《The Cadre of Embers》


 Prologue

    Regnum Desertum (Desert Kingdom) 900 BC


    Spoken in Ancient Xarathian


    The foundations crumbled in piles around her as she ran. Muddled, mutilated screams blended together, begging her to break her focus. She didn''t though. Althea just kept running. It took everything inside of her not to look back at the fallen ruins of what was once her home. As the fire blazed, scorching her bare feet, she hopped up onto a stone pathway that had not yet been destroyed.


    She could see the dim light from within her fathers corridor. She was almost there, just a few more steps. A loud crack boomed through the smoky, night air, the pathway on which she stood began slipping from under her feet.


    No! She was so close! Her feet kept moving, as if they could outrun the descent of the crumbling pavement.


    There was no time for her to think before she was falling. She reached her hand up and felt cold, hard stone beneath her fingers. She gripped it as tightly as she could, her nails splintering and cracking against the rough surface. The impact of gravity on her arm was overwhelming. She looked around for something, anything to hoist herself up, but there was nothing.


    "Papa!" she screamed. It was all she could do, call for help from the only family she had left, the one she had been running to.


    Tears stung her eyes, already swollen from the smoke which burned them.


    "Althea?"


    She blinked back her tears as she looked up. Her fathers golden hair fell in swirls around his face as he stared down, in awe, at her. His pale skin was glistening in the light of the flames that surrounded their once beautiful home.


    Without another word, he quickly pulled her up and carried her into his corridor.


    "Where is your mother? She should have been with you."


    He pulled the twigs from her now matted curls, she had inherited her mother''s deep chocolate brown hair. The very thought of her mother brought tears to her eyes once more.


    "She... they," she could barely get the words out as they broke into sobs. "She''s dead, they stuck a sword through her heart."


    Her fathers eyes widened and in a swift movement he was cradling her in his arms.


    "No..." he could hardly believe his daughter''s words. No one, not even these miscreants would kill a child''s mother in front of them. She was only nine years old.


    "They killed her papa," she sobbed into the fabric of his cloak, his scent, the scent of home filling her with an essence of safety.


    He closed his eyes tightly as tears dampened his own face. He knew he was out of time, and he wished he had more of it to spend comforting his daughter but her safety was of the utmost importance now. If he did not do what he must, he knew they would both pay the same detrimental consequence his wife had.


    "Althea, look at me," her father said, staring down intently at her. She could see the damp streaks running the length of his cheeks and knew he was crying with her.


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    "There is something I need you to do for me."


    It was then that she noticed the blue metallic fog emitting from behind her father. What had he been working on when she¡¯d interrupted him?


    She looked back at him and nodded curiously.


    "I''m going to send you somewhere safe, okay beloved girl?" She swallowed, but nodded.


    "But we will go there together, right?"


    His eyes saddened. She knew his answer before he spoke it.


    "Oh my precious child, my work here is not yet finished, but where I am sending you, you will be safe, I promise. And one day, we will be reunited once more." Her long curls clung to her cheeks as tears soaked them.


    "Please papa, I don''t want to go without you, please," she begged, falling to her knees in front of him. He kneeled before her, lifting her chin so she was forced to meet his gaze.


    "It is important that you know I love you my dearest Althea, and that this is the only way I can keep you safe. There is a great change coming, one that you will bring upon us all, eventually. Great power now lies dormant within that beautiful spirit of yours, girl, and with that power comes great responsibility, one day you will understand that."


    Before she could muster a response, her father stood quickly and looked over the edge of the corridor wall.


    "We haven''t much time, we must act now Althea." She could hear the shouts of angry men and roaring beasts growing louder.


    She watched as her father''s eyes glazed over and turned white. She knew he was activating that power within himself... the ability he was about to use to send her far, far away from him.


    He lifted his hands towards the dark sky, as if gathering the onyx depths from around him, then shot a bolt of blue light out in front of him.


    Just mere feet from where she sat, a spherical orb of light glimmered in front of her. Inside she could see horses clomping on paved roads, and large buildings with perfect walls and steps. She was unsure what or where she was looking, or rather when she was looking. The place was so unlike anywhere she¡¯d ever been.


    "It''s time now," her father said, his eyes clear once more.


    "Please," she cried out, "I can''t go alone!"


    "Yes, Althea, you can, and you must, for in two-thousand six-hundred and fifty-five years on your twenty-first birthday, that power that lies dormant within you will flourish, and it will be you who rewrites what has been lost to us all."


    She shook her head in confusion. He was speaking in riddles.


    "I wish I had time to tell you everything you need to know, but I''m afraid it wouldn''t matter anyway. Once I send you through this portal, you won''t remember anything from this life. Your memories won''t resurface until you embrace what is yours now Althea."


    The floating orb hummed louder the longer it remained open. She found herself becoming drawn to it, as if whatever was waiting on the other side called to her. She looked back towards her father, still sobbing.


    "It''s time for you to go now Althea, I love you."


    The orb began sucking her in, she tried to move away but the force of it was too strong.


    Suddenly the large doors burst open and a massive horned beast charged towards him.


    "No! Papa! Don''t stay..." she knew it was no use. As the portal engulfed her fully she screamed out, "I love you!"

 Chapter 1

    1755, England.


    Althea awoke screaming from the gruesome nightmare that had haunted her for the last fortnight. Her lady''s maid, Cynthia, shot to her side from across the still moving carriage.


    "Ma''lady, please settle, t''was only a nightmare," she spoke warily, having been awoken from her own, likely more peaceful, slumber.


    Althea clutched her lady''s arm tightly and sat up, panting. Her throat was dry and rubbed rawly as it bobbed with each laboured breath. She reached for the closed curtain and yanked it open, letting the cool night kissed air into the rumbling carriage.


    They had been travelling for nearly three days from her fathers estate in Manchester to her distant, widowed aunt in London, whom she was supposed to stay with. Althea had never met this aunt. Apparently, though, she had married a wealthy merchant from France and they''d settled in London. When he became ill and eventually expired, her Aunt Harriet had received all of his various estates and riches.


    The cool air that blew in from the window, made quick work of the tendrils of sweat that had formed from her nightmare.


    "Drink ma''lady, you must be parched," Cynthia was now holding a small canteen near Althea''s mouth. She had been so dazed she didn''t even hear her lady reach for the bottle.


    Althea smiled graciously.


    "Thank you."


    She took a long drink, filling her cracked, dry mouth with the cool liquid.


    It had been weeks now since she had slept even somewhat normally. She could hardly bear to think about what had occurred the night of summer solstice, that which now occupied her mind while she slept and, unfortunately, in her waking hours as well.


    Althea''s father was a magistrate, and in his daily life he spent his time divided between enforcing resistance against the Scottish Jacobites, and ensuring the townspeople obeyed the laws set by the throne, and paid their taxes. But when the sun grew low in the sky, and those duties were set aside for the evening, her father became a much more lively sort. Over the years she had come to realise that he had a special taste for the bizarre, and would flaunt that taste at every season''s solstice party, which he threw at their Manchester estate.


    From live caged tigers, to hired naked Indian dancers, to the world¡¯s most outlandish forms of entertainment, her father had nearly done it all. And people came from not only their own town, but even from bigger cities, such as London, to attend these events.


    This season was no different. Her father spent months planning out the details for this year''s summer solstice revel. There were tables upon tables of food imported from all corners of the world, and as always, he wanted to add something nobody had seen before. He had sailed in a group of over fifty males from a remote region of the world, to do a traditional war dance for all of those in attendance. The dance was meant to be intimidating towards their enemies and consisted of grunts and jab-like movements. She¡¯d always admired the different cultural rituals and dances that were performed at her fathers parties. And this was no different, she¡¯d watched in awe of the men as they executed each calculated movement. Yet, her memory of the night would forever be tarnished by the events that followed.


    That night as the celebration continued, Althea had only eaten a bit, before she became tired and retired to her room for the night. The pounding drums and grunts from the courtyard had made it difficult for her to sleep, even with the windows closed. But eventually her restless mind silenced, and she fell into a deep slumber. She was only awoken when a thud and a clash from the hallway caused her to jolt awake. It had taken her a moment before she could register her surroundings. A dark silhouette of a large male barged through the doorway of her chamber, the candlelight from behind illuminating his towering form. She blinked and noticed the painted markings on his chest and face, one of the warrior dancers, she realised. Perhaps he was in search of a powder room¡­ or perhaps he was seeking one of the ladies of the night who she knew her father employed during these events.


    His eyes were glassy, and Althea could smell the liquor on him from across the room. The male took in her appearance as she laid upright in only her white, cotton nightgown. A breath escaped his lips and he took a step forward. Althea pulled the duvet to cover her chest, her heart beating rapidly under her trembling hand as fear ignited within her.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re mistaken sir.¡± The words came out in a tremor as turmoil roiled in her gut. He did not speak English, and yet she spoke to him as if he would understand her. ¡°I am the lady of the house.¡±


    She shifted, aiming to move across the bed, but he was already beside her, leaning over her, so large in the now small space of her room. The man¡¯s black curly hair brushed over her arm and she let out a scream as she made to throw herself from the bed. She hadn¡¯t been swift enough though, for he quickly covered her mouth and ripped the blankets from her small, fragile, body. She lay completely bared to him, nothing separating them but that too-thin cotton nightdress, which had now ridden up her thighs.


    She wanted to thrash, but no matter how her mind screamed, she remained wholly still, as if she were paralysed. She watched his eyes darken, scanning down the full length of her body, as if thinking of which part of her he would like to take first. She couldn''t move. She was petrified. It had felt as if her limbs had turned to stone.


    He lifted a leg to straddle her, pinning her to the bed, one hand still covering her mouth. Silent tears fell down her cheeks and onto his calloused fingers, he only squeezed harder, to the point that she thought her jaw would snap beneath the pressure. She knew if she did not at least try, she had no chance of getting away from him. He looked down momentarily as he began taking off his skirt-like bottoms, the only clothing he had on. She used that distraction to her advantage. Althea still couldn¡¯t feel her arms, or her legs or her feet¡­ but she moved her mouth ever so slightly, her lips parting to taste the essence of salty tears and his skin. She wasted no time thinking. Althea bit down as hard as she could on his hand, causing him to yowl out in pain.


    She let out a shrill scream, one louder than any noise she''d ever made in her entire life, an attempt to alert anyone to what was happening within these walls. She scooted, trying to get out from under him. Althea barely made it an inch before his large hands were gripping her petite frame and pinning her down to the bed once more. When he¡¯d adjusted his grip enough, he brought one hand up above himself and plunged it down, striking her in the face. Agony lanced through her at the impact, and his hand was over her mouth once more, muffling her pained scream. She attempted to thrash, tried to kick and wiggle out from beneath him¡­ her fists beat into his back, his ribs, his head, but it was like hitting stone. He was enormous compared to her, and vastly stronger. He took both wrists in a massive palm and pinned them above her.


    His hot gasping breath caressed her face, the scent of stale liquor invading her senses as she grew very still. Her body ached, and heat throbbed on her skin where he¡¯d struck her. He¡¯d managed to remove his bottoms now. Althea closed her eyes, attempting to go anywhere but here. She didn''t want to be completely conscious, for what was about to happen, so she began dissociating, letting her mind venture out of her limp body. Rough hands had gripped her thighs spreading them apart, but she barely registered the harsh touch as she slowly drifted away.


    "Althea?" A familiar voice beckoned from across the room. Her eyes shot open once more and the man''s grip on her wrists loosened. He turned and quickly got up from the bed, snatching the scrap of his clothing with him, attempting to conceal his manhood beneath it. She sat up and observed her father now standing in the doorway, a pained expression contorting his features.


    When he took a step into the room, the man spoke in a language she could not understand, his tone full of agitation. Then he grunted and swept out of the room quickly, leaving her panting and shaking with tears still wetting her face.


    "Oh father," she¡¯d sobbed, attempting to sit up. Her body had rang out in pain from all the lashing and fighting she''d done. She wasn¡¯t even thinking of how easily her father had let the man leave¡­ she only wanted to be held by familiar arms, to feel safe knowing her father was here now and that monster was gone. So she used what little energy remained within her to go to him.


    As she was about to embrace him, he stopped her.


    "Oh my dear Althea, what have you done?" he had asked her, scanning her flushed body, already starting to bruise in the places the man''s rough hands had held her too tightly. Etched confusion was within the lines of her face.


    She shook her head, unsure of what her father was implying. He must have noticed the puzzled expression she wore because he continued, "you have been ruined Althea. No man will ever take you now." She just stared at him blankly, as her mind repeated each word he spoke to her, slowly, as if that would somehow make their meaning change. The utter lack of care¡­ of sympathy or empathy¡­ she couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing.


    The look of disgust shown on his face was too much for her. Her insides twisted and she felt as though she would be ill right there on the floor. What did he mean ruined? The man hadn''t actually soiled her virtue. And even if he had¡­ it wouldn¡¯t have been because she¡¯d wanted him to.


    "No father, don¡¯t you understand? He barged into my room! I was asleep¡­ he,¡± her voice trembled as she spoke, threatening to break beneath what little vigour she had left, ¡°he was going to¡­ but he didn¡¯t, you got here before he could¡­ you saved me father. " Her words came out rushed and fumbled as she¡¯d fought to hold back more tears. Her head had ached and she¡¯d been exhausted by that point.


    Her father just shook his head.


    "No matter Althea, you have been found with a man in your bed, there is no hope for you now, I will send Cynthia in to get you cleaned up and we shall figure out what to do about this... mess, tomorrow."


    Althea''s fathers way of solving the problem had been to send her off far away in hopes that she could make a new name for herself, one that was not ¡®soiled¡¯ as he¡¯d reminded her time and time again over the last fortnight. He¡¯d acted as if what had happened no longer made her human¡­ as if being ruined in the eyes of society, meant he would no longer love her. Perhaps that was exactly what it meant¡­ maybe her entire life, she¡¯d been letting herself live within a fantasy, and now that it had been broken, she could see things the way they truly were.


    That night after she¡¯d denied the assistance of her lady¡¯s maid, in helping her wash, she had silently sobbed. She¡¯d taken the rough stone she typically used for cleaning her feet, and rubbed at every inch of her body, until it nearly bled and burned. As if removing the layer of skin that he had defiled with his touch, would make her better somehow. It didn¡¯t. And when her bath was finished, she remained in the tub until the water went frigid around her and her skin was wrinkled. She had no motivation for movement, or for thoughts or emotions anymore. Each day felt like it was a mirror of the one before. Each conversation, every matter went by in a blur around her, as if she were a ghost, living beside strangers. And each night since, her mind had been haunted with the memories of what had occurred and what had almost happened to her.


    Now, as the carriage made its last stretch to her aunt''s manor, she found herself longing for the times catching butterflies and grasshoppers with her governess Pricilla. When everything was simple and rudimentary. She even longed for the seemingly endless reading and writing lessons her father had forced her to take. Now she was glad she had taken them, as reading was one of the few escapes she had from this dark twisted reality in which she lived.


    The sun slowly crept over the horizon to the East, unveiling a bright mix of orange and pink hues in the sky. As the sun rose higher, the shimmering light hit her face, warming it gently. She let it. In fact, she invited the much needed warmth on her cold, clammy skin. Though the bruise had faded now, she could still feel the place where the man had struck her cheek.


    Only a few short hours separated her from the new beginning she was still convincing herself was best. It terrified her¡­ leaving her home. Althea had never been outside of Manchester, and although she doubted London would be such a far leap different, it still made her tremble to think about it. That, coupled with the fact that she barely had any female influence in her life, considering her mother had died birthing her. Sure she had a nursemaid and a governess, but no one who was directly related to her, such as her fathers elder sister who she was now to live with. She wondered what her Aunt Harriet would be like. Was she lonely after her husband''s passing? Did she know why Althea was going to stay with her? That she had been ¡®ruined¡¯. Althea hated that word. Especially when it was hardly true. And even if it had been, why should she be punished for something she neither wanted nor sought out? These were the thoughts that had consumed her mind in the wake of that awful night.


    ...


    It was mid afternoon when the carriage finally came to a halt in front of a large, iron, gate. Althea had barely been able to keep her head inside of the carriage window as they entered the large city streets. The scent of coal had greeted her first, and as she peered beyond her carriage window she could see clouds of smoke billowing from high buildings flanking either side of the narrow bustling streets. Other, larger carriages passed them by, with grand emblems on their sides, pulled by pure white clydesdale horses. She couldn''t contain her awe as she took in this new scenery. Everything was so big, so grand, compared to the likes of Manchester. From the enormous domed roof and pointed spires of St. Paul¡¯s Cathedral, to the formidable and rather imposing grandeurs of the Tower of London, each new scene dazzled her. She¡¯d not been born into a life of squalor by any means, but after taking in this city in all of its splendour, she was beginning to feel as if she had been drastically deprived of some experiences.


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    Even the smells took her by surprise as they passed dozens of fresh meat and fruit stands. Though, for every delightful scent, there was an equally abhorrent one moments later. It was like nothing she had experienced before, this place. They sat still now, in front of what she assumed was her aunt''s manor. It was nearly twice the size of her fathers, with a set of large, white steps leading up to its entrance.


    The estate in its entirety seemed to be made from white stone that resembled marble, with large pillars gracing the tall open porch in front of the elegantly carved double doors.


    The black, iron gates were pulled open by two young boys, no older than seven, before the carriage sprang forward again and they were approaching her aunt''s home¡­ her home as well now, she supposed. A moment later, when they¡¯d stopped again, the carriage door opened swiftly to reveal a curt footman in a white wig and red velvet clothes. Fear crept up within her as she again looked to that massive estate. A new home, new responsibilities, and new challenges awaited her. A new life. Some may be excited for such changes¡­ but something inside of Althea roiled as she gazed at the cold, stone building. She had enjoyed her life¡­ she hadn¡¯t minded never leaving Manchester¡­ She had been free to spend her days as she wished, while other young women her age were forced to marry.


    "Madam Lezant of Braddock Manchester, may I welcome you to the Sancteed Manor," he declared boldly, offering his hand for Althea to take. She did so, swallowing down those thoughts that riddled her mind, and stepped out of the carriage and onto the stone ground beneath. Her golden skirts swayed with the movement.


    Cynthia''s heels clicked the solid ground behind her, signalling her to move. Althea did, still both marvelled by the wondrous manor just beyond, and plagued with terror of what was to come.


    She fell into step behind the footman, Cynthia at her side. Althea''s skirts began feeling heavy as they walked up several steps to the large arched doors. When they did finally make it, she felt her head already growing dizzy. Her corset was too tight, she felt, but Cynthia had insisted it would make her more presentable to her aunt, when she¡¯d dressed in the carriage this morning.


    Massive doors opened before her to reveal a grand foyer. An enormous, sparkling crystal chandelier hung far above, and matching candle sconces lined the walls, beneath which laid a wide, chequered marble floor. There was a broad curved staircase with an iron bannister stretching the length of the upstairs, serving as the centrepiece of the room. The bannister was decorated with garlands of yellow summer blooms and juniper branches with bright blue berries scattered throughout.


    Althea¡¯s stiff back cried out in pain as they scaled the steps, and she wondered if she looked as tired as she felt. Her dark curls stuck to the back of her neck. The day had only gotten warmer as the morning progressed to afternoon, even with the estate being carved of marble, it was still insufferable the higher they went.


    The footman swung dark mahogany doors open, sending a much needed breeze towards the two women. Beads of perspiration formed above Cynthia¡¯s brow, and on her upper lip and Althea knew, she too, was struggling to keep her breathing steady.


    "Lady Tringlton, may I present, Madam Lezant, of Braddock, Manchester." He nodded for Althea to walk in. She did as instructed, still struggling to steady her breathing from the trek in all those layers of thick fabric. This room was much cooler, as the windows were graciously open to let the breeze in from outside. The sitting room itself was grand and large, thanks in part to the high, coffered ceiling. The furniture was all a shade of cream white and tufted, and bouquets of floral arrangements, ranging from tulips to peonies, were set out on nearly every table and mantle. Above the unlit hearth, hung a massive portrait of who she presumed to be her aunt and her late husband.


    Her thoughts were confirmed a second later, when her eyes finally settled upon the woman standing near the window. Her aunt Harriet. She was a stout, round woman¡­ fine lines of age settling around her mouth and eyes. Either the artist had done her a great deal of justice, or perhaps the portrait was not a very recent one. The woman stood before her now, wearing a tall white wig that gave her an extra foot of height. Thick maroon, velvet skirts swept out, nearly two feet around the perimeter of her. A tight fitted, low cut neckline laced with gold embellishments, flowed into the bodice and skirt, resembling her own decolletage.


    Althea curtsied towards the woman, and it was an effort for her not to tumble to the floor. She wasn¡¯t used to wearing such grand gowns with bone corsets pulled so tight that the grommets overlapped in the back. Her father had never felt inclined to make her dress forward, unless she was to attend an event, such as the solstice revels he hosted¡­ and even then, she¡¯d rarely felt quite so faint and uncomfortable.


    "Please sit Madam Lezant, you look positively ill." Her aunt ushered her towards the couch nearest the window and sat her down, taking a seat across from her.


    Althea wasn''t sure what to say, so she just blurted, "you can call me Althea."


    Her aunt chuckled a bit.


    "And you can call me Lady Harriet," her aunt''s voice was strong and stern, unlike any of the timid servant women she had previously grown used to¡­ the only women she¡¯d spent any real time amongst. The woman, her aunt, focused on her, eyes sweeping from her hair, down to her pinching shoes. She was observing her, it seemed.


    "Well you look fit enough, of course we''ll have to work on that complexion, you look more worn than a race horse girl." Her aunt raised a brow and jiggled a small bell to her side. A pale young woman came through the door and was quickly at her aunt''s side.


    "Have the scullery maid begin preparing dinner now, we will dine early," she said to the woman then turned once more to Althea, "you must be starving, why don''t you go get bathed and ready for dinner, we can talk more then."


    Althea nodded slowly. Things were certainly much faster paced in London. Back home in Manchester, her father would have never seen guests without offering them tea and refreshment after such a long ride. It had taken her and Cynthia three full days, without stopping for more than an hour per day, to arrive here.


    "Gladys will show you and your lady to your rooms." She looked up at the woman who nodded for Althea and Cynthia to follow.


    ...


    The room which she was to be staying in was large, matching the rest of the estate in that regard. The bed held a white canopy atop it, with lace curtains similar to the ones on her own bed, at her home¡­ well her fathers home now she supposed.


    One addition to this bed chamber that Althea did rather appreciate was the large, bay window which she spent more time than she should have, staring at the people below, before her bath. All of whom hustled hurriedly amongst the carriages and occasional men on horseback.


    When her bath was ready, she struggled for over ten minutes, unlacing the too tight corset and removing the stiff gold dress she had been wearing all day in the carriage. Althea had insisted she remove the layers of clothing herself, rather than allowing a servant to help. After the events of that night, she had declared to undress herself. Sometimes the slightest unexpected touch from another individual sent her into a spiralling panic. Although Althea had done her best to hide it, there were too often a time when she would need to excuse herself to gain her composure in the powder room. Though, she¡¯d never really cared for the presence of servants during her baths anyway. When she turned thirteen and began bleeding for her first term she had demanded to bathe herself, and had done that in the years since. Cynthia never minded, and would use the time to instead prepare Althea¡¯s bed with hot stones and pans, or bring her tea.


    Once the gold fabric lay in a heap on the floor, Althea lifted a leg over the edge of the bathing tub and allowed the steaming water to surround a leg before stepping fully in. The water was hot but she had found herself enjoying it more that way as of late. Something about scalding water, made it feel like she was getting cleaner.


    She sighed out a breath she hadn''t realised she''d been holding in, looking at the scrub brush next to her on the shelf, along with all of the soaps containing various oils and herbs. She thought of how unfortunate it was that she could no longer bring herself to tolerate the smell or the taste of rosemary, as it was the oil she had been wearing that night. Or how she despised wearing a white underdress to bed. She had only been able to wear the winter under pants she normally wore during the late months of the year. Even though she knew it likely wouldn''t make the slightest difference if something were to happen again, it was all she could do to console herself.


    Althea worked quickly to scrub her skin and scalp with a mix of lavender and vanilla soap. Once she was finished, she laid her chin on her knees and closed her eyes, taking in the absolute silence around her. It shocked her that she was unable to hear the slightest sound from the metropolis she knew was only right outside. She was, at least, looking forward to exploring this new, great, wide city.


    She only got out of the tub when the water around her began to turn colder than her body. Althea dried herself off and walked back through the doors to the other side of her bed chamber. She startled slightly at the sight of Cynthia sitting on her bed waiting for her.


    "I dinna mean to startle you ma''lady. Gladys thought you''d like your own maid to dress ye." Her words were rushed, as if knowing Althea would prefer to entirely dress herself, if she could only lace the corset and fasten the regency closures on her gowns.


    "Yes, I would, thank you. Could you retrieve my undergarments for me so I may slip into them in the other room?" Althea asked, voice cracking slightly.


    "Of course m''lady."


    Cynthia reached into one of her bags which had been brought to her bedchamber while she was in the sitting room with her aunt.


    She nodded an appreciative tilt of her head to Cynthia before walking back to the other part of the room to put her undergarments on.


    After being fully dressed in a light grey and silver evening gown, Althea made her way back downstairs to the dining room.


    With the halls now lit by candles, the walls looked even taller, and the long corridors even more narrow and lengthy. There were many various doors, some engraved to allow visitors to know what they were. As she passed, she noticed a wider door labelled "library". Althea wondered if it had a large expanse of books. She loved reading whatever she could get her hands on nowadays and would be delighted to read something new, considering she''d run through nearly every book in her fathers collection at home. Excluding those about the systems of currency in foreign governments, those had always made her drowsy. But reading had provided her with a way to escape, and any time she could forget the thoughts that plagued her, she more than willingly took the distraction. She had always been grateful to her father for insisting she be taught to read and write. Many of the young girls she¡¯d known as a child, even the wealthy ones, hadn¡¯t been given such a luxury.


    When they walked through a large archway, with swirls of delicately carved mahogany around it, she noticed her aunt sitting at the far end of a large rectangular table. It was what sat atop the table, however, which made Althea double take. On the surface were rows and rows of delicacies. From the large roast hog that sat in the centre of the table, to the sides of asparagus, potatoes, green beans, specialty imported cheeses, and wines. Her mouth was watering just looking at it all, not to mention the smell. Oh heavens the smell had her swallowing back the urge to leap forward and dig in, in a very unladylike way. Her father had always provided them with delicious food from around the world, but after three days in a carriage, eating mostly biscuits and non perishables, she didn''t realise just how in need of a good meal she was.


    A servant pulled a chair out at the other end of the table and to Althea''s surprise, nodded for her to sit.


    "I''m afraid it will just be the two of us tonight, you see my son Antony is away selling an estate his father owned in Paris, he will likely remain away the rest of this week and possibly some of next week as well."


    Althea nodded, sitting down in the far seat across from her aunt.


    "I wasn''t aware you had a son," Althea said honestly, as the servant lifted the lid on her plate to reveal a mix of nearly everything currently on the table.


    "Yes, the only child I had with my dearly departed husband," she smiled but it didn''t quite reach her eyes. Althea didn''t dare ask anything further.


    Her aunt made a small prayer before they began to eat. The food tasted just as amazing as it had looked and smelled, each flavour melting together perfectly in her mouth.


    "So Althea, your father writes to me that you passed your twentieth birthday last spring, and still have yet to be married. May I enquire why you have waited so long? Has your father not taken his time to ensure that you be properly courted?"


    Althea swallowed down the food she had been chewing, along with the lump now forming in her throat. She could feel herself already beginning to tense. She didn''t know why, for she had known these questions were bound to arise eventually, she just didn''t expect it would be the first conversation they were to have.


    "Uhm, no, he had allowed me to attend my first debutante ball and officially come out when I turned fifteen, and I had met a few handsome suitors there, but they either didn''t have a large enough fortune for father to consider, or I found them to be incompatible with myself," Althea said honestly. Her aunt blinked at her from across the table before letting out a cackling laugh.


    "Oh my darling, you mustn''t be so particular, especially now that you have gone and ruined your virtue. I will ensure that you are well taken care of by a fine suitor who will allow you to bear children. I suppose I can''t blame your guidance for being a bit splayed¡­ After all, it is usually the mother who handles these things for her daughter and well¡­" she tipped her fork and shoved a piece of asparagus into her mouth, leaving her statement open ended. But Althea understood the point.


    She felt her face heating rapidly, she hoped it wasn''t visible to her aunt. Her heart strummed so strongly, she could feel and hear it pounding in her ears. Letting out a shaky breath, she nodded.


    "Yes, I do suppose if my mother hadn''t died birthing me, things may have happened differently." Even through her efforts, she couldn''t hide the disdain in her voice.


    Her aunt paused her chewing and swallowed sharply.


    "My apologies dear girl, I only meant that, how could your father possibly know how to find you a proper husband, I know it is not something our mother taught him alongside me. You see, men are different from us. For them, they may take as many lovers as they please, and marry whoever they wish. Now us women on the other hand, if we wish to survive and thrive in this world, well, we can not afford to consider petty attributes such as incompatibility, we must find a man who has an abundance of assets to offer us."


    Althea was unsure if she necessarily agreed with this ideology, but she nodded nonetheless.


    "Tomorrow morning I will call my best seamstress to the manor and we shall get you measured for some new gowns, ones that show off more of that beautiful charm you have up top, and less of that wide midriff."


    She looked down at her covered abdomen, which she hadn''t bothered to lace too tightly since she knew she would be eating. It was slightly bloated now from the food in her stomach. She wanted to roll her eyes at her bold tongued aunt, but of course, she didn''t dare.


    ...


    That night as Althea laid in bed, looking at the shimmering city out her window, she thought about what was ahead of her. Who would she be marrying? Would she even have a choice in the matter? She wished she could be free like the bold, charismatic women she had read about. The women she had pretended to be in her head as they fearlessly conquered anything that stood in the way of them being who they wanted to be. Why wasn''t real life like that? Why didn''t she possess the power that these females did in the stories she read? The power to break free of the tight chain they kept wrapped around her soul?


    Just before she fully surrendered to exhaustion, Althea imagined she was completely free. No rules on marriage, no need for riches, just her and a field of flowers, accompanied by the protagonist from her favourite book. Oh what a dream that would be.

 Chapter 2

    Over a period of two weeks, Lady Harriet spent every waking hour ensuring Althea had all of the necessary instruments to find a ¡®marvellously opulent husband¡¯. She had to admit her admiration for her aunt, seeing her put so much energy into a girl whom she''d only just met, and for that reason, Althea tried her best to put up a happy exterior. It was inside, however, that she was in an absolute frenzy.


    Her aunt had made her spend every second of both day and night making her get fitted for more dresses than she''d ever owned and accepting invitations to balls and celebrations in hopes of meeting a suitor. She¡¯d also insisted Althea take special potions to help with her ¡®uneven complexion¡¯ and allow her to lose ¡®extra weight¡¯. All the potions did was make her sick, so after the first two days she''d begun disposing of them in the powder room. Her aunt had even hired a French coiffeuse to put a hot melted wax all over her legs, arms, and upper lip to burn her skin and pull out her hair, insisting men enjoy a hairless female.


    By the end of each night, Althea was exhausted. She hardly had any time for reading, and had not gotten to explore nearly as much of the city as she''d wanted to upon arriving here.


    She sat now, in the sitting room, sipping her afternoon tea. Her aunt had gone downstairs to retrieve the day''s post from the servant. Althea enjoyed the moment¡¯s peaceful silence and her solitude in the room. It was raining today and gloomy as it had been nearly everyday since she''d arrived, save for the day she¡¯d entered London from Manchester. She briefly closed her eyes and listened to the gentle strum of raindrops flicking the windows around the large room. Althea wished she could be curled up in that windowsill nook with her favourite book in hand. She longed to get lost in the brave adventures of the characters she''d come to adore.


    Suddenly, the door to the sitting room burst open. Her aunt Harriet rushed in, gleaming with excitement. Althea sat up from her place on the white, tufted sofa, and put her tea down on the tray in front of her. She¡¯d never seen the stout little woman move quite so quickly. Something important must have come.


    "Oh my darling girl, this is a magical moment!" she cried out in pure joy, "we''ve been invited to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough¡¯s annual charity gala! This is one of the biggest courting events all year!"


    Althea''s eyebrows arched high, but she quickly smiled, trying her best to look as excited as her aunt was.


    "Don''t be scared dear, this is going to be great for you. You may even get lucky and find a suitor the first night! Especially thanks to all the help those potions have been giving you, you have been looking slimmer each day."


    Althea internally rolled her eyes at that comment.


    "Yes Lady Harriet, this is excellent news!" Even with the extra emphasis, Althea didn''t believe her own words. She felt sick thinking about having to compete for the affections of men. Men who she was only pursuing for their money. It was enough to make her excuse herself in need of the powder room.


    Once the door shut behind her, Althea let out a long, shaky breath and leaned against the cool wood. She didn''t know why she was so nervous, every young woman makes this journey, most younger than her. This didn''t help to calm her nerves though. She felt as if she had been plunged into a new life far too quickly, things were moving too fast. If her aunt had it her way she would be married before the end of summer.


    ...


    Long days turned into short weeks as the Duke and Duchess''s gala rapidly approached. Her aunt had not only picked every single lace lined dress she was to wear, but also restricted her diet to one meal a day consisting of a light baked bread topped with a slice of tomato and an egg. This was all she ate once a day, every day for fourteen days. Each night she went to bed feeling her abdomen gurgle from the empty pit inside of it. It was hard for her to sleep when all she could think about were the delicacies her father used to have imported from around the world. Oh how she missed the Swedish buns and exotic island fruits, and even their more routine dinner of a roast bird with vegetables. Her mouth watered just thinking of the Dutch chocolate cake her father used to bring back with him from his travels.


    As Althea laid in her bed the night before the gala, silent tears slid down her cheeks and onto the white linen pillow under her head. She missed her father. She missed her home. She missed her old life in Manchester. With each passing day she had begun to reel more and more into herself. Some days she would go hours without talking to anyone. Her aunt would speak to her about the duties of a woman courting and she would pretend to listen. In reality she heard hardly any of the things her aunt spoke to her about. Sometimes she thought of nothing, only a blank wall in her mind which she imagined looking at for hours, wasting her time doing nothing, something her aunt would be horrified to think about.


    As she closed her damp eyes now, Althea breathed in shakily and her only thought was on that roast chicken she had smelled her aunt eating for dinner. Oh how she would relish in even a taste of that chicken right now. Her stomach roared in response, and before she could process her movements she was headed across her bedchamber to the large double doors that separated her room from the long hallway to the stairs.


    She cracked the door open, and even now hours later, the smell still lingered in the air. She had to swallow as her mouth became damp with the thought of eating something besides bread and tomato with egg.


    She was careful not to make a sound as she made her way down the corridor to the stairs, and then down to the pantry. Inside were shelves and shelves of cheeses, wines, breads, and fruit such as apples, grapes, and oranges. She instantly reached for a thick block of white cheese and didn''t even hesitate as she took a bite out of it. The bold flavours melted in her mouth and she had to keep from moaning as she closed her eyes and chewed, inhaling deeply.


    Before she could even fully swallow the cheese, she plucked a strand of grapes from the vine and bit off two so fiercely, part of the stems came off with them but she didn''t care, she barely chewed before devouring them, stems and all.


    She ate apples, oranges, rolls, and nuts, not caring if anyone missed them come tomorrow. Just as she was finally beginning to feel whole again, she noticed a covered plate in the corner of the pantry. Knitting her brows together, she set aside the fruit she''d been eating and walked to the other side of the pantry. She peaked under the cloth to reveal the remainder of what she presumed to be tonight''s dessert. A two tier chocolate cake. She inhaled deeply, breathing in the rich scent of the cake. She didn''t bother to look for something to cut out a piece for herself, but rather used her hand to rip out a small chunk. She savoured the rich, smooth flavour of the dark chocolate, licking it off of her fingers once she had eaten the whole piece. She re-covered it and did her best to make everything look as it had when she had walked into the pantry. Before she went back upstairs she pumped water onto her sticky hands in the powder room to rid them of any evidence left behind by her actions.


    That night Althea fell into a most marvellous slumber. She slept more peacefully than she had in weeks.


    ...


    Cynthia was in Althea''s room to wake her before the sun had even begun its pursuit over the horizon. Althea sat up wiping her eyes as she remembered the events from last night. She swallowed hoping no one would notice a few missing fruits and cheeses from the pantry.


    As Althea stood up from the bed to use the powder room, Cynthia skittered to the other part of the room where she would dump buckets of hot water into Althea''s bathing tub.


    She could already feel her nerves for this evening arising. Her aunt had deemed it a possibility for her to meet an ideal suitor tonight. Althea could hardly bear the thought. She sighed, looking at herself in the powder room mirror. Most girls looked forward to this triumph of blossoming into a woman. Even she had, once¡­ Until she realised that finding a suitor had nothing to do with finding a love match, a true connection. No, marriage was a signed contract, a declaration of an exchange between two individuals. Who was going to provide the most wealth, grandeurs, and social gain in return for a pretty face, young supple skin, and someone to bear heirs to continue their lineage. She wished she could be as free as Jane Eyre, Althea desperately wished she could be so bold as the women she read about in her books¡­ but she was weak, and she was going to give in to the weight of society whether she wanted to or not.


    She closed her eyes quickly and opened the door with a trembling hand. Althea had no choice in the matter, and it was time to stop fretting over it, it would do no good being miserable.


    "Lady Harriet said she''s brought in a most skilled artist to do your hair and makeup for tonight''s event m''lady," Cynthia blushed slightly. She had been the only one to ever do Althea''s hair or makeup since she¡¯d started attending balls and galas. Having someone new styling her only offset her nerves more.


    Nevertheless, she nodded and excused Cynthia. Althea grabbed the laces at the collar of her night dress and pulled it off allowing it to slip to her ankles. She had already removed the trousers she wore under it upon using the powder room.


    She quickly sunk into the steaming water and began scrubbing at her skin, trying to focus on anything besides her roaring, protesting thoughts. She remembered a book she had read as a young girl. It was based around a woman who dressed as a man so that she may not be subject to all of the social events and utter torment that young, unmarried, girls were usually subject to. Althea imagined herself as a male. Oh how she marvelled at the idea of going off to explore a more remote portion of the world. Images of herself as a mighty warrior, the looks upon people''s faces when she revealed herself to be a woman, filled her mind. She thought of the tale of Medusa her father used to recite to her before bed, thought of how she was a monster who was slain by Perseus. She remembered how she had looked at her father and said "what if Medusa was only so angry because people always came to her home to hurt her?" Her father had only laughed at the new narrative Althea had tried to paint.


    But she was beginning to realise now that she had been exactly right. Because Medusa was once like her, happy and full of life. Maybe the snake headed woman had begun turning men to stone out of fear they were there to inflict harm upon her. Althea was so tired of the narrative that was centred around men being heroes. Most men were vial, evil creatures who took advantage of those below them. She grimaced at the thought.


    What the world did not know is how Medusa was once a protector, a priestess actually. She was beautiful and kind and wise¡­ until she rejected Poseidon who got mad and stole her virtue so she could no longer remain a priestess. She was then cursed to live ugly and alone on an island for all of eternity. All because a man, a beloved male god, had taken something that did not belong to him. It pained Althea to know that most people only knew Medusa as a monster, when in reality, she was just a poor girl hurt by the actions of a man.


    ...


    Her face looked paler than she would have liked it to, thanks to the white powder her aunt''s stylist had applied. It took all of her argumentative abilities to deny the tall white wig they had wanted to put atop her head. Instead her real dark brown curls were pulled up into a wide bun, held together with pins. The front half lay waved to one side of her forehead. Althea''s dress was made from gold velvet and lace, with long bell sleeves that cut off mid arm. She could hardly breathe in the bone crushingly tight corset at her waist. It was so constricting, her breasts were pushed nearly to her collar bone, as if desperately searching for space. Did anyone actually think this image of discomfort was flattering?


    "You look absolutely mythical my dear!" her aunt exclaimed at her side, as they slowly strolled towards the Duke and Duchess¡¯s enormous palace. "I think you may just strike a match tonight!"


    Althea''s jaw clenched tightly. She still felt slightly woozy from the carriage ride out of the city. It had taken them half a day to arrive here.


    They were greeted at the top of the steps by a doorman. Her aunt spoke boldly, "Madam Harriet Tringlton and Miss Althea Lezant of the Sancteed Estate."


    The man looked down at his scroll before marking something off with his quill and nodding.


    "Have a joyous evening ladies."


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    With that they stepped inside. Althea''s mouth ran dry. She could see from outside that the Duke and Duchess¡¯s Blenheim Palace was enormous, but it somehow looked even larger from the inside. If she had thought her aunt''s own manor to be vast, this was extending to new horizons. As Althea crossed the threshold, the grand expanse of the Great Hall unfolded before her, adorned with towering columns and intricate tapestries that seemed to whisper stories of the past. Already crowds of people mingled in groups just beyond them. The scent of perfume and candle wax enveloped the palace hall, and the soaring windows high above them cast dancing reflections upon gilded frames and ornate furnishings from the late evening sun.


    "Come now girl, there are more exciting things to see beyond these walls," her aunt laughed. Althea forced herself to look ahead.


    She could hear the roar of chatter and music coming from beyond the massive stone archway, to what she assumed was the ballroom. Her aunt led her through the doors into a large expansive room, already filling up with people. Some danced, some talked, some ate and drank, and others just stood or sat to the side watching it all. Her aunt had been right, many of the female courtiers here were doused in the most eye-catching attire for suitors. Most wore braided white wigs as well. She internally rolled her eyes, she didn''t understand this odd need to hide one''s natural hair in favour of these ridiculous snowmen looking mockeries. She felt they only made young girls look old.


    "This is the Long Library,¡± her aunt beamed, ¡°come let me introduce you to some of my friends.¡± Lady Harriet pulled Althea at her side, sweeping her through the crowds of people standing and speaking amongst each other.


    They approached a table of middle aged women who were all chatting and drinking from narrow stemmed champagne flutes. When they spotted her aunt they all smiled broadly at her.


    "Ladies, this is the niece I was telling you all about! Miss Althea Lezant."


    They all smiled and greeted her, introducing themselves. She knew she likely wouldn''t remember a single name. They all sounded so similar, and with their white wigs, it was hard to distinguish the women from one another.


    She sat, looking around the room as her aunt talked briefly with her friends. Althea zoned out for most of the conversation, looking around the room at all of the decadent individuals. The music was light and flowed softly from the far corner of the room where the orchestra played. Ten minutes had passed when her aunt excused her and Althea and they continued their way around the party. Althea could feel the eyes on her as she passed people. It made her knees shake slightly under the heavy weight of the dress. She was one of the few women not wearing one of those horrendous headpieces.


    She kept her gaze straight and walked on with her aunt.


    Suddenly an older gentleman wearing a black velvet suit with gold embellishments on the overcoat approached them, smiling widely.


    "Madam Harriet, you look lovely as always," the tall man complimented, kissing her aunt''s gloved hand. He was older, but not elderly. Though it was hard to tell his exact age with the white, pulled back wig he wore. It was tied in the back with a golden ribbon, made to match the embellishments on the lapels of his tailcoat.


    He turned to face Althea, eyes widening slightly as he looked her over. Once, then a second time, as if wanting to engage with every detail of her.


    "And who may this vision be?" he asked, not taking his eyes off of her as he reached for her hand, pulling it up slowly to meet his warm lips. She swallowed. Althea could feel her blush spreading up from her neck to her cheeks. She hoped with all of the extra pale makeup she was wearing it wasn''t noticeable.


    Her aunt just beamed.


    "This, Lord Herbert, is my darling niece Althea Lezant," she spoke, winking at her, "Althea this is Lord Robert Herbert, he is a prominent member of our parliament." She could practically hear the insinuation in her aunt''s voice. ¡®He has status, and he¡¯s wealthy.¡¯


    When he pulled back from her hand, she could still feel the slight wetness on it as she tucked it into the fold of her gold dress.


    "A beautiful girl and a beautiful name to match," he declared, smiling to reveal a set of gleaming, wolfish teeth, with one gold tooth shimmering out from the side.


    "Ah, how long will you be visiting if you don''t mind me asking?" His attention was now wholly fixated on her.


    Her aunt spoke before she could even open her mouth.


    "Well, she is actually to remain here in London until she is courted and married," her aunt said, too eagerly. Althea could feel her heart rate beginning to ignite within her. Was this it? Was it already happening? The first man who showed her the slightest bit of interest? A man who was likely as old as her own father? She tried not to show her disdain.


    "Remarkable," he muttered, still looking at her as though she were a prized piece of art for sale. She suspected that to him, that was all she was.


    "Well in that case Madam, may I have the esteemed pleasure of your company for a dance this evening?" he asked, smiling again, that gold tooth glimmering from the candle lit chandeliers far above as he bowed before her.


    She looked to her aunt who widened her eyes as if to say, ''don''t look at me you fool, answer the man.¡¯


    She cleared her throat quickly then answered, "I would be delighted." The voice that came from her was foreign. It was so light and feminine she hardly recognized it.


    He only gleamed, reaching out his pointed elbow for her to grab ahold of. She swallowed, taking it before she could think too hard.


    A new melody was just beginning as they found their place in the centre of the crowded ballroom floor. The caress of his eyes on her felt even more prominent now that her aunt wasn¡¯t acting as a buffer between them. She supposed she would have to make her own words now. Althea averted her gaze from him, but found the eyes of others peering at her¡­ and she could have sworn she heard faint whispering around her. Paranoid. She was just thinking too much.


    They bowed to each other before he took her hand in his and placed his other hand around her waist, pulling her close to him. She could hear each thud of her heart in her ears as they began.


    Her aunt had spent hours upon hours in the weeks since she''d arrived teaching her how to waltz. It wasn''t that she doubted her abilities, but when her body indeed moved with ease with each sway from side to side, she felt her shoulders begin to relax slightly.


    "So tell me," the lord said, pulling her in close so their faces were mere inches apart as they spun in loose circles around the ballroom, "how old are you?"


    She looked up at him. Being this close to him she could see just how many years separated them. She couldn''t imagine being any younger than she was now, dancing with this man.


    "I''m twenty years of age your lordship," she said loud enough for him to hear her over the music, but still softly.


    He raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised that she was not yet married at such an age.


    "Well my dear, you don''t look a day over fifteen."


    Althea assumed this was his way of complimenting her, but it only made her feel ill.


    "What position do you hold in parliament?" she asked boldly, wanting the spotlight off of her.


    He smirked down at her.


    "I am a member of the House of Lords. I help pass and deny laws and bills on everything from taxes and tariffs, to whether you women are allowed into certain establishments after dark." He spoke cheerfully as if it weren''t his own decisions and the decisions of his fellow members of parliament that kept her from being a free woman.


    "And what exactly are your views on that particular matter? The matter of women I mean?" Another bold question but she couldn''t help asking. She had never met a member of parliament before, let alone danced with one.


    "Well if you are referring to that particular subject, I voted that there are some establishments that women should be deterred from after nightfall," he said. He must have seen the way Althea''s eyes squinted slightly, because he continued quickly, "such as taverns, pool halls and brothels, those are no places for women unless of course they are working, and a fine lady such as yourself would never want to be wandering around in one of those establishments."


    "And why is that?" she asked, raising a brave brow at the man before her.


    He chuckled, clearly finding amusement in this subject. That is what this was to him; a fun little game. She was tired of men believing the lives of women were just silly little games.


    "Well they are dangerous of course, you would never want to be in the middle of one of those places, well with all of the drunken men, they lose their sense after too many drinks," he declared. Did he really not hear and understand what he was saying to her?


    "Oh I see," she stated, laughing herself now, but not out of amusement, "so because men do not have the common sense not to take advantage of unwilling women, all women should just be banned from entering certain establishments, you really have just put that into perspective for me Lord Herbert. Thank you." The sarcasm was evident in her tone. Her aunt would be roaring with rage if she were here to witness Althea scourging a conversation with someone who may have actually been interested in her.


    The song ended just in time, and she needed to get out of this cramped, stuffy ballroom. Only one dance and she could already feel the perspiration forming above her lip. Or perhaps it was the anger that had flooded into her and boiled her blood.


    "I think we are quite finished here," she said, turning on her heel to walk away. She only made it two steps before his hand gripped her elbow, stopping her in her tracks.


    "My apologies if I''ve offended you Madam Lezant for that was not my intent. I only meant that a lady should not bear witness to the activities that take place in some of those locations after dark."


    She walked out of the crowd of people waiting to dance before turning to him and saying, "and how do you believe a lady should be consuming her time?"


    "Well, there are plenty of ways a lady could spend her evening, she could play the piano forte or practise her embroidery, or tend to the babes if she''s got any." He shrugged and it was clear to her, now more than ever, that it didn''t matter if it was the man standing in front of her or any other man in all of Britain, they all thought the same of women.


    "What if I told you that I would rather be catching frogs in a marsh than be standing here, having this conversation with you?"


    He let out a laugh, smiling up at the ceiling, that gold tooth glimmering in the light.


    "I''d say you''d gone mad, woman," he said, looking back at her and seeing that there was absolutely no humour in her eyes.


    "You have gone mad haven''t you? Well no matter, you are too pretty to frighten me away with your odd garble." He still smiled at her. She felt as though she''d be sick. This man did not care one ounce of what she was saying to him. She was boldly disagreeing with him in public and all he could focus on was her beauty? She couldn''t stand it anymore. Without another word she turned to walk away from him again.


    He gripped her arm once more, tighter this time.


    "Now just where do you think you¡¯re going?" he asked, raising a brow. She was all too prepared to snatch her arm out of his grasp and run when a girl approached the two of them.


    She was not wearing a wig, but instead wore her long hair in curls down her back and shoulders. It rained in golden ringlets, shimmering in the candle light of the ballroom. Althea hadn''t seen any of the other girls at tonight''s event wear their hair down like that, especially not their natural hair. The girl in front of Althea radiated an aura of warmth around her, like a beacon of light in this now seemingly drab ballroom.


    "There you are," she said to Althea, elongating the last word. She had a French accent. The golden haired young girl must have noticed Althea''s confused expression because she widened her eyes with extra emphasis.


    "Yes I''m sorry, I was just having a brief dance with this gentleman here," Althea motioned towards the man still standing by her side, now looking slightly disgruntled.


    "Oh I''m sorry sir but I''ll have to steal your dance partner now, her mother has been looking for her everywhere," she said quickly.


    "But I thought¨C" before he could finish, the girl grabbed Althea''s hand and pulled her through the crowd and out of the ballroom.


    Althea was too stunned to speak, still trying to figure out what exactly had just taken place.


    "Sorry if I alarmed you, you just appeared so uncomfortable. I couldn''t bear watching that detestable old man make you look that way, so I thought I''d do what I could to help," she said, smiling kindly.


    It took Althea a moment to think of a response for the girl in front of her. She was indeed not like any of the other women at this gala. No pale makeup covered her cheeks and her dress was a pale pink satin, not dark and bulky like the dresses most of the ladies attending wore.


    "Thank you," Althea said honestly.


    There was a small gap of silence before the girl reached out her hand, "I''m Monique." Althea reached out to take Moniques hand.


    "I''m Althea."

 Chapter 3

    "So Althea, are you new to the city? I''ve not seen you at any of these events before," Monique asked, staring curiously down Althea''s figure.


    "Yes actually, I live in Manchester but am staying with my aunt until I find a suitor," she said the last words just as flatly as they felt to her.


    "Mm," Monique hummed, obviously understanding Althea''s displeasure for the situation.


    "Well, just because you are looking for a suitor doesn''t mean we can''t have a bit of fun tonight, follow me!" the girl exclaimed, lifting the folds of her dress and walking quickly down the corridor, away from the ballroom.


    "Wait where are we going?" Althea asked, hurrying quickly behind her.


    "Trust me, it''s far more fun than anything happening in that ballroom."


    When Althea thought about it, the girl was likely right. She''d take her chances with Monique rather than in the packed ballroom surrounded by insufferable men and her aunt who would make sure she talked to each and everything one of them.


    Monique stopped at a large set of wooden doors and swung one open, disappearing behind it.


    Once Althea rounded the edge of the open door, she was astonished to find an outdoor courtyard.


    "Come on!" Monique ran down the cobblestone pathway leading through the violets and white roses. Althea swallowed looking back towards the ballroom from which they¡¯d come.


    Her aunt would be livid to learn that all of her hours spent trying to prepare Althea for suitors had been in vain. She hesitated for a moment as she thought of her aunt Harriet. Oh how she would make Althea''s life even more miserable at the manor. She didn''t have to remain absent for the entirety of the event... just for a little while so she could enjoy herself.


    "Well are you coming? Someone might see so you best hurry!"


    Without another thought, Althea hopped through the open door towards the tan skinned, fair haired female in front of her.


    Monique grinned and turned on a heel continuing her prance through the rose garden. They continued for a few minutes until they reached the edge of a tall, dark, massive hedge maze.


    Monique smiled back at Althea. Something about the twinkle in her blue eyes under the moonlight reminded her of a fairy. She turned and dashed out of sight behind the large rounded bush. Althea paused momentarily to stare up at the hedge with all of its mass, before following behind her.


    It was hard to keep up with Monique as she dashed through the large labyrinth of hedges. Althea blamed her heavy velvet dress and the heeled shoes her aunt had forced her to wear. That paired with the corset squeezing her midriff and making it hard for her to breathe.


    Althea turned to look back, realising she had not been paying any attention to where she was going. If she were to get separated from Monique she had no idea how to get out of here. But a deep rooted part of her enjoyed the idea of getting lost.


    She came to a quick halt when Monique stopped abruptly before her. They had reached the centre of the maze. Inside flowers blossomed and a small pond sat in the centre with large orange and white koi fish.


    "Finally!" a feminine voice drawled from one side of the hedge surrounded courtyard.


    Althea turned her head to see a fair skinned girl with short black hair, and two young males. They looked like brothers, both with light brown hair pulled back behind their necks and strong noses.


    "Look, I found a new friend." Monique moved to reveal Althea behind her. "This is Althea."


    They all looked a bit shocked.


    "Althea, this is Meg, Jasper and James." She gestured towards each of them.


    Althea held her hand up, waving at the group before her.


    The male closer to her, Jasper, smirked and tossed her something quickly from behind him.


    "Here catch."


    She almost fumbled and dropped it but bent quickly, letting her fingers wrap around what appeared to be a bottle of wine.


    "You two better catch up, we have already taken two swigs each," Meg said to Monique and Althea.


    She looked up at Monique who smiled broadly.


    "May I?" she asked, reaching for the bottle. Althea handed it to her without hesitation. She removed the cork and took two large gulps, some of the red liquid dribbling down her chin.


    She pulled the bottle from her lips and handed it to Althea as she wiped her mouth with the back of hand.


    Althea took the bottle and smelled the wine. It smelled fine. Why was she nervous? What did she really have to lose? Her aunt would be furious with her if she could see that she was out here rather than seeking out a courtship. But if that was what she was condemned to regardless, why not have some fun first?


    With a shrug, Althea placed the bottle to her lips and drank the sweet berry flavoured liquid courage. When she pulled the bottle away she blinked, already feeling it sliding into her stomach.


    "Yeah! Now it''s a real celebration!" James shouted, tossing a small rock into the pond.


    Monique giggled and took Althea''s hand in hers.


    "Let''s dance!" she shouted, pulling Althea into the centre of the rounded break in the hedge.


    "But there''s no music," Althea chuckled confused. Monique was a most interesting character. She couldn''t help but admire how bold she was. It wasn''t often that ladies behaved so irresponsibly. Althea was sure she was meant to be courting herself, and yet here she was, drinking wine and fooling around with her friends without a care. Althea aspired to be that free.


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    "So? You don''t need music to dance! Simply think of your favourite melody and the steps will come naturally."


    Althea did as told, thinking of the melody of her favourite Yuletide tune.


    She closed her eyes and stepped to the rhythm in her head.


    To her surprise, she and Monique moved perfectly in time together. Monique grabbed her other hand and lifted it in the air to spin her around in two circles.


    Althea smiled, eyes still closed as she did the same with Monique.


    She could feel the wine already taking a small effect to fog up her mind. She wanted more. She wanted to get lost in herself, lose all of the worries that consumed her aching mind.


    Opening her eyes, she let go of Monique''s hands and reached for the wine bottle, drinking deeply.


    "Aye! That''s the spirit!" Jasper shouted and they all began to clap in sync and sing.


    Jasper rang out the first lyrics of the song and it echoed through the air like a bell in the silence.


    "Of all the trees that grow so fair old England to adorn, greater are none beneath the sun than oak and ash and thorn."


    The two joined in, as did Monique as they continued to dance together. Althea had never had such fun in recent time. Even with her fathers festivities, she was never allowed to partake in the drinking, dancing or games, that was strictly for the men.


    James and Meg grabbed hands and began to dance beside Monique and Althea. They all continued on that way for song after song until Althea was sure she¡¯d faint.


    Monique nodded her head towards the now empty stone bench and they skipped towards it, sitting down. They were both panting. Althea could feel her heart racing with the sheer exhilaration of this moment. Oh how she wished it could last forever. Her aunt had been far from her mind until now. She wished she hadn''t thought of her, because once she had, she knew it had been longer than forty minutes since she''d made her escape. Her aunt would be looking for her by now, likely panicking at her absence from the ball. She wondered if Sir Herbert had informed her of the end of their dance.


    She glanced at Monique to her side who was still clapping, a stunning smile plastered to her now rosy face as she watched her friends dance. They danced so nicely together, both smiling and laughing as they kicked their legs into the air. Althea chanted the song with them, singing the lyrics and smiling herself, as she watched Meg and James. She watched as his hands wrapped firmly around her body and he lifted her slightly off of the ground. Something inside of her heated. She could feel herself... longing. Not for a husband, but rather for a friend. Someone who she could laugh with, who she could kiss when she wanted to, but who had no control over her actions. Of course such an arrangement did not exist, but she wished it had.


    They had begun chanting a new song now.


    Althea jumped as she noticed a hand reached out in front of her. She looked up at Jasper who smiled politely, his other arm crossed behind his back.


    ¡°May I bother you for a dance Ma¡¯lady?¡± he asked, his voice low and quiet.


    She swallowed and gently lay her hand in his.


    ¡°It¡¯s no bother.¡±


    His eyes lit up and he pulled her with him to the clear space where Meg and James had danced a moment ago. They now sat, winded from all of their twirling and whirling.


    The hedges seemed to move around them as Jasper placed his hand smoothly on Althea''s waist. She was looking down at it, letting her eyes slowly trail up his arm to his soft hazel eyes. He had removed his tailcoat, likely due to the warm night air. The flexed muscles of his arms and shoulders were visible under his white shirt. It was now that she could see he likely wasn¡¯t any older than she was. They swayed back and forth, not saying anything as they danced gracefully together. Their friends all clapped and sang a passionate melody. She could hear Monique''s light voice, ringing higher than the other two as she sang, "drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine. Or leave a kiss within the cup, and I''ll not ask for wine."


    She felt light as a feather as she danced slower now, her eyes heavy and drooping slightly. One of the many dazzling effects of the wine.


    "I''m glad yer here, Althea," Jasper leaned forward to whisper in her ear. She felt the goosebumps raise on her skin even in the warm summer air, as his breath caressed her neck.


    She turned her head towards him, mouth slightly agape.


    He only smiled at her, twirling her around and around until she thought she''d surely collapse from the dizziness.


    When he finally pulled her close again, she accidentally stepped on his foot, but he only laughed.


    They continued to sway around to only the songs their friends provided. It was lovely, absolutely lovely. And in this moment, she was free, free from the responsibilities that had plagued her, free from the mask that she¡¯d kept on these past weeks, and most importantly she was free from the ideals of the stuffy group of individuals just beyond the walls of the palace. As the night kissed air swept up around her, Althea didn¡¯t pretend to be anything but what she was around these people she¡¯d only just met. Jasper twirled her around and around and everything, him, the voices of the people around her, the happiness within those voices, the dark sky above, it all felt so natural, so right. Why was it so wrong for her to wish to stay this way? Why must she be expected to only bear children and do things that women were ¡®supposed to do¡¯? As if that were even something that could be so broad. Why couldn¡¯t women have the freedom to choose their passions and hobbies rather than be confined to the ones deemed appropriate by men? It infuriated her. She longed for this¡­ she longed for fun.


    When the song finally came to a close, Jasper dipped Althea low, looking into her deep green eyes. She felt as if someone had taken her breath. The moment seemed to last for an eternity as he leaned closer to her. Was he doing what she thought he was?


    She swallowed, still unable to breathe, despite her rapidly beating heart. He leaned in closer, their lips a mere centimetre apart. She closed her eyes in anticipation when suddenly footsteps sounded from the other side of the hedge. Her friend''s voices quieted and Althea''s eyes shot open.


    Although she was still hanging with her head upside down she could see the blue fabric of her aunt''s dress standing in the maze''s centre entrance.


    "Althea Lezant!" her aunt shouted loudly.


    Jasper pulled her upright in one quick motion. Her aunt was already stomping towards her, a very visible scowl on her face.


    "Are you absolutely mad?" she shouted, grabbing Althea''s wrist tightly in her age marked hand. ¡°Why you little harlot! Your father was right to send you away!¡±


    Althea took one last look at her friends who appeared to be just as shocked as she was. Her aunt turned towards them, the scowl somehow settling even deeper into her face.


    "And as for you lot, I will be telling the Duke and Duchess of the activities taking place in their courtyard this evening."


    With that her aunt pulled her from view of her friends.


    "An absolute wench is what you are! All the time and energy I''ve put into you just for you to go and attempt to ruin it the first chance ye get!" Her aunt was fuming with rage.


    "But Lady Harriet! I meant no harm by it! I was just having a bit of fun, isn''t that what these events are for? Having fun?"


    "They most certainly are not!" her aunt bellowed, "they are for finding nasty young girls like yourself a proper husband to keep them from lollygagging around with whatever strangers they see fit!"


    Althea ripped her wrist from her aunt''s tight grip.


    "I was not lollygagging with anyone! I was simply having fun like young girls should be allowed to before they are forced to be married off to the highest bidder like cows at an auction!" she spat at her aunt who''s expression had gone from angry to utterly appalled.


    "Keep acting like this young lady and you will live out your days working in a brothel." Her aunt began to turn away from her but she spoke again.


    "At least a brothel would feed me!"


    Her aunt stopped just short of the maze exit and turned to look at her, the bewilderment still evident on her face.


    "Why you ungrateful, imprudent trollop!" Before Althea could process what was happening, her aunt''s hand made harsh contact with her cheek, sending shooting pain up the side of her face. Behind her closed eyes, visions of that night careened into her mind. Suddenly she was back there, beneath that man as he held her down and slapped her face. Her fathers disgraced expression flashed through her thoughts like lightning.


    Althea opened her eyes once more, gasping and holding her cheek as it became hot beneath her hand.


    "Let''s go, we are leaving, right now!"


    Her aunt grabbed her wrist again and yanked her along. This time Althea didn¡¯t deign to fight.


    A silent tear slid down her burning cheek as she followed Lady Harriet back into Blenheim Palace. The hallway into the Great Hall was empty now as her aunt pulled her along quickly. She could hear the orchestra still playing in the ballroom as they passed.


    Her aunt did not say a single word to her on the carriage ride home from the gala, and Althea did not offer even a glance towards the wicked woman.


    She had never had such a hatred for someone as she had for her aunt Harriet. Althea wished she could burrow into herself, she wanted to leave this horrible city. If she were to be a harlot, so be it, anything had to be better than what she was now.

 Chapter 4

    Over the next week, Althea spent her days locked away in her room. Her aunt had demanded that she was not to leave the house. At first Althea had counted it as a blessing, considering she wanted not to take part in any of the things her aunt demanded of her anyway. However, once Lady Harriet realised that Althea had been spending her time reading the books she had snagged from the large manor-house library, she quickly had them removed.


    Having absolutely no way for her to pass the time now, other than sitting in the window nook and watching people pass by on the crowded street below, it was beyond mundane. Althea had even begun to put entire stories to the people she saw passing by.


    At the glimpse of a young man carrying flowers and wearing a smile, she imagined him bringing home the boutique of primroses to his lover. She imagined her to be a fair haired woman, with big, blue eyes, like the portrait of the goddess Aphrodite her father had kept hung in a hallway.


    Upon seeing an old woman draped in a dark cloak, holding the hand of a small, stumbling toddler, she imagined that the woman was actually a dark witch. She needed the small red haired boy for a potion she was concocting, needing two strands of hair from a pure hearted child.


    To say her days were dull was an understatement. Maybe she''d take a nap and awaken just before dinner, the one meal she was given, brought to her bedchamber by Cynthia. The poor lady''s maid had worn a sullen expression each time she brought Althea a meal. It was the only human interaction Althea could get. Her aunt had not spoken to her since that night at the Duke and Duchesses ball. She wondered if her aunt would send her back to live with her father. Would he even have her? She doubted it. What would become of a "ruined" woman with no incentive to become a wife? Her aunt was likely right, her only option would be to work in a brothel. Althea cringed at the thought. She didn''t actually want to live out her days selling her body to the highest paying males. But would living out her days with a man who only used her for her ability to bear offspring really be much better?


