"What can I make you?" Dunban asked as he followed Melia through the doorway towards the kitchen. For a room that had hardly been used in the past decade, much less century, it felt warm and welcoming. The walls were painted with a pastel yellow to complement the white and silver tiled floor. The walls were lined with cupboards and cooking appliances hung on various hooks and mounts, waiting to be used. A large wooden kitchen island sat in the middle of the room, four white barstools pushed against it for seating. A window on the far wall shone brightly, letting the sun's light fill the room.

"You needn't do that. I can prepare it." Melia protested, turning to face him with her arms crossed in front of her.

He noticed how her silhouette against the window created a small halo of yellow light around her body. He found himself feeling slightly nervous, being alone with her in this kitchen. He wasn't sure why, but it felt much more intimate, even more than the nursery.

"I know. But I'd like to." Dunban insisted.

They stared at each other for a minute, engaging in a silent battle of will. Finally, Melia shrugged and held up her hands in defeat. "Alright, you can make breakfast."

He nodded and began to rifle through the cupboards, collecting different pans and cooking instruments and placing them on the large kitchen island. "Any preferences? Favorite foods?"

As she sat down at one of the bar stools, Melia put her elbows on the tabletop and dropped her chin into her outstretched palms. "Oh dear, I don't know. There are so many choices." He turned to look at her and she gave him a small smile. "Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I believe I would be happy eating breakfast foods for the rest of my life." She giggled.

"Oh? Then I'll have to make you my famous chocolate chip banana pancakes. Fiora demands them on a weekly basis at home. Shulk also manages to magically appear on those mornings too."

"They must be delicious. Dunban, you have made me quite curious. We'll have to put these famed pancakes to the test then." As he collected the ingredients together, she asked him, "If I remember correctly, you raised Fiora yourself."

It was a rather abrupt subject change, but he went along. "Mmhmm. Our parents were killed in a Mechon attack."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't worry about it. It's been a long time since it happened. I have fond memories of them." He began to crack eggs into a bowl and continued, "Fiora hardly remembers though. She was just a toddler when they died."

"Do you talk about them much?"

"Not anymore. She asked a lot of questions growing up. But a couple of years before the Battle of Sword Valley, she stopped asking. I'm not really sure why."

"Maybe there wasn't anything more to ask."

"What do you mean?"

"You know that my mother passed away when I was rather young. I still have some memories of her, but not many. When I was a teenager, I wanted to learn more about her. I couldn't ask my father about my mother. He was always busy. So I broached the subject with the few people I could. My maids. My brother. My stepmother. They each had a few unique things to share, which I was so happy to hear, but not enough to paint a full picture of her." Melia looked down at the island's granite countertop and said, "Please don't misconstrue my words. I'm grateful that I do have memories of her. But I stopped asking about her for a few reasons. Primarily, I felt guilty, as though these were things I should have known. And then I was concerned of becoming a nuisance."

"I doubt they would've seen you as one."

"True. But I also came to terms with the reality that there would always be this...void where she was concerned. And I really could do nothing about it."

There was a pause in the conversation before Dunban replied, "That's why you were so eager to meet the Homs from Colony 3. To learn more about your mother."

"Yes. And I did; I learned a little more. I just wish I could have visited Colony 3 sooner when I was younger. Before its destruction. Maybe I would have learned more about her, and possibly met her family." Her eyes were somber as she spoke. "My family."

He put down the spoon he was using to stir with, reached out and took her right hand in his.

"I don't know if you know, but Fiora and I are originally from Colony 2."

"Colony 2? Where is that?"

"It was at the base of the Bionis' right foot. Also destroyed by the Mechon in the same attack that killed our parents."

"Oh. I am sorry I didn't know that." She pursed her lips. "I feel so ignorant of Homs' history."

"It's not your fault. You didn't have much exposure to the world outside of the Eryth Sea. Besides, it wasn't all bad. When we came to Colony 9, we were welcomed with open arms."

"Do you remember Colony 2 much?"

"Yes, I have fond memories of that place. It's warmer down there, though there were breezy days, much like the ones here in the Eryth Sea." He grinned. "I spent a lot of summers bumming out on the beach as a kid."

"Is it a large beach?"

Dunban nodded. "It goes for miles. White sand. Clear skies. Palm trees. It's paradise."

"That sounds lovely. The first time I ever saw the ocean was on the Fallen Arm."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"As you said, I was a sheltered child."

