It was a party of pretenders, like most parties were. Uhkhtar was differently spectacular, in the way they hadn't had an event like this in the region for quite some time. It didn't have the regular stench of elitism that Jessamine was accustomed to sensing. But, the masks were apparent. As a child, she dreamed of the days of having a perfectly crafted dress, dancing with strangers, getting to know people in ways that alcohol loosened their tongues. She just thought that everyone was the best versions of themselves at a party like this.

Jessamine bore her true face, while everyone wore masks like it was an invisible masquerade. On a night like this, she would have liked to pick up the mask again. However, she wore that mask for far too long, and not just at parties either. She didn't think she could put up that appearance for too long, not because she had pretended, but because she fully believed she was beyond saving. She was cruel because she knew nothing else. Caladin had been the one good thing about that mask, was that it forced an opportunity for her to take it off completely.

There was something different in the air tonight. The jewelry around her neck and wrists felt heavier. The cool breeze she always seemed to welcome held a harsher chill to it. The laughter amongst common chatter echoed like mockery instead of mere conversation. There was so much chatter, and so many thoughts lingering above them Jessamine almost had a hard time filtering them out.

Tonight, she felt vulnerable.

She still didn't feel nervous, and that worried her more than any anxious nerves would. She remembered her birthday celebrations, how her fingers couldn't stop trembling or the constant swelling of her throat begging for tears to form. And she remembered gazing up at Kaid, who's brown eyes dilated at the sight of her, and all she felt was peace. At that moment she knew she could tell him everything. He would not belittle her, parade her, demean her. No. He would've listened.

If only she had told him everything.

Maybe she wouldn't be here right now, forcing smiles at Vrah or giving false pleasantries to people she knew couldn't give a shit about her.

Those thoughts waned as she noticed Sabine's eyes constantly inspecting the crowd. She was dressed beautifully, like all of the local women here with colorful fabrics and jewelry. However, she wasn't indulging in the drinks, food, or conversations. She was scanning the crowds for something, shoulders hunched and tight. She was rigid. Yet as Jessamine slowly entered her mind, she didn't feel impending doom or a sense of knowing something would happen. She was worried that if something happened, she should have prevented it.

"Sabine, your dress looks absolutely lovely. Are the fabrics local?" Jessamine asked as she approached her.

The dark haired and skinned woman glanced up in surprise, not expecting the Empress to leave her place around Vrah to talk with some strangers. Then again, she was Shurta and held a higher position. But, Sabine still wasn't expecting this Empress to indulge in small talk. Even less, complimenting her.

"It is, yes. You look lovely yourself, Empress," Sabine nodded, her voice soft and cordial unlike the first night they spoke. Sabine supposed the Empress was rubbing off on her, but certainly not as quickly as her friends and locals whose eyes lingered too long on her.

Sabine almost had to swallow the disgust as she constantly saw the men around her glare and ogle the woman next to her. There was hopefulness in the eyes, as if they were begging for just a mere conversation with the Empress, who to them seemed like an untouchable goddess. They undressed her with their filthy minds, letting their imaginations run wild into a fantasy that was just that: a mere fantasy. These men had better luck at contracting a plague rather than even a night with her.

For one, the handsome Emperor consort Vrah probably wouldn't allow it. Two, Jessamine traversed this party with experience, as if knowing who was worth her time and who would be a waste of it. Sabine almost felt bad for Jessamine, wondering the toll of both her position and beauty weighed heavily on her shoulders. Was she a victim if she used it to her advantage, or just an expert at improvisation?

"If you don't mind, I'd be more than interested in that tailor's supply. My friend Christine would love to handle some Uhkhtarian fabric. But, if you prefer to keep it a secret I won't fault you for that," Jessamine smiled.

"I don't mind. It will give him more business and profit," Sabine shrugged, her eyes gazing away from the Empress.

"Forgive me, Sabine. I can't help but notice it seems you're worried about something. You do not have to focus on keeping the peace tonight," Jessamine assured her, "unless...you know something I don't?"

Sabine didn't think she was making it that obvious, but clearly not enough for the Empress, "Kanaf has its fair share of mischievous people, rich and poor. I'm looking for any potential trouble makers, nothing more."

