Afer our conversation, I went for a walk to clear my head, it still wouldn't leave my mind. She was a star, and by killing her and taking her heart I could live forever, rule Stormhold forever...

But would it be worth it? I huff and pinch the bridge of my nose. Serenity , my loyal servant... Should I spare her?

I turn and head back to the camp. Serenity is sitting outside again, on one of the logs the guards pulled in to the clearing earlier. She turned and watched me carefully. I saw that she was stitching a shirt from one of the guards, who had torn it on a low hanging branch earlier that day. She had clearly taken my harsh words to heart and was doing the chores a maid is required to perform.

She smiled tentativally at me, a small uneasy blush on her cheeks. She looked at her lap again and continued the stitching. I felt my heart ache slightly from her discomfort. I had scared her.

I called her and she looked up, startled.

"Come with me." I stated, turning and briskly walking off to where I came from. I knew she was following me as I could hear her soft footsteps. We entered a clearing and I turned to her.

"I want to apologise to you. I never meant to scare you." I realise her eyes have mostly returned to their former, lighter colour, except for a dark ring around her pupil.

She looks away from me.

"It was foolish of me to even consider it, My Lord." She bows her head.

"Don't" I snap. Stepping towards her. Her cheeks turn a deep red once again as her eyes widen.

"My Lord?" her voice is soft.

"Don't call me that, my name is Septimus." I answer. I don't know why I said it.

"I'm sorry... Septimus." Her mouth twitches into a quick smile.

"I promised that I'll keep you safe, and I intend to keep that promise. But you need to understand how... tempting it is for me to take your heart."

Serenity steps away from me, I step towards her. I take her wrist quickily, startling her. She tries to pull away but finds she can't. I press my fingers against her pulse. I feel her heart pounding wildly.

"You still fear me."

"Your words weren't very comforting." her voice hitched.

"I might not be the nicest men here, but I never break a promise." I frown at her.

I carefully pull her towards me, stepping in her direction as wel until our chests almost touch. I can feel her quick breaths on my neck as look down on her.

I lift her chin with my free hand until she looks at me.

"Your secret is safe with me, Serenity, I promise" I whisper.

She exhales slowly through her mouth calming down. She relaxes and presses closer to me.

"Thank you." her cheeks are still flushed but she seems more composed now.

Ever so slowly, she leans in, untill her soft lips are placed against mine.

I promise