Outside of Shana’s chambers, Kash-baba and Neli were anxiously waiting for Noah. As he reunited with them, his rigid face, glassy eyes, and tightly pressed lips told them not to ask any questions.

“You should go get some sleep,” said Neli softly.

“No.” Noah turned his back on her and trudged in the opposite direction. “I still have places to be. Kash-baba, I’m sorry to keep you up at this hour, but can you brief me on the Duchess’ condition on the way.”

“Don’t mention it, child. I’ll sleep enough in the grave,” she chuckled, scurrying after him, and Nely followed suit. “Unfortunately, there isn’t much to tell. Her condition has remained unchanged ever since you left.”

“It doesn’t matter how insignificant it might seem, baba, tell me everything.”

For the next couple of minutes, the hushed voice of the old shaman accompanied their stride. Noah listened to her intently, never interrupting or commenting. His face looked cold and detached, but the crease between his brows became deeper and his eyes - darker. When they reached Lorelei’s chambers, Noah politely but resolutely sent the two women away.

After a brief pause, he knocked and was led in by Milly. A single lantern illuminated the room. The bed curtains were half-closed, protecting the patient lying inside from prying eyes. The air was thick with the smoke of juniper, elderberries, and pine needles that were used by the Binshi to drive away sickness and malicious spirits. A single chair was pulled close to the head of the bed, draped with Milly’s shawl as she had left it during her wake.

Noah picked up the scarf and carefully put it on the petrified maid’s shoulders.

“Y-Your Highness!”

“Go get some sleep, Milly,” he whispered. “I’ll watch over the lady tonight.”

“B-but…”

“Your legs are shaking and you look a breath away from fainting. Don’t worry, I’ll keep your mistress safe.”

Completely out of words, the maid blinked several times before curtsying clumsily and dragging her feet toward the anteroom. On the way out, she stopped several times to look back before the sturdy door hid her two masters from view.

Finally alone, Noah slumped in the chair and remained bent over with elbows on his knees for a few moments. His heart pounded in his chest so hard that he feared it might tear free at some point. With a slightly trembling hand, he reached out and drew the bed curtain to the side.

In the canopy’s twilight, Lorelei looked like a marble sculpture. Even the rise and fall of her chest was so faint that for a moment Noah thought in terror that she might really be dead. His cold fingers clasped around her palm and he whispered:

“You liar. You said you are waiting for me. Now, I’m here, but you are not even welcoming me.”

The night replied with the rustling of leaves and the humming of crickets. A lone streak of moonlight squeezed between the window curtains and the bed’s canopy and covered Lorelei’s face in a silver sheen.

Led by some inner instinct, Noah stood up and leaned over her. His eyes were drunk on the illustrious being lying before him - so fragile and pure, so peaceful and scary. She was a creature of ice and snow, of dreams and moonlight. A single touch could make her disappear like a mist at dawn. Bathed in cold silver, she was like a character out of a fairytale - a cursed damsel awaiting her loved one to break the spell.

“Wake up, Princess,” whispered Noah in a trance. “Your Prince is here.”

Like in a dream, his lips touched hers. It was just a peck. A fleeting moment. And yet, it burned with the merciless ferocity of molten steel. Noah’s heart tore between guilt and pleasure. But then reason prevailed.

He was too naive. This was no fairytale, and even if it were, he was no prince but rather a vicious beast in human skin. It was wrong. He had promised to give up on her, to never force himself on her. Yet in dreams and in reality, he had broken his word one too many times. Even when fighting Nerodris, his mind had conjured the image of the one he desperately desired… He was despicable and greedy. Even so, his gaze lingered on her face as mad hope kindled in his chest, a hope based on dreams and fairytales.

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Seconds trickled into minutes. Adorned in fleeting moonlight, Lorelei remained frozen in time, unmoving and unperturbed by the anguish and yearning of the man next to her. Her long lashes didn’t flutter, nor did a sigh escape her lips, heralding a much-anticipated awakening.

Swallowing hard, Noah sat on the edge of the bed, his body - an empty husk. There were no tears in his eyes. His mouth didn’t shout or utter curses. His head was barren of thought. The lump in his chest still kept him alive, yet its monotonous beats were no different from perpetual the rattle of a waterwheel. He just sat there, back crooked like a withered tree, and kept vigil over his sleeping heart.

