The next morning dawned brilliantly, the sun’s sparkling rays of gold shining out upon the cities walls of glittering riches. The city was abask in so much light it was almost blinding, but utterly beautiful.

Sinbad awoke to a feather light touch running over his arm; he opened his eyes to see Maeve propped up on one elbow next to him. He reached out to trace her lips, and smiled. "Good morning, my beautiful sorceress."

"Hi." She smiled as well, and cocked her head at him. "Well, I guess you found your warm bed after all."

"Yes, but it is far more pleasant now then when I had imagined it." He leaned over to kiss her softly. He felt her shiver under his touch, and he knew that the emotions coursing through his body at that very moment were mirrored within hers. He shifted himself to put pressure on her body, pinning her back into the blankets and pillows. Her brilliant hair was spread out upon the pillows, a shocking contrast to see the red gold of it against the stark white of the covers, a slight flush tinted her cheeks.

Sinbad kissed her cocky smile away, he kissed her until she was breathless and trembling, he kissed her until all reason flew from both of their minds, he kissed her until the door opened and Isabelle walked in unannounced. Growling lowly against Maeve’s skin, Sinbad watched in disbelief as the unflustered maid servant merely walked around the bed, laid out fresh clothing for Maeve and entered the bathroom to poor a bath. He turned back to Maeve. "I’m beginning to see why you dislike her."

Maeve rolled her eyes. "Sinbad, just let me have one minute alone with her..." She began flexing her fingers, preparing for the use of magic. Sinbad laughed and sat up.

"Now, now, witch, it won’t do us any good having you fry the servants." He smiled wickedly, "Although, it might help further your relationship with Rumina." Maeve punched him in the stomach, and rolled out of bed, donning the silken robe that lay on the bed post. "Nice right hook, Maeve." Sinbad grunted, his hand still covering his belly.

Maeve nodded. "Not bad for the blind girl, hmm?"

Sinbad felt the tender spot in his skin. "Not bad at all." He watched as Maeve slipped into the bath chamber after the maid, and heard low words being exchanged. At least there were no flashes of magic and screams, he thought with a smile. But then, judging by the way the maid rushed herself out of the chambers, and the wicked smile on Maeve’s face, he was beginning to wonder if perhaps he shouldn’t be leaving. Then he noticed the two vials Maeve carried in her hands.

The sorceress slipped one silk covered thigh onto the bed, resting her weight gently against the big soft mattress. Sinbad was hard pressed to drag his eyes away from her long legs, only to be distracted by the strategically placed folds in her robe. She smiled down at him, unable to visually track the path of his eyes, but feeling his stare burn into her skin. Shrugging her shoulders slightly, she coyly allowed the material to drop a wee bit lower; she was rewarded by the sound of Sinbads gasp. She shook her head, how could merely the sight of her body have him so interested after the last few nights together?

"Lay on your stomach, sailor." She ordered softly. He hastened to do as she bid, and she slowly moved to straddle his lower back; the feel of her skin pressing against him caused him to swallow hard, but he stayed silent. Opening a vial of oil, Maeve poured a small amount of the delicate cinnimon scented liquid into her palm. Ever so softly she began to run her fingers over Sinbad’s back, working the gentle oils into his skin; cinnimon had never seemed erotic to Sinbad before that moment, but by Allah it was fast becoming his favorite spice.

Turning himself over underneath her, Sinbad pulled her hands to his chest. "I like massages, but my back is fine this morning... what do you say to my front?" Sinbad raised an eyebrow, and Maeve flushed, but smiled down at him again.

"What ever your pleasure is, my captain."

The sheer sumissive power of her statement left him stunned; to have Maeve acting this way was completely against her nature, and Sinbad was in awe of the power of arousal she could entice. It was then that he realized just how much he loved her; whether she was being her strong independant self, or her vulnerable self, he knew that he would love her any way, and right now, his heart was almost bursting out of his chest so full of love it was.