She was lying. Sabine was a good liar too. She didn't let her voice waver or her eyes advert elsewhere until after she finished talking. It was clear why Shailud kept her around, despite his subtle belief women didn't make decent rulers or leaders. Despite their differences, Sabine knew her role and played it well.

"Well, do try to have some fun tonight. Let's pray all the troublemakers stay home tonight," Jessamine bowed her head slightly, ready to go prepare for her musical escapade. She didn't want to talk too much before doing so, less her throat got the slightest hoarse from the constant chatter and cold weather.

"How do you know Mara?" Sabine asked, suddenly. It surprised Jessamine who didn't exactly see the question coming. Clearly, Jessamine's escape into Kanaf outside the palace had been noticed. That was a problem.

Jessamine knew that if she lied, no doubt that lie would be different than Mara's. That is, if Sabine even bothered to ask Mara her side of the story. She was around here somewhere, mostly just keeping an eye on little Kai to make sure he was doing alright. Jessamine supposed the only answer she could give was the truth. There was not a lot of time to come up with a convincing lie.

"I don't know if you'd believe me," Jessamine hummed.

"She's not from Vitross, that much is clear."

"She is not. She led a group called the Confederacy that tried removing me from the throne," Jessamine replied, quickly grabbing a glass of wine from a passing servant to sip. So much for not drinking until after her little song.

Sabine glanced at the Empress, knowing for certain Jessamine was right when she said it was hardly believable. But Sabine had heard of the Confederacy, so it was entirely possible at the same time. Mara appeared to be a well-traveled woman, a jack of all trades so to speak. Wherever that woman went, she adapted well. She knew how to fight, knew how to charm but also intimidate people. She also held a natural ability to lead but preferred not to. It sounded like truth, if Mara held any grievances towards the Empress.

Then again, Mara thought, who didn't hold slight apathy towards her?

"You must not see her as that great of a threat, then, if you went to have tea with her," Sabine observed, seeing Jessamine nod.

"Perhaps in another lifetime we were destined to be enemies," Jessamine admitted truthfully. Without the peaceful mediator that had been Kaid, in all honesty Jessamine believed one of them probably would have killed the other. Mara still couldn't be underestimated however. She would always be a subtle threat, if Jessamine ever gave her a reason to be disloyal. The Confederacy had given her freedom. If Jessamine could give her that too, her loyalty would be swayed all for her son. "Thank you though, Sabine, for keeping me safe. It's very good to have an observant Shurta. This city is lucky to have you."

"You're much safer in Kanaf than the company you currently keep," Sabine warned subtly. But she watched the intrigue in Jessamine's blue eyes, taking that warning into deep consideration. Whether she meant Shailud or Vrah, maybe both, Jessamine wasn't sure. Both men were acting nervous tonight, unlike her. It felt like Sabine might know something she didn't, but Jessamine wasn't in the mood to pursue her mindful thoughts tonight.

Perhaps she should have been in the mood. Survival cares not for feelings or moods.

"I'll keep that in mind," Jessamine replied before leaving. Her eyes glanced at Mara, who finally seemed to be enjoying some food before offering a small nod. It was best to stray from each other tonight, to not give anyone else the appearance they knew each other.

Mara was glad Jessamine and Sabine seemed to get along cordially. Sabine was friendly enough but definitely wary of foreigners, which Mara couldn't blame her for. Sabine was certainly alert tonight, though, which fed into Mara's anxious thoughts. Jessamine returned to Vrah's side, having her hand wrapped around his arm. Mara never would have assumed Vrah was even half related to Kaid if her friend hadn't mentioned it. Jessamine often spoke truth with her eyes. And what her eyes spoke of when wrapping her hand around Vrah was anything but real tenderness and affection. Vrah was either aloof, or well convinced one day that the Empress would love him. Probably both.

Vrah was certainly a conversationalist, quite the opposite of Kaid who preferred to listen with utmost tenderness.

Tenderness, however, quickly left Mara's vocabulary as she felt her wrist get grabbed from behind.

