(A/N: I tell you, this chapter was difficult. It was almost split in two. But I've decided to keep it as just one chapter. Quite frankly, I'm in the process of getting a whole bundle of difficult scenes written. There's been a lot of editing.

I own nothing!)

Cedric pushed Taika as fast as he dared. He was not going to miss his chance if it took him all night to reach the inn where Sofia and her family were supposed to be. Although if his mother was right about this, they weren't nearly as far gone as they could have been. If this worked, he would have to remember to thank his mother for her meddling. As annoying as it sometimes was, it might have saved the day this time.

A nearby sound caught his attention and he stopped. He could have sworn he heard a 'Whoa Minimus' but he wasn't certain. Maybe the long, lonely ride was getting to him.

He didn't have to wonder for long as a familiar light steed burst out of the trees and stormed past him.

"Sofia!"

It wasn't hard for Cedric to tell that Sofia was not in control of her skittish horse. She was clinging to him for dear life.

Strange, Cedric thought to himself. Minimus had been unusually calm and composed during his excursion to Mystica Prata. But the young lord gave no more thoughts to how shocking this situation was. He had a friend to help.

Quickly, he urged Taika back into motion. As fast as he could, he caught up to Sofia and her spooked horse. Once they were side by side, he grabbed hold of Minimus' halter and pulled. He didn't pull too hard at first as he didn't want to startle the spooked steed even further.

Minimus began to slow down. After a few very long and excruciating moments, the light steed was at a gentle trot. Another long moment, and he stopped. Cedric got down from Taika and led both horses to the edge of the roadway and tied the reins to a sturdy branch. Smiling slightly, he turned to Sofia who was still clinging tightly to her steed.

"Come, Sofia." Cedric reached up to his friend. "Come down and let Minimus calm down."

Sofia took a deep breath before nodding. She sat up straight and then allowed Cedric to help bring her down. As Sofia's feet touched the ground, she stumbled a bit but Cedric held her steady, keeping his hands on her waist.

"You have an uncanny knack for being nearby when I find myself in trouble while riding."

"Just one of my talents, I suppose," Cedric said.

"I don't think he's ever spooked that badly before. I still can't believe I managed to stay on him."

"I'm glad you did. How did you manage that?"

"Honestly, I don't even know."

Cedric nodded. Sofia took a few more deep breaths, trying to settle her racing heart. Suddenly, she blinked, looking a bit surprised.

"Wait. You're here."

Cedric raised an eyebrow, an amused look lighting up his face.

"Are you just realizing that now, Sofia?"

"No, no, no. Not that. Just… What about your father?"

"He knows I left to go find you."

Sofia looked at her companion in confusion.

"You left to find me? That doesn't exactly make sense, Cedric. How would you have known before leaving Hexley Hall that I was going to need help?"

"Not like that," Cedric said firmly. "You… I…"

Sofia raised an eyebrow as Cedric suddenly got a bit sheepish. After a moment, he took a deep breath.

"Sofia, do you think you could be happy at Hexley Hall, with me? This morning, I wanted to ask you to stay but James interrupted before I could. Asking you to stay is asking a lot, I know. You'd be far from your family and childhood home. Not to mention your father wants you to return there and staying here would be going against him. But you make me happy, you've helped Hexley Hall feel more like home than it ever has. Sofia, I want you by my side. But I won't force you. I will respect your wishes."

Sofia dropped her gaze a bit.

"You want a spurned woman by your side? You say that even knowing what happened that morning?"

Cedric tightened his grip on Sofia.

"Give me one good reason why what happened two years ago should keep a man from seeing you for the amazing lady that you are."

"He ruined me. Society dictates that women like me are impure."

"Society can kiss my butt!"

Sofia looked at Cedric, shocked by the crass comment. Gently, Cedric pulled Sofia into an embrace, holding her snugly.

"Sofia," Cedric spoke softly. "Society knows nothing. They don't know you. You are pure. You're purer than them all. You've never ripped anyone apart to make yourself feel better about yourself. You're kind to those around you, high or low born."

Sofia's breath caught in her throat. Cedric gently caressed her cheek. Unexpectedly, she leaned her head against his shoulder, slightly burying her face into his riding jacket. Sofia muttered something that got muffled. Although Cedric was certain she had said that someone said something.

"What was that, Sofia?"

"The things Graham said...then what I heard Aunt Tilly say later…"

Cedric raised an eyebrow. Gently, he swept Sofia into his arms and stepped carefully into the cover the trees provided. Spotting a downed tree, Cedric sat there, continuing to hold Sofia in his embrace.

"What did they say?" Cedric asked softly.

"In the gardens, while Graham was…" Sofia struggled to say the words. "While he… had me pinned down, he kept whispering things to me. Things that didn't make a lot of sense at that moment. He told me I was ruined and no one would want me. Over and over, he told me that no one would accept me ever again. Later on, when Aunt Tilly was explaining to Amber and I what had happened and the seriousness of the attack, she cautioned me to be very careful about telling people about what had happened. She warned that some people would spurn me for what had happened. I was convinced she was confirming everything that Graham had said a few hours prior. I was scared."