"Fiora keeps saying I need to take a vacation. I was thinking of making a trip out to Colony 2, or where it used to be. We could go together when all of this is over." He paused, feel his heart still. "If you'd like."

"I would like that."

They stared at each other silently, smiling. His heart pounded fast, doped up on adrenaline emotion. As Dunban felt her hand in his and observed the excitement in her eyes, he realized what exactly the feeling was that ran through his body. Elation. It had been a long time since he'd experienced such joy. Melia had said yes, and now here they were, in her kitchen, getting to know each other and making plans. It was nothing short of perfect. He squeezed her hand and withdrew his as he continued the process of making breakfast.

As the Homs male worked diligently to cook their meal, conversation flowed between the two individuals effortlessly, as if they had been friends for years on end. They talked about her love of all things sweet, and how her nanny used to sneak her Nopon chocolates between her lessons as a child. They talked about his first swordplay lesson with his blacksmith far away from the disapproving eye of his mother. She reminisced about the few times she and Kallian played hooky from their tutors and instead spent their afternoons playing hide and seek in the Great Hall. He recalled his first time meeting baby Fiora: how tiny she looked and how excited he was to have a baby sister.

And so they passed the next hour, exchanging memories and laughs, sharing childhood experiences that they had not spoken of with anyone in a long time, if at all. He wanted to know everything, and so did she. Eagerness reciprocated only cemented the sentiment she had uttered earlier: the desire to explore a relationship. Finally, at half past eight, when breakfast was over, he had left Melia with the promise of meeting her that evening. As Dunban headed back in the direction of the Villa, there was a smile in his eyes and an extra spring in his step.

As Dunban arrived back at his room at a quarter to nine, he found Nae'ell pacing at his door. At first, she didn't see him, her black hair swishing around her face as she moved. He could hear her mumbling, but it was unintelligible. Dunban took a few more steps towards her, alarmed by the intensity of her movements, alerting her to his presence. She stopped as she caught sight of him, the look on her face turning from worry to confusion.

"Where are you coming from?"

"A morning walk." He thought it best to keep his true whereabouts known only to himself and Melia. And, of course, James and Elrich. "What's wrong?"

"I need to talk to you." Her eyes darted from one end of the corridor to the other.

He'd never seen her so jumpy. She always appeared comfortable, lofty, collected.

Dunban opened the door to his suite and ushered her inside. "What is it?" He asked as he closed the door behind her.

"Camar. I think he's up to something."

"You mean the Scepter?" He gestured for her to sit in the armchair as he took a seat on the adjacent sofa.

"Yes. It seems to...convenient for him to suddenly have this ability to find the Scepter just as it goes missing. That seems fishy, doesn't it? It's not just me?"

"That was my first thought. But do you have any proof? Or is this all instinctual?"

"I thought you would ask that. Instinctual." She pursed her lips. "But I know I'm right. He's probably been stewing since she rejected his overtures."

A small flare of jealousy spiked in his heart but he firmly stamped it down. "Was the courtship that long?"

"Oh no, it barely existed. Even existed is a strong word to use. Camar though...he has a lot of pride." She smirked. "In case you missed that."

"It hadn't escaped my notice," he answered dryly.

"Camar was the first member of Melia's cabinet. They spent quite a bit of time together at the beginning, since he was in charge of all of the farmland and irrigation projects. He probably mistook Melia's general courtesy and politesse as affection."

"Ah." Dunban wasn't interested in hearing anymore about Camar and Melia's time together.

But Nae'ell continued, "So when he finally confessed his interest in her, she was surprised. And obviously turned him down. But the ways she did it...well, Melia understands social cues, but is not very good at reciprocating, as I'm sure you know."

"I disagree." He struggled to keep his face neutral, hiding his disapproval.

"Sorry?" Nae'ell looked at him, surprised.

"Her ability to appropriately respond has nothing to do with not being equipped with the right tools."

"Oh? And what does it have to do with?"

Fear.

"It's not for me to say. But I think you should give the Empress more credit." He said, his tone tinged with coldness.

Nae'ell fell silent, scrutinizing him. After a moment, she shrugged and continued, "I was passing by Melia's chamber at the time when Camar emerged, heartbroken. He shared the whole story with me. He was very much upset and I can remember he felt slighted."

Dunban changed the subject: "Has Camar said anything suspicious to you lately? Or done anything odd?"

"Well, he and I don't interact all that much these days. But..." she trailed off.

"But what?"

