As soon as Davey left Jade, he felt like a part of him had stayed behind. But, he felt, amazing.

There was no other way to describe it, the air was cooler, the light brighter, the colours all around him more vivid.

He wanted to do everything at once, dance through the grass and gravel, sing at the top of his lungs, cry out and tell everybody what he had just heard.

However, a promise is a promise, and Davey headed to the kitchen to Olivia, where she and Madeline where attacking the washing up.

At the sight of Davey coming through the door, Olivia pounced on him wanting to know everything from the sound of his voice to the colour of his shoes.

"Oh leave the lad alone Olivia, he has more important things than to listen to you prattle on", said Madeline.

She was the only servant who referred to Davey like this, she was the oldest at 53 years of age, and had raised him when his mother was sick.

Davey laughed "It's ok Madi, I don't mine".

He replied sitting at a small table where the drying up was stacked, closely followed by Olivia drying a pan as she went.

"Is he as handsome as Beth says he is? Or is he not so? She can extend the truth sometimes, and I mean you've seen her husband he's hardly Prince Charming is he? What do you think? Is he nice?" the words tumbled out of her mouth without stopping for breath as she dried the pan for what must have been the 6th time already.

"Beth does not exaggerate, he is truly an amazing figure of a man, he has a sort of radiance about him, I cannot really describe it. I have asked him to come find me after his chores and we will probably dine with you, and then you can make your own mind up.

That is, if you can really bear to wait that long?" said Davey, an amused look on his face as Olivia tried to figure out in her mind what he must look like, running the cloth around the handle of the pan.

Olivia laughed, and put the pan on the table before returning to the soapy abyss that was the sink.

Davey rose too, the quicker he got the accounts done, the quicker he could relax. It was his own fault for being such an agreeable person.

He bid the girls farewell and walked back along the empty corridors to his bed chamber, his mind full to the brim with Jade thoughts.

'I've never seen a man as beautiful, or as strong, or as precious.' He thought as he ascended yet another set of stairs.

'Is it right what I think about him? In the little time I've known him I feel as though I have had my heart stolen'

He sighed deeply as he finally reached his door. Deciding to put off these thoughts until Jade arrived, he walked in and began his long and boring time of number crunching.

~Jades POV~

~An Hour Later~

'Every things done, the horses are clean, the stable is gleaming, does that mean I should go see Davey now? He did say to go and meet him once I'd done. Well, I better stop off at my room first, and clean myself up a bit' Jade thought all this whilst locking the stable doors, and turning back towards the house, a spring in his step.

As he opened the oak doors to the entrance hall, the stunning view took Jades breath away.

Never before had he been in a house like this, the marble, the mahogany, silver and gold ornaments gleaming and creating rainbow patterns on the walls from where the light shone through them.

Whilst Jade was busy gawking, a servant in his 40's pushed past him mumbling his apologies laden down with sheets that looked like they were gong to serve as bed linen for the whole castle.

"Erm, excuse me sir, do you want some help?" Jade asked the man kindly, who was no struggling with his load.

"Oh thank you yes that would be most helpful" replied the man, eager to be rid of some of his load.

Jade took the top half of the linen and pushed open the door to the dining room with his foot, which both men entered through, to see the grand oak table laden down with silver cutlery and plates, even though there would only be two dining that night. The brothers really were all greed.

Just as Jade piled his linen on top of the young man's,a young girl Beth had introduced earlier named Tabby tapped Jade on the shoulder, a steaming goblet in her hand.

"Davey says he wants to see you now if you would like. If you are going, would you please take this up too? He has bad health you see" she said and handed Jade the warm goblet full to the brim with milk and honey.

"Yes, Yes of course, Where is he?"

"Top floor, I'm afraid, his is the only bed chamber there, it is hidden just behind a curved wall. Just knock and he will let you in" she smiled warmly at Jade who smiled back.

"I'm sorry I cannot take you there myself but I promised Olivia and Madeline I would help them, there is still much washing and cleaning to be done."

Jade nodded apologetically, sorry he couldn't help.

He turned and began his assent of the ever winding staircase to Daveys bed-chamber, the warm milk still steaming.

~...~

As Jade reached the mahogany door, liquid nerves flooded his stomach, but he knocked anyhow, the sound ricocheting off the empty corridors creating an echo.

Jades heart stopped in his chest, for this magical creature was standing before him, facing the window, the afternoon sun bouncing off of his hair and shoulders, his bare torso etched with lines and scars, the hilt of his dagger resting against his skin, denting it.

"Jade!" Davey cried out "I'm so glad your here."

Jade thought 'I'm so glad I'm here'

~Daveys POV~

"Please come and sit, what s that you have there"? Asked Davey gesturing to the bed with one hand and the still steaming goblet with another.

"Oh Tabby gave me this" he said, "She said you have to drink it, for your health".

Davey laughed quietly "Yes she's very compassionate is Tabby, always looks out for me, thank you Jade but I think tis you who needs it not me you look worn out." he said, sinking into the crimson softness of his bed linen.

"Oh, er, no, you must have it it's yours", said Jade sitting besides Davey. Although he wanted the drink desperately, he thought Davey did look ill and as worn out as he was.

"Drink" Davey commanded.

Jade put the silver goblet to his lips and drunk the sweet milk, it filled his body with warmth and energy, his tired muscles and aching bones restored.

As he drained the goblet he let out a long contented sigh. Davey chuckled.

"You did need it, what's that on your face?"

he placed a finger in a long scar that ran down the length of Jades jaw.

"Oh my Grandfather did it. He was unstable, he's dead now but I used to have to go over there every week to help him and he used to shout at me a lot. One day he just lost it all together and sliced me with his knife. It wasn't so long ago, it still hurts sometimes" Jade smiled at Daveys concern.

His finger brushed the red mark lightly, before placing his hand in Jades neck, the heat between them intensifying.

Davey lost himself in Jades warm eyes, and the world, all of his pain and suffering melted away. In an instant their lips met and they were kissing each other as though today was their last.

Jade forced himself onto Davey, so that he fell amongst a pile of crimson velvet and Daveys hands started exploring underneath Jades clothing feeling every inch of his chest.

Daveys eyes locked onto Jades once again, the passion flaring in the air.

Jade stuttered,

"I love you".