The air in Uhkhtar was less heavier than she remembered. It could be she was completely exhausted and disoriented from the long several days of travel to get here. Portaling would've been much easier, but she had to send a message. The last time she had felt the cold, desert air such as this, the stakes were much higher. How ironic, peace was to be made here once again. Then again, was peace really made the last time she had been here? Jessamine only hoped this time it would be fully solidified, but upon meeting Shailud at the gates of Kanaf Palace, she knew it was just another fight in the shadows.

Shailud was everything Vrah predicted of him. There was a strength in his features, a piercing jawline, dark and intimidating eyes...but the strongest part about him was his spine. Shailud was a man who knew what had to be done and he wasn't afraid to use his voice. He used power and intimidation to his advantage, and he was capable of doing so because nobody else would step in to take his place. He said what people wanted to say themselves but were too afraid to utter. However, there was always a twist in his broken promises.

His popularity grew on a loud opinion of Lungor oppression, with some poison against Vitross included. Therefore tonight, and for the remainder of their visit, Shailud was the one treading on thin ice. The possibility of pleasing both his people and the royalty in front him was narrow. Shailud didn't seem the type to care about what his people thought when he was already in this position of power. And that made him all the more dangerous. Everyone wants a better world, everyone also just has alternative methods to achieve such. As always, with selfish motives included.

That is how power corrupts. It starts with the ears, muting them and drilling deeper into the subconscious of the mind. From there, it would poison everything, leaving the heart the last chance for hope. Jessamine could already sense the paranoia in his mind, especially as their eyes met across the courtyard. It hadn't reached his heart yet, meaning there was still a small chance at his redemption. If Jessamine learned one thing from Kaid: it was time to not search the mind for blackmail, but rather soft spots. She had to find what he really cared about, what he'd be afraid to lose, and what he'd do to prevent such a loss.

"Empress, you truly are as impressive as they whisper," Shailud bowed his head out of politeness. His voice was deeper than expected. It was aggressive in tone alone, as if the love for power had reached his tongue, making him love the taste of blood.

"Shailud," Jessamine bowed her head in return although it was more of a polite nod, "we appreciate the grand gesture of allowing us to remain here. Thank you for your hospitality."

Vrah stepped forward, his three bodyguards behind him practically breathing down his neck. Kiev was the opposite for her protection, giving some distance as he assisted in making sure the servants handled the luggage properly. He had faith Jessamine would sense trouble before he even needed to act. Kiev knew his presence was only for show, but that didn't mean he wouldn't intervene if needed if his Empress needed defending. Jessamine was proud of her Commander of the Guard. At first, he wasn't happy with the title, but he was honestly perfect for the role. He succeeded far beyond what his father accomplished in such little time.

"Shailud," Vrah offered a warm smile, sticking his hand out. They shook hands firmly, as most men did when trying to determine strength. Vrah was definitely more thin and lanky than his half-brother, but Jess knew he was strong. Shailud would make a mistake in underestimating him, especially given his Oblivion.

"Vrah, you're younger than I expected," Shailud observed, "please, let me give you a tour before dinner. There's no need to discuss policies or serious discussions for quite some time. I will have to travel tomorrow, but I will make it in time for the celebrations and discussions to come after."

"Yes, Empress Jessamine mentioned a...mahrajan?" Vrah spoke, completely butchering the word, but his point came across all the same.

"Correct," the leader nodded, glancing at the woman cautiously as they walked, "I didn't know you were familiar with our customs."

"I like to do my research," she replied, feeling a slight chill whisper against her bare backside not covered by her dress, "it is quite a beautiful palace here. Small, but the sandstone is exquisite."

"Kanaf has no reason for anything large. This place can run all on its own with just a handful of servants, but for this weekend it's needed extra attention. Each of you will be assigned a servant boy to tend to any needs especially given my absence."

The tour was dull. Jessamine let her eyes gaze over the architecture, fawning over it when in reality she was studying the paths of the hallways, the blindspots and corners that could make her escapade tomorrow morning easier. The palace itself would be easy to leave from. The large wall that surrounded it and the courtyard would be another issue. If she'd have to control the minds of guards to get past, so be it. But, the Empress preferred to be discreet whenever possible.

