Book Twelve, Part Two

Reformation

I clipped across the stones fairly quickly as I followed my senses until finally spotting him. He was alone and still lingering around town, his gait moving toward me. With a confidence I didn't realize I had I walked forward, trying to emit any sex appeal I could conjure from the air. Once he was close enough to recognize me, he stopped in confusion. "Oh my!" I gasped. "It's you! I was looking for you earlier after what happened-"

"Looking? For me?" he asked with a smile. Good, he wasn't suspicious. Just impressed with himself.

"Yeah, I…" I tossed my long hair back and stepped closer. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn't mean to snap…"

"I don't think you need to apologize; but you could…make it up to me somehow," he suggested, taking a small step over and gently pushing me up against the stone wall. His hand gripped my chin. "What do you say?" he asked in a low voice.

I forced a small moan through my lips, though I nearly gagged at the thought. My hands reached beneath the young man's cloak—my right hand stroked down his chest, the left hand searching his pocket carefully and managing to find my little coin bag.

"But I don't even know your name," I whispered seductively.

"It's Blake," he answered roughly as hunger took over his body.

"I think I do know you," I said softly as my hand hovered over the top hem of his pants.

"Really?" His hips were now grinding closer to me as he had difficulty holding back his urge.

"Yes." My right hand now drew my dagger and with one eye blink the cool metal was at his throat. "You're a rogue trainee. I was too when you got in my face and tried scaring me out of being a rogue."

"Your…" He didn't back away. "So now you're going to seek revenge?"

"No, I'm taking this back." I held up my money bag. "You should be trying to better more important rogue skills, like being undetectable and precise. Practicing pickpocketing on our own civilians-"

"H-"

"Don't move," I warned as I sidestepped and freed myself from the wall and his body. "You're lucky I don't report your crime. You would never be instated into SI:7."

"I wouldn't tell anyone if I were you," he warned, only his head turning to catch my figure in the corner of his eye. "I just may keep you from SI:7's initiation as well."

I giggled. "Two problems. I already am a rogue. And you don't even know my name, Blake."

Blake turned, but I had already drawn the vanishing powder and now threw it. The smoke immediately filled the area and I managed a good kick to his knee before I disappeared.

Stupid novice.

When I returned to Zen's, I tossed the bag onto the table in victory and rolled my eyes. At least the brat kept me busy for an hour or so.

But then I was bored again, and without anything to occupy me I was left to mull over all of the current events.

It was getting late and I missed Zen. And it wasn't until the middle of the night that I heard the door pop open. I looked up from the bed and watched as Zen took his cloak off and removed his weapons. He stepped into his room and set his equipment down. "How was it?" I asked, relief causing me to smile.

"It went well. I think we'll have a fair turn out." I stayed silent, watching as Zen didn't bother slipping behind his screen to remove his shirt. "How did the visit with Aurelia go?"

"I told her."

"Something wrong?" he asked, momentarily forgetting about the fresh shirt he now held in his hand.

"Aurelia and Lucas are married."

Zen stopped his fussing around the room and instead sat down next to me on the bed. "Really?"

"Aurelia's four months pregnant with his child."

For a moment it was silent. "Are you angry?"

"I just…wish I had known. You know, four months ago."

"That's…not what I expected."

"Me neither." Zen's hand went to the small of my back and gave me goosebumps.

Zen went to put his shirt on, but I grabbed the material and forced him to put it back down. The male rogue stopped what he was trying to do and gave me a curious and innocent smile. "Grace? What-"

My lips then crushed his, my tongue immediately begging for entrance into Zen's mouth. With a new earnest my hand traveled down Zen's shoulder to grip his torso and tug him in closer. Zen's aura flared too strongly I nearly gasped, and before I could beg any more Zen was kissing back passionately, all frustrations momentarily gone as his body climbed onto my smaller one. My head hit the pillow as Zen's hips grinded against mine, and the feeling of heat caused a gasp to slip through my lips. Even though my cheeks were now flushed with warmth, Zen's touch caused chilling shivers throughout the rest of my body.

The sensations were almost overwhelming, and yet I wanted Zen even more as his kisses left swirls of pleasure down my neck. "Zen," I moaned. My hands had found the lip of Zen's pants and were attempting to pull them off his prominent hips.