He closed his eyes, feeling the stirring power of her gentle touch, knowing that in moments he would reach for her, and lose himself in her gentle warmth, but for now he just wanted to enjoy her caress. With a sigh he moved his hand to her robe, slowly drawing it away from her body; he himself was still amazed at the effect she had on him, his eyes drank in the sight of her, the early morning sun glinting off her shining hair and glowing body. With the feel of her last caress still upon his flesh, Sinbad sat himself up, cradling Maeve against him, and laid his mouth to hers, trailing warm, gently nipping kisses across her jaw, settling her back into the blankets.

"I take it this means I’ve lost control?" She whispered upon a soft cry of delight as his mouth moved to her breast.

"No, this means I have."

The last coherent thought to cross Maeve’s mind before sinking into a world of escasty was that she could never bring herself to leave this man’s arms, or live her life without him, again.

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

She woke up with a pain in her chest, and panic coursing through her body; oh gods, not now, she prayed, not yet. But it was true, she was so completely in love with Sinbad that she couldn’t imagine her life without him; she swallowed hard. "Today," she whispered. "It has to be today." Sliding back into her discarded robe, Maeve made her way carefully into the bath chamber, slipping into the fresh water Isabelle had returned to poor.

Managing to get dressed without help, and without waking Sinbad, Maeve slipped out of the chambers and was startled to hear Isabelle’s voice.

"M’Lady, what may I do for you?"

Maeve sighed, "Take me to Prince Xaldar, we have serious matters to discuss."

The maid servant curtsied, and took Maeve’s shaking hand, never realizing the pain and agony that each step sent coursing through her mistress’s body. Only Dermott watched after Maeve in concern, suffering for his dear friend’s sorrow, wishing he could take away the pain. But what could he do, he thought, he was only a bird; she needed arms to comfort her and a shoulder to cry on. "Be well, my sister," he thought to her sadly, receiving no response.

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

When Sinbad had awoken to find Maeve missing, her damp robe lying by the bed, her clothing gone, he thought nothing of it in particular. He stretched languidly, loving the fact that the scent of Maeve was still on the pillows, and in the room.

Moving slowly, in no hurry to start the day that had already started hours ago without them, Sinbad slipped into the clean bath water that the maid servant had just drawn. Hmm, he thought, the number of hours that maid has spent bringing bath water into this room is appaling, he smiled, but oh was it ever worth it.

Once he had bathed himself and donned his clothing, Sinbad looked to the door and wondered if Firouz had his favor done yet. His eyes sparkling, Sinbad could hardly keep the smile off his face as he hurried down the corridor to the scientists chamers.

Within moments he was exiting Firouz’s room, calling his gratitude over his shoulder, and almost running down the hall towards Maeve’s quarters. The scientist had come through for him and had done exactly as Sinbad had asked, perfectly. Looking at the two items, he quickly he slipped one into his pouch for safe keeping until it was needed, and the other he held in his hand tightly. Stopping at his own door, he was hit by sudden inspiration so he turned in and began rifling through his belongings. Coming up with a delicate, forest green silk scarf he had purchased for Maeve at a previous port, he wrapped the object gently into the fragile material and took a deep breath. It was now or never.

He moved into the hall and over to Maeve’s chambers, he knocked lightly and entered at her bidding, pleasantly surprised to find that she had returned so quickly.

He smiled gently, "Hello, sweet love."

Some emotion he couldn’t read flashed across her face; he furrowed her brow, what was wrong? He wondered. "Sinbad." She replied simply.

He blinked. "Okay, Maeve, what’s bothering you? What happened while you were out?" He stepped forward to touch her arm but she pulled away sharply.

Her heart clenched tightly, knowing that what she was about to do would tear her and Sinbad to peices, but she had to do it, for his sake. Turning her back to him so that he couldn’t read the pain on her face, she took a deep breath.

