Liam's voice was calm, but his eyes wavered. "Then don't." Liam leaned forward and kissed me tenderly. And for the first time: I returned it.

When Liam pulled back, he was smiling, but it wasn't like the smug and arrogant smirk. This smile was genuine and gentle. Liam brought his hand out of the water to cup my cheek. "I do love you Michelle," He cast his eyes down at the edge of the tub. "I know it doesn't seem like it, the way I brought you here, and everything, but I do love you." Liam pulled his gaze back to mine, looking solemn. His deep violet eyes were sincere.

"I know." I said breaking the eye contact, the look in his eyes reminded me too much of Michael, and I couldn't think about him anymore than I had to. A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"My lord?" Vic's muffled voice came from the other side.

"Yes, what is it?" Liam asked, his voice loud and irritated, but not angry.

"Your fiancé has a visitor." My heart leaped in my chest, thinking it was Michael. I shot a confused and shocked look at Liam, a similar one written on his face.

"Who is it?" Liam asked Vic.

"He said his name was Nicholas Wilson, he's a guardian from the Royal Court." Liam tensed hearing those last two words.

After several moments, Liam replied. "She'll be right down," No response came after that, and I assumed Vic had left. Liam's eyes flicked to me. "Get changed, I have some clothes in the closet for you," My eyes widened as his words sunk in. I didn't wait for him to change his mind. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around myself before leaving the bathroom. Liam hadn't lied: practically half of the enormous closet was filled with business-casual clothes in my size. I picked two at random and put them on. By the time I changed, Liam had joined me. He sat on the bed, watching me silently. After I had finished, he spoke. "There are some rules, of course."

I looked at his reflection in the mirror. "Of course." I said unemotionally for I had expected this.

"Get him out as fast as you can, in any way possible. Don't release any sensitive information. Understood?" He said it as a question, but his tone implied that any answer other than yes would not be adequate.

"Of course." I said again turning away from the mirror deeming myself presentable enough.

"Good." Liam stood, coming over to me and hooking my arm under his. We walked to the foyer in a comfortable silence.

When we reached it, Nicholas shot out of his chair where he'd been sitting on a bench on the far side of the foyer near the front door when he saw me approaching. "Miss Ivashkov," Nicholas practically ran up to me. "Are you alright? I scoured Court looking for you."

I nearly laughed at his reaction. "Oh. My apologies, Guardian Wilson, I didn't mean to worry you. I left Court so abruptly that I didn't have time to tell anyone."

Nicholas still looked skeptical, but slowly nodded after a look to Liam. I'd added just enough compulsion to minimize any arguments Nicholas might make. His eyes returned to mine. "Will you be returning?"

I cast a minuscule side glance at Liam before answering. "Not for a while, no."

Nicholas seemed confused, but the only indication was a slight crease between his eyebrows, but his face quickly smoothed. "I thought that that would be your answer, so I with your approval, I would like to stay on here as your personal guardian."

I was caught off-guard. "What?" My mouth hung open.

Liam picked up the conversation. "That won't be necessary, Guardian Wilson."

Nicholas looked Liam right in the eye and spoke unflinchingly. "With all respect, sir, I was not speaking to you." If I were anyone else, I would find the situation funny, but at that moment I was mortified.

I gaped at Nicholas, but tried to hide my shock. Liam tensed next to me. Nicholas' eyes came back to mine, and it took me a moment to speak. "Thank you, Nicholas, really, but you don't need to stay."

His eyes softened a little as he stared at me. "I was assigned to you; therefore, it is my duty to protect you."

I smiled kindly. "And you have done a wonderful job," Yeah, right, the voice in my head said, you got kidnapped on his watch. I ignored the voice. "but I have enough protection here." Liam's hand gripped mine tightly as if reminding me to say no to the offer, as if I needed another person in this mansion that has a crush on me. Two is far more than enough in my book. Three is just… no.

Nicholas nodded respectfully, but when I pulled the tiny amount of spirit I needed to see how he felt, I got waves of almost sadness from him. I cut the spirit off just as he began to speak. "Of course, ma'am. I was also told to give you this." Nicholas held out a small envelope with my name cursively inscribed. I took it, thanking him. When I flipped it over I saw that the back was held by the royal stamp. I nearly dropped it. Nicholas stepped back. "I should get back to Court, thank you for your time Miss Ivashkov." He gave a curt nod to Liam before he turned and left.

I barely recognized the door's thump as it was closed behind him, I couldn't take my eyes off the note. It's from the Queen, the voice screamed at me. After a minute, Liam's hold on my arm loosened and he turned me so that I was facing him. "You did well, dearest. We didn't need that boy," his voice was full of disgust as he said the word. "snooping around here," I nodded, not really hearing him. When he spoke again, I made myself look up. "What is the letter for?"

