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there.  Unexpected, he bowed before her and stammered out his response.  "One who dreams of upsetting the delicate balance of the politics of Verona."
    "And what did you tell him?"
    "The truth," said Faunus.  "That men like him live and die by the sword, and if he hopes to live, he had better choose to be a man."
    Juno glanced at the boy who now ran through the fields, as if he could not waste a moment to follow Faunus's advice.  "Strange for you to take such an interest in the House of Capulet.  Tell me, Faunus, what do you seek?"
    "Peace and harmony to reign upon the land."
    "Liar."
    "It is my duty to temper or feed the dreams of day, to adjust their reality so that by the longing or excess of it, the dreamer seeks out more.  I relish my duties and do not wish for them to come to an end, but..." Faunus dragged out. "...I have learned of one who seeks too much."
    Juno looked at him sharply.  "Who?"
    "It is as I tried to warn you.  Queen Mab conspires to pull down the House of Montague."
    "This complaint once more?" Juno dismissed.
    "I have met her in the streets and heard of her plans.  Mab's cruelty is great and her heart that of stone."
    Juno stood looking up at the bright, blue sky, as if its existence could chase away the threat of eternal stars.  "Take down the House of Montague, you say?"
    Faunus nodded to where he had left the boy.  "That child, Tybalt, is of the House of Capulet, but even I can see that if he dies, so goes the Montagues.  And yet, he comes and seeks out me instead of turning to his patron.  Why?  For him to meet his end would accomplish the same end that Mab has long desired.  It is a strange thing, Juno, and yet true.  She seeks too much.  Heed my words.  You would not listen to me before, but listen to me now.  You must banish her, take away her power over the night."
    "And who would plant the seeds of dreams in the sleeping heads of all Verona?"
    Faunus pulled out his pan pipes and regarded their form.  Offhandedly he mentioned, "I could rule both night and day."
    Juno laughed.
    Faunus spoke with deadly seriousness. "She has been too long a queen and a cruel ruler to those who fall within her domain.  Look at the boy as he walks back to the House of Capulet and know my words are true."
    Instead Juno regarded Faunus with passive judgment, weighing his heart.  "Perhaps you are correct.  Perhaps the dreams of those at night and those of day should not be split longer."  She nodded her head as the decision was made.  "Very well.  If the House of Montague should fall, Faunus, I shall give you her powers all."
    Faunus smiled.  He would ensure it would.

Chapter Fifteen
    M ercutio was waiting for her the third night, standing on their knoll.  She entered his dreams like a thief, causing the colors to shift and the light to sway.  As she appeared, at once not there and then there, watching him before he turned.
    "Queen Mab," he said, tasting her name like melting chocolate on the tongue, then holding out his arms to welcome her in.  She rested against his strength, listening to his heart mark out the minutes and moments they had together.
    "Mab," he murmured, exhaling the word like a kiss against her hair. "Wishing and wanting makes even a single touch divine.  Stay with me.  Do not disappear tonight."
    She pulled away as he tried to meet his mouth upon hers, to confess the great sadness which she bore.  "Ah, my gentle Mercutio, I cannot bring my lips to lie.  If I had the power to stay forever, I would never leave your side.  But alas!  It cannot be.  So hide with me in these stolen moments with grateful abandon, for, alack!  No matter what we wish, the hour shall come with its demands and wants, and with its call, I must go back."
    "And what is it that draws you away from me?"
    She motioned to the world that the stood within.  "I am Mab."
    "And what is a Mab?" he replied, stroking her cheek.
    She took his hands in hers, staying their wanderings.  "I am the bringer