Infinitum

@ Jinx...

Meredith frowned as Leo asked her what was wrong, squirming a bit in discomfort as they walked, pulling out of his arms after a moment. "I... I'm not good enough for you, Leo. I don't have magic, my wings aren't special, your parents hate me, I'm nothing compared to Emberly or those orher Fae girls that keep flirting with you.. I'm just.. I'm just nothing." She murmured in defeat, shoulders slumping sadly. "I.. I shouldn't have offered you the bond.. I should have stayed and become a healer or got married off to the butcher's son like my mother wanted."

---

Jasper frowned as Emberly pulled away from him, reaching to take her hand, although when she said she knew the way to her room he dropped his hand back to his side, giving a little nod. "Alright.. I'll get the stone and head back to Artemis.. I'll stop by to get you before the ball?" He asked, not wanting to assume she'd want to see him any sooner.

@ katahdin
Leo frowned as she pulled away and said what was on her mind. "Meredith... do I get a choice of what I want? Because I want you. You're right you're not like everyone else, even Emberly but I don't want them, I want you. I have from the moment I met you because you are different. It's not magic or your wings I fell in love with. Yes you're wings are gorgeous even though you think they aren't special they are. And your magic could still be in there, but if you never have magic I don't care. Also what if my parents hate you, they hate Emberly too. It's not your fault it's theirs because they are judging you without knowing you. If they knew you they would love you too. Meredith you are my everything, you were before the bond too." he said and moved over to her running his hands over her arms. "I think all of this is too much. Maybe we just need to get out of here for a while." he said and kissed her head.

---

Emberly stepped forward and took his hand he had dropped and squeezed it. "Actually I was hoping you would help me brush up on my dancing. Just to make sure I have it right before the ball." she said and bit her lip. "But if you are busy I understand." she said looking up at him. Emberly didn't want to talk about Meredith, she didn't want to talk about the complicated things right now but that didn't mean she didn't want him around. "Say we meet up in an hour if you're available?" she asked hoping he was available.

@ Jinx...

Meredith frowned as Leo spoke, looking up at him sadly. When he suggested that they needed to leave for a while she shook her head, looking up at him. "If we leave, they'll think we're running away, and your parents win.. If I stay, I'll make a fool of myself and you, and your parents will win.. All I know how to do is disappoint."

---

Jasper looked up when she grabbed his hand and asked him to help her practice dancing later, smiling a little as he nodded. "Of course.. I'd be happy to help you dance. I'll meet you in an hour." He promised, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand before reluctantly parting. After finding a stone that would match her necklace he headed back to Artemis' study, asking a few questions about the design and enchantments before leaving her to it, heading back to Emberly's room once that was taken care of.

@ katahdin
Leo pulled her into his arms squeezing her. "We'll stay for the ball and a day or a few after we will go to the summer house for a break from all of this to adjust." he said and kissed her head. "Trust me." he said rubbing her back. "We'll work it out." He said and and kissed her head. "I'm not disappointed in you Meredith. I am proud of you." he said and took her hand. "Come on let's go get that stone then we will practice dancing.

---

Emberly smiled and headed back to her room proud of herself when she made it without getting to lost. She headed into her room and went to start getting prepared. She cleaned up and started making herself shinny. Emberly took the hour to get herself as ready as she could. When it was over she heard the knock on the door and slipped her shoes back on. She headed out and opened the door seeing Jasper. "Did you see the mask they delivered?" she asked. She had picked out a dress that would match her mark. She was really excited about it.

@ Jinx...
(I could have sworn that I responded to this! So sorry!)

Meredith pressed into his arms as he pulled her close, hiding her face in the crook of his neck as she listened to him speak. She wasn't sure how everything would work out, she was sure she'd somehow ruin everything tonight, but she did trust him, so she'd go along with whatever he suggested. She looked up at him as he spoke, frowning a little a she nodded. "Is... Is it alright if I go back to the room for a while and rest? I.. I just don't really feel up to dancing at the moment.." she murmured, looking away as she worried he would be upset with her for not being excited about the dance.

---

Jasper smiled at her when he answered, shaking his head when she asked if he'd seen the masks that had been delivered. "I have not. Do you like them? I'm sure that we could have different ones made if you don't like them." He suggested, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he stepped past her and into the room. He hoped she'd like everything that they had planned, and he especially hoped that she'd like the design of the jewelry he'd picked out, knowing it would match her necklace.

