The dungeons of Castle Whitespire were surprisingly clean and well kept, with windows lining the corridor to illuminate each cell. Plumes of ivy crept up the ancient stone walls and wove themselves around the bars. Lilly followed behind Penny, craning her neck to see past his broad shoulders and down the row of cells. The moment she spotted his hunched form within the furthest cell, she abandoned all decorum and sprinted to meet him. Lilly gripped the cold metal bars so tight her knuckles went white, and to her shock and dismay, Alex didn't move towards her with the same desperation that she had expected. Instead, he sat against the far wall with his elbows resting limply across his knees. The slump of his spine and forlorn expression were uncharacteristic on his usually sweet and cheerful face.

"Lex?" He refused to meet her gaze. His eyes fixated on the cold stone floor in shame.

"He hasn't spoken much since we told him." Ava sighed, her eyes drooped with exhaustion. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days. "He's been missing time. There are blank spots in his memory. I looked into his mind, but from the looks of it, The Beast isn't controlling him anymore. He insisted on the cell. He's in a bad way, Lilly. I don't know how to help him."

"We'll figure this out, I promise." Ava swallowed forcefully, her eyes misting as Lilly squeezed her hand. It was a bizarre sight, Ava with such sorrow and helplessness in her eyes. The fire and strength had dimmed to mere embers within her. "Why don't you go clean up and get some sleep? I'll stay with him." Ava looked between Lilly and Alex hesitantly but nodded in resignation. Then it was just Alex and Lilly. Penny remained at the end of the hall, close enough to jump in if needed, but far enough to give them privacy.

"Alex," Lilly's eyes softened upon his slumped figure. "Talk to me, please. Everyone's so worried."

"How can you still look at me like that?" Alex's voice was a hoarse shell of what it once was.

"Like what?" her forehead crinkled in confusion.

"Like, I'm not a monster." He whispered, eyes still glued to the floor.

"You aren't a monster, Alex." His gaze snapped up in an instant, eyes flashing dangerously.

"I murdered your mother! For fucks sake, Lilly. You should hate me! You should want me dead, too. Lord knows I do!" Magic lashed out from him, disappearing into electric blue waves as the cell neutralized his power. Lilly flinched but stood her ground. His heart was aching, and she wouldn't back down when he needed her most.

"Alex, listen to me when I say that this was not your fault. You didn't do this. Martin Chatwin did." Each syllable was edged with fervency.

"Her blood is on my hands." His voice caught, and tears slipped down his cheeks.

"That's bullshit, and you know it." This time, her voice was sharp as a knife. Lilly stared into the deep brown of his eyes, now tainted with sorrow. "You didn't do any of that. You are not responsible for his actions. You are still my best friend. I still love you just as much as I did before." She held out a hand to him, like one might do to a frightened dog. "Come here." He hesitated, looking between her hand and face. But to her surprise, he stood, and tentatively crossed the distance to the edge of his cell. His sneakers squeezed as he halted before her and looked down again.

"I don't -- I don't know how to go on knowing what he made me do." Alex stared at his hands as if he could see the blood that had stained them. Lilly sank down and rested her shoulder against the door.

"You won't be doing it alone. I'm here, Ava, Dani, Margo, and Elliot. You have a family." Alex sat beside her, so their shoulders touched. "We'll make it through this together." Although she meant it to comfort Alex, Lilly found the words reassuring to her raw nerves. Reaching her hand through the bars, Lilly grabbed his and rested their intertwined fingers on Alex's lap. They sat together for a long while, enjoying each other's silent company. It would be a difficult journey back from the darkness that had latched itself onto Alex's heart. But Lilly had faith that together, they would make it back to the light.

"Lilly!" The familiar flash of magenta was the only warning she got before Dani threw herself atop her.

"Jesus, Dan," Lilly groaned. Dani pulled back with the biggest smile she'd ever seen across her face.

"We were so worried!"

"It's true," Alex managed to muster a small, tired smile as he looked upon his two best friends for the first time in weeks. "She wouldn't shut up about it."

"Oh, screw you," Dani narrowed her eyes teasingly at him. "You were just as upset about it." As she pulled back from their embrace, Lilly could see the telltale glimmer of tears in Dani's eyes. Dani rocked back on her heels, her hair falling over her shoulders in a wild mane of curls. "I guess you're all caught up then." The corners of her lips turned up, but it was a sad attempt at a smile.

