Jessamine panted heavily, a sly smile on her face as she glared at Kaid beneath her. She could feel the sweat dripping down the slim crevice of her spine, creating a chill she couldn't avoid from the early morning air. The adrenaline in her system was wearing off, her hastening heart and breath slowing down to a steady rhythm. She felt his own racing heart with her hand pressing firmly to his pectoral. She loved the way his skin glistened when covered in sweat, her eyes watching one singular drop traverse down his Adam's apple, changing direction due to the rapidness of his breaths.

Jessamine pulled the knife away from his throat, carefully rising from straddling his waist to extend her hand out.

"You've improved," she smiled, feeling his hand grasp hers. She pulled him up with a bit more effort than normal, given he had a defeated demeanor.

"It's not enough with the fight coming in a week's time," Kaid said, releasing her hand as he stepped to his feet to brush all the dirt off his white training shirt.

"Barnett has been kind enough to assist you," Jessamine nodded, "he says you've been doing well and I agree."

"You've been helpful as well, although I don't think I've gotten remotely close to knocking down your defenses," he sighed. Barnett had been more than helpful. After the events of the birthday celebration, he had reached out to Kaid after a training session to offer some assistance in dueling. Why? Barnett only answered that he was liking Kaid's changes around Vitross. Sebastian was doing well in his own training getting close to promoting to a full time Guard, Kaid had stopped the Lungor assassin, and per Barnett's own words he 'was rather close with the Empress'. Apparently those were good signs to becoming a Guardian.

Kaid had the feeling Barnett came from small beginnings but just never showed it. Barnett was a completely different man ever since he was torn away from Petr's mischievousness. Barnett saw similarities with Kaid it seemed, a man having to struggle his way up.

"Well, I was trained by Payne. And yes it wasn't pleasant, but I realize now how necessary it's been," Jessamine nodded, knowing what it felt like to be rushed into fighting and training. She hated then how much she had trained, how far Payne had pushed her to the edge physically and mentally. Now, she realized exactly why he had done it.

"Didn't know he was much of a fighter."

"The best fighters are the ones you least assume," Jessamine pointed out, tossing him a small towel to dry himself off as she patted her own neck, "have you thought about using Oblivion? During the fight?"

"That's cheating. The rules state-"

"The rules state against using Oblivion, meaning it's only bad when you get caught. I know you. I know you use it all the time, as you should. I don't think you should let it go to waste."

"It's still cheating," Kaid insisted, not happy to discuss this, "and I don't use it all the time". He wanted to do things the right way, the legal way. Of course there were certain rules that could and should be broken, but this wasn't one of them.

"You really think Kiev won't use his own?" Jess crossed her arms, Kaid noticing the small protruding muscles of her biceps. He could never have a clear head with her around during training.

Jess knew he used it. He had used it when she played piano, he used it multiple times during her birthday celebration, or even small moments in training. It was not obvious by any means, but she knew when he was rather silent he was often dipping in between reality and the stopping of time.

"He's a man of honor," Kaid answered.

"Blinded by his father's desires and weight on his shoulders to meet very high expectations and standards, honor won't matter. You heard what Barnett said, if you frustrate Kiev enough he will make a mistake. The second he feels like he's slipping, I guarantee it, he will reach for that ice Oblivion. It's second nature; it's a call none of us can ignore, all except you. You've done it for years. Our survival instincts call for us to use it, yours called for yours to hide it. You have that advantage."

"It. Is. Still. Cheating."

"Do you want to win or not?" Jessamine rolled her eyes, "You can be really frustrating, you know that? I thought you wanted this."

"I do," he crossed his arms now, Jessamine's eyes taking a moment to flicker down.

"How bad do you want it? That is something none of us can teach or influence you on. That is for you to decide. I know these men, I was raised alongside them and now I rule them. The second they lose their footing, they panic. And when you start to feel his panic, that is the moment to heed the call of time. If you know the kind of strike or parry he will do before he initiates it, you can and will win," she assured him.

Kaid didn't know how to still feel about the subject. Of course he wanted it, wanted this, badly. He dreamt of it, longed for it, felt a pain in his chest on the thought alone of losing. But using his Oblivion had only been done in terms of survival and this duel would never get to that point. It couldn't get to that point.

