"And that was when Kindle found me passed out in the back room, wrapped up in fabric scraps and completely wasted," Faye exclaimed, laughing.

"So I take it mermaids have a low tolerance for alcohol?" I laughed too. I had spent the past half hour sitting in Faye's workshop with Faye and her friend Serpina, listening to Faye's story about her last birthday party.

"Well I didn't know that then I'd never even had alcohol before!" She was still laughing. After everything Carlyle showed me, I made me happy to see her this happy. "But I guess it makes sense, hm? As a mermaid, I lived a majority of my life underwater. Alcohol has a greater effect on me because I'm so used to water."

"It was kind of my fault anyway," Serpina admitted with a giggle, "I was the one who threw you the party."

"You always throw my parties," Faye said, elbowing the other mermaid.

Serpina was beautiful, like Faye was, but it appeared Serpina actually took care of her hair. She had a cluster of scales by her right eye, which was how I knew from the second I met her that she was a mermaid as well. Her hair was a shimmering blonde that fell smoothly and without tangles to her lower back. When compared to Faye's hair, the difference was comical. Serpina had deep, dark sapphire blue eyes, which made her seem much wiser and older than other girl's her age, which was sixteen. She was also taller than me, which threw me off a bit. Lydia was really messing with my height expectations.

"That's because I throw the best parties," Serpina stated proudly, though she still had a playful smile on her lips.

I hadn't known there were any mermaids in the castle other than Faye, but apparently Serpina was the only other one. They informed me that they weren't sisters, though they did act like they were.

"You'll be coming to her party next week, won't you, Maggie?" Serpina asked me.

I nodded. "I hope so, as long as Kindle lets me out of training in time for it."

Faye and Serpina both laughed at that.

"What?" I asked. Clearly, I was missing something.

"Of course Kindle will let you out in time, he's yet to miss one of Faye's birthdays himself!" Serpina giggled with a roll of her eyes, and then she leaned in as if she were sharing a secret and whispered, "He's got a weak spot for cake."

"A weak spot the size of the entire Shadow Realm!" Faye added, "If you can bake a good cake you'll have him bowing at your feet."

"Oh," I replied, looking down at the ground.

"Can you bake a good cake, Maggie?" Faye asked, scooting her chair closer to mine so she could nudge my shoulder.

"No," I replied, thinking of the time I tried to surprise Elle with a birthday cake. "The last time I baked a cake it ended up a pile of chocolate flavored sand."

Serpina and Faye exchanged glances.

"You know, I can teach you how to bake the best cake you'll ever have the good fortune of eating." Serpina offered with a sly smile, "If you really want Kindle bowing at your feet, that is."

I blushed at that and opened my mouth to defend myself, but before I could get out a word the door to Faye's room burst open with a sharp gust of wind.

"What the?" Serpina rose from her chair and peeked out into the hall. "There's nothing there. That was strange."

Just as she was about to close the door, Carlyle's voice spoke urgently in my ear. "Kindle's in trouble, big trouble! Follow me, tell Faye and Serpina it's important and bring them along too."

My eyes widened. Kindle was in trouble? I looked at the tiny clock on Faye's work bench. It was past midnight, so he must have been back at the castle. What could have happened? I didn't give myself any more time to think up possible scenarios. I jumped to my feet and ran for the door.

"Maggie, where are you going?" Faye called, also jumping up from her chair.

"Something's wrong with Kindle!" I shouted, bolting out the door.

I wasn't exactly sure where I was going, but Carlyle appeared in front of me and led me in the right direction.

Just as I turned the next corner, I saw the skirt of a dark red dress swish down a different hall. Lydia. Lydia did something to Kindle. In my mind, I saw the image of Carlyle right before he died, convulsing and gagging. If Lydia did that to Kindle, I swore I was going to burn the freaking queen.

"He's over here," Carlyle shouted. "Oh god, he's on the ground he might already be dead. Maggie, hurry!"