"Well, it's just something I overheard during election day. The first election when those votes were stolen. Miriall said Camar disappeared when they were supposed to go deliver the votes to the Cabinet chamber." Nae'ell blanched. "Does that mean..."

"That he could've stolen the votes? Yes, yes it does." Dunban said. More and more of the arrows seemed to point to Camar as the saboteur. Could he truly be the one responsible for all of the chaos? A small part of Dunban flamed indignantly at the thought of catching the culprit, but he tempered it with the coolness of logic. "I'll speak to Miriall directly about it. See if she has any other information as well."

Nae'ell nodded and stood. "Good. I tried to tell Melia of my suspicions yesterday, but I think they fell on deaf ears."

"She has a lot to deal with." Dunban rose and walked her to the door.

"Understandable. But it can't be ignored, especially if Camar is the one plaguing her. Which is why I came to you."

"I will do whatever I can to protect Melia."

"I'm counting on that." Nae'ell smiled and opened the door. "Good speaking with you, Dunban." Then she exited, sauntering down the corridor back towards the opposite end of the Villa.

A few hours later, Dunban headed towards the clinic in search of Miriall. The conversation with Nae'ell had disturbed him, in more ways than one. While some of the content of the conversation had unsettled him – namely the in-depth summary of Camar and Melia's history on top of Nae'ell's personal opinion's of Melia's personality – it had yielded a single piece of helpful information. Miriall may be the key to identifying Camar as the saboteur. But, he knew, that Nae'ell's account of events was all hearsay. Miriall could easily have no memory of what she said, or deny it all. And either of those options would be a dead end. As he neared the clinic, he hoped that the Homs Entia woman would have time to answer his questions, dead end or not.

When Dunban walked in, he found her ruffling through a cabinet directly to the left. Without pause, he walked over to her. "Miriall."

Startled, she whipped around. "Sir Dunban. What can I do for you?"

"Can I have a moment of your time?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Camar."

He watched her as she visibly tensed, locking her jack and put her arms stiffly at her sides. There is definitely something here. "Why do you want to talk about Camar?"

"I just have some questions is all. No one is in trouble," he assured her.

Slowly, she nodded, but he knew she was not completely convinced.

"I heard that Camar disappeared for a bit during the first election when you were moving the ballots. Do you know where he went?"

Miriall shook her head. "He said he needed to check on something in the Research Hall."

Just as Nae'ell said.

"Did anyone see him in the Research Hall?"

"I don't know. But he did bring one of his tablets back to the Cabinet Chamber, so I assumed he did go there."

He could easily have stopped at the Research Hall before returning to the Cabinet Chamber after he stole the votes. No conclusive evidence, no further clues. Another dead end.

But, he could at least try to figure out his movements over the past few days.

"Miriall, do you know where he was during the blackout?"

"With me." She said. "He was with me in my quarters."

"Oh." He said, raising his eyebrows. This was unexpected.

"Um...yes. We're together." She bit her lip and added, "Please don't tell the Empress."

"Do you think she would have an objection since you two work together?" Besides, they weren't the only ones carrying out an affair, as he was reminded of Kiefer and Songya.

"No, no. Camar just wants to be sensitive. Since, you know..." she trailed off, her eyes attempting to communicate her thoughts wordlessly.

"No, I don't know. Enlighten me."

"Since he rejected her." Miriall sighed, shifting from side to side. "I'm not supposed to know, but he said that's why we have to keep it a secret. So we don't hurt her feelings."

He fought to keep the astonishment from permeating his face. Camar rejected Melia?

What other lies is Camar spinning?

"Do you mind me asking when you started your relationship with Camar?"

"Oh...it was the night of the town hall party. To be honest, before I found him kind of annoying. But then we started talking and he was being really sweet, and well, one thing led to another..."

So it had been a few weeks then. And they had begun this relationship before the Soothsayer Kevar had made his or her presence known.

And Miriall could be the 'she' of the pair that they were looking for.

"Is Camar unhappy with the Empress? Either personally or professionally?"

"No, not at all! He's very dedicated to his work. He just wishes she would let go of her feelings of rejection so they could continue to work together cordially."

She said it so hastily, that Dunban saw the lie before she finished her sentence.

"Well, thank you for your time, Miriall. This has been most helpful."

"Have a good day, Sir Dunban."

