Chapter 2

In what seemed like only a few seconds, the entire occupancy of the manor was squished into Maria's mostly dark room and huddled anxiously over her bed, peering into her eyes. Maria blinked repeatedly, but the room remained fully illuminated each time she opened her eyes.

"Why, I've never heard of such a thing," said Uncle Benjamin, shaking his head in bewilderment.

"You do think it will go away don't you?" Miss Heliotrope asked in a concerned voice. Uncle Benjamin could only shrug his shoulders in reply. Maria looked around at the many pairs of worried eyes staring fixedly at her. While this new predicament had erased her drowsiness, the fatigue she felt in her body remained and her mind was utterly numb. Robin, who stood just to the side of her bed, once again seemed to read her thoughts and said,

"We're all exhausted and it doesn't seem like this ailment is hurting Maria, so maybe we should figure this out in the morning?" Uncle Benjamin hesitated but then replied,

"I think you're right. Are you going to be able to sleep, Maria?" Maria gave a small nod even though she wasn't entirely sure that she could.

"I'll stay with her," Robin said suddenly and the focus of the eyes in the room shifted quickly from Maria to Robin. "At least until she falls asleep and to make sure nothing else happens."

"You can't! It's not proper," said Miss Heliotrope, fuming.

"I'll stay too," added Loveday, "I know how to keep my brother in line."

"Are you sure?" Uncle Benjamin said looking at Loveday with his brow furrowed.

"Absolutely." Loveday turned and seated herself comfortably in Maria's chair. The others exchanged glances and, realizing there was nothing more to be done for the time being, slowly filed out the door and, after one last glance inside, Uncle Benjamin closed the door behind him. Maria slowly sunk lower under her covers. She hadn't even bothered to take off the crimson dress she'd worn all day in favor of her nightgown. It still smelled faintly like salt and she found that to be strangely comforting. Robin gingerly perched himself on the edge of her bed. She smiled gently and closed her eyes and tried to ignore the light behind her eyelids as she eventually drifted off to sleep.

Maria opened her eyes and pulled herself into an upright position in bed. She first noticed that Loveday was still fast asleep in her chair but the distant chirping of birds assured her that it was daytime. Robin was nowhere in sight. Maria slowly eased herself out of bed and quickly and quietly changed into another one of Loveday's dresses before creeping out the door. Even though grogginess still surrounded her, Maria's body felt greatly refreshed and her mind was spinning. It occurred to her that a ride on Periwinkle would be just what she needed to sort out her thoughts. She was almost at the main door of the manor when a voice rang out in the silence, surprising her,

"Where are you off to princess?" Maria jerked around to see Robin leaning on one of the entryway pillars with an amused expression on his face. His stance suddenly reminded her of the boy she'd seen at her father's funeral-it had been Robin all along. Shaking aside this realization and her surprise she said,

"Robin, you startled me."

"What can I say?" Robin said striding towards her with his usual smirk still on his face. "I've had a fair bit of practice. So where are you going?"

"For a ride on Periwinkle."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? You did jump off a cliff last night. And let's not forget that you can see in the dark for some reason."

"You sound like Miss Heliotrope. I'll be fine."

"Well, can I at least convince you to take a walk instead so that I may accompany you?" Maria arched her eyebrow at Robin and she saw as hint of color tinge his cheeks. "For the purpose of making sure you're safe," he added quickly.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking car of myself."

"I know you are, and I've still got the scar to prove it," Robin said gesturing to the jagged scar on his hand. Maria grimaced slightly. To be fair, he had been trying to kidnap her at the time. She looked up at his face and saw dark circles under his eyes and wondered if he had slept at all.

"Fine, I'll go for a walk, but only because I want to give Periwinkle the day off."

"Oh yes, you're doing this just for Periwinkle."

"Oh hush, de Noir."