It had been awhile since she had snuck around in a place she didn't feel like she belonged. At the start of the Time Paradox, given everything that had happened, Jessamine hardly could stand going outside. She couldn't go into the city disguised, nor to the ocean shore to watch the waves crash. It made her feel sick to think about it. But, one day, she forced herself to, and not under disguise. Walking those streets at first, exposing who she was, who she wanted to be, it made her feel naked. Overtime, the stares turned into smiles. Vitross began to appreciate her presence, conversing with the citizens, almost showing herself as an equal instead of hiding behind a cloth.

It's what Kaid would have wanted for her. She was once so afraid of herself, she feared worse what her people would think of her based on gossip. How greatly did she prove herself wrong.

They walked into the small dinner hall, the smell of spiced chicken, lamb, and rice filling the air. It made Jessamine's mouth water, knowing she hadn't eaten much the last coming days. She didn't worry about poison. With Cadize's help, she slowly grew a tolerance to it given it was how Lungor had tried to assassinate her in times prior. A poison would make her sick, but nothing more. Shailud didn't seem the cowardly type to try poison either, even if he had two enemies in the same room together.

"Ah, Sabine," Shailud said as a woman entered the room, "this is Sabine, the local Shurta. I hope you don't mind her presence. She is helping establish peace in Kanaf and hopefully the rest of the region as well. She is discreet, so there is no worry she may spill any talk here with the locals. Sabine, this is Empress Jessamine and the Grand Duke Vrah, heir to the Lungor Empire."

"A pleasure." Vrah warmly smiled at Sabine. Too warmly.

Sabine was young, her curly brown hair tied up given her profession. She couldn't let it get in the way of instilling peace in the city. She was strong, proud...ambitious. But she was not dangerous. Mentally, she was easy for Jessamine to infiltrate. She was very wary, cautious of the royals being here. But what she worried about most was Shailud making a mistake to worsen all of this. She held no loyalty for him, at least not a firm one at that. She'd be easy to persuade against him. There was no persuading her, however, when it came to what was best for her people. They came first, which was why Jessamine wasn't surprised when she felt lingering bitterness as the two women met eyes.

She didn't like Vitross, nor Lungor. But her youthfulness turned naivety made her prone to be open minded to this gathering.

Jessamine wasn't exactly as radiant as Sabine would think her to be. All the talk about her was beauty, and while she couldn't deny that, the Empress was more subtle than expected. Perhaps it was the dresses or makeup that seemed to give off that impression. Her eyes...Sabine didn't like her eyes. She wasn't exactly accustomed to blue eyes, but there was something piercing about hers. It was almost enough to give her a headache, or it was probably just her exhaustion.

"I hope your trip was comfortable. That locomotive you have, it certainly isn't quiet," Sabine noted, her voice polite but her words held a bit of disdain, "you know, the locomotive nobody here asked for."

She was starting off strong, wasn't she?

"Shailud approved of it," Jessamine hummed, "we wouldn't build something at great cost if we weren't welcome."

"It'll be good for everyone. Sabine, you must visit Lungor some time, it is only an overnight trip. You'd be a welcomed guest at my capital," Vrah tried to assure her, glaring gently at Jessamine to keep her own tone in check. Not like he could keep that Empress in line anyways.

"I've been there, thank you for the offer," Sabine answered, taking her seat. Jessamine took hers, bitterly, as she had to pull her own chair in. She thought by now after two years she'd get used to not having Kaid around to always assist in such mindless matters. She supposed she never fully appreciated his etiquette and acts of quiet love until it was taken from her.

"Now now, let's play nice," Shailud laughed softly, "this is a night to get to know each other. Let's just ask questions around the room, a little icebreaker if you will."

"I don't see why not," Vrah gleamed, already relaxing in his seat as he ate. Vrah didn't trust easily, but he trusted far easier than Jessamine. Knowing that though, was probably why he could already relax at this dining hall. "Favorite subject of study?"