The Homs Entia curtsied and walked to the opposite side of the clinic to engage a team member in discussion, leaving Dunban to analyze the conversation bit by bit. He watched her for a moment, noticing her back was still stiff. Shaking his head, he headed for the exit, looking for a place to dissect what he'd heard.

Weaving through the secret corridors and traversing down forgotten stairwells, Dunban eventually made his way to Melia's hidden apartment later that evening. At the door, he greeted James and Elrich, who gave him nods of acknowledgement. He supposed sooner or later he'd actually have to have a conversation with them that consisted of more than two sentences. A converation specifically about the evolution of his relationship with the Empress. Especially since they were among the few Melia could trust with her life.

"Come in." He heard her calm voice from within.

As the Homs man stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind him, his eyes gravitated towards her svelte form bent over the tea cart, pouring two cups. He could feel his mouth curve into a small smile at the sight of her, remembering their breakfast that morning.

"Good evening." He said as he ambled over to her.

"Good evening to you as well." Their eyes met as he took one of the mugs from her hands, their fingers brushing in the exchange. A slight shiver ran down his spine at the contact.

"How was your day?"

Dunban watched her as her expression shifted ever so slightly. There was a slight frown in her mouth now, and her eyes held his with a troubled gaze. Something was on her mind. After a brief moment of pause, she answered, "I don't know why I'm surprised with everything that has happened, but I lost another cabinet member today."

"What? Who?"

She sighed as she went to sit on the sofa. "Miriall."

"When? Did she say why?" He followed and sat next to her, instead of his usual spot in the adjacent armchair.

"Just this evening, a little over an hour ago." The Empress stared down into her tea, avoiding his eyes. Was she embarrassed? She had no reason to be. "When she told me, she nearly raced away after uttering the words. I could barely keep her long enough to find out that she'd already shared the news of her departure with the other cabinet members."

His forehead wrinkled in thought. "She told everyone else before you? That is strange. As if she did not want to be convinced otherwise."

Melia nodded, sipping her tea.

"What did she say was her reason?"

"Essentially, she believes I no longer have the right to rule with the Scepter missing." There was no waver in her voice. No indication of any emotion, but he knew Melia was struggling to maintain an outward appearance of control.

"This is all very sudden. Has she ever given any indication of the depth of her faith before?"

"No, not that I recall."

Either Miriall kept her pious nature a secret, or it was a reason to cover up another.

"She said nothing of her plans when I talked to her earlier this afternoon." Had his conversation with her influenced her decision?

Melia moved her gaze from the tea to his face. "You talked to her? What about?"

"About Camar. Nae'ell is convinced Camar is your saboteur."

"Ah. She did say something of the kind yesterday. But why Miriall?"

"Nae'ell said she overheard Miriall saying that Camar disappeared for a time on election day. When the lockbox was stolen."

Melia's eyes widened. "Did you ask Miriall about it?"

"I did." Dunban put his cup down on the coffee table and leaned back into the sofa. Melia still sat straight on the edge of the cushion, her hands delicately holding her tea cup watching him with her large blue eyes.

There was something about her eyes that was hypnotic.

"Well?"

The Homs man hadn't realized he'd been staring. "Right. It seems Miriall and Camar are in some sort of relationship of the romantic kind."

"What?!" Melia gasped.

"I know. I was surprised myself. But it appears to be true."

The operative word being 'appears'.

"I do not know what to say. I am genuinely shocked as Miriall has expressly shared with me, though albeit many months ago, how annoying she finds Camar. I just wonder what changed her mind?"

"They've been in this relationshiop for a few weeks now." Dunban said, then proceeded to fill her in on the conversation, describing the encounter in detail as well as his growing suspicions regarding Camar.

"Despite how it may appear, all the evidence against Camar remains circumstantial. It is not enough to confront him." Melia put her tea mug down on the table and shifted her body to face him, though she still sat on the edge of the sofa. The conversation felt formal now, in comparison to the intimacy of this morning's. Of course, the matters they were discussing did not help to diffuse the situation.

"True. But it is very strange the tale he's fed to Miriall."

"No doubt."

They fell silent, mulling over the conundrum that was Miriall and Camar's relationship. Perhaps they were paying too much attention; there was a chance the relationship was genuine. And Camar's lies were only to save his pride of a previous rejection.

But something told Dunban otherwise.

Ever so slowly, Melia leaned back into the sofa, her body sinking into the cushions. He gave her a sidelong glance; her eyes were pointed towards the ceiling, her hands neatly folded over her lap. There was a small amount of space between their bodies. While he didn't wish to encroach on her space, he didn't particularly like the separation either.

