Author's Note: To all of you reading, reviewing and enjoying, thanks! I'm grateful, and I hope you continue to enjoy.

Hot steam billowed against my bare shoulders as I let a spell simmer on my fingertips, heating the bathwater. Mum laughed softly behind me, running a hand through my hair with a sweet smile as I shrugged a towel around my body.

"Do you remember the night Gaston was to propose, cherie? How long it's been, since then." She sighed, then frowned, rubbing her fingers together. "There's blood in your hair. What happened, sweet?"

"Um." Gingerly I touched the lump on my head, frowning. "I bit Lucien when he kidnapped me, and he struck me. It's long healed over, just sore."

"That bastard." Mum growled, unceremoniously handing me a vial before giving a wicked grin. "I hope you bit him hard. A good man, Lucien, but he can be a bit cocky. Maybe you'll take him down a few pegs. Wash up, darling, and we'll figure out our next move."

"Our next move." I murmured. "I'll leave, won't I? Go back to the University?"

"I... it might be rather more complicated than that." Mum finished lamely. "We'll talk, but not until you're clean. We'll take care of it." I couldn't stop the smile tugging my lips as she gently brushed my cheek. "I'll make sure. Try and relax for a while."

Relax. I faced the water, letting my towel slide around my hips and to the floor before hesitantly slipping inside. I would love to relax. After all this, gods, I'd love to. I sighed, breathing in a deep lungful of heat and steam before snatching the little bottle, dripping cold, coy syrup into my hand. I frowned at the smell - strawberries and aloe. That's... I smoothed back the label, smiling. Dusty's Strawberry Bath, written on old parchment in a child's scribbled hand. I made that years ago. And mum kept it.

"The past." I mumbled to myself as I sunk in the water, floating blissfully. "No matter what I do, no matter how far I run, the past keeps catching up." I frowned as I scrubbed suds into my hair, watching the water tinge barely red before fading. "I just want to go home."

Wherever home is, now.

"Do you make a habit of talking to yourself, pet?"

I didn't scream so much as squeak, wrapping my arms around my chest and staring flushed at a smirking Lucien. I panted, hissing. "You. Bastard."

"Now, now. Merely came to talk." He arched a brow as I slid as deep into the water as I could, laughing in his throat. "Not that I expected to interrupt a conversation."

I shrunk, suspicion crawling in tendrils around the corners of my mind. "...About what?"

"Your living arrangements." He came closer, smiling as I cursed him inwardly. "I was discussing what I am to do with you with your mother. She was adamant about your safety, of course."

"Of course," I repeated, catching his words and pausing. "What do you mean, do with me? As soon as I can arrange it, I'm leaving."

"No. You're not."

Not - not leaving? I shifted, wishing I could stand so I'd at least have some presence. "I hope that wasn't a threat. I'm leaving."

"No, you are not," he repeated, taking another step that made me flush. His eyes narrowed, dark and piercing. "Abelle I might trust, but you I don't. And you know too much to leave. So I'm keeping you here, until I'm satisfied."

"Until you're satisfied?" I spat, no longer shy - this bastard was trying to keep me imprisoned. I hurriedly grabbed my towel, casting a flicker of a chameleon spell and gritting my teeth at Lucien's wolfish grin. "Satisfied with what? You can't kill me because I'm my mother's daughter, but you can't trust me because I'm not one of you?"

"Precisely." He linked his fingers, raising a brow as my spell faded when I was safely wrapped in my towel. "And if you're staying here, you're going to earn your keep."

I scoffed, running a hand through my wet hair and trying to look as dignified as I could. Pity my head couldn't burst into flame, save me from the mortification of being naked in front of this bastard. His eyes suddenly felt not piercing, but probing, a tug at the corner of his lips as he eyed my curves with a quiet snicker. The hairs on my neck rose.

Earn my keep.

He doesn't mean...

"I need you to begin making potions, immediately. I have had Vicente make a list of what is needed. You can use the laboratory here, until I decide what to do with you." He met my gaze, frowning in thought. "Something the matter, pet?"

"O-of course. Potions. I can do potions." I flushed, my cheeks burning bright as I pulled my towel a little closer to my body. An idiot. I am an absolute idiot. I barely composed myself, clearing my throat. "As long as I have the ingredients and tools, I can make it."

"Of course." I seethed at his smirk, the liquid velvet of his voice. "Relax, pet. If I wanted you in my bed, you would be there already."

Just a twist of his robes and he was gone, and I stood, naked, dripping and blinking. Gods dammit.

I groaned, hopping back into the bath. Damned if I was going to let him wreck this, at least. I rippled the lukewarm water, hiding my head in the echoes beneath it, trying to relax.

Relax.

The last bloody thing on my mind.