Jasmine arrived at the Ashbourne mansion to visit Maya's family, and Damon couldn't have been happier to see her.
"Please, sit and make yourself comfortable," Evelyn said warmly.
"Thanks, Mum."
Evelyn blinked in surprise. "Mum?"
Jasmine laughed. "Yes. We're family now, aren't we? There's no need for all these formalities."
"I like the sound of that," Damon said with a grin. "Then I'm Dad."
The three of them laughed.
A short while later, Maya returned wearing a simple but elegant dress. She greeted Jasmine before they all headed to the dining room, where dinner had already been served.
They were halfway through the meal when Nathaniel arrived.
"Good evening, everyone."
"Good evening, Your Grace," the Ashbournes replied.
Nathaniel took his seat beside Maya.
"So, Your Grace," Damon began, "have you found anything concerning the kingdom?"
Nathaniel's expression changed slightly.
"Not yet, sir. This investigation isn't as simple as we hoped. Whoever attacked the borders knew exactly what they were doing and disappeared before we could identify them."
"That's unfortunate. But I'm sure you'll do your best, especially now that you're working alongside Duncan."
At the mention of Duncan's name, Nathaniel's jaw tightened.
"Yes, sir. Especially now that I'm working with him."
The sarcasm wasn't lost on Jasmine. She gave Nathaniel a sharp look. He noticed and immediately straightened in his seat.
"So, sir," he quickly changed the subject, "how is the farming business?"
"Good, but exhausting. Farming isn't as easy as people think."
"I can imagine," Nathaniel replied.
"At least it keeps food on our tables," Jasmine added.
"Exactly," Evelyn agreed.
Maya remained quiet. She had noticed the exchange, Nathaniel's reaction to Duncan's name. Jasmine's warning look. The way Nathaniel immediately changed his tone.
She glanced between them. Something wasn't right, and the more she watched, the more certain she became.
"What exactly do they know that I don't?"
After dinner, Damon and Evelyn left the room while Jasmine stayed behind, talking with Henry about Aerathia. Leaving Nathaniel and Maya alone.
In the garden, Nathaniel looked at Maya.
"I hope you weren't offended by what happened at the party."
"No, Your Grace. You did the right thing. I honestly never knew Stephen could behave like that."
Nathaniel shook his head, "And after everything, Sandra still loves him."
"I don't even know what to say about that," Maya admitted.
Nathaniel studied her face, "Why were you crying?"
Maya looked away, "I told you. It was the makeup."
"Lies."
She looked back at him.
"You were crying. Was Duncan the reason?"
"Kind of," she admitted. "But it wasn't in a bad-"
"What way?" His voice suddenly dropped, becoming much deeper.
Maya stiffened. She had never heard that tone from him before.
"I don't like the way you're talking to me."
She turned to leave, but Nathaniel caught her hand.
"I'm sorry." He lowered his head. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. What I meant was... in what way?"
Maya folded her arms, "Your apology isn't accepted."
Nathaniel raised a brow, "Really?"
"Talk to me properly."
He smiled softly, "I'm sorry, my love." He reached out and gently stroked her hair.
"You know I hate seeing you cry. When Stephen pushed you, I couldn't control myself."
His voice sounded sincere.
Maya's anger slowly disappeared. She looked into his eyes and felt her heart soften.
Without thinking too much about it, she glanced around to make sure nobody was watching, leaned forward, and gave him a brief kiss.
Nathaniel smiled, "I like that."
Maya immediately looked away, embarrassed.
"I wonder how the rest of you would taste."
Her eyes widened, "Stop saying things like that, especially here."
Nathaniel laughed, "Alright, alright. I promise."
Maya shook her head, trying to hide her smile.
A few moments later, Jasmine and Henry joined them, and the conversation shifted toward the plants surrounding the garden.
Maya sat down, but her attention wasn't really on the flowers. She noticed Jasmine looking at Nathaniel.