"Kaid," Jessamine walked over, Kaid still not used to her seeing pants or linen shirts rather than her normal dresses, "Oblivion is a part of you. You can't outrun it. Like a sword is an extension of your arm, that part of you that bends time is an extension of your soul. Do not deny who you are. Show them who you are, as inexplicably loud as you can."

Kaid almost despised how easily it seemed like she could read him. He didn't know if that was just because of her own Oblivion or because she was beginning to know him so well. In his attempt to resist his Oblivion, he resisted his own desires, his own thoughts, and himself. Kaid knew he had been holding back for too long, and that could cause problems in the future in the circumstance his survival was on the line. Maybe the Trials weren't meant just as survival tests, but to strengthen and sharpen his own Oblivion as well.

"I'll consider it," Kaid finally gave in, seeing Jessamine offer a small smile.

"Good, I want you to win this too," she spoke, her hand resting on his arm for a moment, feeling how much warmth his bicep radiated, "are you going to visit the orphanage later?"

"Yes. I'm finishing up patching parts of the ceiling for them, before the incoming storm. Would you like to come along?" he asked.

"I don't think Lilah likes having me around. I would like to, but unfortunately I have a lot of letters to go through for Duke Grotto," she sighed, "apologies."

Jessamine knew Lilah had been very wary of the direct funds coming in. Kaid never explicitly stated where they came from, only that he advocated for assistance. Jessamine did visit from time to time, mostly to walk Kaid back to the palace and greet the kids, all under disguise. Bitterness reeked the harbor woman's soul and weighed like an anchor over her heart. Whether it was because the charity felt like a dream, or she believed ulterior motives, Jessamine wasn't sure if Lilah would ever overcome her childhood grief in order to see the blessings.

"We don't have to spend every moment together," Kaid pointed out, still smiling softly, "I'm sorry he is still causing issues. He doesn't sound very helpful at all for being a Duke."

"Oh just wait until you're my Guardian. You'll see everything there is to see, spend an abnormal amount of time together," she laughed, "Grotto won't come here so I will have to go to him. This fight comes first. I suppose it will be either you or Kiev to accompany me to the Southern Isles. I hope for my sake, it's you."

"So do I. I won't want Kiev to see 'everything there is to see'," Kaid teased, feeling Jessamine jab his side with her elbow.

"You're insufferable Kaid, but I wouldn't want it any other way."

"I'll see you for dinner, then?" he asked, her smile widening.

"Always."

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

"General Adelious, with his two hundred ship fleet, cornered the enemy naval fleet into his trap. His victory is attributed to both the survival of Vitross but also the thriving harbor just due north of where the battle was won. Peace was brought to the Empire, and a new reign of naval dominance began. Since then, Vitross navies have never lost a naval war," Kaid stated, seeing the end of the chapter before closing the book.

"Oh please, Kaid, one more chapter," one of the little girls begged. Sitting in front of him were about twenty children, all eagerly awaiting for him to read them more stories. Kaid enjoyed reading to them. Not only did he learn a bit of history but he also saw how engaged they could be when he read. One day, they'd be able to read this all on their own but they were still a bit too young for that.

There were a few who did fall asleep during the history lessons, so Kaid did try to switch it up every once in a while.

"It's getting late. Lilah and Sebastian will arrive with dinner and I will need to attend my dinner as well," Kaid pointed out, "I can return another time, preferably in a couple of weeks."

"We won't see you for weeks?" one pouted, Kaid tempted to not smile.

"I have a very important...meeting coming up. I could be chosen for a very important position within the palace. It will require some travel if I am chosen, which means being away from you all for a bit. But I promise when I return, I will have plenty of stories to tell," Kaid explained.

They looked disappointed, but also supportive as it sounded like Kaid was looking forward to it. He was very much looking forward to being a Guardian, but the fight, not so much. Kaid handed them the book back, the girl returning it to their bookshelf which was already beginning to get full. It wasn't hard to get donations or surplus books from the library to keep them company.

Sebastian walked in, wearing his white dress uniform to practice for his inauguration. He looked like a completely different young man than when Kaid had met him. He walked more with a rushed sense of purpose rather than his usual tired stroll back to his bed.

"Don't forget the gloves. In that uniform gloves are mandatory," Kaid pointed out, seeing Sebastian still rushing over.

"You need to leave, now," he whispered, seriousness in his green eyes.