    Suddenly there was a curt knock at her chamber door. Althea startled slightly, sitting up from her place at the window.


    "Come in."


    Cynthia''s small frame strolled into her room.


    "M''lady, Lady Harriet has requested your presence in the sitting room." Cynthia''s face was neutral, not allowing Althea to gain an ounce of the purpose to this call. She didn''t bother pestering her maid about it, for her face revealed that she likely did not know. She had probably been of little use over the last week, well with Althea being bound only to her bedchamber. She wondered if her maid was growing as antsy as she had been.


    Althea followed the small woman down the narrow hallway and to the sitting room. Light harp music seeped from the cracks in the shut French doors. Cynthia pulled one open, allowing for the music to flow out freely now. It was an easy melody, light and peaceful. When Althea walked in, her aunt sat in the far corner of the room, entirely consumed by the embroidery in front of her. Did she even realise Althea was here?


    As if reading her thoughts, her aunt snapped, "sit girl." She didn''t look up from her needle work as Althea took a seat on the farther of the two white, tufted sofas.


    The silent moments that passed felt like aeons as Althea sat, anticipating her aunt''s reason for this summons.


    She finally looked up, taking in Althea''s complexion. She was sure she looked in absolute disarray. She hadn''t, after all, bathed once since returning that night. The bottom of her gown had been caked with the dry mud of the garden, her hair had come loose from its updo and stuck to the nape of her damp, sweaty neck to which it now clung to itself in knots. The amount of dancing she did that night with her friends did nothing to her advantage. Her friends. She had often thought of those people she had met at the ball. Monique¡¯s endless smile, and warm laughter, the way Meg and James had danced together, without a single care, and Jasper. The way he had looked at her, she found herself reliving those too short moments in her mind over and over again. His breath as he whispered into her ear, ¡®I''m glad yer here Althea.¡¯ It was such a simple sentence and yet she couldn''t get the sound of his hushed voice, the way her name rolled off of his tongue, the caress of his words on her neck, out of her head. It had consumed her mind these past days.


    "I do not wish for us to continue battling one another." Her aunt''s words startled her from her thoughts.


    She stayed silent, letting another moment pass, trying to think of a response to that. She didn''t want for them to be enemies either, but she wasn''t the one who had locked her aunt in her room for the past week.


    "I was once a young woman too, you know,¡± her voice was strained, ¡°I understand the excitement of being youthful. It is both astonishing and dreadful to see you mirroring my wretched behaviour. Yes, I too did not rush into marriage, I wished for freedom like I know you do. But what I found instead was heartbreak, betrayal and sorrow. You see when I was only a year younger than thee, I fell madly in love with a young man named Alejandro. Oh I can still see his face in my mind, that handsome, handsome face." She looked up at the ceiling as if she could carve it into the marble. "He had the affections of every young girl courting at the time, and yet he chose me. I thought he loved me, I thought he had chosen me because I was special, because he wished to make me his wife, but I was mistaken. And the way I was so insatiably taken by his charms, I fell into the thrill of him, no, I jumped into it." Her aunt nodded her head recalling the story from long ago. "That first time he let me ride on the front of his horse, holding the reins in my hands, that was my first taste of freedom, of power, and it was all consuming. My mother and father had fought hard to keep me from him, which of course only made me want him more, it only made me want more of him¡­ It started with that, then it was the late nights drinking in risqu¨¦ taverns, diving naked into cold ocean water on even colder nights, and eventually it was the intimacy. He had promised me marriage in return for my maidenhead, and I believed him. Why wouldn''t I? He loved me. Or so I thought. The next day he was gone though. He only left a letter stating that he had prior affairs by which he could not marry me. That was the first time in my life I realised that sometimes our parents have a reason for wanting to protect us, after all I was ruined then, and unable to be married, now that I had soiled my virtue. Your father had to watch me go through that too, which I''m assuming, is why he opted to send you here to me. I was fortunate enough to find a husband who didn''t mind that I had been soiled, and thanks to my large dowry, he married me without a second thought."


    Althea did not know what to say. She had not expected that her aunt had been so¡­ rebellious. That the woman Althea had only thought a prude had actually once wished for freedom and power as she, herself did now. She felt a sinking feeling low in her gut. Her aunt had suffered such a heartbreak, it must have been so awful, and Althea had been completely wrong about her aunt''s motives. Where she saw a woman who wanted her niece to follow traditional values blindly, her aunt had really only wanted not to see her make the same mistakes that she had.


    "I... I do sincerely beg your forgiveness, Aunt Harriet." Tears began to well in Althea''s eyes. Her aunt''s expression changed slightly into one Althea could not recognize. Suddenly her aunt wrapped her arms around her.


    ¡°Oh, my dear girl, I express my deepest regrets as well. I should not have accorded you such ill treatment. I desire only what is most advantageous for you.¡±


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    Her aunt brushed a small strand of hair from Althea''s green eyes.


    "But I do have wonderful news for you..." her aunt paused, pulling away to look at her. "Sir Herbert has taken such an interest in you he wishes to have tea with you tomorrow!"


    Althea''s heart fumbled a beat.


    "Oh." Was all she could say. A quiet, solemn word. She couldn¡¯t conceal that dread in her tone. She had nearly forgotten the tall older man who she had repeatedly insulted over the course of their short dance. She could hardly believe out of all the beautiful courting women at the ball, she was the one he found most alluring. Why?


    "Now I know you two do not know each other well yet, but I have known Sir Herbert for many years. He was my husband''s financial advisor for a long time before he became a lord and a member of parliament. He is a kind man from what I know of him, and a very rich one too."


    Althea could only think of his stance on women. The way he gloated that he didn''t mind her opinions because she had such a pretty face. The thought made her stomach churn.


    "Okay," Althea said quietly, it was barely audible but seeing her aunt''s glowing smile, she knew she had heard her. "I will have tea with him tomorrow."


    ...


    She hardly recognized her own reflection as she looked at her powdered face in the mirror. She closed her eyes and fought back the urge to release tears down those pale white cheeks. Her aunt was already waiting for her in the parlour. They had a bit of a trek to get to Lord Herbert''s manor. He had sent his own carriage to pick them up, and her aunt told her it would be much more spacious than their regular carriages.


    Swallowing back her urge to shutter, Althea stood and made her way to her bedchamber door.


    Cynthia was on the other side, appearing to be in the act of knocking on the door, her face fell as she took in Althea''s solemn expression.


    "Don''t fret m''lady," Cynthia whispered, eyeing the floor and walls around them, as if looking for the words to comfort her.


    After a moment of silence, Cynthia spoke again, quietly, "my grandmother used to say that everything in life happens how it was meant to. I believe her words to be true," Cynthia took Althea''s hands in her own cold ones looking into her eyes now, "you will find happiness Althea." Her brown eyes twinkled. Cynthia had never called Althea by her first name, not in the six years she had been employed by her family. But somehow the sound of her name on Cynthia¡¯s lips only made her words resonate more. She would find happiness. She was on the right path.


    Althea nodded and they made their way down the stairs to her awaiting aunt.


    ...


    The large estate had a lingering scent of lavender and mint. The smell reckoned spring in Althea''s mind as she sat waiting for Lord Herbert. She and her aunt had been sitting in the foyer for what must have been a half hour, and her patience was wearing thin as she finally heard the click of shoes on the marble floor outside the doors.


    One of them burst open and in came the tall male, only this time no white wig lay atop his dome, but instead his natural dark black hair was pulled into a tie at the nape of his neck. Across the middle of his hair was a line of white that had grown in with age. It was similar to an animal her father had once brought to one of his dinner parties from the colonies that emitted a rancid smell. She believed it was called a skunk. The comparison made a giggle rise in Althea''s throat but she quickly swallowed it down as he made his way over to her.


    "My dearest Madam Lezant, I sincerely apologise for my absence, there was a written matter that required my immediate attention, but I assure you," he pulled Althea''s hand up to his lips, staring into her eyes as he kissed it, "you have my undivided attention for the remainder of your visit here at my manor."


    It was hard for her not to recoil from his cold touch but she steadied herself into submission.


    "That is quite alright, Lord Herbert, my aunt and I were just enjoying the..." she looked around for something to compliment, "the lovely decor."


    She hoped her smile looked more genuine than the words tasted in her mouth. If she were being honest, the bright yellow and blue sofas and rugs clashed against the obscure red pattern on the walls.


    Judging by the wide smile that grew from his lips, she assumed she had been good at concealing how she really felt about the decor. Either that or he was just as unobservant as he looked.


    ¡°I am pleased to hear of your admiration. My designer hails from Paris, and is known for his progressive sensibilities. He draws copious inspiration from the nocturnal revelries in the clubs of India. Pray, have you ever ventured to India? I would be most honoured to extend an invitation for you to accompany me on my forthcoming sojourn. It is indeed a land of extraordinary splendour.¡±


    This surprised her, considering how closed minded he was about other things. Maybe, just maybe he wasn''t as bad as she had originally thought.


    "Do you like plants?" Lord Herbert asked rather abruptly.


    Althea raised a questionable brow.


    Sir Herbert emitted a low chuckle, "my apologies, that was possibly too blunt, what I meant is, I have a garden here on the manor grounds, would you like to take a walk with me through it?"


    Althea swallowed back her thoughts and nodded.


    "That would be lovely, your lordship."


    Lord Herbert''s eyes lit up and he smiled, looking now at Althea''s aunt.


    "Wonderful! Madam Harriet, if you have no objection, I will have Raymond escort you to the sitting room for tea while Miss Lezant and I take our walk." Althea swallowed, she didn''t realise her aunt would not be going with them. Fear began creeping its way back into her mind as she remembered that night with the man who attempted to violate her in her own bed.


    She looked at her aunt with pleading eyes, but she knew her efforts were futile. Her aunt was already nodding her agreement.


    "Of course! You two take all the time you need! I will be here enjoying some tea."


    Lord Herbert''s grin stretched across his face like a sly fox''s as he said, "well that''s settled then, shall we?" He reached out his elbow for Althea to take. She did so without meeting his lingering gaze.


    She had to admit, the gardens were extraordinary. Even in the muggy heat of early July the stunning array of flowers did not wilt. In fact the rows of multi-coloured irises, dahlias and lilies blossomed more beautifully than any flowers she''d ever seen. All around the large garden were fountains and sculptures of various things. The one atop the fountain in the centre of the grounds was of a beautiful woman with long flowing hair and a garb tied loosely around one shoulder. As they neared it she noticed the most exquisite mosaic of butterflies, all various shapes and colours flying out from the centre where the fountain sat.


    Althea could feel his eyes on her, watching as she beamed with wonder at the beauty in front of her.


    "My wife... Well, my late wife,¡± he corrected quickly, ¡°designed this, she designed all of this herself." Her heart actually began to ache for him, he sounded so melancholy.


    She looked up at him for the first time since they''d entered the gardens. He tried quickly to remove the sorrowful grimace from his lips, and instead smiled slightly.


    For the first time, Althea realised that perhaps this man was not the villain she had painted him to be. Maybe he was just a sad broken man who had lost the woman he loved, and he too wasn''t quite ready to marry again, but needed to out of public necessity.


    "What was her name?" Althea asked. She didn''t know why the question arose from her throat, but he didn''t seem to mind as he took a seat on the stone bench across from the fountain.


    "Her name was Abigail."


    Althea smiled, "that is a beautiful name."

 Chapter 5

    Throughout the late afternoon and evening, Althea found herself beginning to enjoy her time with Sir Herbert. He had told her much of his late wife, who to her, seemed the picture of perfection, at least as he talked of her. Althea was unsure how she could ever compare, not having begun to feel like a woman herself yet. Inside she felt she still had much to learn, not only about all that encompassed being the lady of the house, but also about herself. She felt as though she were still seeking purpose... would she find that here, in this manor? Or would she find herself woefully idle? Sir Herbert had spoken of the various tasks his late wife had taken on as lady of the manor, which included arranging the divine gardens each season, planning balls and formal occasions, re-furnishing the manor annually, and as he hoped for Althea, raising children when the time came, since he and his first wife were unable to conceive before she fell ill.


    Although nothing about this life sounded boring, in fact it sounded quite the opposite, she still couldn''t help but feel as though there was something more, something deeper, she needed to accomplish. It left her with an ache heavy in her chest. She tried her best to ignore it, as she knew this is what she must do. Her aunt would not be patient with her forever, and if she ever expected to marry, her ¡®expiration date¡¯ was rapidly approaching. As her aunt had taken no mind in reminding her, she was extremely fortunate to have found such a handsomely wealthy and generous man at her age.


    They sat now across from each other at the large dining table as servants poured into the room with large platters of food. In the centre of the table sat a large turkey waiting to be carved. It was surrounded by layers upon layers of side dishes, including bread, beans, potatoes, carrots, squash and so many more delicacies. It would appear Sir Herbert spared no expense when attempting to show the extent which he could provide for a potential bride.


    The arm of a young male servant suddenly caught in one of Althea''s braided plaits as he reached to set a glass of red wine down in front of her. This sent the entire contents of the glass spilling into the lap of the silver silk gown her aunt had insisted she wore. She gasped looking for something to begin soaking up the liquid but she knew it would likely take a professional to get these stains out of silk.


    "M''lady! My sincerest apologies," the young man croaked, looking as though she''d punched him in the gut.


    "It''s okay¨C" she had started to speak, but Sir Herbert interrupted her.


    "It most certainly is not okay! Such clumsiness is unacceptable in the presence of my potential wife, now take your leave boy, before I have you flogged for yer disobedience!"


    Althea was too stunned to speak, or even to think for that matter. Even her aunt looked slightly startled by this sudden outburst from Lord Herbert.


    "Evelyn!" he called and a frail woman, older than that of her aunt, sped through the doors to Sir Herbert''s side.


    "Yes Sir?"


    "Take Althea to the powder room please and get her cleaned up and put into one of the gowns from the guest wardrobe.¡±


    With a curt nod, the woman approached Althea and helped her out of her seat.


    Once they were out of the dining area she let out a sigh she''d not realised she''d been holding. She could hardly believe the way he had treated that poor boy, after all it had only been an accident. He''d not meant to spill the wine on her dress. To have such a reaction to such a small, insignificant matter made her scared to see what he would do when it came to something of real detriment.


    She followed the woman through a wide corridor until they reached the door to the powder room. Evelyn had long black hair, speckled with greys and whites throughout it. She wore a servants uniform and kept that hair pulled back tightly out of her face. Where her aunt had aged gracefully, this woman wore the lines and heavy drooping eyes of someone who had been put to work her entire life.


    "Please sit madam while I undo these ties," Evelyn instructed. Her voice was hoarse and quiet. Althea did as told and sat on the small stool as Evelyn began unlacing her gown.


    "Does he get like that often? So hostile I mean?"


    Althea couldn''t help asking the question, she wanted to know as much about this man as possible before she let herself be practically sold to him.


    "Lord Herbert can be... a strict man at times but having worked under his roof for over 40 years, I can attest to his good character. I assure you madam, what you witnessed in that room was just the restlessness of a man who wants everything to be perfect for you. You see when Mr. McNeil spilled that wine on yer gown, he felt that perfection slipping from his grasp."


    Hearing this allowed Althea''s mind to settle a bit. However, the flogging he had threatened the boy with still made her mind wander.


    "Has he ever had you flogged?" It was a blunt question, Althea knew it, but she wanted to know and didn''t have time for the prevarication. And she needed to keep talking so as not to focus too much on the woman''s touch on her body.


    Evelyn paused her loosening of Althea''s laces, continuing a moment later after she''d presumably gathered her thoughts.


    "Yes madam, a great many times." Her words were slow with uncertainty, as if she wasn''t sure she should answer the question at hand. "But not for many years now. You see I was a bit of a minx back in my day. So much so that Sir Herbert expelled me from the manor twice. But I am grateful he took me back, for I have spent many gracious years well fed and cared for here at the manor."


    Evelyn slid the silver gown down Althea''s arms and removed it, revealing her white stained petticoat beneath.


    "Good heavens we will have to get you fresh skirts as well, it appears Mr. McNeil''s clumsiness hasna been kind to you."


    "It would appear not." Althea''s mind was elsewhere. She felt a strange apprehension in the pit of her stomach that she could not ward off. But she stayed quiet for the remainder of the time it took for Evelyn to dress her. Her new gown was a royal blue with silver embellishments around the bodice.


    Once it was laced, Evelyn led her back to the dining room. Althea had refrained from asking her any more questions, although she wanted to know more.


    When they entered the room Lady Harriet was laughing happily, it appeared Sir Herbert''s outburst hadn''t worried her very much.


    "My dear niece, Sir Herbert has insisted that we shall stay here for the night so you two may have lunch tomorrow."


    Evelyn helped Althea into her seat. She didn''t know what to say to this. If she objected her aunt would only insist upon it, as would he, so she just nodded.


    "Perfect! I am just greatly enjoying your company and would love to see you again tomorrow, but it is such a long carriage ride. I will have two of the guest chambers prepared for you both."


    "Delightful!" her aunt beamed grinning over at Althea who forced a smile.


    Shortly after dinner Althea and her aunt took their leave to prepare themselves for bed. Now Althea sat in front of a large vanity, brushing through her long, curly brown locks. Her face was flushed from the heat the warm day had brought through London. Setting down the silver brush, she walked over to the window, opening the latch and allowing the cool night air to embrace her. She could feel the slight dampness on her neck begin to cool as the breeze caressed her skin. Althea inhaled deeply, the floral scent of the garden below filled her nose. It was a beautiful garden. From the window she had a full view of the grounds all the way down the long pathway leading to the manor.


    "Must you have mentioned the flogging in front of them?" Althea leaned closer to the window looking out. Under her window she could see the dim candle light emitting from the room below her and setting the terrace aglow. The doors of which were left open.


    "I had to make it convincing didn''t I?" A familiar voice asked. Sir Herbert. His room must have been under hers. She swallowed cupping her ear to better make out their words.


    "You know I''d never have you flogged William, I couldn''t have that marvellous back of yours getting torn or scarred." Althea furrowed her eyebrows unsure of what exactly she was hearing.


    "Is my back the only thing about me you find interesting Robert?" The other voice, the young Mr. McNeils voice asked.


    Sir Herbert chuckled. "Of course not you cunning fox." He paused briefly. "You well know which part of you I adore the most."


    "I want to hear you say it," Mr. McNeil said, his voice sounding hurried, almost desperate. Althea knew suddenly that this was a conversation she shouldn''t be hearing. She''d never heard two men talk so... queer to one another.


    "Why that long cock of yours William."


    Althea gasped, feeling overwhelmed by dizziness. Was this real? Were they really saying what she thought they were?


    She walked from the window back to the vanity, grabbing the candlestick in one hand. She must know for sure that she was right about what she had heard from the two men in the room below her. What would she do with such information? She could get her aunt, make her witness such a thing, certainly her aunt wouldn''t want her married to a... well a bugger.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She''d rarely heard of such a thing, a man who made love to another man, having never seen the full male anatomy on anything other than a statue she found it hard to imagine how that would work.


    She made no noise as she walked quickly down the stairs and through the corridor mirroring the one upstairs. She could see the dim candle light flowing under the crack of the door. What could she do? She didn''t even know where her aunt slept.


    She crept slowly up to the door, listening for any clue that what she''d just heard had been a mere illusion brought on by heat and exhaustion. However what she heard instead made her stomach twist. She heard heavy male moans of pleasure emanating from beyond the closed chamber door.


    Swallowing hard, she attempted to push off of the door to walk swiftly away. But instead the door swung open with her weight, causing her to fall inside the bed chamber.


    She looked up to see Mr. McNeil, the servant boy from earlier, taking Sir Herbert from behind as he lay bare against the wall.


    Soon the shock from her own face spread to the faces of the two men before her as they heard the thud of her body hitting the floor.


    Both men gasped. Mr. McNeil removed his full length from the rear of Sir Herbert in a swift motion before lunging for his trousers on the floor. Both men were damp with sweat. Sir Herbert looked around rapidly for his own clothes.


    "My lord, I... I..." Althea looked for the words as she picked herself up off of the floor, averting her eyes from either of the men¡¯s bare bodies.


    Sir Herbert grabbed a robe from his wardrobe and covered himself as quickly as he could. He wore an expression Althea was unable to read.


    "I''m so¡ª"


    "Why, I ought to have yer head you sodding brat," Sir Herbert growled, cutting Althea off.


    She took a step back and as she did Mr. McNeil lunged for her, grabbing her by her hair. She screamed out in pain and he slammed the chamber door closed as he pulled her into the room.


    "What are we to do with her? She knows we lain together now and if word gets out we both shall be ruined," Mr. McNeil said, still holding her by her hair. Her scalp cried out in pain as he yanked at it.


    "No soul will believe such a devilish tale from a pansy whore such as thee," Sir Herbert said, watching her as he grew nearer, until his breath tickled her face. "Your aunt has already told me what mischief you''ve been up to, mistress. Taking men to your bed with you without even the promise of marriage? Tell me Miss Lezant, is that what brought you to my bedchamber tonight?" he grabbed her face in his hand and squeezed her cheeks, "were you hoping to get your fill of me tonight before we are to be wed?"


    Althea shook her head quickly, tears beginning to form in her eyes.


    "What my Aunt told you of me is false, I am a virgin Sir. I swear I only came down because I heard a noise and was wondering where it came from." It was a lie, but in truth she had been ready to run back up to her room and pretend she¡¯d never heard such vulgarities spewing from this room. She was wishing she¡¯d never even set foot outside of her chamber¡­ wishing she had pleaded with her aunt to go back home.


    "Oh you''re a virgin then are ya? Well I''ll be the judge of that then." In a swift sudden movement Sir Herbert ripped the thin white tunic from her chest leaving her bare and exposed to him. She tried to cover herself but Mr. McNeil still held her tightly in his grasp.


    "Please Sir I beg of thee, I won¡¯t whisper a word of what I witnessed, just please let me go. We can go on as if nothing is out of the ordinary," Althea begged praying for a way out of this terrible situation.


    "Don''t worry dear girl, I''ll still have you for a wife, if I find you''ve already been soiled or if I break you in myself."


    Althea let out a sob, continuing to beg him as he tore her tunic completely off. She had worn her white cotton trousers as she had since the incident at her fathers estate. But she knew in her heart nothing would stop this man. If he wanted her, he would have her, as all men did. She felt sick. If only she were stronger, she would tear his head from his body. Why, she would do more than that. She would rip into his skin and rip his heart straight from his chest just as the goddess of Lortrite had in one of her favourite stories. She could feel her red face burning even hotter as the rage inside of her built up.


    Suddenly Mr. McNeil gasped, letting go of her.


    "The bloody witch burned me with her flesh!" he swore.


    "Why you daft fool," Sir Herbert mumbled, grabbing Althea''s hips attempting to pull her trousers down to reveal all of her. However, he too shouted, sharing the same bewildered look as the boy had.


    "Your skin, it feels as though you''re hiding flames beneath it."


    She had no idea what they were talking about but she continued to feel the furious rage within her. She began trembling, it was so strong. Even in her most fitful time she had never experienced such an overwhelming sense of anger within herself. It felt as though she would combust. Her head was humming and everything around her became muted. All she could focus on was the buzzing in her mind. She folded her hands closed around her head, noticing the beads of sweat that formed in her hair.


    She could only barely make out the words of Sir Herbert who stood bewildered in front of her, "Trifling witch! You''ll be burned at the stake for this!"


    He paused and Althea looked up to see him pulling the blankets from his bed. He ran towards her in a quick attempt to smother her with them.


    Althea sprung up moving swiftly to the other side of the room. As she did so it appeared as if the two men remained idle. Mr. McNeil who had been attempting to pick himself up off of the floor now sat half crouched as though he were frozen. Sir Herbert stayed holding the blanket up, ready to throw it on the floor where Althea had been sitting, he too made no movement. What in god''s name was happening to them? The fear inside of her eased slightly as she assessed the two men from the other side of the room now. As she began to come down from her fearful adrenaline high, both men reengaged in their movements as if they had never taken pause.


    "What in the devil," Sir Herbert cursed as he tackled nothing but air to the hard floor. Mr. McNeil stood fully and gasped as he saw her in the corner. He backed away from her as though he were seeing the frightful ghost of a long deceased friend. As he did, he tripped over the printed rug, falling backwards onto the bed.


    "My god! She is a treacherous witch!" he screamed.


    Sir Herbert looked up at her from his place on the floor, his face white as snow.


    "I am not a witch! It is the two of you who stopped moving so suddenly! If anyone is practising black craft, it shall be you lot," she recoiled, unsure of what to say to these accusations. It appeared to her that both men were turning mad.


    Suddenly Mr. McNeil sprinted towards the open terrace doors. Before either she or Sir Herbert could react, he threw himself from the ledge.


    They both gasped, Sir Herbert ran towards the railing and looked down. When he peered back towards her all she could see was sorrow and rage staring back at her through dark, vengeful eyes.


    "Why you sickening hag! Look at what you''ve done! You shall rot in the depths of hell for murdering an innocent man!" he shouted.


    The silent tears that had been burning in her eyes now drenched her cheeks.


    "I did not murder him! He jumped at his own will!"


    "He did not, it was you! You and your sick twisted spells! A murderess, that''s what you are!"


    That same buzzing from earlier started to fill her head.


    "I have no spells! I am not a witch or a murderess, you blasted fool!" she recoiled. The buzzing grew louder within her. It felt as though gravity weighed on her now more than it ever had before.


    "I will avenge my lover, make no mistake about that. You will pay for what you''ve just done."


    She wanted to scream out and continue defending herself but it was no use, her head felt as if it would explode again.


    Suddenly Sir Herbert lunged towards her. This time she did not run from him, but towards him. Again, it appeared he was frozen mid sprint. His body was paralyzed with one foot hovering above the ground and his arms outstretched towards her. She reached out and touched his shoulder. It was as if he were made of air. He didn''t weigh that of a man, but a feather. She didn''t know how long this would last, so she hoisted him up high into the air, his body parallel with the floor. She hoped when he unfroze, he would fall onto his back with a hard thud. She however, wouldn''t waste any time waiting to find out if he did. She sprinted towards the door and exited the room. As she bolted down the corridor her head began to spin and she was so consumed with dizziness, she thought she may vomit on the floor before her¡­ She thought she may faint from the sudden exhaustion too, but once she made it to the stairs it was as if the weight was lifted from her. She heard a loud thud from down the hall followed by a curse from Lord Herbert.


    She ran down the stairs and didn''t stop until she reached the large foyer. On a stand next to the large double doors, were her and her aunt''s cloaks which they had worn here earlier. Her chest was still exposed for all to see so she grabbed the cloak and draped it around her bare olive skin.


    She ran out the doors, the night kissed air swirling past her as she ran shoeless through the garden. The grass felt good on her feet but the occasional rock under her heel made her grimace. Nevertheless, she made no movement to slow down. She had no idea where she was going, only that she needed to be as far from that manor as possible. She was winded by the time she reached the gravel pathway their carriage rode in on.


    She crept over the road, trying not to step too hard on the gravel stones as she made her way across. The other side of the road was completely wooded. There were sticks and shrubbery which made her trek much more difficult.


    Her feet were clipped by jagged thorns, and her cloak got tangled in the thick brush. Every part of her body hurt and she was exhausted, but she didn''t stop. She kept running and running, changing direction slightly from time to time so she wasn''t running in a perfectly straight line.


    Her feet stung and she was sure they bled beneath her, as did her legs.


    She ran until her feet and legs were bloody, until her knee¡¯s felt as if they would give out beneath her¡­ she ran until pain leeched deep within her stomach and the dim light of dawn advanced through the thick canopy of trees. She had to be miles from the manor now.


    Althea longed for even a sip of water, but she''d come across not a single river or creek on her journey through the woods¡­ or if she had, she hadn¡¯t paused for even a moment to drink.


    Her head was pounding and her legs wobbled beneath her. They''d been threatening to give out for some time now, but she hadn''t stopped. Not until now that is, when her knees finally buckled and she plummeted to the ground, face meeting with damp leaves and soil. The scent of nature''s decay and earth filled her nose as she lay there for passing moments, just breathing deeply. In and out, in and out over and over again. She wasn¡¯t sure how long had passed when she finally mustered up the energy to flip herself onto her back and stare up at the swaying trees far above her, that dim orange sunlight peeking through ever so slightly.


    Althea blinked once, twice. When she opened her eyes again she knew moments had passed. She closed them a final time and let her exhaustion consume her at last, drinking in the feeling of the breeze flowing around her, as her mind began to fade away into nothing but silence and tranquillity.

 Chapter 6

    The sun was bright even through her eyelids. At least she thought it was sunlight. However when she opened her eyes Althea realised it wasn''t the light of the sun at all, or even candlelight for that matter, but a buzzing, unnatural, beaming light coming from the ceiling of the room she was in.


    Ceiling... where was she?


    The last thing she remembered was laying down on the forest floor, looking up at the sun peaking through the trees¡­ and she had a terrible pain in her head... the pain was gone now, as was the pain in her feet and legs, and well the rest of her body really.


    She attempted to reach her hand up to her head when she noticed she couldn''t. Upon looking down, she could see that she was being held to the bed in which she laid, with thick, woven straps. Where was she? Oh god, had they found her? Found out what she did and placed her in an asylum? Althea began thrashing about, in an attempt to release herself from the restraints.


    As she looked around, she noticed the bed frame and door were both made from metal. There was a pulling at her arm, she''d not noticed the tiny tube stuck into her skin. It led up to a bag full of clear liquid. What in god''s name was this place? She''d never witnessed anything like it. Not even in the asylums she''d read about, had she heard of bright white lights not made of flame, or small incisions connected to tubes. Did she die and go to hell as Sir Herbert had told her she would? Was this her payback for all that had happened the night before?


    Suddenly the large metal door opened and a woman strolled in. She looked surprised as she made eye contact with Althea. This woman had pale skin, and dark brown, almost black hair. She wore what looked to be a painting smock of some kind, it was all white with long sleeves.


    "Why, you''re awake!" the woman beamed. Her accent... it wasn''t one Althea had ever come across, it wasn''t Scottish or French or even Irish. "Now we can finally find out more about you."


    "Where... where am I?" Althea asked, stuttering over her words.


    "These are our medical quarters," the mysterious dark haired woman answered, unhelpfully.


    "And I am your physician, Charlotte Rawlings. You''re Althea right? Althea Lezant?"


    Althea blinked, this bright light was beginning to hurt her eyes. Medical quarters? This did not look like any apothecary or place of medicine she''d ever witnessed.


    "How do you know my name?"


    The woman, Charlotte Rawlings, only smiled.


    "Thank you for your patience Althea, I know you must have a lot of questions for us, and I assure you, we will answer them. Let me just get my assistant in here to examine you first."


    Us? We? How many more people were here? Where was here? Althea had so many questions she didn''t know which to ask first.


    "Examine me?" she paused, "examine me for what exactly?"


    "The magic within you, of course." She said the words as if it were obvious¡­ as if a statement such as that were completely ordinary.


    Althea''s eyebrows furrowed together, but before she could get another word out Miss Rawlings walked out of the room, leaving nothing but silence to answer her many lingering questions.


    Magic? It hadn¡¯t all been some wild dream then¡­ maybe everything that took place in Sir Herberts manor had actually happened¡­ she¡¯d been silently praying that it was all just a horrendous nightmare¡­ that she had drank too much wine with dinner and had imagined it all in her drunken slumber. But if it had all been real, if she had really¡­ Sir Herbert''s words echoed through her mind, witch.


    The door opened again and this time Althea recognized the face that graced her.


    "Hi Althea," the familiar French accent of Monique greeted her ears. The girl from the Duke and Duchesses gala. Those warm, golden locks that had bounced over her shoulders as she ran through the maze of hedges were pulled up and secured at the nape of her neck now. Even in the white attire she wore to match Miss Rawlings, she remained just as lovely as she had been in all of her finery. Yet, beneath the blinding white lights, one could discern the weariness in her eyes, marked by deep, tired bags.


    "You..." Althea trailed off, unable to properly gather her thoughts.


    "Yes I know this must all be very strange for you, but I promise, all will come to make perfect sense soon. Do you mind if I remove these restraints from your arms? We only had them on to control the thrashing you''d been doing in your sleep. I believe you were having some rather vivid night terrors."


    For lack of any words, Althea just nodded, still staring at the girl with what must have been clear bewilderment. Monique untied the thick straps and smiled down at Althea sympathetically.


    "How long have I been here?" she asked, as Monique set the straps aside.


    "About a week," she answered.


    Althea gasped. A week! She couldn''t have been unconscious for that long! How could she have gone without food or water for such a time?


    "I know it probably seems like a long time, but you were nearly dead when we found you. Even the birds thought so, for they picked at the wounds on your legs and feet. It''s a lucky thing Jasper and I found you out there."


    Jasper. She had nearly forgotten the young man who had danced with her under the moonlight that evening at the Duke and Duchesses gala. Was he here too?


    "Would you mind lying still while I examine you?" Monique asked. Althea nodded, despite the questions bubbling inside of her.


    Monique closed her eyes and lifted her hands to hover over Althea''s body. She began waving them slowly in the air, her eyes twitching slightly beneath her lids. Althea furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what on Earth she was doing. Suddenly Monique stopped mid wave, bunching her nose and focusing hard on something, and Althea could have sworn she felt a pulling sensation from deep inside of herself.


    "It''s strong," Monique declared.


    "What is?"


    "Your power."


    Her power? Althea was beyond confused. Magic? Power? Again she wondered how these people could speak these words as if they were anything but the devils rambings. She recalled the texts she¡¯d read, about the witches burned in the colonies at the end of the last century¡­ was she¡­ How could she be one of them?


    "What power? What is it you speak of?" Althea asked.


    "The abilities you have. I could sense them within you from the moment I met you at the Duke and Duchesses gala. You see, that''s my power, the ability to sense another''s magic and tell how strong they are, what exactly their power is and how long ago they''ve used it." She paused, noticing the horrified stare Althea gave her. Monique sighed. "The first night I met you, your power had been dormant. I could sense it on you but could tell you''d likely never used it. But now... now I can smell it all over you, this whole room, honestly this whole wing is filled with your buzzing energy."


    Buzzing energy¡­ Was that what she was experiencing with Sir Herbert and Mr. McNeil?


    "Tell me, did you use it for the first time? Your ability to manipulate the fourth plane?"


    Those words undid her. They proved that everything that had happened hadn''t merely been a dream. It was all real. Suddenly she flung herself over the side of the bed and heaved up nothing but the air in her empty stomach. Monique sprang to her side, pulling back her loose brown hair.


    "Oh dear, I''m sorry Althea, I didn''t mean to frighten you. I know how confusing this must be for you. How about I just let you rest a bit more and then we can resume this conversation later¡ª"


    "No," Althea coughed, looking up at Monique, "I''ve rested enough, I''m ready to get up."


    She looked down at the tube stuck into her arm and started to reach for it but Monique stopped her.


    "Wait Althea, you should really let doctor Rawlings take that out, that''s how you have been receiving all of the nutrients your body needed to survive for the past week."


    "What is it?" She stared down at the contraption in confusion. How could this tube possibly feed her and keep her hydrated?


    "It''s called intravenous therapy, or as many of us non-professionals call it, vein therapy. You see, this hollowed out needle," she pointed to the needle stuck into Althea''s skin, "it feeds medicine and nutrients directly into your bloodstream from this bag."


    What kind of sorcery? Never in her life had Althea seen or even read of such a thing. It terrified her, but also... it intrigued her.


    "I know you have many more questions and I promise we have answers, but let me go get doctor Rawlings in here to make sure you are well enough to get out of bed."


    The girl turned on her heel and walked towards the door, sharing one last smile before she exited.


    A few moments later, Dr. Rawlings entered the room once more. After thoroughly examining Althea to ensure she was indeed well enough to get out of bed, she offered her a fresh set of cotton linens and exited the room. The garments were unlike any Althea had ever seen, as were most of the things in this place, Althea had begun to notice. They were dark grey trousers and a shirt made of woven cotton. There were no petticoats or corsets or layers of skirts. These garments were quite unusual indeed. Althea stood on wobbly legs as she dressed herself.


    Once she was, as she assumed, fully clothed, she made her way over to the heavy door and opened it. The corridor beyond the metal door was bathed in the same harsh, unnatural light that had filled Althea¡¯s room. Dr. Rawlings and Monique stood a mere few feet away, their attention snapping to Althea as the door creaked open, and their faces momentarily illuminated by the glaring light.


    "You''re sure you''re feeling up to this Miss Lezant?" Dr. Rawlings asked. Althea nodded quickly, she wasn''t sure she could stand being alone with all the unanswered questions that tumbled around in her mind.


    "Yes, I am quite sure."


    "Okay, Monique you can show her around the institution but please pace yourself Miss Lezant, I want you to feel better as soon as you can and much rest is required, okay?"


    Althea nodded, looking at Monique who beamed back at her, with that bright, warm smile.


    "Well, shall we?" Monique reached out her arm for Althea to take. She did so graciously and they made their way down the corridor, until they reached an odd contraption. There was a glowing orb of light beside it. Monique pressed it and suddenly the door slid open to reveal a small lit up box. Althea jumped back, terrified of whatever this thing was.


    "Relax, it''s a simple pulley system, it will take us up to the main floor of the institution without us having to take the stairs. I just don''t want you to get too tired on me."


    Althea trusted her. After all, Monique had not attempted to do her harm. She assumed if anyone here wanted to do so, they would have just killed her while she¡¯d been unconscious. So she stepped into the odd box, and tried not to let her fear take over as the doors closed on their own once more, trapping them within the tight space. There were additional glowing numerals and letters on the inside of the box, they started with B1 then B2 and so on ending with B4 then there were stand alone numerals 1-12 above those. Monique pressed down on the one with a numeral 1.


    Suddenly the box started to move and shift. As if in expectation to Althea''s unease, Monique gripped her tighter.


    "This pulley system, it''s called an elevator, or it will be," Monique said, presumably attempting to take Althea''s mind off of the witchcraft taking place around this box.


    "And I''m assuming you''ve never seen light not made from fire or the sun before?" Althea shook her head.


    "Neither had I until I came here when I was a child. You see, all of the knowledge of these things was brought here from the future." Althea furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.


    "I know it sounds strange but I assure you, as you learn more about your own abilities, everything will begin to make much more sense."


    She kept saying that, but Althea still had no idea what exactly she meant.


    "How did you find me? In the woods I mean?" Althea asked, breaking off from their current topic of conversation.


    "Well, if I''m being honest, we didn''t exactly find you, Jasper and I were asked to keep an eye on you after that night we met at the Blenheim Palace and I sensed your dormant power. The board wanted to make sure you were kept safe, and if your powers were to manifest, as they did, that you were brought here."


    "The board? Who are they?" Althea asked. How many more people were here in this institution?


    "Oh, they are the leaders of our cadre consisting of five elders who vote on any decisions we make as a group." Althea nodded slowly.


    "Kind of like parliament?" she asked and Monique nodded.


    "Yes! But we have no king or queen."


    "So how many of you are there in this cadre?" Althea asked as the elevator door opened and they were greeted by another long corridor, this time lit by candlelight sconces on the walls. Althea silently praised whatever god watched over her for the small kindness to her aching head.


    "Hm, I''m honestly not sure, you see not everyone lives here in this institution, we have one in nearly every large city, Paris where I am from, the eastern empires, the colonies, so overall, we likely have over four or five hundred individuals, but the number changes everyday as there are always new people who join."


    There were that many people who were a part of this whole... cadre? Althea hadn''t expected the number to be so high. Did all of their institutions mirror this one with bright light and those elevator things?


    "Does everyone in the cadre have abilities as you call them?"


    "Yes most do, although some, such as doctor Rawlings, have a gift for curing ailments with medicine and technology from the future." Again such casual words, as if talks of travelling through time were normal. Althea wondered what other kinds of abilities the members of this cadre might have. They must be quite vast considering how opposed hers and Monique''s were.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "So you can sense another''s power and tell what kind of ability they possess¡­ What are some of the other abilities individuals have here?" Monique shrugged.


    "Well Meg and James are like me¡­ oh and Jasper, he has what we call the eye. He can see fate itself before it comes to pass. But there are many different abilities, some have healing gifts, some can transform their bodies into other forms, and on the rare spectrum, there are those who possess fourth dimension manipulation, or time manipulation, as you have, but I have some theories of my own about you." Monique''s eyes glinted with curiosity as she stared at Althea. "I can sense your power is quite strong. But there is something different about it. Almost like an essence.¡± She paused and there was an odd sort of gleam in her eyes. Before Althea could question that look, Monique clapped her hands together and declared abruptly, ¡°but most of it is dormant. With practice, I think we can release a bit more."


    Althea didn''t know what to say. All of this, the powers, the cadre, the institution and its odd contraptions, none of it seemed real. It felt as though she''d fallen asleep reading the epic poems of The Faerie Queene and dreamt herself into the pages. How could something this big ever go undiscovered by the entire world? Individuals that could heal almost any illness, and yet there were still people withering away on the streets in poverty? It felt to her that if so many possessed these powers, why weren''t they using them to better the lives of everyone?


    "How do ordinary people know nothing of this place or the ones like it?"


    "They wouldn''t understand, not at this time anyway. These people aren''t advanced enough for such ideas to even be plausible. If Dr. Rawlings were to heal an ill child with the medicine we¡¯ve retrieved from the future, they wouldn''t call her a physician, they would call her a witch and have her burned, as they would the child, assuming it had been cursed by her. Most of them would never understand people like you and me. We are gifted Althea, everyone here is."


    She knew Monique was right. Sir Herbert had immediately threatened to burn her for witchcraft just from her skin being too warm. Even she had caught herself declaring this place must be possessed by witchcraft. But her last words, gifted. Perhaps she should stop declaring the things she did as wrong, and start believing them to be the contrary. After all, she was only saving herself from a fate that was¡­ she didn¡¯t want to think about what would have happened if she¡¯d not summoned her power and escaped.


    "I suppose that is true."


    "That is why it is important to never purposely use your abilities in front of regular human eyes."


    "I''m afraid it''s a bit too late for that..." Althea said slowly.


    "I know your power is no longer dormant as it was a couple of weeks ago, did something happen at the manor you were staying at to make you use it? Or did it just happen?" Monique asked.


    For a moment Althea thought of withholding the truth, it would be much less complicated if she just said it was unprovoked. However, Monique''s thoughtful, sympathetic eyes, and the way her brows scrunched in, the face of concern, made her submit. She told Monique of what had happened, what she had witnessed at Sir Herbert''s manor... She also told her of what had occurred to make her so terrified of him. She told her of that night at her fathers estate. Maybe it was her sympathetic nods of encouragement or perhaps the way she did not judge Althea a single time for her words, that made her feel safe enough to talk about it with Monique.


    "Althea, I want you to know, you have nothing to be ashamed of, and I can sense that you''ve been told otherwise. The problems you''ve faced are not any fault of your own. Please do well to remember that okay? And as for the use of your ability, we will take care of Robert Herbert and ensure he doesn''t come looking for you, not now and not ever. If you want, we can do the same for your aunt and father, tell them you''ve found a lovely husband and will be starting a new life elsewhere? I understand if you are apprehensive, this is no small decis¡ª"


    "Yes, I would like that," Althea needed no extra time to think.


    For the last month and a half she had spent every moment wishing, praying, for a way out of marriage to a stranger, and now those wishes had been granted. She needed no time to think on an answer because to her it wasn''t a question. This was her way out. She had no idea what this place was or who these people really were but in the short time she¡¯d come to know Monique, even the others she had met that night and Dr. Rawlings¡­ She felt safe here despite the uncertainty.


    Monique raised her eyebrows but smiled.


    "I will send word to the board right away, and they shall send out letters to your kin. I believe this will be great for you Althea! Here you will learn to control your abilities, and harness that power within yourself, plus I think you will make so many great friends here. You''ll find we are a somewhat peculiar group of individuals, and we do not behave as many traditional people you may know."


    Althea was tired of the way people acted in this society, so hearing this only made her more certain in her answer.


    For the next two hours, Monique walked Althea through the entire institution, there were various rooms, some with desks or meeting tables, others with beds or chairs for sitting and chatting, a very large kitchen where Monique said they had chefs from around the world to create marvellous dishes for them, and a courtyard complete with a garden that put both Sir Herbert and the Duke and Duchesses to shame.


    "Alright, the final room I will show you to is where almost everyone is right now, the dining hall!" Monique grinned. "I hope you''re hungry!"


    Althea did long for a meal. The last she''d actually eaten something, well in the traditional fashion anyway, was at Sir Herbert''s manor. As they neared the dining hall the smell of roast and vegetables engulfed her senses. That, and she could hear the chatter from the corridor.


    She followed Monique through the large double doors, as she let them sweep open and thud against the walls, as if she wanted everyone¡¯s undivided attention. It worked. Everyone''s eyes turned towards them and Althea wanted to turn back and flee from the nagging dread of so many eyes on her. She felt her palms become damp with sweat and she itched to wipe them on her trousers but made no move. Some people turned to the ones sitting next to them and whispered. Monique said they get many newcomers, but as she peered back at all of them now¡­ it felt as if she were an alien, someone or something wholly unlike any of them.


    Monique cleared her throat, raising an eyebrow at the room full of people as if to say ¡®manners¡¯!


    "Everyone, this is our newest member of the cadre, Althea Lezant! She brings with her, her amazing talents and we look forward to having her here with us."


    It appeared not everyone was as thrilled as Monique that Althea was here amongst them.


    A dark haired man muttered to the gentleman next to him, "they say she''s one of the ones who can manipulate the fourth plane. Remember what happened to Charlie?"


    Althea swallowed hard. She was unsure what to do, but she desperately wanted to turn and run, to find somewhere isolated, particularly dark too, and lock herself inside.


    Suddenly the sound of a chair scooting echoed through the large dining hall as someone stood up. Her eyes met with the familiar hazel gaze of Jasper. She''d nearly forgotten he would be here. She could feel her face heat and likely flush, as she wondered why he had stood from his chair.


    "Cheers," Jasper lifted his cup from the table, "to our newest member, may you make this place your home," he called out. To her surprise, a large number of people also lifted their glasses and there was a small roar of mimicked cheers through the room.


    Monique turned and smiled at Althea. "Come, let''s sit."


    She followed Monique to the table where Jasper sat. She also recognized two more faces from that night at the Duke and Duchesses Gala.


    As if reading her thoughts, Monique said, "Althea, you remember James and Meg, don''t you?"


    She nodded quickly and smiled at the two who sat side by side.


    "Pleased to see you again Althea," James said kindly.


    "Yes indeed, we''ve all been very intrigued since Monique told us what she sensed of your... abilities," Meg followed, a most curious look in her eyes, as if she wanted to pry but forced herself not to.


    "I am still wondering about that myself, as I have no idea what exactly my ability is or how to even use it," Althea said truthfully.


    "Well it''s time manipulation dear, it will be no easy feat, especially considering you are the only¨C"


    "Enough idle talk Meg, the girl is starving! I say we eat!" Monique cut in, giving Meg a strange look. However, Althea was too hungry to ask questions and the roast and vegetables in front of her looked delectable.


    After their meal the five of them made their way to the outside courtyard in the centre of the institution. It reminded Althea of the first time she¡¯d met them all. When they danced together and became merry from the drink they shared. That night would forever be in Althea''s mind, it was the first time she felt truly free, and the first time she felt as though she belonged. And now here she was with those very same people, destined to spend a great deal of time with them, and she was... happy.


    For the first time in a long time, she felt truly happy as she watched Meg and James laugh with one another and Monique grinning at them. Jasper, who smiled too, turned to glance her way. Their happiness was contagious, even she found herself smiling alongside them.


    "What are you thinking of?" Jasper asked quietly, so as not to attract the attention of the others. Althea smiled.


    "You want the honest truth?" she asked.


    "No lie to me. Of course I want the honest answer," he chuckled.


    "I was just thinking about how for so long I have found myself lost in worlds that don¡¯t exist, longing to be anywhere but trapped within a society that values me so little¡­ and now¡­ the dreams I had of finding such a place have come true. I am so happy to be here amongst you all." Jasper stared into her eyes, as if he could see her entire world through them. Perhaps he could, with his ability.


    "We are all very elated you made it to us as well." Suddenly her hand was engulfed by the heat of his own. "Could I show you to your chamber?"


    She wasn''t sure she''d be able to speak, for the words felt lodged in her throat. Her chamber, already she had a room of her own here.


    "Yes, that would be nice, I should probably get settled in before it gets too late," she finally spoke.


    He smiled, then turned to the rest of the group who seemed to have been glancing towards them trying not to seem as though they''d been eavesdropping.


    "Monique, I''m going to show Althea to her room so she can get settled in and be well rested for tomorrow."


    "Oh, okay," Monique looked at Althea as if to confirm this was okay with her. This small gesture was worth more to Althea than she likely knew. And it was one of the many things she was coming to love about this place. Both men and women were regarded with respect, treated as equals, rather than one being considered superior. "Do you know which room is hers?"


    Jasper chuckled and rolled his eyes, "yes, I am able to see the future you know?"


    James smirked at Jasper, looking between the two of them as he said, "does that imply you¡¯ll be frequenting Althea¡¯s bedchamber quite a lot?"


    Her face grew vibrant with colour, she could feel her embarrassment move from her face to her neck and even to her ears. She was likely burning red. Jasper only rolled his eyes again, not seeming to notice her own flustered complexion.


    "Very funny James, but no, I just know where it is, okay?" Jasper replied in a mock tone. Then he offered his hand to Althea, helping her out of her place on the stone bench.


    "It has been very lovely spending the evening with the lot of you, thank you for welcoming me to the cadre," Althea nodded towards them.


    Monique smiled radiantly and nodded back.


    "It is our pleasure to have you here Althea, we will see you in the morn."


    And with that Althea and Jasper took their leave from the group.


    "So... you''ve seen me in your um.. mind?" Althea asked once they were back inside.


    Jasper smiled, showing off his set of sparkly white teeth. Most Englishmen she''d met didn¡¯t have such a nice set of teeth, it was something that had drawn her to him from the first time they''d met.


    "Yes, I have, more than once actually." He glanced at her from the side with what almost appeared to be a mischievous look.


    "Oh?" she questioned, unable to hide her already blushed cheeks.


    "I just knew you would be coming here is all, I''m happy it''s finally happened."


    She raised a brow.


    "How does that work? Your power I mean? How could you see me coming before I did so?"


    He sighed, but didn''t look annoyed. It was the kind of sigh one makes when they at last give in to someone, like a mother getting her child the pastry they begged for, only Althea had not pushed him for anything, had she?


    "The night we met, when I first caught a glimpse of you, it was as if we already knew one another. I get bits and pieces of a larger picture, and when I saw you, I saw this, you standing before everyone in the dining hall today, me escorting you to yer bed chamber, the two of us... becoming friends over the course of time," he stated with a smile. "And the feelings that took over me, I do not know you well yet, but I know in the future you are someone who will show me immense kindness, someone who I will care for.¡±


    Althea didn''t know what to say to this. It was so odd to see someone prophecies such things¡­ to see things she had yet to do, conversations they were yet to have¡­ feelings she had yet to create. And the honesty in that statement, the rawness¡­ She was glad he hadn¡¯t just brushed off her question.


    "My apologies Althea, I''ve overwhelmed you, that was not my intention, I only w¨C"


    "It''s quite alright, I am the one who asked, and I thank you for your candour," she smiled.


    "On the topic of candour, would you mind answering one more question?" she asked. He nodded, smiling politely as they continued walking through the long corridor.


    "Do you know who Charlie is?"


    Jasper''s smile vanished from his face and it was as if she had imagined it altogether.


    "How do you know that name?" he asked, no sign of the joyful spirit that was just within him. He was wholly serious now.


    "I heard some of the other cadre members mention his name earlier when I entered the dining hall, they were whispering amongst each other but I could still hear them."


    "Foolish lads and lasses," Jasper muttered, nearly under his breath. "They should¡¯na have said anything near you. But aye, I''ll give you the courtesy of being honest with you," he paused as if to collect his thoughts, "Charlie had a gift like yours, he was the most recent member to have the ability to manipulate the fourth dimension here at the London institution, seeing as it is a quite rare ability to have. And the reason for that, is because it is not an easy power to maintain. Many of those throughout history who have been gifted such a power have not lived long once their ability is no longer dormant. You see, magic like that, it takes its toll on the mind of the individual practising it. And as a result of this, many of you... well your minds just can''t take it and you go completely mad and begin slipping in and out of multiple places, multiple times and dimensions, until you are either forced to take your own life, or do something to get yourself killed."


    Althea''s breath hitched in her throat, and for the first time since she''d awoken today, her mind stopped buzzing. All of those questions she was dying to know the answers to disappeared momentarily. She had no idea, she''d not even taken a second to consider that there may be consequences to this new found power she had inhabited.


    Suddenly Jasper''s hand brushed her own, Althea hadn''t realised she''d been picking at her nails in front of her stomach.


    "Please, don''t let this shy you away from the ability which you possess, it is not a curse, but a gift. And being here with us, this is the safest place you could be. They are going to teach you how to control what lies within you, so that you may not end up like the others who came before you." He looked into her emerald eyes as he said this, his own eyes begging her to trust him.


    She only nodded, she was unsure of what exactly to say to these words. Luckily she didn''t have to think long as Jasper pulled his eyes from hers, looking over his shoulder to the wooden door at his side.


    "This is the room you will be calling home for your time here, however long that may be," Jasper''s smile returned. Althea found herself grateful that she didn''t have to respond to the conversation they''d been having only a moment ago.


    "Oh," she breathed out, staring at the door. She was unsure why but she felt somewhat... nervous. As if by opening this door she was declaring herself a part of this place. But that was a good thing wasn''t it? Already these people had treated her more kindly than her own kin had for the last twenty years.


    "Ready?" Jasper asked, raising a questioning brow.


    Breathing in deeply, Althea nodded. He twisted the doorknob and it opened with a creak. Inside, it was dark, but Jasper grabbed one of the candle wall sconces to light the candles in the room, and once it was lit, it was... Althea sucked in a breath as she peered at the room around her. Never did she think she would receive a room so grand. At most she assumed there would be a bed and a vanity, but this was... exquisite.


    The walls were a silver grey that reminded her of the clouds against the full moon, with dark wooden floors and ceilings to create a beautiful contrast. The ceilings stood tall, with carved details that looked as though they belonged in a museum. And then there was the bed, which held a satin canopy atop it with matching grey, satin linens. Not only did she have a vanity fit for a queen but it was accompanied by a large hand crafted wardrobe which she could only assume would hold at least forty gowns. The entire room appeared to be made for a grown woman, and she couldn''t help but feel as though she was but a child in it. But that left plenty of room for her to grow, she supposed.


    "Wow," was the only word she could muster as she looked around the room in awe.


    Jasper chuckled at her gaping mouth. "I''m glad you enjoy it. It will make it easier, being away from your home and those you love."


    She looked at him from the side, a small, sad smile encompassed her lips. If only she had anyone she would indefinitely miss. Her heart ached as she thought of her father¡­ for so long she had believed him to be her protector¡­ nothing could have prepared her for the impact of his words that night, the look of disappointment in his eyes as he blamed her for what had happened. Deep down, she didn¡¯t even despise the man who had nearly forced himself on her¡­ the hatred that burned through her was for him, her father, for letting such a thing almost happen and then for holding her accountable for it. Her father was dead to her. Althea¡¯s hand clenched into a fist at her side as she slowly quieted that simmering rage within her. The only person who came to her mind to miss now, was her ladies maid, Cynthia. She hoped the poor woman would find employment elsewhere in Althea''s absence.


    "Yes," she replied quietly, letting those enraged thoughts drift away. If Jasper had sensed her disdain, he said nothing of it.


    "Well, I will see you tomorrow m''lady, I bid you goodnight," Jasper said, walking backwards until he reached the door.


    "Goodnight Jasper, I''ll see you tomorrow." With one last smile, he exited the room, leaving Althea alone with only her thoughts.

 Chapter 7

    Althea awoke the next morning feeling well rested. Her first slumber in her new bed was phenomenal. She had never slept on a mattress that felt as though she were enjoying a peaceful rest on a cloud. It was hard to tear herself away from it, but after a morning spent basking in the feel of the silken sheets and goosefeather pillows, there was a curt knock at the door, pulling her from the tranquillity. Althea stood and made her way across the room. There was nobody beyond the large wooden door when she swung it open, but at her feet sat a box with a note attached to it. Snatching up the box, she shut the door once more and sat at her vanity to open it.


    The note read: Dearest Althea, please enjoy these garments handmade for you by our seamstress Layana. Inside are enough clothes to last you the rest of the week until you choose some of your own. - Mistress Stamos from the Division of Fundamental Resources.


    Interesting... Althea set the note aside and opened the box. Laying on the top were four sets of clothes, a similar shirt and shortened trouser set to the one she¡¯d worn yesterday, however, the material was different. Rather than being made of cotton, they were constructed of something elastic. If it wasn''t for the stretch of the material she would have swore the garments would be much too small, even as she stared at them now, she was baffled as to where she would wear these... were they meant to go under her clothes? They were far too revealing to be worn alone. She moved them to the side, looking at the other items in the box. There were a few dresses, but none were of the variety she was used to. They didn''t involve corsets or layers of skirts or petticoats, they were simple, light and delicate, unlike anything she''d worn before. There were also undergarments and shoes, some flat and some with heels.


    What was she to wear today? Normally everyday was the same, even days when she did nothing but stay at her aunt''s estate, she was still expected to be fully clothed in the latest fashions, in the case that a suitor may make a surprise visit.


    Unsure of what to wear, she just slipped on the same dark grey shirt and trousers from the day prior. She''d ask Monique what the proper attire was when she saw her.


    Althea finished getting ready by sitting before her vanity and brushing through her long, umber curls, she kept them down for the first time in a very long time. They were almost always styled up in braided corennets or pinned updos in these last months. It felt good to give her aching scalp a break.


    It was a bit difficult for Althea to remember the various turns she and Jasper had taken to get to her bedchamber the night prior, considering they had been deep in conversation during the walk. It also didn''t help that all the long, narrow corridors appeared the same. However, after a few wrong turns, Althea finally found her way to the dining hall where she assumed most everyone would be for breakfast.


    She guessed correctly, judging by the chatter she could already hear from outside of the large room. Her mind skipped to the silence that had been bestowed upon her yesterday evening when she''d entered the room. She silently prayed it was an isolated incident.


    When she rounded the corner into the room, the chatter did not stop as it had last night, but she averted her gaze as some eyes lingered on her. She kept her head held high and looked straight forward.


    "Althea, over here," there was a call to her left from Monique who sat alongside James and Meg.


    Smiling, she walked in their direction and sat beside them. Upon inspection she realised Monique and Meg were both wearing tight fitting clothes, similar to those she had pulled from the box she received but an hour ago. Suddenly she felt silly for her choice of attire.


    "So, how''d you sleep?" Monique asked, raising a brow, "bet your bed was pretty comfortable right?"


    Althea chuckled and nodded. "Yes actually, it was."


    "Ah yes, that''s just another perk of having people bring back knowledge from the future, in a couple hundred years, nearly everyone''s main goal is comfort and ease according to those I''ve spoken to about such things."


    "And riches, don''t forget that," Meg said, sounding unamused by the topic of conversation.


    "Oh don''t mind her, she''s still coming around to the idea of some of the advancements here at the institution," James chuckled, looking adoringly at Meg who only scoffed.


    "Jeez, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Jasper said, taking a seat across from Althea. His eyes moved from Meg to herself and his smile spread.


    "Good morning Althea, did you have a good first night''s rest here at the insti¨C?" he began to ask but before he could fully finish the sentence Meg interrupted.


    ¡°Yes she slept just fabulously, my word does anyone else care to know how Althea slept?" She turned towards the people sitting at the other side of the table, interrupting their own conversation to ask them mockingly.


    Althea''s cheeks flushed. She wasn''t sure what to say to this, she''d never heard a young girl speak as Meg did before. Luckily she didn''t have to think long, as Jasper said, "does it hurt not being the centre of attention Meg?"


    Meg just clenched her jaw in response and looked to James, who shrugged quickly as if to say, ¡®what do you want me to do?¡¯


    "Okay children let''s everyone calm down now," Monique spoke in a mother-like voice then turned to Althea smiling softly, "apologies, they can get a bit rowdy sometimes."


    From across the room, Althea could see the kitchen staff coming through the door with breakfast. They served poached eggs, toast, jam, sausage and biscuits. Although it was a relatively simple meal, the sauces and spices made it better than any she''d tasted before.


    As they ate, Monique explained what each garment in her new wardrobe would be used for. The attire she wore currently was considered casual, something she may wear for leisure or while she slept. They dressed more ornate on Sundays for dinner, which is what the simple gowns were for. As for any events such as balls or gala''s, they got dresses handmade by the seamstress Layana and her workers.


    Because today would be the start of Althea''s training, Monique recommended the elastic-wear as it was made for easy mobility and if there were to be any perspiration, she would not soak thick, heavy fabrics. The sound of that made Althea rather wary of what sort of activities they''d be doing during training, but she tried not to let it plague her.


    When they finished breakfast, Althea changed into the tight training set and met with Jasper. She couldn''t help but note how his eyes did a quick pass from her face down to her legs before he averted them from her. She felt her cheeks heat as she wondered how she appeared dressed in them. She felt uncomfortable. Never had she been so completely bare in public, with only a thin layer of stretchy material concealing her body beneath. And her legs were out, bare skin exposed to everyone. She was fighting off the urge to cover herself.


    But Jasper said nothing as he led her out of the institution, past the gardens to an open plot of grassy land. The hills rolled beyond for miles, it appeared. Nothing like the bustling, busy London streets she¡¯d been greeted by upon arriving to this city, they must have been on the outskirts of it.


    "What are we doing out here?"


    Suddenly Monique appeared from beside the only tree in sight. It was a massive Oak that looked as if it had been here far longer than the institution, or even the city of London itself had been. The tree''s thick branches swept out around it and its leaves shimmered in the sunlight.


    "This is where we will come to practise magic! It is always good to be away from others, especially when you start out, so you don''t accidentally hurt someone."


    That made sense, but Althea couldn''t help the rigid feeling inside. She was nervous to begin this, not only because it was all completely new to her, but also because by practising freely, it felt like she was admitting this whole thing was real. When she awoke here this morning, in that beautiful room she¡¯d dozed off in, she kept waiting to wake up in the lumpy bed at her Aunt Harriet''s home¡­ kept waiting to find that this had all been one big whimsical dream. But deep inside she knew it wasn''t. And the only way she could overcome that feeling was by embracing this¡­ power, inside of her.


    "Okay, so... how do we start?" she asked, looking between the two cadre members.


    "Well, there may not be any action today. We are going to start by warming up your mind a bit, okay?" Monique asked and Althea nodded warily. They sat on the soft grass in an imperfect triangle formation.


    "Alright now close your eyes. I am going to ask you a few questions to see where your mind was at, the night you summoned your ability," Monique stated. The three of them closed their eyes. Althea''s fingers intertwined with the grass, as she plucked a strand, twirling it between her thumb and forefinger, a nervous habit she supposed.


    "Okay Althea, I want you to start by taking a few deep breaths for me. We will breathe in for three seconds, and out for three seconds," Monique said, demonstrating as she did so, "in," Althea counted to three in her head, "and out."


    Althea tried to focus on her breathing but her mind was on the relaxed breaths to her left. Yes, Jasper breathed deeply next to her, and for a moment the image of him reaching for her hand as he had the night of the gala, flowed into her mind. She remembered how his firm hold felt on her waist as they danced together. How he had spun her around as the others danced and sang. Monique¡¯s dazzling smile flashed behind her lids too, and the way her blue eyes had sparkled as she glanced over a shoulder to Althea, beckoning for her to follow. The whole time they¡¯d known that there had been something rooted deep within her¡­ Monique had felt it upon that first moment when she¡¯d saved Althea from Sir Herbert''s incessant ramblings.


    "Okay ready Althea?" Her thoughts were cut short by Moniques question.


    "Yes,¡± she answered quickly, brushing her own rambling thoughts aside.


    "Okay. The night you last interacted with your power, what was the state of your mind?"


    The state of her mind? As if Monique didn''t already know the answer to that based on what Althea had told her yesterday.


    But nevertheless Althea said, "I was... scared. Very scared." She paused, visualising Mr. McNeil''s hands around her arms as Sir Herbert tore open her nightdress. "I felt trapped in my body, and was wishing I were stronger so I could prevent what was to happen to me."


    She didn''t want to go into anymore detail in front of Jasper. She didn''t want him to know the kind of treacherous things she had experienced, and, though she didn''t think he would, she did not want that judgement¡­ the judgement of her being alone and exposed in front of multiple men.


    "And do you believe it was this fear that triggered your abilities to materialise from their dormancy?" Monique asked.


    "Well... yes, I think I was looking for a way to protect myself, and I received one," she answered. She hadn''t really thought about it, but that did seem logical.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "How did it feel, did you feel anything within yourself before you used your power? Dizziness? Or blurry vision?¡±


    "Yes... I felt this... buzzing in my head. It felt as though there was a build up of pressure inside of my skull. And it kept getting stronger and stronger until I noticed that the men around me all stood frozen." She paused briefly, "oh and the two men called me a witch because my skin was, as they said,  ¡®hot as flames¡¯¡­ I didn''t feel it but they kept going on about it."


