Julian yawned, stretching his arms.

He recoiled looking at the sleeping form not quite hidden by the thick, white quilt.

He swallowed back the onset of vomit, leaving a burning sensation in his throat and a rotten flavor in his mouth.

He rolled out of the bed, trying to stay quiet. He was not in the mood for another round and he definitely was not in the mood to be fake happy to see the Queen.

He scooped up his clothes from the floor and shoved them to the bottom of his bag. Three days in one outfit was disgusting, even for his tastes.

The floor creaked under his weight and he froze when he heard the Queen rustle in the bed.

Please don't wake up, Julian thought, his palms growing sweaty.

Luckily, she continued to sleep, so Julian would be free to take a shower.

He had showered whenever he got the opportunity. Julian found himself showering several times a day, somehow unable to get himself clean enough, for his own tastes.

The hot water stung the lash marks on his back and Julian could hardly stop himself from crying out.

His inner thighs were coated in blisters that he took care not to pop.

She loved her torch, but she loved her blades even more.

His upper arms covered in lacerations could attest to that.

The Queen was a sadist. And he was her pawn.

As he worked the soap into his washcloth, he thought of Lili.

His eyes burned in response. Julian hated the Queen, but he hated himself more. He didn't save her and Chrissilande got her. He deserved all the pain he got.

He didn't know how many days had passed since their time on the moors of Faerieland, but he knew that every minute he spent with the Seelie Queen, was another minute Lili was going through, quite possibly, hell with Chrissilande.

Julian's skin burned from the angst-ridden scrubbing he had been doing for several minutes.

His skin was raw and flushed pink, but he could still feel the grime that clung to his skin.

It was as if he couldn't shake the feeling of being perpetually filthy and Julian could not understand why.

He sighed and cut the water.

The Queen would be awake any moment and she did not like to be kept waiting.

Julian dressed in a fresh outfit, but even that did not help him feel better.

The fabric stung his back, but he ignored the flare up of pain as he hobbled himself over to the sink and repeated his new ritual of scrubbing his teeth until his gums bled. Then, he moved the brush to his tongue.

Julian felt a cloud of dreaminess fill his mind and he would've groaned, if he were able.

He rinsed the sink quickly and threw his toothbrush on top the counter.

He opened the bathroom door, smiling brightly at the Queen wrapped in the silk sheets from the bed.

He dropped to his knee and kissed each of her toes, tenderly.

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

She giggled, somewhat breathily,"A good morning indeed, pet."

Julian's face stretched into a smile, for the Queen was absolutely radiant.

He pulled off the sheet and started from her feet up to her lips, leaving a trail of kisses.

The Queen stood up, suddenly, with a carefree smile on her face,"As much fun as I have with you, pet, I have court duties to attend to. You are free to explore the court or stay in- whichever you wish."

Julian stammered and in the back of his mind, he cursed himself,"Your Majesty, am I free to leave the court? I know I am still in your debt, and I will return, of course, but I have Guardian matters to attend to."

The Seelie Queen frowned,"When I return to this room, I will send you home. But only because you have been such a faithful little pet. We will talk further about this."

Julian smiled, obliviously,"Of course, Your Majesty. Your wish is my honor."

The Queen laughed and exited the door. Julian watched her link arms with her gentlemen escorts.

After a moment, the cloud lifted and Julian was alone, wallowing in self hatred.

He sighed.

Julian slung his bag against the wall, frustrated and slammed the bathroom door shut behind him.

Julian peeled off his clothes and turned on the steaming hot water in the shower.

Once again, the hot water caught his injuries making him wince in pain.

He had to remind himself that he deserved it for failing Lili.

He scrubbed his body until it was stinging and his scalp until it burned. He felt the onset of an obsession but there was nothing he could do to stop the feeling of grime on his body and his need to get clean.

He dried his body off with a soft towel.

Toothpaste on the toothbrush and he scrubbed until he spat red.

Julian examined his injuries in the mirror. The burns had blistered, but they were healing, so Julian wasn't concerned. The lacerations on his forearms were wide, and tinged red.

Julian cursed as felt his warm forehead.

Infection.

Julian reached in the cabinet and pulled out the first aid kit the Seelie Queen had left for him. She liked causing him pain, but she didn't want him to die from his injuries, either.

He doused his arms in alcohol and patched the deeper ones with butterfly stitches, hoping that it would be enough.

Julian felt his back, but knew there was nothing he could do for the bleeding welts. The whip she used was made out of demon metal.

It would never heal, completely.

Julian sighed, as he dressed himself carefully. By tomorrow, he should be off searching for Lili.

He would save her or he would die trying and that was a fact.

Julian walked out the bathroom and sighed. He didn't know what to do.

Drinking was out, he had to stay sober if he wanted to save Lili. Sleeping was out, he didn't want the Queen to take advantage of his vulnerability.

Maybe he would walk around the court. Even if he left today, he knew that he would be back.

Julian pulled on his shoes and left the room that would surely haunt his nightmares.

The corridor was busy and Julian felt like everyone was staring at him but when he glanced around, no one was looking his way.

