To all my old readers (I love you!), welcome back! Here is your sequel, as promised. Sorry it took so long. I kinda went on vacation with my family and had no access to a computer for a week and a half. I went all over the east coast! I live in Iowa.. WE DROVE! 20 STRAIGHT HOURS IN A CAR WITH MY FAMILY! AHHH!

*smiles like a crazy person* It was great. Really.

To anyone new (you're awesome and should R&R), this is a sequel to "A Bored L-sama". If you haven't read that, this one won't make a lot of sense.. I suggest you read the other one first. Everyone seems to love it, so I figure it's pretty good. ^^;;

To everyone, ENJOY AND REVIEW!

IF YOU DIED IN A DREAM: CHAPTER ONE: DECIET

A slight whimper escaped her lips as she curled into a tight ball.
"Lina," he whispered, stroking her fire-colored hair. "Lina, wake up."

Her small form was shaking so hard he feared she might hurt herself. Not knowing what else to do, he gathered her up in his arms and rocked her back and forth, all the while begging her to wake. After what seemed forever, the sorceress's ruby eyes flew open, tears barely held at bay. Relief flooded his senses and he wrapped her in a gentle hug.

"What's wrong?" she murmured, feigning confusion. Pulling away, he gave her a startled look.

"You screamed, Lina. It woke me up. Then you-"

"It was just a nightmare." She cut him off and tried to slide out of his arms. He held fast and forced her eyes back to his.

"This is the third time this week." He said softly, distress heavy in his tone.

"I'm sorry," she replied quietly, shutting him out again.

"Don't do this, Lina, please." He whispered as she pulled away. Seeing the heartbreak in his eyes, she leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss.

"It's nothing," she promised, taking his hand. "I'm fine."

He only nodded but somewhere deep down she knew he didn't believe her. She moved her arms so he wouldn't see the rope burns as they lay down. Gently, her wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.

"Hey, Lina?"

"Hmm..."

"If it was something really bad, you'd tell me, right? You trust me enough to tell me, don't you?"

There was a moment of silence before she answered.

"Of course, Gourry." She lied with a smile that did not reach her eyes. He sighed as he ran his hand down her cheek.

"I love you, Lina." He whispered.

Snuggling closer to his chest and burying her face in his shoulder so he couldn't see the tears, she responded, "I love you too."

Eventually, his breathing slowed and evened out, telling her that he was asleep. At times like this, she didn't mind the inevitability of sleep. She could enjoy the feel of her protector's arms around her. Dawn came much too soon and she crept away, careful not to wake him.

***************************

Tears coursed down her pale cheeks, shining like diamonds in the pale moonlight. The blankets had been tossed aside, enhancing her feeling of vulnerability. She felt dampness beneath her and knew it was her blood seeping into the sheets.

"Filia?"

She let out a startled yelp and sat upright without meaning to.

"I wasn't expecting you home until the end of the week." She said quickly, turning away.

"What's wrong?" he demanded, totally disregarding her statement.

"Noth-"

"Don't you dare, Filia. I can feel your pain.. your fear." He interrupted, sitting down next to her. "I should thrive on such a thing, but I.." he paused to pull her close. "I can't stand it now."

She leaned into his embrace, drawing strength from his presence and forgetting the pain.

"It's been long few days, that's all. Why are you home so early?" she asked quietly, trying to make him forget her emotional state.

"Lord Beastmaster's task didn't take as long as I'd assumed. Tell me what's wrong." He said as his hands began to trail slowly down her back.

"I already-"

"Has Val been behaving?"

"He's been very good. Xellos, I'm really fi-"

Her words were cut off as he pulled abruptly away.

"You're bleeding!" he exclaimed, turning her around. Carefully, he pulled down the nightgown to expose her back, and inspected the wound thoroughly.

"Can you heal it?"

The golden dragon could think of nothing to say, so she nodded mutely and began a spell. When she was done, he took her face in his hands and pulled it close to his. The scent of honey and wine caressed her skin.

"What's going on, Filia?" he asked, his tone dangerously soft. She tried to look away but he would not allow it. "There was a whip-lash across your back along with the scar of another, and you're going to tell me why." He stated slowly, tone informing that she had no choice.

"I dreamt it." She whispered.

"The events in your dream took on physical manifestation?" he demanded. She nodded. "How long?"

"They started the night you left." She answered quietly and did not miss the guilt that crept into his amethyst eyes.

"Do you remember what happens?" he asked, unconsciously pulling her closer.

"I.. parts of it," she replied. "Ms. Lina and Ms. Amelia are always there too. We're tied up and-" she stopped abruptly and shook her head.

"Can you ever see who-" he began.

"No." she cut him off and lowered her eyes.

"Filia-"

"I never see who it is." She lied, and then continued, "I'm really tired."

Slowly, he brought her eyes back to his.

"I'll be here when you wake." He told her softly. With a gentle smile, she allowed him to take her in his arms and lay down.

*************************

A feminine scream echoed through the palace halls.

"Princess?" the frantic maid exclaimed as she entered the bedchamber. Amelia lay, curled in a ball, sobbing. "I'll go and get your father, Princess."

"Don't." Amelia ordered through her tears with all the ferocity she could force into the word. "Tell NO ONE of this."

The maid, knowing her place, bowed silently and left the room. The princess spent the next few moments regaining her composure.

As soon as the tears had stopped, she checked for wounds and found only the rope burns around her wrists. It took little effort to heal the marks and once she'd done so, Amelia pulled herself out of bed. Dawn was still a few hours away, but sleep had lost its appeal.

After dragging the quilt from her bed, she opened the balcony doors. The full moon illuminated the land below, giving it a look of enchantment. The cool air stole her breath away as she gazed upon what would one day be hers.

*It will only be a few more months,* she mused silently as she pulled the blanket around her body. *And then he'll home. I hope these horrible dreams will stop by then.*

What would he say if he saw the new scar on her back? She could lie and say it was from some random dark lord they'd fought. *But lying is unjust!* her mind snapped, falling out of maturity mode. Besides, one could easily tell an old scar from a new one.

She wondered idly what Ms. Lina would say. She figured the sorceress was going through the same thing; the scene of the night before flashing vividly in her mind's eye. The look on Lina's face as the whip had connected with her skin had been much too real to be anything but.

And tonight, Ms. Filia... Yes, they were all in this together. They had to be. She made a mental note to write a letter to both of them, requesting their immediate return to Seyrune.

After that, the princess tried very hard to ignore the problem and think of her wedding, but it would not go away. *What if we can't figure this out? What if Mr. Zelgaddis finds out..?* her mind demanded. *What if things get worse and we get more then beaten? What if- No* she ended the thought right there, because it was too ridiculous to contemplate. It was impossible, wasn't it?

Yes, waking up with wounds was beyond strange, but.. You couldn't really die in dream... could you?

END OF CHAPTER ONE

What'd ya all think? I need feedback! I'm not worried about it though, because you all are so wonderful!

Thanks!

-Ahria