"War tactics," Shailud answered, "Particularly the Battle of the Seven." A military historian. How...original. He certainly gave off the type to enjoy the history of misery, where war crimes and death tolls were statistics for sadistic, mental pleasure.

"An epic!" Vrah laughed, "Tell me, was General Goudge the fool?"

"Not at all. Captain Rhodes should have taken the weather into consideration given his position. It was a strategic failure on all ends, except that of the victor. What of you, Emperor-consort?"

"Psychology. I love the way people think, how they explain their reasoning. As a boy, whenever my father asked me a question, I could never answer 'I don't know.' It was always an unacceptable answer for my actions. That answer truly is not an answer at all but a scapegoat. Even children know the reasonings for their actions, they just try to hide from the truth. Of course, an action in itself does not define a person. What about you, Jess?"

She hated it when he called her that.

"Seduction."

Sabine scoffed, louder than probably intended.

"Do explain further Empress, ignore my Shurta's impoliteness," Shailud smiled, looking at her.

"Is it not a woman's role to find out what pleases a man? I always thought it interesting that when a woman seduces a man, they blame the woman. Nobody ever thought to question the weak will and ego of the man to begin with. In a duel, a man can cheat, throw some dirt in the eye, use some cheap tactic to gain advantage over an opponent. Men would think him wise, tactful, and full of improvisation to survive before backstabbing his enemy. Seduction is not for the purpose of making a man stumble, but to expose his weakness, find his flaws," Jessamine hummed, taking a moment to eat, "don't both parties get what they want in the end, so why a punishment?"

Sabine's slightly furrowed forehead seemed to relax, knowing what Jessamine said to be true. In anyone's eyes, a seductress was the cause of trouble, the evil amongst the righteous. But, if a blade pierces armor made of iron, everyone would be so impressed with the sword. Nobody would question why the armor allowed such penetration and was weak to begin with.

"What makes a man weak?" Shailud asked.

"What he's willing to give up for what he wants."

"Well, you've studied it, Empress. Can you tell what I want most?" Shailud beckoned, Vrah squirming in his seat. An open invitation. Shailud was ignorant, or he was testing her. Whether he knew she could invade the minds of others, Jessamine couldn't say for certain. But Shailud was merely answering Jessamine's hypothesis without even realizing it. In his eagerness to see if she could be right, he was giving her exactly what she wanted: access.

She pried, but not too much. Nowadays, she could spend countless hours parading on the brains of idled men without so much breaking a sweat. Her powers had grown, astronomically so. Yet her own hesitance had grown as well, not wanting to be seen as a monster in the sight of others. She couldn't be the woman she once was, who did so without thought, who was careless at the cost of others. Every choice had a consequence, even the ones she assumed to be mindless or innocent.

"Someone. You want a person. Maybe...you already have them within your reach. It's someone who will answer all your questions...give you everything else that you desire," Jessamine answered, seeing a nervous smile appear on his lips, "but it might come with an expensive price tag."

"Well, next question, what's everyone's favorite color?" Vrah immediately changed the subject.

"Sabine didn't get to go," Jessamine noted.

"I didn't go to school or study. I like poetry though." she mumbled quietly, picking at her food, "Green. I like green." She felt like she was at a table conversation she wasn't welcomed to. She'd much rather sit at the far end of the table with the bodyguards. It could also be that she realized Empress Jessamine was more work than originally thought.

"Blue, like the empress' dress," Vrah smiled.

"Red."

"Brown," Jessamine answered, realizing it surprised people. She supposed it was never seen as a beautiful color. To her, it just was. The color of his eyes, how it reminded her of the softness of his skin, like her morning tea or his favorite coffee.

"I have a good one. Where were you when the Time Paradox happened?" Shailud asked with a soft laugh. Jessamine's small and fake smile immediately fell from her lips. She could feel Vrah's eyes cautiously watching her, almost apologetically.

It wasn't a horrible question. In order to really understand the horrors and come to terms with what the Time Paradox did, it sort of became a joke. People got to know each other in a teasing way, asking where they were when it all happened and what changed. After all, it affected everyone to some extent. When the world stopped turning, people wanted to tease what they were doing at the time. To some, it was merely a walk amongst the streets, watering their garden and having to do it again, or having passionate sex getting to experience its pleasure not once but twice.

