Supported by Lucas, Noah hobbled through the chaotic temple grounds. Novices and priests were running around, shouting orders and carrying tools and medicine. Prayers, sobs, and cries of pain filled the night and managed to seep through the thick stone walls and spill into the calm of the garden. But despite all the clamor, Noah could still hear the hesitant steps following him.

He gritted his teeth, suppressing a curse.

What a marvelous mess he had created! Lorelei’s shaken face didn’t leave his mind. He had pushed her away. Shouted at her to get lost. And for what reason? Because he had been a second away from losing his mind and devouring her then and there. Because he had been afraid of being rejected again. He very well understood that he was pathetic, the misshapen amalgamation of a lustful monster and a coward! But her gaze… To see her look at him with abhorrence again would hurt too much!

His heart flooded with bitterness.

She had been fine touching him as a patient. And feigning intimacy when others were looking, just like they had agreed upon in Sefis. But that night after the banquet, when they were alone, when he had thought that they were both ready to breach the walls of contracts and imposed obligations barring their way, she had rejected him. She had fled away, shaking in terror at the very hint of intimacy.

‘Wel, you were the one that brought her to live in a hornet’s nest, so you should be grateful she doesn’t outright hate you,’ whispered a voice from the darkest corner of his mind. ‘And when damsels glance at you and faint, it isn’t due to your handsome face.’

He knew that. That’s why he had tried to convince himself that she was just a friend. Just another ally entitled to his respect and protection. He had tried to convince himself that since he was going to marry Ilmaz, any feelings he had for Lorelei were just a passing infatuation. She was going to leave him anyway. But a single glance at her shy smile had ruined his intentions to remain cold and distant.

He had indulged in every second spent with her, every instance their gazes met. When they had been together or had been forced by chance to have physical contact, he had tried to prolong those moments. He had happily welcomed every banter, delightedly measuring up wits with her, and savoring the tiniest change in her expressions. With every thought and every action, he had fanned his infatuation until Lorelei’s image visited him in dream and nightmare. The vision of her he had while delirious in Nerodris’ trap had been just the tip of the iceberg.

And tonight he sinned yet again.

He took advantage of her injury because he was a dishonest thief. The touch he stole, the soft sensation of her skin under his fingers, cost him another piece of his heart and his sanity.

He yearned for her kiss. Her voice. Her eyes. Her… everything. He was an incurable madman. And so he had no other choice but to drive her away. To protect her from his dark desires.

He knew he was in the wrong and that he needed to beg for forgiveness. He had to tell her…. But how could he explain this to her without scaring her?

“My lord?” Lucas’ slightly pale face appeared in his field of vision. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

Noah blinked and followed the knight’s gaze. He was currently leaning on Lucas’ bent left arm for support, tightly clenching the hand of the young man. A hand that was currently ghastly white due to the blood circulation being cut off.

“I can manage,” mumbled Noah and loosened his grip.

The quiet steps following them came closer but that was it. Lorelei neither spoke, nor tried to support him, but he felt her presence and the burning gaze piercing his neck. He didn’t have the courage to turn around and meet her eyes.

With a tightly clenched jaw, Noah trod on. He welcomed the chaos and urgency of the situation as a distraction. As a way to obscure the sense of guilt gnawing at his mind and to smother the tumult in his heart.

Despite their slow pace, the three of them reached their destination - a detached chapel in one of the remote corners of the temple gardens. Bright lanterns dispersed the darkness. Their light made the spears of the two priests guarding the entrance glimmer as if imbued with holy powers.

Noticing someone approaching, the guards pointed their weapons in Noah’s direction. The stern, almost vicious, expressions on their faces lasted only a second before melting into fearful reverence.

“Your Highness!” The priests cried in unison, but Noah’s cold voice cut them off.

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“Step aside.”

“But the Bishop-”

“I don’t want to see any more mothers grieving tonight. Move!”

Gulping loudly, the guards lowered their weapons and obeyed.