Zen shuddered in pleasure, and then he moaned as his hand moved on top of my own to stop my advancement. "Grace," he forced through his clenched jaw. Zen's hot breathe grazed my neck—and I noticed that the male rogue actually had to catch his own breath.

"What's wrong?" I asked quickly.

Zen had to take a moment to compose himself, one hand gripping the sheets near my shoulder. "Grace, I don't think…we should be doing this."

"Zen, I want this. I want you."

"You know I l—you know I have strong feelings for you. But I don't want you rushing 'us' because of what you found out about Lucas and Aurelia."

"They're lucky they didn't wait," I whispered earnestly. "Outside of this room, we could die. It's how we live. We might not have tomorrow together."

"Grace, I just can't take that risk. If we…you know…and you had a…you know, got…"

"Pregnant?" I questioned.

"I cant imagine how worried I would be. Protecting you and an unborn…and what if you had lost the baby or lost your rogue career because-"

"Did you put some thought into this before?"

Zen gently pushed me back down. "I wasn't finished," he purred, his lips dragging across my neck. When I didn't speak, Zen clasped my cheek softly. "I couldn't lose you."

"I think you're just blowing it slightly out of proportion."

"All I know is I am just completely content being with you. We're lucky enough to have that. To live today."

I smiled. As much as I hated to admit it, Zen was very good at being charming. "Just don't start slamming the pantry cabinets in the morning this time, okay?"

Zen chuckled. "Promise."

I drifted off to sleep shortly after, and when I woke up I had a kink in my neck at an angle I was laying on Zen's chest, but it was far worth it. "Morning," I sighed. Zen sat up, his lean abdomen peeking through his blankets.

"Morning, Grace."

I could tell by his tightened expression and controlled aura. It was going to be a very similar day to yesterday. "Where to today?"

"A few small camps outside Stormwind."

"Can I come?"

"No," Zen answered simply. "Today you have a date with Brae."

"Oh, how I miss my dates with Brae," I grumbled.

"Well, you need those stitches out of your arm if you want to start training for the competition."

I couldn't hold back my smile. "Really?"

"Of course. Let's go."

Eagerly I put my gear on and followed Zen through the streets. It was still fairly early, and my breathe was visible, but excitement kept the chill off my bones. Besides, compared to Northrend, this weather felt like a summer breeze.

When we didn't head toward SI:7, I looked over at Zen. "Where's Brae?"

"His house, where else?"

We made a few more turns before arriving at a small little cottage. Before Zen could even knock on the green door it was opening and Brae was greeting us. "Right on time, Zen. And Grace, I see you've managed to keep out of trouble."

"Trouble finds me," I corrected.

Brae chuckled as he moved to let us in. "Actually, I'll be right back," Zen said, letting me go inside before him. When I looked curiously over to him, he motioned me inside. "I'll come back."

Nodding, I walked into Brae's little house. It lacked the style Zen's had, but it was cozy nonetheless. Brae invited me to sit at the table while he gathered his supplies. I did as directed, momentarily kept company by the crackles of the fire as Brae hustled down the hallway. It wasn't long before my arm was strewn out on the table, Brae's dexterous hands unraveling the gauze and inspecting the sutures. "Well, it's not completely healed, but it's nothing a little potion can't help."

Brae snipped the wires out one by one and then slathered the reddened scar with a strange smelling cream. It burned a little, but even right after the cream absorbed I could see a difference. "I'll put some tape closures over it just in case and rebandage it," Brae explained, "but it should be fine."

"It feels great," I agreed.

Zen arrived just as Brae finished rewrapping my now stitch-free arm. "Thanks, Brae," I said with a smile.

"No problem. I think we can call it even now," Brae said with a wink.

"You're a great rogue, Brae," Zen complimented.

"That's what friends are for, Zen."

We left soon after as Zen announced he'd be taking me to my training. "Where?" I asked.

"Cole agreed to help out."

"Cole?" I repeated. "But doesn't he still have a trainee?"

"Robert? Yes. He's on red missions still."

"Still. Shouldn't he be inducted soon?"

"He's making progress. It hasn't been that long that he started training, Grace. You were only gone a couple of weeks."

"Yeah, but I didn't take that long…"

"Well, you're more talented than most."