Not casually.
It was a deliberate look. Nathaniel met her eyes, and Jasmine gave him a subtle signal. Nathaniel shook his head.
Maya's smile disappeared.
"What was that?"
She looked from Jasmine to Nathaniel.
Neither of them spoke.
Nathaniel suddenly looked uncomfortable, glancing around as though he was afraid someone might overhear them.
Maya studied him, "You want to tell me something?"
Nathaniel looked at her, "I-." He stopped himself, "No. I have nothing to say."
"Really?"
Maya's eyes narrowed. She wasn't convinced.
Jasmine stepped forward before Nathaniel could say anything else.
"I think it's best we take our leave."
Nathaniel immediately stood.
Maya watched the two of them walk away together. Her suspicion deepened.
There was something between them, something she hadn't been told, and she was going to find out what it was.
_____
After a long day at work, Alora finally stretched her tired arms.
"Finally," she muttered.
The shop was closing, and she decided to walk home with some of the other workers heading toward the commoners' district.
She had barely gone a short distance when she remembered something.
"William's pastries."
She groaned. "He'll complain all night if I forget."
Alora turned around and hurried back toward the shop.
She bought the pastries and stepped outside again, clutching the small package against her chest.
The streets were quieter now. She walked faster. Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Alora glanced over her shoulder. Someone was there, and she couldn't make out the face.
Her stomach tightened.
"Ambrose?"
She quickened her pace, and the footsteps became faster. Still, the feeling refused to leave.
"So you want to play this game?" she muttered, gripping the pastry bag tighter.
She turned down a different street, hoping to lose whoever was following her.
The footsteps continued. Alora's breathing became shallow.
"Please don't..."
Suddenly, the footsteps stopped, and she slowed down.
Nothing.
She looked behind her. The street was empty, and Alora released a breath.
"Maybe I'm imagining things."
She turned back. A hand suddenly grabbed her from behind.
"Argh!"
The pastry bag fell from her hands. Then, a horrible laugh sounded beside her ear.
The smell of metal and alcohol filled her nostrils. Her blood ran cold.
Herbert.
"Hello, beautiful," he whispered. "You're coming with me."
"Get your hands off me!"
Alora struggled violently, twisting her body and trying to break his grip.
"Leave me!"
"No."
Herbert tightened his hold, "You embarrassed me. You and your little friend."
He twisted her arm.
Pain shot through her shoulder.
"Ah!"
"Now you're going to learn what happens when you humiliate a man."
Alora gritted her teeth, "You're insane."
She tried elbowing him, but he caught her again, her mind raced. She couldn't overpower him, but she needed an opening.
Then she remembered something, her knee shot backwards. Her foot connected between his legs.
Herbert released her with a howl.
"Argh! You bloody fool!"
Alora didn't wait. She ran.
"Help! Somebody help me!"
Herbert recovered and came after her. "Come back here!"
Alora ran faster, her lungs burning, she looked around desperately, and there were people nearby.
"Please!" she cried. "Help me!"
But the passersby looked away. Nobody wanted business with a commoner in the Noble District.
Alora's eyes filled with panic.
"I'm on my own."
She kept running.
Herbert's footsteps grew closer.
She turned toward a small path beside a cluster of bushes, hoping to lose him, and then she heard him.
"I'll catch you!"
Alora looked back.
Herbert was almost upon her.
She turned forward again- and slammed into someone. Her head struck a solid chest, and she stumbled backwards.
A pair of strong hands caught her before she fell.
"Easy."
The voice was calm.
Familiar.
Alora looked up, but everything had begun to blur. Her head was spinning.
Behind her, Herbert suddenly stopped, a strange choking sound came from his direction.
Alora tried to turn, but she couldn't. Her vision darkened. The last thing she saw was the face of the man holding her.
And somehow, even through the darkness swallowing her consciousness, she knew exactly who he was.
Then everything went pitch black.