"Is everything alright?" Kaid asked, still remaining calm but his senses were heightened in a form of alertness.

"The entire city is on edge. There's not much time to explain. You need to get out of here, before she comes."

"Who? What's going on, Seb?"

Pounding steps were heard on the old wooden floors, almost like a stampede except these were the furious footsteps of one person and one person alone. Lilah burst into the area, glancing around as if looking for Kaid before seeing him. Kaid made eye contact with the blonde woman, seeing her eyes full of fury. It was more than just the fury she was building up since Kaid had been helping out. It was the fury of past transgressions met with new ones, ones Kaid didn't even know he had committed.

"Lilah, stop!" Seb spoke, his hand gripping the edge of his sword as he stood between the two. Lilah didn't seem to care for his presence, grabbing the boy by the collar before throwing him across the room, smashing into the wall. It was supernatural to say the least, how a woman looking frail in nature tossed him across the room. Yet she worked loading ships into a harbor, a hidden strength outside the norm. Oblivion.

"Seb! Lilah, what the fuck do you think you're doing-" Kaid shouted, seeing Seb's limp body rest there as one of the children ran over to check on him. His words were interrupted as Lilah wrapped her thin, bony fingers around Kaid's throat, immediately beginning to tighten around the windpipes. It felt like in seconds she could crush his throat to her will, lifting him off the ground to pin him against the wall. The woman was the strongest person Kaid had ever come across, not to mention he was entirely thrown off his guard at this moment.

"Is it true!?" She shouted, her voice thunderous like the vicious Vitross storms.

"Is what true...?" Kaid asked through short breaths, knowing it wouldn't be long before oxygen would leave his lungs with how tight her hand was around his throat.

"Caladin. Are you from there?"

"I..." Kaid paused, realizing his life was on the line at this moment and time was not reaching out to him, "yes. Yes. I am."

"And you thought you could lie and I'd let you be around these children? Influence them!? You gave no indication to the danger you are, the kind of system you were a part of. Do you have any idea what Caladin is to people like us?" She spat, "It's where people like you should rot for eternity. And they let you out, just like they let him out! The man who murdered and defiled my parents in front of me, raised them from the dead, forcing them to humiliate and mock me. Telling me how my awful deeds resulted in their death, how much of a horrible daughter I was to them. There are some things in the world that are unforgivable, and forcing bodies against their wills is one of them. I wanted the man to rot, the same you deserve to rot! And they let both of you go."

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"You...you don't understand," Kaid wheezed, trying to tell her that he had escaped. Nobody left Caladin, not by will of the Guards anyways. And nobody had escaped in thirty years, not to Kaid's knowledge anyways. It was very obvious the consequences of failing a Trial.

Nobody was just let go, not when they spent so hard keeping them detained.

Kaid struggled with his back against the wall, one hand trying to pry the one around his throat, feet trying to kick but not getting much luck. He didn't want to hurt Lilah, but given time wasn't calling to him and his vision was getting blurry, he just might have to. Despite the pleas of the children around them, telling Lilah to stop, it didn't appear she would.

"They can throw me in there once I'm done with you. And I'll go in there and kill every last soul that thinks they can just use their Oblivion to slaughter innocents. How many people have you killed Kaid? How many will you kill if I don't stop you now?" She scowled, squeezing the tension against his throat. Kaid felt his brain trembling and pounding, as if losing oxygen and feeling like it might implode.

His vision began to go black, but he heard the soft sound of a portal, the gentle breeze of locations clashing together. And that was enough for him to relax, for now. Kaid felt the hand around his throat let go, Kaid slamming into the floor wheezing and gasping for air. A large heavy blade was pressed to her throat from behind, the broadsword extending well beyond her neck, with the thickest part firmly drawing the slightest amount of blood. Runes of black lining ran across the inside of the fuller, glowing slightly at the contact of blood.

"Easy darling. Calm down and you'll get what you wish for," Payne spoke, his face showing above her left shoulder. His dark eyes glanced over to Seb who appeared to be shaken up but conscious before his gaze met Kaid's.

"I let him go," Lilah spoke, gasping slightly at the feeling of more blood dripping, "we can talk."

"Kaid, get in the portal," Payne commanded.

"Payne, don't hurt her," Kaid spoke, his breath heavy, "it was just a miscommunication."