In a panic, I rounded the last corner, afraid what I might find. Luckily, Kindle wasn't gagging, but he was laying completely still... which might actually have been scarier. "Oh my god, Kindle!" I shouted, dropping to my knees in front of him. I reached out a shaking hand to touch him, but pulled it back. My heart was pounding way too hard, and as usual when I'm nervous, I began to ramble. "Kindle, are you dead? Say something! Well... if you're alive, say something! If you're dead just don't say anything because that would be kind of terrifying! Just... oh just don't be dead!" My voice cracked at the end and my eyes prickled with tears.

"hmnf," Kindle mumbled, and I heaved a sigh of relief. He wasn't dead at least, but he was probably weak and in pain.

I turned my head to see Faye and Serpina standing behind me with expressions of worry and confusion. "Faye, Serpina, help me lift him," I insisted.

They both nodded, moving to either side of him. Together, the three of us lifted him off the ground. He didn't make any more sounds, and I wondered if he'd gone unconscious.

"Where are we going to take him?" I asked, "He's been sleeping in a chair in the room I've been staying in for the past week. Could we take him to his room so that he can be in a bed for a change?"

Faye raised her eyebrows, and I think if the situation was different she would have laughed. "That is his room, Maggie. He just let you have his bed."

This was news to me. "Oh," I said, eyes widening. "Well, he can have the bed tonight then. I'll sleep in the chair," I decided.

"Okay, we'll take him back to the room then." Serpina said with a nod. I decided then that she was much more mature than most sixteen year olds. She was definitely more mature than me.

Carlyle floated along at my side, casting nervous glances at Kindle every few seconds. I couldn't talk to him then, because he still didn't want Faye knowing about him, so the best I could do was cast a reassuring smile in his direction.

I had improved walking in heels, I didn't stumble once the entire way. Or maybe it was the adrenalin keeping me stable. Either way, we made it to the room in record time. I pulled the blankets back as Faye and Serpina lowered Kindle onto the bed. I began pulling the blankets back up, but Faye stopped me.

"Don't cover him," She said, "He's extremely warm by nature, you might make him overheat."

I nodded, not quite understanding, but I released the blanket anyway. "Does that have something to do with his species?"

Faye nodded, but then said "Well, I assume so. I still have no idea what he is and he won't tell anyone."

I nodded silently, staring intently at Kindle.

"Would you like me to stay with you and watch him?" Faye asked, "I'm pretty good at taking care of sick people."

"I know," I replied quickly, but then I realized that was a mistake and added, "I mean, you just seem like the helping type. You're so thoughtful all the time." I smiled at her. "I think I'll be okay. He's just sleeping now, so there really isn't anything to be worried about. I'll come get you if something changes." I said.

"Okay," Faye relented. "I'll see you tomorrow? I'll have a new dress for you then."

"Sure thing," I agreed.

Faye checked Kindle's pulse— probably a habit from her time as a nurse— then patted my shoulder before walking from the room.

"Well, this has been exciting." Serpina said with a tiny smile, "It was a pleasure meeting you Maggie; I'll see you at Faye's party. Unless you want to meet earlier for cake baking lessons." She winked at me before turning on her heel and following Faye out into the hall.

With a sigh, I took the chair from the corner of the room and slid it right up alongside the bed. Kindle looked to be breathing normally, and his face looked calm, but something still seemed off. Tentatively, I reached out a hand for his, my fingers sliding along the sheets. Maybe taking his hand would provide a little comfort?

"He's an idiot," Carlyle remarked, appearing into sight by the far wall.

"How so?" I asked, dropping my hand to my lap.

"If he'd answered the witch a little smarter he wouldn't be in this situation!" Carlyle said with an exasperated sigh. "When she asked if he cared for you, he should have just said no. And when she asked to kiss him afterwards did he honestly believe anything but this would happen? If he were smart he would have made up an excuse." Carlyle grumbled.

I snapped my head up. "Say that again?"

"I said when Lydia asked to kiss him did he--"

"No no, the bit before that." I said, cutting him off.

Carlyle raised an eyebrow, "If Kindle said no when Lydia asked him if he cared for you?"