    Monique fell silent. It was as though both of them had disappeared completely, she could not even hear them breathing. Althea opened her eyes and Monique and Jasper both shared an incredulous look.


    "What is it?" she asked looking between the two for any answer as to why they looked in such disbelief.


    "Nothing Althea, the buzzing is quite common as the energy of your power courses through your veins." Monique answered, trying to brush her off.


    "And the heat? Is that normal too?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.


    "Yes, likely another symptom of your power rooting." Monique was unconvincing in her answer. Althea knew she was hiding something.


    "Likely?" she asked. Monique raised a confused brow. "You said it is likely another symptom of my power rooting. So you don''t actually know for sure?"


    Jasper stared at her with what looked to be pity, this only made her grow more unsettled.


    "Like I''ve mentioned before, we haven''t had as much experience with power like yours so it is hard to tell, but I would assume that it is just another side effect of your abilities," Jasper stepped in, trying to sound sure so Althea could be at peace. It didn¡¯t work, but she asked no further questions as she did not want to upset her newfound friends.


    They continued going through mental exercises for a while longer until Monique decided Althea was ready to try summoning the power within her again.


    "Okay Althea, I want you to take that fear, that anger and the rage that you felt that night, and use it to unleash what is within yourself."


    "How do I do that?" Althea asked. A slight flush spread over her cheeks at the honesty in her question, but she didn¡¯t know the first thing about any of this.


    "Think of the things in your life that have tormented you, let the rage build inside of you, think about getting revenge on those who have wronged you. Whatever it is that triggers that mental barrier to lift and your power to flourish," Monique answered.


    With a nod, she closed her eyes and imagined herself back in Sir Herbert''s bedchamber. She thought of how he tore her nightgown open to reveal her chest to the two males. Her stomach twisted with disgust as she did. She had gotten her revenge on them, and it hadn''t made her feel satisfied. She wanted to weep thinking of what happened to Mr. McNeil. She was the reason he¡¯d jumped from the terrace, he¡¯d seen whatever lurked within her, and he¡¯d rather face death than be confined to the same room as her. Her thoughts didn¡¯t feed that rage, or her fear¡­ all they did was provide further incentive for her to keep that power within her as insignificant as possible.


    Even when she thought of the man at her fathers estate that night, thought about how she hadn''t gotten a chance to give him the revenge he deserved, she couldn¡¯t keep her focus pinned. Her mind flashed from his large hand over her mouth, to the sound of fabric shuffling as she fought him, and then to her father. She could feel tears rising behind her closed eyes at the memory of that look her father had given her¡­ the way he¡¯d spoken with such disappointment and disgrace. But there was no rage¡­ only an ache low in her belly as she still wished that none of it would have happened. Even if she was here now, and had friends who might care about her, a part of her still ached to have her old life back.


    "Well?" Monique asked, pulling Althea from her thoughts.


    She let out a long, steadying breath before saying, "this isn''t working. I am not feeling any buzzing, I am trying to get mad but I just... can''t. Those situations are over now and honestly, I would like to keep them that way."


    Monique gave her a sympathetic smile. "I understand Althea, but what if you find yourself in another detrimental situation with no proper training on how to use your magic¡­ you may not be so fortunate if there is a next time."


    It hurt Althea to consider that she was right. But she just didn''t know how to get over these feelings. She was sad and conflicted, and she missed having a more simplistic life, even if it was dull by comparison to all of this.


    They continued their pursuit to summon Althea''s power for nearly three hours. By the last stretch she was so frustrated she found herself cursing the itchy grass and the sun for beaming so hot overhead.


    "Ugh, it''s no use! I can''t do this," Althea sprung from her place on the ground, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "At least not today," she muttered.


    Jasper placed a hand on her back, "hey, it''s okay. There is no rush, we will be here to help you figure this out... together." He looked at Monique when he said the last word. She nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, we certainly will. Let''s take a break for today and try again tomorrow." Althea nodded solemnly, feeling as though she¡¯d failed them¡­ wasted their time. She hated how many invasive thoughts crowded her mindspace. What if she was never able to summon whatever was within her? How long would her friends wait¡­ she doubted they would be so patient forever. She wondered if, once they realised how useless she was at invoking her ability, they would stop showing so much interest in her, stop being her friends at all.


    "I''ve got some matters to tend to in Skyworth but I will be back in time to dine with you," Monique said, and pranced off towards the opposite entrance of the institution from where they''d come.


    "What''s Skyworth?" Althea asked Jasper, not recognizing the name from any map she''d seen.


    "It''s the board¡¯s small city in the sky," Jasper answered as they walked towards the institution.


    "In the sky?" Althea was bewildered that such a place could exist. Surely he must have meant it figuratively right?


    "Yes, the board has quite a sum of power, and with their combined magic they are able to keep themselves hovering high above the clouds and out of sight of humans."


    How very interesting. She imagined that it must feel like being in heaven everyday up there. She was tempted to ask how Monique would get up there, but figured she would likely find out herself sooner or later.


    They entered the stone walls of the building once more and walked down one of the many long corridors.


    "Do you need help navigating your way back up to your bed chamber?" Jasper asked.


    "Oh no, I''ve got it, it''s just right this way... or maybe that way..." she looked at the forked hallway unsure of which way they''d come from. She had been distracted by Jasper''s subtle looks at her as they were walking earlier.


    He chuckled.  "I would be happy to escort you to your bed chamber Althea."


    She smiled shyly.


    "Thank you. My apologies for not having learned the layout yet." She blushed.


    "It is no problem at all. In fact, you are catching on much sooner than most. Many who have not been raised in the institutions find them to be difficult to navigate through¡­ and it takes them a while to get used to all of the odd contraptions we have here." That made her smile. She was glad she wasn''t alone in thinking some of the futuristic aspects of this place were odd.


    Suddenly Jasper stopped mid-walk. When she looked back at him, his eyes had turned completely white. No longer were the hazel orbs she had grown used to. No, those eyes were that of a ghost, completely pearlescent.


    "Jasper?" She was unable to hide the panic in her voice. He did not respond to her, only making her more worried. His body was taut and frozen in place. She was beginning to wonder if she¡¯d somehow activated that magical ability inside of her, but then Jasper''s eyes snapped shut quickly. When they opened again they were back to their normal hazel colouring.


    "What was that which took over you?" Althea asked, still looking at him with what she knew must have been a mix of the shock and confusion she felt inside.


    "I had... a vision," he looked down at her as if she appeared to him now, not as she had only a moment before, but different¡­ new. He looked forward again but made no move to continue walking, only wrinkling his eyebrows together in confusion.


    "What was it? What did you see?" she asked.


    "Aye, I''m still trying to fully understand that myself." She recalled how he had told her the night before that his ability only allowed him to see pieces of a bigger picture.


    She waited patiently for him to elaborate, not wanting to overwhelm him.


    He looked at her once more, and swallowed. "It''s you¡­ you¡¯re," he paused then blinked again, as if realising whatever he was about to say, then shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m what?¡± she asked impatiently. His eyes fell over her again, and there was something different behind that stare, and the intensity there¡­ the way his eyes leapt between hers, as if he were searching for something. She just gazed back at him, her own confusion etched into her face.


    He shook his head once more. "Nothing¡­ do not allow me to trouble you with things that I do not yet understand. Provide me the night to think of what I''ve seen and elaborate fully in the morn."


    He forced a false smile onto his lips as he peered down at her. "Come, allow me to escort you to your bedchamber.¡± She wanted to refuse, wanted to insist that he divulge what he¡¯d seen¡­ he¡¯d seen her, he knew something about her and she wanted, desperately, to know what it was. But despite the roaring questions burning within her, Althea only nodded, and walked beside him. She would respect his wishes. As they made their way up the stairs, she could feel his eyes upon her. When she spared a glance in his direction, she caught them glimmering with what appeared to be a mix of eagerness and curiosity. Or something of that nature. What had he seen behind those glazed eyes?


    "What?" she asked, squinting at him.


    "I just..." he paused his step, turning towards her and brushing a stay curl from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. She could feel her face heat beneath his touch. "Feel as though I know you so well, and yet not at all¡­ it''s conflicting, these images of you that flash in my mind, which haven''t happened yet. Never have I experienced something like this before."


    She raised her eyebrows in surprise. Perhaps he didn¡¯t want to share what he¡¯d seen because it had been¡­ her cheeks flushed as she let her mind wander to the multitude of things he could have witnessed.


    "Well, what did you see of me this time?¡± she asked, following quickly with, ¡°Besides that which you wish to withhold until tomorrow." Althea stepped forward, continuing the walk towards her room.


    "Well, it is really only bits and pieces, but it¡¯s the emotions which I bear for you that conflict me. There is this urge to protect you, keep you out of harm''s way, but when I think about it, it feels¡­ wrong. I¡¯m not really sure, like I said, I just need more time to gauge what it is I felt and saw." He looked into her big, curious eyes, as if seeking something from her that she didn¡¯t know how to give him, so she just smiled warmly.


    "Protect me from what?" She had never talked to a male like this before, and all of her emotions seemed to mesh and crash into one another. Her stomach ached as she longed to understand what he meant by his words.


    "I don''t know... anything that could hurt you or make you sad. I just know I never wish to see you like that, and yet I, I will¡­¡± he paused, his eyes flashing with what looked like pain, before he continued, ¡°you are to grow very dear to me Althea, for when Yuletide greets us this year, we are to be... together enjoying our time by the fire." She could see fear on his face, perhaps at what he¡¯d admitted to her. She knew her face must have been as bright as a tomato, but she appreciated his candour. Especially considering his words also meant that she would still be here by winter... perhaps she would gain control over her abilities, after all why would they keep her here if she didn''t? It calmed all of the fearful thoughts that had plagued her earlier. And though she could sense that there were still things that he was withholding from her, Althea decided to put them aside for now, and focus on the last image he¡¯s projected into her own mind¡­ the two of them sitting together by the fire, enjoying the winter holiday. Peace, and a bit of giddiness and joy fluttered within her at the thought.


    She was unsure why but the swirl of emotions inside Althea pushed her to do something without thinking. She paused her step, turned towards Jasper and laid a gentle kiss on his cheek. His skin was so warm beneath her lips. She pulled away quickly and averted her eyes before he could say anything. She kept walking but to her side she could see him sparing glimpses at her, his face an equal shade of pink.


    She smiled to herself as they both stopped in front of her door.


    "Thank you for your help today," she said shyly.


    "It was my pleasure," suddenly he grabbed both of her hands in his, looking into her eyes, "you will overcome this okay Althea."


    He sounded so absolute in his answer that it made her feel as though he had already seen her using her powers in the future. Is that what he had been about to say earlier? Hope tugged at her, but she supposed she would have to wait to find out until tomorrow.


    "I¡¯ll see you at dinner?" Jasper asked.


    "Yes¡­ see you at dinner."

 Chapter 8

    Weeks passed in a pattern of waking up, eating breakfast, training and spending the afternoon in the institution''s library, studying the cadre and the various abilities its members possessed. She had gotten nowhere in her training and was beginning to believe she never would. It was no use, no matter what they tried, she could not summon the powers she had activated that night at Sir Herbert''s manor. Althea was beginning to go mad.


    Jasper had told her that the vision he had of her a few weeks ago was interpreted wrongly by him, but Althea didn''t believe him. Especially considering he had conveniently been working to avoid her in the time since then. She''d hardly seen him, as he hadn''t been joining Monique and Althea for her training. And he was sparsely present for meals anymore. His excuse had been that he was working on something of immediate importance for the board. She wasn''t sure she trusted him though, about that or anything he had told her. She was beginning to feel isolated from everyone here. Monique was an exception to this, but even she seemed to be acting odd. Always politely dancing away from questions, or giving short, vague responses. Which only made her wonder more, why were they deflecting, and what were they hiding from her?


    In the past weeks she had rummaged through what felt like thousands of books looking for anything containing information about her ability or why her skin grew so hot when she had activated it. But anything relating to it was limited. She did learn that fourth dimension manipulation is naturally a difficult ability to wield, and mastering it took years for most students. She also learned that all abilities are hereditary and passed down from a parent to their child and that someone may inherit more than one ability if their parents each have an ability that is passed down to their child. She knew her father had not had any abilities, to her knowledge, so that left her mother. Had she been able to slow time as Althea could? The question had pestered her relentlessly over the past weeks.


    She sat now glaring down at the open book in front of her. The large library was quiet, save for a couple of young teens speaking in hushed tones in the far corner. It had become a place where she spent most of her afternoons, which surprised her. She''d never enjoyed nonfiction reading when her tutor used to force it upon her. But now, each time she opened another book, she was able to expand her knowledge and understanding of this new world she''d been thrown into. Studying it had become something she actually enjoyed doing.


    Right now, however, her brain felt like mush as she stared down at the words, unable to read. Her training with Monique had mentally exhausted her today. Althea had fought so hard to think and activate her abilities that she now felt a sharp ache at either temple.


    With a huff she snapped the book closed and stared up at the large clock. It was just past five pm. They didn''t eat dinner at the institution until eight so she had time to take a short rest before then. After putting the book back in its place on the shelf, she descended the stairs to the floor her bedchamber was on. When she made it to her corridor, she noticed Monique standing outside of her chamber door, poised to knock.


    "Monique?" Althea asked, raising a brow. She turned, wearing her usual wide smile.


    "Oh hi Althea! I have some exciting news to share with you!¡± Monique beamed, walking towards Althea and clamping cold hands over her wrists, ¡°I came to let you know that the board has decided to bring in someone from a different city to help you with your training! I''m unsure who it will be, but they bear the same ability as you so they will be able to guide you much better than me." She was far more excited about this than Althea, probably because now she was free to spend her mornings how she pleased, rather than trying to summon nonexistent powers.


    "That''s great," Althea said, trying to sound excited. Monique furrowed her eyebrows.


    "It will be! I do think this will be of great help to you Althea, I am just not the best trained for work like this, seeing as I''ve not done it before, but tomorrow when you start¡ª"


    "My new trainer will be here tomorrow?" Althea cut her off. Monique nodded happily. She hoped this new girl wouldn''t be rude. She could hardly take the sarcasm Meg fed her in the dining hall, she wasn''t sure she would be able to handle double.


    "Just let me know at dinner if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer," Monique said before bouncing on her heel down the corridor from which she came.


    Without another word, Althea stepped into her room and let out a long sigh. As she laid down onto her bed, she wondered if this new trainer may really be able to do what Monique had not been able to¡­ if they would somehow be able to help her invoke that power. And although she knew it was selfish¡­ a part of her hoped they wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡­


    Althea didn''t remember falling asleep, but when she awoke, the ache in her head had lifted. She sat up in her bed, still wearing the elastic training attire from earlier, the air around her felt unnaturally still. It was quiet, but that was normal, considering the rooms connected to hers were for guests and had remained vacant for the entirety of her stay here. She peered over at the ticking clock, it was nearly time for dinner.


    Steadying herself, she stood and opened her wardrobe peering inside at the dresses she''d gotten for herself the week prior. It was Sunday so she slipped out of the tight training garbs and into a simple evening gown. The deep burgundy dress hugged her body nicely. It was made of satin and contained boning in the waist similar to a corset but without the tight constriction. The back draped down leaving a lot of her skin exposed but she had grown to like the feeling of the warm summer nights air on her skin. She much preferred this style to the layered, frilly, splashy gowns of the modern times. She cringed thinking back to how her aunt had attempted to force a white wig atop her head. Why a woman would want to hide the beauty of her youth away like that was beyond her.


    After spritzing herself with a light, sweet mist she¡¯d gotten from the institution''s apothecary, she made her way to the dining hall. Over the course of the time she''d been here, she''d gotten much better at navigating her way around the large labyrinth of hallways in this place. The main floor contained the dining hall, a large ballroom, an art gallery and the servants kitchen. The four floors above that were a mix of bedchambers, powder rooms, and storage rooms. And above them all, on the top floor of the institution, was the massive library where she spent her afternoons. The two floors under the main lobby were the servants chambers, and below that was the infirmary where she had initially awoken upon arriving here.


    As she neared the large archway leading into the dining hall, the chatter echoed into the hallway as it usually did. Standing just outside of the room, leaning against the wall in a grey tailcoat and matching fitted trousers, stood Jasper. She hadn''t seen him in over three days, and even when she had last eaten with him at dinner, he seemed otherwise consumed with his own thoughts. Not at all interested in her as he had been that night when he spoke of how she made him feel.


    She didn''t know why this hurt her as much as it did, after all he was not courting her, they had never even shared any real intimate moments together, but something within her had still cracked apart at his disinterest. And those words he¡¯d spoken weeks ago, about protecting her and caring about her¡­ had those been ¡®interpreted wrongly¡¯ by him too?


    Looking in the opposite direction, she made to ignore him as he had her. If he didn''t wish to talk to her, she''d not force him to. No, she¡¯d make it all the more easy.


    Althea walked quickly by him, the tail of her long silky dress flowing freely behind her. And just as she thought she''d gotten by unnoticed, he called out her name in a questioning tone.


    Just keep walking, just keep walking, she told herself but she knew he would know it was her when he sat to dine with her in a few moments. So she closed her eyes and with a sigh, Althea turned reluctantly and met his gaze. He swallowed, looking at the cascade of her dress down her body.


    "Jasper¡­ hi," she said, unable to formulate a better, less awkward, response.


    When his eyes finally fell upon her own, he blinked then flushed slightly, realising she''d noticed his staring and didn¡¯t return the sentiment. Althea kept her eyes fixed on his, a bland, unmoved expression on her face.


    "I thought that was you, that dress looks¡­ you look¡­ well it suits you very nicely," he stuttered. She''d never seen him quite so nervous before.


    "Thanks..." she said, still letting her voice match the boredom on her face, unsure of what exactly to say to him after he''d nearly vanished from the institution. Even if the complement had stirred something within her, if only a small bit of satisfaction, she wouldn¡¯t continue to let whatever this was between them be one sided. She could play his aloof game.


    "Well I''m gonna go in, would you care to join me?" he asked, offering himself to her. She studied the sleeve of his outstretched arm, pondering whether to take it, or to make him work for her kindness. That thought alone had her cringing. Make him work for her kindness? She was going mad. She and the male before her had barely shared more than a handful of conversations. He owed her nothing, and so, without another thought, she looped her hand through his arm. She said nothing as she did it, and kept her face in its carefully neural expression.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Some of the men and women surrounding them in the dining hall pinned their attention to the two of them as they walked. She noticed a few lingering glances on the silhouette of her gown. The colour was not one she had seen often in her time here, which is what drew her to it, that and the low lying back. Some of the men smiled deviously at her, but she stared back with eyes cold enough that they quickly looked away. However, she questioned whether it had been her who¡¯d made them look away, when she beheld the firm set jaw of Jasper as he pulled her closer to him with a look that screamed mine. She didn''t know why but this set something ablaze inside of her. He had no right to get defensive over something that was not his and yet, something about him being territorial over her made her stomach tie in knots.


    Thankfully, her wits won out over her heart and she snapped her arm from him as she took her place at the table. He sat across from her, staring intensely. Even when she averted her gaze, she could still feel those hazel eyes boring into her.


    "Jasper, you''re back!" James said, pulling Jasper''s focus off of Althea. He gave his friend a half crooked smile and nodded.


    "How was your trip to the colonies?" he asked. So that''s where he had been this past week? She wondered how he could possibly get there and back so quickly when the only way she''d known to travel to the new territories was by ship? And that took anywhere from weeks to months. She didn''t know why she bothered questioning it when there was likely something to do with powers and magic at work.


    "It was good, everything went as planned," Jasper answered, seeming a bit drained by the question. James nodded. Meg, who sat next to him picking at her nails, looked up lazily and stared at Althea''s gown.


    "Nice dress," Meg said. That was the most energy Meg was ever willing to put into a compliment, but Althea took what she could get.


    Smiling, she said, "thank you."


    For dinner they ate roast duck served with a dill weed sauce and sides of roasted carrots, asparagus and bread.


    Once they had finished eating, the group continued their conversation in the outer corridor. Althea had mostly been listening rather than speaking tonight, as she was still a bit tired and dissociated from her training and nap today. Meg and Monique spoke about something related to a project they''d be working on in the upcoming weeks, while James and Jasper talked of his trip to the colonies. Apparently he had been there gathering intel from the natives about one of their leaders who they believed to have an ability.


    Althea made to slip away from the conversations without interrupting. Silently she stood from the bench and wandered into the main hallway that led to the stairs. She still preferred taking the stairs even though that elevator contraption did get her to the library and her room much quicker. There was something about the way she had to put effort into each step she took rather than just standing and waiting for a metal box to transport her somewhere, it just felt more real for her to take the stairs, in a world that was beginning to feel less tangible by the day.


    "Althea!"


    Turning, her eyes landed upon Jasper who made haste to catch up to her. She paused, allowing him to reach her side.


    He stared down at her, his face the picture of what appeared to be sorrow.


    "Yes?" She nudged the question.


    He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly looking away from her eyes.


    "Oh um, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, you left without bidding anyone goodnight."


    Her shoulders slumped. She didn''t know what she''d been expecting him to say. But she had been longing for some kind of explanation, from anyone, for the way they all acted towards her. They pretended like they hid no secrets but she heard them when they whispered, noticed their eye contact, and saw the way people had looked at her for the past weeks. There was something going on here in this institution and she knew it.


    "Oh..." Althea said, looking down and picking at her nails. She was bored of this conversation. If he wouldn¡¯t provide her with any truth, she wanted nothing from him. "Sorry, I just didn''t want to interrupt the conversation."


    She looked back up at him noticing the way his eyes drooped and his jaw clenched as if he was fighting the urge to say something. She wanted him to say it, whatever it was, she just wanted some honesty for once in her life. When he only remained quiet, she made to continue towards the stairs.


    "Please forgive me Althea," he blurted, she raised her eyebrows in surprise, "I didn''t mean to make you upset. It''s just the board has rules that by being a member of this cadre I have agreed to follow. I know why you have been curt with me, it''s because of the vision I promised to share with you. I know you don''t believe what I told you about it, but please, trust me, trust us, it is not our intention to keep you in the dark, only to keep you safe." He spit the sentence out all in one breath as if it had been haunting him for the past weeks since he''d told her that pathetic excuse of a lie.


    "I want to Jasper, I really do want to trust you and Monique and this board of people who I have yet to even be formally introduced to¡­ but how am I supposed to when you''ve done nothing to earn it? I''m shoved into this whole new society filled with magic and things I never thought existed, but every question I ask is either deflected or answered with more questions? You say you''re protecting me but I''m beginning to believe you all are just waiting to see if I will actually be useful to you," she couldn''t help the truths that spewed from her, all the thoughts she had kept swirling around in her mind over the past few weeks came fumbling out. "All this talk of secret projects and missions, but what is it you people actually do with your abilities? You claim it''s unsafe to help the impoverished or the sick, so what are these missions and projects? You all must be doing something with all of this power, and if it''s not for good then that leaves one other option. And I would rather return to that abhorrent Sir Herbert''s manor than be subject to harming people."


    She breathed in deeply trying to gain back her composure. God why did she say that? She could have just left it alone and walked upstairs. And judging by the bewildered stare of Jasper, she should have.


    ¡°I just¡­¡± she whispered, ¡°I feel like I''m going mad.¡±


    Without letting him form a response, she turned on her heel and strode away, the short tail of her dress feathering behind her.


    "Althea wait!" Jasper called but she only quickened her pace to get away from him. She couldn''t take any more lies, her entire life she had been pushed into things she had no choice in, she thought this was finally an escape from that, but she felt just as trapped here as she had before.


    She could hear his footsteps sounding behind her as she rounded the corner to step up the stairs. She knew she couldn''t outrun him but she hoped he would give up and leave her be.


    To her dismay, she felt the tug of a warm hand on her elbow.


    "Please, just let me explain," he begged her, not releasing her elbow from his grasp.


    Reluctantly she turned towards him, looking into his pleading eyes. She did her best to keep her icy glare cold but it was hard to stay mad when he looked at her with such poignant longing.


    "Althea we do not wish to use you for your power. We want to help you flourish here at the institution. The work we do here is important, but in order to fully understand it you need to first understand your own ability. Now Monique and I have made some inquiries about you, but we will know nothing for sure until you successfully manipulate your power."


    She let her arm rest in his embrace and breathed out a sigh. She felt bad for being so enraged a moment ago, and as her adrenaline slowly faded from her she realised that she had been the one delaying herself from the answers she sought out. In order to understand what was at work here she first needed to understand how to use her power. The only one who could give her the answers she wanted was herself.


    "Well, hopefully my new trainer will be able to help me with that," she sighed. Jasper seemed to be unaware of what she spoke of, judging by the knitted eyebrows and confused expression he looked up at her with. She put movement back into her step, continuing her way up the stairs to her bed chamber.


    "Monique told me that the board had requested I train with someone more knowledgeable in fourth dimension manipulation, so they brought in someone with the same ability to train me, I''ll be starting with her tomorrow," Althea said, lifting her satin gown to walk cleanly up the stairs as Jasper followed.


    "Hm, it must have been discussed while I was away," he pondered. When she glanced back at him she noticed him staring distantly at the floor.


    When they made it to her chamber door, she turned to look at him slowly.


    "Well I bid you goodnight Jasper, should I expect to see you tomorrow at breakfast or will you be off on another mysterious mission by dawn?" She was mostly jesting with him, but with how often he''d been away from the institution, she did wonder whether he would be here tomorrow.


    He chuckled, and that boyish grin graced her. It was the one he''d been wearing the night she''d met him in the maze. "Yes, I can assure you I will be around for the coming weeks."


    Smiling back at him, she nodded, opening the door to her room.


    "Goodnight Althea," he said, reaching for her free hand and laying a delicate kiss to it. Her breath hitched in her throat and a light blush spread over her cheeks at the contact.


    "Goodnight Jasper."

 Chapter 9

    Rain was thudding hard against the window panes when Althea awoke the next morning. In the distance she could hear the rumble of thunder as lightning struck down from the sky. Judging by the time in between the flashes of light and the rumbles, it sounded like the eye of the storm was mere kilometres from the institution.


    Althea ran herself a hot bath in her bathing chamber, and sank in after adding some lavender and cardamom oils. The water stung at first but as she grew used to it, it eased her.


    When she was done washing her body and hair with a soap she''d picked up from Florence, the institution''s chandler, she dried off and changed into her fitted training garbs.


    Althea had expected to meet her new trainer in the dining hall, however, as she ate breakfast with the others, no one approached her.


    The rain had let up from the downpour it had been at when she¡¯d awoken. But she still assumed they would meet in the large, empty ballroom where she had met with Monique whenever it was wet outside.


    After breakfast, Althea made her way to the ballroom, but discovered it empty. She waited for a while, presuming that her trainer must still be in the dining hall. But after the clock chimed nine o''clock, signalling she had been waiting an hour, she knew there must have been some mistake. The sun crept slowly from behind the dark storm clouds, and through the stained glass windows of the ballroom, creating a rainbow of hues on the wooden floor.


    She decided to check outside, just in case her trainer may be out there, though Althea was doubtful. Maybe Monique had gotten the day wrong¡­ perhaps her new trainer hadn¡¯t arrived when she¡¯d thought.


    When Althea opened the door to the outside, the thick, humid air instantly dampened her dry skin. It was far warmer than the air inside of the institution. Already she could feel her nicely cleaned curls beginning to expand from her head with the humidity.


    With a huff she walked the distance to the place where she and Monique had met daily to train. Sure enough, beneath the large, shady tree, she could make out a figure sitting against it. Now she felt silly for her late arrival. She hoped they''d understand when she told th¡ª


    Suddenly the person stood up and she realised it was a man beneath the tree, not a woman. Cocking her head in confusion, she continued walking towards him. His features were dark, and between the broad shoulders and the large biceps squeezing through his tight tunic, she found herself a bit wary of him from his size alone.


    "Hi... um I was looking for my new trainer, have  you¡ª"


    "Althea?" he asked, his voice deep and rough. She swallowed. This couldn''t be him right? She had not been expecting a male trainer. Especially after everything she''d told Monique of her past, she had assumed the board would have picked someone... well, less intimidating. His eyes scanned her face before narrowing.


    "Well, is that you?" he asked, sounding impatient. She hadn''t even realised she''d been silent for passing seconds.


    "Yes, sorry I¡ª"


    "You''re late." He turned from her, his voice seething with unamusement.


    "My apologies, it''s just we normally meet inside when the weather is¡ª"


    "Now that you will be meeting with me, we will meet outside, regardless of the weather." His voice was curt. He had an accent like that of the Persian dancers her father had brought to the winter solstice ball when she was thirteen.


    She sighed, wishing he would stop interrupting her.


    "Understood," she said just as sharply, gathering her hands behind her back and cracking a knuckle to keep from saying something out of line.


    She followed him as he walked, mesmerised by the movement of the corded muscles beneath his shirt. Even his back was toned. Are they sure this man had the same ability as her? She didn''t think time manipulation required so much physical strength.


    "So how far have you gotten in your training?" he asked, rummaging through a small pack. Had they not told him anything of her training thus far?


    "Um... not very far," she replied, biting her lip.


    "How far is not very far?" he snapped, looking up at her. Despite his dark hair and facial features his eyes were an icy blue, almost silver in the sunlight. They glowed against his tan skin, scanning her face, her own eyes, as if studying every detail.


    She swallowed down the urge to snap back at him. He must just be upset that she was late.


    "Well, I''m having trouble summoning my ability," she admitted. His face was aloof as he turned back to his bag, continuing to look for whatever it was he was searching for.


    "So how exactly do you know you have an ability if you haven''t summoned it?" he asked.


    "I did summon it... once," she said the last word quietly.


    "When?"


    "Um... a few weeks ago." She could see his jaw clench tightly. What was his problem? Why was he being so rude to her?


    "Okay, and what made you use it?" he asked, sounding irritated.


    She didn''t want to divulge anything about that night to him. She barely even wanted to speak to him.


    Swallowing, she said quietly, "fear."


    She could have swore there was the slightest glimmer of empathy in his eyes, but if there had been, it quickly disappeared.


    "What were you so afraid of?"


    She squeezed her eyes closed. She really didn''t want to go into the details with him.


    "I don''t know why any of this matters," she finally snapped back at him, "can''t we just get on with my training?"


    He rolled his eyes glancing back up at her, he scanned her lilliputian frame in the training garbs, likely contemplating snapping her in half so he didn''t have to deal with helping her.


    "It matters because in order to train you, I need to understand how you got here." His voice was more calm now, but still tight.


    With a huff, "two men threatened to hurt me, and I defended myself," was all she said.


    The man before her pulled a dagger from his pack, fondling it in his fingers. Apparently he found what he''d been looking for.


    Suddenly he stood, grabbing ahold of her body and pushing her into the tree beside them. She let out a scream as her back thudded roughly into the bark, spine roaring with pain.


    He held the dagger to her throat, pinning her head against the gnarled trunk of the tree. She felt her heartbeat skip and plummet as the blade pressed into her pale skin.


    "Tell me Althea, what did they try to do to you?" he tormented, his other hand pressed firmly on her waist as his hot breath caressed her face.


    "Help!" she sobbed out, not meeting his eyes.


    "They can''t help you Althea, the only one who can help you is you. Now tell me, how did they try to hurt you?"


    She could feel the tears welling in her eyes as she looked at his face. Those icy blue eyes pierced hers. She tried to look intimidating as she glared back at him but they both knew how much stronger he was than her¡­ there was no escaping¡­ at least not with physical strength alone.


    "How far did you let it go before you put a stop to them?" His lips curved into a devious smirk. She wanted to rip into his neck with her teeth. Gathering her saliva in her mouth she spit on his face. The smirk disappeared, replaced by a grimace. He pushed the knife further into the fragile skin at her throat. It had to be drawing blood by now. If it was, she couldn''t feel it due to the overwhelming pain she felt in her abdomen as he crushed her against the tree trunk. The bark dug into her back as the elastic shirt rode up. His large hand wrapped nearly the width of her waist, keeping her pinned in place.


    "Did one of them attempt to violate you Althea? Did they both?" His hand began journeying down her torso, each trace of his fingertips bringing with it a wave of revulsion.


    Althea squirmed beneath his hold, kicking her legs and hitting him in a futile attempt at resistance. Those argent eyes bore into hers once more, a serpentine glint in his gaze as he purred softly into her ear, ¡°I would love to see the vengeance you unleashed on them for that. Show me?¡± and itt was the cadence of his words, woven with intrigue and laced with delight, coupled with the tantalising proximity of his mouth to her neck, that set her mind ablaze with rage.


    That familiar, warm buzzing began filling her head, caressing her mind to complete and utter calm. Althea knew what was about to happen.


    In the same second that his fingers grazed the curve of her hips, she closed her eyes and clenched her body. The anger was building inside of her as the humming grew more intense. The man loosened his grip around her waist and released her, swearing to himself and staring down at his hands. When he looked back up at her, his eyes widened. He looked frantically between her own eyes, as if searching for an answer within them.


    "You¡­ your skin¡­ it''s burning¡­" he began, taking a step back. But before he could move any farther, he was frozen. Or rather, Althea had frozen time around them. She reached for him, but he moved quickly from her grasp. What? How was it possible? Everything else around them had stopped, the earth, the wind, the leaves on the large tree, everything else was frozen.


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    "You¡¯re doing it Althea, you are controlling your ability," he said from beside her. It was as if they were speaking in a bubble outside of the real world. She supposed this was because he had the same gift as her.


    "Focus on how you feel, although it was fear that brought you here, think about the process you went through in your mind to be on this plane."


    She closed her eyes and focused on the buzzing, the heat, the rage. It was all a system, if she could just memorise it, she would be able to access her power whenever she needed to.


    Her senses were heightened. It was as if each speck of air around them created a bridge to guide her between this plane of existence and the one she''d been on a moment ago.


    When she opened her eyes, she felt as though there was a heavy weight, pushing down on her head. She breathed out and suddenly the wind had returned around her. The man who had been beside her now moved faster than her eyes allowed her to see, beaming from one spot to another as he paused and unpaused time. That must have been how she looked when she moved throughout the room that night. No wonder they had called her a witch.


    When he moved again he was in front of her, but the dagger he held before was put into its leather sleeve in his pack as if he''d never removed it.


    She didn''t know what to say to him. He had attempted to harm her... violate her in order to make her scared enough to access the part of her mind she needed for her ability to present itself.


    Althea found herself torn between the impulse to let her rage take over and smother him or extend a begrudging gratitude. After all, he had done what he came here to do, but did he need to be such a brute to gain those results?


    She took a step back from him.


    "Althea¡­¡± He began to take a step towards her but stopped, as if reading the fear still evident on her face. ¡°I apologise for frightening you. But in order to get results sometimes we need to make sacrifices," he said, stepping back from her, as if to say he would not attempt her any harm.


    "Besides, I wouldn''t have actually hurt you. In fact I was very close to giving in, thinking it wasn''t going to work."


    "Well it did," she muttered, folding her arms across her chest, uneasily.


    He turned away from her, zipping up his pack.


    "Our training for today is over, go rest okay? You''ll need it for what I have planned tomorrow. We''ll meet here, same spot, eight o''clock, sharp," he bit out the last word, clearly referring to how late she''d arrived today.


    He began walking away from her before turning back and smirking slightly.


    "Oh yeah, my name¡¯s Arsalan by the way." And with that he strode back towards the institution.


    ¡­


    Her new trainer didn''t eat with the rest of them in the dining hall that evening. She wondered where he took his meals. Perhaps he had them brought to his room while he got settled.


    "So how did your training go with your new instructor?" Monique asked, taking a bite of the fish fillet in front of her.


    Althea must have grimaced slightly, for Monique''s bright expression faded.


    "What is it?" she asked nervously. Althea shook her head quickly not wanting to raise suspicions about the man who had terrified her earlier that day, Arsalan.


    "Nothing, nothing... he''s just not what I expected I guess..." Althea trailed off, picking at her food. That was an understatement. He scared the wits out of her, and his rude, loutish behaviour didn''t help matters. She knew she was in for a hell of a time with him.


    "He?" Jasper''s head perked up. He displayed a concerned expression and Monique wore one to match.


    "Hm, I had supposed it would be another female helping you," Monique shrugged it off but Jasper still looked at her, studying her face closely.


    "Yeah, so had I... but I can''t complain, I summoned my ability today," Althea tried to sound nonchalant, hoping no one would ask for specifics. She didn''t know if she could handle talking about her encounter earlier. She knew that Arsalan had only wanted to help her summon her power, but it still made her feel uneasy to think about the situation.


    "What?" Monique exclaimed, "that''s amazing!"


    "Yeah that is really great news," James chimed in. Even Meg offered a nod of encouragement.


    "What was his technique for helping you summon it?" Jasper asked, smiling. He looked proud of her. He had been there to witness her failed attempts for multiple training sessions.


    Althea looked down at the rice and fish on her plate, attempting to swirl it into a plausible lie.


    "Since he has the same ability, he just knew exactly what exercises would trigger it I guess," she shrugged. It wasn''t exactly a lie, he did technically do that... just by scaring the life out of her.


    "Well that is great!" Monique said happily, rubbing Althea''s arm.


    After finishing their meal Althea and Jasper broke away from the group. They sat out in the courtyard, enjoying the cool, night breeze. With September being only a fortnight away, the heat of summer was slowly beginning to fade. She could smell the soft decay of autumn leaves from the western wind that swirled around them. Many of the once vibrant summer flowers had now shed their petals, preparing for an early frost.


    "I''m really proud of you for having the courage to overcome your burdens," Jasper said as they sat together on the stone bench. They sat only a hand''s width apart.


    "Thank you," she said, staring up at the sky, beaming brightly with stars.


    Heat engulfed her as Jasper''s hand made to cover her own. Looking down at it, he intertwined their fingers together. Her heart fluttered in her chest at the touch. The feeling of his soft skin against hers.


    "I really am sorry for withholding things from you Althea, but I promise, soon everything will begin to make much more sense.¡±


    For the first time since earlier, she thought back to what Arsalan had said to her. When she was summoning her ability, he had muttered ¡®your skin, it''s burning,¡¯ after ripping his hands from her. His skin hadn¡¯t felt warm, and he¡¯d seemed surprised by it¡­ meaning her hope that it was related to their shared ability was obsolete. What was it then? What did it mean? Why couldn''t she find any information in the hundreds of books she''d gone through over the past weeks? She wanted to ask, but she wasn''t sure she could bear any more obvious deflections. Not to mention, even though it was pathetic¡­ Althea hated how isolated she had felt when Jasper had ignored her last week. She hadn¡¯t realised just how dependent she was on his friendship. And it was because of this that she didn''t ask him. Perhaps tomorrow she would bring it up to Arsalan, ask him why her skin grew hot when she activated her ability. Maybe he would be more forthcoming with information.


    "I understand that there are some things that must be withheld for my safety." She gave him a small smile. She did know this, but whatever they thought she couldn''t understand, she could. She had been brought here and introduced to so many new ideas so quickly, and yet she never faltered. She never backed down from anything they threw her way, not even today when she was terrified. But still, for some reason they didn''t fully trust her yet and it made her feel alone. It made her feel like everyone was a part of this group and she was an outsider amongst them, just as she had been for her entire life. She just wanted a place where she could be accepted.


    Jasper moved his other hand to touch her chin. He lifted her face until they stared at each other. His hazel eyes studied her, landing on her lips, slightly agape from the sudden touch.


    "I''m glad yer here Althea." Those were the words he had spoken to her in the maze that night as they danced together under the same stars they now sat beneath. When he had swayed her and showed her what it truly felt like to be free. That was the first time in her life she had felt the joy of acceptance. Maybe she was being too quick to judge. They only sought to keep her safe, because all of them, Monique, Jasper, James, hell even Meg, they all cared for one another and they all cared for her.


    "I am too," she whispered. Her mind swirled with thoughts of that night spent drinking and singing together cheerfully. She thought of the way his hands had felt against her skin, and how his breath had tickled her ear when he''d said those words nearly two months ago. And then there¡¯d been the way he dipped her low, ready to lay a kiss on the lips he now looked at with the same intent and desire that he had then.


    His eyes flicked between her eyes as if asking for permission, before peering back down at her lips once more. Althea''s stomach leapt into her chest as Jasper''s eyes fluttered closed and he began leaning in closer to her. She did the same, mirroring his motions. Their lips met in a warm, gentle kiss. His hand rested lightly on her jaw as she moved hers to caress his brown hair, tied at the base of his neck. It was soft beneath her fingers. When he pulled away to look at her, she let him, but quickly pulled him back for more. Their lips moved together in a soft, sensual dance. His tongue flicked her lip and she opened her mouth without hesitation. He tasted of spearmint, and she found herself wondering if he had chewed on mint leaves, anticipating this moment between them.


    Althea didn''t know what she had expected her first kiss to feel like, maybe wet or sloppy, but this was neither of those things. It was delicate and laced with a pent up longing, from both of them.


    When she finally pulled away from him, she was breathless, as was he. They rested their foreheads together, her hair acting as a veil around the two of them. Althea closed her eyes, his hot breath tickling her lips as he let out a soft chuckle.


    "You have no idea how badly I''ve wanted to do that since the first time we met," he said. She opened her eyes to see his mouth curving upwards in a smile. She wanted to kiss him again, and again until they were both exhausted and even more breathless than they already were¡­but she knew she needed to pace herself so as not to get too carried away.


    "That was..." she trailed off, unable to put words to the magic she felt inside of her, even still her heart beat rapidly. He had truly struck her speechless. "Extraordinary," she said finally.


    His smile grew as he caressed her cheek in his hand. "You are extraordinary," he said, leaning up to give her one final peck before pulling completely away.


    "Can I escort you to your bedchamber?" Jasper asked, reaching out his hand for Althea to take. Grinning, she grasped his fingers in hers and followed him back into the institution.


    ¡­


    Arsalan had opted to take his dinner in his guest chamber that evening. After he had spent nearly two hours attempting to put into words what he felt and what he witnessed in Althea''s eyes that day, he finally gave up on writing it down in his journal. The board had given him very strict instructions when they sent him here, and he knew why.


    One of their close contacts here in the London institution had shared some rather interesting knowledge regarding their new trainee, and today he¡¯d witnessed it first hand.


    For centuries the Board of the Ageless had searched for the connection that held the power to sever them from the control the human world held over them and their power. The flame is what they had called it. He had spent years studying the signs, and yet he was still taken by surprise by the petite girl whose green eyes glinted with an amber ring of fire around them as she summoned her ability. And those green eyes¡­ they were so familiar to him, but surely he¡¯d remember meeting someone like her. It felt as if he¡¯d met her in a dream, long, long ago.


    The way her eyes had blazed, and her skin had scorched his own¡­ he had never seen or felt anything like it before. But he had spent years now, working alongside the board, his sole mission being to find any sign of the flame¡¯s essence¡­ of that ancient, intense power. And while there was no evidence to suggest what exactly it might be, or where, there had been research to suggest that a person or group of people could be placed in charge of protecting it. But this small, timid girl? It seemed out of odds for her to be a part of such a scheme¡­ especially when she hardly knew how to wield her own power. But he couldn¡¯t deny the parallels between what he¡¯d spent years researching and what he¡¯d witnessed today¡­  This girl, Althea, was connected in some way with the flame, the curse that needed to be lifted in order for those with abilities to fully access their power. And if that were true¡­ he had other reasons, besides serving the Board of the Ageless, for wanting to find the flame. So Arsalan decided it was in his better interest to wait for more solid evidence before taking further action. For now he simply wrote, "I have made contact with the girl, and she has successfully summoned her fourth dimension manipulation ability. Nothing else to report yet. -Arsalan"


    He stilled the thoughts in his mind, willing everything around him to complete silence. He could feel the walls around him pause their slow shift towards the earth as gravity inevitably wore them down. The air around him grew thicker as the atoms began moving quickly and colliding into one another. He clasped his hands together feeling the energy building between his palms. More and more molecules collided until a bright red light began emitting from the gaps between his fingers and he made to expand his hands. He kept the board¡¯s formal audience room in his mind as he launched the orb of light out into the room before him, letting it expand to form a portal. Then he threw his message into the void.


    He blinked and the portal was gone just as quickly as he''d summoned it, taking the note with it to be delivered to the board.


    His work for today may have been done but his mind didn''t allow sleep to greet him that night.

 Chapter 10

    Althea awoke the next morning earlier than normal. Since she''d arrived at the institution, her night terrors had severely dwindled. She assumed this was due to the safety she felt here. But after yesterday, her slumber had not been so kind to her. However, in her thoughts now was Jasper. Her mind had been filled with the encounter they¡¯d shared the night before. The way his soft lips covered hers in a gentle caress.


    She was dressed and ready in her training garbs before the clock chimed six. Although she wanted to see Jasper at breakfast, Althea had decided to just grab something light from the cooks in the kitchen and arrive early to her training spot. To her surprise Arsalan was already there. She watched from a few yards away as his body flowed  in a way she''d never seen anyone move. Each manoeuvre looked like the sequence of a dance, but it was obvious the movements were a part of a fighting ritual. Suddenly he paused mid-step, the muscles in his back flexing. She swallowed as she studied the hard pads of solid mass beneath his tan tunic.


    With a whoosh, he hurled his dagger at her.


    Out of complete instinct she curled into herself, both physically and mentally, and she could feel the buzzing that accompanied her adrenaline. When she didn''t feel any impact, she moved her arms from around her head and watched the dagger, mere inches from her face, hovering mid air. She had stopped it before it reached her, she realised. Her heart still beat rapidly but she couldn''t help the grin that spread across her face.


    "Good work," a voice gave her a start to her side. Arsalan grabbed the hovering dagger and sheathed it once more. He certainly did have a flare for the dramatic. First he had threatened to violate her, now he had attempted to butcher her in order to gain results. She willingly let go of her hold on time and Arsalan seemingly teleported in front of her now.


    Althea crossed her arms over her chest, scowling. She was really beginning to despise this guy.


    He studied her body language, then the expression on her face and laughed. The bastard actually laughed at her. She could feel her face, ears and neck heat as anger simmered within her.


    "Do you have to be such a brute?" She meant for the words to come out with more intimidation, but her voice was softer than she would have liked, and the last word came out as more of a tremor. But he did wipe the smug smile from his lips, still looking at her.


    "You think me to be a brute," he asked, tossing the dagger back into his pack by the tree. She rolled her eyes. Could he really not see why she may think that after all he''d done to her in the short time she''d spent with him?


    "Well let''s see, in the first ten minutes after we met, you groped me, and now you nearly beheaded me with your dagger." Her nails squeezed into each arm as she gripped herself tighter. She felt like she could implode with how smug he still looked.


    "In my defence, you did sneak up on me," he retorted. Snuck up on him? She would have said something had he not tried to kill her before she could.


    "Who else would have been coming out here? One of the other cadre members? Luckily it wasn''t one of them, or you''d now be a wanted killer," Althea exclaimed, holding her hands in the air above her head. God he was infuriating.


    "No, I knew it was you. I wanted to see if you would use your ability in a life or death situation..." he trailed off, smirking, "I, of course, would have grabbed it if you hadn''t summoned your ability, but you''re learning quickly."


    His whole demeanour reeked of pride and arrogance. She rolled her eyes. How would she tolerate him through these lessons? She already wanted to strangle him!


    His icy blue eyes glimmered with satisfaction at her silence. It was only now that she noticed the inky skin visible just above the collar of his shirt. Her eyes scanned the length of his tunic sleeve down to his wrists, noticing the dark ink there too. She''d heard of the ink marks on people before, but never had she seen them on someone. She found her mind lingering at the idea of what might be sketched on him under the shirt.


    She hadn''t realised she''d been staring at him until he pulled his sleeve down over his wrist, covering the visible ink.


    "I can take it off if you want, but you''ll probably be too distracted to train that way." He smirked at her. She could feel her face heat and she knew she had turned red. She hated that she did. It was only because he embarrassed her, not because his words were true, she couldn''t care less what, besides the ink, he had hidden beneath his clothes.


    "No, better to leave it on, I wouldn''t want you to become mesmerised by yourself and lose track of my training," she said, rolling her eyes.


    He just smirked and turned towards his pack.


    "Here, lean up against this tree and sit." He nodded towards the trunk of the large tree. She paused a moment to admire the extraordinary oak, with its gnarled bark and heavy, thick branches housing the leaves that kept them cool as they trained in the heat.


    "Before you can master your power, you must first master your mind," he said, setting seven stones out in front of her. They were all brightly coloured and arranged in the way a rainbow spread across the sky on a rainy summer day. "Each of these represents a part of yourself that is not yet mastered."


    He pointed to the deep red stone, then the orange one next to it and so on, naming each of them, "stability, creativity, determination, love, communication, intuition, and divine connection."


    Hearing those words from his tongue made her wonder if perhaps she may have been too hasty to judge him. Now, kneeling in front of her he intimated her, not with his physique but with his mind. How could someone so obnoxious be so knowledgeable on matters of meditation and spirituality? He smirked as if reading her mind.


    "During my training many years ago, my instructor Keo told me that in order to unlock your full potential, you need to look deep inside of yourself and take the worst parts¡­ all the times when you were angry, or scared, and shape them into something you can grow from. He told me to take my pain, and my misery and embrace them because it takes you being at your worst, to know when you are at your best." He stared down at the stones in front of her.


    "It was probably rubbish," he chuckled, "just something to get me to listen to him... but I never forgot those words. And I want you to know that you were put here to achieve greatness, and I will help you accomplish that."


    She smiled at him, and for the first time she felt as if she could take a breath around him without feeling nervous. It wasn''t that she thought he would hurt her... but it was hard for her to be near someone who she knew had the power to hurt her, after she''d had so many bad encounters with men.


    "Okay, so today we are going to focus on your foundation. Sit like this," he instructed her to sit with her legs criss-crossed beneath her, "and close your eyes."


    He sat in front of her, mirroring her pose. She watched as his blue eyes fluttered closed. She followed suit, allowing herself to demonstrate another vulnerability in front of him. It irked her, but she took a few deep breaths to steady herself, listening to the sound of his deep throaty accent as he continued to speak.


    "I want to help you rebuild the foundation that has been torn down. I see the way you guard yourself when you walk, never looking straight for too long, for fear that someone may try to sneak up behind you. But you are strong Althea, and you have the power to not only protect yourself, but guide others to their protection as well."


    Althea could feel her shoulders beginning to relax as she listened to his words flowing around her. He instructed her to breathe deeply, and focus on her body''s connection to the earth and the tree behind her. She envisioned the glimmering shadows of leaves on the grass beneath the large tree.


    They continued this meditation for the remainder of their lesson, but to Althea''s surprise, it hadn''t felt tedious or dull, but relaxing and revitalising. She hadn''t even realised the constant state of apprehension she''d felt over the last few months. It felt good to let a part of herself be vulnerable, and to feel at ease.


    Once their training was through for the day, Althea was surprised to hear the clock strike nine o''clock upon her arrival back into the institution. Had they really been out there for nearly three hours? It hadn''t felt like so long, but she supposed that was a good thing. She''d rather it go by fast than drag by, each passing minute feeling like hours.


    Before their lesson ended, Arsalan had given Althea the seven stones he had set before her. Six of them she held in a cloth baggy. But the seventh... she clutched the deep red one, the one representing stability, in her palm as she walked towards the stairs. She planned to spend the rest of the morning and afternoon reading as she normally did.


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    "Althea!" She turned her head in the direction of the voice to see Jasper approaching her with a bright smile.


    "Oh greetings Jasper!" she said, pausing her step to fully face him, and putting the red stone into the baggy with the rest of them.


    "We missed you at breakfast, did you sleep in this morning?" he asked, looking at her with some kind of anticipation. He glanced down at the baggy she moved to hold at her side, but didn''t say anything. She wondered if he had thought about her as she had him last night and this morning. She could feel her cheeks beginning to heat just thinking of the way he had caressed her jaw as his lips moved perfectly in sync with hers.


    "Yeah sorry," she choked out, "I wanted to get an early start training with Arsalan today."


    Jasper''s wide smile faltered ever so slightly, she just barely noticed the curve shift.


    "Oh right, yeah I understand," he chuckled, unable to hide the nervousness in his tone. Had he been nervous because of her? Because of their kiss? Perhaps she should say something of their encounter... but what could she say without sounding awkward?


    "Yeah," she breathed out, brushing back the few stray curls that had fallen from the tie at the top of her head.


    "I¡ª" she started but he began speaking at the same moment.


    "About last night..." he swallowed, Althea felt her heart plummet. Oh no, was he to say it wasn''t what he wanted? Had she been too forward with him? "I''m sorry if I was too forthcoming with you. I shouldn''t have cornered you like that and I... I apologise," he finished sounding defeated. But Althea was just relieved he hadn''t come to regret the incident.


    She smiled, looking into his soft hazel eyes. "Not at all. In fact," she whispered, moving closer to him, "I''ve been thinking of how I might repay you all morning."


    His eyes brightened and his flowing, sandy, hair framed his face as he looked down at her curiously.


    She leaned up, closing her eyes and letting her lips come into contact with his. The warm, soft touch of his lips made her toes curl in the training boots she wore. Suddenly his fingers made to caress her waist, tracing small circles with his thumbs over her clothes. She tangled her fingers through his hair which he hadn''t yet tied up. Each strand was silky on her skin as she gripped it.


    This time it was she who took the lead, bringing her tongue to his lips and then to his own tongue. She didn''t know what had gotten into her, but she was desperate for more. Althea craved the sensual passion from the night before, and as Jasper''s cool fingers slithered beneath her elastic shirt, she found it. The feeling of his skin on hers electrified her. It also terrified her, but for the moment, at least, she pushed the fear to the side and let her aching for the moment take over.


    When they finally pulled apart, both Althea and Jasper were breathless as they stared at one another. His eyes held a glossy stare of awe as he gazed down at her. She wanted to kiss him again, but stopped herself for fear she may not be able to pull away so smoothly a second time. That, and because two cadre members made their way down the stairs to their left. She knew that here at the institution, social rules were much different than in regular society, however, it still made her feel odd to display her emotions so openly in front of others.


    Jasper didn''t seem to feel the same though, as he removed a hand from her waist and brushed a loose curl back behind her ear. He leaned down and placed a small delicate kiss on the corner of her jaw, causing her eyes to roll back as she closed them.


    When he pulled away, a slight smirk lay on his crimson lips, red with the excitement they''d experienced only a moment earlier.


    "I should probably get up to the library," she blushed, watching the two cadre members peak back at Althea and Jasper as they walked into the dining hall.


    "Well I don''t have to meet with James for another half hour, perhaps I could join you?" He smiled down at her with such charm that she wanted to say yes.


    But she knew she couldn''t read the materials she''d been researching without raising suspicion from him. So she reluctantly replied, "I would, but I''m afraid I''d get no reading done with you there to entertain me." That also wasn¡¯t a complete lie.


    He chuckled, weaving a curl through his fingers beside her face. "I suppose you''re right... but I''ll see you in the dining hall for dinner right?"


    She nodded, bringing her hand up to his neck again and tracing her fingers along his skin beneath his hair.


    "Yes I¡ª"


    Suddenly the door from the outside sprang open causing both of them to startle slightly. To her surprise it was Arsalan looking much less calm than he had only twenty minutes earlier. She wondered what had angered him so.


    His ice filled eyes landed on hers, then scanned Jasper whose hands fell to his sides.


    Arsalan looked away quickly, and walked past the two of them without saying a word to her as he stomped up the wooden steps.


    "Who was that?" Jasper asked once Arsalan was out of earshot. She swallowed. His eyes were not filled with rage but the urgency in his step made her wonder what had him so unsettled.


    "That..." Althea said lowly, "was Arsalan... my new trainer."


    Jasper''s eyes widened as he looked up the stairs, as if to catch a glimpse of Arsalan¡¯s shadow.


    ¡°That is your new trainer?¡± he asked looking from the stairs then back to her again. He wore an abhorrent expression, curling his upper lip slightly.


    "Yes... but he''s really not very bad, he was just in a bit of a rush I think," she said, trying to make her tone sound reassuring.


    "He''s just so... well, intimidating..." Jasper said, his words steeped in concern. "After what you," he paused, questioning what he should say next, "well I just want to make sure you feel safe."


    She smiled up at him, cupping his cheek in her hand. Althea appreciated how much he cared for her. His nurturing temperament is what had inclined her to speak freely about her experiences in front of him from the beginning.


    "Thank you Jasper," she said softly, almost a whisper, "I do feel safe, and I am learning to understand myself and my emotions thanks to my training."


    His smile reappeared on his face before he leaned down to give her one last peck and they parted ways.


    When Althea made it to the library, she greeted the book keeper Dalia. Dalia was an older woman with long golden hair, blended with grey, that she usually kept tied back in a braid. Since Althea had begun coming here, Dalia had been of much help to her. Although she wasn''t too revealing of what it was she was looking for, Althea asked her where to find books on the history of the cadre, its board, and the powers of its members, specifically time manipulation. She had given Althea a new list daily. Today however, Dalia had no list for her. Althea furrowed her eyebrows at the woman.


    "I fear, lass, that you have exhausted all volumes we have on such matters here in this library," the old woman shrugged. Her eyes widened as she stared at Dalia. That couldn''t have been everything could it? She had found no information on why her skin burned, barely anything on her own ability and as for the cadre and board, she had read a lot, but nothing that answered the question of what exactly they were doing. What was their mission? She couldn''t very well believe that they spent so much time and energy training new recruits to their cadre for nothing. If there was anything she''d learned from her father, being a businessman, it was that you never put resources into something you expect to gain nothing from. She found it baffling that this board of elders in the sky just wanted to teach people of their power and give them a place to practise. No. There had to be more, there had to be some kind of drive that pushed them to want more members. But what?


    "Okay, I thank you kindly Dalia," she said with a small, faltering smile before walking away.


    "Mm, wait dear," the woman''s withering voice called lowly to her. There was unease in her tone as she walked towards Althea.


    "You be a very clever lass, Althea... so hearken unto me when I say..." the old woman paused, looking around her as she said, "Thou art to the west as they be to the sky. The roots shall bid thee safe passage. Follow the silver scales and thou shalt find the answers thou seeketh."


    Althea blinked at her. Had she gone mad? Had this poor old woman finally kicked the bucket into absolute lunacy?


    "Remember those words, lass," she urged, pointing up to the glass ceiling of the library. Beyond it, the sun shone down through the panes. She wasn''t sure what she was meant to be looking at, but when she turned her head back to face the woman, she was gone.


    Althea looked around but couldn''t find her anywhere. She was already struggling to remember that which the crazy old bat had spoken. She walked quickly from the library, repeating the words as best she could to herself as she fumbled down the stairs.


    "Thou art to the west as they be to the sky, the roots shall bid me safe passage... um... follow silver scales to find the answers I''m looking for?" she said aloud to herself. She was fortunate others rarely took the stairs, for she would surely resemble that of a maniac right now.


    When she reached her chamber, Althea raced to her vanity, dipping her quill in the ink pot and writing the words the old woman had said to her.


    As she waited for the ink to dry, she stared down at the riddle written in front of her. What did it mean? Were these just the ramblings of a crazy old woman or were they actually important to her?


    They were her last hope... her final chance of understanding this place, these people... before she gave in and begged for the truth from her friends. But she wanted to find these answers herself, she hated the way Monique and Jasper hid things from her, and she didn''t want to plead for answers she had every right to know. Though she found a certain kind of solace in this place, it it wasn¡¯t enough to completely mask the undercurrent of secrecy and deception. The charade, ostensibly meant to safeguard her, left a bitter taste in her mouth.


    She needed answers before she went completely mad. And one way or another she would get them.

 Chapter 11

    Althea and Arsalan had spent the remainder of the week working to mend her foundation. They spent Wednesday as they had Tuesday, practising meditation, but on Thursday and Friday he had implemented the breathing styles and meditation into a fighting style known as Tai Chi.


    For those two days she worked on incorporating her breathwork into various combat moves. Arsalan had taught her that the best fighting was done with the body not tense, but relaxed. She practised footwork, and the flow of her movements over those two days. Breathing in as she set her stance and out as she slowly executed each manoeuvre. She repeated each series of movements until Arsalan deemed it well enough.


    When she had asked why he was showing her this, he had said that, ¡®your power is only as strong and as capable as its vessel, so the more mentally and physically stable you are, the stronger your ability will be.¡¯ Plus the fighting style she practised was ideal for more petite people like her. It focused on swift movements to tire out an opponent and palm strikes rather than fist jabs.


    She had very slowly begun to let down her guard around him. She could feel herself beginning to give over more and more of her trust each day as they trained. It scared her to do this, but a part of her training was letting go of the fear she held inside of herself.


    She found this flowing with her outside of her training as well. As she and Jasper sat together in the courtyard each night after dinner, she found herself pushing her fear out of her mind when she was with him. From his gentle caress to his kind words, she longed for the time they spent together surrounded by the cool night air.


    Arsalan had allowed Althea to take the morning of training off the day before, on Saturday, so she could rebuild some of her strength, and give her body a day of rest and reset. She¡¯d needed it after two those days of physical training. The meditation had weighed on her mind a bit, but it was nothing compared to the physical portion, and they hadn''t even begun actual combat yet.


    She had spent her free morning yesterday in the library re-reading through some of the books she had already read to see if maybe she had missed anything. She hadn''t seen Dalia again since that morning when she¡¯d babbled off the strange riddle. Althea had spent hours studying the words she''d written down on that paper she kept folded beneath her vanity table. But alas, she didn''t have any leads to the ideas that came to mind. The only part that she felt she somewhat understood was the portion that spoke of the sky, she knew the board¡¯s headquarters were in the sky, but what that had to do with the west, she had no idea. And she definitely didn''t have any idea as to what the silver scales or roots referred to.


    She sat now at her vanity, pulling her hair up as she readied herself for her training today. Monique had sent a letter asking to meet with her before breakfast for help with some sort of project she was working on.


    Per the letter''s instruction, Althea made her way down to the main floor and then towards the elevator. She rarely took the elevator due to the unease it still gave her, but it was the only way to get down below the main level to where Dr. Rawling¡¯s infirmary was. So she stepped into the metal shifting box, and pressed the button to the lowest floor. As they had before, the bright, vivid lights made her eyes burn slightly as they adjusted to its unnatural glare.


    She walked down the lit corridor until she finally saw Monique talking with Dr. Rawlings in one of the rooms off to the side. Her smile spread when she noticed Althea.


    "Hi!" she beamed, taking Althea''s hand in hers. She always reminded Althea of a fairy by the way she skipped around, always smiling and happy. "So we have another new recruit named Elizabeth! She''s no stranger to this place though, both of her parents lived here in the London institution before they moved to the colonies! But she is back here with us to work on her ability. I was wondering if you could help me take down some notes and talk to her about how your training is going so far?"


    Althea wasn''t sure what to say. She felt honoured that Monique had asked for her help, of all people, but also, what was she to tell the girl of her training? ¡®Oh yeah my brute of an instructor has been great, first he groped me into summoning my power, then he tried to kill me, oh and there is that lovely sarcastic nature to him too!¡¯


    "Sure I''ll help," Althea said, not wanting to miss an opportunity to be of use when she was actually needed.


    "Great!" Monique exclaimed, clapping her hands together happily. "So she is just right in here!¡± Monique gestured to a door adjacent to them, ¡°Her ability is cloaking, so she can turn herself completely invisible to the naked eye."


    Althea knitted her eyebrows into a straight line. She thought her ability had been terrifying for people to witness, but being able to be anywhere at any time without anyone seeing you, like that of a ghost. That spooked her.


    "Don''t worry, she is a very nice girl! She has no plans to pop out and scare you or anything," Monique chuckled as she turned, leading them to this new girl.


    While Althea felt uneasy, she did her best to push her thoughts to the side as they strode in. The girl was not at all what she had expected... and much younger than what she had been imagining, likely only in her mid teen years. The young girl had the most interesting features she''d ever seen. She found herself wondering if she wore cosmetics. Half of her hair was a black, as dark as obsidian, and the other half was an icy white. Her dark eyelashes and eyebrows were splashed with white pigment throughout them as well.


    "This is Elizabeth Brockstil," Monique said, smiling at her. She smiled back politely. "And this is Althea, my assistant for the day." Althea liked being considered an assistant, it made her feel important where she had been lacking as of late.


    "Hello," she said with a wave of her hand. Althea tried not to look at her in awe but she must have failed because the girl laughed lightly and said, "I know, I''m a lot to get used to at first if you''ve never met another Candidus before. Most of us have pigment defects due to the way our abilities formed us in the womb."


    The girl looked so young, but it was clear she was well versed in the ways of this world.


    "Yes, I have never met a um... Candidus before, but you are so beautiful," she said, honestly. The girl was stunning.


    She smiled and nodded her thanks to Althea.


    "Alright well let''s get started shall we," Monique said, helping Elizabeth lie down.


    Althea sat at the small desk, writing down the various things Monique asked of her as well as keeping conversation with Elizabeth to keep her as comfortable as possible while Monique poked and prodded at her. They talked of her training and shared some insight on each other''s power. Althea never imagined the difficulties of being an early bloomer when summoning one''s ability. Elizabeth explained that the first time she summoned her ability had been by accident when she was only four years old. She turned herself invisible for nearly two days and didn''t understand why her mother, the one who she had inherited her ability from, was the only one who could see her. She also hadn¡¯t understood the consequences of sustaining her power for such a long period. Althea found herself glad she was already an adult when she summoned her ability.


