Reed woke at someone's touch. Soft, warm hands stroked his body. For some reason, wearing the upper part of his armor was off, and now someone was carefully tracing patterns on his chest and stomach. The first conscious feeling he had was fear. Reed opened his eyes abruptly and jumped up. A muffled "oh" came from nearby as fear gave way to embarrassment, and then to joy. Meredith was lying by his side, and when Reed jumped up, he bumped her.

  "Sorry," he exhaled, lying back down. "I… I got scared."

  "It's okay," she said, propping herself up on her elbow and studying his face. Tears welled up her eyes.

  Reed could not get enough of her beauty or her caresses, so he greedily seared into his memory everything Meredith could give. Reed looked at her and suddenly found himself thinking that it pained him to see her this way. He raised a hand, stroked her cheek, and quietly muttered something that only she could hear.

  Meredith smiled through her tears.

  "Holy Alaira, I was afraid that you… I…. oh Hector. What happened?" She asked.

  "I was poisoned with karida," Reed answered, taking her palm and pressing it to his lips.

  "Who?"

  "A woman. I accidentally poked my nose where it didn't belong."

  He lied to her not because he wanted to or was used to it. For the first time in his life, he was lying out of fear. Who knew how things would turn out if Meredith learned the truth? The truth was cruel and dirty, not something she would like. That was why Reed lied. He wanted to keep Meredith and her love, to hold on as if she were already slipping away from him. He would not even have been surprised if she rejected him after learning the truth. Thus, nothing but lies remained. Even Meredith seemed like a mirage, and the fact that she belonged to him was more like a fever dream. Something like this should never have happened at all.

  "Is she still alive?" A trace of rage flickered in Meredith's voice.

  At her reaction, something stung painfully in Reed’s chest. It would have been natural for Reed to ask such questions, to take revenge and kill for a personal goal, but not for Meredith. She was not supposed to become like him. But Meredith had absorbed much from him, and this had begun even before their relationship had changed.

  "No, she was hanged. I wasn't the first on her list."

  Meredith was quiet for a moment and then asked, "Is this related to your work?"

  "No, it was an accident. Don't think about it," Reed said, pulling Meredith close and inhaling the scent of her hair. A rush of memories surfaced, and his cheeks immediately flushed. Barely managing to compose himself, he said, "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm staying with you for a while. Here."

  "For how long?"

  "For several Moons."

  Meredith kissed him suddenly. Despite his fatigue, he responded with a desperate fervor. She pressed her whole body against him, wrapping her leg around his waist, while he cradled the back of her head with one hand and gripped her thigh with the other. Meredith was crying, and the salt of her tears lingered on his lips, but he could not pull away. He kissed her boldly, persistently, and openly. Silencing her sobs, he claimed her lips and knew that she liked it. Meredith trembled, her fingers digging into Reed's shoulder. Her hot, rapid breath burned his skin and his heart.

  When he was finally able to let her go, he asked, "I got a question for you. Will you answer honestly?"

  "Of course," Meredith said, seductively tracing her bottom lip with her tongue as she caught her breath. At that moment, she looked exceptionally beautiful.

  "If you had to choose, whose side would you take, mine or Maró's?" Reed asked seriously, lowering his voice.

  "Hector, is there something I don't know?" Fear flickered across her face. "Last time you asked about the Advisor, and now… it looks strange, don't you think?"

  "Sure," Reed sighed. "Maró is hiding a lot from you all. Or perhaps just from you personally, but it's the truth."

  "Like?"

  "Like the fact that Salvat was killing mages in the castle. Their bodies were later buried in the Maple Garden,” Reed explained. “Their hands were severed, too. I heard them screaming. They are being kept there, and all I know is that Salvat was defying nature. And Maró kept quiet about it, even though he surely knew."

  "But what about...?"

  "Him hunting the Order? Nonsense. I was too close to Salvat. No one sent patrols beyond the capital’s border, no one mentioned the Order. I don't think anyone even knew about it, except for the person who helped me through the Tournament. You never thought Maró isn’t so innocent as he appears?"

  "That can't be," Meredith said, jumping up in fear. She stared into Reed's face as if waiting for him to say it was a joke. But Reed was not joking.

  "Think for yourself, why would he hide such a thing? How many mages has he saved over the last few years?"

  "Almost none, but the hunt has been going on for a long time and is only getting worse. There are almost no mages left," she replied.

