I started to prepare for dinner myself, though I was apprehensive about what would happen at the table.

There was no way that a meal with him at the table would go well, not with what had just happened. In addition, I had popped in to Lysander's head again, this time for much longer. I was terrified of him finding out, and what he would do if he did.

Moments after I picked out a fresh dress and took off my clothes, there was a knock on my door.

"I am back," a deep voice said. It was Kendryek, he finally had returned. I expected to feel some sort of relief, maybe happiness, but instead I was just annoyed.

"Oh good. I was afraid I wouldn't get to see you for another year," I replied. He scoffed. The doorknob started to turn. I made an embarrassingly high pitched noise and sprinted, half naked, into the bathroom, slamming the door shut as I went.

"Would you please ask if you can enter before barging in?" I asked. All of my clothes were on the outside of the door and there was nothing in here, save for a towel, that I could wear.

"I knocked. If you did not want me to enter, then you should have said so," he defensively replied. I threw my arms up in the air.

"I didn't expect you to barge in to another person's room!"

"This is my mansion, Allyn," he pointedly said. "Every room is one of mine." I grit my teeth and took a deep breath.

"Your Highness, could you please exit your room for one moment while I put on clothing?" I asked in a sickly sweet voice. I heard footsteps and the door close.

Not entirely trusting him, I peeked my head out to check. He was gone.

I scrambled out of the room and to my bedside, where I threw my clothes on as quickly as I could.

There was one problem, though, as my dress had two string at the top that needed to be tied. They were on my back and challenging for me to both see and reach. I put them in a shoddy knot for the time being, making a mental note to ask a servant to tie it for me.

"You may enter your room now, Your Highness," I said with a mock bow.

He reentered the room, immediately filling it with his powerful, shimmering aura and the scent of pumpkin spice. He was clean shaven and perfectly manicured, dressed, and styled for tonight's dinner. It struck me again, that odd feeling of realizing that I was in a relationship with the son of one of The Seven. This time I reminded myself that I was the daughter of one of The Seven. We were on the same level.

"I'm glad to see that you missed me," he said sarcastically, moving towards me.

"I did," I murmured. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him to me. Our bodies touched. He shrank back briefly.

"When did you get so cold?" he asked, laughing.

"A lot has changed in the last month or two that you've been gone," I stated flatly, still bitter. "Lysander told me about everything." He tensed up and pulled back a bit farther, eyeing me carefully. I shook my head and pulled him closer again, yearning to be close to his power again.

"I am sorry," he murmured.

"I know. I do not want to talk about it right now," I muttered. I felt the core of his power and reached out to it, but this time it did not comfort me as much as the last. I was more full this time, the void in me a little less large. I did not need him to fill it.

"I missed you too," he whispered in my ear.

He pulled away.

"The situation in the Spring Court is, manageable," he said reassuringly. "Do not worry." I nodded.

Knock

There was someone at the door, again.

I looked at Kendryek and gestured towards the door. "Your mansion, not mine," I told him. He rolled his eyes and opened the door.

It was Lysander. Dark circles hung around his eyes and he leaned against the doorframe. His hair was out of its bun and covered half of is face. He walked into the room and leaned against a wall.

"Sorry for the interruption. I was planning on waiting until you two were finished, but alas, the news I have is pressing." His voice was tired and husky. Kendryek straightened. Lysnader continued. "It's about Damien, more specifically, why he should be forcefully ejected from our court as quickly as possible," said Lysander. Kendryked cocked his head.

"Why?" he asked. "That could damage our chances at integrating Quercus' court." Lysnader shrugged.

"Damn the consequences, tossing him into the sea is far more important than anything else, honestly," he told Kendryek. Kendryek straightened just a little more.

"I'm going to need some more information before I make this decision." Lysander shrugged and put a hand on Kendryek.

"Okay, I'll tell you. But we need to be in private, no offense Allyn." None taken.

A few moments of awkward silence passed as Lysander spoke to Kendryek through a bond between them.

During this time, I noticed something incredibly odd.

Lysander had no shimmer to him. Every single fae I had seen, half or whole, powerful or weak, big or small, High or low, they all shimmered. Except for Lysander.

"He is not a fae. He is something terrible." Kendryek's words echoed in my head.

Kendryek stepped back and appeared furious. For once, this anger was not aimed at Lysander.

"I will take care of this, immediately," he said before striding out of the room with great speed and force, leaving Lysander and I behind. Lysander smiled grimly and stumbled back to the chair.

"Tired?" I asked. He looked at me out of the corner of his eyes.

"No, I'm actually bursting with energy, ha ha," he said.

"What is Kendryek going to do?"

