The morning came.

Badri Jamala shifted from discomfort in her position before finally opening her eyes. She blinked several times, trying to gather her thoughts to surface some vague memory of the night before, but came up with naught. She sighed deeply, shaking her head from the lingering pain until her gaze settled on a certain prince.

"Saif ul Malook?" she gasped.

He was at her side, his head resting against her hand he held in a loosened grip. A closer look confirmed that he was asleep.

"You brought me here?" she whispered.

Glimpses of the night in Koh-e-Kaaf burned in her mind and she cupped a hand to her mouth to keep herself from screaming. She remembered it all. She remembered the fury in Deo Safed's eyes as he grabbed her by the throat. She remembered him tearing at her robes while spewing curses sickening to the ear. Savagery became him when he unleashed his power, exhausting the faerie of her own, before leaving her to the mercy of the cold chambers.

"I have incurred a great debt," she spoke to the prince, running her fingers through his auburn hair.

At once, his eyes fluttered open and he sat up, gazing at her with relief and concern.

"Badri Jamala," he spoke softly. "You're awake! Thank the Lord! You're awake!"

"How did you know I would be there?" she asked with a small smile.

"Must have been the stars guiding me," he replied, sighing. "When I learnt that Deo Safed was your betrothed, I-"

"You know of that?"

"I do now."

She gave a heavy sigh and tore her gaze from him, expecting him to be furious over such a grave betrayal. So when he brought his fingers under her chin and brought her eyes back to his, she could not help but gasp at the gesture.

"I was worried about you," he told her. "I was so scared of what he might do to you if he learned that you were with a human. I am at fault for being stubborn."

He was not furious. Not even mildly irate. He actually blamed himself for what happened to her.

"It is not your fault," she assured him, taking his hand. "It was mine. Deo Safed was displeased that I had not made an appearance, so he visited my chambers late and demanded I dance for him."

"You could not," Saif whispered.

"Seems you have learned quite a few things since last night," she said with a soft chuckle.

"Seems you have recovered sufficiently if you are indulging humour."

The remark failed to bring a smile to her lips, and Saif watched with great concern as she wrapped her arms around herself and shrank under the covers.

"What did he do?" he asked, leaning away.

"What I expected of you," she sighed, rubbing down her arms. "He felt betrayed and raged out of control. I might as well have said I did not love him anymore."

"He hurt you?"

"Not quite. He simply exhausted me of all powers and left me to myself. I do not remember much after. Only that I heard you calling my name."

He tried to hide it, but she saw his eyes go dark with rage. She took his hand and brought it to her lips to keep his thoughts from fraying deeper.

"I do not know much of your demon ways," Saif said, "but I do know that one should honour and protect the woman they love. Not punish them."

"Matters are seldom what they seem," Badri Jamala replied, despite knowing the truth. "Let us not concern ourselves over these affairs."

He seemed frustrated at this dismissal but, to the Faerie's relief, decided to comply with her wishes. Then, as he leaned closer, a sharp knock at the door pried them apart.

"Do not leave this chamber," he warned Badri Jamala as he made his way to the doors. "I shall return to you as soon as I can."

"And should I need something?" she asked, blinking innocently.

"I will have Sur and Faaki'r fetch anything that you may desire," he replied, sighing. "As much as their antics concern me, I can at least entrust them with your care."

"Sur and Faaki'r?"

He was gone before she could ask anything further.

Sighing softly, she huddled back under the covers and rested her head in the pillow. She reached under and smoothed a hand over her crimson wings, feeling layer upon layers of velvet scales brush against her skin. It was a miracle that they had not been damaged in the Giant's rage.

The words of the Prince echoed unbidden. Groaning, Badri Jamala turned to her side and pressed a hand to her temples, trying to drown a voice her soul was aching for, and failed miserably as he confessed his love to her. Slowly, his voice dissolved into the one of the White Horned Giant as he demanded that she sing of her love to him while choking her of every breath. Her breathing grew heavy as fear clouded her mind and tears stained her cheeks, her body trembling dreadfully even in the warmth of the covers.

"Lady Jamala?"