***

The first morning rays carefully peeked through the bedroom window and made their way past the bed curtains to tickle Lorelei’s nose. With a low moan, she opened her eyes and for a few minutes her still blurry consciousness was busy with the pressing questions of “where”, “when” and “how”. The “where” was mostly clear - she knew this canopy and the carved columns supporting it. It was her room and definitely not a bloody swamp or a silver forest. The “when” was a bit more dubious. She felt incredibly weak, her body was sore, and her throat was dry as sand. Judging from this, it had been at least a day or two since she lost consciousness. As for the “how”... Lorelei closed her eyes. The meeting with Orhana, the images she had shared with her, that red swamp full of monstrous snakes, all this was nothing more than the fruit of her feverish, delirious mind. There was no other explanation. It had to be a crazy dream, otherwise… that kiss she had shared with Noah… No! It was just her desires taking shape inside a fever-born illusion.

Despite her attempts to convince herself, her body shivered, remembering that kiss. Would she ever be able to experience it outside of her lucid dreams? Even though everything had played just in her head, she could no longer deny her feelings, and neither did she want to. But… Noah was a man of honor. He would never betray the Crown Prince and break his word to Pandad. Marzbane Ilmaz was going to be the new Duchess of Norden in a couple of months. Then… What was she to do? Leave Ildemar and begin a new life far away from Norden and Noah? The sheer thought stabbed Lorelei’s heart like a poisonous dagger. The time spent here might have been short, but this cold, wild land, this castle and its inhabitants were the closest things to home and family she ever knew. She… didn’t want to lose them. But the only thing she could do…

Lorelei bit her chapped lips and whimpered quietly. Would she be able to do it? To share the man she loved with another woman? To hide in the shadows and look from the side how Noah builds his family? And would he even take her as a concubine? The noble mistresses too were an asset to their lords. They brought more political connections or commercial benefits. There was no mistress who could survive long in her master’s favor relying solely on her beautiful face.

Lorelei had no illusions about her own looks. She was by no means ugly but her figure lacked the voluptuous curves and petite, doll-like features that comprised the Limerian standard of beauty. Even according to the Binshi’s tastes, she was too scrawny and weak-boned. This meant that her medicinal skills were her only playing card. But would this be enough to guarantee her a place next to Noah? And even if it did, she had no one to back her, should Marzbane Ilmaz decide to dispose of her.

The heavy chaotic thoughts drained the little remaining strength Lorelei had. Everything was spinning and her head was about to explode amidst the little green dots that danced before her eyes. With great effort, she suppressed the urge to vomit. The physician in her reprimanded her thoughtlessness. She was barely awake and her body was extremely weakened. In her condition, any stress was detrimental to the healing process. Now wasn’t the time to set her destiny in stone. It was time to calm down and recuperate.

Breathing deeply, Lorelei began reciting in her head ailments and corresponding treatments from Master Levi’s textbooks. The monotonous routine brought her peace and a sense of control. Her tense muscles slowly relaxed and the dark thoughts were pushed away for a later time. Even her fatigue seemed to dissipate bit by bit.

Relishing in this blissful calm, Lorelei motioned to lift her right hand and rub her still-heavy eyelids, but a great force held it down. For a passing moment, the fearful thought that her limb had become lame shot through her mind. Yet, a second later, her still blurry gaze found the immovable obstacle holding down her hand. Her breath stuck in her chest as her eyes rounded.

Half-leaning on the edge of the bed, half sprawled on the ground, Noah was fast asleep while holding her hand. The locks of his black hair were strewn over the white sheets like crow’s feathers. The morning sun contoured his face with the craftsmanship of a master jeweler. His dark skin had the golden luster of the precious southern woods, used by artisans for the creation of alluring fragrances and carved treasures. His strong jaw and decisive chin gave him the wild and powerful look of the heroes from the old legends. Even the dark, gruesome skar that spread over his face did not diminish his charm, but rather enhanced his aura of regality and fierce beauty.

A pale smile bloomed on Lorelei’s lips as she observed his peaceful face. Slow, long breaths escaped his slightly opened mouth. The crease between his brows was still present as the burden of worry didn’t seem to leave him even in his sleep. A lock of hair had mischievously fallen over his eyes, hiding his long eyelashes behind.

As she indulged in the sight of the sleeping Noah, a sudden urge engulfed Lorelei. She wanted to brush away those unruly black strands. She wanted to smoothen that frown with a kiss. She wanted to see those lips stretch in a rare warm smile, not a vicious, daunting sneer, not a bold grin, neither a forced or self-deprecating smirk, but a genuine sign of happiness.

Overwhelmed by her feelings, Lorelei involuntarily jerked her arm hard in an attempt to touch that precious face. Her movement alerted the sleeping Noah who jumped up, still drowsy, and frantically looked around. For a moment, two pairs of eyes stared at each other, thousands of unspoken words hidden within that gaze. Then, as fast and gentle as a spring breeze, Noah pulled Lorelei into his embrace.