"That would be a lot for any sixteen year old to handle," Cedric said simply.

"It's still a lot to handle."

"Because you're still scared. Scared of being rejected for something that wasn't your fault. Scared of being alone and unwanted. Scared of being unloved. You've become a prisoner to your own fears."

Sofia looked down before nodding. "I guess I have. And I hate it. What if Graham was right? What if I can't be accepted anymore?"

"Sofia, he's never going to be right about this. He's a selfish pig who is only concerned about himself. He has no idea what it is to love and care about someone else. He's a miserable rat who wants others to be just as miserable as he is."

Sofia sighed and leaned further into Cedric. "I want to be free from this fear. I just don't know how."

Cedric gently grasped Sofia's chin in his fingers. Slowly, he lifted her head so they could look each other in the eyes.

"If you will let me, Sofia, I want to help you. I will help you. I will never abandon you. I still mean it when I say you are safe with me and do not have to fear anything at my hands."

Sofia's shoulders shook as a small sob rattled her. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around Cedric's neck. In response, he held her even more firmly as she began to weep.

"Take me home," Sofia said through her sobs. "I want to go home."

Hearing those words, Cedric felt his heart crack. It seemed to him that Sofia didn't want to return to Mystica Prata. His parents were wrong after all.

Still, he was going to help Sofia with whatever she wanted and needed. He couldn't deny her anything even if he wanted to.

Slowly, Cedric nodded.

"Of course, Sofia," he spoke softly. "I can see you safely back to Cantare-"

"I don't mean Cantare Valley," Sofia interrupted, the slightest chuckle interrupting her tears.

Cedric blinked in surprise. "What?"

"I love my family but Cantare Valley just is not home to me. It hasn't felt like home for two years. I'm not comfortable there; I don't feel safe there. No, I don't want to return there to live."

"Then where's home?" Cedric asked.

Sofia looked up at Cedric. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and gently wiped away the tears staining her cheeks.

"Hexley Hall, with you."

Cedric felt his jaw drop. As much as he had hoped she would want to come back to Hexley Hall, there had still been a part of him that was scared she would say no. But it seemed she actually did want to return there with him.

Gently, Cedric pressed a soft kiss on Sofia's forehead.

"I want your happiness and comfort," Cedric said softly but firmly. "I will gladly bring you home with me."

Sofia seemed greatly relieved. Before Cedric could respond, Sofia placed a quick, albeit soft, kiss on his cheek. For a moment, the young lord didn't know how to respond.

"Thank you, Cedric."

Sofia looked like she wanted to say more but a yawn escaped her lips. Cedric smirked.

"You, Little Girl, sound tired."

Sofia smiled amusedly at the familiar moniker.

"I thought you said you couldn't call me that anymore," Sofia said.

"Yes, well I changed my mind. But my point remains. You are tired it seems."

Sofia nodded. "It's been a very long and very emotional day."

Cedric glanced at the sky. "I think we need to return to the inn you and your family are staying at tonight. It's closer than Hexley. We can return home in the morning. And going to the inn will allow you to retrieve your things."

"And for us to talk to my family."

"That too," Cedric grimaced.

He was not looking forward to speaking with Roland. Sofia seemed to read his mind.

"If Dad is rotten to you, I disown him. He needs to understand that you are a great man and that you make me happy. He can say what he wants, but I am going back to Hexley Hall."

Cedric smiled slightly. There was a passion to Sofia's words that gave him tremendous hope for her healing process. It had only been a couple nights since he had asked Winnifred why Sofia would resign herself to something she didn't want.

"Come then," Cedric said. "Let's get to that inn before it gets even later."

Cedric started to move a bit, but Sofia made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a whine.

"Do we have to go? I think I like being on your lap with your arms wrapped around me."

Cedric smiled amusedly. "You can have my lap anytime you want once we return home."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Somehow, I don't doubt that."

Sofia giggled. Cedric gave a small, half smile that disappeared quickly. Gently, he cupped Sofia's chin, tracing her lips with his thumb. Sofia twitched, a movement so small that Cedic wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't been paying close enough attention. Nonetheless, he noticed.

"Sofia," Cedric spoke softly. "I hope you will always tell me whatever you need to so I don't make you feel threatened. I don't want to be the reason you feel uneasy. I've promised you your safety with and around me. That never changed and it never will."

Sofia leaned against Cedric more.

"I know that. I never could have dreamed that someone would come along and be willing to accept me, dark past and all. And yet, you have. You would have had plenty of opportunities to sneer at me or shun me for what happened. You never have. Not once have you purposely hurt me. You've shown me...there are still good, kind men in the world."

Cedric held Sofia tightly, not wanting to let go. After a moment, she looked up at him.

"I know we have to go to the inn, but can we stay like this, please?" Sofia asked. "Just a bit longer?"

Cedric nodded. As dark as it was starting to get, he had all the time in the world for his dear friend.