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Chapter 10

I pulled on a new plain brown shirt with black slacks, noticing how When I finished dressing, I opened the door to see Maven waiting for me. He followed me back inside, sitting down beside me.

"Um... How's Evangeline?" I asked, swallowing down the hard lump in my throat.

"She's, uh, getting better... I'm stronger than I know..." He said with a small smile which disappeared soon. He grabbed my hands, tracing circles with his thumbs on my palms. "I saw you on the screen, dying slowly and something in me just snapped. All I could think was that I had to get to you before... Before..." He stopped, a tear rolling down his cheek. I wiped the tear away, hating to see him hurt because of me.

"Can we sit outside?" I asked, pointing to the balcony. Maven smiled, nodding. I walked backwards and pulled him with me so that I could still see him. When I opened the door, I gasped, amazed. There was a small couch with a patterned quilt on top for the cold breeze. Small candles were lit, decorating the sweet table. The balcony looked out to a small pond in the gardens with floating lilies and rose petals on the smooth surface. A musk of vanilla and jasmine came from the candles. The air smelled sweet and a gentle breeze shook the flames. I breathed in deeply, leaning back on Maven's strong chest. He wrapped his arms around me.

I breathed in deeply, closing my eyes and leaning back on Maven's strong chest. He wrapped his arms around me, clasping his hands on my stomach.

"Do you like it?" He asked anxiously.

"I love it." He sighed in relief. Maven walked forward slowly, turning left and right a little with each step. We sat together on the couch, Maven never letting go. I put my hands on top of his. "Thank you. It's beautiful." I turned my head around and kissed him. He was startled at first, but then kissed me back.

Cal's face.

I pushed the memory deep down inside my mind. I was determined to try and make this relationship work, for Maven.

And there was no point in mourning your relationship with Cal since he doesn't love you.

His hands reached my back and he tenderly touched the hem of my shirt. A question. He didn't go any further so I pulled his hands away, clasping them firmly between us. He smiled without taking his lips off mine.

I pulled away, leaning back on him.

"Mare, I heard that you were having some trouble sleeping," Maven said. He slipped something round and hard in my hand, pressing it into my palm. I opened my hand and saw a small phial filled with a translucent cloudy liquid. The cork at the top had a dropper attached to it. I looked up at him in surprise. He winked. "Sleeping drug. One drop can knock you out for a few hours. If you're tired, I don't mind you going to sleep."

"I never want to leave this place," I whispered.

We talked for awhile, sometimes keeping silent to savour the moment.

"Come on, I want to show you something," Maven said quietly with a smile, pulling me up. I followed him to the edge of the balcony, looking out to the gardens. He tilted my head up so I was looking just beyond the palace gates.

"No, not there. Here," He pointed in the distance, just where the sun was setting. I gasped softly, as the sky turned to a million colours and the last few fragments of sunlight kissed the ground good-bye. I smiled and kissed his cheek, whispering my thanks. He put an arm around me, pulling me closer. I curled up onto his chest, playing with the strings on his shirt. I tried to stifle a yawn, but failed and felt my eyelids droop.

"Are you tired?" He said, laughing a little. I stood up straight.

"No. Well. Maybe just a bit," I admitted sheepishly.

"Ok, let's go to sleep," He said, pulling me up so that he was carrying me. I shrieked, clinging onto him, kicking my legs. He burst out laughing, still not putting me down. Fearing I was too much, I demanded he put me down.

"All right," He grinned and dropped me on the bed. I reached out to him, screaming and fell down hard but not really injuring myself. I panted as Maven lay down on top of me, propping himself up with one arm. He turned his head, laughing softly and kissed me. I put my arms behind his neck and pulled him down. He rested his hands on my shoulder gently. I rolled over so that I was on top of him and felt him laugh again under my lips. I pulled away.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Nothing, nothing..." He pulled my head closer him to kiss him, I shook him away. I could still see him smiling.

"No, tell me," I said. He sighed, the smile still not shaken off his face.

"Well, usual you're so reluctant when I kiss you, but know, people would call you the seducer," He said.

"What? No!" I said, laughing. I grabbed a pillow and threw it at his head. Maven ducked and tackled me, making us both fall back down. I laughed, breathless. I turned to look at him as he lay beside me, but his expression was angered.

"Maven? What's wrong?" I asked gently, touching his arm and leant on one elbow.

"It's just... Mare, why did you choose Cal over me?" He said, finally letting out the question I had tried to avoid the whole night. I sighed.

"Is this really what's bothering you? When I betrayed him, who was it I chose?" I gently placed my body over his and kissed him. "Maven, I love you." He kissed me back. His hands slipped under my shirt, roaming my skin and this time, I didn't stop him. I pulled away and yawned.

"Are you tired?" Maven asked.

"No. Yes. A little. Not sleeping for three days straight really takes the energy out of you," I said, slurring.

"Time to sleep, okay?" I shook my head violently.

"I can't. I'm afraid of what I'll see..." He smiled.

"Remember the phial I gave you? The best part about the drug is that you sleep a dreamless sleep," He passed me the phial, taking one drop for himself. The cold liquid slipped down my throat, leaving a small burning sensation after it. I lay down on the bed, my vision fading. My eyes drooped close. I felt the bed dip as Maven slept beside me.

He never let go of my hand.

Cold. I shivered. It woke me. I lifted my heavy eyelids, wrapping the blanket closer around. I felt a something hard touch my side. Looking around, I sat up suddenly realising that there was someone in the rooms. My feet slipped out of the bed and I crept around.

The balcony door was open. Thankfully, Maven as still asleep. A harsh wind blew, almost tripping me over. My will was strong and I entered the balcony. I grabbed a pack of matches and lit a few candles. I squinted, looking around. A shadow moved closer to me behind me. I heard a small crack and spun around. I gasped.

"Hello Mare."