To Jessamine, she was dead. Her body had suffered twelve stab wounds to her spleen. Whether that killed her or the blood loss soon after, she didn't know. That's where she had been. She was in a place she felt she deserved to be, a nightmare she never wanted to come true but it was always written in her destiny. She paid the price for her sins. The Time Paradox existed because of her. She knew Kaid could have picked any moment to return to, gain a resurgence of time to find any advantage against Payne. Yet, he chose to find a moment to bring her back, take fate away from her murderer and throw it back into her hands.

Why did Shailud ask that? Nobody knew, not even Vrah, that Jessamine had died that day. Only those who had witnessed and shed a tear over that moment knew. It was something she'd keep close to her chest, only because she was willingly dealing with its consequences. And she would keep the blame off Kaid's shoulders, no matter how heavy the burden.

"I was playing in the street with my younger brothers. Football. I was winning when it happened. The ball got torn up from a bit of rough housing and seconds later, we were pulled back to our original places and the ball was perfectly normal," Sabine answered, her voice softer than it had been previously, "I let them win after that."

"I was praying. I remember exactly what I was praying for: change. At first, I saw the Paradox as an omen for death, the beginning of the end. Now, I realize my prayers have been answered with it. It was a sign of change, the one we all desperately needed," Shailud's tone held a bit of manic to it, borderline religious fanaticism, "I think it forced everyone in this world to wake up. And any man that can do that, is a dangerous one indeed."

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Shailud admired Kaid, in a sickly sort of way. Power. That's all it was to him. Jessamine knew the truth: if any man possessed the Oblivion nature Kaid had, the world would have been ruined thrice over. Kaid was the only man deserving of his strength, and for that reason, he'd always be seen as a threat. He'd always be hunted as an object of envy. What right did he have to change the world and not pay anything for it? Why should he pay for it when he saved everyone?

Jessamine was about to respond before seeing a servant boy approach with wine. And upon immediate glance, she knew who it was: little Kaid, Mara's boy she had once saved on the battlefield. He had grown maybe at least half a foot, black hair cropped short, freckles forming on his face. His nose looked so much like his father's: Payne. Yet everything else was a direct resemblance of his mother. When little Kai looked up, making eye contact with the Empress, his fingers slipped with the decanter of wine, splashing the red all over Jessamine's ocean blue dress.

"I...I'm so sorry," Kai immediately apologized, seeing Shailud rise from his chair, almost out of anger and disbelief.

Jessamine could feel Sabine's eyes on her, as if judging her character in the moment. What would an Empress do when her expensive dress was ruined with a splash of wine? Was she the spoiled brat everyone claimed her to be? Would she dare lay a hand on Kai? The boy was certainly a trouble maker but he was just a kid, and so far he was doing fine as a servant under Shailud. Sabine had a soft spot for him, too.

"Oh, it's quite alright," Jessamine smiled, grabbing her napkin to dry any excess wine from her dress. When she glanced down at the spot, she noticed the red stain perfectly placed at her right hip, the same place this boy's father had stabbed her. Over and over again. Her hand trembled, remembering the metallic smell of her own blood, feeling a wave of nausea creep up her throat.

Shailud moved close, bending his hand back as if to smack the backside of the boy's head for his insolence. Luckily, Jessamine shook off her overwhelming emotion and stepped in front, her eyes directly meeting Shailud's. Any man willing to hit a child for a mere accident was not fit to be a parent, let alone rule for the goodness of his people.

"It's alright, Shailud. It was a mere accident," Jessamine affirmed, again, "What's your name darling?"

Kai hesitated, confused for a moment. He knew Jessamine, and he was very sure she must have remembered him. Yet, she asked for his name.

"Kai," he answered, using his nickname.

"Kai, a pleasure. I'm Empress Jessamine," she smiled.

"That dress cost nearly-" Vrah was about to speak before Jessamine raised her hand at him.

"I have plenty of dresses, Vrah. I will not ask for compensation. Shailud, is Kai already assigned to someone for this trip?"