  "Mages are rare these days, true. But now their path ends in the cellars of the royal castle rather than at the Square of the Three. What stopped Maró from contacting his man in the castle and finding out where the hunt would be? Why didn't he arrive there earlier? Why was he silent? I’m sure he knew but concealed it. Dita, do you believe me?"

  Reed propped himself up on his elbows. Their faces were very close. He wanted Meredith to believe him. He had never wanted someone’s trust as much as he had then. Especially when he was telling the truth.

  "You're saying terrible things." She stood up and began pacing the room, her despair deepening with every step.

  Reed stood up after her, fighting dizziness. He caught her and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her slightly, but he still could not catch her eye.

  "Dita," he called out pleadingly, lowering his voice. "Please, do you believe me?"

  Finally, Meredith looked at him. For a moment, the image of the twelve-year-old girl whom Reed had saved from the hunt slipped through her cold, somber beauty. In truth, that child had always been there, hidden behind a fa?ade of a strong young woman. Reed realized that she was still afraid of the same things. The same pain tormented her. She was only an echo of the Meredith she could have been if she hadn't been so afraid. Meredith was irrevocably scarred, and Reed saw it just now.

  "If not you, then who else can I trust?" she said almost inaudibly. "How could he, Hector?"

  "I don't know, but I had to tell you. You have no idea how much I wish I could say otherwise," he whispered.

  "I choose you," Meredith said, ignoring his words. "I’m afraid of losing you. Seeing you like this today is painful."

  Reed's breath hitched. He embraced her impulsively. Her hair tickled his skin, but it was pleasant. Running his fingers through her thick, coarse hair, Reed savored the moment. Meredith's lips lightly touched his bare shoulder, and then she began showering his chest, neck, and chin with quick kisses.

  "I'm sorry," Reed whispered. Meredith trembled, wrapping her arms around him. He held her closer. "Death is always too close, Dita. It's around every corner, and no one can escape. The only difference is whether you have something to live for and something to die for. Death didn’t stalk me as long as I had neither and I wasn’t afraid."

  "Don't say such things to me," Meredith grumbled crossly.

  "Don't you know who I am?" Reed asked with pain in his voice. "Didn't you know that I'm always flirting with death?"

  "I knew, but it doesn't have to be like this forever."

  "If we make it to the end of this, I'll find something else to do."

  "Really? What would you do?" she suddenly smiled, perking up.

  "Maybe I'd become a sailor or a guardsman, hmm? After all, I've already served the King. They'd snap me up in a heartbeat," Reed joked.

  Meredith did not answer. She just pressed a light kiss to his bare chest, embraced him, and exhaled softly.

  "I love you. No matter who you are, Hector. Masks may change, but you’re still the same. And I’m ready for any fork in your path except those where you are gone. I can’t let you die. You understand?"

  Reed nodded and then kissed her, burying his fingers into her long, dark hair. He jerked the skirt of her light dress up sharply, exposing Meredith's legs. His fingers squeezed her soft thigh, leaving crimson marks on the skin, and then moved higher. Under the pressure of his hands, she arched pliably, allowing him to touch her. He nearly tore off her underwear, trying to catch her every movement, every groan. Their kiss was bitter but necessary for them both. His bold, masterful movements left Meredith breathless.

  She pushed him onto the bed abruptly and nimbly ended up on top. Reed smiled like a well-fed cat and reached for the buttons of her dress, while his other hand moved between her legs again. His head was spinning, whether from weakness or from her closeness. For some reason, he was especially greedy this time. He was not lying when he said that death was always close. It had been breathing down his neck for years now. If it hadn't been for Meredith, he would have looked death in the eye long ago. Everything that had happened to him lately made Reed want Meredith more than ever. Therefore, he was impatient, perhaps somewhat rough and greedy for her caresses.

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  "Iris is coming," Meredith suddenly gasped, jumping up. She frantically adjusted her dress while Reed tried to quell the storm in his soul. His face burned, he felt slightly nauseous, and his head spun. He would not have been able to satisfy his desire no matter how much he wanted to, but he could have enjoyed her pleasure. Instead, Reed just watched as Meredith worked on the buttons of her dress and admired her. A blush appeared on her cheeks, her lips were parted, and her eyes burned, glancing at him from under her long, thick hair. She wore it down so rarely that in these infrequent moments, Reed memorized her every look.

  "Don't tell her anything yet," Reed requested, sitting up.

  Meredith nodded, and soon the door opened. Iris entered, glanced at them both, blushed, and mumbled something as she left a bag on the table. Reed put on a silly grin, feeling like an awkward youth who had kissed a girl for the first time.