She did not recognize the owner but knew almost instantly that he could be trusted. Slowly, she emerged from her covers to look at the two demons standing at the edge of her bed.

"You are unwell," Sur spoke first.

"I am recovering," she answered. "I apologize for having caused so much trouble to you all."

"You do not owe that to us," Faaki'r assured her. "It is the human prince who deserves your gratitude."

"As do you," she replied. "You assisted him in saving me."

"We simply aided a friend," Sur smiled at her.

She looked between the two of them and quickly discerned that they were brothers. The horns were far too similar for anything otherwise.

"I take it that you are Sur," she said, then turning to the younger demon, "and you must be Faaki'r."

"You got it wrong,"Sur sang, shaking his head. "Faaki'r singing will be the death of all life in the forest."

"If you do not succeed first," Faaki'r yipped, pulling his brother by the horn.

The High Faerie giggled at this rather peculiar display of affections between the brothers. Saif ul Malook was right. There was no doubt that the two were capable of great mischief.

"Be mindful," Sur hissed at Faaki'r. "There is a lady in a room. An Esteemed Presence, if you will."

"You need not resort to something so formal," Badri Jamala chuckled. "You may call me by my given name."

"Never did I dream I'd be given this honour by the High Faerie," Faaki'r said, his eyes widened. "I am humbled."

"You are friends of the Prince," she replied. "And any friends of his are friends of mine."

Sur and Faaki'r exchanged worried glances before daring to hover closer to the Faerie.

"Pardon this demon," Sur spoke politely with a small bow, "but is that truly all he is to you?"

"Saif ul Malook?" Badri blinked at him. "He is a human. There is nothing more he can be. A union between him and I is forbidden."

"And yet, you seem to be in denial of it," Sur replied. "I can sense your sorrow in your words. They are as clear as the notes of a nightingale."

"If you could speak in a manner more coherent," Faaki'r groaned, pounding between his horns.

"No, I understand," Badri said with a soft giggle, then sighed. "If I must be honest, I do not know what is what anymore. I know my duty is to my people, the faeries, but my heart has taken to him."

Faaki'r gave a heavy sigh as he shook his head.

"I'm lost," the Faerie mumbled, pulling the covers close to her lips. "I am so lost."

Sur hurried to Faaki'r side. Taking his brother by the arm, he leaned closer and whispered something in his ear, to which the older demon gave a decisive nod.

"Excuse our misconduct," Faaki'r spoke to the faerie again. "We should have asked the lady if she wanted a meal served. You must be famished. "

She had not realized how hungry she was until he mentioned food. Even her stomach felt entitled to a raucous growl.

"I apologize," she stammered with embarrassment. "I would love it if either of you could fetch something small. I do not have much taste for human food."

"You will after you leave," Sur sang, grinning. "Trust in me when I say that there is no finer delicacy in the world than meat prepared on fire."

Badri Jamala was slightly confused, but managed a smile and a nod before the two demons disappeared to attend to the task.

In solace of solitude, she allowed herself to visit her memories once more. After Deo Safed had finished with her, she had hastened to rid herself of the tattered robes and traded it for the marriage colour of the one Saif ul Malook had brought her. She had then fled the chambers and flown on weak wings to the cave behind the waterfall. It had been too dark to see but she had managed to find the opening and huddled in before losing flight and falling into the bathing pool. The rest was lost to unconscious save for the distant sound of the prince calling her name.

"I should not have been alive," she whispered, stroking her locks. "Death would have been easier than having to think of you."

She looked out longingly to the balcony and found the sky ever as beautiful, cradling the clouds and the morning star in its vivid blue. The birds flying free birthed a desire in her to take flight and taste freedom once more.

"We have returned," Sur announced with a song.

"We apologize for the delay," Faaki'r added. "The task was oddly troublesome today."

"How so?" Badri asked.

"The servants seemed to be strangely nervous," he replied.

Sur hovered closer and placed a silver dish in her hands. Badri Jamala stared at its contents, looking first at the meat burnt a golden brown and then the slices of something white on the side.

"What is this?" she asked the demons, picking up a single piece.

"They call it bread," Sur explained. "They prepare it from this grounded plant called wheat."