"He said yes?" I asked, completely taken aback.

"Generally that is the opposite of no," Carlyle said sarcastically. His eyes glittered with amusement.

I turned my eyes back down to where Kindle was sleeping. He told Lydia he cared for me? He cared for me? Does that mean I won't die?

"He does." Carlyle nodded.

"Are you sure you're not reading my mind?" I exclaimed, narrowing my eyes at the ghost.

"I told you," Carlyle chuckled, "I don't have to read your mind, I can read your face just as easily."

"Am I really that obvious?" I asked.

"Yep," Carlyle smiled, "For example, I can tell you're happy that he said that. And you care for him as well."

If I had access to a mirror, I was sure my face would be redder than the new dress Faye was making me. I looked away again, embarrassed. "Haven't you ever heard of Stockholm Syndrome?" This wouldn't be surprising considering the fact that I had spent every moment here with Kindle.

"No," Carlyle laughed, "Probably something only from your realm." He sighed then said, "It's getting late, Maggie. You should get some sleep."

"I'm fine, I have to stay awake to make sure Kindle's okay," I insisted. After all, he was the only thing standing between Lydia and I.

Carlyle rolled his eyes, "Oh please, you're tired. If you want to sleep in the bed, just push Kindle off to the side, I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"Goodnight, Carlyle." I said, glaring.

He laughed again before poofing into invisibility.

I had dosed off for maybe half an hour or so, when I heard Kindle wake up. Groggy, I opened my eyes. "Hey," I yawned.

"Ugh, I feel like I've just been hit by a train. Repeatedly." Kindle groaned, moving his arm up to cover his eyes. "My head is screaming."

"well, judging by what happened to Carlyle, you got of easy." I said, reaching my hand out to check his temperature. I couldn't reach his forehead, so I rested my hand against the skin of his arm. He was burning up. "Kindle, do you have a fever? You're on fire!"

"Get some water!" He shouted, jumping up suddenly. He looked himself over quickly, then looked at me with his strange black and gold eyes. "I'm not on fire."

I blinked, silent for a moment, then I burst out into a fit of giggles. "It's an expression! Why, is catching on fire a usual thing for you?"

I expected a sarcastic or joking response, but Kindle was completely serious. "Sometimes. Normally I can control it, but when I'm weak like this it's harder to keep contained." He sighed, falling back onto the pillow and covering his face with his arm again.

"So um..." I tried to think of a way to ask the question without sounding rude, "What are you?" Yeah, so much for that.

"Nope," Kindle shook his head, smiling from under his arm. "Sorry, not telling. Maybe someday, but not right now."

"Fine," I sighed, but by the end it had morphed into a yawn.

"Tired, Blondie?" Kindle asked, "What time is it anyway?"

I shrugged, my eyes heavy. "Somewhere around two in the morning."

"Well, we better get back to sleep. If you think I'm letting you skip training tomorrow, you've got another thing coming. You'll have to work double to make up for your day off today." He smirked.

"Jerk," I grumbled, sticking my tongue out at him.

Kindle shook his head dramatically, "You still haven't kicked that childish habit? How will you ever win the heart of a prince?"

"Just go to sleep." I said, rolling my eyes.

"Yes ma'am," Kindle chuckled. He slid to the far side of the bed, patting the large empty space he'd left. "C'mon, Blondie. Sleeping in the chair is no fun, I speak from experience."

I hesitated, not moving from the chair.

"It's still warm," Kindle said in a sing-song voice.

"You drive a hard bargain," I sighed, relenting. I climbed from the chair up onto the bed, rolling on my side to face away from Kindle, making sure to keep a sufficient amount of space between us.

"Goodnight, Blondie." Kindle said with a laugh.

"Goodnight," I replied, thankful he couldn't see my blush. It wasn't my fault; the last time I'd talked to a boy I was like twelve. Well, I was fourteen... but I was basically twelve. Besides, Kindle was the one who kidnapped me in the first place... oh god, what was I doing?