"Speak of the fucking devil," she whispered as her gaze turned upon who grabbed her, fury filling her like a fire, "what the fuck are you doing here?"

Kaid Al-Yami, the man who promised not to be here, certainly was. Part of Mara had a feeling that could happen. After all, Kaid didn't always think with his brain and much rather followed his heart. It was the most admirable, yet annoying trait about him. Luckily, he took the advice of being subtle, wearing a beautiful safa hat he probably just plucked from the market and a scarf to match with it. The rest of his attire was just a black kaftan to blend in with the crowd.

"I'm sorry," were his first words, "it's not safe here, and we need to relay that around."

"What do you mean, what happened?"

"All the graphite from our inventory was stolen. It must've happened sometime last night, knowing you would have accounted for it then. To me, that means you're being watched, you've been watched. If anything happens to Jessamine and they can trace that graphite back to you-"

"Someone knows of my past with her. It would look like I intended to finish what I started," Mara whispered, understanding, "which means, someone has a reason to use me as a scapegoat."

"Shailud is trying to cover his tracks with blood," Kaid accused, knowing he didn't have much evidence. But Mara made a blade for him in secret, one that seemed to mean a lot to people here. Already whispers echoed through this party that he must be their destined ruler since he possessed that blade. After all, a priest must have given it to him during his Mahrajan according to the beliefs. If Shailud wanted to remove any witnesses to the illegitimacy of that blade and his true rise to power, removing Mara was the start.

"He won't kill her, he's not that foolish. She'd see it coming," Mara shook her head, remembering what her son mentioned earlier this morning, "It has to be a distraction, something subtle enough Jessamine wouldn't think much of it. She might feel something is off tonight, but we both know she can transcribe danger like a canary in a coal mine."

"That doesn't mean people won't get hurt," Kaid insisted, "I must tell Sabine. You need to go tell Jessamine."

"She's about to get on stage any minute-"

"Figure something out," Kaid hissed softly. He was clearly upset. His eyes possessed a great torment as he let go of her wrist to start forcing his way through the gathering crowd. Kaid didn't want to be here, he wanted to keep his promise. His eyes hadn't even bothered to glance her way, knowing the second he did, he'd become entranced. Yet, he could still hear her soft laugh above the crowd, or those soft, quiet hums she gave when she didn't know how to feel about an opinion. Hundreds of voices echoed in this courtyard and all he could hear was hers.

Kaid was here because he cared, because he heard this silent, invisible call to protect nobody else could witness. Mara knew she couldn't sway him. No matter the consequences of being here tonight, she knew that as long as people were safe he wouldn't care. One day, he'd get himself hurt, or worse killed for this, similarly to the Time Paradox. But it couldn't be tonight.

Kaid kept his head low, knowing the safa he wore didn't cover that much of his face, just enough for the hair and decorations covering parts of his scarred eye. Jessamine couldn't know he was here. It would undo everything she was trying to accomplish tonight. If he interfered with that, he was afraid he'd meet her with a nice, warm slap on his cheek. Or worse, a blade to his gut like his nightmare had envisioned for his future. She should hate him. He led her to this agony. His decision to save her had unintentional consequences, ones she felt she had to pay for.

"Sabine!" Kaid called out, seeing the lovely Shurta turn to glance at him with soft, surprised eyes.

"Musa, I thought you couldn't make it?" she asked, knowing he had given her that excuse. He had told her that he wouldn't feel welcomed, or at the very least, stand out amongst the elites. Musa was humble, but at the moment, didn't appear so modest and respectful. Yet seeing him only made her heart soften slightly, wondering what he was here for.

"We need to talk," he whispered as he approached her with urgency.

Her eye movement became rapid, a part of her begging for a fantasy that she had only criticized moments ago. Surely this would be an odd place for a love confession, right?

"I'm listening," she nodded, careful to not let her pounding heart get the better of her, nor to let her gaze linger on his tempting lips.

"We need to evacuate this courtyard. Now."

Sabine's thoughts jerked and twisted, not having expected those words, nor his commanding tone, "What on earth are you talking about?"