"Sinbad, when you set sail after the corronation, I won’t be going with you." She forced herself to concentrate on every word, giving the image of calm acceptance.

Sinbad, on the other hand, felt as though he had been hit by a heard of elephants and trampled into the ground. Shock slapped him in the face, and the strength went out of his body; he forced himself to draw a deep, slow breath, and tried to push away his rising panic while steadying his voice. "May I ask why?"

Maeve shook her head knowing that she could never tell him the truth. "We don’t belong together, Sinbad, we never did."

"But what we shared..."

Maeve was beginning to lose her grip on her calm, and panic was filling her mind. "What we shared was pure animalistic lust, and nothing more!" She said cruelly, trying desperately not to cave in.

Sinbad’s jaw dropped at the venom in her voice. "Not for me," he whispered softly.

Her resolve began to crumble away and she dug her nails into her palms to keep from running to him and kissing away his pain. You have to do this, witch, it’s for Sinbad. "Yeah, well, I can’t help the difference in how we feel." She was amazed at how callous her voice sounded when all she could feel was pain.

She heard his breathing go from structured to ragged; she felt her heart break in time with his, but still she hung on. "Turn to me." His pained voice ordered her through her darkness. She did, slowly, grateful she couldn’t see his pain, wishing she couldn’t feel it.

"There’s nothing you can say to change my mind, Sinbad. It’s best that we end this right now, rather than tear ourselves and everybody else apart once we discover we weren’t meant to be."

"It’s too late, Maeve, you’ve already ripped my heart to shreds." Sinbad’s voice harshened as the pain began to cloud his mind. Reaching for her, he pressed the scarf wrapped object into her hands. "I guess it doesn’t mean much now, but this was for you." He paused. "I know you loved me, Maeve, you told me so and I know it was the truth, my heart wouldn’t lie. I loved you with every breath in my body, every beat of my heart, and now I have to live with that every day of my life, because I am never going to be able to forget you."

She clenched her teeth. "Sinbad, just go, please!" Her voice took on a desperate tone.

"Tell me what changed your mind, Maeve. You owe me that."

She sighed, if it was the only way to get rid of him, then fine! "Sinbad, I didn’t want to tell you this, I didn’t want to hurt you any worse."

"Not like that’s possible." He grumbled, his heart bleeding and dying.

"But I’ve decided to accept Xaldar’s marriage proposal. I’m staying here in Thalderon, to become Xaldar’s wife."

Sinbad’s whole body began to shake. "You’re getting married?" His voice broke; Maeve only nodded, knowing that if she spoke she would never let him go.

As he took one last look at her something inside him broke, shattered like a glass against a wall. He didn’t want to leave her, couldn’t leave her, almost reached out his for her, but didn’t. Turning away, his vision blurred by pain and tears, he walked to the door. "Say your goodbyes to Firouz and Doubar; I’ll make excuses for you to Rongar. We leave in an hour." His voice was dead.

Maeve nodded. "Goodbye," she whispered to the sound of the door slaming.

She listened to his footsteps fade down the hallway, her hand clenching onto the small object it held, her strength fading, tears streaking down her face.

Once there was no sound of him, no scent of him and no love left in the room, she felt her defenses slip away, and the beginnings of a bone deep sorrow take their place. Maeve’s knees gave way and she sank to the floor, sobs wracking her body, an empty hole where her heart once beat.

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

Maeve found herself enveloped in Doubar’s arms, pressed against his large chest, trying not to cry. "You take care of yourself, girl." Doubar grunted, wiping away a tear, "If you ever need anything, I’ll come for you." His voice was rough and he turned away from her.

"Goodbye, Doubar. Thank you for being my friend."

Tears were streaming openly over Maeve’s cheeks as she turned to face Firouz.

"I don’t understand why, Maeve. Did you not like your present? If not, please don’t blame Sinbad, I crafted it."

Maeve held the beautiful necklace out in the palm of her hand. "Will you tell me what it is, Firouz."

