He did not know how long he had been there.

Saif ul Malook looked up with weary eyes and caught something of an oil lamp flicker in his view. He blinked twice, wondering if this object was even worth the strain, then forced his heavy head to return to its senses. It was only then that he realized that Sur and Faaki'r had returned from their little exploit.

"Fancy, is it not?" Sur spoke, holding it out to the Prince.

"What is it?" Saif managed to ask as he looked at the demon.

"A token of remembrance," Sur sang. His voice was oddly comforting for someone oblivious. "We procured it from our little excursion into Koh-e-Kaaf. The Giants will surely be vexed should they learn of it."

"If they learn of it," Faaki'r spoke up, snatching the lamp from Sur. "I doubt a little lamp will be of any concern. But I suppose it would be if they learned that someone from beyond the mountains had stolen from them. An utter disgrace for the mighty!"

"This is strange," Saif ul Malook sighed, shaking his head. "You tell me not to steal and then indulge in the very same mischief. How is this acceptable to you?"

"Simple," Faaki'r replied, grinning. "Sur and I are Horned Demons, just like the Giants of Koh-e-Kaaf. Now, I make no claims that we are as powerful as the White Horned Giants, but I do believe we deserve some recognition for it."

"You're their kin?" The Prince asked, mildly intrigued.

Sur collected the oil lamp from his brother before floating closer to Saif ul Malook, allowing him to take the little trinket for a better look.

"We are in a manner of speaking," Sur explained, watching the prince trace the carvings on the lamp. "However, we are lesser demons. At least we were declared so when our ancestors asked for a place in Koh-e-Kaaf. The White Horned Giants do not like to associate with us."

"I suppose we are alike in our rejection from the people of Koh-e-Kaaf," Saif sighed, placing the lamp at his side.

Sur glanced at Faaki'r with concern. Hovering down, the older demon seated himself opposite his human companion before motioning for his brother to take the place beside him.

"You mustn't give this thought to a Faerie," Faaki'r said, placing a hand on the prince's shoulder. "I told you. They belong to the Horned Giants. And to them, they always return."

"By will or by force?" Saif ul Malook asked, his eyes scared.

"I would say by will," Sur nodded, rubbing the ends of his horn. "If there is any truth in their dances, I'd say they are wholeheartedly devoted to them."

"Indeed," Faaki'r agreed. "A Faerie speaks of her heart with the dance of her wings. And theirs was most magnificent."

"There is something I find peculiar though," Sur suddenly chirped. "The High Faerie did not make an appearance."

The mention of his beloved Pari restored Saif ul Malook to the moment and he began to listen.

"Yes, most peculiar," Faaki'r continued, stroking a lock of his hair. "It is very unlike the High Faerie to not dance when Deo Safed summons a court. I believe I saw some red in that pale face of his."

"It was a command," Saif sighed, looking away. "He is a fortunate man that she returns to him no matter the cost."

"She is supposed to," Sur chuckled. "She is betrothed to him after all."

The sound of that word widened his eyes. In an instant, Saif grabbed the demon by his arms and shook him furiously.

"Betrothed!" he shrieked. "Do you mean she is meant to marry that Giant?"

"Release him."

Faaiki'r did not even sound like he was warning. His voice was absent of any rage, but it was obvious that he expected to be obeyed.

"I cannot believe it," Saif breathed, his hands quivering on Sur. "I refuse to believe! She said nothing of such an arrangement!"

Sur gently removed the Prince's hand from himself. Despite the impulsive act, he could not find it in himself to fault the prince. He understood the pain that came with heartbreak.

"Wait," he asked, hesitantly. "You mean to say that you know the High Faerie?"

"Please deny it," Faaki'r begged. For the first time, Saif saw fear in that demon. "Please say that you did not try to court the lady of Deo Safed!"

"It is Badri Jamala," Saif confessed to the crime. "She is the Faerie I am in love with."

