I own nothing

"Wait….Sophie…please just stop. Howl quickly broke out of his trance like state and grabbed onto her arm as she made her way past him. "Please don't be upset I wasn't staring because I think you are a freak. Do you seriously not realise how breathtakingly beautiful you are."

"Howl If you are taking the Mic I…" Sophie was stopped mid sentence as Howl swooped in and caught her lips with his. Sophie was so shocked that she didn't struggle for a few seconds."

When she started to squirm in his arms Howl raised his head but kept a hold of her hands.

"What are you? Howl….I…"

"Shhh, Sophie I like you no matter what you look like. I want to help you stay safe in this world and if it's not too much to ask I would like to court you?"

"I …..I don't know what to say."

"Just say yes my dear it will make everything so much easier. We can give things a go and see what happens what do you think?" Howl stared deeply into Sophie's eyes as he was asking which disconcerted Sophie slightly her felt like it missed a few beats when he started smiling."

"Okay, fine but we take it slow ok?"

"Whatever you say precious." Howls face now showed the most dazzling smile that Sophie had ever seen. "I think this calls for a celebration don't you?" Howl picked up Sophie and whirled her around in his arms.

"Please don't make a big thing out of it Howl. I would like to keep things quite for a while just so that I can get used to being here." Sophie despite saying this was laughing as Howl whirled her round the room. "I ALSO need to focus on my magic as I may have need of it in the future and I would also like to be able to see my parents again sooner rather than later."

"Don't worry about a thing we will have you sorted in no time at all we can practice together. Now please just kiss me Sophie before I explode."

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Sophie left Howl to his own devices for a little while to sort out some much needed wards on the castle both for herself and Howl. She hadn't been able to do it before because it drained too much of her glamour and there was a chance of her being caught. The magic swirled around the castle making it look like it had been painted with glow in the dark pain for anyone who cared to look as they passed by. It took two hours to place what Sophie deemed necessary on the castle and by the end of it she was exhausted.

"Howl, I think we are now covered as long as we are in the castle. If they ever do follow me here we will be safe inside these walls. For a time at least anyway" Sophie shouted down the stairs. "HOWL, HOWL are you there?"

Sophie came down the stairs slowly and with her arms out in front of her ready for battle. What she actually saw in the living room was more shocking than a surprise attack by hunters.

"Howl what on earth have you done?" The room was spotless. There were no cobwebs in the corners of the room, the dust had been banished and the floors had been swept. All the books of spells were back in their proper places and everything was spick and span. There was also a table in the middle of the room with a candle and two dinner places at it.

"Surprise" Howl jumped out with a bunch of flowers in his hands.

"When did you do all this?" Sophie asked blushing as she accepted the flowers from Howl.

"Oh it was easy, I just lifted the spell that I placed on the living room to cause everything to get really untidy."

"You What?"

"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you that earlier. I placed a spell on the living room so that Calcifer had to look at it all day. It's quite funny actually as he can't mention that it is a spell to visitors and he gets annoyed about it daily."

"HOWL that's horrible. Apologise immediately!"

"Why he started it by calling me a vain, arrogant peacock."

"HOWL!"

"Oh fine, I'm sorry Calcifer."

"Apology accepted." Calcifer appeared in the fire place with a smirk on his face. "She's really got you good boy."

"Go away I'm trying to have a nice romantic evening."

"Howl be nice."

"But Sophie, he started it."

"Any more comments like that from you Howl and I am going to go back upstairs and have a nice long soak in the bath and leave you to your meal alone."

"Please can you leave us alone for the night Calcifer we would like to have a nice meal just the two of us, If you don't mind." Howl said through clenched teeth.

"Actually Calcifer why don't you join use? I'm sure Howl has made plenty.

Howl looked at her with his jaw hanging open.

"That's ok Sophie; I don't think I can stand to watch Howls early romantic overtures. They will be cringe worthy have fun." With that Calcifer turned in for the night leaving Howl and Sophie alone.

"My lady please join me for our evening meal."

"Fine Howl but stop with all the mushy stuff and please put the lights back on I would like to see my food."

"But Sophie..."

"No buts Howl"

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"What do you mean she has moved realms?"

"One of our spies reported a female and male moving through a portal to another realm. It must be her and it looks like she has now found her guardian."

"We must move fast then. Awaken and mobilise all the hunters in the other realms she must not be allowed to come of age. The Fae realm must not have a new ruler even if she is only half fae."