"She was going to suffocate the life out of you, all for being in Caladin. I don't think you should have any sympathy for someone who assaults palace personnel and is also a traitor to Vitross," Payne scowled, " in the portal. Now."

"Traitor?" Kaid asked, seeing the surprised look in Lilah's eyes, one of someone who had been finally caught. "She used Oblivion but we can overlook that. Please don't send her there. Few souls deserved to be there."

"Look, I can explain-"

"You can explain everything once you and I are alone. Caladin is what you want, is it not? So you could 'kill every criminal bastard there'? Isn't that what you said? You've been stacking those ships at the harbor, marking the outside of the hull with a paint so small it's not noticeable. And yet, every hull with a touch of red paint is sitting on the ocean floor, precious cargo destroyed. Do you deny it?!"

"I...all I did was mark with the paint. I didn't know what happened afterwards. They paid me to do it, I needed the money. This city forced my hand. You go after me instead of the ones sinking those ships, when all I am is another victim to the policies and strategies of sucking money from all who live in this district. Orphans. All we are is charity to you, to make you feel good. It's why the Empress came here, it's why she sent Kaid here bearing all those gifts."

"She didn't do that for charity, she came for you. And now we have your confession," Payne spat, seeing Guards begin to pour in. They immediately put enchanted shackles on her, the silver radiating an ugly green glow, like the color of barnacles Lilah would have to scrape off the many ships. She will have wished she was doing that now, instead of her wish for Caladin. Lilah kept her eyes on Kaid, seeing the shock and surprise on his eyes. Was that all this was? A way to get to expose the truth? Did she think him to be some sort of spy as well?

"Payne, you can't just send her to Caladin. You know it's not right," Kaid insisted, knowing Payne had been there to witness the horrific treatment.

Payne turned back to him, almost angrily at how naïve the man could be, but he had to realize he had never been briefed about any of this, "Kaid, Vitross doesn't send prisoners to Caladin anymore, nor would we ever imprison someone on Oblivion alone. She won't be going there. Her punishment will all be determined based on her cooperation."

"But...what about the children? They need someone to take care of them," Kaid spoke, not knowing how any of them could survive without someone taking care of them, making meals for them.

"The Empress has already hired a replacement who will be here the entire day to make sure their needs are met," Payne explained, seeing the shock on Kaid's eyes. Did she know about this? Was this what the charity was all about; why she and Lilah really didn't see eye to eye? "Kaid, be grateful it was me who arrived and not her."

Kaid knew that to be true. Petr had a shattered wrist all for punching him. A traitor to Vitross who had her Oblivion-strengthened hands around his neck...Kaid didn't want to know the kind of darkness that could have consumed her in that moment.

"I...thank you, Payne," Kaid struggled to let the words escape his throat, but he had to be thankful that he had stepped in.

"This makes us even," he nodded, as if admitting thanks for saving his life from Mattias from the few weeks prior. He would never say the words as directly as Kaid had, but he would have to admit that they both had saved each other, to some extent.

"What happens if she cooperates? What happens if she doesn't?"

"Prison here for quite some time if she does. Execution if she doesn't," Payne spoke, knowing that answer would haunt him until her fate was decided, "I don't make the rules Kaid, and neither has the Empress. We just enforce them. When you're a Guardian, you will do the same."

The Guards began escorting Lilah who was bound to her misery as they dragged her away. The children and Seb trembled, watching their mother-figure being forced away to her doom. Seb struggled with the conviction of the moment, being a new Guard. Would he just be another part of the system that let Lilah be tempted by bribe money, that let her suffer in silence? Or could he really make a difference to both protecting people in the Upper Districts and Lower ones as well? Payne stood by the portal, as if waiting for Kaid to finally follow his instructions.

"Payne, how in the heavens did she find out?" Kaid asked.

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

Jessamine threw the newspaper on Eden's desk, the heaviness of it creating a reverberating slap that awoke the Captain of the Guard from his smoke break. The Empress was red in the face, matching the color of her hair that evening, and the opposite of those deadly sea blue eyes. She was moments away from exploding, from wanting to force this man to choke on his own words, literally.

"Read it," she commanded, seeing the nonchalant look on his face. He doused the cigar, the ash spreading slightly to the paper as he could care less whether it burned up in front of him.

Vitross hero or villain? Prospective Guardian Kaid, a former Caladin criminal.

