"Good evening, Mr. Percy!" the trio of adorable rabbits exclaim in unison.

  A rabbit rushes to take Mr. Percy's suit jacket. Mia is as positive as she can be that it is the same rabbit who answered the front door. Mia's eyes remain riveted on the attractive stranger. His eyes remain riveted on her.

  Stepping into the dining room, the stranger crosses to what Mia can only assume is his usual seat at the table. He offers her a wide smile and tips his hat a second time. Afterward, he completely removes his hat and places it on a corner of the table. Mia's eyes drift to the elegant purple top hat trimmed with gold. Such a beautiful hat, with a beautiful man to match, such craftsmanship.

  The gentleman observes Mia's overt interest in his hat. He lifts it from the table and traces a finger over the gold trim.

  "It is a beautiful hat, isn't it? It was a gift. One of the nicest I've ever received. Until now."

  Mia's eyes wander upward to the gentleman's pleasant face. His grin grows even wider.

  "May I ask...What your name is Miss?"

  "Me...Oh...Mia," Mia stammers, the words nearly failing to come to her lips. "Mia....Yearling."

  Uttering Joseph's surname brings a feeling of sadness to Mia's heart. Joseph. It's been several hours since they were separated. Hopefully, he has found somewhere safe for the night.

  Percy becomes aware that Mia's mind is drifting. He places his hat back on the table and appeals to her once again. The amulet the master gave him will only last for three days in this realm. He has that long to woo Mia and make her his own. Already, the next day is approaching.

  "Will you be staying at the Ringmaster's Inn long, Miss Mia?" Percy says, purposely omitting the name of Mia's real world husband.

  He is attempting to make their relationship more personal. Mia simply smiles and takes a small sip of her hot coffee.

  "Actually, I had no plans to be here. I got separated from my...From my companion. It was pure luck that I found this place. And it is a lovely place."

  "Is it?" Percy says, leaning on the table and catching Mia's eye for easily the tenth time.

  Mia shifts her weight uncomfortably and averts her gaze. The rabbits hurry to place various dishes in front of Percy. Percy watches Mia eat, taking pleasure in observing the movements of her supple lips. How he wishes to kiss those lips. Such sweet and red lips.

  ====================================

  After dinner, Mia and Mr. Percy join the rabbits in the parlor. Percy makes sure to position his chair as close to Mia as possible. The purple flames roaring in the fireplace cast a faint glow on the beautiful woman's face. She shimmers like a purple jewel.

  "What is it that you do, Mr. Percy?" Mia asks.

  "I am a salesman," Percy replies, refusing to elaborate. "I often come to the inn for business. What is it that you do, Miss. Mia?"

  "I'm the assistant manager of a small business," Mia says in a soft voice. "Or...At least, I was. Maybe not after today. I never even called my boss and told her I'd be missing work. This has been one heck of a day. I feel as if this is some kind of chemical trip...Like someone slipped me a really bad drug. Rabbits don't talk...Or run beautiful inns. And beautiful men don't just walk into my life. They do tend to walk out of it though."

  Mia believes the entire encounter to be a vivid dream. Therefore, her responses are quite unabashed, and unapologetic. She believes she will wake up at any time, and the gorgeous Mr. Percy will be gone, that nothing she says will matter.

  Percy is of a different opinion. Her words matter more than anything. He leans forward and kisses Mia on the cheek. She turns in her seat, eyes wide with shock.

  "What was that for?" Mia exclaims.

  "For the compliment. It has been a long time since I have been called beautiful," Percy whispers sincerely.

  "I can't imagine why," Mia whispers back.

  Their eyes lock and Percy once again leans in close. This time, Mia jumps to her feet, heart pounding in her chest. Percy follows suit, staring at her face with concern.

  "Excuse me, Mr. Percy. I think...I think I need to go lie down. My head is hurting something terrible."

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  "Would you like me to accompany you...As far as your room? I would not wish you to faint."

  "No. I can manage," Mia replies. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Percy."

  Pecking Percy on the cheek, Mia climbs the steps and heads for her room. Percy watches her go with a solemn expression. Tomorrow, he will have to put the second part of the master's plan into action. The clock is ticking.

  ====================================

  Joseph and the ringmaster are seated in front of the fireplace. The ringmaster stares across at him, her green eyes studying his face with keen interest. He finishes his fourth cup of tea and sets his cup down on the large stones lining the fireplace.

  "That was delicious tea. What flavor was it?" Joseph asks, hoping to start up conversation again.

  The enigmatic woman has said very little, only giving short responses to his inquiries. Mostly, she sips her tea, glancing over the rim of her cup at him. Joseph finds her mysterious nature to be quite desirable.