He compromised with himself. Dunban placed his hand out onto the cushion between them, palm up.

The Empress turned to look at his hand, then at him. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his own. He held her gaze as he squeezed her hand. It felt warm in his own.

"We'll figure this out." He said, reassuring her as he rubbed her thumb with his own.

She nodded, but remained silent.

"What are you going to do now?"

"Truly? I do not know. First, I need to find someone to supervise her projects now. And Shalen is already pulling double time taking on Jarrack's."

"What exactly were her responsibilities?"

"Managing the healthcare system. Processing patients into the clinic. Monitoring Entia trauma therapy. Managing the orphanage for displaced High Entian children. Working with Kiefer on the outfit for the school." She paused then said, "I'm sure I'm missing a few."

That's quite a bit. Much more than he anticipated. Miriall's would be large shoes to fill. His mind began to run through possible solutions, from abandoning a few of the projects and concentrating on those most important, to offloading the tasks onto multiple High Entia.

"Would it be possible for members of her team to take over?"

Melia tilted her head to the side. "It is possible. But many of them were in the process of being trained by Miriall for specific tasks. I don't know if they would feel comfortable taking leadership roles."

"What about Songya?"

"Yes, she could probably take over the Entian therapy portion. But she does have her hands full with initiating government transparency."

Dunban continued to mull a bit over the problem at hand, his mind darting from one possibility to the next.

Social programs. Healthcare.

Then an idea popped into his head.

"I know the current political climate is rather...strained right now between Homs and High Entia. But what if you asked for Fiora and Sharla's help?"

"Fiora and Sharla?"

"Why not? Fiora could focus on the orphanage and the school. Sharla could focus on the clinic and healthcare system."

"What about the Entian therapy programs?"

He furrowed his brow. That certainly was a hole.

"Fiora may have some thoughts. After all, she was stuck in the wrong body for a while. She may have some insight into being transformed into something foreign. Fiora and Songya could work together."

Melia nodded. "Those are good ideas. I will take them under consideration."

"Speaking of strained relations, have you spoken with Mayor Laden?"

"Yes." Her voice immediately went cold as she withdrew her hand and picked up her tea cup, removing her gaze from his.

"We don't need to talk about it."

"No, it's fine. I'm just angry." She paused momentarily in thought before resuming, "This should've never happened. And it forces me to question the safety of my people abroad."

"That's understandable." He reached for his own cup of tea and drank.

"Frankly, I do not understand why these criminals were released. They should have been turned over to the High Entian government for prosecution."

"The crime did happen in Colony 9. By the Mayor's standards, he laid out what punishment he thought was necessary."

"Banishment? That does not fit the crime."

"I don't disagree with you. But you can't punish all Homs for the actions of a few."

She rose from her spot and without turning to face him, she replied, "I can do whatever I deem necessary as the Empress. The safety of my people is my primary priority." The Empress crossed back to the tea cart and deposited her used cup. "Now, due to security negligence on behalf of the Colony 9 government, I must worry about a group of Homs roving the world, intent on exterminating my people."

"There is little chance that they will survive on their own in the wilderness." His voice remained calm and controlled, but he felt the tension growing.

"But they did since Colony 3 was destroyed. Four or five years? Is that not what Senara said?"

Now they were in dangerous territory. The mention of his ex-lover would only aggravate.

Tread carefully.

"Not entirely. When Colony 3 was destroyed, the survivors were captured by the Mechon. When they attempted escape, Lorithia helped them, but only to bring them back to her lab here in Alcamoth as slaves."

Melia's head snapped in his direction at the mention of Lorithia. "What do you mean slaves?"

"They helped her conduct her experiments on Telethia. And High Entia." Dunban sighed. "I found this out after we brought the criminals back to Colony 9. After the incident in the cave."

Melia turned from him and began to pace across the room, her hands intertwined behind her back. "What was done to them was terrible. Inhumane. But that doesn't excuse what they did in Colony 9."

He sat up on the sofa and scooted towards the edge, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped together. "And I agree. But punishing the Homs race is not the answer. That is the same thing as saying the Homs should shun the High Entia for Lorithia's role in the torture of the Colony 3 refugees as well as the mass genocide plan of all beings on Bionis by Zanza. Should we deport the High Entia that live in Colony 6 simply because one, just one, High Entia was responsible for the massive amount of deaths of Homs soldiers and innocents alike?"