    It felt good to be put to use, and she knew Monique could have asked anyone for help but chose Althea which felt nice. Plus Elizabeth was very kind and she enjoyed making a new potential friend.


    By the time Monique finished her scan, it was time for breakfast. The three of them made their way to the dining hall, meeting with James and Meg. To her surprise Jasper didn''t show up to breakfast. She wondered where he might be. Neither James nor Meg knew either. Maybe he had slept in or opted to help someone with something. Nevertheless, she longed for his company. Over the past week, they had begun forming a bond she knew meant more to her than any courtship ever could. She was so fortunate to no longer be forced into a union based solely off of wealth and status.


    After breakfast she made her way to the tree which had become her and Arsalans'' meeting spot for training. She looked around but didn''t see him anywhere. So she laid beneath the tall shady tree, its whimsical branches swaying in the wind as a light breeze floated past her while she waited. To her surprise, Arsalan did not show up for over thirty minutes. He had never been late since their training had started and made a point to mention how important punctuality was to him, so she found it odd that he hadn''t shown up on time today.


    Finally she caught a glimpse of his wide stature striding towards her from the institution. He moved swiftly, setting down his pack on the ground next to her. His black mass of hair was a tousled mess. He had naturally wavy hair that he normally kept pulled up and out of his face¡­ but it seemed he¡¯d forgotten that today. In fact, judging by his puffy eyes and partially unfastened tunic, she would venture to say he had just woken up. Smirking, she sat up on her palms, preparing to dig into him as he always did her.


    "Pleasure of you to finally join me," she jested, the smirk still playing on her lips, despite him having not looked in her direction yet.


    "Yeah, I''m late, I know," he said in a serious tone. Rolling her eyes, she sat up fully now. She caught a glimpse of the ink that was usually hidden on his upper chest where his tunic was normally tired. She couldn''t make out exactly what it was, though it appeared to be some sort of symbol. She looked away before he could notice her staring and make another joke.


    "What happened to mister punctual?" she mocked. His jaw clenched slightly. She knew she was getting under his skin, but something about seeing that normally calm, confident exterior flicker, implored her to pry harder.


    "I was..." he paused, his eyes swivelling to meet hers before quickly looking away again, "otherwise engaged."


    He looked so unsettled by her questions, almost guiltily so. She wondered what he had been doing to have garnered such a response from him.


    As she stared at him a thought popped into her mind and suddenly things started to click into place. The hair, the unfastened shirt... had he lain with someone last night?


    "Why you smitten dog," she crooned, looking at him. His head snapped in her direction, icy eyes pointing sharp daggers into her, "you lain with a woman last night didn''t you? That''s why you are¡ª"


    "That''s why I am nothing! What I do in my free time is my business," he snapped tightly.


    She just couldn''t get enough of the power she felt making him so tense.


    "I believe the correct pronoun is who," she said snidely. He breathed in deeply, and released the breath slowly through his nose, closing and reopening his eyes as he did so. A calming exercise, she knew.


    "Fine Althea, if you are so desperate to know what goes on in my personal life, so be it! Yes, I took a woman to my bed last night," he said, brushing a stressed hand through his already messy head of hair..


    She didn''t know why, but hearing him say the words aloud made her feel... odd. Now that the fun of the game had dissipated, this conversation was much less amusing to her. The smirk slowly dissolved from her face and she stood up, beginning her stretches for training.


    Suddenly Arsalan laughed from behind her.


    "Oh I see what this is about," he got up as well, walking in front of her now, wearing a smug smile, "are you jealous Althea?"


    Her eyes widened as she shot him a murderous glare. While it did make her somewhat unsettled to think that he had lain with someone she could possibly know, the night prior, she was most definitely not jealous. What did she have to be jealous of? He was an utter clod! Why he... he was absolutely grotesque and despicable! And when she had such an honourable, kind gentleman like Jasper? He really had spent too much time looking at himself in the mirror it would seem.


    "Ha!" she let out a hoarse cackle, "me? Jealous for you? Please!" she snorted. Some kind of torment seemed to flash through his blue eyes so quickly Althea wasn''t sure if she had actually seen it. But just as quickly he smirked at her, curling his upper lip in a slight snarl. Poor egomaniac must have gotten his feelings hurt by the insult she¡¯d thrown his way.


    "Say what you want... Miss Lezant." The sound of her surname on his tongue made her want to squirm.


    She had arguments she wanted to fire at him, but remained quiet as they went through the Tai Chi movements he had taught her the days before.


    Once she successfully completed her breathing and footwork exercises, Arsalan informed her that they would be taking a more physical approach to her training today.


    "Today we will begin practising some very basic sparring exercises to solidify your body and your stance when practising and manipulating your ability," Arsalan said, walking to stand in front of her. "The exercises you''ve been practising are going to be the basis for the techniques I will teach you today."


    He proceeded to walk her through the first technique, in which her feet were to move at forty-five degree angles, as she took a series of four steps with a palm strike to his chest at the end.


    He made it look so easy, but she found her balance was off kilter her first several attempts. Suddenly his firm hand was on her shoulder, giving her a start.


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    "Relax," he instructed, "the key to fluid movement and balance is to relax your muscles."


    He rested his other hand on her opposite shoulder, rubbing the tight muscles beneath her training garbs. She winced slightly as his strong grip bit into her tendons. But once he let go, she felt noticeably lighter and more agile.


    "You are far too rigid, just stay loose, stay relaxed," he said again, this time less stern and more sincere. She nodded and went through the movements again. Althea cleared the thoughts of the movement needing to be perfect from her mind and just did what was natural for her body.


    When she finished, with a palm strike to the air in front of her, Arsalan called out a shout of approval.


    "Yes! That was great!"


    She couldn''t help the smile that spread across her face at the pride in his tone.


    The sun beat down heavily over the two of them, and as afternoon approached, the balmy weather caused beads of sweat to roll down Althea''s temples and back.


    In the midst of one of her sequences she heard a shuffle to her right and glanced over at Arsalan who pulled the tunic over his head in a swift movement.


    Though she would never openly acknowledge it, Arsalan possessed a physique that gave Althea the impression he was very much in the favour of god himself. Every contour, from the strength in his biceps to the sculpted lines of his abdomen, exuded an aura of physical excellence. She swallowed harshly. His full tattoo was revealed to her now, well the back portion that was, as he turned away from her to set his tunic with his pack under the tree.


    Adorning his back was a magnificent depiction of an eastern dragon, its sinuous form extending the full length and much of the breadth. Executed primarily in deep black ink, the silver outlines of its intricate scales and curves imparted a mesmerising quality. When touched by sunlight, the tattoo shimmered, seeming to almost come alive. It evoked an enchanting aura as though conjured by magic itself.


    Suddenly, her eyes widened. Silver scales. The old woman in the library had told her to follow the silver scales, that they would guide her...


    Without meaning to, Althea lost her footing and fell to the ground with a thud and a groan. Arsalan turned quickly, studying her as she attempted to hull herself back up swiftly.


    He smirked at her and she wanted to punch herself. Oh god, he was going to assume she had fallen due to her distraction by his body. It wasn''t true... well not in the way he was likely thinking. Yes, she had been distracted by him, but not fully by his toned muscles, by his tattoo, and only because it meant something to her.


    "You seem to have lost your footing," he snickered. She stood up now as he approached, her jaw clenched tightly.


    "And you seem to have lost your shirt." It was a failed attempt at mockery, but it was all she could come up with, being that she was so flustered and embarrassed. God she was a moron.


    "Is that going to be an ongoing problem for you? Because if you''d like I can have custom training garbs made for both heat and cold, you know, just so you don''t get too dis¡ª"


    She cut him off, her annoyance building too fierce inside of her to let him continue another word, "no Arsalan, you may wear what you wish, for it has no effect on me. I was simply glimpsing at the ink on your back when I stepped wrong," she declared, doing her best to make her case sound solid as she tried to resume her sequence.


    He merely bestowed a smug grin upon her, closing the distance between them until his unadorned chest was but half a metre from her countenance. In spite of herself, she stood transfixed. The scent of sun-warmed skin enveloped Althea, not unpleasant, but possessing a rich, musky allure.


    "Well?" he asked. She furrowed her eyebrows, unsure of the question at hand.


    "Well what?" He took another step closer, his compelling scent enveloping her even further. A peculiar sensation stirred within her, unfamiliar yet undeniably compelling. It swirled, leaving her uneasy with its intensity.


    "Well, what do you think of it?" he asked. Was he referring to his tattoo? Well of course he was referring to his tattoo, what else would he be referring to?


    "Um..." she fumbled to find the words to speak to him. "Why did you choose a silver lined dragon?" she asked honestly, curious.


    His smirk faded. "You can see the silver?" he asked, sounding bewildered as he took a liberating step back from her. She returned his confusion with an equally baffled expression.


    "Uh, yeah? Why wouldn''t I be able to?" She was unsure of why he would ask such an odd question.


    "Huh," he raised his eyebrows and struggled, taking another step back to her relief, "most people just don''t notice it." Something about the way he said it was unconvincing but she didn''t push it. He seemed distracted as he walked backwards, creating distance between the two of them, that intensity fading more as he did.


    It wasn''t until he turned away from her that he called back, "the silver dragon is me." She didn''t know what he meant by this but he wasted no time elaborating as he instructed her to continue the sequence.


    She repeated the exercise a dozen more times until Arsalan stepped to her side and told her to repeat the movement again, but this time strike him at the end. She was hesitant.


    "I don''t want to hurt you..." she said and Arsalan roared with laughter. Althea rolled her eyes waiting impatiently for him to silence himself.


    When his snickering finally ceased, he said, "trust me Althea, you will not hurt me."


    Rolling her eyes she stood four step widths apart from him and began reciting the movements she had learned, first, step at a forty-five degree angle, shifting her weight onto her dominant right foot, then cross over with her torso, swinging her left leg just above the ground into another forty-five degree step, always keeping the bulk of her weight on the balls of her feet and not on her slightly bent knee, as he had shown her. She breathed in as she took each memorised step. When she reached the end of her sequence, she reeled her palm back into her own chest and as she took a deep breath out, she struck him in a swift movement.


    His body was like stone beneath her palm. His skin was soft but under it was hard compressed muscle. He didn''t even so much as flinch at her strike to his abdomen.


    She let out an annoyed sigh as a grin spread across his face. She supposed he had been right, and would likely gloat about it. But to her surprise he didn''t. Instead he said, "that was very good Althea."


    Raising a questionable brow, Althea rolled her eyes. "Yeah really great that I had absolutely no effect on you," she said defeated. How would this help her if she ever needed to fight off someone larger than her? Oh right, it wouldn''t. She was no match for sheer strength like Arsalans. Not unless she used her ability which he still wouldn''t teach her anything about until she completed this witless Tai Chi. What was the point in all of this anyway?


    "Althea I have been practising these rituals for nearly ten years now... if I, as your trainer and instructor, were to be hurt by you, a girl with virtually no experience, I would think you should find yourself a new trainer," he chuckled. This made her smile, she supposed he was right. This was only her first attempt.


    "Trust me, if you keep practising and begin doing palm strengthening exercises, there are likely going to be times you''ll knock the wind from me Althea, and I am ready for it..." he paused to look into her eyes. Something about his gaze made her stomach rise into her chest. "You are a force to be reckoned with, I can feel it. You just need to apply yourself to achieve greatness."


    His words made her insides do a flip. Did he really think that? Or was he just trying to motivate her to do better? Either way it worked. She believed him and wanted to do anything she could to turn his words into reality.


    They continued practising the sequence with Arsalan intervening at different times showing her how to dodge and combat his movements.


    When their training was over Arsalan made his way to the guest chamber where he stayed, he had extended Althea''s training past noon today and due to the beaming hot sun, he was in desperate need of a hot bath.


    As he climbed the stairs to his room, he hated how consumed his mind was with her. What had begun as a minor intrigue in her ability and her possible connection to the flame, had become something he hadn''t yet dare admit, even to himself. But as he tried to push the thoughts of her out of his mind, he was reminded of her coy smile or the way her green eyes flew back when he teased her. Those green eyes¡­ he couldn¡¯t shake their eerily familiar gaze every time it met his. He¡¯d fought off the urge to think about those eyes too often since he¡¯d met Althea. But after today he couldn''t contain the emotions he felt as he memorised the way those eyes had scanned over his body. It drove him to the brink of insanity that he couldn''t quite understand her the way he wanted.


    In Arsalan''s experience, most women tended to wear their emotions openly. They often cast adoring glances in his direction, hoping to catch the attention of a tall, well-built man like himself. Althea, however, appeared to be the exception to this rule. She didn''t seem swayed by the years of effort he''d put into honing his physique through training and sparring. Her demeanor was refreshingly different from the others who had pursued him. This enigma left him both intrigued and, admittedly, somewhat perplexed. He couldn''t quite put his finger on why her indifference affected him as it did.


    Indeed, Althea possessed her own kind of allure and captivating charm, and the graceful contours of her petite frame occasionally drew Arsalan''s gaze a bit too intently during their training. Yet, he couldn''t claim genuine attraction to her. After all, there were no shortage of women whose features bore a resemblance to hers; she hardly presented anything he hadn''t encountered before.


    However, as Arsalan lowered himself to soak in the hot bath, there weren''t any other women who came to his mind.


    Only her.


    He thought of how it might feel for her nimble fingers to trace the skin of the dragon covering his back. He still didn''t understand how she''d been able to see the silver ink. It was only meant to be visible to those who bare the dragon mark themselves, and to his knowledge she did not. But he supposed it could be on a part of her he''d not yet seen, as was his. He thought again of her fingers on him as he rubbed eucalyptus soap over the scar directly above his groyne. His mind began travelling to dangerous places as he imagined her hand tracing that scar right before she moved down to his¡ª


    "Excuse me, Mr. Hashemi?" A voice called from the other side of the closed bathing chamber door. His eyes shot open and he nearly threw the soap from his hand as he sat fully up in the tub now. "I have fresh linens for you."


    "Yes thank you, you may leave them on the bed, I am... indecent at the moment!" he called back.


    When he heard the bedroom door close, Arsalan let out a long sigh, setting the soap on the table beside the tub and splashing water onto his face and hair. He felt a flurry of embarrassment ride up in him. What was wrong with him? Was he so desperate for sex that he was beginning to fantasise about any female interaction now? Perhaps he should have partook in the activities Althea had accused him of this morning, just to escape his own lonely thoughts.


    In reality, he had been so late awakening this morning due to his rather unspeakable dream pertaining to the very girl he sought to rid his thoughts of. He supposed it was part of the reason he couldn''t clear her fully from his mind now. Foolish dreams. He was so embarrassed with her prying and prodding him that he would rather admit he''d slept with a woman than speak the truth to her.


    Arsalan spend the afternoon writing down the training he and Althea had practised that morning, to send to the board. They had been pushing him to practise only her power with her, but over the last week he had convinced them that the best way to train, without going completely mad, was to practise meditation first. They had finally given in to him, thankfully. He still hadn''t relinquished any information of her possible connection to the flame. But he felt that he didn''t yet have enough knowledge to give them any tangible information. Nor would he be fully inclined to if such things did come to light¡­


    Arsalan had decided to take his meal in the dining hall that evening, rather than in his bed chamber where he''d been eating since his arrival to the London institution. As they had at the Beijing institution, the people here had one night a week where they dressed in elegant garbs and attended their biggest feast of the week. He figured it may be beneficial to meet some of the officials who dined in the upper portion of the hall. He might even find a lady he fancied enough to bed. Arsalan was beginning to think his lack of feminine connection was causing him to go mad.


    The suit he wore was entirely black, with silver chain details on some of the pockets. Arsalan had befriended an excellent tailor back in Beijing who had made all of his custom suits.


    He slipped his pocket watch into the chest compartment and let the silver metallic chain hang down his torso a few inches.


    Once he was fully dressed, Arsalan made his way to the dining hall. It was early still, he would arrive thirty minutes before the dining began, but he hoped to catch some of the officials before their feast, as they always showed up first.


    As he made his way down the stairs he heard the familiar laugh of his trainee on the main floor. When he reached the bottom of the stairs she came fully into view, speaking with a young Candidus girl.


    Clearly they had the same idea for tonight''s meal, seeing that she wore a long, elegant, velvet black dress. As he stood behind her, he couldn''t help his gaze as it travelled up the base of her gown to her round backside then to the cinched in fabric at her narrow waist. The dress was long sleeved with black velvet gloves that blended into the sleeves perfectly, allowing it to appear as one unit.


    He swallowed as the Candidus girl walked into the dining hall and Althea began turning around. He looked away quickly before she could see him staring and walked down the final steps of the large staircase.


    "Arsalan?" Her voice was light and inviting. He looked up from his trance at the ground. Now facing him, he held a view of her full breasts tucked neatly into the velvet bustier. He quickly snapped his eyes to her face. She smiled widely.


    "Will you be joining us in the dining hall?" she asked, tilting her head to the side slightly. She wore cosmetics tonight, a bit of coal lining the upper portion of her eyes, and a deep berry coloured lip stain. Her cheeks were also slightly rouged with a colour perfectly set off by her lips.


    He cleared his throat, pulling himself out of his thoughts and fixing his posture so that he stood tall again.


    "Yes, I came to speak with some of the officials actually," he said calmly.


    She nodded looking away from him as she brushed a stray curl from her face.


    "Oh I see, official business only, per usual," her mischievous smile was accentuated by her berry lips.


    He nodded curtly. Arsalan wanted to compliment her on her appearance but didn''t know the words to speak without seeming too forward.


    "You look¡ª" he began but her eyes focused on something beyond him, and she grinned.


    He paused, turning his head to see that boy she''d been in the company of over the last week, smiling back at her.


    "Jasper!" Her voice was filled with so much delight that it made him go still.


    Arsalan suddenly felt silly. Not only was he at a loss of words for a woman, but one who he knew was already clearly spoken for.


    She walked past him and to the boy who looked at Arsalan as he embraced her. When she was in his grasp, his smile faded and he gave Arsalan a predatory stare as if to say, ¡®mine.¡¯


    Arsalan stifled a chuckle at the feeble attempt at a warning. It was abundantly clear that he could overpower this boy with little effort, but he held himself to a higher standard. He had no inclination to intimidate someone obviously smaller and less seasoned. Nevertheless, the gaze he returned to Jasper left no room for misinterpretation. Arsalan was a man accustomed to acquiring what he desired, though in this case, he had no such lust towards Althea¡­ But if he had wanted her, he would get her.

 Chapter 12

    That evening, after dinner, Althea and Jasper took a walk through the garden together. The air was warmer than it had been the past week as they strode together through the candlelit pathways. While most of the summer flowers had grown brown and shrivelled, the beautiful fall mums had sprung up from the ground in an array of blazing autumn colours. From deep maroons, to burnt oranges and fiery yellows, they weaved in clusters through the long wavy grasses that blew in the light, warm breeze.


    September was only a few days away, bringing them closer to the bitter cold days of winter. She wondered if she and Arsalan would still train outside? Surely not if the air was frigid and it was snowing right? She wouldn''t put it past him to make her train out there and call it a learning exercise.


    She leaned into Jasper, yawning sleepily. Her training today had worn her out tremendously. The heat hadn''t helped either.


    "Are you tired my love?" Jasper asked, brushing a hand through her hair as they stood together. She was, but she didn''t want their time together to come to a close. Her favourite time of the day was spent with him holding her and tracing her skin with his fingers as they sat together.


    She shook her head quickly. "No, no, I''m just..." she looked for the words to build a lie but alas they eluded her.


    Jasper chuckled and sat down on a grassy patch near a cluster of freshly bloomed asters. He had worn a grey herringbone suit to dinner that evening and his long brown hair was tied back using a grey ribbon.


    "Here, lie down in my lap and relax," he instructed, patting his palm down on his thigh. Smiling down at him warmly, she obeyed. He really was such a gentleman.


    Althea''s mind hopped to Arsalans words from earlier, deeming her jealous of the woman he''d bedded. She rolled her eyes, what could she possibly have to be jealous of when she had a kind and loving person like Jasper by her side. She could hardly imagine herself with a man like Arsalan. He was cold and harsh and the complete opposite of what she wanted and what she was. But still, she thought of the feeling that rose up in her at his words of bedding a woman. Why had they made her feel so... uncomfortable? She was not jealous. Maybe it was just hearing someone speak so openly about it that made her feel that way. After all, in modern society speaking of intercourse was considered a taboo, especially when bedding someone who you weren¡¯t married to.


    "I hope your new trainer didn''t wear you out too hard today," Jasper said, rubbing her scalp with his fingers as he brushed them though her curls. She had opted to let her hair dry naturally after her bath, and kept it down for this exact reason. She loved the way his fingers felt as they combed through her brown locks.


    "No, it''s not too much, I''ve just never used my body like this before, so it will take some getting used to," she said.


    Laying in his lap, she looked up at him. He stared up at the stars, not noticing her as she gazed at him. Her eyes fell on the curve of his jaw and the way his long neck craned up at the sky above them.


    His features were soft, unlike that of Arsalan, he did not have that rugged look about him. He glanced down at her, noticing the way she stared at him. A blush spread over his pale cheeks.


    "What?" he laughed. She loved the way his cheeks dipped in slightly when he grinned.


    "Just admiring you," she said honestly. He closed his mouth, still smiling to the side. Craning his neck, he bent down to lay a smooth kiss on her lips. She tilted her head up to kiss him back, reaching her hand to touch his jaw. It was a brief kiss but any warm touch of his lips against hers was always welcomed by her, no matter how fleeting.


    When they pulled away she opened her eyes again to see his hazel ones gleaming at her. He was truly angelic. He reminded her of the murals she''d seen painted of angels flying high through the clouds. She imagined them looking down upon those they loved on the ground below.


    "I have a surprise for you tomorrow," he cooed, running a soft finger over her forehead to brush away a curl.


    Furrowing her eyebrows she sat up to look at him, her curiosity getting the better of her.


    "What is it?" she asked, looking between his eyes for any hint of an explanation.


    He just grinned mischievously.


    "Now if I told you it wouldn''t be a surprise," he laughed.


    "But after your training tomorrow, meet me at our spot in the courtyard. There is somewhere I want to take you." Her mind raced as she thought of where it could possibly be. Was it out of the institution? She hadn''t been out in the real world in over a month. Not that she minded all that much considering it was full of misogynistic men whose ideals for women were cruel and grotesque. But it may be nice to get out with him. He would never treat her with such cruelty.


    "Okay," she couldn''t hide the excitement in her voice as she said the word.


    He laid fully down and she curled into him on the soft grass, nestling her face into the crook of his neck. He smelt of citrus and she found herself breathing in his scent deeply.


    Her eyes began growing heavier and before she knew it, she''d fallen into a slumber beside him. She hadn''t even realised she''d been asleep until Jasper''s words crept into her mind.


    "Althea my love," he chuckled quietly in her ear, "you''ve fallen asleep. Come, let''s get you up to your bed chamber."


    She opened one half squinted eye at him and he leaned in, leaving light kisses on her neck and ear tickling her with the stubble that grew on his face.


    "Okay okay, I''m getting up," she laughed, pushing him off as she sat up, he stood first and reached his hand to take her still gloved fingers, in his.


    After helping her off the ground, they walked together to her bedroom. Every night Jasper walked her to her room, and each night he gave her a kiss before plodding back to his own room which was a floor above hers. She''d never been in his room and she found herself wondering what it looked like. Did he decorate himself or keep the room as it was when he arrived at the institution? Her mind was dizzy with thoughts as her eyes drooped from exhaustion.


    When they stood in front of her door, Jasper looked at her with admiration in his eyes.


    "Sleep peacefully my love," he whispered, leaning in to brush his lips against hers. She exhaled a shaky breath as Jasper''s full lips embraced hers in a warm kiss. Althea stumbled back slightly and his arm shot out to clasp her waist, pulling her into him as their kiss continued. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, bracing her against her chamber door. His other hand sat beside her head, using the door to prop himself up.


    Jasper''s soft lips moved from her mouth down her chin and to her neck, licking and sucking her skin causing her to squirm under him. She felt like her body was on fire. Her core was molten and radiated through the rest of her. Althea arched her back, bringing her body so close to his that there was no longer any space between them, as he kissed just above the bustier lining her breasts.


    She didn¡¯t wish for the thrill to end. Every part of her felt as though it were made of ambient buzzing energy, as though she were no longer flesh and bone, but something else entirely. An enigma cast in warmth and light. As Jasper reached a hand up to gently squeeze her left breast,  a small moan escaped from her parted lips. The noise sounded foreign to her.


    Althea opened her eyes as they parted slightly. She studied him, still leaning over her, she could see the desire burning behind his gaze. See the unspoken promise written there. This is not the end.


    But it was for tonight. There was also a mutual understanding poised between them, for they both knew if they did not find the strength to pull away now, there would be no turning back.


    "I bid you goodnight, Althea," he spoke, his voice raspier now. With one last kiss to her cheek, he strolled away from her. She just watched in awe as he made his way down the long corridor, looking back before he turned up the stairs, to wave at her.


    She locked herself in her bed chamber, pressing a hand to her still rapidly beating heart. Althea danced around her room as she undressed and readied herself for bed. Her fingers traced each spot Jasper had kissed her, the scent of citrus still lingering on her skin.


    When she laid down, Althea allowed the thoughts of him to swirl through her mind, hoping he may grace her slumber that evening.


    ¡­


    Monday morning came too quickly for Arsalan, for the night had been a series of restless turns, punctuated by a recurring dream. In it, he sprinted across a field toward something or someone. However, obstacles continually thwarted his advance. Sinkholes yawning open, a ravenous pack of wild wolves closing in, or an impermeable, invisible barrier blocking his way¡­ Each awakening only offered a fleeting respite, for the dream persisted with unyielding consistency each time he closed his eyes anew.


    He got up before sunrise to meditate on the hillside. It soothed him to do this, it always had. Meditation and fighting were the two things he had always turned to when he felt himself struggling. When his parents'' deaths got to him more than usual, when he occasionally fell into pits of despair and turmoil and felt that he was beginning to spiral out of control, this had helped him.


    Arsalan didn''t know what exactly bothered him that morning. Perhaps it was his inability to properly decipher the meaning behind his repetitive dream, or that none of the female officials, or females in general the night before had any features he found attractive, and even if they had, the collective gaze and hushed murmurs they shared in his presence compelled him to consider exiting the room. He harboured a strong aversion for those who opted to discuss him rather than engage with him directly.


    And then there had been her... Arsalan thought back to the black dress she''d been wearing the previous night, the way it hugged her curves in all the right places and cascaded down her body like an ebony waterfall. Then his mind shifted to the way her face lit up when she looked not at him, but at her lover, that feeble little boy. He gritted his teeth at the thought as he leaned too far to his right, stumbling slightly. He was distracted by his own thoughts.


    "Hm, your form looks a bit off." The playful voice of Althea echoed from behind him. He didn''t turn towards her but followed through his entire sequence of movements. He didn''t have to see her to know she was there, for she reeked of a male scent. His scent. The odour of wet grass was pungent as it filled Arsalan''s nose. He found his mind beginning to wander, thinking of why Jaspers'' scent covered her.


    "Don''t you ever bathe? You smell like someone chewed you up and spit you out with a lawnmower." He realised after the words came out, that she would have absolutely no idea what a lawnmower was, seeing as she could not yet travel through time as he had.


    "A what?" she laughed coming around to sit beside him below the tree. The sun was fully over the horizon now, shining golden light over the two of them. He glanced towards her wearing new training garbs. These ones were like the others she''d worn but the sleeves were long and instead of shorts she wore pants. It had been rather cool out when he had begun his workout.


    "Never mind," he said, closing his eyes as he leaned forward resting his head and forearms on the ground before kicking his legs into the air above him, pointing his toes to the vibrant sky above them. To his delight, he could hear Althea gasp quietly to herself.


    "Eventually you will be able to do this..." he crooned, then smirked as he lifted himself onto his hands. "And this," he added. Finally, he lifted one arm to his side so all of his weight rested solely on one hand. He bent his legs backwards towards the ground behind him, his back arching with the movement. The Buddhist monks in Beijing had called the pose zh¨© zu¨© or scorpion. His instructor Keo had taken him to the Yonghe Temple where the Tibetan monasteries had taught him how to relinquish his mind fully to meditation, and the art of Tai Chi. "And maybe eventually this too." If he were being honest it had taken him quite some time to master the pose as it took an incredible amount of balance and strength.


    "I seriously doubt that," she muttered. He brought his legs down fully behind him in a back bend before standing up, letting the blood rush down from his head and back into the rest of his body. He picked up his towel, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "You have little faith in me I see," he remarked.


    She let out a sigh, "no, but I do have doubts in myself."


    How could she remain oblivious to her own formidable strength? With every training session they shared, she fearlessly conquered the things that terrified her, continuously pushing her limits to transcend even his own expectations.


    "It will take patience, but I know there will come a time when you look back on this conversation and laugh," he said, not taking his eyes off of her. He loved the way her own eyes sparkled when he complimented her. There was a subtle ache that unfurled in his chest every time he noticed the way she criticised herself. And intertwined with that ache, was an ardent longing to witness that spark in her eyes, and the subtle upturn of her lips that bespoke a hidden vitality.


    "I suppose we shall see," she said, her English accent strong in each word.


    He beckoned for her to pull the orange stone from the bag he had gifted her. She did as told, staring at the cold carnelian in her palm.


    "Today we will be working to unblock your creativity. In order for you to begin feeling that you can depend on yourself, you must first be comfortable in your own skin, and comfortable in your ability to house your mind," Arsalan said, repeating the words Keo had spoken to him during his training. His mind flashed with the image of the old man. He had long black hair, speckled with the white of natural maturity. His wisdom stretched farther than any other cadre member Arsalan had ever known, even the elders of the board. It was a shame he hadn''t lived long enough to teach more members.


    "Arsalan? Are you okay?" Althea asked, leaning towards him, those familiar forestry eyes shifting slightly in the morning light. He hadn''t realised he had been quiet until she snapped him out of his thoughts.


    "Uh yes, I was just thinking of which meditation ritual to practise today. We are going to start with more breathing work in a few new poses but this time I want you to close your eyes and listen closely to my words."


    He moved his legs into a lunge position, stretching his back leg all the way out as his hands reached towards the sky. Althea followed and he watched proudly as she found the balance he''d trained her on last week, and shifted into the position without wobbling or struggling. When her eyes fluttered closed, Arsalan did the same and began.


    "I want you to envision the flow of colour as beads of rich red blend together with the pure illumination of yellow to make a vibrant shade of orange. Similarly, think of the foundation you have put so much time and energy into and realise your deepest potential. Once you stop holding yourself back, you can achieve your true capabilities," he paused, opening one eye to look at her. Althea''s mouth was slightly agape as she breathed in and out deeply. Her eyes moved back and forth under her lids as she was envisioning whatever images lie in her mind.


    "Now when you breathe in, I want you to think of something you don''t feel confident you can complete, and on your exhale, I want you to relinquish that mentality and embrace that you can do anything as long as you have faith in your ability to achieve it."


    He could hear her breath hitch but then she breathed in deeply and released it a moment later. He wondered what she thought of as she did so. Arsalan could feel the skies beginning their stormy descent as small rain drops hit him at random.


    "Continue releasing each negative thought as you breathe out," he said then remained quiet. The only sound between them was their synchronised breathing. That was, until the water droplets began bouncing off of the leaves on the tree above, ticking and tacking around them.


    As the cold rain swept down over them, Althea did her best to keep her mind within the meditation. On an inhale, she thought about fully understanding her ability and how she felt it would never happen, then on the exhale she told herself that it would happen, she would not only understand it but she would master it.


    As the thoughts roared in her mind, the sky seemed to mimic them. She could see a bright flash of light even through her closed lids. She knew lightning had struck nearby based on the sonic boom that followed immediately afterwards. Suddenly the rain poured over them, so heavy it nearly knocked her completely over, as she posed, still in the lunge stance. When she opened her eyes, Arsalan was still in his position, eyes closed as the frigid rain soaked him. She was freezing, but closed her eyes again, trying to continue. Althea didn''t understand how he could keep his thoughts and meditation straight through this.


    As she breathed in, she thought about how she would never win a fight against Arsalan and on her exhale she told herself that she could demolish him. She was about to put this affirmation to the test right now if he didn''t end this training. Her braided hair was now soaked and flattened to her head.


    Althea couldn''t take it anymore, she opened her eyes and began standing. To her surprise Arsalan had already stood and was smirking at her now. The rain only grew heavier. It was so dense that she could just barely make out the institution''s walls across the large field.


    Arsalans eyes flickered down to her chest before he quickly looked away from her. She looked down, noticing her peaked breasts beneath the thin material of her training garbs. She quickly covered them with her arms, feeling the raised goosebumps on her skin. What a deviant mind he possessed. Her hair was completely soaked now, some pieces undone from her braid and clinging to her face. Arsalans'' once nicely swept back mop of wavy hair was now laying in a soaked heap on his head, some strands falling into his face as well.


    "Okay, perhaps we shall finish training early today," Arsalan suggested at last. She wanted to smack him.


    "Wow really? You think so?" Althea called back to him, the iciness prevalent in her voice.


    He only smirked, flinging his pack over a shoulder. They walked swiftly back to the institution, or tried to at least, while the rain still pounded against them. The wind blew to the east in gusts that nearly pulled Althea''s feet from the ground. They fought their way through it as they walked towards the south facing institution doors. Suddenly there was a gust so strong it howled past the building and hit her like a ton of bricks, sending her toppling to the ground and landing on her backside. Her tailbone ached from the impact.


    Arsalan snapped around quickly, bending to help her off the ground.


    "Are you okay?" he yelled despite being in front of her, the mix of wind and rain was so thunderous it was still hard to hear him.


    She just nodded, not wasting any time as she continued forward. Her joints ached from her training over the last two days, and the pain was even more prevalent thanks to the rain.


    In an instant, she felt the world tilt as Arsalan deftly swept her up off of the ground. Startled, Althea realised he had gathered her into his arms, bearing her weight with practised ease. Surrendering to the sudden shift in her surroundings, she instinctively clung to his neck, finding solace in the contrast of his warmth against the brisk chill of the air. Her teeth chattered faintly, a testament to the frigid bite that swirled around them. She inhaled deeply, savouring the rich, heady notes of his musky, spiced scent that enveloped her.


    Althea closed her eyes feeling each sturdy step as he carried them the rest of the way to the institution. When they finally arrived at the doors, he used a foot to open one. Right before they made it inside, the rain turned to pebbles of ice, striking Althea¡¯s skin in sharp, painful, jabs. How had the weather shifted so abruptly in such a short period of time?


    Arsalan set her down, both of them dripping water on the stone floors of the institution. Althea''s body shook, the cold remaining with her even despite the warmer air around her now.


    "Here come with me, my guest room is on the first level, I''ll get you a towel," he said, leading her to the wide staircase. She followed him, still shivering uncontrollably.


    He looked back at her, those normally icy eyes appearing to her now in a calm blue. He reached out his hand for her to take so he may lead her with him up the stairs.


    She took it, not intertwining her fingers with his as she did with Jasper, but merely enjoying the warming sensation of his skin on her frigid hand. It brought back feeling to her nearly numb fingers.


    When they reached his guest chamber, he opened the door, allowing her to step inside. The room was simple, it was a guest chamber after all. However, beside his bed, leaning against the wall were at least a dozen various weapons. A bow and quiver, a longsword, various daggers, a set of sickles, a rapier, and a katana. He followed her gaze to the ensemble of weapons at the side of his bed.


    "Those will be of use later in our training," he smirked at her, but something in his eyes shifted when he beheld her.


    His dark hair still dripped with rain water, as did hers, she watched as a droplet slipped from a gathered cluster of his hair and slid down the skin of his neck. For a moment, it almost felt as if time moved slowly around them, as if they had both simultaneously summoned their abilities and made everything around them grow still. She watched the bead of water disappear beneath his grey tunic and she brought her eyes back up his neck to his face. Something unfamiliar danced in his own eyes as he peered back at her, and a part of her wished she could have studied that imperial gaze for longer. But in a forceful tug of his head, Arsalan pulled his eyes from hers and cleared his throat.


    "Let me get you a dry towel," he said, opening the door to his bathing chamber and letting her step inside. Various bottles of soaps and oils sat on a table beside a large tub. He reached for a towel from the shelf and walked back towards her, wrapping her in it.


    "Sit here," he motioned towards the seat in the corner of the bath chamber, "I''ll go get one of my dry tunics for you to put on."


    ¡°You don¡¯t¡ª¡± she started to decline, but before she could speak further he had disappeared back into his room, rummaging through his wardrobe. Althea stared around at the wood carved mirrors and stained glass cabinets. As she inhaled, his scent filled her nose again. This entire room smelled of him, which she considered wasn''t much of a surprise since it was his bathing chamber¡­ but what shocked her was the way she allowed herself to bask in it, breathing in deeply as she sat waiting. For a brute, Arsalan certainly didn¡¯t let himself smell like one.


    "Here you are, you can change in here," he said, handing her one of his tan tunics without meeting her eyes. He turned to walk away but she reached out her hand to stop him. His skin was rough in her grasp. They were the calloused hands of someone who regularly wielded weapons and fought with their hands. She thought about how he had mentioned palm strengthening exercises and wondered if she may eventually have palms that felt like his. He turned, looking at her now as she pulled her hand from his.


    "Thank you," she said, gifting him an affectionate smile. He just nodded, looking away, before leaving her to change her top. Something in his eyes gave her the impression he was longing for something. She wondered if perhaps he missed his home, did he have friends there? Or a woman he loved? Surely not if he had bedded someone here only a few nights ago. Although men never seemed to take that into consideration when they slept with whoever they wanted. It occurred to Althea that she really didn''t know a lot about Arsalan, outside of his ability mirroring hers. She found her mind swimming with questions all orbiting him. If the old woman had been correct with her odd ramblings, then perhaps she should get to know Arsalan better if she were to follow him to the answers she had about this cadre.


    As she stripped off the sticky elastic shirt, her skin was cool and damp beneath it. Althea pulled his dry tunic over her head and couldn''t help the giggle that erupted from her as she looked at her reflection in the dusty wooden mirror. His tunic was massive on her. She was practically drowning in it. Raising a brow, she removed her equally drenched trousers. With the tunic being so large on her she could practically wear it as a short gown.


    The door squeaked as she pushed it open. She paused her exiting when the sight of Arsalan''s bare back came to view before her. He stood in front of his wardrobe searching for a new shirt for himself. The silver outline of his dragon tattoo shimmered in the candlelight as he turned to face her. He swallowed, clenching his jaw as his eyes travelled down from her face to her feet in one quick, but evaluating, movement.


    She noticed the full tattoo that was splayed across his chest and arms now. She¡¯d noticed it during their training, but had avoided studying it so she didn¡¯t embarrass herself further in front of him. She wasn''t exactly sure what she was looking at, only that it was unnaturally beautiful with neat geometric symbols. She wanted to reach out and trace a finger along the ink lines on his skin. She of course did no such thing, instead returning her gaze to his eyes.


    "Let me just find a fresh shirt then I will escort you up to your room," he said slowly. She watched his throat bob as he swallowed. Once his eyes were no longer on her, she watched him. The muscles beneath the tanned skin on his back moved and flexed with each movement he made as he looked for a shirt in his wardrobe. She blinked, looking away from him, unsure why there was a rising guilt building inside of her, as if she was looking at something forbidden to her. She sat on his bed looking over at the various weapons beside it. Althea wondered how long it would be before they used them in her training as he''d promised. She wondered how long he planned to stay here and train her. Wouldn''t he miss those he loved where he came from?


    Deciding to get some answers, Althea asked, "do you ever miss them? Your family and friends I mean?" She looked back over towards Arsalan who was now holding the tunic which he wished to wear.


    His body visibly tensed. Was it because of her question?


    "No," he said curtly, not expanding on his answer any. He really didn''t miss anyone from his home?


    "What about your parents?" she asked as he slipped the cotton shirt over his head.


    "Occasionally... but they''ve been gone for a while now. They died when I was just seven."


    He didn''t sound overly sad when speaking of them, and this was the first time Althea found herself wondering about his age. She knew he was older than her, but she didn''t figure by very much. She was tempted to ask but didn''t want to change the subject so abruptly.


    "They both died the same year?" she asked, a sorrowful expression written on her features.


    He nodded, looking back at her now. His eyes had that icy gleam about them again. Had she taken the conversation too far?


    "My mom died in childbirth... so I never got to know her," the sentence fumbled from her lips in a clumsy manner. She wanted him to know that he wasn''t alone, but also that she wasn''t just trying to pry, but also connect with him.


    "I''m sorry," he said. She couldn''t read the words as he said them with little emotion. Why was she even trying to open up to him? She didn''t need to know him any better. He was there to train her, not be her friend, he''d made that clear to her already. Why was she even still here? She should be asking Jasper about his life¡­ about his parents... Jasper!


    She''d nearly forgotten she was to meet him in the courtyard today after training.


    "Well I''ll be on my way now, I''ll give this tunic back to you tomorrow," she said standing up and hopping quickly towards the door.


    "Wait, do you want me to escort you to your room?" he asked, suddenly reaching a hand out towards her. She stared at his fingers, hovering close to her arm but not touching her. He corrected his movement and reached instead for the doorknob to open the door for her.


    "No, that''s quite alright. I''ll be fine to walk myself to my room. Thank you though," she flashed him a warm smile before turning and exiting his room.

 Chapter 13

    When Althea made it back to her room, she changed into a simple, white, cotton gown. She wasn''t sure where Jasper may be taking her, so just in case, she wore her elastic training shorts underneath and a white tunic that was hidden under the bodice of the gown. She combed through her still damp hair and applied some light cosmetics to her skin. Luckily she and Arsalan had ended training an hour early so she had time to get ready. Althea''s mind still whirled with questions about him, despite her repetitive conclusion that it didn''t matter. If that old librarian had been correct in whatever vision or riddle she saw, it wasn''t worth worrying about until she had more of an idea of what exactly the ramblings had meant.


    From her chamber window, she could see the sun shining high in the sky now. The storm clouds from earlier had drifted to the west, as had the freezing rain. Outside now, it was both muggy, and still a bit cool. She could feel it as she opened the latch on her window to test the air. Althea decided to bring a grey wool cloak with her just in case they were to spend time outside.


    When she finally made it down the stairs to the main floor, she could hear the large clock in the centre lobby chime noon. This was normally around the time she finished her training.


    As she walked out into the courtyard, the smell of damp decaying earth and fresh greenery filled her senses. She lifted her skirts, carefully avoiding the puddles on the cobblestone pathway.


    "Allow me," a male voice rang out. She looked up and smiled as Jasper walked towards her. His eyes scanned her from her face down her body, and then up and down again before landing back on her skirts and cloak. He reached around to the back of her, lifting them so they didn''t drag in the muddy water.


    "You look," he paused and she craned her neck to smile at him, he smiled back, "vibrant."


    "Thank you," she said as they reached a bench and sat down next to one another.


    "My apologies, I had not predicted the arbitrary weather this morning or I would have thought over today''s plans a bit better," he chuckled.


    "Did you still want to go through with them, today''s plans I mean?" Althea asked, looking up at the now clear blue sky. "It doesn''t look like any more rain is coming our way right now."


    It also hadn''t looked like rain this morning. But Althea hated prolonged waiting and whatever surprise he had for her, she wanted to know sooner rather than later. Plus she needed some excitement in her day, she longed for a break from the repetition that was waking up, eating, training, and living out her existence in the institution. She enjoyed it here, but some excitement every now and again was always welcomed.


    Jasper smirked at her, she wondered if he could read her aching need to know what they were going to do.


    "Well, if you want to, I can still take you there. But I will warn you, it does require a bit of a walk through the woods just beyond the institution."


    Althea shrugged and nodded, "that''s fine with me." Her smile grew as did his and he stood to take her hand in his.


    After changing into something more suitable for a trek through the misty, densely wooded forest, they spent some time in the courtyard together. Once the weather grew warmer, and the earth around them had dried more, they were on their way.


    Everything around them was quiet as they walked through the trees, some of them shimmying the rain from earlier down in droplets upon them. The only sound aside from their feet snapping twigs and crunching leaves under them, was the chirping and croaking of animals and insects.


    Jasper glanced back at her, as he led the way to wherever he was taking them. He smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth.


    "I was born and raised here at the London institution before my parents moved to Rome when I was fourteen. I came back here a year ago to learn more about my ability and help the cadre with their missions. This was a place I found when I was a boy..." he trailed off looking forward. "It may sound foolish, but I''ve never brought anyone back here. This has always been my place to come and clear my mind when I wanted to be alone. But I think you may need a place to do the same." He turned back towards her again. His smile was small and gentle now, as if declaring that he could see through the way she hid her questions and did her best not to upset others with her curiosity.


    She jumped over a mossy log, and grabbed his smooth, outstretched hand in hers. His other was holding a covered basket he had brought with them. She hadn''t bothered to ask what was inside. He stopped his movement as he turned to fully face her now. Those warm eyes bored into her as he stared down. She delighted in the feeling of his soft skin as he rubbed small circles over her palm. Althea leaned up, standing on her tiptoes and kissed his silken lips. He tasted of something sweet. Maybe honey? When she pulled away, Jasper''s hazel eyes sparkled back at her. He brushed his fingers down her back, over the elastic training shirt she wore.


    "Thank you for trusting me enough to show me a place that you hold so dear," she said honestly. His smile only grew wider.


    They walked for another fifteen minutes before they reached a dark cave with a narrow mouth.


    "We''re here!" Jasper said, motioning towards the cave entrance.


    Althea glanced around a bit underwhelmed, though she tried not to show it. She supposed this was a good place to be alone with your thoughts, as it looked like nobody else came here minus the two of them.


    Jasper chuckled, seeming to have noticed her slightly dulled expression.


    "Follow me," he instructed, reaching out to take her hand in his free one as he led the two of them into the darkness of the cave. It was wet inside, the walls sweating and dripping down over both of them. There was a deep earthy clay smell that surrounded them as they made their way deeper into the darkness.


    Althea began feeling slightly nervous as the walls around them tapered, making it feel as though they were closing in around them.


    "Are you sure we shouldn''t stop?" Althea asked as a damp rock scraped against her ankle.


    "Trust me okay, this will be worth it in about five seconds," he laughed. Suddenly they met what appeared to be the end of the tunnel. There was a large boulder keeping them from moving forward anymore.


    "A rock?" she asked, trying her best not to laugh.


    "Just bear with me," Jasper''s voice was light and humorous as he handed Althea the wicker basket and pressed two palms to the large rock.


    To Althea''s amazement, it moved with surprising ease. Light trickled in around the large stone as Jasper pushed it out of the way.


    Suddenly a mist sprayed Althea''s face and she could hear a burble of water around them. The spray of freshwater illuminated against her as the full sight came to view in front of them. Up above them, cascading down from the hillside, swept a long, winding waterfall. Her mouth opened as she stared around them in awe. The mist spraying off the waterfall combined with the warm sun that shined down upon them now created a rainbow more vibrant than any she''d ever laid eyes on.


    "Jasper," she blew out in a breathy whisper, dropping the basket at her side.


    "Beautiful isn''t it?" he asked. She could see him glance over at her but she couldn''t take her eyes off of the scene in front of them. Beautiful was an understatement for what this masterpiece standing before them was. Althea had no idea there were any waterfalls this far south. She pulled her eyes from the rainbow shooting across the water, and let them fall upon the watering hole beneath it. The foggy mist covered the water, glimmering with flecks of rainbow hues throughout it as well. Around them birds chipped and other animals and insects sang in their own harmonic ensemble. She imagined each of them to be a colour in the rainbow, blending together perfectly to create an orchestra of light and dazzling colours.


    "It''s..." she paused, finally meeting his eyes, "it''s enchanting Jasper." Althea''s words were breathless as she reached her hand out, intertwining her fingers in his and hopping quickly down to the water below them. She kicked off the boots she normally wore to train, and let her feet touch the freezing water. The air, however, was surprisingly warm here, unlike it had been mere moments ago as they walked through the forest. Likely due to the thick canopy of greenery that trapped in the warm vapour rising from the water.


    "Do you want to get in?" Jasper asked, a boyish innocence bestowed itself upon his face.


    "What? Now?" she laughed, unsure if he was being sincere, "why, I don''t even have a bathing gown!"


    His eyes made a slow descent down her body in response to her words. "You could always take off your clothes before getting in." Althea''s eyes widened at his suggestion.


    "Oh and I suppose you would love to watch that wouldn''t you?" Something in Althea''s stomach roared with terror, but another side of her enjoyed the charming seductive tone that dripped from each word as he spoke to her.


    "I will look away, and then you can get into the water before I turn back around," he declared quickly as if to save himself from her wrath.


    She supposed it was a better idea than diving in, fully clothed. She glanced back at the water by her feet. She didn''t really need to swim... but it would be awfully fun.


    "Fine," she declared, waving her hand for him to go away from her so she could remove her clothes without his eyes on her.


    He smiled mischievously before turning and walking a few yards away. She eyed him closely as she began stripping away her shirt. To Jasper''s credit, he stayed facing the other direction. She wasn''t sure why she had assumed he would peak at her, but he did no such thing.


    She finished removing her clothes and put her feet in the water. It was freezing but she clenched her jaw and forced herself to walk in quickly. When the water approached her knees, she could see that with another step the watering hole plummeted deeper. Swallowing and looking back at Jasper who still faced the other direction, she breathed in deeply and jumped. The icy water nearly froze her completely through as it surrounded her. She opened her eyes, looking around at the dark blues and greens that surrounded her. To her surprise the watering hole was much deeper than she had expected it to be. She could see no end in sight, only a dark navy, almost black pit below. Small iridescent fish swam in schools of five or ten around her. One group made to approach her once the fizzing bubbles of her plunge made their way to the surface. The group surrounded her, tickling her feet as they touched her curiously. Before she could laugh, she swam to the surface, inhaling a deep breath.


    She used her long dark hair to cover her chest as she heard Jasper exclaim, "my gosh, I thought you had drowned for a moment."


    She turned to look at him. He had removed his shoes and tunic. Her eyes caught on his narrow chest and abdomen. Although he did not flaunt the broad form and sculpted body that Arsalan did, he was rather muscular for his size and age, being that he was surely younger than Arsalan.


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    He smirked at her. His brown hair, that he wore down today, blew in his face.


    "Well it''s only fair," he motioned with a hand for her to turn around. She laughed, using her arms to swim in a circle so she couldn''t see him. Although Althea could feel her own curiosity bubbling up inside of her as she listened to the rustle of him removing his clothes, she gave him the same courtesy he had her and remained facing the opposite direction.


    She heard the sound of sloshing water and then a splash as he jumped in. Althea could feel the small rippling waves from his dive as they reached her.


    After a moment of silence she turned, not seeing him in her sight. Suddenly she felt too bare. What if he were looking at her from beneath the surface right this very moment. Before she had time to cover herself, his head bobbed up from the watering hole, two yards in front of her. She shrieked, splashing him with the cold water.


    "Jeez, you startled me Jasper!" He only laughed as he wiped the water from his eyes. "You better not have opened your eyes under there either," she said, ruffling her brows together, trying to look angry. She wasn''t really, although he had actually given her a start.


    "Sorry!" he chuckled, flipping back his hair from his face, staring up at the waterfall to her side. She had to admit he looked exceptionally handsome as he swam closer to her. His eyes shown more green as they reflected the water below, giving Jasper an earthy aura about him.


    His jaw twitched and he glanced sidelong at her.


    "Yes?" he asked with a smirk. As his eyes traced her face, he looked like he was fighting off the urge to glance lower. He didn''t, to Althea''s gratification. But he did turn fully towards her now. She hadn''t realised how close he''d floated to her in the passing seconds since he''d risen from the surface.


    A look of mischief dashed through his viridescent eyes as he suddenly splashed her right in the face. Wiping her now dampened eyes, her mouth gaped. Oh he would pay for that.


    Reaching her hands to the surface in a gust, she let a tsunami rush over him. He quickly ducked beneath the water, missing the most of her fury. Swinging her arms backwards, Althea propelled herself away from him in case he had any intention of springing above the surface again to launch another attack.


    Her heart pounded rapidly as she swam away, and for a moment Althea realised that she was having fun, a lot of fun actually. She felt like a child again here with Jasper, swimming and splashing as she once did in the river close to her fathers estate. She remembered the  times in the summer months when she and her governess would sneak away after hours of studying to take a dip in the cold running water. She hadn''t realised how much she longed for that side of herself. The side that was pure, and innocent and full of love and joy for the world around her. Though she enjoyed the institution and felt safe there, she also felt as though much more was on her shoulders now. There were so many people she didn''t want to disappoint. But here in this small moment, she could be free. Right now she could do as she wished, with no rules or regulations. She felt alive and giddy within herself.


    Jasper''s head broke the water¡¯s surface a mere yard from her. She screeched, turning from him to attempt a fast flee. Althea dove beneath the water, opening her eyes as she swam away from him. She lunged her arms out and swept them back, swimming farther from him and deeper so if he did catch up to her, she would be beneath him.


    After a moment, she knew she would need air so she began her ascent towards the surface. As she did however, a wicked thought popped into her mind. Althea wondered if her powers worked even when she was beneath water? It had been a while since she''d practised it, considering Arsalan told her she needed to understand her body and mind better first, but she felt like she could do it. Unlike the first few weeks of training with Monique, Althea''s confidence in herself had grown tremendously. Slowing her float upwards, she closed her eyes. Though she couldn''t inhale, she let out what air was left in her lungs, blowing bubbles towards the glimmering sun filled surface of the water. Beneath it, she listened closely to the sound of the waterfalls flowing cascade, and felt the reverberations of the water as it fell. She felt that familiar buzzing within her own mind, seeming to mimic the water''s vibrations around her. When she opened her eyes again, everything was still. The water felt like cold air around her naked body. As she stared down, the small fish were frozen in their places. She didn''t look behind her, as she did not wish to look at Jasper without his knowledge. So instead, she went down further. Suddenly Althea didn''t feel the heaviness in her chest from lack of oxygen anymore. She supposed that because time had nearly stopped around her, this meant that she wouldn''t need to breathe until it moved again.


    Althea swam down before turning back towards the waterfall. She swam all the way towards it until she was directly in front of the frozen bubbles of air and water. Her head was beginning to ache slightly and she knew she better let up on her ability before she grew too tired to move. Closing her eyes once more she allowed her body to become light as a feather. Starting as a popping sound, then a roar, the waterfall regained its flowing stream. When she broke the surface of the water, the cool air and mist of the waterfall speckled her face. There was a smooth slick stone a mere foot underwater. Althea slid herself into it, letting her long dark hair drape over her peaked breasts to cover them. She crossed her legs, hiding any revealing part of herself, despite her bottom half being beneath the water.


    She turned to see Jasper swimming with his head above the water in the opposite direction of where she was now.


    Putting her thumb and index finger to her mouth, she let out a loud whistle that pierced through the otherwise quiet forest. Her father taught her to whistle that way when she was small. His words were only an echo somewhere deep within her mind from when she was maybe ten years old. ¡®Now Althea, if any boys bother you, just let out a whistle like that and I will make sure they never bother you again.¡¯ The memory tasted bitter. She wished he had honoured that promise once she stopped being a girl to him.


    Jasper jumped at the sudden high pitched noise and turned to look at her, a stunned expression set into his features.


    She just waved casually as if she had been sitting there the entire time.


    "How did you..." Jasper trailed off, glancing back towards the direction she''d been swimming before she summoned her ability.


    "I guess it pays to be able to temporarily stop time." She couldn''t help the cocky grin that spread over her lips as the words escaped them.


    Jasper''s mouth gaped and his eyes widened from across the body of water. "You... you did..." he was at a loss for words as he glanced between where she was now and where she had been seconds before.


    Turning back towards her, his eyes slipped down her wet glimmering skin and he smiled.


    "I don''t think I will ever get used to that," he said, swimming towards her now.


    She stayed in her spot atop the large smooth stone. Althea could feel her heart begin to race faster and faster the closer he came to her. A deep part of her enjoyed the rush of adrenaline that took over her as he swam ever so menacingly forward.


    When he was no further than a yard from her, she could see the distorted image of his chest and feet beneath the surface of the rippling water.


    As her eyes remained fixed on him, she felt the weight of his gaze reciprocating, a silent dance of mutual intrigue unfolding between them. When her eyes reconnected with his, she found them etched with desire. She could feel it too, that yearning burning within her own body. Althea''s mind roamed with thoughts of how his soft fingers might feel, grazing her thigh beneath the water. Her mind began wandering to rather, indecent places, as she wondered what his body looked like in the places she had not seen. The only reference she had to the male anatomy was that of Sir Herbert and his lover, but she didn''t waste very much of her time staring at them as she was so terrified of her encounter that night. In the time since, she had pushed any and all thoughts of them from her mind.


    Suddenly Jasper drew closer to her, so close his chest was mere inches from her crossed legs. Unable to resist the magnetic pull of self-awareness, she stole a glance downward at her body, desperate to gauge the impression she left on him. A silent plea echoed in her mind, yearning for a word, a mere utterance, to dispel the fluttering uncertainty in her stomach, dissolve the knot in her throat, and calm the rapid cadence of her heart beneath the sheen of dampened skin. Althea could feel the blood pumping in her ears, hear it, and it was all she could do to keep from diving into the water and swimming away from him. But as he reached his hand up and gently set it atop her knee, she knew it wasn''t him which she wished to flee, but her own fear that beckoned her now as it had the first time he''d kissed her, touched her or even spoken to her. It was deep within, however, that she harboured an unspoken longing for understanding, a silent ache for love. Yet, entrusting another with the delicate tendrils of her very soul proved to be a formidable endeavour.


    Swallowing back her unease, she bent forward, not caring as her hair released its hold over her chest, and kissed him. Althea wrapped both hands around his warm face, smiling into his lips, as he slowly began kissing back. She had caught him off guard, but he didn''t seem to mind as he used one hand to grasp her forearm and the other braced on the stone which she sat.


    As if by nature''s own intervention, her body began slipping from the slick stone until she was fully in the water. She parted her lips slightly, beginning to pull away from him, but Jasper wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her so close that their smooth skin brushed beneath the surface.


    He pulled away, looking into her eyes as she opened them.


    "Is this okay?" he asked. There was something so comforting in his voice, his hazel eyes, now a light green in the sun, that it made her long to have him in ways she''d never thought of anyone.


    She nodded quickly before wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his once more. The kiss was soft and yet their shared yearning was evident. Jasper pushed her back into the stone behind her as he held on, being careful not to drown the two of them. On a whim, she wrapped her legs around his torso, letting her core be one with his warm, soft skin. She could feel his body stiffen around her, each of his muscles going taut. Her eyes shot open and she pulled away slightly at the feeling of something bobbing against her thigh. Althea looked down as if she would be able to see through their tightly wound together bodies. Jasper chuckled, his face turning red.


    "Sorry," he said, looking between her deep, green eyes nervously. She bit down on her bottom lip and without another word she embraced his lips with her own again. He slid his tongue into her mouth, tangling it with hers as his fingers made a line down her spine towards her backside. Althea let out a hum of satisfaction as he cupped her in his palm. This sent a marvellous sensation through her body, causing her to tighten the grip of her thighs around his waist. Her body was begging for any small amount of friction she could get between her thighs. His mouth finally parted from hers, only to move to her neck, kissing and sucking his way down. He removed his hand from fondling the area between her bottom and her hips, squeezing her bosom instead. Suddenly the poking at her thigh grew more prominent. She swallowed and Jasper lifted his head, smirking as he adjusted himself so that he was placed snuggly between her stomach and his. He was a hard, smooth cylinder layer between them. Gripping her breast in his hand again, he put his warm mouth to it. Althea clenched, digging her nails into his shoulder as he sucked and rolled his tongue over her hard nipple. It felt... surprisingly good. Althea felt her own desire growing as the heat she felt in her core grew hotter and more evident with each flick of his tongue against her now slightly reddened nipple.


    She hummed in satisfaction at the work he put into kissing her chest. When he finally pulled away, he grinned at her, showing off his white teeth. She used this opportunity to grip onto his long brown hair, pulling it back slightly so his neck was available to her. She pressed her mouth, in a series of kisses, down the side of his jaw and neck. He hummed out a vibration of satisfaction causing her to smile internally, thankful she was doing it right. Althea had never gone this far with a man, she''d never even kissed a man before him. So she was thankful for the small signs of satisfaction Jasper gifted her.


    She stuck out her tongue slightly, letting it graze his neck up to his ear. Althea''s mouth was filled with a mix of citrus and fresh earthy water from the body of it surrounding them. Her lips grazed Jasper''s earlobe and she was shocked when his head knocked back. She was tempted to pull back to make sure she hadn''t done something wrong, when he gasped, "Christ Althea, if you keep this up, I may not have control over myself."


    She smiled into his skin and whispered back, "what''s the fun in having control?" He groaned at her sultry words. Althea could feel his throat bob as he swallowed harshly. She was about to leave another kiss on his neck, when he loosened his grip on her slightly.


    He looked up into the sky. The sun had dwindled from its place in the centre. She hadn''t noticed the shade that had fallen around them due to the stone walls that grew up to conceal this place.


    Looking back at her, Jasper smiled warmly. "We should probably get a move on if we wish to make it back in time to get ready for dinner.¡± He was right, she knew he was, but she did find herself wishing they could stay here together for longer. It would likely only lead to trouble for the two of them if they did stay, Althea noted. Already she had this deep, aching desire for him. She had never felt anything quite so powerful for anyone else before.


    Nodding, she followed him to the shore. He glanced over at her before slipping out of the water, watching as her eyes took in the entirety of his angelic body. She swallowed, her mouth dry as she looked over his lower half, the full length of him visible to her now. Clenching her jaw, and pushing her fear away, she stood up out of the water as well, allowing her full body to be visible to him. Jasper¡¯s eyes drank her in before he turned away, attempting not to stare as he reached for the basket he had brought with them.


    Inside were two towels. She smiled to herself. He¡¯d known she would say yes to swimming with him today hadn''t he? He dried his hair with his towel, then wrapped it around his waist before taking the other, and wrapping it around Althea once she stood beside him. His eyes glimmered their usual hazel again, as his light fingers ran down the length of each side of her waist and hips.


    Jasper leaned down one last time to kiss her lips. She placed a hand on his still damp chest. She could feel his heart beating as quickly as her own beneath his soft skin. Their lips seemed to move effortlessly in sync.


    He was the one to pull away first, smiling at her with a controlled yearning. He wanted her, but knew when to pull away to keep himself from diving too deep, too fast.


    Once they had both dried, they put their clothes back on and began their trek back through the cave and out into the woods on the other side.

 Chapter 14

    The next morning over breakfast, Jasper shared with Althea and the rest of their group, which now included the young Elizabeth, that he had been asked to join some of the cadre members from the Parisian institution, to dispatch on an important mission.


    When Althea had asked him where he was going and for how long, he just sighed and conveyed that he was unable to disclose the details of his sudden trip.


    Althea''s heart ached with the unknowing of where he was going or what he would be doing for the time he''d be away. Throughout her breakfast she had hoped that he wouldn''t be sent anywhere unsafe.


    They sat together now in their spot on the bench in the courtyard, surrounded by the autumn mums. Althea had limited time before her training was to start, but she used it, clinging to Jasper''s warm embrace as he held her.


    "I promise my love, I will be back before long and we will be together once more," he cooed in her ear, his light breath tickling her neck. She removed her head from his shoulder and looked at him as she sat in his lap. She hated the uncertainty that seemed to buzz in the air around them. But she supposed she needed to get used to it, this, the cadre, the powers, the missions¡­ it was her life now. Well not the missions yet, but she supposed with time, it would be her venturing off to far corners of the world in search of recruits.


    "Okay..." she breathed out, looking between his hazel eyes. "I am going to miss you though," she admitted.


    He smiled warmly at her. "Not nearly as much as I will miss you." Jasper placed a gentle kiss to her forehead before standing and placing her steadily on the ground.


    "It''s nearly eight o''clock... allow me to escort you to the training yard before I leave?" he asked, reaching an outstretched hand for her to take. With a small pout, she placed her hand in his and let him walk her to her usual meeting spot with Arsalan.


    When they exited the institution doors towards the large grassy field, Althea turned to him, not particularly seeking the sly judgement Arsalan would surely give her if he were to see the two of them together.


    "I can take it from here," she announced, staring up at him admiringly. She really would miss him immensely while he was away. Not only because of the kisses and warm embraces that had become their routine, but because he was her dearest friend here at the institution¡­ With the others so busy all of the time, Jasper was one of the only people who took time from his day to spend it with her¡­ and that felt nice.


    With a small nod, and a glance towards the large field behind her, he bent down to leave what she thought would be a quick kiss to her lips. However, as his hand latched onto the back of her neck, and he pressed his mouth firmly to hers, her knees nearly buckled beneath her. The kiss was full of longing and a surprising amount of desire and need. Althea locked her arms around his neck just to keep from falling down beneath the pressure, as his tongue roamed the inside of her mouth.


    When he finally pulled back, Althea was breathless and panting like a fool. He''d never kissed her so... vigorously before. But she assumed that was his way of expressing how much he would miss her while he was away.


    "Goodbye my love," he said, taking her hand in his and bending to kiss it.