The article went on the entire page regarding assumptions of Kaid's past, of him being in prison for thirty years and now finally walking free. And most of all, walking amongst the elitists as if nothing happened. It was hypocritical to the kingdom, critical of Kaid's character, and not to mention detrimental to Vitross intelligence who tried to prevent this from leaking to the public.

"Poor boy, he shouldn't have put himself out there," Eden sighed, reading a bit more before looking up at her.

"You're really going to play dumb, Eden? If only your brain was the size you pretended it to be, that way I wouldn't have to go through your pointless, idiotic thoughts at random. What's next? Are you going to spill my Oblivion? His?"

"I don't know his Oblivion," Eden scoffed, "Are you insinuating I leaked this to the press?"

"As if anyone else would, Eden. Nobody else would have the advantage of tarnishing his character besides you. It is a week before this fight and the entire city is in an uproar. Kaid will have to be escorted every time he walks the street because of you, streets he thought to be safe. You want this to get inside Kaid's head, to make him doubt his place here. Hell, I can't believe you were the one who even suggested that he become a Guard!"

"That was before I knew of his undying allegiance to you," Eden stood up, hands leaning on the table as he lurched forward, "I thought he was supposed to be smart."

"So that's what this is about? A last ditch effort, last prayer to the gods in the odds your son loses. That way, Kaid becomes my Guardian, another stain on my reputation."

"This wasn't a part of the plan!"

"So you admit, it was you?" Jessamine sneered.

"I do not want to see that brown shitstain anywhere near that throne. I told you that from the very beginning. I thought if I had the Guards berate him, punish him, demean him, he'd want nothing to do with this place. Him becoming a Guardian will be a doom to this entire Empire and if my leaking to the press prevents that, then so be it!" he shouted.

"You're scared," Jessamine observed before laughing softly, a surprised, menacing laugh, "you're scared your son is going to lose."

"I have faith in my son, more faith than your father had in his. This was a necessary precaution. Maybe it's time Vitross learned the truth, all of it. You can try and mop up this mess all you want, Jessamine, but there's no point in throwing a bandage on a wound you keep self-inflicting. Maybe I'm trying to save the boy from his ill fate."

"You're done, Eden. You will spend your last week here, packing up and beginning your retirement. Kiev and Kaid will fight, and Kaid will win. Kiev will replace you and I have no doubt he will do a hell of a lot better than you did. I am letting you leave and live this out with dignity. Should you do anything in this next week that proves disruptive, you'll find yourself in a prison cell, not a mansion by the beach," Jessamine insisted, grabbing that newspaper before walking out of his office.

Her eyes met the various groups of Guards whom seemed surprised by her swift exit, just seeing her urgent, menacing entrance a few moments prior. There were far too many Guards still out this late in the evening to her taste, but they needed extra patrols tonight given the news.

She walked further before stopping dead in her tracks. Eden had walked out after her, as if not wanting her to get the last word. It was expected. Yet Eden didn't say a word, just stopped a few feet behind her, seething. He was wondering what last few words he could say to be a thorn in her side. But he didn't have to say the words for her to hear it.

Jessamine turned around sharply, inviting him to the challenge, "Go on, Eden. Ask it. I don't think you have the gall to say it out loud."

Eden laughed, his own laugh a hesitation similar to the one extending in his mind. He could say it. Should he say it? He had heard Jessamine's warning, but this was just too good to let go just in his head. Was it worth the punishment when she already knew the words he had said to himself? What difference was it saying it out loud for everyone to hear?

"Fine, Empress," he licked his smoke covered lips, still hesitating, "How will you live with yourself, knowing Vitross will fall to its knees, and you'll be too busy on your own sucking his fat brown cock?"

The men around fell silent. Jessamine's frown widened with a delightful smile, glad he was able to get that last word out.

She closed the distance, her fist balling up before swinging at the man. Her fist impacted the top of his left cheekbone hard, knowing it was the place Payne had taught her that could knock any man out cold given the angle of it. Eden stumbled backwards, falling over flat out on his back in the dirt, head slumped over. The Guards let out a soft gasp of surprise, before a few of them had a few smirks of their own. Jessamine wasn't the only one who despised a leader incapable of getting off his fat ass to put some work in.

Sometimes it wasn't always a benefit to get that last word in.