"He was assigned to Vrah."

"Is it too much to ask him to be my assistant?" Jessamine beckoned, seeing Shailud shake his head, "Kai, why don't you help me and my bodyguard to our rooms?"

"Leaving so soon?" Vrah asked.

"All this travel has made me tired, and the last thing I want is to sit in a wine-soaked dress," Jessamine stood, revealing the large stain. Vrah stood from his chair, as if wanting to help escort her back but she shook her head. Someone should stay with Shailud for most of the evening, and given the conversation she wasn't exactly in the mood. "Dinner was delightful, however. Sabine, it was nice to meet you."

"The same, Empress," Sabine responded, politely this time.

As Kai prepped to put the wine down and move towards the luggage, Shailud walked over to her to extend his hand. And when he did, the raise of his tucked in uniformed shirt revealed the glimmer of an emerald handle for a blade, one so familiar to Jess. Why did so much of this evening remind her of that death? Why the fuck did Shailud have that blade? Her mouth went dry, tears almost welling in her eyes as if it confirmed her worst fear. Was Kaid dead? Did Shailud kill him? Kaid would never give up that blade willingly, even if it symbolized everything from his nightmares.

"Everything alright, Empress?" Shailud asked, seeing her grow slightly pale.

"Yes," she answered with a whisper, faking a smile before shaking his hand, "I hope your travel is well tomorrow."

"Uhkhtar needs all the prayers I can give. Thank you again. I shall return in two days. Do enjoy the palace, or a walk into the city with some escorts. We wish to be as welcoming as possible."

"Of course, thank you Shailud," Jessamine bowed politely before taking her leave. She could sense Kiev got a glance at the blade as well, because his steps quickened as he assisted with the remaining luggage. They followed the boy to their rooms but said nothing. Whispers could echo in this hallway, and Jessamine just wasn't quite sure how much she could trust the boy. All she wanted to do was pull him aside, demand and ask to know if the love of her life still breathed.

All of it felt like a game. Having Kai as his servant, asking about the Time Paradox, and parading that blade, despite it being tucked in almost secretly. Her keen observation was only feeding her paranoia. It could all just be a coincidence, but the ache in her gut was telling her otherwise. Musa, Kaid...he wrote for her to come here. Was it a warning that he was a danger? Did she arrive too late?

Kiev checked her room, which right now she didn't care about the luxuries or what it looked like. All she wanted to do was vomit, purge the worry in her gut, cry until it stained those bedsheets. She was in pain. Gods, she was in so much pain. A blade into her side felt nothing compared to the mere thought, the idea of Kaid's heart no longer beating in this cruel world.

"I'm sorry about the dress, Empress," Kai quietly whispered.

"It was an accident. And accidents happen. You won't be needed until tomorrow Kai, go home and be with your mother. You're free for the evening," Jessamine forced a smile, letting the boy know it wasn't as a punishment, but just that he deserved to be at home with his mother. He was still too young to be acting as some servant to a tyrant. He should be at home reading or listening to music, playing football in the streets or just...being a child.

Kai smiled at that and left, probably on his way to talk with Mara about what happened. Good. Maybe, just maybe, she'd get some answers. But tonight, she'd be left alone with her thoughts.

"Jessamine, was that...Kaid's blade?" Kiev asked cautiously, noticing her hands still trembled slightly.

"Yes."

"What does it mean? Is he dead? Did Shailud kill him?" he asked, nervousness in his voice, "And isn't that Mara's kid?"

"I don't know. I don't know what any of it means. I didn't want to pry into his mind to see. If I did that, I'd be no better than Shailud, clawing my way to get what I want."

"And Vrah, does he know?"

"No. As far as I know, he knows nothing of the blade, nothing much about what happened that day except that Payne was defeated and Kaid practically died. Vrah doesn't believe it, as expected," Jessamine let out a shaky breath, "I'll need your help in the morning sneaking into the city, once I breach the wall, if anyone comes looking for me just say I'm feeling a bit unwell."

"You don't want me to come with you?" he asked.

"I'll be fine."