    "Goodbye," she sighed, and watched as he walked back inside.


    When she turned around, Arsalan, to her surprise, stared at her from only a few yards away. Had he been standing there the entire time? Suddenly Althea''s cheeks grew hot as she swallowed harshly and neared him.


    She opened her mouth to greet him, but he turned away from her and said sternly, "you''re late." She couldn''t be that late, it was only nearing eight when they left the courtyard ten minutes ago. She rolled her eyes.


    "Good morning to you too," she muttered. Clearly not finding her reply very humorous he tossed a long wooden rod at her feet.


    "Today you will use that to master balance and strength," he grunted. Did he really need to be such a brute all of the time?


    Picking up the thin wooden pole in one hand, she held it at her side, unsure of how exactly it would make to help her in her exercises for today.


    "How is this wooden stick going to help me learn balance?" she replied dully. If he wanted to be a brute, she would spare him no extra time or energy than a brute deserved from her.


    She could see his jaw twitch as he turned towards her, not meeting her eyes as he stared down at a rod of his own.


    Suddenly Arsalan lunged the pole forward, turning and spinning so fast Althea''s own eyes could barely keep up as he executed a manoeuvre he¡¯d shown her last week. The sound of the bamboo rod soaring through the air thrust into her ears. He shifted the bottom of the pole into the ground and used his arms to push himself off of the grass, flying through the air with a swift kick towards her. She covered her face, preparing for impact, but then it failed to deliver. When she uncovered her eyes she found him landing and grabbing the wooden pole once more. He twirled it in circular motions with one hand, letting the wood glide between his fingers, before thrusting it nearly six inches into the ground. She couldn''t hide her astonishment as his cool eyes met hers for the first time this morning. Her mind raced back to their time yesterday after the freezing rain had forced them inside. Today, however, there was not a cloud in sight, only blue sky above them. And with the sun shining down, it was already turning into quite the ideal day as far as the weather was concerned.


    "Like that," he said shallowly, averting his gaze from her again. He gave no further instructions as he flopped down at the base of the large tree. Holding her stick in one hand, she glanced between him and her bitten nails which she held up in front of her face.


    "Well?" he demanded, as if mimicking his movements from a moment ago would be a small feat.


    "Well?" She couldn''t help the sarcastic laugh that bubbled out of her throat. "You don''t really expect me to be able to¡ª" she began but he cut her off before she could finish.


    "Nonsense Althea. How do you expect to ever learn something if you don''t try it first?" His voice was laced with annoyance. Had she done something to offend him? Just as he had begun seeming tolerable to her, he had to ruin it with his loutish behaviour.


    "How am I to learn if I have no idea how to start?" she retorted, dropping the rod to her side and crossing her arms.


    "I''m not going to continue treating you like a child Althea, from now on you need to take control of your training. I''m here to instruct you, not coddle you."


    Althea ground her teeth together, fighting the urge to say something she might regret later.


    "Fine," she snarled lowly, picking up the daft stick from the ground. She got into the position she''d learned during their short training yesterday and shot the wooden pole out in front of her, wishing it was him she was hitting with it. In a quick sweep, she reeled the pole to her side, spinning and nearly losing her balance with the strength she put into the manoeuvre. She then did her best to use the pole to lift her body and kick her right leg out in front of her. She felt like a fool, and likely looked the part of one as well as she sent an awkward half kick into the air before the pole shifted to the side and she just barely landed on her feet.


    But when she turned back to Arsalan he didn''t smile, or laugh at her. To her surprise he just nodded and said, "good work. It wasn''t perfect, but you did your best and I commend that."


    She let out a sigh, just relieved to be somewhat in his good graces.


    They spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon practising various movements and balancing exercises with the wooden rods. By the time her training for the day was finally through, the sun was midway overhead.


    Although the sun wasn''t as unbearable as it had been in days past, Althea still felt as though she needed a good bathing after all the manual labour Arsalan had subjected her to.


    When she got to her bathing chamber, she stripped off all of the tight fitting clothes from her sticky skin and filled the large bathing tub with hot water, dropping in some various floral petals and oils to create a lovely aroma around her.


    ¡­


    When it was time for dinner, Althea made her way to the dining hall from her bed chamber, where she''d spent the entirety of her day, reading through one of the books she''d picked up from the library earlier in the week. This one hadn''t contained the usual text pertaining to the cadre or the powers of its members. This book was closely adjacent to the books Althea used to consume during her young teenage years of reading. It was a fantasy novel based around the lives of six faerie girls as they went on missions for their faerie Queen. It amused Althea how seemingly parallel her life now was to these fictional characters, which is what had her so immersed in the pages that afternoon.


    Dinner was a bit lonely without Jasper to talk and laugh with, but she was always happy to entertain the new young girl Elizabeth who now sat beside them at the table. It surprised Althea how intelligent she was, even at her young age. She¡¯d certainly not been so articulate when she was fifteen.


    "So have you gotten to practise your magic yet?" The Candidus girl asked, taking a bite of her roast pheasant. Althea chuckled and shook her head.


    "No, unfortunately I don''t think my trainer Arsalan is too set on developing my ability yet. He still remains implementing the importance of physical and mental training first," Althea said, sighing as she stared down at the asparagus and bird on her plate. There had originally been a rosemary glaze on the pheasant, but she¡¯d requested it be removed, as she could no longer stand the taste or scent after that night. Even still though, the smell filled the room, causing her to feel a bit nauseous.


    "Honestly, he is likely right," Elizabeth, or Zella as she preferred to be called, spoke with a shrug.


    "You figure?" Althea asked, raising a brow. It''s not that she didn''t trust Arsalan, it''s just that it felt like at the slow rate her training was moving, her importance here at the institution dwindled. She wanted to be asked on important missions, she wanted to know what it was that they really did here. And without much written text to go off of, Althea''s only hope of understanding this place was by becoming important enough to be told the information she sought out.


    "Mhm," Zella said, swallowing a mouthful of food, "from what I know of your kind, the ability within you isn''t a very easy one to master. And considering he is like you and hasn''t gone completely mad yet, I would listen to him."


    Perhaps she was right... Althea thought back to the prior day at the waterfall with Jasper. Maybe she shouldn''t have summoned her ability on a whim like that. The idea of going completely mad had been locked away in the back of her mind until now, but from all that she had read about time manipulation, much of the text expressed the dire consequences of using the ability without a full knowledge and understanding of its power.


    She and Zella continued their conversation outside in the courtyard, where she normally spent her time after dining with Jasper. She liked the young girl and her candour when it came to the cadre. She had also admitted that her parents told her a fair bit about the board of elders. The Board of the Ageless was their full title, as they somehow had conjured magic strong enough to slow the ageing process for centuries. According to Zella¡¯s parents, their main goal was to use the members'' various abilities to better overall society. Due to the sparing few who inherited Althea''s power, they knew what the future had to offer and sought to ensure that the pieces fell into place in order for the future to remain the same. This made sense, Althea supposed, but it still felt like something was missing. She just didn''t understand why they wanted so many members and were on the constant hunt for more if their only real purpose was¡­ well, existing.


    When she made her way back up to her bed chamber that evening, she changed into her nightwear and laid down. She had been tempted to open her book from the earlier afternoon, however with a sigh, she withdrew to her bed, seeking rest before whatever Arsalan had planned for training tomorrow. She silently prayed it wasn''t more combat training, as her body was still stiff and sore from today''s workout.


    Just as her mind began slipping into the darkness of slumber, she heard a faint scratching somewhere outside of her halfway unconscious state. She opened an eye, staring into the pitch black of her room. Had she imagined the noise? After a moment when it did not continue, she assumed her exhaustion had gotten the better of her and closed her eyes once more. Althea fixed her pillow, placing one hand under it as she began her descent into sleep at last.


    Her eyes shot open at the sound of another scratch. This time it was louder than it had been a moment earlier. Althea knew she had not imagined the noise. She sat up, wiping her eyes as if to see through the darkness around her better.


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    Removing the heavy grey comforter from her body, she spilled her legs over the side of her bed. The scratching echoed again. It sounded like someone or something was scratching against her chamber door. Clenching her jaw tightly, Althea reached towards her nightstand, looking for something, anything, to aid her in the event that someone intended to do her harm.


    Her hand scanned over the book she''d been reading earlier, that wouldn''t do. She needed something that would be able to do some damage if she needed it. Althea kept feeling until her fingers swept over the metal vase she''d not yet had an opportunity to put fresh cut flowers into. Picking up the hefty container, she stumbled her way across the dark room. Her eyes had adjusted slightly now, so she could just barely make out the outline of her vanity and chair up against the wall leading towards her chamber door. Perhaps this was Arsalans idea of a cruel prank. That would be one way to ensure her training was working, by scaring the absolute daylights out of her. She wouldn¡¯t put it past him.


    There was another scratch, this one sounding layered, as if there were multiple objects or someones rubbing against the wood at the base of the large door.


    Swallowing harshly, she held up the vase in her right hand and pressed her burning fingers against the cool metal knob. In a swift motion, Althea yanked the wooden door, letting it swing open, with a loud bang, against the wall of her bedroom.


    "Burr-ow," when her eyes didn''t immediately come into contact with anything in front of her, Althea looked down. Standing at her door was a small, calico cat. Her heart sank with relief as she lowered the vase in her hand.


    "Well hello there," she said, bending down to the cat''s level. It blinked its odd glowing eyes at her, meowing again. One eye glowed a neon green, while the other was an iridescent blue. They stared up at her, big and round like saucers. She reached her hand out towards it and to her surprise, the cat pushed its face into her hand, petting itself with her fingers. She wondered where the cat had come from? Throughout her time here at the institution she''d never seen any pets, nor did anyone mention having them. She looked to her left and then to her right, glancing to see if maybe someone had left their chamber door open allowing the cat to escape. Althea noticed no open doors besides her own, and many of these rooms were vacant guest chambers anyway.


    The feline was thin and frail beneath her fingers as she stroked the fur down the poor creatures back. It purred louder with each pet it received from her. Suddenly the cat sprung from her, walking down the hallway a few paces. Raising a brow, Althea stared at the small ball of calico fur. How could a stray cat have possibly gotten into the institution? It didn''t appear to have any illnesses or parasites. In fact, despite looking rather hungry, the cat appeared to be in quite good condition for a stray, if that''s what it was. Perhaps it was the institution''s mouser? But why had it chosen her door out of all doors to scratch at? Something inside of her felt slightly uneasy from this encounter.


    The cat turned its head to look at her. It tipped its head up, those multi coloured eyes gleaming in the candlelight, as if to say, ¡®well, are you coming?¡¯


    "Am I really about to follow a cat down the hallway?" Althea asked herself aloud. She shook her head and stood once more. The cat walked in two circles looking back up at her. She could have sworn the feline nodded its head down the hallway. Was she dreaming? Perhaps she had fallen asleep after all and this was all a ridiculous dream. She had been engulfed in that fantasy novel earlier in the day.


    The cat let out a loud yowl. "Okay okay! I''m coming!" Althea said, reaching for the candlestick on her vanity. She lit it with one of the sconces on the corridor wall. She couldn''t believe she was really about to follow a cat to who knew where.


    When she made her way to the patchwork ball of fluff, it turned away from her and began walking down the large corridor until they met the stairs.


    The cat glanced back at Althea, seeming to make sure she was still behind it.


    "Oh yeah, I''m still here," and being a complete idiot, Althea thought the last part to herself. This was absolutely insane and she knew it, but the cat began traipsing up the stairs.


    She followed and followed the feline until they made it to the very top of the institution where the library was located.


    "The library?" Althea asked, glancing down at the small cat. It meowed in response. She''d never met an animal so... willing to communicate before. But why not the kitchen? She had assumed maybe the cat was leading her towards a purpose, like a room it wanted to be let into, or the kitchen so she could fetch it some of the leftover pheasant from dinner, but the library? What could the cat possibly want from up here?


    The cat pranced into the dark empty room. It was late and none of the other cadre members utilised the library at this hour. The feline crept through rows and rows of books. This was absurd. It was no wonder the cat had been aimlessly scratching at her chamber door, it was clear to her now it had not a single thought in its small little head.


    "Now I know this is not where you came from," Althea said, raising a brow at the cat. It almost looked as if it were smirking at her.


    Suddenly the cat stopped, and sat looking up at a shelf full of multi coloured books. It just stared at them, as if waiting for something to happen. Althea blew out a sigh, preparing to turn back the way she''d come. When she did, however, the cat hissed and tangled itself in her feet.


    Althea let out a yell and fell to the ground with a hard thud. Somehow the little pest hadn''t managed to get crushed beneath her.


    "Really?" she huffed, picking up her candlestick from the floor and stood, dusting herself off. The cat meowed at her again.


    "I don''t know what you want from me!" Althea yelled, running a hand through her curls, frustrated.


    The cat sat and stared up at the bookshelf again. Althea looked at the books. They were all in the category of nonfiction. Some were the journals of old scholars, others pertained to ideas and scientific studies conducted by theoretical researchers. She wasn''t exactly sure why the cat had chosen to lead her here. The entire case was full of dust and looked like it hadn''t been touched by anyone in a very long time.


    With a sigh she lifted a random book from the shelf, titled, ¡®The Ancient Ruins of the Han Dynasty.¡¯


    Her fingers gripped the textured, dusty, brown book and as she pulled it from its place on the shelf, the entire case began to shake. Althea shuttered, yanking her hand back, allowing the book to fall to the floor.


    The bookcase shifted further into the wall. Stone grinded against stone and Althea felt like she might faint. What was this? Once the shelf was back a couple of feet, it slid to the side, revealing a hidden passageway. Never in her life had Althea seen anything of the sort. She thought back to the dozens of novels she''d read. Things like this existed outside of fiction? Her head spun and for a moment she''d nearly forgotten about the odd little cat sitting beside her.


    Suddenly it stood, sauntering into the eerie depths.


    "Wait!" she whisper-yelled to the cat, reaching her hand to grab it, but before she could, it was swallowed up into the darkness of the passageway.


    Althea''s insides felt like liquid as she reached her candlestick out in front of her, attempting to see further into the blackness.


    Swallowing, she took a hesitant step forward. She had to duck in order to fit under the top of the tunnel. It smelt of old paper and mould, causing Althea to crinkle her nose.


    In front of her she could just make out the white tip of the cat''s tail. After a few paces, the narrow passageway led into a small room. She was able to stand fully now. What was this place?


    Around her sat a small desk with an old feather quill and a pot of dried up ink. A large wooden bookcase filled the entirety of the far wall in front of her, containing at least fifty books on its various shelves.


    Her eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. It occurred to Althea that this had been no accident. The cat had purposely led her to this place... but now the question beckoned... why?


    Althea used her night shirt to wipe away the dust on one of the books in front of her. Her eyes widened at the title. It read, The Ancient Origin of the Cadre, translated to modern English in 1457. Yeah, really modern¡­ She opened the book, skipping to a random page and reading the top of it.


    Though the book was written in Middle English, Althea was able to decipher the meaning of the sentence as something along the lines of, ¡®it was only after the flame was created that the cadre itself was formed. Originally consisting of six members, Audaxus Gaius, Cyneric Marcus, Emilia Tullus, Dorius Caeso, and Rivina and Velaria whose praenomia is unknown. They were chosen to protect the security of the cadre and their powers from human interaction.¡¯


    Althea nearly dropped the book on the floor. She gripped the small desk to her side to support herself as her head spun. Why wasn''t this information in the main library? And what was the flame? Somebody had wanted to hide these books from the members of the cadre... Althea didn''t know why but she dusted off a few more of the books, planning to take them with her to read in the safety of her own room.


    When she made her way back out of the narrow tunnel, the cat followed behind her. She had no idea how to re-conceal this hidden passageway.


    Luckily for Althea, she didn''t need to think about it for too long, for the cat kicked one of the mortared bricks with its hind legs, causing the stone wall to shift and the shelf to rearrange itself back into its original position. She¡¯d definitely been incorrect in her original assumption that the cat was daft. Althea placed the book about the Chinese dynasties back in its place on the shelf.


    Just to be safe, she kept the books shoved under her nightshirt, clutching them with her hands over the fabric. She and the cat walked quickly back to her bed chamber. Was this to be her new companion? She assumed the randomly appearing feline was no stray, but also didn''t believe it to belong to anyone else.


    With a shrug, she patted the cat''s head as she opened her chamber door. It strode in before her, and she removed the books from beneath her tunic. The three she had taken were the first one she''d started to read, another titled simply, ¡®The Fourth Dimension¡¯, and the last one didn''t have a title. It appeared to be a journal of some sort. When she had flipped to the inside of the cover, a name was written there, she assumed that the journal must have belonged to Julia of House Octavia. Interesting... this was the journal of a woman. Althea had been shocked to see that three of the original cadre members cited in the first book she had picked up in the secret chamber, had been women. How had they somehow come backwards throughout time? Or perhaps when you carried unbiased power, men understood not to undermine you.


    Unable to help herself, Althea lit a fresh candle and went to work reading and reading the night away. There was no way she could sleep knowing that so much open knowledge lay beside her.


    The cat curled up at the foot of her bed, clearly determining himself a part of her bed chamber now. She''d realised it was a male cat when he''d lifted his hind leg to groom himself earlier.


    Althea read and read until the dim light of dawn fluttered through her partially opened curtains. She knew she would likely pay the utter consequence of her staying up late at training this morning, but with all she had read, it was worth it. The journal of Julia was written in a different language but somehow Althea could interpret and understand exactly what the girl wrote. She could only assume the language to be ancient Latin, for that is what Julia expressed throughout her writings, speaking of her time living in Rome. But Althea had no idea how she was able to decipher it. Never in her known life had she practised reading the ancient language or even heard anyone speak it for that matter. It was as if it were just naturally instilled into her mind. Perhaps that was another set of abilities she''d been gifted. The power to understand any language naturally. She chuckled at the thought, wondering how she had really been able to read it.


    Althea had learned that Julia of House Octavia was born in the Western Roman Empire to a wealthy family who, like Althea, bore the ability to control the fourth dimension. Each word Althea read made her insides twist with both fear and excitement. Julia had started the journal in 404CE when she was only sixteen years old. That was the first time she''d summoned her ability. According to her detailed account of the experience, she had been robbed while running an errand collecting rents for her father. When riding on horseback through the woods, seven men jumped out of the brush with daggers, ready to take everything she had. She wrote that she had been terrified, so terrified that she froze up, literally. Everything around her stopped moving and she knew she had summoned the ability her mother had passed down to her. Aevum is what they had called their kind. Althea wondered why the word was no longer used for those who had the gift of time manipulation. It meant, everlasting time. The young girl had murdered all seven men without hesitation, and implied that she felt no remorse for those who lacked repentance themselves. Her parents teleported her to the cadre¡¯s temple in a remote area of the world, so she could train. That is where she learned to write, and where she¡¯d gotten the very paper she wrote on, as it did not yet exist.


    Julia detailed the change in her power throughout the years. Like Althea, she had first been able to pause time by stilling her mind and freeing her thoughts. Shortly after that, she''d learned to see the past, the future and the present and eventually travel to these pockets within time. She mentioned the battles which the cadre was waging with what she could only describe as demons. She recounted their long fangs and leathery, rotting skin as something wholly inhuman. The cadre had called them daemonium. They spoke as people did, but lacked the characteristics and empathy of humans. According to other cadre members, they were being sent from other worlds in search for some sort of anchor to possess. To ward them off in battle, she had learned how to launch time attacks. To do this she would still her mind and picture multiple places throughout the space time continuum, summoning all of them. By doing this, an overwhelming amount of energy was produced, so much that she could release it at her projected enemy and it would explode with such force, most of the evil creatures would explode upon the impact.


    As Althea read through the girl''s writings, it became clear to her that as time progressed, Julia had begun to go mad. By the time she was twenty years old, she was the warlord of the cadre, leading battles and war missions throughout the known world. But in her journal, she expressed that sometimes she would forget things. It started as a small neglect to send off instructions to her battle commanders, or a subtle failure to remember an old friend''s name. But by 409CE she wrote that she was beginning to forget much bigger, much more important things. In a long drawn out, and painful recollection, Julia admitted she had begun to forget when she was. Sometimes she would wake up and reach out for things from the future, things that did not yet exist. When she could not find them, she would begin to get hysterical, insisting to her maids that they must have stolen them. The people she loved, the people who had grown to depend on her, began to think her a demon herself, and had cast her out of her rank and position as warlord.


    Her last journaling was written a year later when Julia wrote her own end to her story, believing that the only way she would be free of her torment, was by ending her suffering with a swift death.


    Upon closing the journal, Althea''s eyes brimmed with tears. She found herself longing and wishing she could help the poor aevum girl. She had only been a year elder to Althea when she took her own life. This made her wonder... How long would it be for her? How long before she too went mad? Or Arsalan for that matter? He had been practising his ability for much longer than she had... was he in danger?


    Althea forced herself to recognize the difference between Julia and Arsalan. She did not have the sort of guidance Arsalan or Althea did, the cadre did not yet know the full risk of such power to a young, feeble mind¡­ Arsalan knew of the dangers, and that is why he opted to not only pace his own power but hers as well. At this moment, Althea was incredibly thankful for him. If he hadn''t offered to come and train her, she would have likely ended up just as Julia had.


    Dead.

 Chapter 15

    Weeks passed as Althea carried on training with Arsalan and spending time with her friends each day, acting as if everything was normal. It wasn''t however, for Althea had continued taking more and more books every few days from the hidden library. She had such a vast knowledge now of the cadre that she wondered if anyone else here even knew the things she did. It was widely thought that the cadre was formed after an already powerful sorcerer who called himself Astaroth, had stolen the power of a god to make himself stronger and truly immortal. However, he¡¯d not stolen the power from just any god, the books Althea had scoured, declared that Astaroth had taken the power of the deity of death.


    By stealing that power, Astraroth had unleashed a kind of turmoil the world had never known, the death god went on a rampage, burning the world to cinders as he searched for the man who had taken his power. He¡¯d promised to damn all of humanity until he got his power back, and so entire kingdoms rallied their forces to find Astaroth and bring him to the deity, just so the hell unleashed over their world would end.


    But Astaroth was clever, and knew he could not outrun those who hunted him forever, so he had cast a spell to remove the gods power from himself and place it within an object. He then sent that object through time, hiding it within space and time itself, so that the god would never find it.


    To protect the human¡¯s from the death god¡¯s wrath, six individuals, from various parts of the world, banded together and successfully fractured their world in two, cleaving the human world from the magic realm. The object he¡¯d sent through time was called the flame. And the six original members of the cadre, now the Board of the Ageless, had been the only individuals left in this plane who still possessed any magic. They had created the cadre as a way to keep a piece of their lineage alive.


    Althea had also learned a much more vast amount of all that her ability encompassed. Throughout history there were many who recollected, before going mad, of the various skills they had learned. From time pausing, to seeing and visiting other times, to using time attacks. She also found it quite interesting that some had even spoken of rewinding time and redoing things they''d realised they''d done wrong, as well as going back in time to heal wounds they''d received. There had even been writings of masters manipulating the ageing process and not seeming to age for multiple years. She wondered if Arsalan knew any of this? She hadn''t told anyone, not even him or her friends, of anything she had read in these ancient texts, and withholding it from them had weighed on her conscience.


    Jasper was still away on his mission, but he had written her a letter, stating that he was okay and would be back soon. He couldn''t reveal any of the details of his mission to her, but he did say that it wasn''t anything dangerous. Although Althea missed him immensely, she was a bit grateful for his absence. She didn''t know how she would refrain from telling him of her findings.


    It was Tuesday now, and this weekend was the autumn equinox ball at the institution. According to Monique, every equinox and solstice the cadre held a ball at one of the institutions around the world. This quarter it was here at the London institution. Over the last week everyone seemed to be buzzing with activity, from the girls giddily picking their dresses and talking of the courtiers and friends they were excited to see from the other institutions, to the staff busy cleaning and decorating. Everyone was ready for an excuse to venture away from their regular activities and practices for a night of fun. From what Monique, James and Meg had told her of the balls they hosted, both here and at the other institutions, they put human gatherings to shame by comparison.


    She and Arsalan had moved from balancing her creativity, to enhancing her determination, and now this week they had begun to balance her heart.


    She laid in beneath the covers now, having just awoken for the morning. Her newest friend, who she had decided to name Archibald, or Archie for short, laid curled up at the foot of her large bed. The calico ball of fur had remained in or around her bedchamber since the first night he''d led her to the hidden library. She¡¯d asked Monique about the feline, wondering if he was the institution¡¯s mouser but she¡¯d declared they kept out any small animals with the use of magic, so she wasn¡¯t certain where the cat had come from.


    When he felt her stretch her limbs, waking from her sleep, he did the same, pawing his way up her bed towards her. It had become her new routine to wake every morning, pet him and feed him whatever leftover scraps she had from dinner the night before. Already he had begun to put on some healthy weight and looked the part of a good pet cat.


    "Good morning Archie," she yawned, reaching over to pat his head. He purred in response.


    After readying herself for the day, Althea went down to the dining hall for breakfast before training.


    Before walking into the dining hall she was greeted by Zella at the bottom of the stairs. Her and the girl had grown rather close over the last weeks, and they now spent much of their free time, roaming the institution¡¯s grounds, in the library or simply sitting in the common areas chatting together.


    "Good morning sunshine," Zella beamed at her, displaying a wide grin. Althea raised a questioning brow at the young girl''s slightly overbearing delight to see her.


    "Good morning to you too," Althea chuckled as she took her last step off of the staircase.


    "Soo," Zella drew out the word, glancing sidelong at Althea who was now at the girls side, "I know you said you were likely going to wear one of the dresses you already had this week for the ball, but I was wondering if you might want to join me this afternoon to help me find one? It''s just... this is my first official ball, and I want to make it memorable for myself, you know?"


    Althea turned to her and smiled.


    "Of course I will help you pick a dress! I would love to! Although, I don''t know how much help I''ll be, I''m not really up to date with current fashion etiquette," Althea said honestly. She wasn''t sure what people would be wearing to the ball this weekend. So far the women at the institution didn''t have as bad of taste in luxury fashion as they had amongst the regular humans. But she still sometimes felt out of place with the gowns she chose for their Sunday feasts.


    "And that is exactly why I want you to be there with me," Zella beamed, "you think I want to look like everyone else? Definitely not. I love that you always create your own sparkle in a crowd where everyone blends together."


    Zellas words made Althea''s heart ache. Hearing that really made her happy. She didn''t think anyone noticed the way she dressed or really noticed her in general. After the first week of her arrival, when everyone''s eyes had been fixated on her, and the whispers swirled and carried through the air to her ears, things had calmed down quickly. Now she felt lucky if anyone glanced in her direction throughout the day. Not that she minded though, she hated when extra attention was spared on her. She and Zella agreed to meet after Althea''s training was over for the day.


    After breakfast, Althea walked out to the training yard to meet with Arsalan. She was silently dreading whatever they were to do today. It felt like over the last couple of weeks, all he had done was work her to death. Her muscles had been in a constant state of agony, and her feet hurt from all the standing and holding poses she''d been doing.


    When she made it to the large oak tree, Arsalan was not yet there. With a sigh, she set down her small bag of stones and started to walk towards the base of the tree to seat herself beneath its shade.


    She heard something snap before¨C "Ahhh!" She lunged back, nearly losing her balance when the back of her foot met with a jagged tree root. Arsalan had jumped out in front of her, roaring a yell.


    "Arsalan!" Althea yelled through clenched teeth, holding her rapidly beating chest.


    He laughed so hard he held his stomach, hunching over in giddy delight at the fact he had scared her so tremendously. She balled her hands into fists. She hated being scared and he knew that. Suddenly the rage built up so quickly she had no time to cool herself down.


    She lunged for his legs, and was surprised when she wasn''t met with an instant mass of brick muscle. No, her arms wrapped around his legs and under her pressure they buckled. Arsalan fell to the ground beneath her with a hard thud.


    When she looked up at him he just blinked, as if not knowing what had happened to him. Clearly he hadn''t expected her to attack him like that. He looked over at her and a wicked grin spread across his facial features.


    "Well Althea, if you wanted to get on top of me, all you had to do was say so," his wide grin spread into an even wider smirk. She rolled her eyes, pushing herself off of his legs.


    "I''m glad you fell, you deserved it," she snapped back, dusting herself off. He stood as well, still smiling slightly as he brushed off the backs of his legs.


    "How did that fear and that rage feel inside of you?" he asked suddenly, she wrinkled a brow at him, not understanding the random question. "I bet it made your heart beat rather quickly didn''t it?"


    She supposed this was correct, she had felt her heart beating rapidly after the initial scare she''d received from him.


    "Well of course my heart was beating fast, I was terrified for a second!" she said, still annoyed with him. He just chuckled. God she wished she could wipe that smug look off of his face.


    "Well then it worked," he said snidely.


    "Well then what worked?" She was beginning to tire of this conversation. Were they to practise training today or keep up this annoying chatter?


    "Your heart... it responds to a lot of things in the same way... fear, rage, embarrassment, excitement... love," he said, glancing at her from the side. She gritted her teeth, looking at the angle of his set jaw rather than those piercing eyes.


    "And?" she said, trying to sound as disinterested as she could.


    "Your heart responds to everything by beating faster to send blood through your body quicker in response to the possibility of injury.¡± She rolled her eyes. Why was any of this relevant?


    Noticing her boredom, Arsalan moved closer to her, looking at her with those icy blue eyes. She swallowed. As if on signal, her heart began beating a bit quicker. Was it fear? No, she wasn''t scared of him... it definitely wasn''t love, or rage... excitement then? No... what made her heartbeat quicken now?


    "That''s why when I scared you, a mix of fear and then anger caused your body to pump blood more quickly in case the threat tried to harm you..." he glanced down at her chest and stared for a moment. A wave of heat washed over her body and she took a step back.


    "And now your embarrassment is doing the same," he said, smirking. She balled her fists again. Did he always need to be such a pompous fool?


    "You don''t intimidate me, and I''m not embarrassed," she crossed her arms over her chest, watching as his eyes moved up to her face now.


    "Tell me Althea, does your heart beat quickly when his hands touch your skin?" He moved forward another step, "or when he kisses you?" The warmth from her neck spread up to her face now.


    She breathed out an annoyed huff, "can we please just get on with our training?" Althea was tired of all these idiotic ramblings. Why did he enjoy getting beneath her skin so much? She wished she could find the words to do the same to him.


    "How about when he fucks you?" he asked, his smirk only growing as he revelled at how much he could torment her with his words.


    "I don''t know what that means... but I don''t like it," she hissed. Arsalan sometimes forgot that people in this time didn''t use that word yet.


    "It''s what he does when the two of you participate in intercourse," he mused, eyes still fixated on her with predatory intent.


    "I prefer the term, love making," she snarled back, despite not having yet done that herself.


    "They are not the same thing," his Persian accent was thick, as was the tension between them, it seemed to suck the air from the vicinity.


    He took a step closer to her, and she took one away from him. "When two people make love, it is sensual, two hearts bonding, and caring for one another. It''s slow and gentle and undemanding. It''s just you and the person you love, and nothing else in the world matters." She didn''t know when he''d gotten so close to her, but her eyes burned as she read the slight expression that flashed across his own eyes... sorrow, as if perhaps remembering something, or someone from his past. She didn''t know why it made her chest hurt, he was only a brute after all¡­


    Just as quickly as the emotion was there, it vanished, replaced with a sly smirk.


    "But fucking," he glanced at her with something sinister brewing in his mind, "fucking is rough and passionate. When two people fuck, it is laced with need and desperation, they are seeking a fulfillment for not only their own desires but, if they are a good lover, their partners desires as well. The act itself is seething with hunger and a desire so deep that it turns you ravenous," he ground out the last word, staring at her with such intensity she didn''t dare draw in breath.


    When he finally turned away, the tension was somehow cut, and her airways were clear once more.


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    "But it was just a question." With a snicker, he walked away from her at last, and towards the large tree in the centre of the massive field.


    "I''m giving you somewhat of a break today... we will be practising still meditation," he said, taking a drink of water from his canteen.


    Althea sat in the shade of the tall tree, whose lobed leaves had begun changing colour to a green now speckled with red and orange. Though the weather was usually cooler in the morning when they trained, today the sun shining down on Althea''s skin made the day feel warmer.


    They began their meditation by breathing, as they usually did. She listened to the wind tossing leaves through the air around her. The rustle of the oak branches and calling of nearby birds put her at ease from her earlier annoyance.


    "Think of the world around you," hummed Arsalan, who sat across from her. "Think of the small blades of grass, and the warm sun as it shines down on you today. Think of the trees as they begin their descent into the colder months and the birds as they migrate to warmer climates. I want you to concentrate on the love you have for this world around you."


    Althea thought of that mighty tree that soared tall above her. She had grown fond of that tree with its curved leaves and wide gnarled trunk. She found herself wondering how long it had been here. Had it grown long before the London institution had been built? Had it witnessed the power she''d read about in her ancient books? She also thought of the odd creature that had led her to those books. Cats didn''t have minds that thought the way little Archies did. Was it possible that the creature was more than just a small cat?


    "Now as you breathe out I want you to think of the people in your life who have made you feel loved." This command made Althea swallow. She thought of the people in her life that had made her truly feel loved. Growing up she would have said her father... he was always kind to her and generous... but after what he did? After he had blamed her for what happened in her bed chamber that night? Althea felt that she could no longer express that she felt loved by him, or her aunt for that matter. The woman was willing to force her into a marriage with a man who was older than her own father. The thought sickened her.


    Jasper... and Monique... and now Zella, they made her feel loved, she supposed. Jasper with the way he always looked at her with those big hazel eyes, checking to ensure she was content. Monique did her best to make Althea feel included, even though there was little she could help her with. And Zella simply by not treating her like she was an outsider here. Althea felt honoured today when the girl had complimented her.


    Her mind flashed to the man sitting in front of her. Arsalan, despite his loutish behaviour, had treated her as an equal to himself. He never looked at her like she was less than, or unable to do something. He had been so gracious to come here for months, just to ensure Althea trained safely and didn''t jump into an ability without proper knowledge.


    "Thank you," Althea spoke to him, not opening her eyes.


    There was a pause, the tension slightly growing in the air with each passing second until Arsalan spoke at last, "for what?"


    "You didn''t need to come here to train me... you could have looked the other way when the board asked you to. I know you have a life outside of London, and yet you chose to sacrifice that to help a stubborn girl with an ability she didn''t know the first thing about controlling.¡±


    He stayed quiet and after another moment of thick silence, Althea opened her eyes to look at him. He just stared at her, an unreadable expression on his face.


    "I didn''t mean to make you¡ª" she started but he cut in.


    "I should be thanking you for helping me," he said, not meeting her eyes as he stared down at the green blades of grass beneath him.


    Althea furrowed her eyebrows, unsure of what he was implying.


    "Helping you?"


    He nodded, his blue eyes dashing to look into hers. They glowed so vibrantly under the sun... almost unnaturally so.


    "Yes... back in Beijing I was..." he paused, as if looking for the words to say, "well some very bad things happened. I lost someone who I loved... very much... and because of that, I didn''t really feel like I had anything left to live for anymore." Althea wanted to reach for his hand, she wanted to do anything to comfort him and silently show him that she was here for him. But alas she made no move, for she didn''t want him to shy away right as he''d begun to open up to her. Judging by his solemn expression, this was not easy for him to talk about.


    His eyes flickered to hers once more as he said, "thanks to you, I feel I have purpose. Training with you and extending my knowledge to you brings me great joy Althea, so thank you for giving me a reason to keep living."


    Althea''s heart ached. She didn''t know how to respond without making him close up again.


    "I''m very glad I''ve been as much of a help to you as you''ve been for me," she finally did it, she reached out for his hand. His skin was hot as her fingers closed around his large, calloused hand.


    He stared down at her hand with an odd expression. Althea swallowed back the questions that rose up in her throat. His eyes roamed up from her hand to her own eyes, peering deeply at her. She bit the inside of her cheek trying to keep her facial expression neutral. Inside however, Althea didn''t know exactly what she was feeling. Something about the way he stared at her, with such intensity and calm all at the same time made her mind race. She was a bit nervous, a bit curious, a bit unsure, but something from within was pushing her. It felt as if the man in front of her held some kind of magnet that pulled her closer to him.


    Suddenly he pulled his hand away from hers, and it felt as if a cord had been cut¡­ a tether that had begun braiding itself between them. All the racing thoughts in her mind dropped to the ground below.


    "Let''s um... continue our meditation," Arsalan said, clearing his throat as he scooted a foot farther from her. Althea''s face grew hot and she found herself feeling slightly foolish. She didn''t know why, it wasn''t as though she had done anything embarrassing. Something about that shared moment had just felt unnecessarily intimate.


    "Okay," she barely choked out. What was it about him that made her feel so... utterly suffocated? Like she was drowning, and yet content to willingly do so.


    Althea and Arsalan continued their training until afternoon approached. When the sun was midway overhead, Althea sighed. "Okay, we get it, I love everyone and everything around me, and I understand the meaning of love within myself," she huffed, "but right now I have someone who would love to pick out her dress for the fall equinox ball, waiting on me."


    She knew that Zella would likely be waiting for her by now.


    Arsalan smirked at her. "Oh I see," he chuckled, "you just can''t wait to go pick out your dress for this weekend can you?"


    Althea rolled her eyes. "No, didn''t you hear what I said? I am going to help my friend Zella pick out a gown. As for myself... I''ll likely wear something I already have, I''ve got enough¡­ After all, balls and gala''s never really interested me," she sighed, picking up the green stone representing love and putting it into her bag.


    He raised an eyebrow at her. "Have you ever been to a ball hosted by the cadre?" Arsalan asked. She shook her head, though she had heard they were far more fun than regular human held balls and galas.


    "I think you''ll enjoy yourself," he smirked knowingly.


    "Okay, whatever you say Arsalan," she laughed and they made their way inside.


    Zella was waiting outside of the dining hall and smiled widely upon seeing Althea enter the corridor. Zella opened her mouth to greet her but then her eyes moved from Althea to Arsalan who walked by her side.


    She paused her motion to talk. Instead her mouth just gaped as she stared at him with a blank expression. Did she know him? Why was she looking at him like his very existence was a puzzle to her?


    "Um hi Zella... are you ready to go pick out a dress for the equinox ball?" she asked, raising a brow at the girl who stood frozen in front of her.


    She blinked quickly and looked at Althea now, a bright flush rushing to her cheeks. "Oh, yes! I am ready!" The girl said, her voice cracking as she spoke.


    "I''ll see you tomorrow at training Althea," Arsalan said, nodding curtly at the two girls before walking up the stairs.


    Once Althea and Zella were down the corridor a ways, the girl smacked Althea''s arm, looking at her with an alarmed expression.


    "That is your trainer?" she gasped. Althea just nodded in confusion. She didn''t understand why Zella was so shocked.


    "Yeah¡­ why?"


    "Well you never mentioned that your trainer looked like that," she turned her head to look behind them as if he would still be standing there.


    Althea laughed, confused by Zellas statement. "Like what?"


    Zella shot her a look as if to say, ¡®you know exactly what I mean¡¯.


    "C''mon Althea you can''t be that daft, your trainer is gorgeous. There is no way you can''t see it. Only a blind fool wouldn''t think so!" Althea was taken aback by the young girl''s words. She choked out a laugh, unsure of how to respond to that.


    "I mean I guess he is attractive..." she said, brushing her hair out of her face, suddenly feeling a wave of heat rush over her, "but trust me, his insolent behaviour dominates his physical allure." She was being honest about that. He was a complete arrogant lout and no amount of rippling muscles or sculpted facial features would make up for that. However, Althea''s brain absentmindedly slipped back to her earlier encounter with him. He had been no such thing as he poured a piece of himself out to her, so raw and vulnerable.


    Zella laughed as they continued making their way down the corridor towards the seamstresses quarters. When they made it to Layana¡¯s shop the two girls gawked at all of the beautiful gowns on display. There were so many different colours and styles that she''d never seen before. They were... extraordinary. From royal blues, to golds and deep berry reds, dresses of every colour hung from the ceiling in all different styles and lengths. Althea had never seen dresses cut above the knee except for scandalous nightgowns she caught glimpses of in boudoir shops and boutiques throughout London.


    "Good afternoon mademoiselles," Layana called out as she walked out from the back of the shop.


    "Good afternoon Layana," Althea said, still glancing around at all of the gowns on display.


    "Are all of these for sale?" Zella breathed out, in awe of her glittering, sparkling surroundings.


    "Em, well, some of them are! But some were made special for the women here at the institution." That sparked Zellas attention. She looked at Layana with a wide smile.


    "Could I have a dress custom made?" Layana smiled politely at the young girl.


    "Well, it is a bit short notice, but I think we could make something special for you, Candidus girl." Layana smiled down at the girl, taking in her prominent black and white opposing features.


    "I thank you kindly! It''s just that this is my first ball, and I want to remember it." Layana nodded and the two descended back behind the counter and began looking at fabric swatches. She knew from her past conversations with the seamstress that she and her team used technology from the future to make garments much more quickly.


    Althea took her time walking through the maze of gowns, taking in the lace details and different textured fabrics. These dresses were truly one of a kind, there wasn''t one that looked exactly alike to another.


    Rows and rows of beaded bodices and satin, glittering gowns engulfed her the farther she walked into the boutique. She reached a blank white door that was slightly cracked open, it read La Vo?te in a decorative writing. Althea was about to walk away when a gleaming caught her wandering eye.


    She lifted her fingers to the door, cracking it open slightly more so she could peak inside. It was a small room, but the gowns which hung in front of her were so extraordinary, they took Althea''s breath straight from her lungs. She swallowed down the dry lump in her throat as she took in their beauty, stepping into the room now.


    One was a golden gown with bronzed butterflies and citrine crystals beaded into the elegant train, complete with a headpiece that reminded her of the sun. On the opposite side was a dress crafted with purple chiffon fabric and amethyst crystals along the top of the boned corset. The two that surrounded the fifth and final middle dress were a ruby red and a sapphire blue, but she hardly noticed them as her eyes fell upon the most gorgeous dress she''d ever viewed. Her mouth ran dry again as she took in every detail of the enchanting emerald gown.


    There in the centre of them all, it featured a transparent netting which was specially designed to mesh perfectly with skin. To cover the chest region, were distinctly placed emeralds paired with metallic gold flecks that looked like stars. Together, with the verdant lace they covered the bust in an elegant entanglement that reminded Althea of vines.


    The silhouette was slim and cut close to the figure. The lace and emerald embellishments ran down the full length of the dress, covering the nude underlay beneath which would conceal the actual skin, minus the thigh slit up the side of the dress. It was the sleeves however, that provided this gown with its real flair. The crafter of this dress, had used ties that would wrap around the wearer''s arms, just below the shoulder. The sleeves flowed in layers down to the floor, the same gold star flecks glimmering on them as well. Like the citrine gown, this emerald gown was also accompanied by a stunning headpiece. This one however, was made from gold metal, encasing emeralds which wound like vines to form a stunning forest crown complete with golden leaves.


    Althea lifted her hand to touch the dress but before she could, she heard the door behind her creak. Althea jumped, turning to see Layana who smiled as she crossed her arms over her chest.


    "Oh I found her," she called behind her, "it appears your friend who had no interest in finding a dress today has stumbled upon La Vo?te."


    Zella poked her head inside and gazed in awe at the gowns in front of her. "Wow," she breathed out, her pupils seeming to dilate slightly at the glorious creations which sat inside of the small room.


    "Yes, these are some of my most prized gowns that I have made this season. My favourites always go in here, La Vo?te or The Vault in your tongue."


    Althea looked from Layana to the gowns once more. "You created these... masterpieces?" she gasped.


    Layana smiled, blushing slightly. "Oui," she spoke proudly.


    "Wow these are," Zella spoke, pausing as if looking for the words to describe the gowns, "astonishing." Althea nodded in agreement.


    "Merci my darlings, I greatly appreciate your praise!"


    "I don''t suppose these are for sale for this weekend''s event?" Althea asked, raising a brow. While she had not originally planned on purchasing a gown for the ball, the dress dripping with emeralds had been so dazzling she couldn''t help the image of herself wearing it as she walked through the institution¡¯s gardens, catching glimpses of its shimmering beauty in the koi ponds and fountains. How could you not want to attend a ball in such a luxurious garment? Plus the cadre had given her a decent allotment of coin as an allowance for while she was here over the past months, but having nothing else to spend it on, she had acquired a fairly large sum.


    "Well, I only give them out to those who I think can, how do you say, execute the desired outcome," she giggled but as her eyes took in Althea''s arching cheekbones and long curling hair she raised a brow. "And you my darling, you have ze look!"


    Suddenly heat rose to Althea''s cheeks at such a compliment. To be praised by someone of such beauty themselves felt like the ultimate form of flattery. The seamstress Layana flaunted a beautifully full, supple figure that reminded Althea of the depictions of Marie-Antoinette in her portrait photos. Though, her hair was a fiery orange rather than blonde and her skin had seen much more sun.


    "Why, thank you," Althea smiled, glancing again at the emerald and gold gown. The seamstress hummed.


    "Ah, oui, the emerald would bring out those lovely eyes of yours as well." Layana gave her a knowing, sidelong glance. "I''ll tell you what, you two lovely ladies just tell all the mistresses at the Fall Equinox Ball who made your gowns, the recognition is all the payment I need from you both."


    Zella and Althea turned to look at each other in awe of the seamstresses bewildering generosity. Surely the dress in front of her must have cost a fortune to create. But Althea and the young girl nodded quickly. She would grant her much gratuity for her courtesy.

 Chapter 16

    The ensuing days passed by in a blur, much like they did for nearly everyone in the institution. The young girls were busy making last-minute adjustments to their outfits, while the staff busied themselves preparing for the arriving guests, some of whom had already settled into the spare chambers. According to Monique, these events, like that to regular human balls and galas, served as a platform for couriers and debutantes to mingle, though unlike the world outside of the institution, members were not required to seek out a marriage arrangement. This was a relief for Althea, as the thought of having yet another event dictated by finding a suitable courtier was a morbid thought, especially when she already had so much on her mind from her readings over the past weeks.


    As she made her way to the training yard that morning, Althea prayed Arsalan didn¡¯t have anything too strenuous planned. He had graciously given her tomorrow, Saturday, off from her routine to ready herself for the equinox ball. Though she would likely use the extra time in the morning to sleep in.


    Today was their last day working on her heart meditation, and Althea was thankful for it. She was growing somewhat exhausted of the sitting and posing and ramblings of loving the world and people around her, especially when the ramblings were coming from someone as coarse as Arsalan. Althea''s mind shot back to what he had spoken of a few days earlier. He had lost someone who he loved... maybe he knew more of love than she gave him credit for. He was still the last person she¡¯d like to receive advice about love from though, considering he struggled to articulate his own emotions, making him ill-equipped to assist her in managing hers


    She could see him meditating silently as the wind rustled through the leaves in the large oak tree, and through the long, now slightly brown grass of the field around them. She remained quiet for a moment, waiting for him to finish his set. Once he did, he spoke in a groggy voice, "good morning Althea."


    "Good morning," she replied, setting down her bag of stones beside the massive trunk. Some of the tree¡¯s leaves had fallen to the ground in an array of reds, oranges, and yellows. She wondered if he had just arrived here himself, judging by the low bellowing voice he gave her and the bags beneath his blue eyes. They weren''t as icy as normal this morning, but almost... sorrowful.


    "Are you feeling okay?" she asked. This sparked his attention, and a bit of the usual sharpness to his features returned.


    "Of course, why wouldn''t I be," his lips turned up into his usual smirk, "I plan on finding a lovely lady to take to my bed at the ball tomorrow, what more could a man want." And his usual loutish behaviour had returned.


    "Right," Althea rolled her eyes, standing before him now. "So what will we be doing today?" she asked, her hands resting firmly on her hips, awaiting orders. She silently prayed it wasn''t more sitting meditation, though she wasn¡¯t particularly interested in practising her combat training, she didn''t know how many more tedious hours she could sit through his seemingly endless lectures. But she also didn¡¯t want to be too sore to dance tomorrow.


    "Today, we will be combat training," he said and she didn¡¯t know whether to be happy or annoyed, "but we will be focusing on the way your heart and emotions react to certain situations." Oh joy, the worst of both, how nice of him.


    Arsalan went on to walk her through the format of today''s combat exercise. She practised it a few times, until he had decided she was ready to begin the bulk of today''s training.


    "Now, I am going to put your mind in various simulations to break down your response to those situations and why you feel the way you do as a result," he said, taking a step back from her. Great, this should be fun.


    Suddenly Arsalan closed his eyes and whooshed his hands to the side. Althea fell backwards, falling onto her backside, in an attempt to step away, as he opened what appeared to be a portal. However, instead of them going in, someone came out. The blood drained from Althea''s face, as Sir Herbert stepped through the portal and stood before her. He wore the same white robe he had worn the night she''d last laid eyes on him.


    He snarled as he took a step closer to her. Althea scrambled to her feet and glanced to where Arsalan had stood seconds earlier, but he was no nowhere in sight. Althea squeezed her eyes shut, as if this would all disappear if she just thought hard enough. This isn''t real, this isn''t real. She repeated those words to herself silently before opening her eyes. The fear slowly slipped from her, replaced by an amplified, electric adrenaline.


    She breathed in deeply through her nose as Sir Herbert took another step closer to her. On an exhale, Althea took swift steps towards her target. That''s all he was, a target to defeat. Her feet moved at forty-five degree angles as Arsalan had taught her. Sir Herbert let out a low growl as he shot out a hand, attempting to push Althea''s shoulder to knock her off balance. She launched herself downwards, dodging his strike and instead struck his knees with the palm of her hand. She didn''t put enough strength behind the blow. She was still hesitating when she needed to be confident in her ability. If there was anything Arsalan had stressed the most, it was that your skill relies on your confidence. Her palm stung. Sir Herbert swung his leg back, and kicked it forward, attempting to hit her in the face. She could feel his foot graze her ear as she lurched to the side, just barely moving out of the way of his force. Luckily, the lack of impact of his kick, caused him to lose his footing slightly. Althea used this to her advantage. Moving quickly, and facing his back now, she had the upper hand. Don''t blow this.


    She lifted her leg quickly, coiling it to her body like a spring before using all of her momentum and force to kick the tall man in the back of his knees. The force of her swift kick vibrated through her body, only electrifying her more. She felt... invigorated.


    Althea wanted to let out a gleeful yell as the man fell to the ground before her, but she knew it wasn''t over yet, she had to keep him there if she wished to win this fight. The images from that night in his bedchamber rose to her mind. The way he had ripped open her tunic, speaking to her so vile. He was going to do as he wished without a single care. Her rage rose up within her as she let her imagination take hold of her mind. Images danced behind her eyes as she blinked once, images of what could have happened had she not fled. But she would not be running away this time. He sat up, starting to turn towards her as he rose from the ground.


    Letting out a savage yell, Althea jumped onto his back, grabbing his right arm and bending it behind his back, pushing it up farther and farther, listening to the screams that erupted from the vile animal beneath her. He no longer deserved the title of man in her eyes. It surprised her slightly, not her anger at him, but at the way she revelled in his cries for help. The sound brought her such unprecedented excitement that she began wondering if it were her who was the animal in this situation.


    Arsalan watched the petite girl as she kicked the backs of the man''s legs. He was only a character from Althea''s imagination, but Arsalan had used his abilities to temporarily bring him to life as a stimulant for her. He knew she needed to experience the threat if she were to use her training to its fullest potential. And Arsalan was not disappointed by what he observed. At first he had been a bit nervous, as she hesitated to use her full strength to her advantage, but now, watching her as she lunged forward, holding the man down beneath her, Arsalan wanted to cheer her on. He, of course, did no such thing, only watched as she grabbed the man''s arm pulling it up behind his back. He screamed in protest, his other arm flailing and hitting her, but she did not let go. No, she didn¡¯t even seem to notice the pain as she kept pushing harder, and as his cries increased in distress, Althea grinned. It was a wicked, twisted expression that made even Arsalan swallow. Her eyes began to glow with that amber fire within them. With her other hand she reached for the man''s neck, digging her nails into his skin as she squeezed his throat. His yelling suddenly stopped, replaced by a choking sound and Arsalan''s mind snapped from the trance of watching her. She would kill him if he didn''t stop her, not that he was real, but nonetheless he didn''t want that. Whipping his hand to the side he closed the portal quickly. Althea fell forward, the fire disappearing from her eyes as she studied the now empty ground before her.


    "He''s gone," Arsalan breathed out, catching her attention. She panted, still looking around frantically at the ground beneath her, as if desperate to finish what she¡¯d started.


    "What... how?" she stuttered looking to Arsalan. She bore a different semblance to him now. It wasn''t as if he were looking at someone entirely new, but he beheld her with a newfound discernment. Althea was not the vulnerable girl he had presumed her to be¡­ no, as he gazed down at her now, there was something wicked and primal behind that fiery gaze. And rather than inciting the fear he knew he should be feeling, this revelation only stirred some inexplicable fascination within him.


    "I..." he paused, still taking in her slightly savage stance, "I opened a portal to show you something that I knew would prompt you to use your training. He wasn¡¯t real."


    He could visibly see her jaw clench as her face twisted from disgust, to something slightly more calm. He could see that... utter chaos, fleeing from her as the vermillion hue of her eyes returned to a deep green. He smirked at her, attempting to lighten her mood as he scratched the back of his neck and stared at the ground before them.


    "That was..." he paused, looking back into her eyes, "well, I''ll just say, you exceeded my expectations."


    He could see that spark of excitement flutter through her, like a beacon of light. What he really wanted to ask was how in the hell she had mastered an attack like that on her first attempt. Even he had not been able to make it through his first stimulation without Keo having to end it early. Or his second for that matter. It had taken him three attempts to successfully win against the man who had haunted him... the same man responsible for the death of his parents. He closed his eyes and opened them a second later, looking back to the girl in front of him.


    "I..." she swallowed, meeting his gaze at last, "I don''t know where that came from." He could tell that as the adrenaline drained from her body, the realisation of what she had done, and what she had almost done, terrified her. Arsalan combed through his mind for any way to make her understand that it wasn''t a bad thing to give in to the urge to seek vengeance against those who have hurt you. He knew she had likely kept all of that range pent up inside of her mind, too afraid to ever let it come out. He had done the same thing once, and it had nearly driven him to insanity. Sometimes taking out that anger in a controlled setting is what saves you from taking it out on someone else by mistake.


    "It''s always been in you Althea, I just gave you the proper platform to release it. We aren''t designed to keep things inside, letting them build up within us. You have to let out that rage sometimes to keep yourself sane."


    She picked at her nails, not meeting his eyes as she asked, "is that what you do?"


    Arsalan nodded. "Yes Althea, it is what I was taught to do by my instructor, and what he was taught by his. If you keep those emotions inside, you can never fully heal from your past traumas. Whether it''s anger, sorrow, or fear¡­ even love. Or the loss of it.¡±


    She looked up at him. He tried to conceal the melancholy look on his face, but he could see her eyes observing him closely. She didn''t ask any questions though. He knew it was likely because when she did, he changed the subject or deflected. He was a hypocrite and he knew it.


    Closing his eyes and breathing in deeply he said, "as someone who has dealt with a lot of loss, I know from experience what all of those built up emotions can do to a person. And I still sometimes struggle to release them in an efficient manner. For me it is not so much my anger or my fear, but the sorrow I hold inside. I hate talking about loss, I hate feeling vulnerable in front of anyone, even though I know that speaking of such issues can help relieve the pain."


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    She didn''t say anything, she just listened to him, intently. Her green eyes pierced into his now, causing him to look away.


    "You can tell me," she spoke suddenly, then followed quietly with, "if you want."


    He swallowed harshly. He wanted to tell her, he wanted to connect with her but it terrified him to do so. Without fully understanding his emotions towards her, opening up to her, giving her such a big piece of him felt... too intimate. He sensed that unlocking those emotions would reignite a longing within him, a yearning for affection and fulfilment. However, Arsalan grappled with the prospect of enduring another heartache if she didn''t reciprocate his sentiments. His fondness for her company made the thought of rejection particularly daunting. During their conversation a few days ago, he had been sincere when expressing how she revitalised his spirit. He dreaded the possibility of losing that vitality due to his own misjudgment.  And even if there was the smallest chance she returned the feelings he had for her, he¡¯d made a mental promise that he would never allow himself to love someone with a like ability to his own¡­ not after Amira.


    "Maybe one day," he choked out and broke away from the trance her emerald stare put him in.


    "Let''s continue shall we?" he asked, about to take a step away from her when she said something that froze him in his place.


    "Why don''t they call us aevum anymore?"


    He slowly let his eyes rise back to hers. Where had she heard that word? The Latin word for their kind hadn''t been used in hundreds of years¡­ not by anyone but the board... and very few people aside from the board members and those who had visited the past even knew the word existed. So the question arose, how could she have possibly known about it, unless...


    Suddenly his face twisted with anger. "Have you been using your ability outside of training?" Arsalans mind raced as he awaited her response. How long? How long had she been hiding this from him? Without the proper training... even with the proper training rushing straight into that kind of time manipulation... he clenched his fists, trying to calm himself.


    "What? No! I haven''t!" she huffed, her brows curving downward as her angry stare bored into him and Arsalan breathed out, releasing his fingers. He swallowed, feeling himself begin to calm back down slightly at her reassuring words. He had witnessed too many of their kind succumb to madness due to the ability itself. The thought of her dying of her own insanity was too hard a thought to bear. But alas, the question still remained. If she hadn''t been travelling through time, then how had she become acquainted with that word?


    "Then how?" he pressed, "how do you know of that name?"


    She raised a brow at his still harsh temperament. He didn''t mean to come off as angry, he just hated how much he cared for her, despite his concerted attempts to keep his emotions at bay.


    Her eyes were like daggers as she glared at him. "I found an old journal in the library from a girl who shared the same ability as us, and she referred to our kind as aevum," she retorted cooly, mimicking his own behaviour.


    Arsalan furrowed his brows, wondering how old the journal could possibly be. He knew that the board had collected a vast amount of literature for their own Skyworth library over a century ago, leaving only the most basic texts for the majority of the cadre to read. The only people who were allowed to study the books they kept in Skyworth needed a signed letter from one of the board members themselves, as he and his parents had when gaining knowledge of the flame and various missions.


    "When was this journal dated?" he asked curiously. She shrugged and he could feel her pulling away. She was likely wondering if telling him about this had been the right choice.


    "I don''t remember."


    She was lying. He could read it all over her face. She didn''t trust him. And why should she? What had he given her to earn her trust?


    "I am not going to tell anyone of this mysterious journal, but I need you to be honest with me Althea. I know I... well I know I''m not the nicest person sometimes, and you probably don''t trust me. But you can, okay?" Surprising even himself, Arsalan reached his hand out to take hers. Her skin was soft against his and her hand was warm. "I would never do anything to hurt you."


    It was true. He knew he should have told the board members of any knowledge he had of her in relation to the flame, but he hadn''t been able to bring himself to. He knew they would likely torture her for answers he wasn''t even sure she had for them, and he could never relinquish someone to a fate like that unless he held true loathing for them. He wasn''t sure what he witnessed inside of Althea, but he planned to decipher that for himself.


    She breathed out a sigh.


    "It took place over years, but I believe it started in 404CE."


    404? And it was written in English? The official language spoken throughout the cadre at that time was still Latin. Someone had written the journal in English? Perhaps they had gotten trapped in the past, as he had heard some did when travelling through time.


    "It was written in English then?" he asked just to be sure.


    Althea hesitated before shaking her head slightly. He watched as her brown curls bounced from side to side.


    "No... it was written in Latin." His face scrunched. But in that case, how had she interpreted the writing? His eyes scanned her face for any answer to his silent question. All he found was her innocence staring back up at him. Then she spoke, as if reading his mind.


    "I don''t know how, but I understood every word," she paused, looking at him briefly before continuing, "Arsalan, I have never learned Latin in my life." He went still at her words.


    "The only language I ever learned as a girl was French, and even that was sparse. I just... I don''t understand how I was able to read and interpret that journal. I¡¯m beginning to feel I''m going a bit mad. Is there any correlation between our ability and being naturally bilingual?" she asked. Arsalan shook his head. He had never heard of such a thing in his life. He wished he could provide answers to her questions but he had no knowledge of the topic.


    "No, I have never heard of that before I''m afraid." Arsalan thought back to all of his readings, trying to think of something, anything that would account for this oddity, but all he could think of was one book. It was a book on the flame written by someone with their ability who he had assumed must have gone mad, upon reading his theories. The man had hypothesised that whatever the flame was had to be sent through time, so far into the future that it could remain intact for thousands of years, remain protected and enchanted. The man had written that spells over objects fade as they pass through time, but spells placed on people, remain forever with their souls. He glanced back at the petite brunette girl in front of him. It couldn''t be. There was no way she wouldn''t remember if she had been sent through time... either that or she was very good at manipulating him and everyone else around her.


    "What is it?" she asked, her big green eyes staring up at him with such innocence that it made him question his own judgement.


    He blinked, forcing a cool expression over his features. If she had been manipulating him, now was not the time to give in to her easily.


    "What year were you born?" he asked quickly. She tilted her head and raised a brow.


    "Why, I was born  in 1735 in Manchester," she answered, with a small laugh. "Have you gone mad yer self then?"


    He needed to be certain there was absolutely no way she could be connected to the flame.


    "What was your first memory as a child, and how old were you when this memory occurred?" Arsalan asked, not yielding his cool stiff stare at her. Her small smile faded and he could see her shift, standing slightly straighter.


    "This is beginning to feel like an interrogation Arsa¨C"


    "Just answer the question," he interrupted. He knew if he heard her say his name with such light warmth he would give in. It took everything within him not to break now.


    Althea curled her upper lip in a slight snarl and spat the words at him with such vigour he wanted to recoil, "one of my earliest memories is my father reading to me in the courtyard of his estate. I was nine years old."


    "Nine?" Arsalan asked. "Have you no memories younger than that?"


    She shook her head, the disgusted look still evident on her face. "And you do?" she snapped.


    "Going to the creek with my mother to do the washings, I was four, buying my first toy with my own coin, I was six, watching my parents burn to death in front of me, I was seven years old. I remember a lot from my childhood, Althea," he snarled back the last part at her. The thought of her being a part of the cause for all that had haunted him these past years made him want to scream out in agony. But not knowing was worse. If there was one thing he hated most, it was uncertainty.


    She closed her eyes at his raw words. When she opened them, a silent tear ran down her olive skin, gleaming in the midday sun. She made no move to wipe it away. She only looked at him, appearing just as broken as he felt watching what he was doing to her.


    "I''m sorry Arsalan." Her words were light despite the harsh tone he had spoken to her in. Her pink lips quivered as she sucked in a shaky breath through her mouth. He found it challenging to view her through any lens other than the one that portrayed her as a captivating, benevolent, and altruistic young woman. She was every bit of what Arsalan imagined an angel to look like with her perfectly carved features, and big green eyes that reminded him of the forest. Again he could feel his heart racing, begging him to trust her. She couldn''t be evil, he wouldn''t accept it.


    "Yeah me too," he said, hoping she would know that he meant those words.


    "There is something else I remember. It''s a bit fuzzy though as I don''t think about it very often and I never asked my father about it, or have even spoken about it to anyone before... But I have this odd memory of standing, on a cobblestone street in the middle of Manchester, the rain was falling around me and my clothes were wet and torn, when my fathers carriage stopped in front of me. I..." she paused, and Arsalan studied her, noticing now that she was trembling slightly. "I remember, he told me to get in and dry off... but I have this memory of him, he looked at me and he asked me, ¡®what is your name young girl?¡¯ It never made any sense to me why he would have asked me such a question, but I knew my name, I told him it was Althea, and then we went home. I never questioned anything about my life... as time went on, I told myself it was only a strange dream¡­ but now," Althea sniffled and tears began falling down her cheeks, "now I don''t know what''s real and what''s not anymore Arsalan." Her green eyes flashed with genuine fear as she looked into his, "I- I don''t know and I''m starting to question everything and everyone I''ve ever known. I''m beginning to feel as if my entire life has been fiction and I''ve finally awoken to find that everything around me was all a lie." Althea choked out the last words before a sob escaped her quivering lips.


    He knew he shouldn''t but he couldn''t help himself, Arsalan opened his arms and engulfed her in a tight hug. Her light scent embraced him like the first warm breath of spring. He closed his eyes, breathing in deeply as he craned his neck down to rest on her head. His heart broke as she let out a muted sob into his chest. He stroked her hair as she cried, not loosening his hold on her. He would let her be the one to pull away when she was ready. For now, in this moment he just stroked his fingers over those long brown curls, and did what he could to comfort her. After a few moments, her crying slowly came to a stop, and she pulled away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she sniffled still.


    "I''m sorry," she said so quietly it was almost a whisper.


    "No Althea, I''m sorry. I should have never forced you into a corner like that, and I apologise. Please forgive me?" Arsalan could count on one hand the amount of times he had asked forgiveness from someone, but this was one time he knew it was necessary. He found himself longing to reach up and caress her smooth cheek which was still damp from her tears, but he stopped himself. Already he had allowed himself too much of her than he should have, he knew he was only creating later pain for himself.


    "Yes, I forgive you," a small smile pulled on her lips, "and after training next week I will bring you to my bedchamber to show you some of the books I have found."