@ katahdin
{No worries}

Leo nodded softly. "A little rest would be good. I know this is a lot of pressure but I really urge you to consider some practice before we have to get ready for tonight okay?" he said tenderly before he walked with her back to their room. He opened the door and let her in. "Did you want me to stay with you?" Leo asked unsure. He was worried about her. He wanted her to be confident here but she needed time. It was a lot to take in. He wasn't sure how Emberly was going it so well.

---

"Yes I love them." Emberly soothed his concern and smiled at him. She moved in front of him trying to black his view of their masks and her dress that she had set out earlier on her bed. "Hey you're peaking. Come on let's go practice." she said and took his hand leading him out of her bedroom. "All you need to know is I am wearing blue and your mask is blue and silver." she said and closed her door. "Now I have no idea where to practice dancing. I am sure they are busy in the ballroom so lead the way." Emberly linked her arm into his.

@ Jinx...

Meredith nodded, pressing a small reassuring kiss to his cheek once they reached their room. "Thank you, we can practice our dancing later, I promise. I just want to rest a while. I'll be quick, I promise." She reassured him with a little smile, though it didn't meet her eyes. She turned from him and changed into a more comfortable shirt and pants to sleep in before climbing into bed, curling up under the blankets with a tired sigh, soon enough drifting off into a light sleep.

---

Jasper chuckled a bit as she ushered him out of her room so he wouldn't peek at her mask and dress. "Alright, alright, I won't look.. We can go out to one of the balconies to practice, that way we'll have plenty of room." He pointed out, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he led her down the halls.

@ katahdin
Leo sighed as she turned from him and he gently closed the door letting her get the rest she needed. He was truly concerned for her. Leo went and collected a stone before taking it to Artemis. He sat with her in silence while she worked and she would at times hand him something to crush or stir and he would until she came back to him to collect it. He was pleased when she was finished. He too the bracelet and listened to her instructions. On for power off and it became a normal bracelet. It would only react to Meredith. He nodded and kissed her before he went to check to see how Meredith was doing. It had been a while and he was hoping she felt refreshed enough to get started dnaging. He needed to teach her a few dances before they went to the ball tonight.

---

Emberly smile as he lead her out and kissed her cheek. She leaned into him enjoying his presence. She bit her lip as they walked down the hall. Was this going to make it harder for them to keep their hands off each other. She didn't know what it was but she noticed it, they both wanted more, but it was more than a want it was a need. His touch was like air to her and without him she struggled and wrestled with her need. They stepped out onto a balcony and she looked around and smiled at the beauty of the tree and the surrounding woods. She felt lucky to be here even with everything else going on. She turned as she heard music playing and broughtened seeing a little magic playing out music out of what looked like a large shiny shell. She moved over to Jasper. "You brought music for us to dance to?" she asked him pleased. Emberly stepped closer her hands running up his arms as she felt herself lean into his touch so their bodies fit together and she knew the night was going to be a long one.

@ Jinx...

Meredith was still curled up in bed when he returned, although she was still awake. Shortly after he'd left she'd started to have bad dreams, which only made her feel worse. She sat up a little when he came into the room, rubbing at her eyes sleepily as she scooted to sit at the edge of the bed. "Did everything with Artemis go well? Is it time to practice?" She asked softly, looking up at him as she waited for him to tell her what to do. She didn't know how much more time they had before the dance begun, but she knew he'd wanted to practice dancing with her, and she also knew she'd have to pick out a dress, as she couldn't just go in what she was wearing.

---

Jasper grinned a bit as he saw her reaction to the music, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Of course. How can you learn to dance without knowing the music?" He asked teasingly as he pulled her close. "We'll learn the dance on the ground first, so you know the movements before we try it in the air, ok?" He asked, gently running his fingers through her hair. He wanted to touch and caress every inch of her, but he had to fight that feeling and focus on teaching her how to dance. He'd have time to figure out what was going on between them later.

@ katahdin
Leo grinned as he came in and she sat up. She was so beautiful. "Well hello my stunning love." he said and came over and pressed a kiss to her lips quieting her questions a moment. He knelt in front of her on the bed and took her hand placing it palm up in her lap snaking a bracelet around her wrist. "Just turn the bracelet to your right and it will allow you to move through the air like you are flying as long as you are surrounded by others that are flying as well." he said and smiled hoping she liked the bracelet that Artemis had made for her. "I asked her to try and match it to your ring." he smiled. "She did what she could. Do you like it?" he asked her. He wanted to be sure she was ready before they jumped into flight dancing. He knew she felt tired and didn't want to dance but he hoped once she started she would enjoy it and more than that, he hoped they would have fun.