Frustrated, he willed for her to look at him, but to no avail. She kept on pacing, silent. He didn't want to argue with her, but she had to see reason.

"You are also part Homs."

Melia stopped pacing but did not take her eyes from the carpet.

"But I am also part Entia."

"Melia–"

"I can't just let this go, Dunban. People are dead! Murdered!" She exclaimed looking at him, her eyes blazing.

"That's not what I'm saying at all." He rose and crossed over to her, folding his arms over his chest.

"What would you do if you were in my position?"

"I would request an official apology. A treaty condemning all interracial violence and making this a non issue in the future. Include that all Homs or High Entia perpetrating hate crimes are turned over to the respective governments. Make it mandatory that governments share information about any potential criminals on the loose. Pass an act of equality. Register any Homs that immigrate to Alcamoth with an official registry." He paused, realizing the trap he'd walked into. "I know you've thought of all those possibilities. Why do you still hesitate?"

"Because blood was spilled. And my people hunger for justice."

"Is it justice or revenge?" His eyes narrowed and his tone was cold.

She closed her eyes, defeated. "Revenge."

"And is that what you're going to give them?"

"No." The fire of rage disappeared from her eyes and he watched as her shoulder slumped, defeated. He felt his own muscles relax, and his arms dropped to his sides. "I will do all of those things. I just know that the public will want more action. Some sort of wrathful consequences towards Colony 9."

"But it's your job to do what's right and just. Not to appease."

"I know, I know. But I know how angry they are. How angry I am."

He wanted to bring her into his arms, but he knew he couldn't. Not yet anyway.

"It's a lose lose situation. I'm used to it now. I just would like to have a win win once in a while." Melia dropped her hands into her pockets. "Thank you for letting me..."

"Vent?"

"Yes. Vent. Even if I knew what the outcome was to be, I appreciate your listening. I know it wasn't productive at all...but still." She gave him a small, sad smile.

It tugged at his heart; he wished he had a better answer, an answer that would help her. But there was none. Dunban closed the distance between them leaving inches between their bodies and asked, "Is there anything I can do?"

She shook her head. "No. It's a burden I must carry alone, but one I will gladly do in the service of my people. Besides, I think Mayor Laden will be pleased to hear that we are not going to war."

"Were you seriously considering war?"

"No, no, no. Not at all. I did forget myself during the last meeting and may have threatened the Mayor in a fit of rage..."

"I never thought of you as a power hungry tyrant." He teased.

"It was nothing like that! I was just incensed by his response."

"And so you responded with aggression. I would've liked to see that." Dunban said and moved closer to Melia, the space between their bodies now almost imperceptible.

"I assure you it was most unbecoming behavior." She responded, slightly flustered, her cheeks turning pink. But Melia did not move away.

"All the more reason to witness it."

"I don't think you'd like to see me very angry. Or frustrated."

"Are you so sure? I think I would be very interested to see you so impassioned." He grinned slyly.

"I can be zealous when the occasion calls." She said, a challenge in her eyes.

"And what sort of situation would I have to devise in order to see this passionate side of you?"

Before she could answer, the grandfather clock rang. Dunban's eyes darted to the origin of the noise, annoyed at the interruption. It was nine o'clock.

"I need to go." Melia said resolutely, but remained where she was.

"Your secret place?"

Now it was her turn to smirk. "Yes, if you must know."

"I do. Will you ever tell me where you go this late? I'm forced to assume the worst." Their faces were now mere inches apart. He could see the hesitancy mixed with curiosity in her eyes.

"In time. I must admit, it's rather fun to tease you." She looked up at him from under her lashes coyly and his pulse quickened.

"You like having the upper hand?"

"I think so. Maybe you are right, Dunban. Maybe I am a power hungry tyrant." There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. His blood ran hot in his veins.

"Is that how it is? Be careful. I may revolt." He could feel the breath from her lips on his cheek. They were so very close to one another.

"And what happens if you do? What will you do?"

"What would you like me to do?"

The opening of the front door was heard behind them and the Homs pulled his face back a few inches. "Have a good rest of your night, Melia."

"You as well, Dunban." She whispered, her voice breathy and her cheeks a rosy red.

With a small bow, Dunban left the apartment, electric shocks of desire pulsing through his body and an image of Melia's hypnotic eyes playing in his mind.

A/N: Things are starting to heat up! Get ready because things are going to get crazy! Please leave a review; it would be much appreciated :)