"Oh my, was that a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it."

I giggled, getting a smirk of a reaction from Zen. When we arrived, Cole let us in and greeted Zen with a firm handshake. "I can't thank you enough, Cole."

"I know you'd do the same for me."

Zen nodded. "Don't be easy on her."

"Of course not. I'm sure this'll be a great experience for Robert, too."

Robert, I noticed now that he had been mentioned, was standing in the back with his arms crossed. Maybe this training would give me an excuse to beat up on Robert.

"Don't hurt Robert too badly," Zen instructed me as if he could read my intentions. Maybe he could read them.

The rivalry between Cole and Zen was much more friendly than the one between Robert and me. Cole slapped Zen's shoulder affectionately.

"I need to leave. Thanks again, Cole."

"Any time."

"Oh," Zen turned a moment. "And no more Undead caves!" he said jokingly, finger accusingly pointing at Cole.

Zen gave me a nod before leaving, apparently ignoring how Cole's demeanor had gone to an uncomfortable grin. Prior to his magical arrival in Northrend, that farewell would have been normal. But now it seemed so strange to act distant.

"Zen thinks he's quite the jester now…"

I'll see him again. It was okay.

For a moment I was remembering what it felt like the first time Zen had left on business, when I was sick from missing him. It didn't feel like such a disaster any more—maybe I had adapted—but it still pained me.

"So, Grace, how are you with a bow?" asked Cole, his voice bringing me back to the little cottage.

"A what?"

"Bow? You know, the curvy looking device that shoots arrows…"

"Zen and I touched on bows," I began. "I preferred throwing weapons."

"Good. We can have some target practice."

"With a bow?" I asked, still hoping it wasn't true.

"Zen told me you'll be entering this competition. Trust me, you're not always going to be that lucky to get close enough to use daggers. And sometimes, you're not going to want to be that close."

Flashbacks of Clad's sickly hands holding the bubbling poison that nearly turned me came and went. "Okay, if it'll help," I grumbled.

"Trust in me. We'll be doing combat later."

I nodded. "I was hoping I'd be able to cut something into pieces."

In no time we were in the yard, targets paces and paces away as Cole handed me a training bow. "Let's see what you can do."

Shaking my head, I drew an arrow and attempted to steady it as I pulled back on the string. Robert was behind me, next to his Master Cole. His aura may as well have told me itself it wanted me to mess up. Inhaling softly, I focused only on the target and finally released, the arrow searing through the cool air with a faint whistle.

"Whoa," Cole uttered.

"That is why I prefer throwing weapons!" I explained, my arm waving at the target—and the arrow that had flown by it and buried into the grass.

"No need to get frustrated—I'm actually glad I may be able to teach you something," Cole said with a grin.

Cole spent a portion of the morning fixing my stance, using Robert as his 'good example.' It made me irritated that Robert acted like a perfectionist, but I felt better when Cole spent most of his attention helping me. Robert's aura was glazed in jealousy.

Then Cole's hand grazed down my arm softly, the touch tickling and causing me to blush and glance at Cole in surprise.

It wasn't like I liked Cole—but he was very attractive. And the touch was gentle—unlike a rogue's usual touch. Cole's aura immediately spiked and shot off into a thousand different directions as he panicked. "I'm so sorry, I definitely didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," I giggled, since it was obvious Cole had no sensual intentions. "It just tickled."

Cole's aura was still trying to calm down, but what my senses then picked up was Robert's aura. The jealousy was still there as he clenched his bow in anger. Now the boy actually seemed upset. Hurt.

I raised an eyebrow, realizing that perhaps Robert wasn't only jealous that Cole was training me—but that he was attending to me, touching me, and joking with me.

This unrequited thing needed more attention, but for that moment I had to learn. By the end of the morning I could hit the target. I felt more confident with bows, at least. "I'll tell you what, one bulls-eye and we can be done with the bow," Cole suggested.

My first shot was two rings off. Two more arrows later I grazed the middle eye and jumped for joy and relief. "What an impressive improvement!" Cole commented. "Now at least you won't be hitting any innocent bystanders in the stands."

I giggled. "Thanks, Cole. I feel much better."

"Now, I'm going to give you some pointers on technique, but first a surprise…" Cole excused himself and paced back up to his house.