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"I told you something bad would happen at this party, and it will happen if we don't do something," Kaid assured her.

"Musa, my team searched everything and we found nothing. You're looking for a grain of sand in a dune," she scoffed, not believing what she was hearing, "Can it wait? The Empress is about to sing."

What did he know that she didn't? What would a poet know above the Shurta of the community? It felt like he mocked her, didn't believe in her. The truth of it was, Kaid never trusted the man Sabine did. Sabine cared for her people. Shailud did not, and Kaid wanted to make that evident for tonight.

"What does that matter? We should do it before then," Kaid questioned, knowing they may not have time to wait.

"And spoil her fun?"

Kaid was about to speak before a soft vibration of a piano key was heard across the stage. The crowd slowly echoed into silence, as if everyone took that note as the beginning of a beautiful symphony. It was then, Kaid couldn't avoid it any longer. He gazed up to his Empress, who radiated below the dangling lights, fingers dancing across the piano.

She looked beautiful, as resplendent as the last day he saw her: his head in her lap on the verge of death itself. She was also just as bewitching, if not more, than the first day he beheld her.

Age had done her well, despite it only being two years. Her jaw was more sharpened, more mature, freckles more apparent as if she no longer tried to hide them with more makeup. She embraced the more natural red to her hair, keeping it dark rather than the sandy color he was used to. Red had always been a side to her darker nature, yet now she embraced it. He loved it. He loved the way it clashed with her emerald dress, the way it clung to her bodice as all her perfect dresses did. She could make any dress look like a mere accessory, an extension of herself. Jessamine was a piece of art that the deities themselves spent thousands of years creating and growing jealous over.

Confidence radiated from her, not the false costume of confidence he had been used to seeing. She shined like the brightest star in the sky, the one that pointed the way, the one who's explosion could destroy and create a universe all at once. No longer relying on Payne, she had to trust herself and her own motivations. Jessamine truly was beginning to look like the woman she wanted to be all along, and he loved it.

He loved her.

Forcing himself to look away couldn't deny him of that truth. He had tried for two years to run away from it, to not believe it. He thought such distance would ebb away just as quickly as the love had grown for her. How wrong he was. Denial was futile. To deny his affection for her was the same as denying life itself existed. Life was beautiful, and the fabric of it all was woven into everything that was Jessamine Alexis Kruzika.

You're getting distracted...his mother's words hummed in his ears.

"My gods, you know her," Sabine whispered, gazing at the poet who had his eyes glued to that stage. At first complete envy and disgust filled her, knowing Kaid could be just like any man and be tempted with such a beautiful woman. But the more she studied his gaze, it was clear Musa knew this woman. His gorgeous brown pupils had dilated, his eyes and forehead softening, and she swore she could hear his heart stop. When he gazed at her, it was like he was able to make time cease to exist.

What would a poet know of an Empress? How did it relate to this Empress also knowing Mara, who accompanied him?

"Apologies for disturbing this wonderful event. I thank Shailud for being a grateful host. Without him, I wouldn't be able to stand up here before you today. Kanaf is a beautiful city full of beautiful people, and I look forward to partnering with this growing region," Jessamine smiled sweetly, "I know my arrival has brought contention. I bring nothing but good intentions. Allow me, then, to be your entertainment for the evening. I have composed a song that I hope you enjoy, in honor of this lovely celebration."

The softness of piano keys were heard, gliding across the night as if being lifted by the wind. He missed her playing. What had once become a torment to her, a reminder of her place in society deemed by her horrible father, had become a safe space for her to speak the emotions when she had nobody who would listen. And then, she met a man who not only listened to her vents, complaints, and overall issues...but also her piano playing as well.

There you are

A person I wish I could remember

The one, the painful one who made me want to surrender

In a time of paradox, you are my interlude

Tangled bodies, breathless sighs, in a bed with you I am imbued.

The chorus repeated with her tune. Kaid had never heard her sing to this extent, other than a mindless humming or perhaps faint singing in the shower when he hadn't made his presence known. Yet, she sang tonight. The lyrics were about all that went missing, all the people taken with the paradox. Kaid created an interlude with time itself. Jessamine, was the paradox. She had contradicted herself, and here she was to do it again in front of strangers.