"We're gonna figure it out," Lilly set her jaw with determination. Dani and Alex shared a look of apprehension through the bars of his cell. "Alice is still god-powered, and if we kill the beast, there's zero chance of him controlling you again."

"I want to believe that's true," Alex shook his head and squeezed Lilly's hand lightly. "But even if you destroy him, I don't know how to come back from this. I'm not the same person I was." He ran a hand down his face and swallowed hard. "Ava, I don't know what to say to her." Ava's drained and heartbroken face flashed through Lilly's mind, and she frowned.

"Ava loves you. If I know one thing about her, it's that she doesn't shy away from a challenge. She can handle whatever it is, whatever you need to do to heal." Alex nodded thoughtfully and reached through the bars to grasp both of their hands in his.

"I love you guys."

"We love you, too." Dani leaned her side against the cool metal, so she faced Lilly and Alex on their respective sides of the bars.

"I think we all deserve a long vacation when this is over." Lilly giggled, and Alex smiled appreciatively. Turning her head, Lilly glanced down the hallway where Penny leaned against the vine-covered wall, arms crossed, with a content smile upon his lips. If they could make it through this, perhaps, she'd get a chance at happiness.

The three friends remained clustered around the front of Alex's cell, and no matter how hard they tried, Alex still insisted that his incarceration was a necessary precaution. Lilly considered using her power as the best friend of the High King to throw him out herself, but she would respect his wishes.

Ava returned a while later, and a spark of something like pleasant surprise lit her eyes. It was then that the women decided it would be best to give them a moment alone and left to assist the battle preparations. As soon as Margo saw her enter the throne room, she swept her off into the maze of hallways.

"I asked the servants to throw together a room for you." Margo strode down the arched stone halls as if she'd lived there all her life. She'd already managed to find a gown befitting her Queenly status, and the gold embroidered train cascaded along behind her. "Only the finest, of course. You may not be a queen, but you're basically a princess by default."

Lilly grinned at the magnificence of Queen Margo, who wore the crown atop her head with grace and command. There was no one more befitting of the title. Hiking up her skirts, Margo guided her up a set of spiral stairs, lined with windows left ajar to allow a soft breeze to wind its way up and down the many stories of the castle. They ended up on a balcony of sorts, open to the balmy Fillorian night. Massive sets of hand-carved double doors lined one side, while the other looked out upon the distant Copper mountains to the south. The two moons were high in the sky, illuminating the magical landscape of their new world.

"These are the ambassador's quarters," Margo announced, flourishing an arm to encompass the entirety of the open hall. "For visiting dignitaries and other boring fucktards of the like. Except for you, of course." She ended with a mischievous smile and a wink and turned to shove open the final door. Lilly rolled her eyes and didn't bother replying. "This is your room." Lilly's eyes widened as she took in the rooms that were now hers. Carved stone pillars lined the room, winding up to form a cathedral ceiling. The far-right wall was lined by four magnificent archways, leading out onto a private balcony. A massive four-poster bed at the center of the room was draped with colorful fabrics. The scent of lavender and apple blossom permeated the air, and Lilly instantly relaxed into the new environment.

"I had the maids draw a bath for you, so I'll leave you to it. Get some rest." Lilly just managed to call out a thank you before Margo swept out into the hallway and disappeared. With a contented sigh, Lilly strolled over to the bed and threw herself carelessly upon it. The silk sheets were soft upon her skin, her hair falling in tendrils of gold about her head.

"Seems like someone's making themself at home." A teasing voice called from the doorway. Lilly didn't bother lifting her head, just turned it to the side to glare blindly at Penny. His deep laughter echoed through the room as he stepped inside and shut the double doors.

"Fillory really knows how to entertain." Lilly decided, running her fingers along the collection of throw pillows beside her.

"I can't tell whether I should be offended that my room is a quarter of this size and a glorified broom closet." Penny leaned against the bottom post of her bed, and Lilly turned her head to look up at him.