    Arsalan hated that his mind had veered off course for the slightest of seconds at the mere mention of her bedchamber. He made a conscious effort to refocus, reminding himself that Althea would never be anything more than his trainee and, perhaps, a potential friend.


    However, as they ended their training that afternoon and he followed her back towards the institution, his mind was overrun by thoughts of her. From everything she had told him today, to her possible relation to the flame, he couldn''t rid her from his thoughts. Then there were the images he tried the most desperately to push away, some invented by him while he slept, others that he¡¯d involuntarily saved in his mind. The smooth skin of her legs, leading up to her curved hips, as she bent over to stretch¡­ or the way her cheeks flushed and those green eyes lit up when he praised her¡­ or the way her full breasts bounced slightly as she practised her cardio. It took everything inside of him to look away when a sudden cool gust of wind whisked past them causing her nipples to harden beneath the thin training garbs she wore.


    Arsalan, despite his desire to resist it, was profoundly and unceasingly mesmerised by Althea Lezant.

 Chapter 17

    Althea slept in the next morning, enjoying the break from her training. While most of the girls had already begun their prepping for the autumn equinox ball tonight, she did not mind getting a late start if it meant keeping her sanity in check. She honestly didn''t know what to expect tonight. The night before, in the dining hall, it had been a bit rowdy. She had never seen it so full and loud with chatter. Nearly every seat had been taken and their groups usual seats had been occupied by faces she''d never seen. She and the Candidus girl had opted to take their dinner to the courtyard where it was much more quiet. There were still people who had managed to flood out into the cool night air with them, but not nearly as many as had been inside. It made her feel cramped, and the air had been humid from so many bodies. She just hoped that the ball tonight wouldn''t feel the same, with people practically walking on top of each other.


    Althea combed through her long brown curls, running herself a bath filled with some of the more luxurious oils she''d gotten from Florence at the apothecary. The mixture consisted of rose geranium, sweet orange and honeysuckle oils along with some of the last remaining summer peony petals she''d managed to snatch up. The aroma that filled her bathing chamber was intoxicatingly delightful. Althea closed her eyes and breathed in the scent deeply, savouring it.


    There was a long eeow from the door separating her bathing room and her bed chamber, followed by a scratching. Shaking her head, Althea cracked the door open, allowing the calico cat with his half black, half white face, to enter the room. Archie sniffed the air, froze for a moment, then let out a sneeze so powerful it sent the poor feline flying backwards into the door.


    She couldn''t help the giggle that arose from her throat at the creature. He didn''t seem too pleased at her reaction though, as he glared up at her with those gleaming multi-coloured eyes.


    "Maybe coming in here wasn''t the best idea," she mocked, loosening the tie on her robe, to remove it so she could climb into the hot, steaming water.


    The funny little cat turned away, not looking at her, as she ridded herself of the fabric and climbed into the tub. The water was hot, but felt amazing on her skin.


    "Okay, Archibald you can look away from the wall now," she mused, finding the small cat more interesting with each passing day. She looked up to stare at the exquisite emerald gown, hanging down in front of her. Althea had gotten the dress perfectly sized to her body thanks to Layana. When she had slipped into that soft, whimsical gown she no longer felt like the weak girl who had travelled to London after being cast away by her father. No, when she had stared at her reflection in Layana''s mirror upon trying on the dress for the first time, she felt like a woman, and she looked the part too. The fabric had cinched ever so nicely around each of her curves, the heaviness of the crystals only making her feel more powerful.


    ¡­


    Zella arrived at Althea''s bed chamber right at three o''clock just like she said she would. For reasons Althea could not begin to understand, the girl wanted Althea to do her makeup. Despite her numerous attempts at coaxing Zella into getting her makeup done by someone who actually knew what they were doing, the stubborn girl had insisted it be her. Even though she didn''t understand, it still made her feel good to be needed. She just hoped she could meet Zellas expectations.


    Althea was twisting her damp hair around a thin piece of cloth in the hopes of making some kind of style from it later, when Zella gave a small knock and entered Althea''s room carrying a garment bag slung over her shoulder. She had never been in Althea''s rooms before, and her reaction made Althea wonder if her room was special compared to others. Zellas eyes widened as she gazed around the large bed chamber with its grey satin canopy bed and the delicate hand carved wooden ceiling and vanity. She had the large hearth at the room''s centre burning with warmth, now that the weather outside had begun growing colder.


    "My, my, your bedchamber is..." Zella paused, glancing over at Althea with a wide eyed gaze, "well are you royalty here?"


    Althea snorted. She was the farthest thing from royalty. She was hardly even of use here at the institution.


    "Certainly not," she shook her head, "is your bed chamber not similar to this?"


    Zella shook her head, continuing her slow scan of the elegant grey room.


    "I¡¯m afraid not, it is dusty and looks as if my granddad slept there before me," her lips perked up into a smile and she laughed looking back towards Althea, "and with how long my family has been here at the London institution he likely did."


    Althea chuckled, shaking her head, and patting Archie''s head as he laid in the shape of a loaf on the foot of her bed.


    "So I''m afraid my cosmetics are somewhat limited, as I don''t usually wear a lot, but I have some powder, rouge for the cheeks, charcoal for the eyes and brows and some lip stain." Althea glanced over to the girl, studying Zella''s prominent features which were still striking to her despite seeing the girl daily. Her skin was mostly a pale porcelain with some speckles of darker pigment throughout her face and arms. Althea''s mind wandered with ideas of which cosmetics would make those slightly upturned eyes pop the most. She wanted to further accentuate those contrasting eyes as best she could. Althea still had yet to see another person with features so stunning.


    "I trust your judgement," she crooned, sitting down on Althea''s vanity chair, glancing at herself in the mirror.


    Althea laid out all of her cosmetics on her vanity, getting to work on her face. She used her lightest powder, fluffing it into her skin, careful not to cover the darker spots on her face, as she found they only added to her natural beauty. Then she took the charcoal pencil and began filling in her brows in the areas where dark hair grew, allowing the splashes of white throughout to be even more prominent. And for that same reason she had not opted to cover the girls naturally long lashes with the dampened charcoal. Instead, she drew a line across the top of the eye line, dragging it out and up slightly, mimicking the way her eyes were naturally shaped.


    She then used her index finger to lightly smudge the bold line, adding a bit of softness to her eyes. Then Althea did the same to the outer corner of the under eye. She finished the look with a warm pink rouge that she swiped upwards, nicely accentuating the girl''s elegant high cheeks, along with some deep red lip stain.


    When she pulled away, Zella smiled, her dark red lips quirking up, followed by her eyes. She looked stunning, she already had, but the makeup did suit her very well.


    "Are we done?" Zella asked. Althea had her facing towards the light of the window, so she hadn''t been able to see her reflection in the vanity mirror. After nearly a half hour of work, Althea wiped her charcoal smudged hands on her trousers and nodded.


    "Yes," she answered. But before she let the girl get up, she untied Zella''s hair, letting it flow down in its noir and blanc cascade, with the obsidian black on her left and the icy white on her right. Her wavy hair fell just to the centre of her chest.


    The girl stood excitedly, and despite her only being fifteen, she was already a bit taller than Althea who stood smaller than most of the women at the institution.


    Zella reached the mirror, gazing at herself with a blank expression. Althea''s face heated and her heart beat faster as her worry got the better of her. She had thought the girls'' makeup looked lovely, but what if it was too different from that of the traditional modern makeup that many women outside of the institution wore? She swallowed nervously as Zella turned to look at her.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "I told you I wasn''t well versed in cosmetics!" Althea said, covering her face in her hands.


    "Why, you jest too much, you could be a cosmetic artist if you really wanted to! I''ve never felt so... beautiful before," she lightly touched her fingers to her cheek as she turned her head to look at every detail of her face. "And you didn''t cover my pigment spots either! Every mistress I''ve had do my makeup has covered them to make me look normal but you, you enhanced them, and made them look even more vibrant! Thank you Althea!"


    She turned and hugged Althea tightly, careful not to rub any of the cosmetics off. Althea smiled and her heart felt full with delight. She was so happy Zella liked her work. Perhaps if all else failed she could be a cosmetic artist like Zella had said.


    ¡­


    Althea applied the finishing touches to her own look which consisted of a darker face powder, due to all the sun her training had exposed her to, and the same rouge that Zella had worn. However, rather than a smudged black wing across her eyes, Althea opted for something a bit lighter. She used the same brown ink she''d used on her brows to create a light shading in the crease of her eyelid, blending it upwards slightly, towards her temple. It was a simple notion, but it added a nice dimension to Althea''s eyes. As she finished with a neutral coloured lip stain, the door to her bathing chamber creaked open. When Althea turned, all the air inside of her body left her.


    Standing in front of her was no longer the young girl she had spent all of her recent days with, but a Candidus queen. Zella looked breathtaking in her gown, so much so, that Althea gawked at her.


    The girl let out a giddy laugh and did a twirl, holding the back of the dress where it still needed to be laced up. Layana really outdid herself. The dress was absolutely perfect for her. It flawlessly emphasised the black and white contrast of her flowing hair, brows and lashes with a white fabric meshed with black embroidered lace. The neckline was straight, and a bit high, which was perfect for a young girl of her age, and added so much elegance to her already queenly figure. The dress cinched in at the waist before plunging out into a train made from black feathers. Zella had paired the flowing dress with delicate black lace gloves.


    "Zella," Althea blew out, dropping the lip stain she''d been holding back down onto the vanity.


    "Isn''t it magical?" Zella beamed, staring down in awe at herself.


    "Yes!" Althea said honestly, her eyebrows raised in the middle as she witnessed a young girl becoming a woman right before her very own eyes, "it is absolutely dream-like, as are you! Why, you look like a queen Zella!"


    A blush spread over the girl''s face as she gave Althea a cheeky smile. "Can you lace me up?" she asked, turning her back to Althea.


    Smiling, Althea took the soft satin laces in her fingers and pulled them taut, securing the gown around the girl''s lean figure.


    "There you go!" Althea said, pulling away once the tie was secure.


    Zella turned back to Althea and grinned, "okay! Your turn now! Go put yours on! And take that odd contraption off of your head!" she laughed. Althea had nearly forgotten about the cloth she''d wrapped her hair in to allow it to dry in larger curls, she just hoped it would work the way she''d imagined. If not she could always give in and put it into an updo, though she much preferred her hair down, after being forced to keep it pulled back for so many formal events.


    Obeying tonight''s queen''s demands, Althea went into the washroom, slipping out of her charcoal smudged trousers and tunic. She shimmied into the undergarment Layana had provided with her gown. Which consisted of the tiniest scrap of a fabric that matched Althea''s skin, so that it may not alter the image of the dress on her body in any way, and nothing to cover Althea''s bust which was an entirely new concept to her when she had arrived at the institution two months ago, but now had become normal to her. She couldn''t say it bothered her though, not being so constricted with all of those layers and layers of petticoats, shifts and corsets. She couldn''t imagine training with Arsalan in layers of skirts and boning. She almost laughed aloud at the thought and the mental image that swept into her mind.


    Althea let the smooth mesh fabric slide over her body. She had undone the twelve buttons at the base of the back of the gown, allowing her curves to slide in smoothly. She was able to fasten a few of them back herself but knew that the remaining buttons would require some help from Zella. The dress stayed up enough, however, that she was able to tie the long flowing sleeves around her tanned arms. When Althea stared at her reflection in the standing mirror across from her bathing tub, she nearly shed a tear at the stunning beauty of the dress. Even in the dim candlelight of the bathing chamber the emerald stones glimmered and twinkled. However, she let out a small giggle when her eyes scanned their way up to her head. Zella had been correct in her wording moments earlier, it did look a bit foolish.


    Althea took the white cloth in her fingers, untying it and slowly unwinding her now dry, brown hair from the fabric. It looked a bit harsh at first, but after a few finger strokes through, her silky curtain of brown locks unfurled down to her waist in bodacious, luscious curls. They weren''t the normal spiral swirls that fell down her torso, but instead an elegant, voluminous set of bouncing waves. They looked beautiful. She took the emerald and twig headpiece from its place within the box Layana had put it in, and placed it atop her head, securing it there with clips. She took in her reflection, raising her chest as she did so. It was so bizarre to her how a garment could make her feel so... different. She felt like she could conquer the world in this gown. No, she felt like she could reach new worlds in a gown like this. Raising her chin, Althea took in every sharp angle of her face, lowering her gaze down to her prevalent collar bones. Suddenly she could see what it was that had attracted Jasper to her. It wasn''t that she found herself unattractive, she supposed, but now, looking at herself it was as if she were a new twinkling star in the obsidian night skies far above.


    Giving herself one last glance over, she made her way back into her bed chamber.


    Zella was sitting on Althea''s bed, staring down at something in her lap, when she looked up her face was not beaming with delight as it had been moments ago, but instead she greeted Althea with a watery gaze, something like betrayal written across her smoky features.


    Althea furrowed her eyebrows and glanced back down to the object Zella had been staring at. It was a book. Althea''s eyes flashed wide with terror. She couldn''t see from here which book it was, but judging by the look across Zella¡¯s face, she supposed it had likely been about something the girl did not yet know.


    "When were you going to tell me?" Zella asked, blinking away the tears that had formed in her eyes.


    Althea shook her head, honestly unsure what the girl was talking about. What had she read? Was it in relation to the cadre? The flame? Her ability? She had such a wide variety of books she''d smuggled from the hidden library that she couldn''t even make a guess as to what the book had inscribed.


    "Tell you what?" Althea choked out, her voice cracking slightly despite her efforts.


    "Of the mound of books beneath your bed entailing matters of the cadre and the flame? I''ve only heard of the flame spoken about in passing by my parents... why, Althea, do you have this mountain of books in your room?" Zellas tone was no longer light and happy. No, it was harsh and stern. Althea knew she couldn''t lie to her. But telling her the truth... what would happen if she told the other members of the cadre... or the board for that matter. She swallowed down her fear and found the courage to speak.


    "It''s..." she paused momentarily, gathering her tangled web of thoughts. "I found a hidden library," she blurted, "it was concealed behind an old bookshelf in the main library... Zella I didn''t mean to come into contact with this information, but I did, and these books, they give way to so much information¡­ Information that this cadre has fought to keep hidden, and I just wanted to know why. I just wanted answers about this place, my ability, but every time I tried to ask I was met with dismissal. And ugh, I was just tired of it!" The words tumbled from her lips in an unorganised mess. Zella just stared at her, an unreadable expression amongst her features.


    "We have a ball to attend, and I will not let you ruin this night for me, but we will be talking about this tomorrow, understood?" In that one statement Zella sounded more intimidating and vastly older than Althea.


    She nodded, like a child being scolded by their mother, "yes."


    "Then come, let''s enjoy ourselves tonight, and tomorrow I will be here to speak about these... books." She eyed Althea warily, starting to turn away, but before she could, Zellas head snapped back to look at her, "oh and Althea, you can trust I will not speak of any of this to anyone."


    That was all the confirmation Althea needed to be put at ease as they exited her bed chamber and made their way down to the ballroom.

 Chapter 18

    As the two ladies made their way down the first set of wide stairs, the chatter from below flowed up in echoes of conversation. It was nearly eight o''clock now, the time the ball was set to start. Althea felt she could see the amount of people in the main corridor before they''d even descended fully down the stairs.


    When they did reach the landing where the corridor became visible, a wide range of vibrance filled Althea''s vision. Both women and men dressed to the nines. Some more traditionally dressed, others wearing pieces Althea had never even imagined could exist. It made her happy to see that the crowd here did not conform themselves to a strict fashion regime as they did in regular society. But even still, none of the ladies in view were dressed precisely as the two girls were. Each gown and tailored suit were like snowflakes, none exactly the same as the each other. Though, Althea did recognize some of the gowns that had been hanging in Madam Layana''s boutique. In particular one that had sparked her interest when she''d been combing through the rows and rows of gowns earlier in the week. It was an irredentist gown, with a slender shape like hers, but the portion that had really caught Althea''s eye was the cascade of peacock feathers fanning down one side of the dress. They also splayed out like a fan, as a peacock would spread their feathers, behind the woman''s back. The dress suited her fair skin and blonde hair nicely as she stood, sipping from a champagne flute and laughing at the man standing across from her.


    Zellas arm was intertwined with Althea''s, and as they began making their way down the steps, Zella breathed out shakily, "here we go."


    Althea looked sidelong at the young girl, noticing for the first time, a slight unease to her features. She squeezed Zellas arm, gaining her attention and flashing her a warm smile, as if to say, ¡®you''re doing great.¡¯


    Zella smiled back and looked forward again. As they swept down the stairs, their gowns trailing behind them, Althea began to notice heads turning their direction. She focused on lifting the bottom of her dress slightly, so that it didn''t catch on the stairs in front of her. When she looked back up her eyes met with stares of awe in every direction she looked. Some turned to their companions to whisper things, others raised brows or gawked slightly. Althea swallowed, keeping her firm hold on Zellas arm. She did the same.


    When they reached the bottom of the staircase, Althea released a breath she hadn¡¯t realised she''d been holding. They only made it but a yard into the corridor before they were greeted by an eager looking young debutante with golden blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. Her voice was high pitched and slightly nasally as she said, "my goodness ladies, your gowns are stunning! Would it be too much trouble if I pester you for the names of your designers?"


    Althea smiled down at the young girl before replying, "not at all, we both got our gowns made by Madam Layana, here at the London institution. I expect she''ll likely be making our acquaintance tonight, look for a tall, bodacious woman with long fiery orange hair like you''ve never seen. You can''t miss her." Althea smiled at the girl who nodded swiftly and began looking around her.


    "I thank you kindly!" she said as she walked away, appearing in a daze.


    Althea and Zella turned to each other and shared a knowing grin before continuing their way into the ballroom. Althea had only ever been inside the ballroom during her rainy day training with Monique, and during the time while she waited for Arsalan to show, that first day of training. But the ballroom then, and the ballroom before her now were two entirely different concepts. It would appear that all of the preparation done by the staff had not been done in vain. As the two of them stood atop the wide dias before the curved staircase, Althea''s eyes sparkled with wonder at the room beyond.


    Upon stepping through the wide double doors, hand carved from dark stained wood, there was a room full of laughing, chattering, and dancing individuals. Even more people piled into the room beyond than there had been in the corridor. It was by far the largest event she''d ever attended, but she supposed that was fairly merited considering this institution now held nearly all of the members of the entire cadre. Hundreds of people filled the massive room. She didn''t remember it being quite so large the last time she was in here. The patterned wooden floors were shiny and polished, as were the stairs, it looked marvellous here. The room was bright and the crystal chandeliers glimmered brightly as if each individual glass crystal had been cleaned and shined to perfection. She had no doubt that they had been.


    The pair made their way to the top of the stairs, still clasping their arms together, mutually using each other to keep balance. Althea found herself glad that she had someone to do this with. This may have been too much for her if she had come alone.


    Her eyes scanned the colourful crowd of feathers, precious silks, hand strung lace, and glimmering crystal gowns as she peered down at the crowd below. An orchestra consisting of violinists, a pianist, harpists, and flautists played an upbeat waltz in the far corner of the ballroom.


    She continued scanning the room until her breath caught suddenly in her throat. Familiar icy eyes stared at her with such intensity it made her body tense up. She swallowed, not breaking eye contact with Arsalan as he took a sip of amber coloured liquor, drinking her in with those sultry eyes of his. She could feel her heart rate pick up as she watched his eyes run down the length of her dress. He licked his lips as he set the glass back down on the table in front of him. Two women approached his table but he paid them little mind as his eyes devoured her whole, that stare somehow growing more intoxicating with each passing second. She could feel herself still moving as she walked down the stairs, but her mind was frozen on him.


    Suddenly someone blocked her view, and she nearly tripped, but Zella held her firm thankfully.


    When her eyes focused on the male in front of her, they widened and she grinned.


    Dressed in a grey tailcoat and a fitted suit, stood Jasper looking dapper as ever.


    "Good evening my love," he smiled sheepishly at her, the dimples in his cheeks shown through. She pulled her left arm from Zellas embrace and threw them both around him, letting her long sleeves drape over his shoulders. She didn''t realise how much she had dearly missed his company until he was standing there in front of her. Althea let out a breathy cry, "Jasper!"


    He wrapped a firm hand around her waist, the other held her head as he embraced her.


    "I''ve missed you so much," he sighed into her hair. She could feel the warm trickle of his breath on her neck.


    When they finally pulled away slightly, she cupped his face, planting a yearning kiss on his lips. She could feel the desperation within him as well as his warm lips moulded to hers. She didn''t want to draw the kiss out too much, as they were in a very public setting, so despite what her heart wanted, she pulled away. She turned breathlessly back towards Zella who only smirked.


    "My apologies for briefly stealing away your companion miss Elizabeth," Jasper crooned and Zella gave him a knowing grin.


    "Oh it is quite alright. In fact, the two of you should go share a dance or two together! I am going to greet some of my old friends," Zella beamed looking passed them at a group of young girls who appeared as though they could be Zellas age. "But you take care of her, I need her intact so she can keep applying my cosmetics for me." They both laughed before Zella walked past them.


    Althea turned to look at Jasper again, his eyes falling on her emerald gown.


    "God above, you look absolutely delectable tonight," he said, lowering his hand down her back slightly. There was a hunger present in his hazel eyes that suggested he indeed hadn¡¯t forgotten an ounce of what laid beneath her dress¡­ what she¡¯d let him witness of her that day by the water.


    "You look very handsome yourself," she crooned, leaning up to place another kiss on his lips. He tasted mint and citrus just as she remembered. This time Jasper slid his warm tongue into Althea''s mouth, draping it across her own. She pressed her legs together slightly, feeling the heat radiating from her core as his hands roamed her jewel covered body.


    He pulled away this time, seeming to have forced himself not to take their embrace any farther before so many eyes.


    "Shall we?" he asked, as the orchestra struck up a new song. She nodded, taking his outstretched hand as he led her to the ballroom floor. While she walked behind him however, she found herself glancing back to where Arsalan sat. He no longer paid her any mind, as many beautiful ladies flanked his table. She supposed his hopes for tonight would likely come true. She ignored the odd feeling that bubbled within her at that thought.


    ¡­


    Arsalan was seated at the large, round table, trying his best to seem interested in the ladies who sat around him. The one at his right, he believed she said her name was Kathrine, leaned over the table on her elbows, staring at him with big, doe eyes. He knew she did this so that her swelling breasts were positioned perfectly in his line of vision. Not that she needed any help showing them off as they were already hanging nearly out of her bustier gown. "So all of that training must get you really tense huh?" she asked, curling a strand of thick black hair around a finger.


    "Not really," Arsalan said lamely, then forced himself to add, a bit less drab, ¡°I meditate to help with that.¡± He already wanted to leave and he''d only been here less than an hour. He glanced over at Althea who was now being led over to the centre of the ballroom for a dance. Arsalan clenched his jaw as he watched the smile that was plastered on her pretty, plump lips as they bowed to one another and began their dance, minuet. She had taken his breath away when he''d first caught a glimpse of her at the top of the stairs. The gown, the way it fit her so perfectly. She looked like an ancient ruler with that glimmering, emerald tiara atop her head, and she had the demeanour of one too as she stared down at the crowd, as if strategizing how best to conquer them all.


    "Did you hear me, Mr. Hashemi?" the woman at his side asked, her tongue clicking with each word, god it made him want to rip off his own ears.


    "What was that?" he asked, trying to sound somewhat interested. She was a pretty girl after all. But her personality was just so... dull.


    "I was asking if you were thinking of dancing tonight? You appeared to be longing for the dancing floor as you gazed over there," she said, sending suggestible glances between him and the centre of the room. He sighed, knowing she wanted a dance with him. But if he were being honest, he didn''t want to dance with anyone... anyone but... he glanced again at Althea who grinned up at her lover. Arsalan rolled his eyes, hating the rage that built up in him, seeing her wrapped in his arms. Even the way he danced was so utterly boyish. His minuet formation was all wrong, even Arsalan knew it and he rarely danced. The right hand should always remain between the shoulder blades and the middle of the back for the most support. It was the man''s job to support the woman as she danced. And yet this pompous boy was too busy sinking his hand lower and lower towards her arse. Arsalan forced his eyes away from the centre of the room, unable to sustain his calm demeanour any longer.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I don''t think so, now if you''ll excuse me," he said, standing abruptly, and making a quick exit from the ballroom without looking back. He needed to step outside, just for a moment, for he was beginning to feel slightly suffocated with so many people around him.


    The woman said something from behind him but he didn''t bother listening as he made his way out to the corridor.


    ¡­


    Althea''s heart raced as Jasper twirled her around the ballroom, one hand on her lower back, and the other cupped against her own hand. Her emerald gown whirled around them in wide sweeps of green. She thought of that very first night they''d met, when he''d spun her around just as he did now. It felt like it had been centuries rather than mere months since their first encounter that summer night. Oh how blind she truly was to the things that existed around her without her knowledge. She found herself wondering if he had known, that night as they swayed beneath the stars, that she would grow to love him as she did. Althea felt Jasper''s fingers curl around the fabric at the base of her spine, pulling her closer to him.


    "I wouldn''t have missed this night with you for anything," he breathed into her ear. Althea swallowed back her strong yearning for him, knowing that if she thought of anything but the motion of her steps, she''d likely lose her balance and send this whole dancing floor into a frenzy.


    "I''m so glad you''re back home safe. I''ve missed you dearly," she said honestly. She had missed him more than she ever thought she would miss a man, but there was still a fraction of a thought in her mind that prompted, ¡®how will you keep your secret from him?¡¯


    How would she continue being with him and keeping so many secrets? She couldn''t. It was as simple as that. And it wasn''t fair to him if she wasn''t honest about her findings and her feelings about this place and the members of the cadre. But what if he told others? He wouldn''t do that to her right? She knew that it was a general rule here that missions come before relationships. As long as you are a member of the cadre, you must dedicate your loyalty to them and only them. This included not giving away any classified details about missions, as well as not refraining to tell the board of any new information that you''ve learned. But he loved her. He would never betray her, especially if she showed him the written evidence that suggested that a lot of the cadre members, including the board themselves, seemed to be hiding vast amounts of information from other members.


    "You seem... distracted tonight," Jasper''s words were soft and his left hand squeezed hers, "is there something on your mind?" She couldn''t very well tell him right here in the middle of everyone and risk someone hearing. So instead she prodded a smile across her lips and shook her head.


    "Just thinking of how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful man in my life," a blush crept over her cheeks. Jasper smiled down at her as they continued their minuet around the ballroom floor.


    "Not nearly as fortunate as I am to have you," he cooed.


    The music came to a slow stop, and the couple ended their dance with a mutual bow to one another.


    "One more before we take a rest?" Jasper asked, those hazel eyes sparkling down at her in awe. She was about to nod her approval when a dark shadow cast over them.


    "May I?" A deep male voice bellowed. Arsalan. Jasper''s smile faded and Althea could see his jaw visibly clench. He shot her a wary look but she gave him a warm smile in return.


    "It''s okay Jasper, I will meet you after this quick dance," Althea said, trying her best to keep the nerves out of her voice. In reality she was trembling within. She had no idea what had prompted Arsalan to ask her for a dance like this. And besides, what could a brute like him possibly know about ballroom dancing?


    Althea waited with bated breath for an explanation as Jasper nodded and took his leave of her. She had to admit, Arsalan did look rather dashing in his midnight black tail coat and fitted suit. She hadn''t noticed it before but around the collar and pockets of his coat were tiny emerald details. She furrowed her eyebrows, thinking that the coincidence of that was a bit too perfect to merely be an accident. Perhaps he also had a deep love for the earthy stone.


    "Well?" she prompted as they waited for the next song to begin.


    He stared down at her, those glacier eyes freezing through her as he said indifferently, "if you''re going to dance at a ball, you should at least have proper form."


    She snorted, unable to hide her amusement at his words. Of course he had ambled over here to reveal to her all the ways in which her dancing form was wrong. Arrogant bastard.


    "And what do you know about ballroom dancing?" she asked coolly, placing a firm hand on her hip. Arsalans eyes seemed to follow her movement as his own eyes slipped down, down, down and back up again taking in her vibrant figure. Her face began to heat when he smirked at her. There was something animalistic in his features, there always seemed to be when he traced her with those wandering blue eyes.


    "Allow me to demonstrate," he said, and as if on command, the orchestra began their next tune. It started out soft with some smooth piano chords. This should be good. Just when she thought her training was over for the week, he had to go and turn this ballroom into a training ring. She wouldn''t let him take charge of this too. Althea thought she had been dancing perfectly fine before he came and interrupted her and Jasper.


    Arsalan bowed deeply to her, that bold stare boring up at her devilishly as he rose again. The ebony suit was tight around his large bicep as he reached his hand out to take hers. Suddenly, his other hand reached firmly around her back and the music picked up slightly as the violinist began playing a low, almost sinister, melody. Arsalan leaned in close, bending down to whisper into Althea''s ear, "follow my pace." His voice was low and rough in a way that, despite her own disinterest in him, soothed something deep and aching within her.


    His grip was firm around her and he held her very close as they began their circular movements around the floor. A waltz. Each step he took felt calculated, but exteriorly he appeared to be the face of elegance and grace. When Arsalan moved, it wasn''t just a dance to him, it appeared to her as if he were an ancient warrior practising combat movements. Perhaps that was why he was so naturally good at dancing¡­ After all, it wasn''t much different from memorising the sequences of battle moves he''d taught her during training. She''d already internalised the set circular steps he took to guide them and to show him she didn''t need any of his assistance, she began taking the steps the slightest second before he did, carrying him with her as she danced. She knew he noticed too, as the smallest glimmer of a smirk perked his lips up to one side.


    "Althea, your muscles are tense," he said, rubbing his thumb in deep circular motions around the centre of her back, "remember your breathing, and let the music guide you as you move."


    She closed her eyes, hating that she relished in the feeling of his fingers against her spine. And hating even more that he was right. She''d been so caught up in out-dancing him that she''d not even been paying attention to the music.


    Suddenly the snare hit and Arsalan threw her out into the crowd, before twirling her around and around so many times she no longer recognized the room beyond her. She rested a firm hand upon his chest when he pulled her close to him once more, trying to clear the dizziness from her sight.


    The music boomed around them, but all she could focus on was the intoxicating scent of musk and forest and spice on the man before her. It slightly calmed her rapidly beating heart.


    "I never got to tell you how divine you look tonight," Arsalan whispered. His breath tickled Althea''s neck causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. Before she could respond he lifted her arm and spun her again, the green fabric at the bottom of her dress twinkled as she twirled.


    When she was back within his strong embrace again, she said, "thank you, I suppose you clean up nicely when you want to." He only smirked as they continued their silent battle. She led him, using her force as the music crescendoed. His eyes sparkled with delight at her as she stared up at him, thinking of that woman who stared back at her in the mirror earlier. The conqueror.


    A smirk rose to her lips and she leaped and twirled, creating a dance all her own. It was Arsalan who followed her lead now, steadying her each time her feet hit the ground. Never once did he fully let go of her, and yet she was able to move perfectly free in his hold. The music began to build again, and this time, as it reached its peak, Arsalan placed both of his hands around her waist. His hands were so large, his fingers nearly touched on either side of her tapered centre. Without warning he lifted her into the air, allowing her to soar far above the other dancers. He spun her around slowly, her gown draping down over his chest like glimmering green starlight. As she averted her gaze from him, and towards the spinning room beyond she couldn''t help but feel like she was flying. Althea closed her eyes and imagined she were soaring through the clouds. Arsalan''s arms held firm as marble as he spun her around and around, not even trembling slightly under her weight.


    When the song finally began coming to a slow close, he placed Althea back down on her own two feet and looked deeply into her eyes as he pulled her to him. Placingboth hands firmly on her back, he dipped her low. Althea¡¯s entire body felt like it was on fire. From the rush of the dance, to his hands fixated on her body. She swallowed, his prowling eyes watching her throat bob beneath her skin.


    She didn''t understand what it was about him that set her off inside. She could fill her mind with all of the thoughts of how brutish and calloused he was, but she knew that despite all of his rough edges, there was something deeper within him that made her yearn for this, for him. It was different from what she felt for Jasper, but she didn''t know which feeling was more true. She loved Jasper, she loved how kind and caring and soft and charming he was, but she had also somehow formed these odd array of feelings for Arsalan over the past months as well. She didn''t know if it was love, but it was certainly something that had struck her with passion at the oddest of times. She, without ever meaning to, had admired his slick demeanour and the way he made her feel safe when she was in his presence and his mysterious aura and the way he could turn her insides molten with just a glance from those icy blue eyes.


    She didn''t think as she slowly reached her fingers up to touch his cheek. She could see his eyes flicker with what appeared to be desperation, as if she couldn''t make the move fast enough for him. When her fingers made contact with his burning skin, he closed his eyes, letting out a sigh, as if he had been waiting for this. As if he had been yearning for her touch all night. She studied the perfectly angular face before her, with his sharp jaw and his sculpted nose and perfectly symmetrical eyebrows and those lips. Those full mauve lips that parted slightly as he sighed. There was a longing within her too. Althea found herself aching to kiss him. She didn''t know, or understand why, but she needed to know the feeling of those perfect lips on hers. Her own eyes fluttered closed, and she began lifting her neck, leaning up to kiss him as he still held her low below the crowd of people on the dancing floor. But before that growing desire within her could be fulfilled,  his hand squeezed at the fabric gathered at the back of her waist and he sent her flying up into a standing position once more. Her eyes shot open and she looked at him with pure shock and embarrassment. He didn''t meet her eyes as she stared at him, desperate for any sign that the thoughts, those feelings that had been swirling up inside of her a mere second before, were not one sided. But he just let go of her, the song completely finished now, and said coolly, "enjoy your night Althea," before walking away. She stood, completely frozen and stunned. She couldn''t believe she''d played such the fool! To think that he had any sort of romantic feelings for her was so completely mad. She couldn''t even believe she''d let herself be so idiotic as to feel the smallest inkling of desire for a monstrous man like Arsalan. He wasn''t capable of loving her. He wasn''t even capable of being kind to her most of the time. What in god''s name made her, for that second, think that she felt anything for him? Especially when she had someone who she loved so dearly waiting for her as she stood contemplating this insanity.


    Snapping her mind out of her dazed thoughts, Althea scanned the room looking for Jasper. Her eyes finally landed on him, laughing and talking with Monique, Meg and James. With a deep breath in, Althea released all thoughts of Arsalan and their dance on an exhale, and made her way to her friends, and the man whom she loved.

 Chapter 19

    Arsalan made it to his bedchamber and closed the door with a louder thud than he intended. His hands were shaking, and the indentations of her bejewelled dress still decorated his fingers. He closed his hand into a tight fist and raised it to his lips, trembling with both rage and despair. Even his hand smelled of her light, sweet, floral scent.


    "Fuck!" he bellowed out, feeling as if he could punch something. He knew it wouldn''t do him any good though, only leave him with a painful wound on his hand that he¡¯d likely wake to regret.


    Why was he such an idiot? For months he''d been pining over her, never wanting to admit just how drawn to her he was, for fear that she didn''t feel the same, and now, tonight, she¡¯d finally made herself clear to him and what did he do? He royally, colossally fucked up!


    Perhaps this was for the best. After all, he didn''t know how he would continue to train her, and eventually watch her demonstrate her power without being terrified of losing her. He had made himself a promise after Amira had died, that he would never love someone with a like ability to his. And never had he expected that promise to be such a hard one to keep. After all, it was an exceedingly rare ability to have. And yet here he was training her. Fortunately, he was hopeful that as long as she didn''t try to further her power outside of training, and never overwork her ability, she should be able to live out a nice full life. Even still though, images flashed of Amira, his first and only love, lying on her deathbed, the insanity coursing through her veins. He closed his eyes as they strung with hot tears. He couldn''t go through that again. He may have these feelings for Althea, but the thought of watching another lover go through that? It was unbearable. So no, he would not act on these instincts that haunted him. He would show her that her feelings were one sided, because that was the only thing he could do to prevent himself from being scarred again.


    ¡­


    Althea sat beside Jasper as he and James spoke and laughed about some past ball they''d attended. Monique and Meg sat beside them talking as well. Both ladies looked lovely as they usually did. Monique wore a light blue layered gown with sewn on pink floral details around the waist and bottom of the skirt. Meg, on the usual contrary to her, wore a charcoal black gown with a deeply plunging neckline and an open back. It was simple, and yet she still looked ornate somehow.


    Althea could hardly keep her focus, as she stared out at the large ballroom, not taking in any details, but just staring off. Not that she was looking, but she hadn''t seen Arsalan since their dance nearly an hour ago. Had she really made him feel so uncomfortable that he now avoided the ball entirely? She couldn''t even think of that encounter between them without feeling mortified. She didn''t know how she would meet him at training on Monday. Althea cringed at the thought of greeting those icy eyes after the fool she''d made of herself tonight.


    Jasper nudged her arm with his. When she looked at him, those bright hazel eyes warmed her. He hadn''t the slightest idea of the web of thoughts that was tangled in her mind, and yet, the sympathetic smile he offered her put her slightly at ease.


    "Are you alright my dear?" he asked, now rubbing her bare arm, beneath the green chiffon fabric. Goosebumps rose on her skin, and his eyes glimmered, feeling them beneath his touch. "Would you like some more wine?"


    "Uh, no thank you, I''m okay, really, I think all of the dancing has just worn me out a bit." This was true. After her dance with Arsalan, she''d only sat for one song before her and Jasper danced twice more. She was fairly tired as she sat now, and she was a bit parched, not for wine but for water.


    Jasper stood and reached an outstretched hand towards her, "why don''t we go somewhere a bit more quiet?"


    Althea let out a thankful sigh, though she wouldn''t have said it herself, this was exactly what she needed. The ball was fun and the dancing had been exhilarating, but she had to admit the loud chatter and booming music, not to mention the humid, stale air that engulfed them, weighed on her now.


    Taking Jasper''s hand, they said goodnight to everyone and walked together up the grand staircase and back to the corridor. The air was much cooler out here, providing Althea with some instant relief. There weren''t as many people out here now as there had been earlier, as most were in the ballroom. The wall separating the ballroom from the corridor also provided a much needed sound barrier. There was a light flow of conversation from a group of older gentlemen standing near the doors to the courtyard, but other than that, there were not many individuals out here.


    "Better?" Jasper cooed, studying her. Was it that obvious? Althea nodded, gifting him a small smile as they walked towards a marble bench to sit.


    The large clock beside them chimed, somehow striking eleven o''clock already. Where had the time gone? She felt as though they had just gotten here. But it did make her feel slightly better to know she had cause for being so exhausted. She knew from what Monique had told her that the ball lasted until midnight when they officially shifted into autumn, but many stayed dancing and drinking long into the early morning hours.


    Althea rested her head on Jasper''s shoulder, his fingers caressed her outer arm as he held her close to him. She really had missed his warm, vibrant nature. He was never mad, or upset, he never yelled at her, or held any expectations for her. He was just there for her, and that was what she loved about him.


    Her lips parted as a yawn broke through them. Jasper chuckled, sending a vibration through Althea''s body as she leaned on him. "Come," he grasped her hand again, "let me accompany you to your room."


    Althea pouted weakly, "but the ball isn''t even over yet, shouldn¡¯t we¨C"


    "Now now my love, don''t force yourself into exhaustion, let''s get you up to bed." With another sigh, she obeyed, knowing he was right, and walked with him up the stairs to her bed chamber.


    As they walked, he held her right hand, drawing small circles over the back of her wrist. His fingers were smooth as they brushed her skin. Nothing like Arsalan¡¯s calloused hands.


    "You were a shining gem tonight Althea. You had the eyes of every man and woman alike as we danced, I could see them all staring." She looked up at him, unsure of what to say. Had they really been staring at her? She knew there were some but she didn''t think the number was as vast as he portrayed it. All night Althea had gotten questions about her gown, to which she gladly explained who made it.


    "Oh stop it, there were just as many female eyes on you," she looked up at him raising a brow. She had always noticed it, but especially tonight with so many new young females around the institution. Young debutantes pined after him wherever he went, and it was no wonder, he was an extraordinarily handsome young man, any woman would be lucky to catch his eye... she was lucky to catch his eye, and yet there she had been tonight, ready to risk that, ready to throw away what they had, for Arsalan. Just the thought made her feel ashamed. She didn''t deserve such a kind soul as Jasper if she were being completely honest with herself.


    When they reached her chamber door, Althea turned to Jasper, staring into those stunning hazel eyes, glinting slightly with green now, perhaps from the reflection of her own dress. He lifted a hand up, caressing her warm cheek. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes and relishing in the feeling of his skin on hers.


    "I love you dearly Althea," he whispered, so quiet she could barely hear the words as they escaped his lips. Her eyes shot open as she realised... this was the first time he''d admitted those words aloud to her. Her lips parted slightly and she looked up at him. He only smiled, those kind eyes looking down at her almost mournfully.


    Without another thought she leaned up and pressed her lips to his. She used her right hand to grip his neck, not wanting either of them to pull away. Her lips parted as he kissed her, letting his tongue slip into her mouth. Her hand slowly slid from his neck into his long brown hair, the tie loosening as she gripped it in her fingers. He hummed in delight at this, kissing her harder.


    Breathless and panting like an animal, Althea pulled away first, only out of desperation for breath. "I love you too," she breathed, her lips still hot and feeling swollen from their kiss. Jasper took her hand in his placing a molten kiss on her skin.


    He loved her, Jasper loved her. Upon hearing those words escape his lips, she realised that she did too. For so long she had pondered what it would feel like to love someone, but now she knew. It wasn''t some switch that just magically flipped, it was something that grew over time. Her mind flashed with memories of him since the time they''d first met. The way he had eased her mind that first night as he danced with her, erasing all of the terrifying thoughts that swirled around, about finding a suitor that night. Or the way he had been the only one to stand and clap, when she entered the dining hall that very first day she came here, so that everyone else followed and she may not feel uncomfortable. Or the way that over these past months, he had turned her from someone scorned by the likes of men, into a woman who, despite her past traumas, loved him dearly. It was in this moment that she realised maybe, she could let him in without fear of being hurt again, and maybe, that would be okay.


    Althea reached a hand back, fondling for a moment to find her doorknob. When the door clicked open she glanced into her room, thankful she''d put all of the books back beneath her bed. She turned back to face him, biting her lip as she stared up at him through lowered lashes, "could you help me out of my dress?"


    He visibly tensed beneath the light grey tailcoat and suit, his pupils dilating ever so slightly. Althea really couldn''t take the dress off herself, and he had already seen what lay beneath her gown at the waterfall that day.


    "Yes, of course," he said with the utmost refinement. He really was such a gentleman. He never held expectations for her as most men did for women.


    Jasper stepped into her room and closed the door behind him, letting it click quietly shut. Althea looked at herself in her vanity mirror. She still looked the part of a conqueress even despite the subtle bags beneath her eyes. Jasper came into view, standing tall behind her. She glimpsed his smile as he stared at her through the reflective pane of glass.


    His fingers gently traced the outside of her arms, up to her shoulders. Althea closed her eyes basking in the sensational feeling as he massaged them before moving up to her head. He unclipped the pins that held her tiara in place, and removed it from atop her head, placing it down onto her vanity. She didn''t realise how much weight her slender neck had been carrying until it was removed. Jasper brushed her brown, voluminous waves over one shoulder, allowing the left side and back of her neck to be visible to him. His eyes lingered on hers through the mirror as he bent to leave a hot kiss on the space between her neck and shoulder. Her insides turned molten at the feeling of his lips on her skin. She caught a glimpse of him through the mirror and sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth at the sight of him. He kissed a trail down her spine, stopping only when he reached the base where the fastens of her gown started. He kneeled behind her, undoing them one by one to reveal the scrap of nude fabric Layana had given her to barely conceal her feminine parts.


    "I love these," Jasper said, tracing over the two indents at the bottom of her spine. She squirmed slightly beneath his touch. Chuckling, he stood once more glancing at the ties around her arms before reaching for the one around her left arm.


    His fingers tickled her as he loosened the tie, allowing the emerald fabric to slide down her arm. She folded the long layered chiffon and set it atop her vanity as he went to work on the other arm. Once removed, she stacked it over the other and turned to face him, holding up her dress with one hand.


    His eyes bored into hers now as he stood in front of her. She breathed out a shallow breath, wanting to say something, but unsure of what exactly to say. Before she could decide on the words to speak, Jasper said, "well then, I bid you goodnight Althea."


    He grabbed her hand, leaving a warm kiss on it before taking a step towards the door. Althea didn''t want him to leave, she wanted... ugh she didn''t know what she wanted, she just knew she wanted him, she ached for him.


    "Wait," she gasped, causing him to stop his motion altogether. He looked back at her over a shoulder, a puzzled expression on his face. "Will you stay with me tonight?"


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    His eyes widened slightly and he slowly turned towards her. She swallowed louder than she wanted to, and was sure he could hear it from where he stood a few feet away.


    "If that is what you wish," he stuttered over his words slightly. Perhaps she shouldn''t have been so forward with him. What if this is not what he wanted but he was too kind to admit it? "It is, as long as you are comfortable staying here with me?"


    That beautiful smile full of warmth spread over his lips again. "Althea, I have just declared my love for you... something I have never done for anyone before, you asking for my company is all I could ever want."


    Her heart pumped rapidly in her chest as she let go of the dress covering her, and let it fall slowly into a puddle of green around her feet, revealing herself fully to him. His mouth gaped slightly as he reached up, loosening the white cravat from around his neck, his eyes roaming her nearly naked body.


    She stepped over the delicate emerald gown and neared him, standing on her tiptoes to reach his lips. Her feet flattened against the cool wood floors as he leaned down to meet her. Their lips moulded together so perfectly she couldn''t bring herself to understand how she could have almost given this up mere hours before.


    Her hands fumbled with the buttons of his grey tailcoat before pushing it off of his shoulders, letting it hit the ground with a whoosh. He wrapped a firm hand around her bare body, walking them backwards slowly as he removed the cravat fully from around his neck. When she felt the backs of her legs greet the cold metal bed frame, she pulled away to look at him. His white tunic was partially untucked and his hair was nearly pulled from its tidy place at the base of his neck. She reached up and pulled it free, letting his hair fall unbound around his face. Not removing his hand from her back he slowly laid her down on the soft satin blankets, kissing and sucking at her neck only making her incessant need for him grow. He moved down her body with his lips, his long hair tickling her, until he reached the hard peaked nipple of her left breast. She grappled a handful of the grey satin in her fingers as his mouth made contact with her heaving chest. His tongue played in circles around the hardened skin. She was throbbing for him now, her entire body pulsating with delight at his mouth''s warm caress.


    When he finally pulled away, he stood straight, reaching over his head to remove the white tunic. That beautiful, slender, but muscular, body only made her core grow hotter. She wanted him, no needed him. She''d never felt a feeling quite so primal within herself other than perhaps the day when she''d nearly killed that image of Sir Herbert. Somehow those feelings were one in the same. The hunger that coursed through her now, was the same as the animalistic urge to reap vengeance upon her prey. If she were completely honest, it terrified her a bit to have those feelings within her. But she swallowed them down, reaching for Jasper''s belt. She unfastened it, pulling his trousers down to reveal his white undergarments.


    He removed his shoes and stripped down his lower half, save the thin white bottoms, the only piece of fabric that separated her from him, that and her thin, nude "panties" as Layana had called them.


    Jasper gently placed her down onto her back again, kissing her jaw down between her breasts to her navel. She fought the urge to squirm at the feeling of his tongue ticking her stomach. He placed a cool hand over her thigh, widening the opening of her legs as he leaned in closer to her now. She could feel his hips lightly glide over her core, causing her own hips to buck slightly. It was as if her body had a mind all its own, and it wanted him more desperately than it had ever wanted anything before. He kissed down her stomach until he reached the hem of the nude fabric. She watched as he looked up at her, smirking slightly as he began kissing the insides of her thighs. Her mouth gaped and she stifled a pleasurable moan as his hot tongue swirled just outside of her undergarments. She let go of the firm hold she had on the silk blankets and instead reached out to touch his face. He smiled as he kissed her, his fingers reaching for the scrap of fabric covering the only part of her left hidden.


    He paused to look at her, "is this okay?" he asked, his voice so light and so sweet. She nodded without the slightest hesitation. She was ready, she knew she could trust him above all.


    He breathed out as he smiled, looking down at the nude panties, his fingers gripped the edges and slowly pulled them down her legs, revealing her to him fully now. As he did, she could feel the wetness that had pooled there, touching her thighs. He licked his lips as he stared down at her in awe.


    "You are so beautiful Althea, there is not a single part that I don''t love," he breathed out. She didn''t know how much she needed to hear those words until he spoke them. But once he did, she sat up and pulled him into a deep, sensual kiss. Althea¡¯s arms slithered up to wrap around his neck, and his hands settled on her hips as their mouths moved and danced together. They were both so caught up in each other that she accidentally leaned back and made him topple down over her. But neither Althea nor Jasper minded as they continued their dance for dominance through the kiss.


    She straddled him with her legs wrapped around him until he pulled back, breathing hoarsely.


    "What are you doing to me Althea?" he sighed in a breathless whisper. What was she doing to him? What was he doing to her! She never imagined herself feeling safe enough with a man to want this, and yet here she was, laid out before him, ready for his taking.


    He leaned down, leaving a soft, wet trail of kisses down her stomach to her hot, molten centre. He kissed down her thighs once more, but this time he grew closer and closer to that bundle of nerves that threatened to come undone.


    Suddenly the nervousness of this moment sunk in. She had no idea what to expect, never had she made love to a man before, and aside from the novels she''d read depicting epic mythical romances, she hadn''t the slightest inkling of what to do. This absolutely terrified her and she found it imperative to speak, saying suddenly, "I... I''ve never..." she trailed off, her face glowing with red heat. Jasper removed his head from between her legs, pausing to look up at her now with a wide eyed gaze.


    "You''ve never..." he swallowed, glancing quickly back down towards the apex of her thighs, "taken a lover before?" he asked, finishing her sentence for her.


    She shook her head, unsure why she felt slightly embarrassed. Had he? She supposed he must have, for the motions came to him so naturally, it was as if he''d been doing this for years already. Her mind wandered too far, too fast, but thankfully, he calmed her as he said, "I''ve only been with one other... a girl from the colonies... but she married another, and I didn''t love her anyway... She did, however, teach me a few things about how to love a woman during our time together." It put Althea slightly to rest knowing that he''d only been with one other, and although it may have been selfish she was glad he had not loved her.


    "I''m glad you told me," he said, leaving a gentle kiss on her knee. She smiled up at him, grateful for how kind he was. "Have you ever... well you know... pleasured yourself?" he asked, trying not to sound awkward. Althea''s already red face only grew hotter. She hated that she was so embarrassed by this conversation... intercourse was a natural part of life, and it was nothing to be ashamed of.


    Althea shook her head. She had never pleasured herself... she didn''t even know there was a way for her to pleasure herself if she were being honest.


    Jasper swallowed and looked down at her body, lying still beneath him. She suddenly felt too exposed, but she made no motion to move, to cover herself.


    "You''ve never..." he paused, gliding his hand from her knee, down her thigh towards the spot where her legs met, "taken your fingers and..." her heart was beating irregularly, so fast she thought it would burst through her chest as his fingers slowly met her aching core, "rubbed." As he said the last word his fingers stroked her, causing a purr-like moan to escape from her lips. His fingers slipped over her, gliding effortlessly from the moisture already present between her legs.


    Althea''s head shot back as he continued rubbing, she never knew that something could feel so good. He slowed his pace a bit, rubbing his fingers down, down, down, until... her eyes bulged as he slowly began slipping his finger into her.


    "Wait," she said at the slight pain she was met with. Jasper stopped immediately, removing his pointer finger from her opening.


    "Are you okay?" he asked nervously. Perhaps she shouldn''t have said anything, it wasn''t very painful, just a bit uncomfortable.


    "Yes I''m okay... it just felt kind of... scratchy," she said honestly. She wondered if he had trimmed his nails, perhaps that was the issue. She didn''t say anything about it though, she still wanted him, still ached for him from within, even despite the slight discomfort.


    "Perhaps I will try something else," he smirked, leaning down and putting his mouth to her entrance. She bent her neck to look at him, she could feel his light, warm breath tickling her as he hummed against her. She trembled slightly with anticipation. Suddenly he pushed his lips to her core, kissing her there. Althea''s head knocked back once more as his tongue escaped from his mouth and he began feasting upon her. His hot mouth provided her with the most intoxicating pleasure she''d ever known, as his tongue made circular motions around her wetness. Then he plunged his tongue into her, earning a cry from her lips as her back arched off of the bed. She didn''t care who heard her, in this moment she wanted anyone who was listening to know that she was being ravished in ways she''d never been before. Jasper thrusted his tongue in and out of her slowly, painstakingly, making her pant with excitement. His mouth on her felt so good she never wanted it to stop. But after a few moments, he removed that godly mouth from her and whispered against her soaking centre, "is that better?"


    "Yes," she moaned out. It was practically a beg for more of that delicious feeling.


    She lifted her head to look at him, he was wiping his glistening lips with his kerchief. "Mm," he hummed, looking at her with a hunger in his eyes that made her throb for him, "you taste amazing." His eyes glimmered with arousal as he lifted his hands to his undergarments and began slowly sliding them down his legs, revealing himself to her now. She swallowed, his length seemed longer now than it had been that day at the lake... but how could that be possible?


    "It''s... so much longer than I remember," she breathed out, swallowing back her slight fear.


    Jasper only chuckled at her innocence, "well yes... it''s hard now, and when we were swimming it was too cold so it was mostly soft." She did remember reading a smut novel once that depicted a man''s cock getting hard as he became aroused... she didn''t know why but she had laughed, thinking it to be mere fiction, but now, as she looked at his elongated shaft, her mouth ran dry.


    "It''s okay my love, I will be gentle... it hurts me too if we go too fast before you''re ready... but if you''re not ready, that is okay too, I can wait for as long as you nee¨C"


    She cut off his rambling kindness before he could finish, she was tired of waiting... she wanted him, all of him, tonight.


    "No," she said in a quick, breathless whisper, "I want this... I want you," she insisted. His warm smile reappeared on his lips.


    Leaning down over her, he kissed her lips briefly. She could taste herself on him¡­ the essence of the oils she¡¯d used in her bath earlier. It caused that blanket of arousal to grow heavier over her. Althea felt him hanging low, prodding at her entrance. She bit her lip as she stared up at him with anticipation. He reached a hand down to grip himself, positioning his length at her entrance.


    And then it started.


    His head began rubbing at her open slit. She hummed out a moan closing her eyes and tipping her head back. Jasper left sloppy kisses on her now exposed neck as he, very slowly, began slipping himself inside of her. Her mouth parted as he stretched her open, wider and wider until she was sure something within her would stop him.


    "Oh Jasper!" she breathed desperately, and he pulled himself out slightly, before sliding back in.


    "Christ Althea, you are," he couldn''t even finish his sentence as he moaned into her neck. She swallowed, trying to adjust herself to this new foreign entity filling her body.


    She kept thinking it couldn''t be any longer but with each slow thrust, there was more of him within her. Finally after what felt like nearly five minutes of slowly sliding in and out of her, she felt Jasper''s body at the end of his length. He thrust in and back out again, for a few moments, lifting himself with one hand to gaze down at her. "Is this okay?" he asked, his voice light as a feather. She smiled and nodded, leaning up to kiss his lips.


    Now that she had adjusted to him, it was really quite nice. With a sigh, she began slightly moving her hips with him as he slowly slid into her and out of her without fully removing himself.


    As the discomfort began to ease, she realised just how good it felt, not only the feeling of him stretching her and thrusting into her, but also the power she felt, it was as if their energy had merged, and she had embraced Jasper''s strength and power as her own.


    "Christ woman, you¡¯re attempting to make me go mad," Jasper moaned, into her neck. The heat between them was overbearing, almost suffocatingly so. She bucked her hips, wanting him to thrust faster into her as she brushed his unbound hair from her face. It surprised her how naturally this came to her. She wasn''t sure what she''d been expecting but it wasn''t this. Jasper groaned, and plummeted himself deep into her, forcing a loud moan from her lips.


    "Mm, Jasper," she moaned his name into his ear as he sank into her again, willing him to do exactly as she wished and quicken his pace. His head burrowed deeper into the crook of her neck while he thrust harder and faster into her.


    "You''re going to make me," he breathed out but before he could finish, he jolted up and pulled his full length from within her, rubbing himself until warm speckles of white liquid rained down over her still writhing stomach and chest. His moans filled the room as he drained himself entirely onto her pale skin, white hazy liquid now barely oozing from his tip. Althea''s eyes widened at what she''d caused from him. Had he... had she hurt him?


    "Are you okay?" she asked, biting her lip nervously. He flopped down beside her on the bed, and as he turned to look at her now, he was grinning, "I am better than okay, Althea, you''ve just made this the best night of my life." So it was over then? Her emerald eyes glimmered at him and she smiled, feeling proud that she¡¯d made it through. Though, she felt as though something within her was left... unfinished. Althea clenched her thighs together, aching to keep the cool air from sweeping over her bared centre.  She supposed it was likely just the excitement of their encounter only a moment ago, she just needed time to come down from the high was all.


    That night Althea slept more soundly than she had in a very long time. Not only had exhaustion taken its toll on her, but she felt safe with Jasper''s arms wrapped firmly around her. She focused on the light trickle of his breath on her neck as he held her, and fell into a deep, deep slumber.

 Chapter 20

    Althea came to consciousness before she opened her eyes. A smile spread over her lips as she felt Jasper''s arms still wrapped around her. Her mind ran with thoughts of his naked body that lie beneath the silk duvet. She tried not to wake him as she turned to face him, but failed. He groaned, stirring under the blanket then opened an eye and smirked up at her.


    "Well good morning." She couldn''t hide the grin that spread over her lips as she bent down to kiss him.


    "Mm," he hummed into the kiss. Her body was a bit sore from the night before, but she had loved every second of it.


    She opened her mouth to say something, as she pulled away, when a knock sounded at her door, causing her to jump. Both her and Jasper''s eyes shot to the door before they shared a terrified glance.


    "Althea! I''m here bright and early as promised!"


    Zella.


    "Quick, get into my bathing chamber!" Althea whispered hastily, flinging the blankets from her body.


    "One moment please!" she yelled, trying to keep the fear from her voice. It wasn''t that she thought Zella would judge her, but she just didn''t feel like explaining this to her right now.


    Jasper grabbed his undergarments and ran into the bathroom in a quick sprint, shutting the door behind him.


    "Don''t tell me you''re using the powder room," Zella mocked and Althea''a face heated slightly.


    Althea grabbed the robe off of her vanity seat and flung it over her shoulders, tying the string around her waist.


    She brushed a hand through her tangled mass of hair, before swinging the door open, revealing the young Candidus girl before her.


    Zella took in her appearance and grimaced slightly. "Rough night I take it?" she pondered, walking into her bed chamber before Althea could stop her. Zella breathed in deeply, crinkling her nose. "It smells funny in here," she muttered, but Althea was too busy spotting Jasper''s tailcoat and vest, peeking out from the far side of the bed, to notice. She moved quickly in front of the girl, who hadn''t appeared to observe them, kicking the garments to the far side of her bed.


    "My, Althea!" Zella wondered, looking at her bed. Althea''s heart plummeted, as she thought of what she could have been looking at. "You could have just said you started your monthly cycles and I would have just come back later."


    Althea looked down at her bed, seeing the small smudges of blood on the silk blanket. She hadn''t even noticed it the night before, it must have been from the certain activities she''d been contributing in.


    Swallowing, she chuckled, trying to seem genuine as she said, "oh it''s nothing really, I''ll call the servants in here to fetch me some fresh linens once we''re done."


    Zella looked up at her again and said, "no wonder you look so... well... dreadful," she smiled and laughed a bit. Althea gritted her teeth. Zellas candour was one of the things she loved about her, but at the moment she wanted to slam her head into the wall.


    Althea opened her mouth to reply when suddenly, a male shout of terror broke through from the bathing chamber. Zella jumped, clutching the string of obsidian beads that was normally clasped at her neck.


    With a bang, the bathing room doors flew open, and Jasper ran from the room screaming, wearing only his undergarments. She was about to yell and ask him why he''d revealed himself, when, from behind him, flew out a ball of patched calico fur. Althea''s eyes widened as Archie launched itself at Jasper, digging sharp claws into his leg, causing a high pitched yell to escape him.


    "My word Althea! What is going on in here?" Zella cried, taking a step back from the madness.


    "Althea you need to get this... this beast off of me!" Jasper yelled. Althea moved quickly, reaching down, and grabbing Archie from Jasper''s leg. The cat hissed at her, but when his gleaming multi-coloured eyes met hers, he settled slightly.


    Jasper hurriedly gathered all of his scattered clothes from across the room, before running towards the door. "I bid you ladies good day!" he yelled as he exited. Zellas eyes were wide with shock as she turned to Althea.


    "So... Do you care to explain?" she asked, pointing a thumb to the door behind her. Althea just groaned, smacking her palm to her forehead.


    ¡­


    She went on to tell Zella the events from last night leading up to this morning''s embarrassing episode. Zella gawked at every word. Althea didn''t go into too much detail when explaining her first time love making, only that it was better than she had expected. Zella admitted that she had actually taken someone to her bed earlier this year, which shocked Althea slightly, but it was rather normal in society for girls to lose their virginity much younger than she had, and be married with at least one child by her age. It pained Althea to hear her say that she just wanted to get it over with, as she hated that so many women made such a fuss over it. She said that the boy she''d done it with, Robert, lived near her, and was the same age as her. He''d also not made love to anyone before, but she did say he''d gotten better the more they''d been together. Outside of their occasional intimacy, Zella said she''d not really cared for him. She said he was quiet, and nice, but somewhat dull, so it wasn''t hard for her to leave him when she came here, and she wasn''t particularly interested in making any sort of love matches here. In fact, she admitted that she found training and reading, and making friends like Althea to be a much more enjoyable pastime than lovemaking in her opinion.


    "I feel like I''ve lost too many friends to men," she shrugged, "it''s like once they find a man to marry they all just... fall into this world where all that matters to them is a sequence of courting, getting married, trying to have a child... and that is fine, for them, I suppose, but I just want to live for me for a while, you know?" she raised a brow at Althea who nodded quickly. She knew exactly what she meant. Althea had felt the very same way for so long as her father groomed her to be an ideal wife to someone, someday. But now that she was free, now that it was her choice who she got to be with and whether or not she wanted to be married, or have children, it was empowering. All the cards lay in her hands, and it was she who got to decide how she wanted to play them.


    "Oh yes, I understand..." Althea grabbed Zella¡¯s hand, looking at her closely, "and please do not think me the type to disregard you just because I''ve lain with Jasper now."


    Zella shook her head quickly with a chuckle, "oh no, I know you won''t, I can tell you have this aura around you, like you may enjoy something or someone''s company, but you would never rely on it for your own happiness." Hearing that made Althea smile¡­ Though, as she thought about how sad it had made her when Jasper had ignored her those months ago, she wondered if her friend was correct about her. Nevertheless, Zella always knew how to put her mind at ease, Althea was lucky to have her as a friend.


    "So about these books," Zella leaned back in Althea''s vanity chair, brushing her contrasting hair up into a knot atop her head. Althea nodded, reaching beneath her to pull a few from under the bed.


    "Yes, so these are all of the ones that I''ve taken from the hidden library so far, and as far as I''ve been able to see, these are really the only ones that pertain to anything of interest. Though there are some more journals in there, but a lot of the material is old frameworks for the building of the institutions and other things," she said, passing Zella one of the books. As the girl opened it, Althea remembered a thought that had been swirling around in her mind the night before.


    "How were you able to read the books?" Althea asked honestly curious, they were almost all written in Latin. She silently wondered if perhaps Zella had been seemingly gifted as she was.


    "My parents," Zella shrugged, "they taught me Latin at a very early age, so it is basically a second language to me." She spoke the entire sentence in Latin, and Althea could understand exactly what she''d said.


    Swallowing, she took a deep breath, she''d never spoken Latin in her life, and it honestly terrified her to try, but once the first word left her mouth it all just flowed naturally, "I have never heard anyone speak it before," she said in the other language, not wanting to admit she''d never spoken it before, as it would only create more questions.


    Zella raised her eyebrows, still speaking the ancient language as she said, "you speak well... Did your parents teach you young?"


    "Yes my father did," she lied.


    The girl just nodded, studying the book in her lap once more, it was a book on the flame, explaining why and when it was created.


    "We should keep talking in this language when we speak of matters from the book," Zella said, "because it is not widely used anymore and I do not want the wrong ears hearing this information."


    Althea nodded, agreeing completely with her. She still wondered if she should even tell Jasper or Monique. It wasn''t that she didn''t trust them, but it seemed they were of very high use here at the institution, and she knew they valued the board''s opinions. And as much as she liked to think that this information, combined with Jaspers declaring love for her, trumped that, the thought of telling him and having him reveal her findings to the board still made her uneasy.


    "Why do you think this information has been kept hidden for so long?" Zella beckoned, flipping another page. Althea shrugged, genuinely unsure.


    "I haven''t the slightest idea, a lot of this information could be very useful... but put it in the wrong hands and..." she and the Candidus girl shared a knowing expression as they looked at each other.