I spoke quickly, only giving the half-truth. "I think it's from the Queen, but I have no idea what for." I knew exactly what it was for: I had left just as our group had started really working on understanding spirit.

"Would you like me to take care of it?" Liam asked, slowly reaching out his hand to me.

"No!" I said a little too loudly. I cleared my throat and said it in a much clearer voice. "No, thank you. I can take care of it." I clutched the letter to my chest and stepped away from him.

His grip on my arms released, and his arms moved to his side. "Of course, dearest, would you like to have a moment in my office to read it?"

I nodded. "Yes, thank you."

Liam gave a short nod before motioning to Vic who had been hovering a comfortable distance behind us. Without taking his eyes from mine, he told Vic. "Take her to my office, would you Vic." Usually it would be asked as a question, but Liam's tone told me that it was no such thing.

Vic bowed respectfully. "Yes, my lord, and when she is done?"

Liam's eyes were still on mine. "I think she has deserved a little wandering time." There was an untold with you following her, of course added to the end that didn't need saying.

Vic bowed again, then turned to me gesturing towards the hallway that led to Liam's office. "This way, my lady." I gave him a small smile as he led the way. When we reached the office, he held the door open. When I stepped through, he closed it behind me.

I merely glanced around the empty office that was just as it had been the first time. Reaching across the large, spacious desk, I grabbed the decorative letter opener and tore it through the top of the envelope. I gripped both of my hands tightly on either side of the paper as I read:

Dear Michelle,

I was very surprised when I heard that you had left Court, happy for your engagement though you seem young for such commitment, but surprised nonetheless. You must understand that the work we have been doing is of the utmost importance, and I need not tell you that it must be kept strictly between our small group; however, I cannot expect you to drop everything and return right away, but at the nearest convenience, please do return. Our work will be becoming very serious over the near future, and I need all the help I can get.

Sincerely,

Queen Vasilisa Dragomir

I read over the letter twice more until I could only stare at it. She wants you back. This could be your chance to get away, the voice told me in my head. Liam would never let me leave, I told it. If it were the Queen's decree, he couldn't refuse, the voice replied. But it's not, she only said she wanted me back, I told it with less confidence than before, plus what if… I couldn't finish the thought, but the voice finished it for me, what if you're pregnant?, it supplied. I groaned, even if it was in my head, the thought was surreal and I didn't want to dwell on it too long, but the voice was giving me no other choice. Well? It asked, it is possible. "No," I said out loud "it is not." My voice was cold.

Vic's voice called from the other side of the door. "Are you alright, miss?"

"Yes, I'm fine." I replied quickly. No, you're not, you're pregnant, the voice said snidely. I tried to ignore it as I walked back to the door, but just as my hand grazed the handle, the voice spoke again, but who's the father? Liam or Michael?. My hand froze, just as the rest of my body did. The question reverberated through my mind, but I shut them off and made my shoulders untense. I don't have to worry about that because I'm not pregnant, I didn't listen to whatever response the voice tried to make. Swinging open the door fast enough to make Vic tense for a second, I stormed out of the office.

"My Lady? Are you alright, did the letter upset you?" Vic asked, his voice was neutral, but a small glint of concern hid in his eyes.

I smoothed out my face and took a few calming breathes before turning to face him. I faked a smile. "Oh, no. Everything is fine, I'm fine." Vic nodded which was enough for me, so I began to walk at a rather quick pace down the hallway. All friendliness was gone from my face as I didn't have to look at anyone. I glared at the floor, but the conversation with the voice replayed in my head I felt all the color drain from my face. I blinked away the tears that suddenly wanted to fall from my eyes.

I was staring at the floor when I ran into Michael. His arms reached out instinctively to catch my arms and steady me. "Woah." He said. I looked up at him, knowing that my cheeks were slightly wet. "Woah, are you okay?" He didn't hesitate, Michael wrapped his arms around me and pressed me against his chest in a tight, secure hug. I shook my head against his chest as I began to sob harder. "Hey, hey, hey, it's gonna be okay." Michael's voice was gentle and soft in my ear, one of his hands wrapped around my waist to hold me against him as the other petted my hair.

"No, no it's not. It's never going to be okay." I shook my head back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth against him.

"Shhh…" Michael soothed. "Come here," He stepped away just an inch, so he could take my hand and lead me over to the window-seat not far away. Michael sat down, but gathered me in his arms so that I sat on his lap. My head was pressed into his neck. My sobs had quieted to silent tears. Michael's warm, calm voice filled my ears. "Tell me."

My voice was shaking, and I could barely get the words out. "I-I-I thi-think th-that…" I couldn't finish. I couldn't.

Michael pulled me back, so he could look into my eyes. His violet depths were loving and full of warmth. "You think what?" His tone was gentle and patient, but I could tell that he was nervous and slightly curious.