  "How do you feel?" Iris asked awkwardly, trying not to look at them.

  "Fine, I think. I don't know. Every time it feels easier, but then it still washes over me."

  "That's normal." She reached into her bag and began feverishly searching for something. "Karida in such doses should have killed you. Apparently, while you were unconscious, they gave you an antidote, but the damage from karida is very substantial. You’ll feel unwell for a while longer. You'll have nosebleeds and feel nauseous at times until the poison leaves your body. You know that yourself, don't you?"

  "No, I usually used poison to kill."

  "Here." She tossed him a strange vial of dark liquid. "Drink when it gets worse. You won't collapse, and it’ll pass faster."

  "Thank you."

  "Can I ask one thing?" She turned sharply toward Reed, frowning as if frightened by something. After he nodded, she continued, "Were you really poisoned because of something other than the Advisor?"

  "Really," he nodded, carefully choosing his words. "I saw something I shouldn't have seen, but it’s not about Salvat."

  "Good." A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Usually soft and yielding, Iris was tense, and it looked strange. "I thought… never mind."

  "Is everything alright?" Meredith's voice broke the thick, unpleasant silence that had settled after Iris went silent. And that voice was nearly the only thing in the world capable of calming Reed.

  Iris cast a strange look at Meredith and shrugged.

  "I don't know. Maró wants me to go to the castle with you once you feel better. A healer's position isn’t taken now. He wants me to be there."

  "And do you want to be there?" Reed asked, processing this unexpected news. It was very likely Maró was sending his daughter to the castle to have an extra pair of eyes and ears. Only one question remained, whose side was Iris on?

  "Not at all, but I can't refuse." Tears welled in her eyes, and Iris stood up quickly, but before leaving, she said briefly, "Keep your voices down. I heard something. It's better if you don't discuss certain things here at all. If Maró finds out..."

  Iris slipped out the door, and soon her footsteps faded away down the corridor. Meredith stared at the door as if she saw the very essence of life there. Her hand covered Reed's and squeezed tightly. She was afraid, and it was clear that Reed shared her fear. Exhaling heavily, he fell back onto the bed, lost in his thoughts.

  "Why would Maró send Iris to the castle?" Meredith asked in a whisper.

  "Most likely to keep watch. Don't tell her anything at all, please. I'm not sure how safe it is."

  "Oh, Alaira, what have we gotten ourselves into?" Meredith exhaled heavily and lay down beside Reed, as he gently embraced her and kissed her temple.

  "There is a way out. I just need to find it," Reed whispered.

  Meredith stayed with him until dawn, awake and silent for most of the night. As Reed felt her breath on his skin, he thought that this was one of the best nights of his life.

  ***

  Reed stayed at the house of the Order for three more Moons. Every day it grew hotter. The Month of Rains was approaching. Then, the heat would only intensify, marking the first sign of summer. Soon, things became easier for him. The dizziness subsided, Reed felt less nauseous, and he began to forget about the nosebleeds. His strength was returning, and he knew he would have to leave soon. On the one hand, he wanted to finish what he had started as quickly as possible. On the other hand, Reed passionately hated the necessity. While he was with the Order, Meredith was always nearby.

  It seemed as if they lived a normal life. Meredith would visit and they would talk. Sometimes Reed would catch her in the corridors, shower her with greedy kisses, and leave as she stood blushing. There was something in this intimacy that Reed had never known, and once he had experienced it, he could no longer imagine how to live without it. He did not know how to live without Meredith. At the same time, he noticed her anxiety, and sometimes even rage, though Meredith could not say exactly what the reason was. Perhaps she did not even know herself.

  Reed feared he was right and that he was not changing her for the better. He dismissed those thoughts, believing he had influenced her long ago, if he were even capable of it. Besides, influencing a grown woman like Meredith was no small feat. Life had not been kind to her, and they both knew it, so Reed suspected that her temper was not so much his fault as it was a shadow of her past. Perhaps it had always been there and she knew how to hide it. In any case, he loved even her rage, which she diligently hid behind masks, and Reed had learned to remove those as well.

  Iris tried to stay away. They almost never spoke, only occasionally greeting each other. After some time, it turned out that only Iris suspected an affair between Meredith and Reed, but he did not intend to either confirm or deny it. Only Hans could have known for certain, but he kept quiet. And Reed was ready to knock the kid’s teeth out if he let it slip. It was pleasant to keep their relationship to themselves. The privilege of a secret and its significance became a special kind of pleasure for Reed. On the other hand, he feared that the truth coming out might harm Meredith. He was neither a noble husband nor a worthy suitor, and he could give her nothing but himself. For some, this was enough, while others were not even interested. The Order's trust in Meredith could also change. They would be right not to trust her, as Meredith could kill Maró if the situation required it.