Firouz smiled through his sadness. He took her hands and described each part as her fingers brushed over it. "It’s a necklace Sinbad had me craft for you. The chain is made of the purest gold in the kingdom, as is the clasp. I fashioned the gold into very delicate links so they don’t take attention away from the beauty of the crystal."

"Crystal?"

Firouz nodded. "Sinbad said that he found it in a cavern near some hot spirngs; the iron present in the water caused this one crystal to change color. Maeve, it is exactly the shade of your hair, chisled into formation by Sinbad’s own hand. He said he worked on it one night while you were sleeping; it was to stand as a symbol of your love and the memories you two share." Firouz sighed sadly, "You will keep it, won’t you?"

Maeve’s hand clasped tightly around the necklace. Her voice was little more than a whisper, "Will you put it on for me?"

The scientist reached towards her, and softly lifted her hair. With all care, he delicately closed the clasp, locking the essence of Sinbad’s love around her neck. At that moment Maeve vowed she would never again remove that crystal.

"I love you, Firouz." She whispered into his ear as she hugged him goodbye.

"My dear, it has been more than a pleasure travelling with you." Swiftly he kissed her cheek. "I love you, too, Maeve, try and be happy, okay?"

Maeve smiled sadly, "I will."

Maeve moved to stand at one of the open palace windows, and listened as Sinbad and the crew called their apologies and good byes to the king and the royal heirs. As their voices began to fade away into the crowd, Maeve turned and ran back to her chambers and to Dermott.

Curling up into a ball in the corner of the room, the light faded out of Maeve’s eyes, her heart and soul dying. "By the gods, Dermott, what have I done?"

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

Doubar glanced at his brother’s dejected form walking further and further ahead of him and Firouz. He shook his head and raised his voiced. "Little brother, you are a fool for leaving."

"Mind your own business, Doubar, you don’t even know the details."

"Then tell me! All I know is that there is a broken hearted sorceress back at that palace whom I have grown to care about very much. And there is a broken hearted captain in front of me who I love more than my life. So, tell me, what can I do?"

"Nothing, you can do nothing, I could do nothing, she made up her mind. I have to live with that." Sinbad doubled his already hazardous pace.

"Sinbad, did you try? Did you put your heart into your hands and offer it up to her? Did you tell her that no matter what happens with her eyes that you love her, and will love her forever and that you will never resent her for her blindness? That’s what she’s feeling you know."

"How inciteful of you brother." Sinbad said sarcastically, "Too bad she’s decided she loves me so much she’s going to marry another."

Doubar stopped. "She’s getting married?" His jaw dropped. "Little brother, you get out of this sulk and get back there and stop her! She’s making the biggest mistake of her life!"

"Doubar you know how she is when she gets like this, there’s nothing I can say to change her mind, and if I try she will only resent me."

Doubar walked up to his brother and punched him, hard. "Do you feel that?" Sinbad nodded, gasping. "If you don’t go back there this instant that’s how you’re going to feel for the rest of your life! Now go!"

Sinbad looked up at his brother in awe, but saw the reason behind Doubar’s logic. "I have to go back."

Doubar raised his hands to the sky. "Ah ha! Finally managed to knock some sense into the boy."

"Speaking of knocking..."

The crew turned in shock to find themselves surrounded by twenty of the palace guards, before they could react Sinbad, Doubar and Firouz were knocked unconscious, tied up,and carried away. Hours later, Sinbad awoke in the dungeon to find Xaldar smiling down at him.

"You should have kept going, Sinbad, I would have let you be. Now, come next week, Maeve will be my wife, and you will be dead." Xaldar laughed cruelly, slapped Sinbad across the face, and walked away.

As Sinbad slipped back into the unnatural darkness of unconsciousness, Maeve’s face flashed before his eyes; this time he had lost her for good.

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

Continued in Shared Admissions Part 11

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