---

Emberly grinned and nodded. "Okay." she said and stepped towards him. When his fingers brushed her she leaned her head into his hand and sighed softly her eyes hooding. She rested there a moment before her eyes grew big and she shook her head. She took his hand with hers and then stepped into a dance postor. "Okay just lead and I will follow. I learn best by doing. If you try to explain it I will get lost." she said and smiled up at him watching as he counted them into the music in his head before leading her into the dance. Juniper relaxed as they began to dance. It was something easy she could fall into. Her body seemed to now the movements as if she had been practiced in them before but they were slightly different than the village dances. At least this she wouldn't have to work at so hard, it was a relief.

@ Jinx...

Meredith smiled as she saw the bracelet, pressing a kiss to Leo's cheek. "It's lovely, Leo. Thank you. Of course I like it." She said, fidgeting with the bracelet a bit, getting used to it on her wrist. "Is it time to practice?" She asked softly, moving to get out of bed. She knew that they had to go over the dance at least once, and she was hoping to just get it over with so she could say they'd done it and she could go back to sleep.

---

Jasper grinned as he began to lead Emberly in a simple dance that they could do to almost any music at the ball later this evening. He held her close, showing her the basic steps before going over a few more complicated variations that they could do as well, and once she seemed to get the hang of that, he paused. "Ok, so you've gotten the hang of this. Are you ready to practice in the air? We can keep going on the ground, I'd you want, but her should get at least one dance in the air in before the ball."

@ katahdin
Leo frowned softly and cupped her cheek. He was worried about her. "Just get through tonight with me Meredith and I promise we will go and seek what makes our lives so great." he said and kissed her gently. "Come with me." he said softly and took her hand. Once she was ready they headed out to a large balcony. He thought it would be the best place they could practice alone. He turned on some music and turned to her. "There are three dances that you have to learn. All of them have a simple set of steps and each have some variation from each other." He started and held out his hand to her.

---

Emberly nodded nervously. She bit her lip her wings fluttering nervously. "Should I even bother trying to make it look like my wings are keeping me up?" she asked him. She wanted to look as normal as possible but wondered what Jasper thought. Emberly was enjoying dancing with Jasper. "Do you think others will ask to dance with me too? I know the town leaders daughter got asked to dance by all the important leaders in the town all the time and they would talk about what she planned for the town when she married." she bit her lip. I don't know how it's going to go with other fae from other kingdoms." she said nervously. Emberly moved into the dance with him and followed him into the air on a step the bracelet helping move her into the air with a brush of his thumb over the stone.

@ Jinx...

Meredith only felt like more of a disappointment as he asked her to just get through tonight, forcing a small smile as she nodded, squeezing his hand as she followed him out to the balcony. She gave a little nod as he began to explain the different dances she'd have to know, hoping that when it came to the actual ball that she'd be able to hide somewhere where no one would notice her. No one had ever paid her any attention in her village during the dances they held, and hopefully the same would happen tonight. She'd be able to stand in a corner somewhere while Leo spoke with the Fae nobles and had a good time, and with any luck she'd be able to sneak back to their room without anyone noticing. "Alright.. I'm sorry if I mess up, I'll try my best." She apologized softly in advance as she took his hands, letting him guide her through the first set of steps.

---

"You should move them a little, but you don't have to if it makes you uncomfortable. Part of the trick is trying to make it look like you're not moving your wings throughout the dance, so you should be fine either way." He smiled, pressing a kiss to her cheek as they danced, holding onto her a bit tighter as they transitioned to dancing in the air, wings fluttering quickly as they hovered a few feet off the ground. "They might ask, but you're not obligated to dance with any of them if you don't want to. You're my betrothed, so you're allowed to say no."

@ katahdin
Leo caressed her cheek. "It's okay my love. I am just proud to have you by my side." he said. It was how hurt she was and how sad she was that made this so hard. All he wanted was to make her happy. He just wanted to be enough for her that no matter what was going on and no matter where they where that she would be happy as long as they were together. Leo pulled her closer and started on a ground dance similar to some of the ones he had danced with her in the village with. As long as she could follow his lead they would do this well.