It was only Robert and me now. I turned to the SI:7 trainee while I still had the chance. "Robert, I-"

"Do you just shuffle around SI:7 and have relationships with all of the rogues?" Robert asked bluntly, his words singed with anger.

My aura darkened at the confrontation now broiling. "Robert, that was an accident. Cole doesn't-"

"Save it," Robert growled.

"Robert, I don't-"

The trainee took two large steps closer, leaving me a hand swipe away from his face. "The only reason you were inducted was because you've slept with all of SI:7," Robert seethed, the fury evident in his face. Robert was so angry I kept both hands on my weapons in caution.

"You know that's a lie," I muttered. "You're blaming me for your anger but it's not my fault you want Cole to be more than your trainer!"

His aura retracted only a moment, his face showing he was clearly taken aback. "How dare you-"

"You think acting impulsively with your nose in the air impresses him? Cole may not see how you feel about him right now, like I see, but he will eventually!"

"Shut up!"

"If you need-"

I was cut off when Robert lunged toward me, his hands digging into my shoulder as we were throttled back. I felt the hard surface of another building as my spine collided into it. Robert was taller than me, but like Aradar said, I was nimble and quicker. I struck his elbows with my own arms with enough force that his hold on me released, and while he tried to regain his balance I struck his stomach with my elbow. As Robert lurched forward in pain I got behind him and pushed him face first into the wall I had been leaning on.

"You don't get to put your hands on me," I growled, keeping his left arm twisted behind him. "You're too impulsive," I spat. "Now, you didn't let me finish. I was offering to help you. I'm willing to listen if you want to talk."

I pulled away swiftly, letting Robert peel his face off the bricks. Though he cast a sour glance at me, he said nothing.

Cole was walking up, a few containers in his hands. "I see we've started sparring without the trainer?" he asked.

"I was just giving Robert a lesson in stealth," I lied.

"He certainly could use the help. Now Grace, get close, and I'll show you my poisons." Cole unscrewed the two lids as Robert and I walked up. "Rogues can coat their daggers in poisons to better the odds. I made these myself—I thought since you learned arrows, you could use the poisons on the arrows, too."

"Wow, Cole. Thanks so much."

"The darker green is one that poisons over time. The lighter instantly burns the infliction. It feels like your blood's boiling. Not fun." I grimaced as well. "Here. I have plenty of vials."

"You're so helpful, Cole. Thanks."

"I owe Zen my life ten times over. I'd do anything for him. And he'd do anything for you."

Bashfully I looked away. "He's already done so much."

Eventually Cole showed me how to apply the poisons (though he wouldn't put it on my own daggers) and after a short snack the three of us were back outside. Cole had us practicing quick attacks and fatal takedowns. Despite our rocky argument earlier, Robert and I were civilized. Maybe the boy finally understood my intentions were true.

Maybe now what I had seen as Robert's personality was a misunderstanding.

"And then you'd have an opening to the heart. Right, Grace?"

I blinked. Cole looked over at me expectantly. "Yes…of course," I agreed blindly.

The evening came rather quickly, but Cole worked on Robert and I until nighttime when we physically couldn't see to practice. Finally Cole allowed our bodies some much needed rest. "Grace, you're welcome to wash up before you leave."

"That'd be great."

Using a towel I wiped down my face and extremities, and even washed my hair. After a mouthful of thank yous, I told Cole goodbye. "Good luck, Grace. Make sure you tell Zen about how much better I was at training you!" Cole said with a wink.

Robert wasn't around, so I left like that. The winter air tried to freeze my wet hair as I walked, but it didn't take too long to make it back to Zen's. He wasn't home yet, but it wasn't a surprise. It could be tomorrow before he arrived.

I was exhausted, and sleep meant seeing Zen quicker. So I climbed into the warmth of satin and instantly dozed off. It was a deep sleep, and I was awakened with a rough jolt as a large hand covered my mouth. My scream wouldn't escape; it wasn't Zen, I noticed this time—it wasn't his aura. With fear my eyes snapped open as I tried organizing my thoughts to plan a defensive move. Confused, I tensed as my eyes met Roberts tall form leaning over my body.