"Whatever you say Merryweather," Robin said with a wink. Maria rolled her eyes in response and the pair exited the manner. The two walked the perimeter of the newly transformed grounds, admiring the beauty. When they reached the edge of the forest Maria continued forward into the trees, while Robin stopped and stayed just outside the tree line. Maria turned and said,

"What are you waiting for? I thought this was well-traveled de Noir territory."

"It is," Robin said slowly, "And it still isn't the safest place for you." Maria could feel a twinge of irritation rising up inside her.

"Now you sound like my uncle. Have you already forgotten that we traversed half the forest to find the pearls yesterday?"

"I haven't forgotten, but we had a reason to be in the forest. It seems silly to put you in danger for a casual stroll." The irritation grew inside her.

"What danger are you so afraid of? Dulac? Your father banished him."

"That doesn't mean that he's gone. And I hate to admit it Maria but he was right-there will be de Noir's who won't accept peace and will still try hurt you even though the moonpearls are gone. Father left early this morning to dispel any rumors about what really happened yesterday before they got out of hand." Silence ensued between the pair. Maria's anger slowly ebbed away when she looked into Robin's eyes. There was an emotion in them that was very uncharacteristically Robin and it was strong enough to make her rethink her plans of going into the forest. She walked towards him until their bodies where only inches apart and looked up into his deep brown eyes.

"Just a few minutes, and then we'll come right back out and return to Moonacre Manor." Robin stared back at her and, with a sigh, said,

"Okay, only a few minutes." Maria smiled and turned back towards the forest and Robin followed her. They trekked through the trees and Maria breathed deeply, taking in their scent. It was hard for her to believe that she had once despised the countryside. She glanced back at Robin when suddenly her vision blurred and an image of an arrow soaring through the air flashed before her eyes. She blinked and saw that Robin's head currently occupied the space where it had flown through.

"Robin duck!"

"Prin-"

"Just duck!" Robin crouched to the ground just as an arrow swished through the air and embedded itself in the nearest tree. Robin's eyes grew wide and he looked at Maria and the two could tell they were thinking the same thing. Run. The duo began sprinting in the opposite direction from where the arrow had come from. Maria's breath came in short gasps and adrenaline pulsed through her body. Robin stopped abruptly in front of a stalky tree with full branches and knelt down and made a step with his hands.

"Climb!" he breathed. Maria put one foot in his hands and hoisted herself up and Robin followed suit by grabbing nearby branches. The foliage was thick enough that they were obscured from any passerby on the ground. Robin held a finger to his lips and Maria fought to keep her breathing silent. Minutes passed and only the sounds of the forest could be heard. Finally, Robin spoke,

"I think we lost whoever shot that arrow…or they may never have intended to follow us in the first place. That arrow was a warning." Robin's face was grim. Maria didn't understand how he could be so calm.

"Robin, if I hadn't warned you that arrow would've killed you. How is that a warning?"

"A hunter doesn't just have a single arrow in his quiver. The archer could have tried shooting again if he wanted to, but whoever fired the first arrow didn't. Also…how did you know to tell me to duck Maria?" Maria's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't had time to realize what had happened.

"It was like I saw the arrow a few seconds before it was there." Robin's expression was contemplative.

"First seeing in the dark and now seeing things before they happen. I'd saw something is definitely going on with your vision, princess."

"So I gathered. Just another thing to worry about when clearly our troubles aren't over yet." Maria let out a frustrated sigh. Robin gently placed his hand on her shoulder and Maria tilted her head to look at him. His expression was surprisingly soft and Maria felt a slight flutter in her stomach. In a gentle voice he said,

"A part of me still can't quite believe that we successfully returned the moonpearls to the sea. But if we did that with all the obstacles we had to face, then I know we can figure this out too, Maria." Maria looked deep into his eyes and could tell that he was being completely genuine. She allowed herself to give him a small smile that he returned. Just then a voice behind them chimed,

"Would you mind handing me that acorn?"