Julian cursed as he caught his reflection in the glass walls. He should have worn a scarf or something to cover up the lip shaped bruises that covered nearly every inch of the skin on his throat.

Julian increased his pace, he could feel his breath quicken and he felt like he was going to suffocate.

Julian ran smack into a boy right next to the exit.

"I'm sorry," Julian mumbled.

The boy looked at him, curiously,"I know you."

Julian looked up, sharply. The boy didn't look familiar to him.

He would remember meeting him.

The boy's hair was black, but the tips of each curl was purple. Hair like that was too memorable to forget.

Julian realized he was staring and cursed himself in his head. Fey weren't particular but he most definitely was.

The boy laughed,"You wouldn't of seen me. My name is Obsidian Kingson, I'm a prince of the Unseelie Court."

Julian's eyes narrowed,"What are you doing here, then."

"I could ask you the same question," Obsidian replied.

"You can't tell? I'm the Queen's plaything," Julian said, not bothering to hide what the rest of the court already knew.

"Titania has many pets. You look exactly like her type."

Julian scoffed,"So, what are you doing in the Seelie Court?"

He did not think being the Seelie Queen's type was a compliment.

Obsidian laughed,"I am actually just leaving. I was here on buisness."

"Buisness? Since when does the Seelie Queen tolerate Unseelies in her court?" Julian asked, defiantly.

Obsidian grinned, wickedly,"Who said she knows?"

Julian grinned back,"Oh, she knows. The Queen knows all that happens in her court."

Obsidian looked at Julian, curiously,"I disguised my tell, there's know way for her to know."

"Yeah, good luck. I have a feeling you are going to need it."

Julian felt sorry for the boy, but there was no way he was going to leave the Court alive, unless the Queen allowed it.

"Help me," Obsidian said calmly.

His dark eyes were focused and his face appeared emotionless, but Julian could read his body language.

Obsidian was terrified.

Julian bit his lip,"Why? You are a Unseelie prince and I serve my Queen."

Julian could feel the fog stretching into his mind and cursed silently.

Obsidian met his eyes, cooly,"I will owe you a favor,"

Julian smiled,"Follow my lead,"

The Seelie Queen walked up, fully dressed with her corset and her crown, glowering,"Pet, what are you doing with this fugitive?"

Julian pretended horror,"Fugitive? I called in a favor from him a couple years ago, telling him to meet me in the Seelie Court. I thought he would be a nice addition to our games, Your Highness."

The Seelie Queen peered at him curiously,"Why did you come knowing I do not allow Unseelies in my court?"

Obsidian sighed,"I sincerely apologize, Your Highness. A true faerie honors their deals, no matter the consequences."

The Queen nodded,"My pet can be a little oblivious, but he means well. You may take your leave. Do not return."

Obsidian nodded,"Of course, Your Highness."

He bowed his head slightly as the Queen planted a kiss on Julian's forehead.

She kept walking, her guards following quickly behind. When she disappeared down the corridor, Julian whispered to Obsidian,"I thought fey couldn't lie."

"I did not lie. I am truly sorry that I got caught and a true faerie does indeed keep his word."

Julian smirked,"That was neat. You better go, before she comes back. Remember you owe me."

Obsidian paused,"Why don't you come with me? I can fix the portal for you."

Julian smiled, softly,"I wish I could."

Obsidian nodded, slightly,"I knew Guardians were supposed to be brave, but until this moment, I didn't realize how brave."

Julian laughed, humorlessly,"How so?"

"You are a brave bastard for taking the Queen to bed. I've heard she is far from kind and by the looks of you, the rumors are true."

"I am indebted to her; I have no choice."

Obsidian raised an eyebrow,"You always have a choice, Julian Ancelotti.  What would she do if you didn't do it?"

Julian's voice dropped into whisper,"She would kill someone I care about."

Obsidian smiled, faintly,"See? That's bravery. She wouldn't harm you. You could let someone die. That's what I would do."

Julian scoffed,"No, you wouldn't."

Obsidian smiled,"Yes the hell I would."

Julian laughed and shook his hand,"Until next time, Lord Prince."

"Until next time, Julian Ancelotti."

Obsidian's voice echoed as he left the crowded corridor and faded from Julian's view.

Julian sighed and walked back to the Queen's outer bedroom.

He nodded to the guards walking through the entryway.

Even they pitied him.

Each one of them held eye contact and nodded slightly. There were no words.

A feeling of cloudiness burst into his mind and he rejoiced in the feeling fir once. The Queen was in.

Julian slung his backpack across his back.

Julian saw a Guardian ring in her outstretched palm. He didn't even care that she obtained it illegally. He needed it and she provided it.

"Come back soon, pet?"

Julian met her lips with unprecedented lust and passion.

"Of course, Your Majesty," he mumbled against her throat.

The Queen pulled away with a wide grin,"Maybe next time you will actually enjoy yourself."

Julian smiled, very much not himself,"I always have fun with you, Your Majesty."

She smiled half-heartedly.

Julian plucked the ring from her delicate palm and slipped it on his finger.

Finally, he thought as he twisted the stone, he was off to save Lili.