My voice was so soft, he had to lean his ear right against my mouth to hear me. "I think I'm pregnant…" The moment the word left my lips, Michael's entire body tensed against mine. I shouldn't have said anything, this was an awful idea, I chastised myself as the sobs began again, but harder this time. I brought my hands to cover my hands, shaking my head back and forth again. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. Oh, Michael, I'm so sorry." My voice was shaking again, my entire body shook.

Michael's hands came up to cover mine, and he moved them to my lap. I couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes, so simply stared at his hands holding mine. Slowly, his hands worked their way back up my arms to tilt my head back up to look him in the face. Pain, hurt, sorrow, and sadness gleamed in his eyes. Silently, he wiped away the tears that still soaked my face. "It's going to be okay, Michelle."

"How could it ever be okay?" I asked weakly, my voice sounding miserable.

I hint of a smile tilted his lips for a moment before disappearing. "You only said that you think you're… that." He couldn't bring himself to say the word and I didn't blame him. Michael cupped my face in his hands. "You don't know for sure yet."

I sniffled. "You're right." I looked away. It took me a few seconds to say what I had to next. "I-if I am, Michael, I don't know if it's yours."

I didn't have to look at him to know the confusion, anger, and pain that warred inside of him. Michael's voice was a whisper. "You can't mean…" When I nodded, Michael asked. "When?" The pain in his voice almost made me want to cry again.

Anger flooded me as I remembered. My voice was soft. "After the dinner with your family," I hesitated before continuing with the story. "Liam… he…uh," I stumbled over the words. I cleared my throat. "He took me to his…uh… room… and…" My throat closed and I couldn't finish.

Michael's voice was like ice. "What did he do?"

"He bit me." I whispered the words, still not meeting his eyes. Once I said the words, a weight lifted off my chest and I couldn't stop. "I blacked out and when I woke up, I was naked and in bed with him. He was naked too…" My voice had risen to normal hushed levels, but I whispered the last words as if they were a naughty secret, which in a way they were.

Michael's arms went around me and tightened. His voice was cold and fierce. "He raped you."

Tears leaked down my face again. "He said I knew what was happening and that I enjoyed it, but I didn't remember anything. He said that that was my fault. That I didn't remember."

Michael was scowling. "Nothing he did was your fault." His scowl increased as he remembered what had happened next. "That was when he hit you, when I found Vic dragging you through the hallway." I nodded meekly. "I came to you in that room, where we…" He didn't have to finish, I remembered every moment that Michael's skin touched mine.

But another thought came through to me: Liam's threat to Michael. I whipped my head up. "I have to go." I said abruptly.

Michael's eyes widened in shock. "Michelle? What? You can't." I tried to loosen his arms around my body, but his grip was unreleasing.

"Michael, please, I shouldn't have even talked to you. I told you… before…" I nearly shuddered as I remembered the conversation in the hallway. "I need to go, please, let me go."

I stared hard into Michael's eyes. The pain there wounded my soul, but the determination sent shivers of hope up my spine. "And I told, Michelle, that I love you, and I mean it. I will always be here for you, to protect you, and you cannot expect me to let you go back to him."

My voice was emotionless. "I'll be fine, please, trust me." Anguish filled my voice. "I'm doing this to protect you, Michael." At my words, Michael's arms instantly loosened and I slipped off his lap, standing. "Thank you." I said silently as I heard Vic's gathering footsteps.

"There you are, my lady. I lost you." His gaze flicked to Michael still seated on the seat, then to my tear soaked face, but his face remained expressionless. "Lord Szelsky, I must be taking Michelle back now."

I focused entirely on Vic, answering for Michael. "Of course. Good-bye, Michael." Without glancing back at Michael, I followed Vic back down the way we'd originally come.

After we'd walked in silence for several minutes, Vic surprised me by saying. "You shouldn't toy with the boy like that."

I kept my face forward and expressionless. "Whatever could you mean, Victor?"

Vic chuckled humorlessly. "Even if the child were not my Lord's, you are fooling yourself that he would let you be with Michael."

I faltered in my steps, a tinge of curiosity laced into my words. "What would he do, if the child weren't his?" I asked quietly.

Vic didn't hesitate. "I would be ordered to kill Michael and make it look like an accident. Because they are brothers, no one would suspect the child be Michael's instead of Liam's."

My heart pounded in my throat, I had to clear it in order to speak. "Are you going tell Liam of the possibility that the child could not be his?"

Vic stopped and I stopped with him. The large Russian didn't turn to face me, but his voice was hushed. "I do not wish to make your life difficult, nor do I have any love to kill Michael, but be assured that should my lord ask me if such possibility does exist, I will not lie to him."

I nodded slowly as we continued our walk. "I can respect that, thank you Vic." We had reached Liam's bedroom door just as I finished and Vic swept me a bow.

"Anytime, my lady." He straightened, opening the door for me. As I entered, I glanced first at the still-dark window, then at the grand wall clock that hung on the far right wall. It read almost 4am.