"Was it just me, or was Vrah acting a bit strange this evening?" Kiev pointed out as he approached the door, looking back at her.

"He's been acting odd this entire week. He's nervous, more than expected," Jessamine sighed, moving her hand to rub her sore temple, "just stay vigilant, Kiev. I'll need you as sharp as your blade."

"Of course, Lady Jessamine. Have a good night," he nodded, although he feared she wouldn't. Did she ever have a good night as of late? She often looked so tired in the mornings, where no cup of tea could rejuvenate her.

By the time Jessamine finally reached the bed, after a cold shower and stripping of her invisible Empress 'skin', she crawled into bed with a knot in her throat. The tears came and she couldn't stop them. Sobs tore at her chest, wishing nothing more than to fall asleep and wake up in a fantasy. The amount of times she would turn in the morning, wishing just to feel a warm spot of where he could be, but she felt nothing but ice cold sheets. Ice cold for her heart. She knew the price of her choices made long before his entrance into her life had come.

She just didn't think it would hurt this badly.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mara begrudgingly pushed through the busy market that hot morning. It was far too busier than usual, and it was probably because people were beginning to prepare for the little celebration at the palace for the weekend. Whispers were already spreading of gossip of both Lungor and Vitross. Guards were already speaking of Vrah's youthfulness, the soon to be emperor definitely younger than expected. Some believed that would work to their advantage, that the young man was naive and lacked experience.

And then there was talk of Jessamine that seemed to boil her blood. They were things she had heard before, men talking about their disgusting desires for the entire world to hear, not caring if they had wives at home or children to tend for. Like always, she'd brush it off. In the beginning, she couldn't care because she felt nothing for that Empress.

Now? Well, she couldn't help but admit that maybe she was wrong about her. Kaid had loved her, something she thought to be impossible. Mara knew all the things Jessamine was doing currently, things Kaid didn't even know about, to take a weight off his shoulders. She gave him a fresh start, and right now, Mara felt like he was making all the wrong choices. And with everything her son told her of last night, how Jessamine stepped in to protect him...she couldn't help but almost feel sorry for the Empress. Almost.

"Please, these rugs are beautiful, but I know they're worth half of what you're demanding of me," a soft voice pleaded, frustratingly so.

"If you don't have four hundred, then you don't have four hundred. You think I run a charity here?"

"I have the money, I just know that you're swindling me, Mister Youssef."

Mara pushed through, finding a frustrated Jessamine. Of course her darker red hair was covered with a headscarf, leaving just a freckled face and pale skin to show for herself. Some might think her as a foreign tourist rather than an Empress, given the plain sand-clothes covered look and lack of any supervision. She really liked to push her luck going out into public didn't she?

"Youssef, we both know these rugs are more of a labor cost rather than fabric. Yasmine, let us go to the southern market, someone will sell you a rug for less than two-hundred," Mara suggested, seeing the surprise on Jessamine's face at the intervention.

"Mara, you know this woman?" he asked, frowning.

"Of course, old friends," Mara smiled.

"One-fifty, take it or leave it," Youssef glanced at Jessamine, who eagerly pulled the coin from her small bag, handing it over.

"Is it alright if it gets picked up later?" Jessamine asked.

"Of course, of course," he shrugged, "don't think you're strong enough to carry it around."

"Youssef, you should learn to talk nicely to customers," Mara rolled her eyes, knowing it was just sort of customary especially when someone not Uhkhtarian perused the markets.

"Thank you, Mara," Jessamine answered, "You look well."

"Come, I know a good tea shop," she nudged the Empress. They walked silently through the streets. Jessamine felt relief at Mara's presence, beginning to hear the thousand of questions in her mind she was pleading to ask. But, she had to be patience. Mara's own allegiance was narrow and thin. Jessamine knew she didn't hold any ill will she did maybe three years ago. But her loyalty was to Kaid, not to anyone else. The tea shop certainly was more than just a shop, but a welcoming cafe with comfortable pillows and the aroma of steaming hot herbs filling the room. They took their place towards the back, Mara ordering a kettle of Shay Al-Bahr for the both of them. The room was full of conversations, a perfect place to have one of their own in secret.