  In the beginning, Mia's nature had been the same. It was what had attracted him to her. Once he had gotten to know her, he had loved her instantly. Carrie had been a fluke, loud and boisterous. This woman is very much like his Mia. A part of him wants to know this woman in purple more intimately. If she will allow him.

  "Haha. You would not have heard of it," the ringmaster says, setting down her own cup. "It is a very old world flavor. The word for it is unknown to most modern people."

  "Well, explain it to me," Joseph insists, leaning forward in his chair.

  "Maybe another time," the ringmaster replies, trying not to gag.

  This crude man wears his desperation on his sleeve. No wonder he is near divorce. A game of seduction is really only fun when the other party must be coaxed or gently coerced. Or maybe, not so gently. This man is no fun. Time to get down to business before he goes too far.

  "For now, we must discuss...Mia."

  "Mia? What about her? I mean...Where exactly is she? You haven't even told me where we are. Or why you gassed us. I'm expecting a damn good explanation. I still have a headache from that purple stuff."

  "It was necessary to...Gas you...In order to separate the two of you. That is a major component of our game."

  "Our game? What game? What are you talking about? Like a circus thing?"

  "Yes," the ringmaster replies drolly. "Like a circus thing."

  "Oh," Joseph says.

  "Your wife is presently in another realm. When I said, she is with a dear friend...I'm afraid, I wasn't being entirely forthcoming. More like...A prospective suitor."

  A deep crease appears in Joseph's brow. He leans even closer to the ringmaster. Did he hear her right? Another realm? Is she serious? What was in that tea?

  "Another realm? A prospecting suitor? Ma'am, I don't understand."

  "I know," the ringmaster states cryptically.

  Rising from her chair, the ringmaster plants herself on Joseph's lap. His heart nearly beats out of his chest as she begins to toy with his ear. Her voice becomes soft and airy.

  "I'm sure you realize by now that things around you seem a little...Different?" the ringmaster says. "That is because...You are in another place. Another time. In fact, here...Time means almost nothing. However, in the place where your wife now resides...Time means everything."

  "Is this a joke?" Joseph asks, trying not to look down at things he shouldn't.

  The purple lady's closeness, and her pleasant aroma, is clouding his mind. Her words making less and less sense. It would be so easy to lean up and kiss her. In fact, that is all his brain wants to do.

  "I'm afraid...This is no joke, Joseph. This is very serious. You are about to play a game. The stakes are very high."

  "How high?" Joseph asks rather dumbly, his mind going numb.

  The ringmaster leans toward Joseph, brushing his cheek with her lips. The move greatly disgusts the ringmaster, but it is all part of the plan. A necessary part. The tea has dulled Joseph's thinking. The rest is up to her.

  "Well...Should you lose...You will never see Mia again. She will join my rabbits at the inn. She will become my new pet. Do you want to hear how the game is played, Joseph?"

  Joseph turns his head to stare into the ringmaster's beautiful green eyes. This close, he is able to see every detail. Tiny purple flecks of light sparkle within the green. So pretty.

  The ringmaster summons her resolve and kisses the mostly undesirable man on his lips. Joseph's body goes slightly lax, his eyes losing focus. The ringmaster whispers softly in his ear.

  "You will be given a choice of three doors. Behind one of these doors, is the entrance to the realm where your wife has been sent. The other two doors...Lead to dangers unimaginable. You can only get back through an incorrect door by conquering the monsters found behind that door. In your wife's realm, time passes rather quickly. Already, she has experienced nearly a whole day...While you have experienced less than forty minutes. As I said, there is one there who seeks her for himself. If he manages to woo her before you reach the correct door. You lose. She will be his for a time....And my pet for always. Do you accept the task I have given you, Joseph? Or will you forfeit? You will not leave empty-handed."

  "I'm no quitter!" Joseph says through the dense fog in his brain. "My momma didn't raise a quitter. I'll play your game, lady. Even if it is a little weird. Kind of reminds me of dungeons and dragons. I used to play that as a kid."

  For once, the ringmaster is grateful that she is dealing with a willing participant in the game. A forfeiture would have spelled disaster. For her. But she had to ask. A new pet is most preferable to a romp with this spineless man. Besides that, Percy will come out of this happy as well. It may be quite some time before he seeks pleasure from her again. One fumbling lover is enough for many lifetimes.

  Mustering enough courage for a final kiss, the ringmaster is surprised when Joseph wraps his arms tightly around her middle. He kisses her tenderly and then politely leans away.

  "Are you serious about that fighting monsters part?"

  "Very serious."

  "Oh," Joseph says dejectedly. "So...I guess I better get started, huh?"

  "Yes. You should," the ringmaster insists.

  "Okay," Joseph sighs. "I'm ready. Show me the way."