"Kaid...?" Sabine asked gently.

"Hm?" Kaid answered with a mumbled hum, before realizing what he had just given away. She didn't call him Musa. Before he could retract his statement, he saw Sabine had already caught onto it. Sabine had been told to keep an eye out for him, the creator of the Time Paradox: the reason her brothers had died. She had no reason to believe it was the humble poet besides her.

Not until now.

He was here all along, walking in the light when his heart was cast from shadows. He was the man they were looking for, a man deemed so dangerous that nearly every important figure in this Continent was looking for him. Minus, the Vitross Empress. Now it all made sense. Except, given everything she knew, everything she heard about this evil, Oblivionated 'demon'...she couldn't equate it to the man beside her.

"Sabine-"

"You lied to me. And now, I realized you used me," Sabine took a step back, glancing at him. Kaid felt a pang of guilt, knowing he had. He used it to keep himself safe. He used a woman's affection to gain information, information to be one step further ahead. How much different did that make him from Jessamine? Was she now the interlude, and Kaid the paradox?

Before Kaid could explain, the song ended and soft clapping was heard in the crowd, more applause than perhaps Jessamine expected. Her cheeks were flush with slight embarrassment, but mostly just joy. Kaid could see the dimples forming, a subtle touch of her face he loved so much.

Jessamine took a deep, painful breath. How much she wished he would be in this crowd tonight. If not, she hoped then perhaps he was sitting outside the palace walls to hear the echoes. Her eyes had scanned the crowd but found nothing to resemble the man she knew. Even if she found a man of similar height and build, she would have told herself it was merely her imagination playing tricks on her. The last two years were filled with moments of her mind deceiving her, thinking she saw him amongst crowds to only instill herself with faith and assurance. Kaid had never really heard her sing, other than bedtime musings of more erotic lyrics. How she wished that he had been the first one to truly hear this song tonight, knowing she wrote it for him and not this rabble.

Jessamine felt a large hand around her hip, pulling her close as her side clashed gently with Vrah's. It felt possessively proud. Vrah held her like a glorified handbag, one that would hold everything from his money to concealed weapons. Yet, once it met its use, it would become discarded. And more than likely, replaced.

Kaid clenched his jaw, feeling a jealous gnaw in his gut. He would equate his half brother to appearing more handsome, and his path to the Lungor throne all that more tempting for a woman. It was evident, however, Jessamine didn't melt at his touch. How often she melted against his own, skin soft as silk, muscles relaxing at just the faintest of brushes or kisses. Vrah only fed her agony, which meant he believed Vrah held a leash over her neck. How and why Jessamine allowed this to happen, Kaid wasn't sure. How could she even entrust herself to him? Maybe she truly did care for the man, and it was Kaid's jealousy that blinded him.

"I also have an announcement to make," Jessamine forced another smile, feeling Vrah pinch at her side subtly to get her to stop, "You see, I am opening an Academy in Vitross. It will be of low-cost, so anyone can attend, and there is no requirement to be a citizen of Vitross to attend."

She paused, hesitating.

"It's an Academy for Oblivion," she finally breathed out, hearing the aghast, partially outraged gasps of the crowd. Oblivion was not loved here, Kaid knew that to be certain. It had been born here, ironically enough. But it had been used against their people time and time again to the brink of potential extinction. There were even rumors Shailud would partner with Lungor in sending Oblivion users to Caladin, to quell the fears of the people.

Jessamine knew this though, yet she came regardless to walk amongst enemies and pronounce a very dangerous idea. Kaid couldn't help but feel his heart rise for her, wishing he could step on that stage in place of his brother and support her. It was a brave, bold move. It spoke of her compassion, of her willingness to trust people which was her biggest flaw. Her embrace to change was truly the reason behind her radiance.

"More than just Oblivion will be taught. There will be plenty of mathematics, politics, literature, all available to students who wish to attend," Jessamine forced her voice to rise above that of the crowds, "but yes, we will train those with Oblivion. I firmly believe both non-Oblivionists and those with powers can live side by side, and better yet, become each other's strength. These powers are a tool, and if we can teach the children of our future to use it and not hide it, then we can change our past with the promise of a better tomorrow."