---

Emberly frowned. "That's silly. Why would you want to look like you are floating when you could fly?" she smiled at him inhaled sharply as they moved up into the air. She let her wings move how she felt they should as she moved with him following him into the dance. She was having a hard time concentrating on his words as they moved through the air. She was to fascinated with flying and completely distracted with his hands gripping her like this. She looked back up into his eyes. She bit her lip. "Yes but politically wouldn't it be beneficial?" she asked.

@ Jinx...

Meredith leaned her head into his touch, nodding a little at his words. She didn't believe in herself, but if Leo did, she'd give it her best shot. She held onto him tightly as they'd danced, picking up the simpler dances quickly, although when they moved on to the more complicated dances she struggled, stepping on his toes and tripping over their feet. After nearly causing him to fall she pulled back away from him once he was steady, drawing away from him. "It's hopeless, Leo.. I'll never learn now to dance in time, I'll make a fool of you in front of everyone.. I'll just stay in my room, where you won't have to be ashamed of me."

---

Jasper chuckled, shrugging. "Honestly, I'm not sure. It never made sense to me." He smiled, leading her through the dance slowly. He knew that she was distracted by the flying aspect, so he squeezed her a bit in his arms. "Hey, don't worry about the flying. Just focus on me, alright? I've got you." He smiled reassuringly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

@ katahdin
Leo sighed and looked her over thinking before moving over to her and rubbing her shoulders. "I will never be ashamed of you." he kissed her shoulder. "Besides these dances are about much more than just dancing. "You will pick it up that is why I wanted to practice so you felt ready. But it's the people there that is the point. These people are going to want to get to know you because you will be their greater. Yes you will only be a princess but you are the head princess and I have a feeling Emberly is going to need you a lot when she takes over as queen. You have a way about you that soothes people." He said and kissed her temple. "Do you want to take a break? We can get you some food." he said and rubbed her arms. He wanted her to know that she was going to be okay but sometimes that meant just stopping for a bit. "Dancing will come just trust me." he assured her. If she followed his lead she wouldn't need to worry about it.

---

Emberly smiled up at him. "I'm not worried. I'm fascinated." she smiled softly and focused on the dance anyways. She couldn't wait to start flying on her own. She bit her lip her cheek feeling like it was on fire where his lips had touched which of course made no sense because if it was suppose to feel like anything it would have been cold but he was always in control of his powers. She took a breath trying to refocus on anything besides his lips and wanting to press her own to his and not in just a little peck. She swallowed and looked away for a moment then back to his wings watching them move. She returned her thoughts to the dance. "Did you spend all of your childhood thinking about me instead of learning to become king?" she asked and bit her lip. "Sorry that sounded rude." she looked down then back at him. "I just mean... I'm nervous about becoming royalty. I'm really not delicate at all." she smiled nervously.

@ Jinx...

"But I don't know anything about your world, or politics, or how to say the right thing. I'll make a fool of myself dancing, and I'll make a fool of myself trying to speak to everyone." Meredith frowned, resting her hand over where she knew the bond mark on his chest for a moment. "Maybe this was all a mistake.. I should have stayed in my village, married the baker's son or become a healer.. That way you wouldn't have to go through all this trouble for nothing.." She drew away, shaking her head a little bit before he could say anything. "I-I'm going to go for a walk.. You should get ready for the party." She tried to offer him a smile, but it was clearly pained, and she quickly walked out of the room and hurried off down the hall before he could say otherwise. She headed to the library, doubting anyone would be there, and tucked herself away in a corner where she didn't think anyone would find her, just wanting to be alone for a while.

---

Jasper laughed as her question, shaking his head when she apologized. "No, it's a fine question, you don't sound rude at all." He grinned, holding her close as they danced. "When I would get bored in class I'd often think about you, yes, but my brother did his best to keep me busy and distracted, as did my parents and my tutors. I hope that I learned how to be a good king, but I don't think it's something you can really teach." He explained, slowing down as he moved them back to the ground, making sure Emberly had her balance before he loosened his grip on her. "I don't think you need to be delicate to be a good queen. I think your honesty and passion will make you a strong queen." He said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "We should take a break, maybe eat a quick snack or drink some water."

@ katahdin
Leo frowned. "But you have already done so well." he said and pressed her hand to his mark his heart aching with her pain. "Meredith..." he sighed her name in despritation as she suggested this might be a mistake but she kept talking and he only grew more desperate. He felt torn apart as she pulled away from him and she shook her head when he stepped closer to pull her to him. He stopped looking at her feeling helpless to help her and like his heart was being torn from his chest. She walked out and he sat down on the ground his head hang and his hands in his hair. How was he suppose to make this work? She was his bond and nothing could break that but he felt like his heart was breaking. Had he done the wrong thing?