    "Some of these books and memoirs depict demons and monsters that used to roam this land far prior to humans, as well as magical beings that sought out power above all. I would not be surprised if this information has been kept hidden to keep anyone hoping to reactivate that world again from doing so."


    Zella nodded, picking up another book to flip through.


    "I agree, perhaps you should put the ones we''ve read back in their place in the library before taking any more... call me paranoid, but I sometimes wonder about the people here," Zella said looking around her, as if there were someone here listening as she spoke. The thought made the hair on the back of Althea''s neck stand.


    "Sometimes I use my ability to listen in on what people say around here... I know I shouldn''t, and by doing so, I''m going against every rule both my parents and the cadre have set for me... but I have learned a few things from doing this." Althea had nearly forgotten of her ability to turn completely invisible. Zella scooted closer to her now, leaning in to whisper in Latin, as if someone lurked just beyond the closed chamber door, "I believe that there is more at work here than meets the eye. I overheard my parents a lot before I left home too, and though they had both resigned from their active duty as cadre members, they still talked of other members and the board often. I once heard them speak of the flame, and how they had been searching for it, alongside other members but had never found it. But when they spoke of it, they made it seem as though the flame was something awful that needed to be destroyed." Zella looked down at the book in her lap once more, "but that is not what is depicted in these ancient texts... these books summarise the flame as being what separates this world from what could only be explained as the devils creations... they depict the flame as something that is in fact very good... now why would the board imply that it was the opposite?" Althea didn''t know how to respond to that question. She had no idea what the cadre would have to gain from this misinformation... but she did know that it didn''t give her a good feeling.


    She swallowed, wondering if she had perhaps made a mistake in telling Arsalan about her first memory she had with her father... Afterall he had come here to train her per the board¡¯s request, she knew he worked with them... what if he had already written to them, telling them of what she''d told him? Althea gritted her teeth at the thought. A small part of her had thought that maybe, just maybe he had some slight feelings for her, but after last night, she knew that was not the case. He had come to train her... he didn''t care for her. As for what he''d told her about her giving him a reason to keep living, he was likely just trying to earn her trust. She hated that she could be so naive at times. But even as she mentally scolded herself, the nearly forgotten words of that old woman in the library rang through her ears... ¡®follow the silver scales.¡¯


    Althea got up from her place on the bed, and walked to her vanity. Zella watched her with curious eyes as she reached behind the mirror to grab the note she''d written down that day... the words of the old librarian Dalia whom she''d still not seen since their encounter.


    "Do these words mean anything to you?" She handed Zella the folded up piece of paper, with the riddle written there, hoping that she might somehow have any inkling of its meaning.


    Her nimble fingers unfolded the small piece of paper, and she read the riddle aloud.


    "Thou art to the west as they be to the sky, the roots shall bid thee safe passage. Follow the silver scales and thou shall find the answers thou seeketh." Zella furrowed her eyebrows, studying the paper, her eyes scanning the words Althea had written over and over again.


    "Well this is clearly some sort of riddle... but I''m honestly not sure what any of it means... except, maybe..." she paused, then shook her head, "no, I don''t know." Zella sighed, setting the note in her lap.


    "Any ideas, new ideas, you could bring me will help, I''ve been pondering this piece of paper for over a month now with no idea what it means," Althea admitted.


    "Who gave it to you?" she asked, raising a brow at Althea.


    With a sigh, Althea said, "well I wrote it down myself, but the old librarian, Dalia had said those exact words to me the last time I''d seen her... as far as I know she hasn''t been back here since." Zellas expression only grew more puzzled at Althea''s words. Perhaps she shouldn''t have brought this up, she was only making the poor girl more confused.


    "This," Zella pointed to the first sentence, "as they be to the sky..." she looked up at Althea who stood over her reading the small paper with her. "The Board of the Ageless is stationed in the sky, in Skyworth. According to my parents, it is one of the oldest cities in the world, and most ordinary humans do not know of its existence. Apparently the board has enough combined magic to keep it afloat high above the clouds. I have also heard them imply that the five board members have purposely diluted magic their lines over the near three millennia they¡¯ve been in power¡­ they do not want anyone to rise above their own rank¡­ at least that¡¯s how I interpret it.¡±


    The mere idea that they had lived such long, vast lifespans was near incomprehensible. Althea furrowed her eyebrows, "wait¡­ How many board members are there?" she asked. She could have swore she¡¯d remembered there being six original cadre members¡­ What happened to the last one?


    "There are five. My parents forced me to learn their names the moment I began speaking,¡± Zella laughed, then recited, ¡°Audaxus, Cyneric, Dorius, Emilia and Rivina."


    ¡°Five? I am certain I remember reading of six.¡±


    Zella furrowed her brows. ¡°No, there are only five members of the board. At least that I have been told, and everyone else for that matter.¡±


    Althea began scouring the books around her bed, trying to remember which one had contained the names of the original members¡­ she was absolutely certain there had been six, she remembered there being three women as well as three men. When she found it at last, Althea flipped through until she saw the names there, just as Zella had spoken a moment earlier.


    ¡°Audaxus, Cyneric, Dorius, Emilia, Rivina and¡­ Valeria.¡± Zella peered over her shoulder at the page and let out a hum.


    ¡°Maybe she, you know¡­ expired¡­ Though they were endowed with immortality, that doesn¡¯t preclude the possibility that one of them could have died.¡± Althea supposed that was true.


    She glanced back down at the paper in Zellas lap. "Well if I am to the west, as they are to the sky, assuming that those words are referring to the board... I did take note of something else from this riddle that may be helpful." Zella gazed up at her, awaiting any more information that could be of use.


    "My trainer, Arsalan, has a tattoo of a dragon on his back... and the scales of this dragon were outlined in silver ink." Zellas eyes widened as she glanced back down at the note. "Follow the silver scales... and you shall find the answers you seek," she spoke so low her words were nearly a whisper. "That''s far too great a coincidence for him not to be related to this in some way," she went on. Althea nodded in agreement. But now the question still held, what should she do with this information?


    ¡­


    The two girls spent the entire day, all the way until dinner, reading through the ancient texts and trying to come up with anything that may lead them to a better understanding of that riddle. Althea didn''t even know whether or not it had been genuine. But every time she started to doubt it, she felt as though it were important somehow. She didn''t know why she felt this way, the woman was likely mad, and had probably been dismissed from her library duties for just that. But still, those words ran through Althea''s mind, it was as if she couldn''t rid herself of them.


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    She¡¯d spent an hour after dinner with Jasper, finding a small bit of peace in his presence. He''d apologised for running out on her so suddenly, saying that he''d never met a cat with such a temper before. She''d never seen Archie run after anyone and attack them like that before either, perhaps he had startled the poor feline. Jasper also recollected on the events of the night before with such fondness it lifted Althea''s spirits tremendously.


    ¡­


    The next morning she arrived on time to the training yard. The air was cold, much more frigid than usual as it swirled around her, sweeping through the long tendrils of grass. She took a deep steadying breath, attempting to put ease to her slightly unnerved emotions. She hadn''t seen Arsalan since the ball, and a part of her almost wondered if he would even be here. It wouldn¡¯t surprise her if he¡¯d told the board to find a replacement¡­ but she should have realised he was too stubborn for that.


    There at the base of the blazing autumn tree, now fully turned from its summer green to the heated colours of fall, she could see his silhouette leaning against it.


    "Good morning," she said, trying her best to sound confident despite being mortified by her actions.


    "Good morning," he said back in an equally distant tone. He grabbed the bag of stones from her fingers and pulled out a blue stone. "Communication," his voice echoed through the open field as he bellowed the word, "and the idea that you do indeed," he tossed the precious stone, catching it in his opposite hand, "speak things into existence." His eyes glimmered with a silver light as he took a quick glance at her.


    She remained quiet, unsure of what exactly to say to that. What a load of rubbish. Had that been true, she wouldn''t feel quite so mortified right now. Although, she supposed she¡¯d never actually spoken her true feelings for him aloud¡­ not even to herself. Not that any of it mattered now, whatever she¡¯d thought she may have felt for him had been turned to smoke after this past weekend.


    "Try it."


    She gazed up at him, looking for any clue as an explanation of his words. He just looked blankly at the field around them.


    "What do I say?" she asked, feeling her heart begin to beat faster.


    "Whatever you wish, a goal, a dream, something that you want to happen," he said, chuckling.


    "Here, I''ll go first," with a slight smirk, he held his hands to his mouth and yelled out, "I will eat my favourite meal, fish congee, for dinner tonight!"


    He laughed looking down at her, and for the first time, she was able to see a child inside of him... his dark features weren''t as prominent as his lips curved up into a joyous smile.


    "I¡¯m only jesting¡­ but try it¡­ something you truly want to accomplish," he crooned, watching her with those bright eyes. She sighed, trying to think of something she wished to voice into the world, with him standing beside her.


    "Hmm... I will master my ability!" she yelled, quieter than him though, as she was a bit shy to the whole idea.


    "Louder!" he shouted, "you want it to come true don''t you?"


    She breathed in deeply, and shouted as loud as she could, "I will master my ability, and I will not go mad doing it.¡± It had been something she¡¯d been concerned about more and more since she¡¯d read Julia¡¯s memoir.


    ¡°Keep going, I know there is more you wish to say,¡± Arsalan prodded and she huffed, closing her eyes as she screamed, ¡°I will not let my rage consume me. I will let my emotions pass through me, and I will learn to control them. I will never let myself be hurt by anyone ever again, I will learn to rely on myself rather than others, I will... I will learn to love myself despite my flaws," she didn''t shout the last part quite as loud but she felt it just as deeply as she''d felt the rest of the words she''d screamed into the open air. When her eyes finally met Arsalan once more, he just smiled at her.


    "And so you will," he looked down at the stone in his palm again, "as long as you believe you can, and practise what you preach..." he looked sidelong at her, "all that you wish will ensue."


    She let out a sigh she hadn''t realised she''d been holding in. Arsalan walked over to the tree and placed the blue stone back into the bag as she sat down on the grass. It wasn''t as soft as it had been weeks ago, and some blades had started to turn a light, dead brown.


    "For training today, we are going to do something a little different," he shot a glance back at her, almost looking smug.


    "Oh yeah? And what is that?" She eyed him wearily. The last time he''d said something like that Althea had ended up fighting off an imaginary version of Sir Herbert¡­ she really hoped he didn¡¯t have another day of that in store.


    "Because this week will be all about using your voice, we are going to be incorporating some chanting and singing into our meditation." Althea''s face twisted with disgust at the singing portion of his statement. She was far from gifted in that department.


    "How exactly is singing going to help me embrace my ability?" she sneered curling her upper lip slightly in disgust.


    Arsalan turned, rolling his eyes at her. "It will help you for a number of reasons, but the first being, to assist you in overcoming your fear of the way you are perceived by others, as well as strengthen that lovely voice of yours," Arsalan cooed the word lovely with such satirical effect that it made Althea want to punch him.


    "My voice is too lovely!" she yelled, crossing her arms over her chest. She hated that he was able to get under her skin so easily.


    "I''ll be the judge of that¡­¡± the smirk on his lips made her want to smack him but she refrained. ¡°During my time with the Tibetan Monks in Beijing, I learned many powerful mantras, which are essentially chants used in meditation. The word mantra is derived from two Sanskrit words, manas, mind and tra, instrument, put them together and you have a tool for accessing deeper parts of the mind,¡± he said, watching as she stared at him, head in her hand. With each passing day Arsalan became more and more of a mystery to her. From what he¡¯d taught her of meditation, to combat, and now to these¡­ mantras¡­ how had he learned and seen so much in such a short period of time?


    ¡°What?¡± he laughed and she sat up quickly, pulling herself from her thoughts.


    ¡°Just listening to you¡­ how have you had time to learn so much despite being so young?¡±


    ¡°If there is one thing I¡¯ve found over my lifetime, it¡¯s that all time is eternally present. The future and the past are all happening simultaneously within multiple dimensions all connected to the fourth dimension of time¡­ but that''s a discussion for another day.¡± He gave her a wink as she stared at him, mouth parting slightly now.


    ¡°Today we are going to be exercising the ¡®so¡¯ham¡¯ chant. This mantra means I am that, that I am, and is chanted as a way to express and find your true inner meaning. It acts as a guide to carry us closer to the spirit within us.¡±


    Arsalan took a seat on the ground and Althea followed, sitting legs crossed.


    ¡°On an inhale we will chant so and on an exhale we will chant ham. I¡¯ll begin.¡± Arsalan closed his eyes and said in a low, deep voice, ¡°so,¡± as he took a deep breath in, and ¡°ham¡± on his exhale. Althea let her eyes flutter closed and her own voice began to sync together with his. She had to admit, after the first moment of feeling foolish, she began to really focus on the combined sound of their voices meshed together, morphing and creating something entirely new. She focused on that sound, let it thrum and grow within her, acting as an anchor to this present moment, this universal now.


    Althea took this time to peer within herself, and gaze at what she saw there. Pain, despair, sorrow and rage¡­ but also kindness, patience, compassion, and hope. She could feel the vacant seats, waiting to be filled. Acceptance, pride, love, and trust. Not entirely empty¡­ but not nearly full yet. She wondered if she would ever accept those which were hardest for her to grasp. It had been so easy for her to fall into the awaiting arms of pain and anger, but it would take true effort to accept herself, to love those who had hurt her. Would she ever be able to embrace them?


    She kept her eyes shut, as she pushed away her lingering thoughts, shifting her full, undivided focus back onto their unified echo¡¯s. Shapes and colours began to appear behind her closed lids. She focused on them, forming them into tangible objects with her mind. She was floating, weight no longer of any relevance to her as she soared through her mind surrounded by a movement of patterns and shapes and colours. And from within, she knew that this was what it felt like to be infinite. There was no true end or beginning¡­ there was only now, this sacred moment.


    She''d nearly forgotten she''d been chanting at all until Arsalan''s voice rang through her like a hot bolt of light.


    "Okay Althea, it''s time to move on," he said lightly tapping her shoulder. Had she been chanting alone? She opened her eyes and the light beaming down from above burned them. Arsalan just chuckled at her squinting.


    "How... How long were we chanting?" It had felt as though they''d only just started... Why was he moving on so quickly?


    "Nearly an hour... did it not feel that long to you?" He raised a curious brow at her, but his face suggested he knew precisely where she had gone.


    She bit the inside of her cheek and shook her head. It hadn''t even felt like five minutes¡­


    "Well then it was working," he said with a smirk.


    He stood up and walked over to his pack, removing two small metal bowls and two small wooden dowels, with what appeared to be some sort of black felt fabric wrapped around one end. The bowls had a beautiful golden design imprinted into the metal. Althea had never seen anything alike to them before.


    "These," Arsalan said, sitting back down in his now flattened spot on the grass, and setting the bowl down between them, "are Tibetan singing bowls. They are used to help us meditate and act as a pitch guide for our singing meditation."


    He took the wooden stick and tapped the black fabric to the bowl lightly, sending a high pitched ringing into the air around them. He then slowly began spiralling the wooden dowel around the bowl. At first it sounded like the initial ring was fading away, but after a few seconds she heard it... Althea could hear a low hum coming from the bowl. She watched as Arsalan''s eyes fluttered closed and he took a deep breath in through his mouth before beginning a low pitched throaty "ahhh," sound.


    Althea closed her own eyes and followed his example. It took her a moment to perfectly match the pitch of the bowl and Arsalan, but once she got it, it came naturally to her.


    They continued this singing, eventually synching so thoroughly that they took their breaths as one.


    She didn''t know why, but she quite enjoyed this form of meditation. It was somehow comforting to her, and as they meditated, she thought of all the things she wished to put out into the air around her. She thought of the things she wished to say but hadn''t. It was as though she were realising that sometimes you needed to ask questions and raise your voice even when you¡¯re scared of rejection or pain.


    ¡­


    The sun felt as if it had swayed farther towards the west this afternoon as they finished Althea''s training for the day, insinuating that they had meditated for longer than usual despite it not feeling that way. As Arsalan knelt before the trunk of the vast tree, putting things into his pack, he turned to look at her over one shoulder.


    "So, back to your room so I can see this journal then?" Althea bit the inside of her cheek. She''d entirely forgotten he''d asked to see it on their last day of training. But now she wasn''t sure she should show him... how could she be sure she could trust him? She glanced over at Arsalan and took the opportunity to take in his features as he faced away from her. He wore a heavier tunic today, but kept the sleeves cuffed a little bit above each wrist, showing the swirls of black ink that peaked through. His mop of black hair was pulled back into a loose bun atop his head, leaving a small line of ink visible at the nape of his neck, which she knew stemmed from the dragon that was etched just below it.


    He turned to look at her, noticing her stare as she tried to look away quickly.


    "I uh..." Althea faked a ditzy chuckle as she said, "completely forgot you''d asked to see it and returned it to the library." She swallowed, suddenly finding the grass immensely interesting as she ran her fingers through its scratchy surface.


    "You returned it to the library?" he asked slowly, not glancing at her as he tightened the clasp on his pack.


    "Honestly, it''s really not all that important... just some ravings of a mad woman," she tried to brush it off but he was having no part of that. Arsalan finally stood, looking straight through her with that icy demeanour of his.


    "Why are you lying to me Althea?" He bit out her name with such a tang that she closed her eyes at his question.


    "I''m no¨C"


    "You told me you had books you wanted to show me last week... you''re telling me you''ve returned all of them then?" Arsalan cut her off, crossing his arms over his now puffed out chest.


    She didn''t answer right away so he continued, "what happened between then and now that has made you stop trusting me?" His words barreled into her more forcefully than she would have liked. He got quieter though as he asked lowly, "is this about what happened between us the night of the ball?"


    And there it was, the headache she''d been trying to avoid speaking about, out in the open now.


    "What, no!" she spit back, a little too defensively, "and you''re a complete fool if you think that the likes of a man would ever sway my judgement so much."


    "Well then what is it?" He threw his hands into the air now, letting them fall limply at his sides as he stared at her with such indignation that she blew out an audible sigh.


    "Why are you here Arsalan? Why are you training me? Why do you care whether or not I succeed at mastering my ability or go completely mad? You came here by the request of the board didn''t you? So what? Are you here to give them a report of my progress to further your own position amongst them?" She was rambling, just spewing the things she''d kept bottled up. She was done letting these unanswered questions fog up her mind, and even if she didn''t get answers, at least the attempt might put her at ease somehow.


    He stared at her blankly, but she didn''t waver. She just stared back cooly. She was about to open her mouth with an annoyed shout when he said, so quietly she barely heard him as he stared at the ground in front of them, "I''m here because I care."


    She almost didn''t know if she''d heard him entirely correct. But as his head tilted up and his eyes met hers, a watery blue washed over them, replacing their usual cool icy hue.


    "The board didn''t force me to come... hell I''m likely not even the first they asked," he bit out, "but I would have come, and I would have stayed regardless of who you were because I have seen too many of our kind die due to pure ignorance. The board doesn''t care about us, I''ve known it for a long time, as my parents did before me, and when I watched them die, I promised myself that I would never kill myself playing the puppet for them. They use us as they used my parents, doing their dirty work for them and not batting an eye when we go mad due to poor maintenance over our minds. They hide away information from most of the cadre out of their own selfishness. Information that could save people with our ability and others struggling with their power. It''s unfair, and nobody knows that more than I do, so please do not ever insinuate that I am here purely to serve them because the only person I serve, is myself," he bit out the words with such vigour that it made Althea tremble slightly, her fingers beginning to tingle at the tips. It seemed he¡¯d had some thoughts of his own taking up space within his mind. She swallowed, unsure of how to respond.


    She didn''t need to think very long on the words as he took a steadying breath and said, calmly now, "to your bedchamber then?"


    Althea just nodded and they walked in silence up to her room.


    Upon closing the door behind him, Arsalan stared in awe around the room fit for a queen, then wrinkled his nose slightly as he inhaled. She blushed, remembering Zella¡¯s words from the day before. It smells odd in here. Though he said nothing of it, Althea hoped he couldn¡¯t detect the activities that had taken place within this room after the ball¡­ the last thing she needed was another reason for him to poke fun at her.


    She reached under her bed, pulling out each and every book from the mound beneath it. Arsalans eyes were sharp as he stared at her in confusion.


    "You said you''d found a few books of interest, not half the damned library!" he said, staring down at the piles of bound paper and leather.


    "Yeah... so about that, I may or may not have stumbled across a secret chamber full of ancient books that may or may not have been hidden behind a shelf in the main library." Althea bit her lip, smiling sheepishly at Arsalan whose only expression was bewilderment.


    "You what?" he started to raise his voice but then shook his head, "you know what, never mind, this actually makes perfect sense the more I think about it. I had wondered how anything of value would have made it past the raid nearly two hundred years ago, but now I know. Though how you found this mysterious chamber still remains a bit of a mystery to me, but I think it''s probably best that I don''t know." Arsalan let out a sigh, tangling a hand through his bound hair.


    "Oh, my cat Archibald led me there," Althea cooed, looking around for the funny little creature.


    "As I said, it would have just been better to live unknowingly." Althea couldn''t help the smile that spread over her lips. She enjoyed seeing him so, well, unbound for once. It lightened her own spirits as well as she lifted up one of the many books scattering the wooden floor.


    "So you could read all of these despite them being written in Latin?" he asked, turning through a passage about some of the groups within the cadre that had formed to attempt to change it.


    "Mhm," Althea hummed, hearing the door to her bathing chamber creek. She turned, seeing Archie who strolled into the room and walked straight over to Arsalan, bobbing his head against her instructor''s elbow.


    Arsalan eyed the creature wearily as it rubbed against him.


    "Ah, so you must be the trouble maker," he chuckled and tousled the cat''s fur on his head.


    He looked back up to Althea and smirked, "Archibald was it?" She grinned, closed mouthed, and nodded. He looked back down at the cat and scratched beneath his chin, staring at those bright, multi-coloured eyes.


    "A very peculiar fellow indeed," he said slowly, studying the cat before putting his interest back into the text before him.


    They spent the remainder of the afternoon engulfed in the ancient books. Althea told him everything, from what she''d learned of the cadre, to the small amount she''d read of the flame, and their ability. In return Arsalan gave her any information he thought might be helpful. As someone who had worked closely with the board for years now, as did his parents before him, he knew a vast amount about the flame, most of it being directly from the board themselves though. They had told him, as they had told Zellas parents and his parents as well, that the flame was an evil thing that kept their power limited and suffocated them as a magical people living within a human world. But as depicted in the text here, the flame acted as more of an anchor that kept monsters and sinister forces from entering their world in troves. So which was the truth?


    Judging by the fact that someone had clearly fought very hard to keep these memoirs and findings hidden from the board, he could easily decide that for himself. Whoever had hidden these knew they would likely be taken and kept hidden by the board, if not outright destroyed. Arsalan had gained access to their personal library in Skyworth, and he''d scoured the place for texts such as these but there had been none. It made him wonder whether they had destroyed any piece of literature that had not suited their own narrative and motives.


    So many questions now arose, but he was sure of one thing, he was glad to finally have a reason to doubt them, other than their lack of caring when it came to the lives of their cadre members. That alone had made him weary of the board from the moment he''d begun training, when he''d developed his ability at the age of seventeen. Over the past nine years, he had worked his way into being someone they trusted, a member they counted on... but all that he really wanted were answers. He knew they were accountable for so many deaths due to ignorance... but now he questioned whether it was ignorance or utter lack of consideration for those who were beneath them, that had been the cause of so many lives lost. Arsalan had watched his parents, his instructor, his lover... all die due to the pressure the board was constantly putting them under. And as Arsalan read through the ancient tomes, one thing became crystal clear to him, he held absolutely no ounce of loyalty for the members of that board.

 Chapter 21

    Althea spent the next two weeks engulfed, alongside Arsalan and Zella in reading and theorising about the board and the flame. Though she hadn''t said anything of the riddle to Arsalan, she and Zella pondered it in their time away from him. Althea''s outburst of feelings for Arsalan that she''d nearly acted on that night of the ball, slowly seemed to fade as nearly every other night for the last fortnight she''d taken Jasper to her bed. She couldn¡¯t get enough of him. Each and every time they made love it got better and better... though at the conclusion of each night, she couldn''t help the feeling that there was something left to be found there between them. It always seemed that their time spent in intimacy was too short lived.


    It was near days away from All Hallows'' Eve now, and the start of her last week training with the stones. Over the past weeks they had finished the communication training in which they meditated together and sang in a language so ancient, it vibrated through her body with all the weight of its age. The last week had pertained to her intuition, and testing how well she could sense danger. Arsalan had braced her, saying this upcoming week would be the hardest week yet, to overcome, but once she had, they would begin their next area of training, combat training, and integrating ability training into it. The thought both delighted and terrified Althea.


    She was happy to finally overcome all of the hours spent meditating for some more active training, but the thought of further developing her ability was terrifying to her. After everything she''d read, all of the people who had gone mad¡­ even though Arsalan had tried to reassure her, saying that she had overcome every obstacle he''d thrown her way, she still felt uneasy at the thought of practising what was essentially magic within her.


    As she made her way to the large, partially baron tree, Arsalan smiled at her. He had been oddly nice to her over the last week, not that she was complaining, but the void of his usual brutish behaviour was slightly peculiar.


    "Good morning!" he greeted her, and it was only then that she noticed a small hut just beyond the trunk of the oak tree.


    She furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at him with a concerned expression passing over her features.


    There was a light smoke puffing from the opening in the top of the small makeshift tent. Did he have a fire set in there? Althea had been wearing the heavier set of training garbs made for her by Layana over the last week, due to the bitter cold that had begun to take over now. Had he done this as an attempt to keep them out of the cold today? Why not just practise inside? The ballroom wasn''t to be used for another few days, anyway.


    "It''s for your training," he said, walking over to the hut and opening the flap to the inside. Althea could feel the warmth radiating from the odd little space.


    "Am I to go in... now?" she asked, still a bit confused as she clenched her bag of stones in a hand.


    "Yes, go on, it''s best we get started before these clouds start pouring down on us," Arsalan looked up to the sky which featured a haze of grey, speckled with dark patches of storm clouds.


    With a sigh, she ducked and climbed into the small den. Inside were two cushioned seats, separated by a small coaxing fire with a brew of some sort hovering above it. The small space was thick with hot steam and the smell¡­


    ¡°Christ, are you boiling mud in here?¡± Althea asked. It smelled of earth and a deep, pungent mustiness. He chuckled and shook his head.


    She took a seat atop the farther of the two cushions, and Arsalan followed her inside, taking his spot in front of her. He held two bowls in his hands that he¡¯d brought in from outside the tent. She¡¯d spied them as she¡¯d come in.


    ¡°This,¡± the smile he gave her made a chill run over her skin despite the warmth of the hut, ¡°is a traditional Amazonian brew.¡± Arsalan handed her what appeared to be a bowl of watered down mud. She looked down her nose at it, praying to whoever might be listening that he did not expect her to ingest whatever this was.


    ¡°I first tried it years ago, during my time deep within the Amazon Rainforest, just south of Manaus. Though I¡¯m not a shaman¡­ and this is no Maloca,¡± he chuckled, ¡°I think we should still be able to reach our desired outcome.¡±


    ¡°Are we¡­ to drink this?¡± Althea asked hesitantly¡­ she had a strong feeling she wasn''t going to like his answer. As if reading either her thoughts, or perhaps the slight grimace she was sure shown through on her face, Arsalan nodded.


    ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t worry I''ve strained it well, and it has cooled so some of the, uh, flavours, are less potent. Though, be prepared, it is quite bitter.¡± Her grimace only grew at that.


    ¡°And why, exactly, are you making me drink this?¡± she asked, peering between him and the bowl resting in her lap.


    ¡°I will not make you do anything¡­ ever¡­ it is entirely your choice whether you wish to ingest this sacred brew Althea. However, I will enlighten you to some ways that it helped me overcome a plethora of mental obstacles I have faced. This brew is made from a concoction of various plants, straight from the depths of the Amazon, the ayahuasca vine, the leaves of the chacruna plant, chiric sanango, and bobinsana. The ayahuasca vine contains two inhibitors, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine that allow the psychoactive compound within the chacruna leaves to activate. The compound is actually one which already exists within our minds¡­ but when an excess enters our bloodstream, it enables our minds to widen beyond the mere confines of this world.¡± Althea furrowed her eyebrows, lifting the bowl to study its contents.


    ¡°So I¡¯m not drinking it for how it will taste¡­ but what it will enact in my mind? What do you mean by the confines of this world?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It is hard to explain, if I¡¯m being sincere¡­ but I will warn you, the things you see and experience once you have ingested the brew are¡­ vivid to say the least.¡± The way his angular jaw clenched and the flicker of nervousness in those silver eyes did nothing to reassure her.


    ¡°The first time I took it, it allowed me to see all that was, and all that is¡­ it allowed me to understand that they are in fact one, everything that has yet to come has already been, and the present is all that there is. The brew allowed me to understand time, and this world in a way that I never could have imagined, and I believe that it is because of this enlightened understanding that my gifts have not affected me as they have others.¡±


    ¡°You think this brew has kept you from going mad?¡± she asked, mostly for confirmation.


    Arsalan nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±


    It was all the confirmation she needed. If he believed it could keep her mind from being torn apart by its own delusions, she would ingest this odd smelling brew.


    Althea nodded and slowly began lifting the bowl of strong smelling brown liquid. Arsalan raised his to hers in a sort of celebratory way.


    ¡°Congratulations Althea¡­ you¡­ you¡¯ve come far.¡± Before she could let her mind wrap around those words¡­ how much they meant coming from him, he had the wooden bowl pressed to his lips and was gulping down the contents. Althea followed suit, holding her breath as she brought the bowl to her mouth and drank deeply. The slightly warm liquid was bitter as it slid down her throat, nearly causing her to gag once, but she swallowed it down until the bowl was empty.


    Then they waited. Arsalan doused the flame in water, not enough to fully put it out, but to create a thick cloud of steam between them. Beads of sweat formed above her brow, her neck, between her breasts. She took the wool lined tunic off, letting her body breathe in the thin undershirt.


    Arsalan didn¡¯t let his eyes fall upon her, for fear that he may not be able to look away so subtly¡­ or worse, his body would react in that way it sometimes did when his eyes fell over Althea and he allowed his mind to drift to unholy territory. So he peered into the glistening embers, breathing in the heady steam that filled the makeshift hut.


    He didn¡¯t give Althea a warning as he began chanting the mantra he¡¯d taught her a couple weeks ago. To his surprise, and delight, she joined in almost instantaneously. He let his eyes sweep up her slim abdomen and rounded chest, then to those bright beaming green eyes, before he let his own lids flutter closed. And though he attempted to clear the image of her, skin gleaming with sweat against the heat of the flame, like honey oozing from the comb¡­ that face was evident in his mind with each inhale and exhale he took.


    Althea wasn¡¯t sure how much time had passed since she¡¯d ingested the brew, but upon a so¡¯ham blown exhale, her breath seemed to catch and suddenly it felt as though she¡¯d been laid to soak in a pool of warm water. As she opened her eye¡¯s, the room had dimmed to an almost completely darkened state. Arsalan still sat across from her now, but he appeared entirely different before her. His eyes were no longer their icy silver, or even that sated blue¡­ they had turned a deep onyx, so dark and depthless that it gave her a slight fright as she peered at him.


    ¡°Allll-theeeea?¡± Her name on his lips was foreign to her. A long, drawn out word that seemed to curve on forever, as did his mouth, twisting in a way which was unnatural as he spoke. But she couldn¡¯t look away, couldn''t bring herself to close her eyes as she just stared at him. ¡°Do you feel okay?¡± he asked.


    Althea opened her mouth to reply but no words would grace her. Her gaze shifted from him, to the muffled embers before them. She let her attention fixate on the small glimmering flame peaking through charred wood.


    Then it started.


    Soft thrumming filled her ears, like the beat of an ancient war drum. She could feel her physical body shift, feel her head lift to the ceiling as her eyes rolled back. But she was not greeted by darkness as her eyes closed¡­ quite the opposite.


    ¡°You, you, you, you.¡± The word echoed through her mind, rumbled through her bones, caressed her very soul with its warmth and familiarity. Was it her own voice, her own conscience? It breathed into her, filling her entirely with a foreign sense of both pleasure and wonder.


    ¡°Bearer of two identities, stitch between two worlds.¡± Another thrummed echo.


    Light flashed before her and then she was floating, soaring through the darkness towards that radiating, all consuming light. As her mind flew, Althea¡¯s head filled with overlapping whispers. None of the words were echoes of English, but of an ancient, long forgotten tongue.


    ¡°Grower of life, taker of darkness, assistant to death, eternal soul,¡± they spoke to her, their voices like spindly, morphing instruments.


    Light flooded through her entire spirit as she made it beyond the tunnel of darkness. She swallowed down gulps of foreign emotion, igniting and being set ablaze by everything around her. So beautiful and wholly familiar to her. Not a place¡­ but a state of existence.


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    A new presence greeted her, seeming to say hello without speaking into her.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± she beckoned.


    ¡°You know,¡± was the entity¡¯s only reply.


    ¡°My mind?¡± It felt true.


    ¡°The mind does not hold the memories of the immortal soul.¡± Around her, in the beaming warm light, emotions surrounded her, foreign and yet so familiar. The songs of animals not of the world she¡¯d come to call her home.


    ¡°I know this place¡­¡± Althea said, or rather thought. A brush of energy swept past her, like the warm touch of a lover.


    ¡°This,¡± the word was long, drawn out as the entity seemed to breathe down her metaphorical neck, ¡°is the sanctuary¡­ where all eternal life both starts and ends. A resting place for spirits to be reborn.¡± In that moment, the feeling that surrounded her was infinite. A sort of joy and solas spreading in every direction with no limit, no restrictions.


    ¡°This is your home, little wind spirit¡­ This is the home of all living beings. The skin you possess is a purpose.¡±


    ¡°What is my purpose?¡± she asked. A laugh ran through her, weaving through each vertebrae of her spine.


    ¡°I can not permit such information¡­¡± the entity crooned, ¡°but¡­ I¡¯ll allow you to glimpse what awaits.¡± Her mind trembled, not with fear, but with anxious anticipation.


    ¡°Ready?¡± the presence beckoned.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She was launched into herself, back into the darkness from which she¡¯d come. But as she soared through the pit of onyx, a speck appeared far off in the distance. They grew closer and closer, that entity¡¯s presence still with her, carrying her through this world of darkness.


    The speck grew into a spiralling, morphing fractal, filling her entire existence with its tan and black patterns. It was like peering down a spiral staircase, each pattern repeating the first in different scales. But within the pattern, lay another and another, drawing her in farther and farther. The patterns were self-similar, folding in on themselves like ocean waves. She was entering into not just a shape, she realised, but a world¡­ an entire infinite reality, full of endless complexity. The spiralling flow of shape and movement engulfed her, pulling her down, down, down, into it until she was one with this mesmerising world of intricacies.


    ¡°This world is my creation,¡± the entity whispered, ¡°my punishment.¡±


    As she studied the details closer, she noticed that there was no life within this world, no growth or warmth. It was cold, and vacant, and vast. But she could feel the presence of what once was¡­ what had flourished here long ago.


    ¡°What happened to it?¡± she asked, still dwindling deeper into the world''s infinite spiral.


    ¡°I was taken from my home, my world¡­ and then something was taken from me. What was once a sanctuary is now unfortified, and therefore has been ravaged by the likes of monsters that only dwell in your darkest terrors.¡± Althea¡¯s eyes scanned the terrain again, blank and empty. A feeling of such deep, all consuming melancholy, filled her entirely. And though she wasn¡¯t sure why¡­ guilt plagued her, as if she were to blame for this happening.


    ¡°Do not fret, little wind spirit, for I am eternal. I know all that is and all that will come. My world will be made anew¡­ made to match the remnant of what it once was.¡± The intricacies of the spiralling pattern shifted as they at last neared its centre. Blazing warmth flitted into her, bringing with it that familiar sense of comfort and joy once more. They were back where they¡¯d started, surrounded by what she could only assume to be paradise.


    ¡°The last haven,¡± the presence purred, ¡°the centre of my world.¡±


    ¡°What can I do to help you?¡± Althea asked.


    ¡°Embrace, remember, and¡­¡± the entity paused, seeming to let warm, caressing fingers brush over her mind, ¡°go back home.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t an answer, but a demand, she realised, as she was sent flying, soaring back through the darkness. The light of the fractals burned her eyes as they swept by in a daze, or rather as she swept past them. Darkness surrounded her and those voices from earlier began whispering again.


    ¡°When will you save us eternal soul?¡± their unified, withering voices begged.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you save us?¡± They were growing closer, circling her like predators stalking their prey. Fear began trickling into her, and that thrumming pounded again, filling her senses with its intense murmur.


    ¡°If you will not save us¡­ then you shall join us.¡± The shimmering whisper was so close, Althea could feel it within her every fibre. And just as cold, spindly fingers clasped onto her shoulder, she jolted awake.


    Darkness greeted her, but as her fingers clenched the soft, grey satin of her duvet, her heart slowed from its gallop in her chest.


    ¡°Althea,¡± a groggy male voice asked from across the room. She jumped, blinking in the darkness to see who was there.


    Seeming to sense her unease, he said quickly, ¡°it¡¯s me, Arsalan.¡±


    Her shoulders slumped and she relaxed once more, though she was unsure why he was in her room. She loosened her grip on the silk covers, noticing then that they were damp¡­ she was damp, with sweat she realised a second later.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± he asked, having walked from the wooden chair he¡¯d been sitting in across the room, to stand before her now. The silver glow of moonlight shone in from the window, casted him in a cool shimmering light. He still wore his training garbs. Upon peering down, she realised she did too, though her boots had been removed. The last thing she remembered was sitting across from him in that odd little tent¡­ how had she¡­ had he brought her up here? To her room?


    She opened her mouth to ask him just that, but when she tried to speak, she was instead greeted by a choking gag.


    Arsalan moved quickly, helping her lean over the side of the bed as she relinquished the contents of her stomach. It was like vomiting up dirt. Dirt and bile. Arsalan¡¯s hands were tangled in her hair, holding it back as she puked, and then puked again, until there was nothing left but air in her stomach.


    ¡°Fuck Althea, I am so sorry, this is all my fault,¡± Arsalan swore, his other hand rubbing circles on her back in an attempt to comfort her. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have given you that brew.¡±


    The brew¡­ she remembered drinking it before the fire with him¡­ had he experienced it too then? Whatever it had been¡­


    ¡°T¨Ctowel,¡± she managed to say. Her throat was raw and her voice was but a rasp.


    She reached to take her hair from his large hand, and then he went quickly to the washroom to retrieve both a towel for the floor and a dampened washcloth for her mouth. He¡¯d also grabbed her a glass of water to her utter gratitude. Then he knelt to the floor to begin cleaning her discarded stomach contents.


    ¡°Wait!¡± she rasped, attempting to stop him. Heat burned her face and embarrassment rose up in her. She didn¡¯t want him cleaning up her vomit.


    ¡°Please Althea, I¡¯m not afraid of a little puke,¡± he chuckled then got to work cleaning it up. Althea just gulped down the water in the glass, thankful for every drop of the cool liquid. She was parched.


    ¡°Did you¡­ carry me to my bedchamber?¡± she asked as he finished cleaning up her mess. Arsalan only nodded, and because he was knelt below her bed, she couldn¡¯t see what expression he bore.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, peering down at the now empty glass in her fingers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me Althea¡­ I am the cause of your distress¡­ I should never have insinuated that you take the brew with me¡­ I didn¡¯t realise just how far it would carry you. You just¡­¡± he paused as if not wanting to relive whatever he¡¯d witnessed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She was still processing it all. When she¡¯d initially awoken in her bed, she¡¯d wondered if it had all been an intense dream¡­ but she knew it hadn''t been¡­ she¡¯d indeed gone somewhere, somewhere far, far from here. It was hard to remember everything that had happened, everything she had felt and witnessed.


    ¡°You needn¡¯t apologize Arsalan¡­ I am okay. And what I experienced¡­¡± she could hardly put it into words.


    ¡°I have never seen anyone tap so hard into the spiritual realm before¡­ it was like one moment you were there and then¡­ I felt it hit me too, but it didn¡¯t impact me like it did you. One moment your eyes were fixated on me, on the embers before us, and the next,¡± he ran a hand through his unbound mop of dark hair, ¡°your eyes rolled back and then you, your mind was just gone. What did you see?¡± he asked, looking back to her now, curiosity enchanting those dark features.


    ¡°I¡­¡± she shook her head unsure of where to begin, ¡°I went to another world¡­ maybe multiple other worlds¡­ I don¡¯t know, I probably sound as if I¡¯ve gone mad¡­¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Arsalan spoke quickly, ¡°you do not sound mad in the slightest Althea. The brew¡­ it takes your mind places¡­ helps you understand things that are usually clouded. The compounds from the plants open your third eye and allow you to see the world for what it truly is¡­ and it is a very vast place.¡± She nodded slowly, understanding him entirely. After what she¡¯d seen and felt, he was very right about that.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to recall all of the details now¡­ but there was this place, a sort of paradise¡­ Arsalan it was so, so divine, so utterly beautiful and not of our mundane beauty, but of true unfiltered beauty. And there was this¡­ this presence there with me. Well there was more than one, the first I think was my conscience leading me to where I needed to be in order for the second to find me. When it did, it guided me through, speaking to me without words, but just feelings and thoughts, but I somehow understood.¡± She was rambling, she knew she was, but Arsalan''s blue eyes were aglow with both curiosity and fondness as she spoke, which made her want to continue.


    ¡°It showed me a different world¡­ a world that was dying, and yet this entity had kept a small part of this world safe, and that tiny sliver of existence, it was¡­ that paradise, that was it. It had saved it, and it was¡­ wondrous.¡± Tears stung her eyes as she tried and failed to feel the kind of emotions she had felt in that place. She wondered if she would ever feel that way again¡­


    ¡°Hey now,¡± Arsalan lifted himself from the floor and sat atop her bed, ¡°you mustn''t let yourself dwell too much on what you experienced¡­ you were put here for a reason Althea, embrace that.¡± The warmth of his fingers brushed against her knee. She¡¯d nearly forgotten the end¡­ how those other beings had surrounded her, begged her to save them.


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ I was put here for a reason,¡± she declared, though she wasn¡¯t sure exactly what it was yet. But it had been no mere coincidence that she¡¯d been brought here, to this place, that she¡¯d met Monique and Jasper and Meg and James when she had¡­ mere days before her ability had slithered from its dormancy. Things were falling before her like pieces in a puzzle, and now it was her responsibility to put them into the right places and create the bigger picture.


    Arsalan¡¯s mouth tilted up into a smile as he said, ¡°I am glad it has led you where you needed to be.¡± He picked the towel up from the ground, tossing it into the hamper. Althea peered to the window, moonlight trickling in. She wondered what time it was¡­


    ¡°How long ago did we¡­ take that brew?¡± she asked, it had been daylight¡­ likely only approaching midday when she¡¯d been swept beneath the curtain of this reality.


    ¡°About twelve hours ago¡­ It''s nearing midnight.¡± She blinked. Holy mother¡­ she had been unconscious for that long? Arsalan reappeared after washing his hands and opened her wardrobe to grab a set of cotton nightclothes.


    ¡°Change into something more comfortable, and get some rest, okay? Take the rest of the week to fuel your body with food and recover, we will begin our combat training next week.¡± She nodded and he laid the garments beside her on the bed before strolling to the wooden chair and grabbing his pack. Had he sat there the entire time? Waiting for her to awaken? She supposed he had.


    ¡°Rest well Althea, is there anything you need before I go?¡± he asked, turning to look at her. If she were being honest with both him and herself, she didn¡¯t really want to be alone with her wandering mind and thoughts right now, but she didn¡¯t dare say that. He¡¯d already done more than enough for her. So Althea just shook her head.


    ¡°No¡­ thank you for watching over me Arsalan, goodnight.¡± Something twinkled in those bright eyes of his, she could see it even through the darkness. Then he nodded and exited her bedchamber.


    After changing into her nightclothes, Althea laid back down in her bed, Archibald coming to nestle in beside her. But sleep did not greet her quickly¡­ nor did it claim her for passing hours as she sat, pondering all that she could remember of what she¡¯d experienced. She was scared that if she closed her eyes and let her mind soar free, she would wake to forget the urgency behind what that entity had implied. Its world was dying¡­ and she didn¡¯t know why it mattered to her, or how she tied into helping it, but she would start by not letting herself forget that which had been whispered into her. Little wind spirit, it had called her. Just as the wind carries with it the tales of past lives as it sweeps over the earth, weaving them into the fabric of the land, she too would embed this experience into her memory.

 Chapter 22

    Long days turned into short weeks and even shorter months as Althea continued to train daily with Arsalan. As promised they had practised so many fighting techniques, Althea felt as though she could take on a monster if she needed to. Her once gangly limbs now had a vibrant definition to them. Even through her thick winter training garbs, the outline of her toned thighs was evident as she walked back to her rooms from the training grounds. Despite the frigid cold outside this past month, Arsalan had insisted upon them training out there, to Althea''s utter annoyance. They had also begun manipulating the power that resided within her. At the end of each week, she and Arsalan would spend a day or sometimes two working her mind and her ability. She was able now, to summon the ability to slow time with delicate ease, and had learned how to teleport quickly from one space to another in the same area. And over the past two weeks, she''d even begun learning how to temporarily rewind time by a few minutes. It made her start to wonder if Arsalan had ever rewound time on her...


    Yuletide was rapidly nearing now. This weekend started the twelve days of festivities with the winter solstice ball followed by nearly two weeks of feasting, gift giving, and events, such as ballets, fireworks, and performances put on by the travelling theatre. Althea had already gotten gifts for Jasper, Zella, and Monique. She''d even got a shared gift for Meg and James even though she hadn''t spoken to the couple very much recently. She hadn''t planned to get anything for Arsalan, only because he had said he didn''t celebrate the holiday. In his home country of Persia, they had other ritualistic holidays such as Yalda which they celebrated on the night of winter solstice. No she hadn''t planned to get him anything... that is until Yemi visited the institution last week. Yemi was an old merchant who came to the institution selling items to be bought as Yuletide gifts. He had travelled through nearly the entirety of Europe trading and selling items, so his collection of rarities including precious stoned jewellery, delicacies from other countries, swords, pistols, and trinkets, was vast. Althea had marvelled at all he had in his wheeled cart. But as soon as she saw that glimmer of silver from within the deepest pocket of his cart she knew she must purchase it for him.


    It was a beautifully crafted, steel dagger, with a handle that formed a dragon, bedecked with blue sapphires that glimmered anywhere it lay. The blade itself was serrated into jagged teeth-like points and if he did ever use it on anyone, god be with them. She imagined it would likely tear the unlucky bearer''s insides straight out if it were to be plummeted into them. Though its lethal properties are not what had allured Althea to the blade when she''d seen it for the first time. No, it was the silver gleaming dragon on the dagger''s hilt that reminded her so much of the one etched into Arsalan''s back.


    It had cost her a pretty sum of coin, even more than Jasper''s gift had cost her, but she didn''t regret it, and knew he would enjoy adding it to his collection. As she neared her bedchamber door, she noticed Zella in her usual sitting position at the doors foot. Nearly every day after training they spent their afternoons together in her room, sometimes reading, sometimes just talking. They had met somewhat of an impassable wall on their research... even Arsalan had stopped showing up to her room after training once he''d read through all of the information. The three of them had come to the conclusion that, until Althea was more proficient in manipulating her ability, they would hold off on any confrontation of the board¡­ just in case of any backlash from them. Arsalan had stated that the most important thing as of now was getting her properly trained so that if there were to be any fall out, she could at least protect herself, she had agreed. Though it did feel as if by doing so, she was giving in somehow... even though she hadn''t, it felt like she was admitting defeat to these questions she so desperately wanted answers for.


    "Good afternoon!" Zella beamed at Althea in her usual cheery tone.


    "Yes it is, especially now that I am out of the cold!" Althea smiled back, opening the door to her chamber which she kept locked now, just in case anyone were to ever snoop through her things. She had kept only a few of the many books she''d taken from the hidden library, putting the rest back in their original spot behind the wall.


    "So how is Arsalan? I haven''t seen him in quite some time," Zella inquired. The truth was he had seemed distracted as of late. Althea had wanted to ask if he was okay, but she knew he would likely retreat so she avoided the topic when they trained.


    "He''s been good, we''ve been working on defensive combat and furthering my ability. He''s just his normal brooding self," Althea rolled her eyes with a playful half smile. That much was at least true, he had been especially brutal lately during their combat training. But Althea had the slightest inclination that this was due to how strong she''d gotten over the past months. Even she''d noticed the shift in their sparing dynamic. There were times when she would catch him off guard and nearly take the wind from him, and to combat this, he had begun going harder on her. And despite how sore her arms would be after hours of blocking his harsh jabs, it was all the more rewarding when she did swing a good palm strike and hit him.


    Archie waddled from the bathing chamber to greet the two girls as they each sat. "And good afternoon to you too Archibald," Zella crooned, petting the cat beneath his grey speckled chin.


    "So has Layana finished your evening gown for the winter solstice ball this weekend?" Zellas asked, looking up from the cat now.


    Althea nodded, smiling.


    "Yes, it''s in my bathing chamber if you''d like to take a look. It''s not quite as extravagant as my gown for the fall equinox ball, but I opted for something a bit more simplistic this time around."


    "I don''t think it''s possible for you not to look extravagant. But I''ll wait to be the judge of that until I see it on you this weekend." Zella always flattered Althea, which is one of the many, many reasons she''d grown so fond of her beloved friend.


    ¡­


    After dinner that night, Althea found herself being steered up the stairs by Jasper as he kissed her neck and chest at each landing. Oh how she revelled in the feeling of his warm lips, and his fingers as they traced her skin. This time however, Jasper pushed the door to the floor below hers open as he pulled his lips from hers.


    "Mm, wait," she paused looking up at him, "it''s one more floor up." Had he drunk more ale than she''d thought tonight?


    He just smirked down at her, "oh I know love, but I want, no need you right here, right now." His voice was like a siren''s call into her ear as his breath melted against her skin.


    She breathed out a sigh as he trailed a hand down the loose cotton tunic and trousers, gripping her rear through them.


    "My room is right here," he nodded his head towards the door across from them. Her breath caught slightly. She''d never been inside of his room before. Suddenly her heart began beating faster as he laid his palm flat against the small of her back, leading her towards the large wooden door. Why was she nervous? It''s not as if she didn''t know what to expect... there would be a bed, and a bathing chamber... and maybe a desk. But somehow it was different. He was leading her to sleep with him, in his bed. Something about it felt more intimate to her. His fingers caressed the doorknob, twisting it until the door clicked open. The room was dark, but as soon as she took the first step inside, the deliciously citrus scent of him filled her nose. Althea wrapped her arms around herself as the frigid draft of the room swept up her body now. Jasper let go of her and began lighting the sconces using one from the corridor outside of his bedchamber. He also used it to light the fireplace which would hopefully warm up the room quickly.


    Althea gazed around the room which was about the same size as hers, but the bed was larger than hers, and this room was decorated in a light sage green, with green cotton bed linens and a green canopy atop the bed. A large wooden desk sat in one corner, scattered with books and scrolls, above it was a large stained glass window with an image of a horse and chariot. Althea bit her lip as she took in the stunning surroundings.


    Once the hearth was lit, Jasper returned his attention back to her, watching as she gazed around the large bed chamber.


    His hands slithered around her waist, pulling her to him as he leaned down to unite them in a smooth, supple kiss. She closed her eyes as Jasper slid one hand up to cup the back of her neck, pulling her in deeper with each movement. She could hardly breathe, she was so immersed in the delicious taste of his tongue on hers. And she''d hardly even noticed when he''d begun walking her backwards towards the large bed. When her legs met with the force of the wooden bed frame, she reached down to his belt without breaking contact with his lips, as she unbuckled the clasp.


    She was desperately yearning for him from within. Tonight was the first night he''d been at the institution for a fortnight. He had left the first week of December for a mission he was needed for in Skyworth. She''d attempted to ask him what he''d be going there for, but of course, he couldn''t give way to any details. She loved him, but she sometimes wondered if given the chance, he would choose her over the cadre and its corrupted board. But she kept telling herself that if he knew, if she showed him the ancient memoirs and texts, that he would choose her without a thought... and yet she still hadn''t. She''d had every opportunity to share the knowledge with him, but something had always stopped her. She would know when the time was right, and when it was, she would tell him everything.


    He laid her down on the bed and began kissing from her lips, down her neck. Althea delighted at the way his hair fell from its tie to tickle her neck as he kissed up to her ear. She arched her back at the sensational feeling of his warm, wet lips and tongue.


    Jasper broke away from her and smiled as he pulled the tan tunic over his head. He was devilishly handsome. Althea bit a lip as she wondered at him. Loose strands of brown hair swirled around that angelic face. Throwing the shirt to his side, he looked towards her once more, noticing the loving stare she gave him.


    "You are the most beautiful creation of them all Althea Lezant," he leaned down to place a gentle kiss against her lips.


    In a series of swift movements, Althea was without her cotton tunic, trousers, and undergarments and Jasper kissed his way down to the apex of her thighs. She craned her neck and arched her back as his hot mouth met with the dampness there.


    Althea shot a quick hand to him, tangling her fingers through his hair as he swirled his tongue around the part of her that throbbed for him. Oh, how she had missed this over the last weeks. She''d touched herself, the way he''d taught her, nearly every night, thinking of him. She''d imagined it were him sliding into her, rather than her own fingers. She''d thought of the way he looked as he was nearing his climax, focusing on that determined face of pure ecstasy as he pulled himself from her to explode on her stomach.


    Unable to stop herself she sat up, breaking his contact with her core and reaching for the white under trousers he still wore. She pulled them down swiftly and reached for his already hard erection. Without skipping a beat, she laid on her stomach and put his length into her mouth. She had spent the past three months memorising all of the things that put him into a full euphoric state, and one of them was when she circled her tongue around the head of his cock, as she was doing now.


    Althea looked up at him as she did so, watching as his head rolled back.


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    "My god Althea," he moaned, suppressing a swear as he bit his lip and entangled a hand with her hair. She continued pleasuring him for a few minutes, pushing him nearly to the edge before removing him from her mouth. She loved the power she felt when he was at her mercy.


    When she finally removed his length from between her warm lips, she stood, smiling nefariously at him. He bent low, bringing his mouth to her ear.


    "Mm, I have missed you so much, every second I was away, I thought of you, and every night as I laid in bed, I imagined it were I inside of you as I stroked myself." Jasper''s voice was a wicked caress against her neck.


    In a swift motion, Jasper pulled her up from the bed until she stood so close to him that his erection slid over her stomach. He reached a hand down to grip himself, gliding his cock, still wet from Althea''s mouth, against her core.


    A small moan escaped her lips at the sensation. Her body ached for Jasper, so desperate for him to fill her she was a quivering mess.


    As if reading her very thoughts, Jasper grabbed her waist and pushed her onto the green cotton blankets. His bed was just as comfortable as hers, if not more so. But she didn''t have much time to relish in it before Jasper was at her entrance, seemingly just as eager as she was as he wasted no time slipping himself into her.


    Althea let out a sob of pleasure as he slid fully into her with such ease due to the pool of wetness that had drenched her there.


    "Oh Jasper!" she cried out as he began thrusting in and out of her with such haste she felt the need to grip his shoulder to slow his tempo. Understanding, he paused his movement. Althea used this to her advantage, gyrating her hips into him as she clenched him tightly inside of her.


    Jasper''s eyes rolled back in his head and she could feel his arms beginning to shake as he held himself above her.


    "God be damned, you must have the devil within you to feel this..." he was unable to get out the rest of the words as he dropped to his elbows, holding her close to him as she continued bucking her hips into him.


    Althea could feel herself so close to that feeling of release she''d been so desperate to receive. She''d been able to push herself over that edge when she''d pleasured herself, but she was desperate to feel that erotic sensation from him as they made love. She could feel the bursting explosion building within her as she began clenching around him harder and faster.


    She was close... so close as her mouth gaped and she reached a metaphorical hand out towards release. Althea dug her nails into Jasper''s flesh and he groaned into her neck. He lifted himself back up with a hand and began pounding into her quickly and hard. So hard he had to put his knees onto the bed as he¡¯d pushed her back. He thrust faster and faster until he was attempting to pull himself from her opening.


    "No wait," she pleaded, so desperate, and so close to her own euphoria that it hurt.


    "I''m sorry, I''m," and with a swift pull from within her, he painted her torso in his milky white seed.


    Althea breathed out a defeated sigh as Jasper grunted, stroking himself as the full extent of him drained onto her stomach. She closed her eyes, slowly coming down from the high she''d been chasing. Something inside of her ached with a need so deep and unmet that it pained her. Jasper flopped down on the bed beside her and leaned to kiss her hot, flushed cheek.


    "It gets better every time," he breathed out, clearly exhausted from their activities.


    She coaxed a small smile onto her lips as she opened her eyes to look at him. Despite her own unmet need she was at least happy she''d pleased him.


    ¡­


    Before Althea knew it, the day of the Winter Solstice ball was upon the institution. Though this event would only include the cadre members residing at this institution, there had still been much hustle and bustle surrounding the event. From the staff preparing tonight''s courses, to the next twelves days of feasts, to the large Yuletide tree in the ballroom and all of the decorations, consisting of pine wreaths and garlands and glass baubles of red, silver and gold. They''d even gotten a handcrafted ice sculpture that sat in the courtyard of the institution.


    As they had for the last ball, Althea and Zella readied themselves in Althea''s bedchamber. Zella had begged her to do her makeup for this event as well, and Althea had, opting this time around, for a lighter cosmetic application to match her lighter features. Zellas skin had gotten a bit fairer over the last months, making the lighter colours suit her skin tone a bit better. Althea had applied a red toned rouge liberally to both her cheeks, dragging it up towards her temples. As for the eyes, Althea had chosen to keep the look simple with a bit of silver dusting she''d gotten from Florence at the apothecary, and a thin coal line above her eyes. She''d also used the berry red lip stain Zella had brought with her, saying it matched the gown she''d picked for tonight.


    Of course the girl had been ecstatic upon seeing the results which brought a smile to Althea''s lips.


    She''d done her own makeup with a similar simple elegance, coating her eyes in the same silver powder she''d done on Zellas. However, she mixed with it an icy blue that, as she put it on, she couldn''t help but notice the similarity it had to Arsalans eyes.


    Althea had applied a scented lip oil that smelled of something sweet, like a dessert, keeping her lips their natural muted, pale pink.


    The door beside her creaked open as she dabbed the oil onto her lips. She glanced to her side and stopped all motion as she took in the pure exquisite beauty that was the Candidus girl. Althea hardly recognized the playful spirited girl whom she''d spent so many countless hours with since her arrival at the institution.


    A smile graced Zellas lips as she took in Althea''s wide eyed gaze. She''d had another gown custom made for her by Layana, but this time the dress was a brilliantly rich red that reminded Althea of her favourite berry wine. The red dye seeped effortlessly into a smoky grey at the bottom of the gown. But the most intriguing part of this design were the sleeves, which were attached in a long sweep of ombr¨¦ fabric that connected from her upper back to each of her dainty wrists. That along with the criss cross straps that gathered around her waist. The dress in its entirety was so intricate and reminded Althea of a warrior princess as she marvelled at the cascade of chiffon and tulle that sprawled the ground around Zella.


    Suddenly Althea remembered Zella''s gift! She had intended to give it to her on the actual night of Yule, but now felt it imperative that she bestow it upon her now, as it would compliment her gown perfectly.


    "You look..." Althea breathed out in a near whisper, "absolutely imperial."


    She reached into the desk drawer where the gifts she''d gotten for her friends lay, fumbling slightly as she grabbed the black fabric box which held Zellas gift. It was a ruby choker, crafted entirely of silver which had been shaped into elegant swirls around the centre teardrop shaped stone. She''d noticed the girl eyeing it one day as they passed the goldsmiths shop beside Layana''s boutique. Althea handed the girl the black box and her lips curved to the side in an awkward sort of grin.


    "What is this?" she asked, taking the box hesitantly in her hands.


    "Your Yuletide gift of course," she beamed back at the girl, "but I decided to give it to you now, just in case you may like to wear it."


    "Oh," Zella sighed, her brows raising in the centre of her forehead earnestly, "you needn''t get me anything. Now I feel as though I must retrieve your gift from my bedchamber." Althea just shook her head.


    "No no, that is quite alright! It can wait, go ahead and open your gift!" she cooed, watching as Zellas thin fingers lifted the lid from the box. Her eyes gleamed at what she beheld inside and she grasped the necklace in her hands quickly, dropping the box onto the wooden floor beneath her.


    Althea let out a soft chuckle as Zella beamed at her wide-eyed. "You got the necklace I was pining after at the goldsmiths shop?" She didn''t even give Althea a chance to answer before she was throwing herself into her, wrapping her arms tightly around Althea.


    "This is the nicest gift anyone has ever gotten for me," her voice broke into Althea''s ear in a sob. She just smiled, hugging the girl back. "Thank you."


    "You are very welcome."


    After helping Zella secure the necklace at her throat, Althea entered her bathing chamber to get dressed into the gown she''d picked for this winter''s solstice. This gown was far different from the one she''d worn months earlier at the fall equinox ball. As she pulled it from the garment bag, Althea marvelled at the layers and layers of soft tulle. The dress was a stunning blue, so light it almost looked white in the dim light. The bodice had been made to perfectly fit Althea''s chest and waist. Like her previous gown, this one also used a clear mesh fabric to seamlessly blend blue lace patterns over her chest and down her arms. However, this dress bowed out at her waist in a waterfall of tulle that was hand beaded with what had to be thousands of glittering icy whitish blue snow flecks. Her favourite aspect of this gown though, was the long piece of lace and beaded detail fabric that draped over her shoulders and down her back like a cape. It gave the entire gown a more regal look which she absolutely adored.


    Althea opted to tie her thick mass of brown curls into a style at the nape of her neck, securing the updo with a matching hairpiece that Layana had made to suit her dress perfectly.


    When she walked from her bathing room Zella shouted out words of praise, making Althea laugh.


    "My goodness, look at you! You look as though you could control an entire kingdom in the snow capped mountains of Lapland!" Zella shouted, swirling her finger, signalling for Althea to spin so she could see the entire dress. Althea did, admitting she had missed a few buttons that she needed Zellas help with.


    ¡­


    Once they were both fully ready, they began making their way to the dining hall where their feast was awaiting them. Linking their arms together, they made their way down the stairs. Most everyone was already in the dining hall once they entered through the large entryway. Though a few females still gave compliments and asked who made their gowns as they passed by.


    The dining hall was loud with chatter and crowded with everyone wearing beautiful Yuletide gowns. As her eyes scanned the room, she was met by Jasper''s gaping mouth as he stared in awe at her from across the dining hall. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she waved a small flutter of her fingers towards him. He waved back an unsteady hand at her. Jasper wore a silver suit bedecked with shining, silver metal shoulder braces and wrist cuffs. The design reminded her of the knights she''d read of in tales depicting mediaeval castles with princesses who needed saving. And though she was far from needing saving, she enjoyed the sentiment all the same.


    The two girls made their way to their group of friends, making to sit beside them. Jasper of course had saved a space beside himself, and the seat beside that sat open for Zella. The staff had already begun serving tonight''s feast, which judging by the mouthwatering aroma that filled the room, was ham. Jasper pulled Althea''s chair out for her after giving her a gentle hug as he did. "You look absolutely divine tonight," he''d whispered in her ear as his hand caressed her back.


    They sat and talked as they waited to be served their meals. Monique complimented both girls on their appearances to which they''d done the same. Monique wore a lovely white satin gown that had extra layers on the rear for added lift. It suited her well though, despite it not exactly being Althea''s style, Monique could look good in just about anything. Meg and James paid them both little attention as they seemed to be in the midst of a very important debate about something.


    "So Althea, Jasper... how have the two of you been?" Monique asked, placing a white gloved hand beneath her chin. Something in her blue eyed gaze almost looked... indifferent. However, in a quick blink, any sign of that look was gone. Althea blinked too, looking up at Jasper with a smile. She must have imagined such a silly thing, Monique was one of the kindest souls she''d ever met, all of her friends here at the institution were, even Meg despite her occasional snide remarks and behaviour.


    "We are both great," Jasper answered for the both of them. He glanced down to look at Althea, his jaw clenching as he pulled their intertwined hands from beneath the wooden table to mark hers with a kiss, "I''m so glad I''ve finally made her completely and entirely mine."


    Althea swallowed, fixing her smile as she looked from him to Monique. She didn''t know why but something about his tone made her feel slightly... odd. She loved him, and she loved the idea that they were both in a way sworn to one another but hearing him say that she was his with such possessive intent... as if she were no more than a wild stallion he''d captured and broken. The thought made a chill rush up and through her body.


    Suddenly one of the servants reached down, placing a plate consisting of sliced honey glazed ham, roasted oregano and thyme potatoes drizzled in a red wine sauce, saut¨¦ed garlic asparagus and two yeast rolls, before her. One look at the delectable plate of food in front of her and all thoughts of their conversation ceased to exist in her mind.

 Chapter 23

    After stuffing herself so full of delicious dessert pastries and decadently piped shortbread cookies, that she thought her dress would rip at the seams, Althea and the others all made their way to the ballroom.