Vrah immediately angled himself in front of her, not to shield her from the angry and upset glares, but to smile and laugh.

"Well, the Academy for Vitross is still in a trial stage. I'm sure anyone that wishes for more information can reach out to her personnel later," Vrah quelled the whispers, taking a deep breath, "and now, I have an announcement of my own."

Jessamine stood there, clear surprise on her face mixed with embarrassment. Did he seriously just interrupt her?! She thought she would have been given a bit more time to explain herself, to persuade these people that she opened this as an act of love, not fear. Just what kind of surprise did he have up his sleeve?

The crowd gasped with more shock, this time of a more positive nature as Vrah got down on one knee. Kaid's heart stopped. Mara bit her tongue. This was the distraction. This had to be what her son was talking about. A proposal was something that would clearly get these people talking, a union between two Empires out of love. If Jessamine wanted her Academy, then this was the so-called price of winning these people over.

Kaid's heart filled with rage. Vrah did not know Jessamine, not truly. He had barely scraped the surface of her depth of character. Anyone that truly knew her would know she hated any sort of spotlight or attention. A kiss or stolen glance meant much more to her in private. A proposal for her needed to be intimate, full of solitude, where a man would do nothing but worship her as he begged for her hand in marriage. To do so like this, after interjecting her own announcement...Vrah was a fucking idiot or perhaps cared little for her feelings. That's what Kaid believed anyway. It was what he would give to her, if he hadn't fucked this all up.

Jessamine's own heart had stopped, truly not seeing this coming as Vrah pulled out a beautiful diamond ring from his pocket. This was why he was so nervous. How did she not see this? Was she truly blind to Vrahs' intentions? She had no idea what to say. A proposal could have the security of protecting Kaid, but the sacrifice to do so was something Jessamine feared. What would Kaid think if she gave up both her body and soul, unwillingly, for a marriage such as this?

Vrah's eyes were wide as his smile, full of glee. It was clear despite his nerves, he wasn't expecting no for an answer. How could he? They had been together for over a year, shared minimal moments of affection alone, but he truly believed they had a connection. They just had to work for it, and this would be a great step. It would also solidify their alliance not to just each other but to Uhkhtar, who would more than likely become overjoyed by such a proposal.

"Jessamine Kruzika, Empress of Vitross, will you take the honor of being my wife?" he asked, his words only feeling like a dagger stabbing her heart.

She couldn't say no. All this work to keep him by her side was to prevent Kaid being hunted down like an animal. And even if his hunt was subtle, it still kept him safe. Her eyes drifted at Shailud, who stood proudly at the side, sipping wine as if this was mere childsplay. Her mind briefly entered his, catching the first thought on his tongue.

She better say yes. It's her only protection.

While it was in Shailud's head, she heard those words in her father's voice which made her hands tremble. It was just another realization she was forcing herself to live in a man's world, in a place where they felt they had ultimate control. Take the honor of being his wife, Vrah's wife...just that phrase alone made her feel sick to her stomach. There held no honor there, only sacrifice, and those were two things that could hardly coexist without someone getting hurt.

The Lungorian diamond was beautiful, but far too colossal for her taste. Its many angles and cuts refracted the reflection of her emerald dress as she gazed down at the jewel. It was like looking into her own teardrop, knowing eventually it would weigh heavy with gravity and spill to the floor. And if that happened, she would no longer be able to see herself full of unlimited angles and possibilities. She couldn't pretend anymore.

The world almost seemed to await her answer as if it's potential relied heavily on it. She had arrived here to play a game, not knowing the rules were never going to be in her favor. So, fuck the game.

Let's see how this world and people play when rules aren't at their disposal.

"No," Jessamine answered firmly, "No. I can't."

Vrah's smile widened, only for a moment because he had thought she would follow the script in his mind. He thought she'd say yes, only to be told no twice instead. That smile faded with a nervous chuckle, his neck and cheeks growing red with embarrassment and possibly soon enough: fury. Jessamine stared him in the eyes, letting it be known to him that she was serious and this was a decision she knew the consequences of.

