Lavinia's house was as cared for on the outside as it was within, but it was clear that she was struggling, and in debt. An anonymous donation would do the trick. Even more necessary if Imogen chose to stay here. A parting gift and thank-you to her, for giving me the best memories of my life.

I headed beneath the trees that crowded around the rear of the abode in a non-menacing way - more peaceful than anything. A well-worn path led to a pristine pond and blue flowers that littered lush, green grass around its perimeter. Too serene to be disturbed, and so I slumped down on the plainest of spots.

If I wasn't so afraid to open up, this wouldn't have happened.

If I wasn't so cowardly, Imogen would still have faith in me.

If I wasn't so broken, I wouldn't be afraid to love.

I picked one of the flowers and rolled it between my fingers. They were the type of simple sight that at one time I would have paid no regard. But now, Imogen came to mind. How she always saw the beauty in the unremarkable. How she saw the worth in the worthless. The worth in me.

Tobias' footsteps crept closer now, impossible to ignore the way I had at first.

"Have you come to amuse yourself?" I scoffed, "I know you said that I could fix my mistakes, but I'm starting to doubt that I want to. She's so happy here. I won't take her happiness." Hearing the beginnings of a reply, I quickly cut in. I wasn't finished. "The truth is, I ruin everything good that's ever happened to me. And I'm telling you this because I want someone to know that I tried my best to fix things, and I will. I'm going to go after Wilta myself. Whatever happens, happens. I won't let anyone else get hurt."

The next sound that he made was loud enough to deafen me. Only because it wasn't Tobias who made it. The sigh was one I was all too familiar with, and she wasn't happy at all. I took a deep breath and slowly, as if my life depended on it (because it probably did) turned to find Imogen staring with frustration that softened as I met her eyes.

"I'm going to ignore the last thing that you said, because regicide is something that is frowned upon in Carthya," I swallowed thickly and watched her take a seat beside me, clearly intent on saying more. "You're very foolish, you know."

It stung, to hear Imogen say that. I turned away; her disappointment was something I couldn't bear.

Her giggle though, that brought me back to her, "So foolish." A gentle kiss pressed against my lips, as delicate as the blue flower and just as infatuating as its scent. She pulled away and cupped my neck, running her thumb along my jaw. "Just to be clear, I'm still very angry with you. But hopefully you got a real taste of what it's like to be left in the dark."

"What?"

"Jaron," her fingers carded through my hair in the way I loved. If she thought it would help ease her next words, she was wrong. I was panicked with savouring every touch but terrified of never feeling it again. A prickling formed around my eyes and I had to look away again. "I'm still frustrated, but I never stopped loving you."

I whipped around to face her, not quite believing what I heard.

"I don't understand-"

Imogen smiled at me, the one smile I had craved more than peace itself. She continued, "I don't trust Philip. He was always gullible, easily manipulated, but firm as ever when it came to keeping secrets and lying. I knew that if I let him believe that I was his, he would be easy to learn information from, but only then. The Prozarians could have already found him. I mean, Strick was very thorough in finding out things about you, it wouldn't be a far-fetched assumption that she knows Philip was a childhood friend of mine and a stopover on our way after their army. I needed to make sure he isn't putting any of us in danger, willingly or unwillingly."

My body shook with relieved laughter and she chuckled with me. Everything was falling into place. Not that it was impossible for Imogen to choose someone else over me, but she had been acting so strange. It made me wonder if everything we had shared was a lie. But it wasn't, and I pressed my forehead against hers, reeling from the patterns she drew on my cheek and the soft melody of her voice. I knew she was still frustrated. I knew that my little speech was melodramatic to a humiliating degree, but in a way, I was glad Imogen was the one to hear it. It was the only way she would have ever heard that particular confession, because my fear of burdening her with some pathetic inner-turmoil was always at the forefront of my mind. But I needed her to hear it.

"As for the 'I ruin everything good' - I don't want to ever hear that from you again. Tobias may have been right about you making mistakes, and as ridiculous and frustrating as they are, they're not enough to push me from you."

She kissed me again, more passionately now. I purred from her ministrations and whispered a question. "So, it was all a set-up?"

"Well," Imogen chuckled, "I enjoyed making you squirm. And, at first, it was simply because we needed someone to get inside Philip's head. Then, I realised that I had this golden opportunity to give you a taste of your own medicine. Because this is how your secrets make me feel, Jaron."

"I'm sorry," I braced for her reaction to what I prepared to say next, "But it's to protect you."

"Are we really doing this again? Jaron, do you really think that after being at your side for three years I haven't realised how dangerous this," she gestured between us, "is?" Tears filled her beautiful, honey eyes, because of me, again. "I want to be all and everything you need, but if you refuse to open up, I don't know if I can take this for much longer. It's hurting me to near you. And no - before you say that 'it's because I'm broken,' know this. The only reason it hurts is because you've built these walls around yourself and I just want you. No walls. Just all of you. However dangerous. Love is never real without risk."

Risk. She was right in assuming that I didn't want to risk my heart. "I'm scared."

"I know, Jaron. I'm scared too, but not for me." She kissed me again, whispering a plea against my lips. And I couldn't refuse her. Not anymore. I would give to her my heart. The only condition; do with it what you will, I'm yours.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, and I sealed our agreement with a kiss, more assuring than ever before.

"I will never disappoint you again, Imogen." I cupped her face gently and relished in her tender expression. "I promise to worship you like my Queen until my dying breath."

"You already do, my King," she giggled.

"I love you, Imogen."