"Lord save me!" Faaki'r groaned, dissolving into the shadows. "There is no greater fool than you in the world! Do you hear me, Saif ul Malook?"

"All humans are fools in love," Sur sighed, shaking his head. "It is the most powerful sentiment their hearts can conjure."

"I would rather he not bear it," Faaki'r returned, his fists clenched tight. "Deo Safed will have us all killed before he allows Badri Jamala to even see a human!"

"That has passed," Saif ul Malook stated, his own fury rising. "Not only Badri Jamala has seen humans, she has danced for them!"

"Ridiculous!" Faaki'r threw his arms in complete rejection. "She couldn't have done something so sinful!"

"I saw with my own eyes!" Saif ul Malook screamed. Blood was pounding in his ears.

"I assure you, She cannot! A Faerie is incapaciated by her own internal prowess if she does not harbor love for the witnessing eye!"

His heart gave a painful beat as realization dawned on him. Badri Jamala did love him. However may she deny it, she had fallen for the Prince.

A soft sigh escaped him and Saif ul Malook looked out at the moon. He could no longer hear Faaki'r and Sur raging over the state of his plight nor could he hear the sounds of his own aching heartbeat. He could only hear the last words the High Faerie had given him, where she had admitted to having kissed him of her own free will.

Then the image of Deo Safed burned the beautiful memory.

"Faaki'r," Saif asked, fear ringing in his calling. "What would happen to Badri jamala should Deo Safed learn that she was with a human?"

"If she is wise," Faaki'r said, "she will not admit to having gone to see one."

Saif ul Malook could personally attest to the fact that Badri Jamala was not the wisest with lies. The court incident sufficed for evidence.

"But Whatever will she do to hide it?" Sur asked, blinking up at his brother. "Faeries do not have the luxury of claiming a sickness. He will know that she left Koh-e-Kaaf without his consent."

"That is her trouble to bear," Faaki'r dismissed with a shrug. "If she is brave enough to venture against his wishes, she should have the spine to lie to him."

"Is that not more dangerous?" Sur persisted. "Should he learn that she lied, it will end horribly for the High Faerie!"

Faaki'r glanced furiously at his younger brother. Then, sighing heavily, he shadowed closer to the prince and threw an arm around him.

"I caused this," Saif mumbled with guilt. "I forced her to come with me. If only I had released her from my word. If only I had not insisted. Badri Jamala is in danger because of me."

"Do not be so concerned," Faaki'r said, struggling to surface some semblance of comfort. "She is the High Faerie. I am sure she will be able to reason with Deo Safed."

Saif ul Malook could simply not accept that as truth. His heart was heavy and his mind a storm. Call it the will of the stars, but he could feel something was wrong.

"Faaki'r," Saif said, grabbing the demon's hand. "You have to take me to see Badri Jamala."

"He should not," Sur whispered. This was the first time Sur had stood against Saif ul Malook. "Deo Safed will kill you if he finds you in Koh-e-Kaaf."

"Not Koh-e-kaaf," Saif answered, shaking his head. "I know where she will be should something go wrong. Can you take me there?"

Sur and Faaki'r exchanged worried looks, which did nothing to dissuade the young prince from abandoning this quest. He had made his choice.

"I suppose if it is not Koh-e-Kaaf," Sur said, "we could take you there."

"I will regret this," Faaki'r sighed, slapping a palm to his face. "I feel it in my shadows. We are about to take on more than we bargained for."

"It was too late for me anyway," Saif chuckled, grateful that the demons had agreed. "I am forever indebted to you."

"I am forever indebted to you," Sur mocked with his song, then gave a hearty chuckle. "If only you could hear yourself! You forget that we chose to be your companions. Nothing between us is a trade!"

"I still would not mind the meat of the Eastern Buffalo," Faaki'r hummed. "Adequate compensation, if tastes agree."

"I am disappointed as your brother."