    She now waltzed with Jasper for a second song. She silently thanked him for dancing slightly slower than the rest of the coupled dancers around them, as she was still a bit full from all of the tasty sweets.


    He twirled her around and around with an outstretched hand as her layered gown whirled around her, fluttering up to reveal the sparkling heeled shoes she wore beneath.


    Jasper swept her into his arms again and placed his chin on her shoulder. "I am so delighted that you''re mine, all mine to love and cherish forever more," Jasper whispered into her ear, placing a warm, gentle kiss onto her neck.


    He pulled away to look into Althea''s emerald eyes. She smiled back up at him, forcing the feelings that arose within her at his statement, to the back of her mind. Thoughts that she knew she shouldn''t be feeling... thoughts she didn''t even want to be feeling! She loved Jasper! So why was the thought of him declaring his forever love of her making her feel this way? She didn''t even know what she was feeling exactly. Althea knew it was likely just the idea that someone could love her so deeply that plagued her.


    The music boomed through the ballroom as Jasper swept her across the floor, her glittering gown swaying with her as the music began its decrescendo towards a close, finishing with a sombre violin chord.


    Jasper pulled her close to him as the song came to a complete close, leaving a kiss on her lips. It was brief, but still brought a rosy tint to her cheeks.


    As couples began readying themselves for their next dance, or exiting back to their seats, Jasper gave her a look, as if to ask, ¡®what would you like to do?¡¯


    "I think I had one too many glasses of champagne, I''m going to go to the powder room, if you''ll excuse me," she smiled, pulling her hand from Jasper''s warm caress.


    "Are you sure you''d not like me to escort you?" he called from behind her as she took a step away from him.


    "No it''s quite alright, you go enjoy yourself and I''ll be back shortly!" She turned to him, blowing him a kiss with her hand. He pretended to catch it with a wink and turned away from her to sit back down.


    Althea had not been lying, she did need to use the powder room, but if she were being completely honest, she mostly needed cool air and space. The ballroom was not nearly as packed as it had been at the fall equinox ball, but it was still balmy from all the people dancing.


    Althea scaled the stairs, feeling the cool swirl of air hit her as soon as she walked from the ballroom into the main corridor, turning towards the dining hall where the powder room was located.


    She didn''t walk too quickly, savouring both the fresh air and the moment of being in isolation. As she moseyed through the nearly vacant corridor, passing by the dining hall, its wide doors still opened, a sound caused her to stop. A laugh.


    Althea took a step back, peaking into the room. Arsalan stood talking with one of the servants, an older woman who handed him a covered plate of food. He didn''t wear a tailored suit or any attire consistent with a ball. No, he wore plain loose fitting trousers and a white cotton tunic. He was laughing at something she''d said, before thanking her and beginning to turn this way. Althea quickly removed herself from his view and positioned herself so it would look like she was just walking back from the powder room. Right as she was about to pass the doorway once more, he walked right in front of her and she halted, pretending to be startled. She was only curious why he''d not attended the ball... she knew he''d told her he didn''t celebrate Yuletide but she at least thought he would feast with them.


    "Sorry," they both said in unison before his eyes grazed hers and she could see a light flash over them. He scanned her from her face down to the sweep of her gown on the floor.


    "Althea," he breathed out, suddenly the plate of food he balanced on an arm nearly fell to the ground. He caught it before it did but she could visibly see how tense he was as his eyes met with hers again. "You are positively glowing tonight," he finished, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.


    She smiled, nodding her thanks to him, "and you..." she eyed his leisurely attire and smirked at him. He chuckled as she finished, "well I take it you''re not in attendance tonight."


    He shook his head, "no," and laughed, "I just came down to grab myself some dinner... I had expected one of the servants to bring it to my bedchamber but I assume they were likely too busy to remember," he shrugged, "and I needed to stretch my legs anyway."


    She nodded, knotting her fingers together behind her back.


    "So you won''t be joining us for any of the festivities then?" she asked and he shook his head. She could always wait to give him his gift until after the holiday... but she had always been too eager when it came to the art of gift giving.


    "Well in that case, I need to show you something," she couldn''t hide the smile that took over her lips.


    Arsalan furrowed his eyebrows.


    "Shouldn''t you be getting back in there to dance?" he asked, nodding down the corridor towards the ballroom.


    "The dancing will still be there when I get back," she cooed, and then continued, reaching for the plate that balanced on Arsalan''s forearm, "and besides, you clearly need help with this."


    He opened his mouth to deny her but she shot him a look and he just laughed, allowing her to take the plate from its place on his bare arm. He''d rolled the sleeve of his tunic up to his elbow, leaving visible the raised veins protruding from his skin and the ink painted there.


    "May I at least inquire to where you''re taking me?" he asked, following behind her as she led them towards the stairs.


    "To my bedchamber," she said, turning her head to look at him. He wore a confused expression.


    "Did you find something new?" he asked, his voice dropping octaves now. Her smile faded and she shook her head.


    "No, no, it''s nothing about," she looked around to ensure nobody was near them listening, "this place," she finished and he nodded.


    "You''ll see once we get up there," she smirked, beginning her ascent up the staircase with him at her side now. She used her free hand to lift the length of her gown to avoid tripping.


    "I meant to say this to you yesterday after training..." he paused, glancing towards her now, "but you are doing so well Althea. I''m..." she could see the inside of his cheek indent as he bit it, as if unsure of what he wanted to say, "I''m really proud of you." Althea''s heart fluttered in her chest at his words.


    "Really?" she asked. He''d never come out and directly praised her like that before... sure he''d said kind things to her, but this... this was different.


    He nodded, and she thanked him graciously.


    When they finally reached her bedchamber, her sconces from earlier were still lit.


    "So what are we doing in here?" Arsalan asked, looking around Althea''s room. Archie laid curled up on her bed, his head perking up at the sound of them entering the chamber.


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    "Well," Althea bit her lip, looking at him sidelong, he looked... nervous, genuinely nervous, as he stared back at her, causing her to snort.


    "My god Arsalan, it''s nothing that serious, I just wanted to give you something," Althea reached for her vanity drawer, "now I know you don''t celebrate Yuletide, but I would have gotten this even if it weren''t a holiday, it just reminded me so much of you and I thought you''d like to add it to your collection."


    "You got me... a gift?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows, "but why? I... I didn''t get you anything in return and I¨C"


    "Hush now, I care not whether you got me anything in return! Consider this a token of my gratitude for all of these months you''ve put into my training," she cut him off, as she held the dagger behind her back.


    He let out a sigh, but still looked as though he wished he had something to give her.


    "Okay, if you so insist," he breathed out.


    "I do! Now close your eyes and put out your hands, I don''t have all night," she joked, laughing playfully. He rolled his eyes before closing them and placing his hands out in front of him.


    Althea placed the hefty dagger in his hands and his eyes shot open at the weight. She watched as he eyed the dragon hilted dagger, flipping it over, before removing it from its casing and studying it closer.


    "Do you fancy it?" she asked, but he didn''t break eye contact from the tool in his hands.


    "It''s..." he paused, running a finger over the blue glinting sapphires, "extraordinary Althea," he said after an elongated silence. His blue eyes bore into hers as he finally looked up from the weapon in hand.


    "I''m pleased you¡¯re so fond of it!" she beamed at him.


    "Fond of it?" he shook his head, "this is... this must have cost you¡ª"


    "Nuh-uh-uh, I will have none of that," she interrupted him, "if you like it that is all that matters."


    He slid the dagger back into its sleeve and stared up at her.


    "I love it Althea, this is by far the most exquisite gift I''ve ever received." Suddenly he took a step towards her. Althea froze, just looking at him as he drew closer to her. Her heart thudded so hard in her chest and so fast it was all she could hear in her ears as he reached a hand to her face, his rough calloused skin was hot as it caressed her cheek.


    Suddenly he began leaning in and Althea swallowed, completely unable to move. However, he didn''t lean towards her lips... no he leaned into her cheek, whispering to her, "but the most exquisite gift of all is having you here with me." He laid a cool kiss to her smouldering cheek. When he pulled away from her she felt as though her legs would give out beneath her. He smiled down at the gift she''d given him, then back up at her.


    "Thank you Althea," he said and she cleared her throat forcing out her reply. "Of course, I''m glad you like it."


    "Now go enjoy the rest of your ball, you deserve it." He smiled but it didn''t quite reach his eyes. Those eyes that were laced with longing. But longing for what? Surely not for her... but perhaps for something else.


    She didn''t even want to go back downstairs... no she wished she could spend the rest of her night eating sweets and talking with him beside the glowing hearth, in the quiet solitude of her bedchamber. But Jasper was waiting for her... Jasper... he was likely wondering where on earth she''d gone.


    As much as she wished she could stay and talk with him for longer, she nodded and led him from her bed chamber.


    They walked silently towards the stairs. She wanted to say something... anything, but she didn''t know what to say. Instead, once they met their point of diversion, she just looked at him, lacing her fingers together behind her back.


    "Well, enjoy the rest of your ball... you really do look marvellous by the way," he said, taking her in, in her entirety one last time.


    "Thank you, I will. You enjoy your food," she smiled as he carried the three plates once more.


    He nodded and she began to turn away when he spoke again, "and thank you again for the gift Althea... I will cherish it forever."


    She turned to look over her shoulder at him, smiling softly. She just nodded her head and turned away, walking down the stairs. She breathed out a sigh, feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed by her own emotions.


    As she rounded the last landing, Althea nearly ran into Jasper who smiled as his eyes met hers.


    "There you are! I''ve been looking all over for you! You worried me," he breathed out a sigh, latching her arm with his. She returned his smile and apologised for her absence. As they walked down the stairs though, her mind still roamed with thoughts of the way Arsalan had looked at her when she''d gifted him that dagger... there was that boyish light that spread to his eyes as he held it in his hands. That and the way his eyes had drank her in as he complimented her appearance. She couldn''t rid that feeling of... she didn''t know exactly what it was she felt... a mix of joy, and maybe admiration? She wasn''t sure and that was the part that bothered her the most.


    Jasper led her back to the ballroom, despite her still having to use the powder room, she didn''t know why she didn''t just go while she was in her own room.


    "Oh there she is now," Althea heard the familiar voice of Zella say as she looked to her side, seeing the Candidus girl looking just as stunning as always. She seemed to be having a conversation with a gentleman who Althea didn''t recognize. However, when Zella turned away from him to face Althea, there was a look in her eyes that screamed help me.


    Althea paused her walking with Jasper and reached out her spare hand to Zella who rolled her eyes with annoyance at the man behind. The dark haired man who appeared to be closer to Althea''s own age, let out a huff of air and turned away visibly disgruntled.


    "What was that about?" Althea asked, rubbing Zellas back as she still looked at the man walking away from them.


    Zella breathed out a sigh and waved an unbothered hand behind her, "some courtier who wouldn''t take no for an answer when I told him I didn''t want to dance."


    Althea took another look back at the man and rolled her eyes. She hated people who felt as though they were allowed to force others to make decisions.


    "How pathetic of him," Althea spat and Zella laughed.


    "It''s not like I was being biassed towards just him... I rarely dance with anyone besides my fellow ladies... I am just rather uninterested in dancing with men when they always assume my kindness to be interest in them." Zella shrugged it off then grinned wickedly before whispering, "sometimes just to mess with them I turn myself invisible to get away from them." She let out a snort that made Althea laugh along with her.


    She really was such a fierce girl, especially for her age... Most young women didn''t have the courage she knew Zella held within her. From spending nearly all of her days beside the Candidus girl she had grown fond of having a friend who was so unafraid to flaunt herself for exactly who she was.


    "You''ve not been interested in anyone since you''ve been here?" Jasper asked from her other side, she''d nearly forgotten he was there.


    Zella shook her head, "you could say I''m not particularly looking for a romantic relationship right now... I''m more focused on training and my ability," she shrugged.


    Jasper nodded slowly. Althea hated that she knew him well enough to see a slight twinkle of judgement there in those hazel eyes. Did he think she should be looking for a romantic relationship at the age of just sixteen? Her birthday had only passed last month.


    "I, for one, think that is exactly what you need to be focused on right now, and with all of that stunning beauty, your quick witted demeanour and those smarts, you''ll likely have countless people falling to their knees for you anytime you are ready for all of that," Althea nodded her head smiling at Zella who blushed slightly and hugged Althea''s side.


    "Thank you for always reassuring me that I''m doing the right thing," she whispered and Althea nodded.


    In the far corner the orchestra struck up a new tune, this time a woman wearing a lace dress as white as snow with a white wig to match sang such a beautiful harmonic melody that Althea couldn''t resist the urge to ask Jasper for a dance.


    He swirled and twirled her around the ballroom for song after song until she was sure her legs would give out beneath her.


    At the end of the final song Jasper dipped her low, just as he''d done that first night under the summer stars. It brought Althea back to that hedge maze where she''d very first met them all. Little had she known, that was one of the last "normal" nights she''d ever experience. It felt like an entirely different lifetime rather than being just five months ago. She never imagined how vastly her life could change in less than half a year. She''d also never imagined a world where magic abilities and the possibility of other worlds really existed... especially not right under the nose of regular society.


    Jasper leaned in to kiss her, and this time as her eyes fluttered closed, his lips did meet hers, unlike that time all those months ago. She leaned into the kiss, enjoying the warmth of his lips on hers, and the way he caressed her back as he held her.


    The odd feelings from earlier drifted away and Althea could only feel the love that billowed from her at their shared love for one another.


    She loved him... of course she did, it was no question. She did truly love and care for him and she was happy that he rejoiced in his love for her to their friends. Suddenly those feelings that had arisen in her earlier seemed silly. How could she have felt anything but love for the man who clearly cared for her so deeply. Shame stained her mind as he pulled away, bringing her up with him for a much needed dancing break.

 Chapter 24

    Zella fixed her hair in the powder room mirror, admiring the lovely job Althea had done applying her cosmetics. With one last crimson smile, she walked from the powder room, back out into the quiet corridor. She picked up the length of her ombr¨¦ gown, so she didn''t trip over it as she strutted back towards the ballroom. The booming sound of layered instruments floated over her, getting louder with each step she took.


    Suddenly Zella jumped, startled by a loud noise from behind her. She camouflaged herself in with her surroundings, a second skin to her, and a reflex she sometimes involuntarily used when her body sensed she could be in danger. Zella turned towards the sound and breathed out a sigh, seeing Jasper and Monique walking towards the desolate area where Layana''s boutique and the other, now closed, shops were located. She was about to allow herself to be seen again when Jasper peaked around the corner in such a way that made it appear as though he were checking to make sure nobody was watching them.


    Zella raised a brow and couldn''t help her own curiosity as she followed behind them, at a far enough pace that she could still hear them, but not be directly on top of them.


    They stopped just outside of the goldsmiths shop before Monique turned to Jasper, speaking in a tone she''d never heard her use¡­ a stark contrast to that normally light, eased French accent, as she said, "it has to be tonight."


    Zella furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what she''d meant.


    "What? I can''t do it tonight! She''s barely even drank any wine since dinner, how am I to¡ª"


    Monique cut him off with a hissed shushing. "Would you keep it down," she growled lowly, looking around them, "it must be tonight," she spoke so quietly, Zella took another step towards them just so she could make out her words. "He made contact with me tonight and declared that we must bring her to him before midnight, and it has to be tonight as it''s the longest night of the year."


    Zellas mouth gaped as she wondered who they were referring to. Only one person came to mind... Althea. But she needed to be certain before she ran to tell her.


    Jasper ran his fingers through his hair tensely. "What if we''re wrong Monique?"


    The blonde haired girl rolled her eyes before biting out with such vigour that Zella had never once heard her display until now, "did you or did you not see the flame within Althea in your vision?"


    Zellas eyes widened at her words... the flame? Within her closest friend?


    "Yes! Yes, I did, I am certain... it''s just..." Jasper''s voice grew quiet as he looked away from Monique.


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    "Oh, don''t tell me you''ve fallen for her," Monique mocked, snorting as the words left her mouth, "I should have known giving you a mission involving a pretty girl would cause you to question your loyalties... you men are all the same," Monique spat the words at him.


    Zella bit her lip as she took in everything they were saying... Althea somehow carried the ancient flame within her... and they were planning to take her somewhere tonight... but where? Zella thought back to everything they''d read and all the knowledge of the flame from her parents... if Jasper and Monique were working with the board... she swallowed, suddenly feeling her heart plummet in her chest. She knew what the board thought the flame was... and as she began imagining what they''d do to Althea if they got ahold of her, her body tensed at that realisation.


    ¡°No! My loyalties have always lied with this cadre!" Jasper snarled back at her, "I will do what I must."


    Monique smirked at him and reached into the pocket of her white silk gown, "good. Once you''ve gotten her alone, use this." She handed him something, but Zella couldn''t see what it was. She attempted to take a few steps closer when Monique''s head shot up. The tanned woman breathed in a deep breath. Zella froze.


    "What is¡ª" Jasper started but she swiped a finger to his lips.


    "Quiet," she muttered before breathing in again, and this time, she looked directly at Zella... her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest as she stared back. She knew her ability was still in effect, but the look Monique was giving suggested otherwise.


    "Someone''s here," Monique said quietly, "I can sense their magic."


    Zella mentally smacked herself. How could she have forgotten Monique''s ability? Zella attempted to take a step back when suddenly Monique took two quick steps towards her and she nearly lost her balance.


    "Did you think I wouldn''t sense your power, Elizabeth," Monique bit out her name with such force Zella felt as though she may faint. Monique reached a hand up and grabbed her wrist causing the invisibility cloak she''d materialised over herself to disappear. Jasper''s eyes widened as he took her in, then narrowed as they settled on her.


    "Oh great! Now what are we to do?" He raised his hands in the air.


    "You just worry about your lover... I''ll handle our little mouse here." A wicked grin spread over Monique''s lips, it didn¡¯t look natural on the face that was usually so full of tenderness. She gulped.


    Without another word, Jasper rushed out of the dim corridor.


    Zella attempted to pull out of Monique''s grasp but her hold was much stronger than Zella would have anticipated.


    "Oh I''m not done with you yet, little girl," Monique gawked, reaching into her pocket. Zella''s eyes followed her hand from her pocket, trying to see what she had grabbed.


    "Goodnight," Monique said, causing Zellas eyebrows to furrow.


    Suddenly Monique blew a white powder into her face and before Zella could attempt to flee, her vision grew spotty and she could feel her knees give out beneath her. The room around her spun, a dizzying swirl of lights and colours as darkness swept her up into its embrace¡­ and then she was nothing at all.

 Chapter 25

    Althea rested an elbow on the table, her head propped on the back of her hand. It was nearly eleven o''clock now and the crowd of people had slowly started to disperse. The ones who remained though, reeked of stale wine and sweat as they shuffled around dancing and yelling over the booming orchestra in the corner.


    She was waiting for Jasper to return from the powder room. For when he did, Althea would ask if he was ready to retire for the night. Although it was still early in the evening, these events drained the energy from her like a spider sucking the life from its prey. She did enjoy the dancing and the music and even the laughter and chatter, but she could only take so much before she needed a break.


    "Excuse me madam, I noticed you may be lonely... would you like to accompany me for a dance?" the nasally voice of a male beside her questioned.


    Althea''s eyes lifted up, up, up, to a tall, older gentleman. His brown hair was speckled with grey and drifted so far back in the centre that she couldn''t even see his hairline as he looked down at her. He looked old enough to be her father¡­ possibly even her grandfather now that she studied the deep set lines in his face.


    It was times like these that Althea wished she had the power of Zella, turning invisible on command wouldn''t be such a bad thing. Nevertheless, Althea allowed a thin smile to spread across her lips as she said in the polite, airy voice her aunt had instilled into her during those weeks at her manor, "oh thank you sir, but I''m quite alright. My dancing partner," she spoke the words with swivel elegance, "should be returning from the powder room any moment now."


    ¡°I¡¯m certain he wouldn¡¯t mind you sharing one dance with me¡­ after all he did leave you here by your lonesome,¡± the man drawled, reaching out a hand for her to take. That air of calm refinement faltered slightly as Althea clenched her jaw, her smile growing tighter.


    ¡°And I am certain that he would mind, very much¡­¡± noticing that he didn¡¯t quite look convinced by her words she added tersely, ¡°he can be a bit possessive and I only fear that if he happened to see the two of us together, he may make a scene. I would simply hate for you to be caught in the middle of that.¡± The words tasted bitter as she spoke them, likely because they were not entirely untrue. Jasper could be a bit possessive, she knew, and though she should enjoy the idea of having a male claim and protect her like that, something about it made her slightly uneasy. And there was a small, insignificant part of her that was tempted to dance with the man, just so she could witness how far those tendencies rose within Jasper, how far he would take that need to lay claim to her, that she knew lie within him.


    The man''s confidence wavered slightly, but he nodded, looking around the ballroom as if seeking out the next victim on his poaching list.


    "Very well," he gripped the edges of his tweed tailcoat, pulling it taunt as he stared off into the expanse of room, "if you do decide you''d like some company while you wait, I''ll be around," he glanced back down at her now, "my name¡¯s Leonard Swavel."


    Althea nodded her head, raising her eyebrows as she stifled a laugh within herself. These were the encounters that made events like this all the more exhausting... somewhat amusing, but exhausting.


    "I''ll keep that in mind," she continued nodding and he hummed a huffed sigh before walking past her.


    "God save the next woman who he seeks out," she muttered aloud to herself resting her chin back on her hand. She resumed watching the couples dancing, now to a more upbeat tune.


    She did wonder where Jasper had gone off to... he''d headed for the powder room nearly twenty minutes ago... for a woman to take so long was one thing, they had layers and layers of skirts to lift or remove and then put back on... but him? He had only trousers and undergarments, and she knew from experience just how quickly those could be ripped off. Althea smirked at the memories.


    "Sorry it took me so long," as if hearing her own thoughts, Jasper appeared beside her taking a seat in a vacant chair, "I got caught up talking with Monique about finding new recruits."


    Althea turned to face him, taking in the wisps of brown hair that had fallen from his tie and the set of his jaw, which, despite his calm demeanour, made him look a bit tense. Perhaps he too was feeling the exhaustion brought on by all of their dancing and the loud music. Althea released a yawn just thinking about it.


    The hand in her lap was met by a warm touch as Jasper caressed it in his.


    "Are you ready to get out of here?" he asked, knowing her all too well. An easy smile spread across her lips and she closed her eyes, feeling the tension behind them ease at his words.


    "Would you think less of me if I said yes?" she replied, hating that she always felt like such a spoilsport when she opted to leave early. Especially when she knew many enjoyed staying into the early morning hours.


    "Most definitely not... in fact I was planning to ask you on my own accord before I even noticed you yawning," he sent a wink in her direction that made her smile grow. She really had met someone who was meant for her, hadn''t she.


    She took his extended hand and stood, feeling the cape of her blue, shimmering gown trail behind her. Once she stood, Althea looked around the ballroom scanning the space for a dash of black and white atop a red gown. She wanted to say goodnight to Zella before she took her leave for the evening.


    "Have you seen Zella around?" Althea asked, still eyeing the room full of people. Zella stood relatively tall for a female, especially for her age, so it was normally easy to spot her distinctive, multi-coloured hair in a crowded room.


    Something in Jasper''s face twitched slightly at the mention of her friend, but then he nodded quickly, "oh yeah, I did see her on my way back from the powder room, she appeared to be headed upstairs with a group of her friends."


    Althea nodded, perhaps she was getting something from her room... Althea knew she enjoyed staying late at these events, dancing and chatting with some of the other girls in the cadre, it wouldn''t be like her to leave before even Althea. But she just nodded and began walking with Jasper up to her room.


    Outside of the ballroom the air was a welcomed breeze of cool. She hadn''t realised just how unbearable the air in the ballroom had been until she was greeted by the freshness of the corridor.


    Her and Jasper moseyed leisurely up the stairs to her bedchamber. Althea wasn''t exactly sure she had the energy for anything more than sleep tonight and silently hoped Jasper felt the same.


    When they made it to her bedchamber Althea unlocked her door and stepped into the cold, dark room.


    "Allow me to light the hearth," Jasper said, using a candle from the corridor to begin lighting the fresh wood in the hearthstone. Althea lit the sconces around her room, hoping it would warm up quickly in the frigid space. She set the candlestick beside her window, looking out beyond the frost lined glass. Her eyes widened with wonder as she looked out at the full moon lighting the field beyond. Just barley, she was able to make out the flecks of white that fell in flurried gusts past her window. The first snow!


    "It''s snowing!" Althea beamed, looking out the window. Already, it had begun to gather in the grass in an uneven layer of white.


    Jasper was at her side now, staring out at the scene she beheld.


    "Would you look at that," he breathed out, "it looks like we may have a white Yuletide after all!"


    She turned to look at him, an open mouthed smile spreading over her lips. Although winter was not her favourite season, and she much preferred the warmer weather, she had to admit that it was beautiful... and the idea of spending time cozying up with Jasper and drinking warm hot chocolate in bed gave her a boost of serotonin.


    "I put the kettle over the fire to make you some tea before bed," he smiled down at her and Althea could feel her heart swell for him. He was so considerate.


    Suddenly the bathing chamber door creaked open. Archibald''s small head peaked around the corner causing Jasper to shift quickly, holding Althea as a shield in front of him. Ever since that first night Jasper had slept in her rooms, the relationship between he and the feline had been... very slow going to say the least. She didn''t know why the cat had taken such offence to Jasper''s presence. The only thing that graced her mind was the possibility that their first encounter had left the animal scarred. Even now the small cat grumbled lowly upon seeing him, before sulking to hide beneath the raised bed.


    Jasper let out a sigh of relief, relaxing his shoulders now and causing Althea to chuckle slightly at his fear of such a small thing.


    He must have noticed the half smirk as he chuckled and said, "what? You can''t blame me, that... creature, is out to get me." Althea bellowed out a laugh at that, walking closer to the fire now, feeling the warmth radiating from the flames as they wrapped around the black iron kettle.


    Jasper reached over, grabbing the fresh pot the servants had placed on the mantle, along with two delicate glass cups, placing them on the tea table in front of them.


    "I got this special blend I think you''ll rather enjoy," Jasper said, swallowing as he pulled a small bag from his pocket. Althea smiled, wondering what kind of tea it would be.


    Jasper''s hands shook slightly as he lifted the lid from the pot and sprinkled in the mix of leaves and ground herbs. He almost looked... nervous as his eyes flickered up to look at her, then quickly back down at the teapot. Using a towel, he unhooked the kettle from its place atop the fire and poured the scolding water into the pot.


    Althea removed the heels that had been pitching her feet all night, as well as the stockings she wore beneath the beautiful gown that draped down her legs. Her feet had deep indentations from where the heels had pushed into her skin and she winced slightly as she rubbed the area.


    "Would you like me to help you out of your gown?" Jasper asked. She looked down at the beadwork and crystals that reminded her so much of snow. With a sigh she shook her head.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Not quite yet... I''d still like to enjoy feeling like a queen for a while longer." Her eyes fluttered to look at him. He just smiled, his eyes trailing down her body.


    "You don''t need a ballgown to feel like a queen you know?" She nodded, still admiring each stitch of lace as her fingers ran over the embellished details.


    "I know... but it certainly helps," she whispered, a light laugh escaping her lips.


    After a few moments of steeping, Jasper poured the tea into two cups, handing one to Althea as he said, his voice a bit hoarse, "I hope you enjoy it."


    She took the warm teacup in her frigid fingers and blew gently over the amber coloured liquid. Jasper watched as she put the cup to her lips. The flavour was light, it had a delightful floral taste with a bit of cinnamon. But after she pulled the cup from her lips, a bitterness filled her mouth.


    "Hm," she raised a brow, "it''s good, but I think I''ll take a bit of sugar with mine." Jasper smiled, breathing out a quiet chuckle through his nose as he passed her the sugar dish. She plunked a few spoonfuls into the glass and was about to take another sip when a sound from behind them alarmed her.


    It was Archibald... he clawed his way from beneath the bed and growled lowly, looking at Jasper with those glowing green and blue eyes.


    "Nice kitty," Jasper said through clenched teeth as he tried motioning with his hands for the cat to back away, "we''re just enjoying some tea."


    Althea chuckled and reached out to pet the rogue cat. She took another sip of the hot tea and the cat let out a yowl nearly causing her to drop the teacup from her fingers.


    "Now Archibald!" she scolded the cat but he did not seem to notice as he looked wildly at Jasper. The feline¡¯s ears were flat against its skull, and the hair along its spine stood, making the cat appear as though it had been struck by a lightning bolt. "Calm down!"


    "You just drink your tea my dear, perhaps if we just ignore him he will relax."


    Althea nodded, taking a bigger gulp of the tea. It tasted much more delightful with a bit of sugar added to it. In the quiet room she could still hear the orchestra booming in the ballroom so many floors before them. It sounded like they were playing one of her favourite Yuletide melodies.


    Suddenly Althea felt a heaviness begin to take effect over her body. Perhaps the exhaustion of the night had finally begun to take its toll on her.


    "Are you feeling tired, my love?" Jasper asked, and as she looked up at him, it was difficult for her eyes to make the shift.


    "Um..." the sound felt foreign to her as it left her lips, "yes I think I am."


    "Come, let me take you with me."


    Suddenly Jasper''s hands were around her. She hadn''t even noticed him get up... when had he¡ª


    Jasper hoisted her up and the room spun slightly. The teacup she''d been holding fell from her fingers and shattered on the wooden table, spilling the remaining contents of her tea. That tea... what had been in that tea to make her feel so... strange?


    "Jasper, I think..." she paused, trying to get the words out, "I think I may be having a reaction to whatever was in that tea you made."


    Her body was slumped against his and she could hear the boom of music from downstairs as the melody began picking up. That familiar thrum of the Yuletide song she¡¯d danced to since she was a child was now warped and distorted in her ears. Jasper was carrying her towards the door to the corridor. Why? Why was he taking her out of her room?


    "Wait where are we¡ª"


    Suddenly Archie flew out from beneath her chair and latched onto one of Jaspers legs, digging his sharp claws through Jaspers trousers. He let out a loud yell that echoed through the room, and let go of Althea. Her body swayed as she felt like she may faint.


    Then the room was spinning, no that was her, she was spinning, falling, she realised once it was already too late. Her knees hit the wooden floor with a thud and sang out in delayed pain a few seconds later. Perhaps it was the motion of the room spinning, or her falling, but Althea braced both hands on the cool wood and relinquished the contents of her stomach, the dinner, the sweets, the wine, the tea, it all came up in a pale pink heap on the dark stained wood. But somehow in doing this, she was awakened slightly.


    When she was able to scramble to her feet once more, Jasper''s face was contorted with an anger she''d never seen in him before as he took the small feline in his hands and threw him into the post of her bed. Hard. So hard that Althea''s mouth opened wide and her heart dropped into her stomach as she wondered what impact like that could do to such a small animal.


    "Jasper!" she screamed with such rage that she startled herself. Her body was still sluggish but she took steps towards the cat who appeared to be okay as he stood slowly, clearly in pain.


    As she was about to bend to pick up her poor feline friend, Jasper''s hand wrapped around her wrist tightly and he hoisted her from the floor in a movement that felt unnaturally strong for him.


    "Come. We are going." His words were sharp. None of his earlier sentiment was present in them, she''d never heard him sound quite like this before.


    "Going? Going where?" she snapped, pulling her wrist quickly from his grasp.


    He turned and there was a fury in his eyes that made her take a step back from him.


    "Jasper what has gotten into you?" Althea asked as she used her other hand to rub the wrist where his fingers had gripped so tightly, too tightly.


    He rolled his eyes as he muttered more to himself than to her, "you should have drank all of the tea."


    Suddenly his arms wrapped around her thighs and he lifted her, flinging her over his shoulder.


    "Jasper!" she yelled. What was he doing? Nothing made sense to her but she knew that right now... he was not the person she''d grown to love and care for so much over the past months.


    She attempted to still her mind, she would have to use her ability, even though it was risky to use it outside of training, she needed to get away from him¡­ now.


    As if feeling her attempt to summon that power within her he laughed wickedly and said, "don''t bother trying to use your time tricks on me Althea, the herbane tea stunts all magical abilities. She furrowed her eyebrows as he opened the door to her bedchamber, starting to carry her out of her room.


    Herbane? She''d never even heard of it. Althea''s blood went cold as his words sank in. He had purposely given her a tea that wouldn''t allow her access to that power within her... why would he have done that? Unless he knew she would attempt to fight him on whatever it was he was about to do.


    "Jasper," her voice was low and raw with both fear and anger, "where are you taking me?" Her words came out slow, it was the only way she could keep herself from screaming at him.


    "Just stay quiet. This entire ordeal will go over a lot easier if you just remain calm and don''t ask questions." His words were utterly calm, and his tone was cool. It was at that moment that Althea realised she had no idea who she had fallen in love with all those months ago. The man she''d loved was no longer visible in the man that held her now. The way he was able to effortlessly switch between personalities made her skin crawl. If able to keep such calm now, imagine how many emotions he''d been able to hide from her for the entirety of their relationship.


    Her thoughts bubbled up in her mind like water boiling over a kettle. Althea closed her eyes, letting the burning within her simmer and then boil until it was so close to spilling, that her body shook. Although she still felt weak from whatever Jasper had given her, she knew her only way out of whatever this fate was, was to fight. Arsalan had taught her so much more than just her ability, he had taught her to be courageous, and brave, and confident¡­ he had taught her how to be a warrior.


    Althea opened her eyes once more and assessed the situation she was in. Jasper was carrying her towards the elevator rather than the stairs. She couldn''t let him take her off of this floor, as she didn''t know who else may be waiting when he got her to where he planned to take her. Right now, she only had to worry about him, but once he got her into that elevator and to wherever he was going, she knew it likely wouldn''t just be the two of them. This was her chance.


    In a quick movement, Althea raised one of her legs. Jasper had loosened his grip around her thighs now, and she used this to her advantage as she lifted her knee as far as she could despite the restriction of the gown she still wore, and pounded it into his abdomen with as much fury as she could muster.


    Althea felt his breath exit him in a wind at her back. She knew she had to act quickly, while she still had the element of surprise on her side. While his hands faltered around her thighs, she used this to her own ability and flipped herself over his shoulder. Her landing was far from perfect as her foot caught on the fabric of the white gown, tearing it away to reveal her legs. She wasted no time mourning the torn fabric as she scrambled to her feet without skipping a beat. The corridor around her spun slightly, and her vision was not as clear as she knew it should be. Whatever he''d given her still took effect over her body but not nearly as much as it had before she''d thrown most of it up.


    "Why you little¡ª"


    As Jasper began turning towards her, Althea struck him in the chest with her palm. She knew she could hit harder but the strength was zapped from her muscles. Even still, the shock of the jab was enough for Jasper to careen backwards, sending him stumbling slightly at the impact. She knew she had to keep going if she wanted to keep the upper hand.


    "You¡¯re gonna¡ª"


    Arsalan had told her that many people''s reaction to shock was always anger, and they were usually prone to speak or to curse. His words echoed in her mind now, as she recalled him telling her to use this distraction to her advantage when in a fight. Althea cut him off as she swept her dominant leg out from under her, leaning her upper body back as she delivered a kick of her heel to his jaw. She silently thanked Layanna for adding the wide slit up the side of her dress. The kick landed hard enough that Althea knew her foot would be sore the next day. Even with the slit in the dress, the movement further ripped the fabric at her waist, sending beads and loose thread scattering through the air and across the corridor floor as she herself fell to the hard wooden surface.


    Her head spun, and her stomach whirled with what she wasn''t sure was adrenaline or the urge to vomit again. She''d heard the click of his teeth slamming together at the impact of her foot, but as she turned to look at him, he was already scrabbling to his feet, a look of pure rage evident on his face as he growled lowly.


    It was as if the face of the man in front of her was entirely foreign. She no longer recognized him as the man who had made love to her and caressed her body with such a light delicate touch that he could have been an angel. And those angelic features she''d grown to adore, that she''d grown to love¡­ they were all gone, hardened by whatever new feelings had clouded over them. Or maybe they were feelings that weren''t new... but rather hidden from her until now.


    Althea blinked and quickly got to her feet. The once beautiful gown now hung tattered just above her knees in some spots, the torn tulle soft beneath her feet. As he neared her, she took slow steps away from him, studying the corridor for anything to aid her in fighting him off. There were only the sconces that lined the walls. Something inside of her still ached, for the man who she loved, from the betrayal which invaded her mind, and despite her better judgement she opened her mouth to speak.


    "Jasper please, you do not have to do this... you do not have to ruin what we have built together. I... I know everything could not have been fake," tears began clouding her already blurred vision, "I loved you Jas¡ª"


    Suddenly he let out a wicked laugh. "You think I actually loved you? You really think I cared for you? You were a mission, Althea, a means to an end." His words hurt her more than they should have. But despite the hardness of his voice, Althea could just barely make out the quiver of his lips, and the way his eyes twitched as he neared her. She knew that somewhere, deep within himself, some of those feelings he''d displayed over the past months were real. Even if he wouldn''t admit it to her, or to himself, they had been. And even though she knew they would never in a million lifetimes rekindle that, she silently hoped she may be able to distract him with her words of what they had shared, for long enough to flee him and get out of this place.


    She had no idea where she would go, but once this poison wore off she would at least have her ability to use to aid her in her escape.

 Chapter 26

    The scent of burning wood filled Zellas nose as she opened an eye. Dim fire light shown through her thick lashes. Her head pounded with such a vigorous ache that she winced and breathed out a groan. When she attempted to sit up, something pulled at her wrists. Her eyes travelled up her arms before landing on them. They¡¯d been clasped to the wooden post of the bed using some sort of metal cuff. Where was she? Zella could hear faint music from the ballroom orchestra still playing.


    She didn''t recognize the room she was in, with its lavender bedding and curtains to match. She scanned the room but it was empty aside from a burning hearth¡­ perhaps a guest chamber then.


    Zella closed her eyes and suddenly the fog that dazed her mind began lifting like a cloud of smoke. She was in the powder room and then... Jasper and Monique... Althea!


    Zella attempted to stand from the bed, too quickly, causing a shooting pain to jolt up her arms, through her spine and to her skull. She needed to get out of these restraints... she needed to make sure Althea was okay.


    Zella pulled on the cuffs, seeing if there was any way she could wiggle her hands free, or break the metal links. All she did was rub her skin raw. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she thought of the words Jasper and Monique had spoken right before they''d captured her. She yanked again. With every fierce tug, the skin at her wrists cried out, yet the pain was a distant echo in the tumult of emotions raging within her.


    The mere thought of what they might inflict upon Althea, should they lay hands on her, ignited an inferno within Zella. In that searing moment, the value of her own hands paled in comparison to the safety of the one soul who saw beyond what many had. Where most peered upon Zella and found a weak, fragile child, Althea had chosen to see her as a beacon of strength and resilience. She''d sooner cut her own hands off than allow any harm to come to her friend.


    The imminent prospect of an untimely conclusion to her friend''s narrative plunged Zella into a shrieking abyss of despair. Within this turmoil, she found herself ensnared, entangled in a maelstrom of emotional discord that obscured her once sharp senses. The world around her, once vivid and distinct, was now shrouded in a haze, veiled by the tempestuous onslaught of an all-encompassing fury that rendered her vision into an indistinct blur.


    The wooden heeled shoes she''d worn to the ball were still glued to her feet. Zella didn''t think as she curled herself into a ball and began kicking the post. She used every ounce of strength inside of her body to kick, and kick and kick. Her arms rattled against the wooden post as her legs pounded into it. Each slam of her powerful kicks sent a bone breaking sort of pain through her wrists. But she didn¡¯t stop, she hardly even registered the pain as she focused on making sure Althea was okay.


    Her thoughts roamed from her friend who she loved so dearly, to the blonde haired fussock who, when she next saw her, she would surely take her anger out on. As she thought of all the ways she could inflict pain and exact her vengeance upon Monique and Jasper, her kicks began getting harder and more robust until... snap.


    Zellas eyes widened as she looked at the now splintered wooden post. Scrambling to stand now, Zella used her hands to push the post, snapping the carved wood in half, spinning it so the wood fully separated. Once it did, Zella sprinted across the room towards the door, grabbing the cool metal handle in her fingers. It wouldn''t turn. She gripped it every way she could, trying to open the large wooden door, but it was no use. She closed an eye and squinted into the knob''s keyhole. It was somehow locked from the outside. Of course it was.


    She breathed out a laboured, shaky breath as she turned away from the door, sliding down it as the emotions she had pushed away, choosing instead to focus on the rage within herself, came bubbling back to the surface. Pulling her knees to her chest, she let herself express those emotions. Zella rarely cried. Her parents had always told her that crying was for those without enough courage to hold up their own mental barriers. But as she let the defeat take over, Zella let two tears slide down her face, taking with it the cosmetics her friend had applied earlier that evening. She realised that would likely be one of the last times she would ever see her friend again. Images of Althea''s glowing smile, of her ambient green eyes and those beautiful, brown curls, flashed through her mind. Two tears. That was all she would give herself.


    Zella was about to hoist her weight from the cold, hard, wooden floor when a pitter-patter from right outside of the door caught her attention. Her eyes widened as she got to her feet in a quick motion. She stared at the door, unsure if she should yell out for help, or hide. What if it was Monique? Or Jasper? What if they were coming back to make sure that she was still asleep. Perhaps she should go back to the bed and... no she''d already destroyed the post that wouldn''t work. She could hide and gain the element of¡ª


    Suddenly a white fluffy paw slid beneath the door. It was that of a feline. Zellas eyes widened and she fell to her knees.


    "Archie?" She couldn''t contain her joy as she spoke the name of Althea''s cat. How had he... she didn''t even allow herself to entertain the many, many questions that roamed her mind.


    The cat pulled its paw from beneath the door and meowed. It was him! Zella heard what sounded like a jingle from outside of the door, and then the plop of metal hitting wood. She furrowed her eyebrows and was about to put her head to the cold wood so she could see beneath the sliver of space between the door and the dusty floor, when the cat flung a set of keys under the gap. Zellas eyes widened. Keys! She fumbled for them, still shackled by the metal cuffs around her wrists that had a small keyhole. There was only one key small enough connected to the set in her hands, that could unlock the shackles from her wrists.


    "Please, please, please," she begged aloud, putting the key to the small lock. It slid in, and contorting her hand slightly, she twisted the key. Click. The shackles popped off of her wrists and she breathed out a sigh with so much relief that she felt as though she might collapse. If this key unlocked the cuffs around her wrists, there was a very good chance one of the others unlocked the door.


    ¡­


    The room was quiet, the only sounds being the rhythm of distant orchestra music, the crackling fireplace, and the light thrumming against the window panes of Arsalans bedchamber. He had been tossing and turning for what felt like hours now as he tried to still his mind into sleep. With a sigh, he finally stood, walking over to the warm hearth. He only wore thin black undershorts as he stood, bare skinned before the open flame. He took one of the oak logs he''d carried to his bedchamber earlier that day and placed it atop the half burned one, sending embers up into the chimney.


    Arsalan turned, looking towards the window now. He squinted as he noticed the flecks soaring past the glass. Eyes widening, he walked to the window. Snow had already covered most of the ground now. From his window he could see that beautiful Bur Oak tree that he and Althea had trained beneath for months, now completely whitened out on one side. The same side where its trunk was usually covered in thick green moss. The wind must have been blowing fiercely out there.


    He didn''t know why, but Arsalan leapt to the bed, pulling on his thickest trousers and knit tunic. He had the urge to go out there and stand in the blizzard of icy snow. It had been years now since he¡¯d witnessed a blizzard, or a decent snowfall in general. His inner child begged him to go enjoy it while everyone else either slept or still drunkenly danced down below.


    Arsalan pulled on the fur lined boots he''d purchased a month ago when he had known the cold weather was amongst them, and made his way from his room. There was a cool breeze blowing through the corridor, it gave him a slight chill. Arsalan walked towards the stairwell, but when he reached the landing, a light scent met his nose... he recognized the smell. Zellas perfume. He''d spent enough time around the young girl to recognize it. He heard hurried footsteps on the flight of stairs above him.


    "Zella?" he called out and they stopped suddenly.


    "Arsalan is that you?" Her voice came out in a pant. He wondered what she was running from... he began striding up the stairs to make sure she was okay. If any man had tried to lay a hand on her he would¡­ simmering anger began rising up inside of him¡­ they would be sorry. In the months of research the three of them had done, he''d come to view the young Candidus girl as somewhat of a sister to him, and he would protect her if she needed it.


    "Yes, is everything okay?" he asked and as he rounded the stairs she came fully into view. Her black and white, split hair no longer laid in sweeps of elegant waves, but instead was a tangled mess, and as his eyes scanned her, he noticed the girl''s wrists were bloodied and raw. At her feet stood... Was that Althea''s pet cat?


    "Come quick! Althea''s in trouble!" Zella said with so much strain and panic she could barely get the words out. Arsalans eyes widened. His mind chanted the words over and over. He ran, moving past the girl in a swift shuffle of footsteps. He was taking two, three, four stairs at a time. He didn''t allow his mind access to any other thoughts besides the words Zella had just spoken. He didn''t care why she was in trouble, or with who, he just ran. He knew that if it was bad enough for such an horrified expression to be written across Zella¡¯s face, it was bad enough to garner no questions from him.


    When Arsalan made it to the corridor her bedchamber was on, the tang of fresh blood tickled his senses before he could even see into the corridor. He pushed open the heavy wooden door and froze. His entire body went still as he slowly gazed into the corridor. What he beheld made his blood run cold as ice. Zella flew into the door behind him and he could hear the gasp that she sucked into her red lips.


    "Oh..." is all she could say from where she stood behind him. A shaky, frightened word.


    Althea stood over Jasper''s body, one of the metal candle sconces from the corridor''s wall in her hand. Blood dripped from the pointed swirl at the bottom, and a puddle of crimson pooled at Jaspers head as he laid in a motionless heap on the ground. Those hazel eyes were still open, wide with the horror of whatever he¡¯d witnessed just before drawing his final breath.


    Althea looked up to find the two of them standing there. Her cheeks were stained with the streaks of her tears, and even from here he could see her hands trembling. Arsalan closed off his mind to the questions that were desperately yearning for his attention. Instead he strode to her.


    "I..." her voice was so small, so fragile as she let out a sob, "I didn''t mean for... I wasn''t trying to¡­" She couldn¡¯t finish the sentence.


    Arsalan took the sconce from her, placing it on the ground. He was about to reach for her when she flung her body towards Jasper. A sob rang through the otherwise quiet corridor. He silently prayed that no one from this level had retired for the night just yet.


    "Oh Jasper," she sobbed out, engulfing his lifeless corpse in her arms. Zella still stood near the stairs, but he could hear her laboured breathing, as if she were only seconds from vomiting.


    Arsalan closed his eyes, trying to think of what he should do. He needed to get her out of here, quickly. He didn''t need to know what had happened to know that if he didn''t get her out of this institution as soon as possible, the board would kill her. It was how they dealt with members who harmed their own. He knew this... and he knew that Jasper was clearly someone of value here at the London institution. If he didn''t get her out of here now, he may not be able to save her from their wrath.


    He bent down on a knee, trying to get onto her level.


    "Althea..." he whispered to her, trying to keep his voice as soft and as even as he could for her sake, "we need to go now, okay?"


    "He was trying to hurt me," she sobbed out, "I didn''t know what else to do!"


    Her words stung. Arsalan closed his eyes, and suddenly there was a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up to find Zella standing over him.


    "Althea, it''s me Zella..." her voice was as light as dawn as she spoke, "I heard him and Monique talking... Jasper was coming here to get you and take you to the board of elders..." she paused and her voice cracked as she whispered, "they were going to murder you tonight Althea."


    Her green eyes shot up at this. She looked frantically between him and the Candidus girl.


    "So please trust me when I tell you, this was not a choice you made, this was something that had to be done... okay?" Zella gave Althea a face that suggested such an understanding of her pain that it made Arsalan wonder whether the Candidus girl had made sacrifices such as these in the past.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Zella reached out a hand, offering it to Althea who swallowed apprehensively, but took it. Arsalan stood up quickly and began walking towards the stairs. Althea''s once beautiful frost blue gown was now ripped and frayed at the ends and spotted with Jasper''s blood. If anyone were to see her... he wished he had a cloak to wrap around her.


    Zella seemed to notice her rough appearance as well as her eyebrows knitted together while scanning Althea.


    "I''m going to help you, okay? You won''t feel any different, but I am going to cloak you with my ability so that we can get out of here without raising any suspicion." Althea''s eyes met hers, nervousness flashed there but she nodded.


    Zella closed her eyes and focused so hard that a large vein protruded from her forehead. And then Althea completely disappeared from his sight. Wow... it was as if she were never even there. Even the feline who had stood at Althea''s feet looked utterly mystified. Arsalan just turned and kept moving down the stairs until they reached the main floor of the institution.


    He held up a finger, indicating for them to wait as he peered into the main lobby. There were a few drunkards in a corner, stumbling and singing an old English tune. But other than that, he didn''t see anyone else. He gestured for Zella and Althea to follow him into the large lobby. The grandfather clock would be chiming midnight in less than fifteen minutes.


    "We need to hurry," Zella whispered, her tone a bit frantic, and Arsalan nodded. He was trying his best to be quick without drawing unwanted attention towards them.


    They were walking towards the exit to the training yard when he heard the familiar tune of the elevator, signalling that someone had just stopped on this floor. Before he could motion for them to move quicker, the door opened to reveal the blonde haired girl he''d often seen with  Althea... Monique he believed was her name. Two gentlemen who he didn''t recognize and an older woman with dark hair and a white infirmary jacket accompanied her. Zellas face twisted with such intense anger it made even him feel slightly fearful.


    "Oh perfect! You''ve brought Althea right where she''s needed," Monique spoke in a French accent. How was she able to see her? She must have been a hound. That was the word they used in Skyworth for those who sensed magic.


    "You''re not taking her anywhere," Zella growled. Arsalan took a step between the Candidus girl and her invisible counterpart and the group of cadre members as they piled from the elevator.


    "Arsalan Hashemi... I didn''t expect to see you here. Now that is quite the surprise," Monique chirped, a smirk spreading across her red lips. She studied him and then let out a fake laugh.


    "Oh I see, she manipulated you just like she did Jasper... what a pity, I did think you were stronger than that," she diddled, scanning his body with those penetrating blue eyes. He clenched his hands into fists, growing angrier with each vile word she spoke.


    "Gentlemen," she said, snapping a finger. The two men rushed from behind her towards him. They were each built fairly well, but neither of them were anywhere near the capacity of Arsalan. They came at either side of him, reaching for his arms... did they really think he was just going to let them grab him?


    He had to think about his next move carefully... as it would define his entire life after this. He thought back to all that Althea had shown him, all that he had read in those ancient texts, he thought of his parents who died for a cause that wasn''t worth protecting, he thought of her, of the small woman, who despite his best attempts at ignoring, he cared for. He didn¡¯t know why she felt so important to him, he didn''t understand why he cared about her as deeply as he did, but Arsalan decided in that moment, that he wanted to find out why, and he couldn¡¯t do that if she were to die here tonight.


    He could easily just slow time right now and remove them from this situation, they had to know that... but Arsalan didn''t want to just flee... he wanted to send a message.


    Without another thought, he grabbed the arm of the man to his right, spinning his body as he pushed his arm up behind his back so far that he screamed out in pain. He used his other hand to hold the man still. "Take another step and I snap his neck," Arsalan growled. The man in his arms flailed and let out a sob, begging his friend not to move. The second man looked into his face, but he didn''t stop. As soon as his foot moved to take another step, Arsalan clenched the man''s head between his large palms and twisted. There was an all too familiar crunch of bone as Arsalan killed the man in his arms. He released him, letting his body crumple to the floor. Everything happened so quickly then. The second man pulled his dagger from the sheath at his belt, but even armed he was no match for the trained warrior. Arsalan had fought monsters that teleported to this world from other realms¡­ these men were nothing by comparison.


    He kicked the man''s legs from beneath him and slit his throat with the man''s own dagger upon taking hold of it himself. He heard a scream behind him and he could see Althea now but the scream wasn''t hers, it was coming from Zella as she was watching Althea being dragged away. The older woman held her as she kicked and screamed while Monique, Althea and another man were nearly two yards away now. He''d been so absorbed in the two men he hadn''t even noticed her being taken. He cursed under his breath, sprinting towards them. The man who held one of her wrists as she fought turned to him. Arsalan closed his eyes and let his mind take over. When he opened them, everything around him was frozen. He grabbed Althea and released her from the hold she was under, silently wondering why she''d not been able to use her own ability... though he suspected the possible use of poisons.


    He threw a frozen Althea over his shoulder and turned around, picking up Zella, doing the same with her. He heard a small noise and looked down, finding Althea''s cat beside him. Archibald... he was... moving freely. But how? It was impossible, unless the cat possessed the same ability which was unheard of. The feline looked up at him with those big, glowing saucers.


    "You are not just a cat are you?" Arsalan asked as he shook his head... all questions he didn''t have time to dwell on in the current moment.


    The feline trotted ahead of him as he carried the two ladies out the institution''s doors. The air was freezing, and the snowflakes that had been flying through the air were now completely still around him.


    Arsalan stilled his rambling thoughts, trying to bring his mind to an absolute calm as he thought of a place that he once called home... the only place he ever truly considered a home. He clasped his hands together, pulling them apart to reveal a mass of red and blue fractals. Then Arsalan shot out his hands in front of him and a dark orb of swirling black stood before him. His head ached as he set Althea on the ground next to him. He needed to think of his next move carefully. This portal would be traceable¡­ if they all went through it, the cadre would be able to send people after them to the exact spot where it let out. But if only one went in and the cadre¡¯s focus was pinned on someone else¡­


    "Help her find my brother okay?" He looked down to the calico cat whose eyes glowed back at him. "His name is Niran." The cat seemed to almost nod to him as he stretched his front paws out in front of him. Archie gave Arsalan one last look, before jumping into the dark portal and disappearing.


    Arsalan held Zella in his arms. He knew he needed to close the portal as quickly as possible, for each passing second that it remained open, he was risking that hound Monique sensing its magic when he unfroze time.


    "We will meet again shortly my friend," he said before throwing the Candidus girl into the onyx depths. In a quick suctioned movement, the portal swirled closed, taking Zella and the cat with it.


    Arsalan held his head as reality came rushing back to him. The harsh flecks of snow and frigid howling of wind beat into him now.


    Althea sat up and looked around her in a daze. How had she gotten outside? Only a moment ago she had been in the arms of Dr. Rawlings... where had... she suddenly scanned the area around them for Zella but she was nowhere in sight.


    "Come, we need to go now." Arsalan bit out the last word with such intensity that Althea quickly gathered her composure and made it to her feet. He grabbed her hand and she followed behind him as he ran through the training yard. She had killed him... she had killed Jasper. Images of his body, lying there on the wood floor flashed in her mind as she ran. With each blink she could see him lunge towards her, hear his words as he had told her he never loved her, the expression he wore as he called her a mission. She''d reached for that sconce, ripping it from its place on the wall¡­ she remembered that¡­ but what came after, she had no recollection of. With a blink, tears began burning Althea''s cold cheeks as she ran behind Arsalan. Was the world around her spinning? Or was it her head searching through the ebbing waves of her thoughts and emotions, careening through her mind with vicious force? She wasn''t sure. But Althea slowed her sprint as she was certain she was about to faint. Arsalan turned back, pulling her with him still.


    "Listen to me okay," he called back to her, combatting the wind with his deep voice, "Zella is safe and we will be meeting with her shortly, I sent her through a portal to where we are going... but I couldn¡¯t risk us all going through, so me and you," he slowed, but only slightly, "we are going to be travelling a little bit differently."


    Althea furrowed her eyebrows, not fully understanding what he meant by this. She didn''t ask any questions though, she just followed him. She knew without a doubt that she could trust him. When she''d looked up earlier to see him standing there, beholding what she''d done, there was no sign of fear, or disappointment, or terror in his eyes. No, he had looked at her with such an intense compassion and sympathy that it made her want to cry more. She didn''t deserve to be understood for what she''d done, she didn''t deserve it, and yet when he''d looked at her in that way she''d felt her heart begin beating in her chest again for the first time since she''d lost consciousness. It was as if the world around her had begun moving again.


    She heard the door to the institution open behind them and Monique and the three others rushed out. She and Arsalan were nearly halfway across the field now, and Althea could barely even see through the thick snow that fell in heaps now from the sky above. Arsalan paused his running and turned to face her.


    "I''m going to do something, and I need you to remain calm, okay?" Arsalan asked, reaching warm hands to her face as his icy blue eyes bored into hers. She just nodded. Right now, he was her best, and likely her only, chance of survival. Whatever he was going to do to save them, she would accept it.


    "Okay..."


    He let out a sigh and began taking step after step away from her. Althea glanced back, watching Monique and the three others behind her. They were running quickly towards the two of them now, and she could make out the shape of weapons at two of the figures'' sides. She swallowed and turned back to face Arsalan.


    His eyes were closed and his arms were extended outwards at his sides as his head tilted to the sky. She turned back again, they were only about ten yards away now and Althea was beginning to wonder how they would possibly flee. Her body shook from the freezing cold around her, but went completely still as she looked back towards Arsalan. She blinked, and then blinked twice more, not believing her own eyes. Arsalan was... glowing.


    He was radiating a silver, shimmering light from around his body. She couldn''t bring herself to look away as he began raising his hands up towards the sky. The light was shining brighter and brighter until it was so vigorous and so intense that Althea had to close her eyes and cover them to keep them from frying up in their sockets.


    After a few seconds all the brightness drained from the air around her and when she looked forward again Arsalan was gone. It was as if he¡¯d just... vanished.


    Althea did a complete turn, looking around the vast field around her but he was nowhere in sight... Monique and the people who accompanied her, including Dr. Rawlings, were mere feet from her now.


    Althea turned to begin running away when¡ª


    A thunderous boom rippled through the sky, its reverberation shattering through the otherwise silent night air. The ground convulsed beneath Althea''s feet, betraying her balance and sending her sprawling onto the crisp, snow covered ground. Though the icy chill seared her exposed knees, the biting sensation faded into insignificance amidst the uproar above. The sound, an unparalleled symphony of chaos and might, tore through the night like a wrathful crescendo.


    With a breathless gasp, Althea turned her gaze skyward, her very being lured by an otherworldly presence that loomed overhead with an aching to be beheld. And behold it she did as her entire body trembled and shook with either terror or awe, she did not know. There, hovering high above the field, was something she never believed could exist in a world of non-fiction, a colossal eastern dragon. Her awe gave way to fascination as she observed every intricate detail. Its silver scales reflected the moon''s glow, a regal crown of grand, ivory-hued horns sat atop its head, and along its sinuous form, a swath of plush white fur cascaded down its length to culminate in a billowing snowy tuft at the tail''s end. And the dragon''s eyes¡­ Those radiant orbs glowing with the silver of incandescent frost, bore into Althea''s soul with an allconsuming familiarity.


    No... it couldn¡¯t be. It couldn''t possibly be... Althea''s mouth gaped as she looked at the familiar creature.


    "Arsalan?" her voice cracked as his name exited her lips, so numbed by the cold they''d turned blue.


    Those colossal, piercing eyes bore into hers, an electric connection sparking between them as the gargantuan creature descended before her. It was him... it had to be... the silver scales, the dragon tattoo he wore on his back... puzzle pieces clicked into place in her mind with a resounding clarity, a realisation that defied rationality.


    But how? How could he, a mere man, transform into this entity of awe-inspiring magnitude? The sheer inconceivability of his metamorphosis eluded comprehension, defying the very laws of nature. Her mind, grappling with the surreal spectacle unfolding before her, struggled to reconcile the impossible. It was sheer madness, a kaleidoscope of the bizarre and the bewildering, a reality she couldn''t fathom nor accept.


    The dragon breathed out a warm breath that caressed her body. It smelled of him... his scent which she had memorised. That smell of musk and spice, that scent that had made her feel things that she knew were wrong each time she caught a passing whiff.


    The great beast''s eyes moved to the side now, looking at the four individuals who appeared to be just as stunned as she was. Monique however was marching towards them, still determined to take her to the board it appeared. Suddenly the dragon... or rather Arsalan, lifted a clawed fist embracing her as he lifted her to his back. His scaled hand was warm as it squeezed her gently, setting her atop him. She didn''t have time to think as she grabbed onto the warmth of the massive horns at the top of his head and he ascended into the dark, snow drifting skies.


    Althea watched as the four individuals on the ground grew smaller and smaller the higher Arsalan went. She couldn¡¯t contain the smile that spread over her frozen lips. This was complete and utter insanity¡­ and yet something within her, some small ember of light had ignited and was now a roaring, ebbing flame. She had no idea where they were going, or what the break of dawn would bring their way¡­ but in this moment, as she soared high above the dark, sleeping world¡­ Althea had found peace.

 Epilogue

    The sky was dark, and misty, the air swirling to form morning clouds around the large picture windows that surrounded the Palatium, or Palace of Ice as some called it. Audaxus Gaius hadn''t slept a wink the night before, or for the past week in fact, though when you''re nearly immortal as he was, not sleeping for long periods of time wasn''t as severe as it was for ordinary humans. His head had started to ache slightly in his skull though. Not due to his lack of rest, but because she had escaped. Althea Lezant as she went by in this lifetime. And with one of his highest trained aevum, Arsalan. The idea that they had disappeared and left no trail behind them had plagued him for over a week now as he sent every last one of his hounds out to search for them. The hounds were the variety of the cadre that developed a skill set for scenting out magic. He knew he should have brought her here sooner, Audaxus had wanted to bring her here from the first time that blonde haired wench had spoken of the fire in her eyes. But instead, he had opted to wait for solidified proof.


    In the past, the daft girl, Monique, had given him a fabled tale of information which resulted in him wasting his time... so this time around he had been waiting until someone he trusted more, someone less... dim witted, gave him more sustainable information. Someone like Arsalan. Arsalan who he had trusted, Arsalan who had been by his side for the past five years, helping him with various tasks and never asking too many questions. Audaxus gripped the arm of his large, upholstered chair. Arsalan who had betrayed him, who had betrayed the entire cadre. He was the cause of all of this. Audaxus could have had her, he could have slaughtered her and released that power within her, sending it scurrying back to where it belonged. He had scoured this drab, mundane planet thrice for that wretched curse, sending his hounds to search every crevice for that ancient, potent magic. The hounds were able to distinguish who or what wielded magic, what kind of magic it was, how old it was and if it had been used for good, evil, or never used at all. And yet three times over, there was no sign of that ancient flame.


    Until now. Until her.


    A faint glow illuminated through his room at the top of the Palatium. He stood from his seat finally, turning away from the dim light of dawn. Before he did though, he took a second to stare down upon the black and silver metropolis below. The city of Skyworth. Where he used to see his gleaming silver city, he now saw a cramped cluster of buildings piled atop one another. This place no longer satisfied his taste for a kingdom.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He turned around, to face the large slate and sable suite with its flowing stone fountain situated before the elevated bed. It had served as more of a throne to him than the engraved royal seat at which he had taken his place for nearly three millennia now. His bed had always been his sanctuary. It was where he dreamt of the ways he would reunite this world with the one he¡¯d been born to, a world that was vast and never ending. When this cadre had formed two thousand, six-hundred and fifty four years ago, he had still been young, naive in his thinking. He aimlessly followed the ways of the other five original members. They had said then that the world of magic was despicable, that this world should be cleansed, only to contain a fragment of magic from those who were birthed from its core, derived only from its purity. And these magic wielders were to be kept away from the eyes of humans, never to make these abilities known to them. Unlike the time before the spell had been cast, these pure magic wielders, as they were called, did not assume any of the attributes of the power that came before them. They aged as humans did, and looked like humans did, perfect for blending in, like sheep in a herd. But Audaxus was tired of hiding up here amongst the clouds, watching the mundane trash of the human world down below, so full of weakness, disease and violence. It was pathetic really, to watch them. They considered themselves so superior to everything around them, and from what he had glimpsed of the future, that complex of superiority of their species was only to grow until they all eventually turned on one another and died anyway, so why not speed up the process by breaking that bond?


    The bond which was the flame. That ancient spell that had separated this human dimension and the magic dimension which were once joined together as one realm. Audaxus sought to break that bond and allow the beasts, that once tormented the humans, to rein free and extinguish their species from this world altogether, for they would only do it themselves in the coming centuries anyway. Four of the five other members had pledged their loyalty to he and his cause in secret from the fifth, Valeria. She had made her stance on humans clear, that they were an innocent species in need of protection. She couldn''t be any more ignorant. So seventy-five years ago, Audaxus and the others had locked her away in one of the old bared chambers they once used for their Lacerta Avis before the last of them went extinct. They would have killed her, but yet another downfall of this dreaded curse was its binding between the six original cadre members, the Board of the Ageless. If any of them purposely inflicted harm resulting in the death of one of the original six, they were all to die as one. But he needn¡¯t kill Valeria¡­ for when his plan succeeded, and it would in due time, she could finally be amongst the human scum she so dearly loved¡­ nothing but a pile of bones, as all the humans would be when he was finished. And as for Althea Lezant¡­ He had found her once, and he would find her again¡­ and when he did, there would be no escaping him again.


    The End of Book 1