Supplement Scene 3: (Karsh and Ileana's first kiss)

Halloween was in full swing. Ileana peeked through a small hole in the fence at the now five year old Apolla. The child was squealing with joy and running around the pool with her adopted mother in hot pursuit. Though she knew Karsh didn't approve, Ileana waved her hand when she noticed that Apolla was about to trip. Emily Barnes picked up her daughter and carried her back to the cake table. When she was all situated, David Barnes walked up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist. She laughed and he kissed her neck as little Apolla played with a piece of cake.

Ileana sighed and stared at them. How long had it been since she'd been in an embrace like that? After a moment's thought, she realized that it had been 7 years since she'd held someone's hand, hugged a love. It had been even longer since...

She snapped her fingers as quietly as she could and found a small table and chair set up on the grass. Another snap brought a piece of cake and silverware to the table surface. Ileana sat down and rubbed her palms together before picking up the fork and digging into the pastry. On the second bite, she became aware of someone standing behind her.

"Hey Karsh."

"Ileana." He snapped up a chair of his own and sat next to her. She touched the table in front of him and a plate appeared.

"Thanks." Picking up the fork, he proceeded to eat his cake.

"How is Artemis?"

"She's doing well, healthy and happy."

"And her family?"

"Pretty good, they're holding a small party for her in an hour or so."

"The time difference, I forgot."

They continued to eat in silence. After a few bites, Karsh set down his utensil and looked at her.

"Why aren't you eating? I know you love cake as much as I do."

"I haven't seen you in a year and all you want to talk about is food?"

She stopped, "You're right. How are you?"

"I'm good, you?"

"I'm okay." She paused, "Still hate the non-magics?"

"I never said I hated them."

"But you don't like them?"

Karsh rubbed his temples, "I didn't, no."

There was a glimmer of hope in her eyes, "So you've changed your mind."

He looked straight into her eyes, "I watched very carefully over the last year, and I saw a lot that I didn't see before."

She smiled, "You've got a soft spot for these magic-less people now, huh?"

"I wouldn't call them magic-less exactly, they have a tendency to make their own magic."

"Really?" There was that playful grin on her lips that he loved so much.

"I got to thinking about what you said and I tried to get involved."

"Involved? You interfered?"

"Not like that. I merely got a little closer to the family during the holidays."

"Aww!"

He couldn't help but roll his eyes a touch.

"C'mon, what'd you do?"

"I went with the Fieldings when they took Artemis to volunteer at the soup kitchen, I went to all the parades, and this class that they insist on her taking. It's odd, and I know why she hates it, they make her stand on her toes and twirl around in circles."

"They're a good family, aren't they?"

"Yeah." He smiled at her, "They don't have the money that the Barnes have, but they have a lot of heart."

She nodded, "Yeah, and the Barnes do have a lot of heart too you know."

Karsh sighed and she looked at him, "So you trust these magic-less people to raise the daughters of Aron and Miranda?"

"You know, I do. We don't have to worry about them corrupting the girl's magic, being in league with the Darkness. They're the perfect choice."

"And the heart?"

"Yes, the heart."

"I'm really proud of you," She held his chin with her hand, "Stuffy old Karsh finally learned something."

"I am not stuffy, I'm just very formal."

"What's the difference?"

"Don't make me throw this cake at you." He threatened jokingly, picking up the paper plate.

She pretended to fake gasp and threw up her hands. He retaliated by pretending to actually throw the cake.

Ileana ducked, a little nervous but laughing. The pair shared a laugh before Karsh stood up, "I should probably get back to Artemis; I wouldn't want to miss her birthday."

She got to her feet and peeked through the hole in the tall fence, "I'll be along to visit her soon, Apolla's party is winding down."

When she turned back around, she found that she had no room to move. Karsh took a step forward and Ileana's back was against the wooden fence boards.

"What – what are you doing?"

"I told you, I'm not stuffy, I'm formal. You made me a promise."

She laughed softly, "I didn't think you wanted a kiss from me."

He cocked an eyebrow at her, "You'd be surprised." Karsh let his hands fall to her waist and he pulled her against his body. Something in him loved those wide eyes of hers, scared and yet wanting. She tilted her head up to him, closing her eyes, and that was all the invitation that he needed.

Karsh pressed his lips to Ileana's and she pressed back. He felt her wrap her arms around him, trying to pull him closer. Karsh tightened his grip on her waist, digging his fingers into the soft velvet of her dress and bruising the tender skin underneath. She whimpered against his mouth and dug her nails into his back.

When they finally parted, their lips were sore and both had to catch their breath.

"Oh…" Moaned Ileana, "That was – "

She didn't get a chance to finish before he pulled her back in for another kiss. They were lucky the fence hid them from view.