Lake Macalania

At long last the carriage drew to a halt and Yuna sat up from the bed eager to get out. As she stood up though Seymour pushed her back down gesturing for her to stay put. Scowling she ran a hand through her hair but stayed put, although why she didn't know…what did it matter if someone saw her? Why should she care anymore? Feeling mutinous she climbed to her feet and was just drawing the curtain that made up the carriage door when Seymour came back in.

"Yuna I know you're upset but is causing mass hysteria across Spira going to help?" He asked gently as he forced her carefully back into the carriage and blocked her path. "The people think you are dead, sent and now living on the Calm Lands in peace. Reunited with your father…do you not care what seeing you could cause them to do?" Yuna said nothing; she just sat back down on a chair and rested her forehead in her hands. "I was just checking to see if the coast was clear," he continued studying her reaction intently. "It is…you may go outside but be warned…stray from the lake and I shall be most displeased."

Yuna shuddered at the threatening tone in his voice and jumped out of the carriage. Although she'd been in the for only a day it felt so much longer! The cold air was pleasant against her skin and she inhaled deeply enjoying the way it caressed her lungs. She looked around and saw that Seymour had his back to her, along with a group of guards. She ducked behind a tree and stripped off, slipping into the water nervously. She didn't want them to see her…but the temptation of a nice bath in this perfect water was far stronger than her worries.

For a few minutes she swam about, blissfully unaware of anyone watching her. "The water is surprisingly pleasant, isn't it?" Yuna jumped and turned around horrified to see Seymour gliding over to her; apparently he'd had the same idea as her. She sunk lower into the water so that just her chin upwards was bobbing above the water and she tried to put as much distance between herself and Seymour. He was much too fast for her though and he placed a hand under her chin tilting it up to look at him. "You look beautiful in this light," he said leaning down to kiss her but Yuna turned her head away and he ended up brushing his lips against her cheek. "Yuna –"

"You know I don't love you," she said quietly, "you know that I only married you for the good of Spira…so don't start trying to woo me." She looked up at him slightly frightened by the calm smiling expression he wore. He didn't let go off her chin though, much to her horror he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close – she suddenly realised he too was naked and she began to feel panic rise up in her stomach.

"It doesn't matter why you married me," he said in his calm voice now trailing his hand down her cheek in a caressing manner while he kept a hold of her waist so she couldn't make a break for it. "What matters is that you are now my wife, and after all the inconvenience you have caused me the least you can do is be a proper wife. A kiss can do no harm can it?" And before Yuna could protest he had pressed his cool lips onto hers, cupping the back of her neck so that she had no chance of fighting him.

"Stop it! Please stop it," she whispered pleadingly finally wrestling her lips away from him and blinking back tears. She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push him away, wanting distance between them before he got other ideas. As she began to swim off he grabbed her arm holding onto it firmly.

"Yuna," he said in a waspish voice, "I am your husband and I demand respect from you." He whirled her around and pulled her close once more. "You accepted my marriage proposal before you found out about my father, before all of the…unfortunate incidents. So why should this change your mind?"

"I would have been able to continue my pilgrimage," she whispered nervously all of a sudden wishing she had decided to go for a bath.

"Perhaps," he nodded although his voice sounded as if he thought different. Yuna looked at him, unsure of what he meant…surely if she'd married him without all the fiasco before…she'd still be on her journey wouldn't she? Shaking her head she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to free herself from him once more.

"Seymour please I'm getting cold, will you let me go so I can get back into the caravan?" She whispered, mercifully he released her and she swam back to the shore trying to keep as much as her body underwater. She found a clump of bushes she could quickly bathe and wash her hair behind without fear of being seen and soon she was out and wearing her clothes, ignoring the fact that she was still soaking wet.

She sat at the table shivering, her clothes stuck to her. She pulled on the cloak she'd been wearing that morning but that didn't offer her any warmth either. Time seemed to tick by slowly and she had no idea how much time was passing, but she could guess that so far it had been a good half hour. By now her clothes were beginning to dry but she was still freezing cold and her normally smooth skin was pure white and covered in goosebumps as she shivered in her seat with chattering teeth.

"Here," she looked up startled to see Seymour back in the caravan and draping one of his blue robes over her. "You look frozen." He said stroking her hair, Yuna closed her eyes biting back tears – she didn't want him touching her but she had to put up with it. She knew that now…what else could she do but put up with it? Was there any point in fighting him off?

"Thank you," she whispered thickly, just because she thought she had to say something. And she was grateful for the warmth the robe provided her; she pulled the edges closer together and sort of nestled into it to get warmer.

"You should get some sleep," he said continuing to stroke her hair, "we have a long journey till we get home."

"I don't care…I'm not tired or anything." Yuna said in a muffled voice although it was plainly a lie, the robe was so warm and comforting…it was like she was being put under a spell. She looked up at Seymour shocked by the thought, and saw that indeed she was. His intense look but gentle touched proved he was working magic on her. She didn't have time to throw him a loathing look, as she made eye contact with him she fell straight into a deep sleep.

Seymour gently gathered her up into his arms, she felt so small wrapped up in his thick blue robe which was more than three times her size. He placed her on the bed and carefully lay down beside her pulling her close, it felt as if they were a proper husband and wife now. Her sleeping peacefully in his arms as she should be and him looking thoughtful…

She's a danger still, a voice in his head chided as he rested his chin on top of her damp head. She's still a Summoner… He knew of a way to strip her of her summoning abilities, but it'd be painful…perhaps cruel. But in the long run it'd be best for them both – best for her. She'd accept her life…she wouldn't keep thinking that she was a Summoner, she'd accept that she was just a normal woman. A strong and determined woman but nevertheless a woman…maybe he'd let her keep the ability to use her white magic…but only if she was good.

"Oh my dear sweet Yuna," he murmured brushing his lips against her hair gently. She didn't even stir, the spell he'd cast would keep her in a deep sleep. She probably wouldn't wake until a good few hours after noon the next day.