He scrambled to his feet, tugging at her hand, "Jess, please. Reconsider." His voice was a whispered, desperate plea. Jessamine thought the no would damage his ego and ignite that fury further. Instead, it deflated him, it made him desperate.

It made him pathetic.

Whatever invisible deal he made, predicting she'd say yes, was now in shambles. There were a multitude of reasons why she couldn't say yes. There would be no honor in being his wife. Whatever he had as Lungor's future ruler, she already possessed as Empress of Vitross. She knew this could ruin her plans with this trip, of keeping Kaid safe, of diminishing Shailud's power. But she couldn't go through with this.

"I can't," she whispered, still seeing the crowd with all their eyes on them. It was embarrassing and she knew she was the cause of such shame to the both of them. A moment of shame, however, weighed less than a lifetime of sickness having to be at his bedside.

His hand lowered to her wrist, this time gripping it tightly. She could feel the pressure on the joints, as if any application of torque or twisting would break it. Her eyes steeled on his, a warning to not even think about it.

"Let me go, Vrah," she urged.

Kaid started making his way towards the stage, not before a strong hand had stopped him by grabbing his belt.

"This is what they want: for you to make a scene," a softly familiar and masculine voice whispered, Kaid glancing to his left to see Kiev. Just how Mara and Jessamine were supposed to be enemies, maybe in another life, so were Kaid and Kiev. Yet, duty and honor rose above their selfishness. Kiev knew it was clear that they wanted Kaid to go up there and make his presence known.

When Kaid checked back to where he stood prior, Sabine was gone. He didn't notice when she had left his side or where she drifted away to. Kaid felt his hairs raise, his eyes catching shadows of movement on the walls, darkened with black attire. They were waiting, watching patiently from up high.

"Kiev, you have to get to her, now," Kaid insisted.

"Yes, Lord Protector," Kiev nodded, already on the move. His response irked Kaid, remembering how much he had hated that title. Yet, hearing it tonight was just hearing the truth which sometimes had a habit of stinging more than lies. Jessamine always believed she couldn't outrun the past and she managed to prove that wrong. She merely altered her path. Kaid couldn't deny his...but tonight was a chance to alter it once again.

"Jessamine, I can protect you," Vrah urged, "don't do this."

"If you truly loved me, that wouldn't be some obligation to hold over my head," she scowled, "let me go."

He didn't.

"LET GO!" she demanded again, this time in his mind. His hand left hers, stepping back out of shock. He had always wondered what it was like to be commanded by her, why so many people feared mind witches. He had always been slightly afraid of her and now that fear had materialized upon hearing that deep voice echo in his brain. He felt his muscles contort against his will, his hands trembling like hers had just moments prior.

And the party of Kanaf witnessed the entire thing.

Kiev rushed up to the stage, one hand firmly resting on the handle of his blade as he urged her to pull away, "Empress, we need to get out of here before-"

Yet it was already too late. The sound of graphite being set aflame was enough to create an explosion in the southern courtyard wall. The smooth limestone burst into hundreds of chipped rock, flying into the crowd with smoke to follow along with it. Amidst all the chaos, Kaid stopping time to pull people aside secretly away from the collateral damage, he eyes scanned for any of his friends. All he could hear was the sound of screams of panic.

When the shroud of smoke began to dissipate, all Kaid could see was Shailud standing there with a smirk on his lips, proud of his chaos.

Kill him, and you can take his place. Uhkhtar can be yours. Take what is rightfully yours.

Voices echoed in his mind through the void he didn't recognize. They weren't that of his mother's hoarse yet gentle voice. They were whispers of his fate, one he had tried to avoid all this time. And this was the cost of avoiding his accountability. Kaid vowed to himself as he moved to take action. He would kill Shailud. It would not be tonight. It might not be tomorrow. But, Shailud would die. He had to die. After two years of running from his truth, he fully began to embrace it again.

Jessamine was the judge. The Continent, their own jury. And by the Oblivion powers coursing through Kaid's veins, he was this world's executioner.