Oliza breathed in the scent of one of her flowers from the garden and closed her eyes. Who could have suspected that the night before she had lain among the gardens in the arms of her lover? She smiled vaguely at the thought of being there again and found herself amused by the beauty of the flower. She could not fathom what had made her become so reckless and so insensible of the feelings and thoughts of others.

Arms closed around her waist and lips met with the softness of her neck once again. She placed her hands on his and gently pushed them away as she released herself from his grasp. She turned to meet his silver eyes and shook her head as she realized how reckless they were becoming.

"No one is around." He whispered gently to her as he reached for her and was turned away once more.

"No!" her voice was nothing but a nervous and faint whisper that could have been directed to herself as well. She could not let herself fall into the enchantment of his eyes.

"Did he touch you?" Ulrik asked her. He turned away in fear of her answer.

"That does not matter…" she placed her hand on his arm and turned him towards her again. "What matters is that this is dangerous."

"We cannot go on with this lie!" his angered expression frightened her for a moment and sent her into a state of worry. If someone heard… she could not think about it! The mere idea of being discovered frightened her. She had enough people against her and she did not need more reasons for them to hate her.

"You must go. What happened is in the past and no more! Last night was nothing but a reckless decision of us both. Go back to your people, lead them and care for them and leave me be."

He grabbed at her hands and placed them against his chest. Oliza felt the beat of his heart and closed her eyes to its rhythm. He was playing with her senses and oh how she yearned for him.

"Ulrik." Oliza whispered his name sadly. She turned away from him and sat on one of the benches nearby and covered her face with her hands. There was no use, she could try to push him away but she was already captivated by him once again.

Ulrik kneeled in front of her and moved her hands from her face and held them in his. "I need your help… I cannot leave. Auria and my mother are the only ones that know of my whereabouts. The cave is no longer safe for me and convenient."

Oliza looked at him for a few moments and then looked up towards the cloudless sky as if asking for help. He had saved her once from death itself and that was something to be remembered. His life was in danger as well and she would never think of exposing him to danger. There were far more important things then what they had. His life was as important as hers due to the fact that they were both leaders. "Avaram and I have not come to a decision. Yet I will let you stay but it must be kept a secret amongst your people."

Oliza looked at Avaram's silver eyes and thought about the rash decision she had made. It was obvious to her that deep inside the decision was fueled by her desire to keep him close and safe. She kissed his forehead and saw the sadness in his expression.

"Oliza?" Oliza jumped up as Avaram called out her name from the other side of the flowers and greenery they were in. Ulrik let go of her hands as Avaram's approaching footsteps could be heard and stood just moments before Avaram turned the corner and saw them both.

Avaram's eyes shifted from one to the other as Oliza's mind raced for an explanation. She stood from the bench and walked towards Avaram nonchalantly and placed her hands in his as she faced Ulrik.

"Why were you both here alone?" It was clear that a sense of doubt came over Avaram as to why they had hidden themselves from everyone else.

Oliza stepped in to answer while Ulrik faced Avaram and watched silently. "We know each other from before."

Ulrik's eyes widened in surprise thinking that she would reveal their truth. Oliza glanced at him and then continued. "When I was injured after the attack," she paused for a breath before she continued, "I was rescued by him and not the old woman I spoke about."

Avaram looked at Oliza skeptically and then eyed Ulrik once more. "Why was this never revealed since the beginning?"

Once again, Oliza answered as she laughed lightly. "Can you imagine the shock that would create at the court? It was better this way… He and have become good friends but nothing more." With that, Oliza kissed Avaram's cheek and then looked at Ulrik who only nodded at her reply. Avaram had always been devoted to her to ever doubt her completey yet his yes still displayed a shadow of doubt.

Avaram walked towards Ulrik and offered him his hand. "For saving the life of the woman I love and cherish."

Ulrik looked at Avaram's hand, cautiously shaking his hand. There was an awkward silence between the three where the only sound heard was that of the bees around the flowers.

"Avaram," Oliza placed her hand in Avaram's arm. "I have decided to let him stay after much thinking."

Avaram turned to face her, hurt by the fact that she had made the decision without him. "Are you sure that it is the right decision?"'

Oliza looked at Ulrik who faced her with a hint of longing. "Yes."

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