"It's okay," he said, taking his hand away to let me sit up, "I'm here to talk. You said you would-"

"By the Light, you couldn't knock?" I gasped, my hand at my forehead as I tried to regulate my breathing.

"I'm in a hurry, I told Cole I was just running out to grab a pale of water."

Rubbing my eyes, I yawned and peeked out of the curtains. It wasn't too late at night yet. "Okay, let's go."

"Go?"

"I can't talk to you here. If Zen walks in on us two alone…I don't care if we're screaming and scratching at each other, it wouldn't look good. So I'll just walk toward Cole's with you."

"You really like Zen, don't you?"

I paused my attempts at pulling my hair back. "I do. A lot."

"At least he returns the feelings."

I could tell Robert had difficulty even talking around the subject. With a pat on his shoulder I directed him out the door. "Come on, let's talk."

We walked a good few steps before Robert exhaled. "I guess I was just thrown off. I'm sorry for putting my hands on you, it's just…I didn't realize my feelings were so obvious."

"Well, like I said…this nice bite of mine lets me spot that easier. I think it helps that I'm female, too. But Cole may pick up on it someday, whether you want him to or not."

Robert shook his head. "What should I do."

I sighed. "I don't know. Zen and I struggled for weeks over it. But I do know that while you're apprenticing under him, it's against regulation to have an intimate relationship between you two."

"Yeah, I figured. But honestly, I don't even think this will ever evolve into…that kind of problem," Robert grumbled as he kicked a wayward pebble. It skittered across the cobblestone and spiraled off of the nearby stone wall.

"Does Cole…does he…date women?"

Robert shrugged his broad shoulders. "I've never met any love interests. I don't know what he's interested in."

I stopped walking to look sincerely at Robert. "It doesn't matter what he's interested in. It's who. I'm not trying to decide for you, because it's your decision. But Robert, if you don't tell him your feelings, you'll destroy yourself."

Robert smiled tightly. "You sound like you speak from experience."

"We're more alike than you thought."

He nodded, his eyes drifting past me to gaze at the nighttime sky. "I'll gather the courage to tell him…somehow. It's better than holding it in, even if-"

"Well, look who it is."

I knew the face too well-the dark aura was just icing on the cake. "Blake."

"Fancy meeting you here. What luck. Now…I may not be able to destroy you, girlie. For now. But your friend here just might get into a spark of trouble with SI:7…"

"Who are you?" Robert asked, defensively stepping toward Blake and shielding me.

"He's no one," I growled quickly. I turned to Blake, who had a grin of victory already painting his face. "He hasn't done anything, Blake, but good attempt. Don't make me teach you another lesson."

"See, girl, that's the problem. You don't get to threaten me. Once news gets out that Robert here has a secret obsession with his master, his career is over. You're taking your own friend down, girl."

"That won't work!" I growled, stepping forward. Robert's body was tense, fists pale as he used all of his strength to control himself. "It won't."

"Enlighten me," Blake encouraged. He was completely entertained at the moment as he folded his arms. "How are you going to redeem your friend?"

"It's not true, you didn't hear our whole conversation about his friend, who's having a lot of struggles. And Robert…Robert's not my friend, he's more." For effect I grabbed Robert's hand, his cold fingers releasing their fist in surprise as his hand let mine hold his.

Blake suppressed a laugh. "Nice try, girl. You're both done."

"Robert," I breathed, my chest tightening as I faced him. My other hand, now clammy, reached up and grasped his cheek. "You love me, right?"

The boy under my touch looked down in shock, frozen in place as I reached up and placed my lips on his, softly at first as if to beg him to play along. Robert's arms wrapped around to my back as he gently (not to mention believably) deepened our kiss. His tongue searched my mouth carefully as my hand fused with his hair. When I finally pulled away, Robert and I locked eyes momentarily, until I remembered our audience.

"Leave Robert alone," I demanded. "He's done nothing. Try and take me down, Blake, but you won't get to him unless you go through me."

Blake's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I'll be watching you, wench," he threatened as he stepped toward me and attempted to put his finger in my face. "You don't-"

In a flash Robert was launching forward, his fist colliding into Blake's cheek with a force so strong it made a thump. "Don't even think about putting your hands on her," Robert seethed, his fist still curled to give another deft blow.