"Knowing Margo and Elliot, I'm sure you should be." Her lips quirked in amusement at the truth of it. Penny's eyes softened as he watched her until his eyes became a pool of emotion.

"I'm really glad you're here." He said, brows furrowing slightly. Lilly reached out a hand and brushed her fingers along his.

"Me too." Her heart clenched at the memory of her time alone. She'd thought he was dead, and the pain had been unbearable.

"And now that I'm in this royal suite, I'm going to take a bath and finally get some rest." She announced, reaching her arms up and waving both hands as a sign for him to pull her up. Penny chuckled and shook his head but gripped her hands and hauled her up to standing.

"I'll leave you to it then." He nodded, turning to head towards the door.

"Or, you could join me?" Lilly fiddled with the edge of her top nervously. He stopped in his tracks and turned back to face her.

"Are you sure?" He stared, trying to gauge her reaction. She nodded shyly. Penny hesitated, his heart pounding so hard that it was difficult to draw breath. But his legs chose him, and he reached her in four strides. Her cheeks warmed, and a faint hint of pink bloomed across them as she gazed up into his golden-brown eyes. Pushing herself up on her toes, Lilly pressed her lips against his in a feather-light kiss.

(warning: minor smut)

She laced her fingers with his and pulled him gently towards the archway leading to the washroom. Candlelight flickered as they entered, shadows dancing across the walls and illuminating the massive clawfoot tub filled with steaming milky water. Lavender and bergamot wafted towards them, and Lilly suspected that Margo had instructed only the finest oils be used to draw her bath.

She slowed beside the basin, turning to glance at Penny, whose mood had sobered and intensified. Lilly took a steadying breath, her nerves buzzing with anticipation. Her leathers were long since removed for care, leaving her in a soft cotton tunic and breathable dark brown trousers.

One pale hand lifted to brush along her collarbone and hook the edge of her top. Penny's eyes followed every movement with burning intensity as she pulled the fabric down to expose her bare shoulders. Goosebumps formed wherever his gaze traveled as if phantom fingers ran along every inch of her body.

"Do you want this?" She whispered, her voice coming out much more delicate than she anticipated. The light flickered across his face, painting it in warmth and reflecting deep within his eyes.

"Absolutely." Penny reached out a hand to cup her face. His skin was warm and soft, so gentle and caring. Never had someone touched her or looked at her the way he did at that moment, and as his lips met hers once more, it was as if a tidal wave crashed upon them. His lips trailed down her body, nipping at the delicate skin of her neck in a way that made her gasp for more. Soon she was grasping at the fabric of his shirt, pulling and twisting until it was cast aside. Lilly's whole body burned, her heart ached for more of him, and she was getting what she wanted.

His fingers grazed her hips as he wrenched her shirt over her head, leaving her torso bare. Cool air caressed her skin, laced with the steam of the bath that twisted around them. His mouth dropped lower, kissing down her chest, her breasts, her stomach. Lilly grabbed his chin and pulled his face back to hers. Their lips melted together in perfect harmony. Her hands fumbled for the button of his jeans, but warm hands enveloped hers, pulling them back.

Lilly was about to ask what was wrong when his hand slipped past the waist of her pants. Her lips parted in a silent gasp as her knees buckled and his body pressed into hers, guiding her to the edge of the tub. Her back arched against the arm wrapped around her, her breasts pressing against his chest. His fingers swirled and kneaded, evoking soft whimpers and answering squirms. His lips captured hers as heat spread through her core, and she came undone in his arms. Her head fell forward, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Penny pressed his lips to her forehead as his fingers slowed their pace, and she gradually regained her senses. His hand remained, and Lilly placed a tantalizing kiss on his neck.

Pulling her arms between them, the pads of her fingers traced teasing patterns down his chest until she reached his between her legs. She pulled at the fabric of her pants, dragging them down until she could easily step out and cast them aside. Her body was utterly bare before him, and while his gaze clouded with lust, there was something else, something much softer. His heart was in her hands, and hers in his. Lilly placed one leg in the milky bath water, pulling herself over the edge. Penny watched as she sank slowly into the water, her eyes locked on his.

"Care to join me?" She smirked, laying back against the edge, so the entirety of her was on display. Penny let out a deep sigh and shook his head in disbelief. Then accepted her offer entirely.