"Wheat," she repeated, recalling the substance. "I have seen that one. And what about this meat? The scent is unfamiliar to me."

"It is from a bird called chicken," Faaki'r answered. "They are quite pitiful. Cannot fly and usually fool enough to be fattened for food."

"Faaki'r!" Sur hissed, stabbing his elbow into his side. "You are being insensitive!"

Faaki'r was made to realize that Badri Jamala, too, was flightless at the moment. He fumbled for an excuse but the Faerie simply held up a hand in dismissal.

"You need not worry," she told him. "My prowess will return to me, and I shall fly once again."

"That is a relief," Faaki'r stammered, still guilty.

Badri Jamala broke a piece of the bread and wrapped it over the chicken. Then, picking up the entire piece, she swallowed it whole. Her eyes widened as the favours melted into the taste of temptation and tore a gleeful squeal, and she attacked the rest like a mountain wolf does its fresh hunt.

"I was correct," Sur declared, looking rather proud. "Even the High Faerie cannot resist the taste of the palace's finest."

"What was it about servants being nervous?" Badri suddenly asked, looking up. "Do they suspect the arrival of us demons?"

"Hardly arrival anymore," Faaki'r replied. "Sur and I have been living here and no not one soul has caught wind."

Badri Jamala saw this as a fair chance to finally ask the demons what she had wanted.

"I am curious," she began, pausing for a moment. "Why did you decide to help a human find a faerie?"

"It was not so much of a decision," Faaki'r replied, smiling just a crack. "We were actually trying to save him."

"Save him?" fear crossed her brow.

"He had taken up a fool's quest to beseech God," Faaki'r groaned. 'What was it again, Sur?"

"Pray for forty Nights," the younger demon replied. "Take nothing but a cup of rice and water for meals. He was hoping God would help him find a way to Koh-e-Kaaf."

Simply hearing of such a sacrifice sent the faerie's heart pounding with concern. It made her own sufferings look meagre.

"He did that just to see me again?" she mumbled, gazing at the last bits of food in her dish.

"Nearly died trying," Sur said, sadly. "If it had not been for Faaki'r and I, he might have met death far sooner."

"Humans are quite fragile beings," Faaki'r added, sighing, "and he more so because of love. Regardless, he has had us by his side since."

"Can you continue to do so?" Badri asked suddenly, her eyes pleading.

"We intend to," Sur answered, "but you know as well as us that nothing can appease a heart stricken by love. Only you will be able to appease that in him."

She fell silent. Her gaze trailed to the sky once more and she envisioned herself upon her wings, witnessed by none but the human prince.

"He has been gone for longer than I hoped," she said to the demons.

"Yes, it is peculiar," Faaki'r agreed, turning to the door. "Do you need us to go find him?"

"We cannot," Sur sighed. "Saif ul Malook told us to guard the Faerie should there be anything of suspicion."

"You need not worry about me," Badri Kamala assured them. "I have enough power to take on a human form."

"That would be trouble of its own," Faaki'r chuckled nervously.

Badri Jamala blinked hard, unable to grasp what the two had implied. At least not immediately.

"How shameful!" She squealed, clutching the covers closer. "How dare you even indulge such a nasty notion?"

"We did not!" Faaki'r shrieked in defense, horrified. "I just meant to say-"

"You will make it worse, dear brother," Sur sang as he shrugged his shoulders.

"You imbecile!" Faaki'r roared as he grabbed the younger demon by the throat. "You are at fault for having misled me!"

"Please, put me down," Sur replied. His amusement in the moment was far too great to allow fear. "It will not save you the honour."

"SUR!!!"

He was about to unleash his wrath on the younger demon when the sound of the door opening halted him. Saif ul Malook entered the chambers and locked the doors before dragging himself to Badri's side.

"Are you alright?" she gasped as he collapsed into her arms.

He did not speak as he buried his face into her hair, his body trembling even as she tried to comfort him.

"You are burning," she gasped, feeling up his arms. "Saif, you have to speak to me."

She moved him slightly to look at his face better. His eyes were heavy, glassed by tears, and face ashen. When he mumbled her name, she gathered him into her arms once more.

What happened?" she whispered, gently stroking his hair. "You are worrying me, Saif ul Malook."