Blake clawed himself onto his feet, his cheek noticeably reddened even in the moonlight. No words came out of his mouth as he peddled out of Robert's line of attack and made a run for it. Once Blake disappeared, the other rogue turned to me. "Grace, you shouldn't have…"

"I know, but it worked," I interjected. "I couldn't let him slander you," I announced, still trying to convince myself that everything would be okay.

"Thank you." Robert squeezed my upper arm.

"Thanks for acting impulsively. This is the only time I'll thank you for that." Robert chuckled in response as we turned to make our way to Cole's house.

Except Cole was currently blocking our way, looking us over with piercing eyes at the end of the tunnel; his aura was bathed in shock, disappointment, and anger. "C-cole," choked Robert.

"Cole, I can-"

"Both of you. My house. Now."

The cold f winter was pretty apparent now as I numbly walked in front of Cole to arrive at his house. No one said anything—no one wanted to—but my thoughts wouldn't stop. Robert was right…we didn't have to kiss. But if I wanted Robert's career safe, I found it necessary.

And now Zen's best friend is behind me, burring holes into my back as I walked, after witnessing me kissing his apprentice. I had a good explanation. I did. But just how much could I really tell Cole?

Finally we arrived, and after coldly letting Robert and me in, Cole clipped shut the door and took his folded arm stance once more. "Rob, upstairs. I need to speak to Grace alone."

Robert stepped forward instead. "Cole, I can explain…"

"Now, Rob."

I didn't dare watch Robert leave. I felt like a school child being interrogated for starting a food fight.

"I'm especially disappointed with you, Grace."

"Cole, I know it looks bad, but if you let me explain…"
"Explain why you're throwing yourself at Robert when you're supposed to be involved with Zen?" Cole seethed, trying to keep his voice low. "Yes, Grace, it looks bad."

"I would never do anything to hurt Zen-"

"You just did."

"That other boy…was threatening Robert's rogue career so I protected him."

"With a kiss?"

I inhaled quickly, my patience thinning. It didn't seem like my reasoning was helping—in fact, I was fairly certain I was backing myself up into a corner. What kind of explanation could I come up with?

"Cole, it's complicated, but it meant nothing. Robert definitely isn't interested in me, and I have Zen."

"I know what I saw."

"You don't know the story though!" I corrected. "Cole, you need to trust me. You know how much I adore Zen!"

"That doesn't justify what happened!" Cole articulated every syllable, his aura so dark I nearly couldn't look at him.

I muffled a growl of frustration. "I can't…Cole, Robert needed my help—and if I hadn't…if I hadn't helped, he could have been in serious, serious trouble."

Cole looked me over with narrowed eyes, his senses finally picking up the sincerity in my own aura. "Okay, what happened. Now."

Cole was using his father voice, and I really couldn't find a way through this with a big, fat lie. I could still fix this…

"Okay," I breathed. "But you have to promise not to tell Robert what I'm telling you."

Worry crept over Cole's face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just…" I closed my eyes. "Blake was the other guy that ran off. He…was listening in on me and Robert talking…about Robert's relationship issues."

"Issues?"

"Robert…isn't attracted to girls."

Cole paused a moment, his brain soaking in the new information in. "R-rob?"

"Yes, and Blake overheard and wanted Rob to suffer for it. To punish me. But I couldn't let Rob pay for simply being affiliated with me. So I…kissed him. And Blake believed we were together. So…it was stupid but at least Robert's career…isn't ruined because of me."

Cole was silent for a moment as he studied my face, his eyes focused like Zen's when he thinks. "You're telling the truth. And that story is too ridiculous to make up."

"Rogue's honor. Whole truth."

"So this kid. Blake is his name?"

"Yes, but that's not a big deal-"

"Of course it is, if he's threatening you and Robert."

"He can't harm anyone. You're not concerned about…Robert's attraction to males?"

"Should I be?"

"Well, Robert was pretty worried about how you would handle the news…"

"Robert's my trainee no matter what. I'm going to protect him. This Blake kid…he's going to pay."

I smiled at Cole's concern. "I wish Robert could have told you himself, but I'm glad it doesn't change your relationship with him."

Cole looked away, his chest expanding as he inhaled deeply. "Yeah."