Saif ul Malook walked to stand between the two of them. As they both placed their hands on his shoulder, he closed his eyes and summoned the vision of the cave. The cave of their fateful encounter.

The sound of the running rapids announced their arrival. Saif ul Malook opened his eyes and looked about, relieved to have been greeted by the familiar sight of the narrow trail and the cascade in the light of the moon. It was a short walk from here to the hidden chasm that he had intended to visit.

"Shall we come with?" Sur asked as he leaned over the prince's shoulder.

"Not necessary," he replied with a smile.

The place had come to be as sacred to him as it was to Badri Jamala. For her sake, he prayed that Deo Safed had not learnt of her sin, and that she was comfortably resting in her chambers in Koh-e-Kaaf. However, a foreboding sense of dread kept him from leaving without having made sure. He slowly treaded up the narrow trail and arrived at the opening, which he managed to find by feeling up the sides of the walls. Then, with a deep breath, he made his way inside.

It was a while before his eyes adjusted to the dark. Then, in the scare light of the moon, he found the High Faerie floating in the bathing pool.

"Pari!"

Without another thought, he threw himself into the water. His arms stroked wildly as he swam out to her and gathered her into his trembling arms before carrying her back to the surface.

"Pari," he called, lying her down. "Pari, speak to me!"

He cupped her cheek and turned her to face him. Her granite eyes were closed and skin cold to the touch. As he felt his way down the sides of her arms, he sensed her violent shivering and hastened to undo his cloak. He slipped a hand over her shoulder and raised her up, gently wrapping her into the warmth of the cloth. Then, holding her close, he caressed her colourless cheek.

"Pari," he cried, shaking her. "Who did this to you?"

Her lips parted and she mumbled something before her head fell against his shoulder.

"Pari!" he cried her name. "Pari, please open your eyes!"

His pleas went unanswered. She laid perfectly still in her arms, as if lost to a peaceful slumber, and he called her name over and over in growing desperation.

"I will take you home," he whispered to her, stroking her hair. "I will take you where you will be safe!"

He picked her up, albeit with a little difficulty given her drenched state and heavy wings. He quickly brought her outside to where his demon companions had been waiting.

"Lord, it really is her!" Sur gasped, his eyes widened.

"And she is weak!" Faaki'r remarked. "I can barely sense any prowess in her!"

The two hurried to join Saif ul Malook, who appeared pale with his fear for the faerie in arms. No words needed to be exchanged for the two demons to understand what needed to be done.

Once they had returned to his chambers in the palace, Saif ul Malook carried the High Faerie to his bed and gently laid her down before removing the cloak to replace it with the covers. He sat down beside her and took her hand into his, pressing it against his forehead, until the familiar colours of her sleeve drew his eye to her robes.

"You are wearing the marriage colour," he sobbed, kissing her fingers.

"Will she live?" Sur asked what the prince had been too afraid to.

"She might," Faaki'r sighed. "There is no doubt that she was attacked by a more powerful demon."

"Deo Safed," Saif spoke, his voice dangerously soft. "He is no different than a mindless beast for what he has done to Badri Jamala!"

"It serves us naught to speak of him," Faaki'r advised. "What we must do is tend to the High Faerie."

"How do we wake her up?" Saif ul Malook turned to the demons. "Tell me there is something that will bring her back to me!"

"Demons cannot be cured by human means," Sur replied, shaking his head. "Look at her. There is not a mark on her body, and yet, she is as cold as death."

"What are you trying to say?" Saif cried, looking at the sleeping faerie. "Do you expect me to sit idle while my faerie suffers in pain?"

"She is weak from within," Sur explained. "Her internal prowess has been exhausted from her. There is nothing any of us can do but wait and pray that her strengths recover."

Saif ul Malook gazed longingly at his beloved Pari. He reached to brush a stray lock out of her eyes and stroked above her brow, his hands trembling to feel her cold against his warmth.

The night was going to be long.