"Yasmine, huh?" Jess asked with a soft smile, already enjoying the scent of their tea being poured.

"I'm not the best at improvising," Mara laughed softly, "how are you?"

"As good as I can be," Jessamine answered, which Mara took as 'not doing too well'. She was surviving. If there was anything Jessamine Kruzika was good at, it was surviving. Living, on the other hand, she was still learning to do.

"Go on, ask. I can see you have questions," Mara encouraged warmly.

"How is he?" Jessamine asked, almost immediately.

"As good as he could be. He's recovered to full strength, if not grown stronger. He trains when he's not busy with other things. Kai and I were practically only able to feed him broth when in that coma. He was certainly malnourished when we traveled here. But, everyone has been more than welcoming. Kanaf was a decent choice in hiding him from the world. That is...until now," Mara sighed.

Jessamine let out a sigh of relief, knowing he wasn't dead, "Good. Good as in he seems to be doing well. Is he happy here?"

"He'd say he is, but he's become quite the liar lately. White lies, of course, and mostly lies to himself," Mara scoffed bitterly, knowing he was becoming a bit of a sore spot. Jessamine sipped her tea, taking in the warmth along with the good news that warmed a bit of her soul. Even if Kaid hated her, even if he never wished to see her, he was alive. And that was enough to keep going. Music was heard when the conversation quieted momentarily, a bit of piano, one both the women were quite familiar with.

"I didn't know my album reached all the way out here," Jessamine found humor in that. She had created a fundraiser based on the selling of music, all for her Oblivion Academy. Her name wasn't attached to the piano, but according to Arilla records, it was a staple in many rich households who owned record players. Odd, to hear it played in something so beautifully quaint as a tea shop.

"Oh," Mara paused, "so that's why Kaid plays it almost every single day. I've been this close to breaking the record myself. I didn't realize it was of your creation..."

"I, well, Kaid probably doesn't know that," Jessamine excused, although she figured that to be a lie. Kaid had listened to her play for hours on end, and he didn't tune any of it out. He would've known the tunes she used to play for him, recognize the faint humming rising above the keys. He knew it was her, and like Mara said, played it every day. Did that mean perhaps that he didn't hate her?

"He knows. I've heard you're going to play at the party. I can try and sneak him in-"

"No. No. I..." Jessamine paused, realizing her rejection might come off too strong, "I don't think it's a good idea to see each other. And, it's not that I don't want to. It's too risky. You have no idea what I've had to do to pretend he's dead, or that we don't communicate. I've only been able to hold them back for so long, but there's only so much I can do. I don't want them using me to get to him, I can't let that happen. And honestly, I don't think he'd want to see me. I was surprised he wrote to me, six months ago, just six months after he woke up."

"You knew?" Mara asked, feeling a pang of guilt, "You knew he woke up a year ago?" When Kaid finally decided to write, Mara thought everyone would assume it would be a sure sign that he was alive and well. But clearly, the six months of going back and forth, of wondering if he should change himself and his identity entirely or remain his true self...not deny his purpose...they were caught.

"Cadize was able to somehow monitor vitals even far away. We would've known if he died, and we would've known when he woke up. He told me the second Kaid's heart rate came to life," Jessamine nodded.

"I...I'm sorry Jessamine. Believe me, I wished to write to you myself, somehow communicate it but he forbade me. I thought it was unfair. We all knew what you were dealing with when we hid him out here, you're still handling it. I don't think that's fair."

"No. I don't want you or him to feel guilty about it. I wished for him to move on. I thought he would establish something for himself, something he created. Not Caladin, Lungor, or some twisted fate. Just something he could make for himself. When he sent that first poem, it inspired both hope and dread," Jessamine explained. Dread....dread that neither of them could move on. And how could she? Kaid was a once in a lifetime kind of love. Jessamine could know no other.

"What did you mean...when you said you could only hold them back for so long?" Mara wondered.

Jessamine uncomfortably cupped her tea, glancing down at it, "Vrah and I...are, well, it's complicated."

"You've been sleeping with him."

