand around the frosted feather, Leanna brought them to her heart. As it melted and cold droplets seeped through her fingers, she lifted her eyes.

Finvarra was gone.

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Thank you so much for reading! Please vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter :)

Song for the chapter: Pan's Labyrinth Soundtrack Official Original Inedit