"My father," he sighed, "they say he was poisoned."

The demons gasped. Sur and Faaki'r shadowed closer to the Prince.

"Is he no more?" Even Sur's voice lost his song.

"No," Saif replied, moving out of Badri's embrace against his own wishes. "He is alive. The royal physicians are tending to him in his chambers."

"Good grief," Faaki'r groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "How does something of that nature even come about?"

Badri Jamala reached for his face and brushed a tear forming in his eyes. She held his gaze, her granite eyes deeply concerned for the Prince, and he managed a small smile to ease her worries.

"I dare not ask you to forgive him," Saif said, taking her hand. "He was rather unfair to you."

"I forgive him," the faerie replied, slipping her fingers into his. "You did say to hold his opinion in the lowest regard."

"Is there anyone you suspect of the crime?" Sur asked over his shoulder.

Saif ul Malook went silent as he mulled over the question. There was no denying that someone had slipped the king poison. However, knowing that he had seen his father in good health just the night before was adequate evidence that the deed had been done after his private audience. Several nobles were known to visit the king in those late hours, but none that came bearing anything of importance or urgency. These were mostly the rich trying to humour the king with praises and garnar favours with offerings. The Prince could not fathom why any of them would bear ill will against the royalty that had given them such wealth.

"I have none," he finally answered, dropping his head. "I suppose that does make me the chief suspect."

"Pardon?" Faaki'r and Sur said in unison.

"They dare not say it. but the word is that I poisoned the king," Saif sighed, his voice stammering.

"That is not possible," Badri Jamala gasped. "I accompanied you to him. There was nothing of the sort."

"That is not what the hearsay claims," the prince looked at her. "You and I were amongst the last to see him well."

"These humans have no sense," Faaki'r roared, his fist pounding into the nearby wall. "Why would a child poison his own father?"

Badri Jamala looked between the demon brothers and the Prince. Then sighing, she turned her gaze to the sky beyond the balcony.

"He would if he has something to gain," she spoke sadly. "They think Saif ul Malook wants the crown."

"I do not," he sobbed, his hold on her hand tightening. "God is my witness, I have never desired the crown! I only accepted it on my mother's word!"

"Your mother made you?" she blinked him, caressing his cheek.

"Threatened to take her own life if I declined!" His voice broke. "Did not matter. She took her life anyway."

The Faerie saw grief colour his eyes. His hand on hers began to tremble and she quickly wrapped him in her arms once more, cradling his head close to her own heart.

"It will all be well," she whispered in his ears. "I will help you find the true culprit."

He tried to break from her hold but she did not allow it.

"How?" he asked. "Please, you need not strain yourself for me. You are weak."

"I will be alright," she lightly kissed his head. "You need only trust me."

"Badri Jamala-"

"Not Pari? Have I lost your heart?"

At that, he pried himself free from her arms, cupped her face, and kissed her with all the fire in him.

"You will have my heart even after I have passed."

She gave a soft chuckle at his ardent declaration. At least something brought a smile to his face.

"Go now," she instructed. "Summon your court and organize your loyalties. I will deal with the rest."

He gave her one last look. Then he did as he was told and left.

"What are you going to do?" Faaki'r asked as soon as the door closed.

"We wait," Badri jamala replied after a short pause. "I hope you would not think me rude for asking for your help."

"Not at all," Sur sang, obediently appearing at her side. "It would be our honour to assist the High Faerie."

"Thank you," she smiled. "Alright, I need one of you to see to the summoning."

Faaki'r placed a hand between Sur's horn and gave a decisive nod.

"My brother here is rather skilled at staying in the shadows," he said. "He will go keep a lookout."

"Can you manage, Sur?" Badri asked him anyway.

"You can place your trust in me," he declared, spirited. "I will not fail."

"Alright," she nodded. "I need you to return to me once all have been summoned to the court."

"Understood."

With that, Sur dissolved into the shadows and disappeared from under the doors. Faaki'r turned to the faerie once more.

"What will the High Faerie have me do?" he asked, bowing to her.

"Once Sur returns with the word, I need you to help me to the court," she explained, pushing the covers off. "I need to be there. More so, I need to be protected from the human gaze."