---

Reanna stopped as she was passing through the library and looked down the aisle seeing Meredith sitting on the floor. She didn't know how long she had been there for. Reanna shifted the books in her arms and then started down the aisle and stopped in front of her. "Princess Meredith." she said softly. "We have chairs that you would be quiet comfortable in and books to quiet the mind if you were needing a break from the duties of being the princess." she said looking down at her then at the books in her arms and found one that was close by pulling it out of the pile cumbersomely. She lifted onto her toes her wings fluttering with her effort to balance as she put the book away. She sighed with relief as it slid into place and she returned to her feet stable once again. She turned to Meredith. "Or you could help me put these away. idle hands are no good for the busy mind." She smiled at Meredith.

---

Emberly smiled and nodded in agreement. She grinned as they came back to the ground. "I bet you will do just fine." she said absolute confidence in him. When he said she would be a good queen she smiled softly. She all but melted into his touch as his lips pressed to her forehead. She closed her eyes and breathed him in. Emberly let her hands move from their dance pose to his chest as she rested against him. He suggested a break and she stepped back smiling softly and nodded. "Let's get some water and see if we can snag a snack from the kitchen." she smirked thinking it would be fun to try to get some of the snacks meant for the ball later. She took Jaspers hand and pulled it softly as she headed out the door and to where she thought the kitchen might be. "Am I even doing the right way?" she asked after they went down the hall. she looked back at him her wings flapping excitedly.

@ Jinx...

Meredith had tucked her face into her knees, which she'd tugged to her chest and wrapped her arms around as she cried softly, although when she heard Reanna she tensed, looking up in surprise as she heard the faerie. She frowned as she was refered to as 'princess', tensing as she scooted further down the aisle, wanting to get out of her way. "I-I'm not a princess.. And I'm fine sitting on the floor. I don't want to take up space when someone else needs it.." she murmured, staring at the floor as she suggested she read something, although she finally stood when she suggested that she help her put away the books. She wasn't a princess, would never be, but she could be a servant, following orders, staying out of everyone's way. She held out her arms for the pile of books, nearly dropping a few when Reanna first put them into her arms, although she was quick to balance them again, keeping her eyes down as she waited for the faerie to give her instructions on what to do. Her heart ached, she missed Leo, but she felt so miserable, and didn't want to make Leo miserable either.

---

Jasper chuckled as Emberly tugged on his hand, following her through the halls. "Surprisingly you are." He chuckled, tugging her in the correct direction when she started to go the wrong way, linking his arm through hers as he pressed a kiss to her cheek while they walked. "What would you like for snacks? Whatever is available, or something special?"

@ katahdin
Reanna smiled as Meredith stood and took the books Reanna offered. "I'm not here to tell ya whatcha are or aren't darlin but no ones in the library to worry about anyways. Besides it is those that are willing to serve that should be valued the most." Reanna grinned and looked her over. She looked sad and Reanna knew the ball would be starting in a few hours. Which meant that Meredith should be getting ready but instead she was here. Libraries where soothing but Meredith seemed like she wanted to disappear rather than be soothed. "Alright let's go this way, stay close. Don't want you getting lost." she smiled and winked at her grabbing the top book off the stack with a nod towards the aisle opening. "So did you get a change to read any of the books I gave you?" she asked as she started to the next book location. With any luck Reanna would have Meredith feeling better and ready to conquer the ball.

---

Emberly grinned as she looked back at Jasper. She loved to watch his joy. When she started down a wrong turn he pulled her closer to him and she fell into step with him her hand resting on his arm and the other coming up to meet on his bicep. She felt the heat ride in her cheeks to the feel of his lips on her skin, but this was becoming normal wich was comforting. He asked what she wanted for a snack and she shrugged. "We'll see what we can snag." she smiled and looked over at him. "It's not like I have favorites yet with the new menu." she said reminding him how new to his life she really was. Emberly bit her lip wondering if he was feeling what she was. It was obvious that he loved her and had a long time but did he feel the tug that she was feeling? She had no words to explain these sensations, these feelings. "Jasper..." she looked over at him. "What is the bond exactly?" she asked him. They had talked about it a little but she wanted to know more.