"Strip Damien of his rank, break his arms, and throw him into the sea. Maybe cut is manhood off as well. We'll see," Lysander replied. I probably should act like I had not eavesdropped.

"What did Damien do?" Lysander shook his head and looked at the floor.

"He's not a great guy, honestly. Lots of sexual harassment and assault, lots of intimidation, lots of torture. Finally it became too much, and I think it's time he was booted out."

"He was Quercus' second in command, right?" I inquired. He nodded. "Did you say something about being his toy?" He winced.

"I believe I used the term 'plaything,' but yes. I did. He is good at manipulating people, but also easily manipulated. Though, it helps if you don't have any self respect and few hard limits," he said. It was my turn to wince.

"Did he ever sexually assault you?" Lysander laughed, then coughed.

"That's a hell of a loaded question."

"You do not have to answer."

"He did. A few times, but it's not a huge deal, honestly. It comes as part of the job, sacrifices have to be made sometimes," he nonchalantly said. I bristled.

"I don't like that line of thinking." Lysander shrugged.

"You don't have to, it's my life, not yours. Don't worry about it," he told me. I grumbled.

"I'm going to anyway," I replied. "It's wrong. You should not have to deal with that." He shrugged again.

"It is in the past. It is nothing," he said, getting frustrated. I refused to let up.

"It's not nothing!"

"Yes it is! It doesn't matter, okay?" he snapped. He immediately relaxed. "Sorry, I-"

"It matters to me!" I told him. "It matters because I understand. I was assaulted when I was younger and shit like that doesn't just go away. It sticks with you."

"But you are not me," he said. "I'm different, somewhat disposable." He shrugged and waved his hand in the air. "I didn't know you were assaulted," he said. I felt the tide of the conversation shift and I was unable to oppose it.

"I was," I mumbled. "A long time ago."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened?" I rubbed the sides of my arms and sat down on the bed. I kept my eyes to the floor.

"His name was Oliver. He was attractive and the dream date of every single girl in the village. Rumors about him would circulate - always surrounding him and some girl he may or may not have fancied. I tried to avoid him and didn't give him any attention. At the time I was already ostracized for my blood status and for not having any magic on top of it. I thought he would not even acknowledge my existence."

Lysander cocked his head and leaned forward in his chair. It was surprisingly easy to talk about this. Even though it was hard to confront out loud, I had spent so much time thinking about it, about him, that I had plenty to say.

"Despite this, he kind of, hunted me down. He inserted himself into my life, complimenting me frequently (something no one had really done before), helping me with some basic chores, and bringing me foods that his mom had baked. It was nice to have a friend, for once, especially when my grandfather was away so frequently." I shot him a look. He raised his hands defensively.

"I know nothing about that," he said. I continued.

"I trusted him," I choked up a little. "I let him get closer to me." Lysander got out of his chair and put a hand on my shoulder. "He brought me a bottle of wine that he had stolen from the market. We went to his farm to drink it and hang out in the barn." I teared up and my throat closed. I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

I was afraid of saying any more. I had not told anyone this much, not even grandfather.

I swallowed hard. I couldn't keep trying to blot out and forget my past.

"He got me a little drunk and hit me over the head. I was smaller, much smaller than he was, and could not fight back," I said, fighting back more tears. Lysander whispered something that sounded reassuring and patted my shoulder.

"When he was done, he made the mistake of relaxing. I regained some of my strength, grabbed a shovel, and split his head open." My mouth dried and my feelings vanished. The void returned. This part was always surreal. "I dragged him to a bog and threw him in. No one ever found his body. I was suspected, but there was no evidence. Many figured he had simply ran away."

"I am sorry you had to go through that, Allyn," he murmured. "I did not realize life in the mortal lands could be so terrible."

"You couldn't have known," I replied, suddenly drawing him into my arms. "I do not blame you, not at all." He held me tenderly, his arms cradling my shoulders. We fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. It was the best hug I had ever gotten.

"Thank you," he whispered.

When he pulled away, the moment was lost.

"No offense, but you look like shit," I told him. He chuckled.

"It's been a busy few days. I just need some rest. I was not going to attend dinner, in order to maintain, for a brief period of time, the illusion that I hold a lower position in this court than I really do. Now that Damien will be gone, I should probably make an appearance," he said, sounding disappointed.

"Don't push yourself too hard," I said. "You aren't disposable to me." He smiled.

"Thanks. Need any help with that knot? It's looking a little rough." I laughed.

"I would appreciate it," I told him. I turned around and he swiftly untied and re-tied the knot. I shivered as his fingers brushed against my neck.

"Now I should at least fix my hair before meeting with the others," he said as he walked away. I half wanted to ask him to stay, but I let him go. "See you again in a bit."

"Goodbye Lysander."