"Would it not be better to travel in your human form?" he raised a brow. "Surely that will avoid all suspicion."

"A lady is not welcomed in a court of men," she answered with a sad smile. "Be that as it may, it will be a lady that saves them today."

Badri Jamala forced herself to rise to her feet, aching with every step, until she felt a hand gently take her by the arm. It was Faaki'r, helping the High Faerie in her struggle to the balcony.

"You should heed his advice," he spoke to her, his voice serious.

"You are right," she sighed. "I should save my strengths for the final act."

"I meant the one about staying in the human world," he corrected, not meeting her eye. "You will be safer here than that castle in the Mountain."

Badri Jamala gave a soft sigh as she reached the end of the balcony. She looked over her shoulders, finding her crimson wings folded and drawn down, and she wondered how long it would be before they could carry her again.

"Your kind once lived amongst the White Horned Giants," she said, gazing at the gardens below. "Shared the earth, and the sky, and the trees, and the rivers."

"That is true," he nodded, "but all before the migration to Koh-e-Kaaf?"

"Did you not once wish you could have gone with?"

"There was a time. The forest demons have not a shred of the luxuries that castle affords you. However, it was a foolish desire."

"Why say that?"

Faaki'r turned to the High Faerie and looked her in the eyes. He did not want to give her reasons to doubt his sincerity.

"Because I found my peace here," he answered. "Saif ul Malook is a kind prince, far more kind than the Giants of Koh-e-Kaaf. I would be a fool to want their shelter over his brotherhood."

Badri Jamala was at a loss for words. She had never expected the brethren of the proud Horned Giants to be humbled in their devotion to a human.

"The court has gathered."

The two demons turned to Sur and found him floating up to the balcony. Then, exchanging nods, the three summoned their magic and traveled to the court.

Badri Jamala found herself in the King's chamber. However, this time, she stood by the throne on the altar and not down below where she had been humiliated for the very thing the king pleasured himself with.

"Saif ul Malook," she whispered his name.

He was seated stiff in the throne of his father, his eyes unwavering from the mass gathered in the open space of the courtyard. She could tell by the trembling of his arms that he was nervous. Cautiously, she stepped to his side and traced the line of his scar, alerting him to her presence, and allowed him a quick kiss by bringing her finger to his lips.

"You are here," he breathed.

"I am," she whispered in his ear. "Bring their attention to yourself. Then leave the rest to me."

"I call this court to order," he announced.

His voice was clear and commanding, echoing in the very walls and bringing all eyes and ears on him.

"Your Lordship," a voice from the gathering called. "What is it that we have been summoned for?"

Badri Jamala glanced at Faaki'r and he returned it with a knowing nod. Then, hovering closer to the High Faerie, he escorted her to the end of the altar in his shadows, ensuring that she would not be visible to the human eye.

The High Faerie ran her eyes over the gathering of uncommon faces. She drew in a deep breath and brought her hands to her throat, her eyes closing as lips fell into soft whispers. Slowly, her words turned into the songs of heavens and claimed all that dared to listen.

"The Faerie song!" Sur gasped.

Saif ul Malook turned sharply to the demon. He appeared to be gazing at Pari in a trance.

"Faerie song?" he repeated, his scar disappearing in his brow.

"Yes," Sur turned to him and Saif sighed with relief. "She can use songs to enthrall mortal men."

Saif ul Malook turned to his Faerie once more. All he could see was the glorious flutter of her wings and the waves of her rich brown locks as she stood, filling the room with her angelic notes. He could have listened to them all his life had she allowed it.

Unfortunately, she did not.

"One of you has sinned," she spoke in a manner frighteningly commanding. "Come forth and confess, and your punishment may well be light."

Silence fell over the court. Then, a single man broke from the mass.

"It is I!" He cried, falling to his knees. "I poisoned the King! Have mercy, Your Lordship!"

All that had been present in the court bore witness to this confession. Whisper rose to shatter the silence as men began to whisper, their words lost in the fray of utter chaos and confusion.

Saif ul Malook heard none of it. He did not care, for his beloved Pari had turned dust before his very eyes.