"Look…Robert might not be ready to tell you what happened or how he feels. So…"

"Don't worry, it's safe with me. Rogue's honor."

"I'm going to talk to Robert."

"Not so fast." I froze, momentarily afraid Cole would start asking more about Cole's preferences. "Why is Blake so hell-bent on taking you down?"

I sighed. At least it wasn't over Robert. "Because I'm a girl. And honestly, I'm a decent rogue. And it disgusts him."
"And somehow it snowballed into you kissing Robert?"

"Kissing Robert?"

I closed my eyes, my shoulders tensing as Zen's aura seeped through the house. What was with rogues always walking into situations at the wrong time?

Cole stepped forward, his hand held out in an attempt at inviting calm. "Zen, I've already given Grace the third degree. Now listen to her."

"So you really did?" Zen asked, his piercing eyes now delving into my own.

"Zen, listen!" I begged, his gaze almost too intense to return. I held my breathe as the confusion and betrayal glistened in his eyes. "Zen, please…"

"After everything," Zen stated. "After last night?"

The heat was rising to my cheeks. Cole finally stepped forward. "Yes, there was a kiss. Zen, hear her out."

"Robert needed my help-"

"You hate Robert!"

"Grace was just protecting me!" Eyes wide, I looked over and watched as Robert thumped down the last stair, his shoulders squared in confidence. "This guy we bumped into threatened to ruin me by telling SI:7 I'm attracted to Cole, so Grace saved me by proving otherwise with a kiss."

There was a pause and I felt the tension ready to break. Finally Cole looked at me. "You forgot to mention that part," he stated thinly.

"Is that true, Grace?" asked Zen with a bit of disbelief.

I nodded. "Robert would have taken fault for doing nothing wrong. It was my idea, because I knew a kiss would mean nothing. To both of us."

"But a kiss, Grace…"

"It meant nothing," I repeated. Another moment of silence. Finally Zen exhaled loudly and reached over to lead me to the door. "Cole, I think it's best Grace and I leave."

"Of course. I think we could use a few moments to talk as well," Cole agreed as he shot Robert a glance.

I muttered soft goodbyes so I wouldn't have to sense all of the tension still lingering in the air. Silently I prayed to the Light that everything would be okay between Cole and Robert,

And me and Zen.

We walked silently until we reached Zen's, his prominent shoulders tensed like he was ready to attack. I thought we'd never get home. Surprisingly, when we were finally alone, Zen seemed to calm down.

"Zen, I know it-"

"Grace." With one word Zen had me snapping my mouth shut. "You're a good person. You were just trying to help."

"You…you're not mad at me?" I asked cautiously.

"I won't be mad," Zen began as he leaned in closer and brushed the hair off my neck. "If you kiss me now and admit it does mean something."

I didn't need an invitation. Zen was just good at being attractive—I pulled him in closer, my fists balling the fabric of his coat as my lips connected to his.

With Zen, everything was right. I pushed harder on his lips and felt the urge to let him have all of me resurface.

And the way Zen pressed his body up against me wasn't helping to suppress that urge. His lips never left mine as Zen lead me backwards and pinned me up against the wall.

The kiss didn't subside for a good few moments, but when Zen finally pulled away I felt like I could stay there forever. My hand rested on Zen's neck. "Of course it means something. You mean everything."

"You're forgiven."

I smacked Zen playfully. "I think I like laid-back Zen more than business-mode Zen."

"But you fell for business-mode Zen," Zen pointed out as we walked into the bedroom.

"And I'm still trying to figure tat part out," I taunted. Zen pulled me into bed and rested his face in the crook of my neck. "So what's on the list to do tomorrow?" I asked.

"Well…" He pulled up to look at me properly. "You should be heading back to Northrend."

"Back?" I sat up. "But before you said it was too dangerous. And now you want me there?"

"SI:7 thinks you're in Northrend. And you've been making waves around here thus far. And the base is safer now that it's secured."

"But Robert…"

"Cole and Robert will be fine."

"I just feel so responsible…"

"Everything will work out here. I'll get you a port to Northrend."

"Just me? What about-"

"As soon as I'm finished in Stormwind I'll head back, I promise."

I sighed. "Okay, fine. If you promise to help me prepare for the tournament."

"Deal."

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Britti