Kiev watched from a distance as Jessamine walked off, the puppetmaster cutting off another tie to her allegiance. He didn't know whether to be overjoyed, or even more heavily burdened by this decision. Kiev had known his father's days were numbered and someone deserving had to take place for things to make change. But was his father right in some way? Behind his delusions, did he really make a point that Kaid had no place here, that Jessamine was doing more harm than good to her own empire?

Was this a path Kiev could even stop or was it already set in a sturdy motion?

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

Kaid felt the weight of the book on his chest slowly slide off amidst his slumber. The motion alone woke him up, realizing he had once again fallen asleep while reading and with that oil lamp still burning by his bedside. When his tired brown eyes opened, he saw Jessamine there, holding the book to mark his spot before placing it on his nightstand.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," she apologized with a whisper, "it's late. You should go back to sleep."

"Mm, I was probably going to wake up anyways...I didn't mean to fall asleep in these clothes," he mumbled tiredly, sitting up slightly. Jessamine's face was half shrouded, the other half illuminated by the light, her soft freckles like stars.

"Your neck looks like it's healing," she pointed out, seeing the surprised look on his face, "I know you told Cadize to remove the evidence. That doesn't mean Payne would take it out of his report too."

Kaid sighed, knowing his attempt to hide this from her was not successful. She didn't seem annoyed by it. But, he should've known better that she would have been debriefed about the situation.

"Did you know...about Lilah?" Kaid asked, wanting to know that truth.

"To an extent. Payne had a list of potential saboteurs and she was on that list."

"And the charity?"

"Potential temptation. There was belief if she was stealing from Vitross, to some extent, she would be tempted to steal some of that charity. She did not. All funds were accounted for and all went towards those children. I want to help them, the same as you," she insisted, slowly moving to sit on the side of his bed.

"Jess, Lilah cared for those kids. She took the money to help them. It doesn't excuse what she did or the harm she may have done economically. But her not taking any of the charity proves she wanted to help those orphans. You have to account for that."

"The same orphans who would have had to watch you suffocate and choke to death, the same grief she watched when someone else took away her parents? You don't think those orphans see you as a father figure? Sebastian does. Lilah fell prey to the same cyclical anger that all of us witnessed in front of our parents, a person so evil to kill someone so innocent," Jessamine spoke, no longer a whisper but a hard and determined voice, "Vitross is losing funds. I cannot fund those districts when all the money and trade going east is being sunk by our enemies. Lilah doomed herself, taking money from the very people who were robbing her chance to succeed. I can only do so much Kaid."

Kaid knew this wasn't a simple decision. Morality was the same color as the clouds of Vitross, depending on the perspective it could be white or black as the night. Lilah felt she had no choice and believed what she thought was right, held herself to those convictions. Kaid could not fault her for that. But he knew that solving these issues were a lot more complicated than simply throwing funds at it, especially when there were few funds to share.

"Do we know how the paper found out about me? I...I don't even know why or how it's become such a big nightmare," Kaid whispered, knowing he had to change the subject because Jessamine was right. And there was no further point in discussing it. Payne had told him after taking the portal that it was for his safety, that having him walk back to the palace could be dangerous. Plenty of people here believed Oblivion to be threatening and deadly, which meant they believed the same any time they looked at Kaid. Kaid loved walking the streets, meeting new people and hearing their stories. Now, that would have to wait until the dust settled, if it ever did.

"No," Jessamine lied, sensing the sadness in his voice but she didn't want to burden him, "but remember what I told you about them. They only want to stir up the emotions here. Not everyone will believe it. Once people see the Kaid I see, know the Kaid I know, they'll grow to love you."

"Jessamine, if I don't go out there and beat Kiev, it will feel like it's all been for nothing," Kaid spoke, knowing that might sound dramatic, but it was truly how he felt. It felt the only way he could try and make a difference, helping himself, the woman he cared about, and the empire she ruled.

"So go out there and win, no matter what," she assured him, leaning over to kiss his forehead, tempting to go lower, "get some rest, you need it. Goodnight, Kaid."

"Goodnight, Jessamine," he whispered, watching as she turned off that lamp, encasing the room in the darkness she stood in. Kaid didn't know she had walked out, not able to see her in the shadows until he heard the door close. He waited a few moments, taking a deep breath before turning on his side, wondering if he should have asked her to stay the night.

She more than likely would have said no. Maybe in another time, she would have said yes.