"To an extent, yes," she answered, ashamed, "there's no feelings attached. Not on my end. Lately, if I kept him happy, he'd stop pestering about holding Kaid accountable, finding out where he was. But now, it's like he knows he's alive and he's doing everything he can to find him."

"Shailud knows, at least, knows that Lungor is looking for him. They've tasked him with finding him, in exchange, Lungor makes an alliance," Mara whispered, keeping her voice low, "this comes from Sabine, not me."

"Shit," Jess hissed, "You and he need to leave then, it's not safe for you here. I...fuck."

"I don't think they assume Kaid, or rather, Musa, yet. To everyone he's just a depressed, friendly poet. And he cut his hair and shaved, I don't think many would recognize him besides Vrah. Besides, I don't think we can leave. It's gotten far too complicated."

"Mara, is Kai happy here, your son?"

"No. Thank you, for last night, by the way. He told me what happened," Mara whispered, rather thankfully. She never thought there would be a day where Mara felt thankful for her, but today was one of those days.

"I can offer you a job, in fact I think you'd be perfect for it," Jessamine offered.

"What? Are you insane?"

"No. I'm in need of teachers for my Oblivion Academy. You'd have your own place in Vitross, good pay, and you'd be teaching children and students about Oblivion, about techniques and manners to control it. The opposite of what Caladin did for you and Kaid...I want to create growth through positivity, not trials."

"And you think I'm qualified?"

"I think you're more than qualified."

"What about Kaid?"

"I don't know, Mara. But he'd know you'd be safe in Vitross. Vrah doesn't know anything about you, Kiev would ensure you transition well. I know you two write to each other from time to time," Jessamine took a long pause, "I know Kaid would want you safe, and he'd want you and your son to be happy. I can't force Kaid to make a decision."

"Would you take him back?" Mara questioned, although she already knew the answer. Taking him back would only worsen things for Jessamine, but also in some ways make it better.

"Without question," Jessamine nodded, swallowing bitterly, "Mara...how did Shailud get Kaid's blade?"

Mara was surprised by that question, but figured Jess must have seen a glimpse of it, "Well, that's another problem I may have created for ourselves. It's a reason maybe I feel like I can't leave, not yet. It's unfinished business, for both Kaid and myself. Shailud grows more radical by the day. In doing so, he splits the population."

"Yes. I noticed those with a leaning towards religion worship him. The other half despise him," Jessamine hummed, noticing that amongst her time walking the streets this morning.

"So, he's had to come up with a plan to convert the non-believers so that he could transition Uhkhtar into a position of strength and power: the blade. I made it for him, a replica. It's not perfect, but nobody knows that. Nobody knows the real one is tucked into Kaid's boots twenty-four-seven. He means to use that blade to push the religious belief he is destined to take this role," Mara sighed, "and I wish I said no. I thought if I did, he'd know something. We're not from here, so I thought he'd grow suspicious."

"No. No, you made the right choice for yourself," Jessamine assured her, "It just worried me last night, I thought Shailud had taken it from Kaid, or even worse killed him."

"Not at all, I know that must've frightened you," Mara apologized, "Gods, this entire thing is a mess. I honestly believe the only way to remove Shailud is to contest with that blade, meaning Kaid has to step forward. But that's too risky. We need to stay in hiding, but in doing so, we're letting a new oppressor rise. I can't just sit here and wait for it to happen."

"Let me handle Shailud. I can find something, I just need time. What I need from you, Mara, is to ensure Kaid will not be at that celebration."

"Why? Do you fear something bad is going to happen?"

It was just a feeling, a stupid gut feeling that perhaps something would occur. There was no evidence to believe so. All the little prophecies of last night, all the symbolism of her death felt like an omen. Mere coincidence, nothing more. But Jessamine had to make sure Kaid wouldn't be there.

"No," Jess lied, "Not entirely. But if they believe Kaid Al-Yami to be in this vicinity, then they believe he'll come to the party. They'll be looking for him. So, I need you to tell him to stay home. I don't care if you have to chain him to a wall or tie his legs together. Make him think that I hate him. I don't care. Do whatever it takes. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes," Mara agreed, "I promise, Jessamine. He will not be at that party..."