Entering the chapel, the first thing that came to Noah’s attention were two golden staves impaled in the stone floor that radiated bright light. Under the oblong barrier they created, a young Binshi sat on the ground with crossed legs and an arrow-straight back.

“Rasha!” Lorelei’s voice rang from behind Noah and its tune made his heart ache.

With rustling skirts, she rushed past him, but he managed to grab her hand in time.

“Rasha is subdued by two holy artifacts. If you disturb the flow of power between them, it might cost her her life. Or yours.”

“But why!?” He could see the distress in Lorelei’s eyes. “Why is she even imprisoned?”

“That’s what I’d like to know too.” Noah peered into the darkness of the altar. “Would you enlighten me on the matter, Bishop Petronius?”

Like an apparition summoned by his voice, the willowy figure of the old priest emerged from the shadows.

“I sincerely apologize for not informing you immediately, but I was worried about Your Highness’ wellbeing. And since the girl cooperated voluntari-”

“What gives you the right to imprison one of my people?” hissed Noah. “On what grounds?”

“We can’t be sure whether the fall of the tower was an accident or…” Bishop Petronius laid his gaze on the motionless Rasha.

“No!” Lorelei raised her voice, her beautiful face twisting in anger. “She would never-”

“Never attack the Church?” The old man snorted. “After the recent events, you should understand clearly that the will of one person and their actions can be two separate things, my lady.”

“Stop spewing nonsense, Petronius!” Noah let go of Lucas’ arm and limped forward. “I don’t know what power games you are playing, but the girl is innocent, and you know it. Release her this instant!”

“Rasha was with me the whole time. I can vouch for her.” Lorelei too stepped forth, standing next to him. Noah felt her small, warm hand supporting his back. “Whatever happened to the tower, it wasn’t her doing!”

“But with all the recent turmoil, the populace might not see it the same way.” Bishop Petronius closed the distance and stood on the opposite side of Rasha’s prison. “A powerful Binshi was spotted in the cathedral shortly before the accident. Even if she is innocent, without proper evidence I fear that many would rejoice at the chance to vent their frustration, be it on a perpetrator or a scapegoat.”

“You…” Lorelei was appalled.

Noah frowned and pierced the old priest with a cold gaze.

“You are protecting her?”

“I am simply making sure that no one commits a sin.”

“And don’t you think that by proclaiming the accident as a result of a Binshi attack, you’ll cause an uproar against the Binshi population in Yalda?” screamed Noah.

“The rumors are spreading already even without me.” Bishop Petronius sighed. “I am rather focusing the anger of the masses on one single person instead on half of the city. Should civil unrest occur before the official investigation is closed, it would be the Duke’s fault for not managing Yalda’s security properly.”

“You vile snake!”

“The Binshi girl understood the gravity of the situation and agreed to cooperate.”

“So all we need to do is deliver proof that the fall of the tower was due to natural causes?” interjected Lorelei.

“Easier said than done, Duchess. I am afraid that no one will believe in evidence collected by a Binshi shaman.”

“That might be so.” Lorelei finally turned around and her eyes met with Noah’s. In them, he read a desperate plea and unwavering determination. “My lord, we both know there is another way.”

“No.” Noah shook his head.

“Why not?”

“You want me to reveal my trump card, my lady.”

“Yes, to prevent injustice and civil unrest. Besides, if not played, a trump card is just a useless piece of paper.”

“What in the Fathers’ names are you two talking about?” said Bishop Petronius angrily, but was completely ignored.

Noah was lost in the depths of Lorelei’s gaze. Her eyes were ablaze, reminding him of the apparition he had encountered while fighting Nerodris’ encroachment. Just like in his dream, the woman now standing next to him was as beautiful and unyielding as a sharp sword.

“Sir Lucas.”

“Yes, my lord!” The young knight straightened up.

“Depart for Ildemar immediately. His Holiness, the Bishop, wishes for proof of innocence. We will provide him with such.”