  That evening, Reed was heading to Meredith's, hoping to steal another night from her, when he suddenly heard shouting. He pondered if it was any of his business. It was not, but his gut told him that something was wrong. He turned the corner, the sounds grew louder, and Reed was soon in the stone corridor leading to Iris's room. It was dark, but the cracks in the doors let through thin slivers of light. Approaching closer, he heard familiar shouting, but he could not quite discern the words. However, he definitely recognized Maró and Iris. Creeping closer, he made out some words, but still nothing substantial. Iris shouted something angrily, then there was a slap and a crash. By that moment, Reed was no longer listening.

  He kicked in the door with all his might. The scene made Reed frown. Iris was sitting on the floor with blood running from her split lip, while boxes, glass shards, and fallen vials lay scattered everywhere. She was not crying, and Maró was furious. Reed needed only a moment to think before his fist connected with Maró’s jaw.

  The mage noticed Reed immediately but did not have time to react, only stumbling from the blow. Reed quickly pressed a blade to his stomach.

  "If you want a fight, find yourself an equal opponent," Reed hissed, pressing down.

  "Reed, don't," Iris cried, smearing blood across her face. He did not care how she had offended the Maró.

  "This business is none of your concern," Maró growled. "And I don't have to explain anything to you."

  "I didn't ask you about your conversation," Reed replied.

  Reed spoke quietly, but he did not need to shout. He had been involved in many vile things, but he did not believe that Iris deserved such treatment. He found the sight repulsive.

  "Then get out," the mage said, pushing Reed away. Reed stepped back but did not hide the dagger. Instead, he toyed with it in his hand, ready to use it at any moment.

  "I'll leave after you. And if your hands are still itching for more, I'll rearrange your face first."

  "Reed, please," Iris pulled herself up and grabbed his arm. Reed broke free without looking at her. Her grip restricted his movements and slowed his reaction.

  "Shut up!" Maró shouted. "I warned you and you knew everything! How many times do I have to repeat that you need to think twice before poking your nose into something?"

  "I'm sorry," Iris covered her face with her hands and sobbed. "I didn't mean to."

  Maró wanted to say something and even took a step toward Iris, but Reed stopped him.

  "You'd better go," Reed said, calmer now. He felt tired. He also felt ashamed for having seen something that was not meant for others' eyes.

  "You'll regret behaving this way later. And what will your people say when they find out you hit your daughter? If I heard it, someone else might hear it too. How will you explain later why the leader is so merciless to his own daughter? Your reputation is quite different. Some might begin to have doubts. Are you ready for doubts on the threshold of the final battle? Hm?" Reed spoke.

  Maró glared gloomily at Reed. Then he looked at Iris again.

  "This is none of your business. You’re not here for this. And the fact that you gotten under her skirts doesn't give you any right whatsoever to interfere in our family's affairs."

  "I don't need to possess a woman to protect her," Reed replied calmly. "Go before anyone hears your shouting."

  The mage spat, his face twisting in contempt, and he left, throwing one last remark at Iris.

  "Clean up your mess!"

  They were left alone. Reed exhaled heavily and sheathed his blade. He leaned his back against the wall and froze. He felt awkward looking at Iris. If he looked at her now, it would only add to her shame. She was crying, trying to stifle her sobs with the sleeves of her dress. And Reed didn't know what to do. Everything that had happened forced him to remember things he wanted to forget. A distant image appeared in his mind, bringing a lump to his throat.

  Reed blinked, shaking off the trance, and quickly approached Iris. Slowly and carefully, he reached out and touched her shoulder. She didn't look at him when Reed sat down beside her and gently embraced her, allowing her to relax. He wanted her to feel that she was not alone. It felt awkward to hug a woman who wasn't Meredith, but this wasn't about love. Iris needed it, and his empathy was keen enough to understand that.

  "Everything's fine now," Reed mumbled quietly, pulling away. He picked up a piece of cloth hanging on the edge of the table and awkwardly handed it to her. Her face was swollen from crying, and her lips were puffy. She gave a faint smile and muttered something. Reed felt uneasy. He rose quickly and offered her his hand. Trying not to look at her in such a state, he began picking up the scattered items from the floor, piling them up haphazardly just to look busy.

  Iris touched his shoulder lightly, forcing him to stop.

  "Don't, I'll clean it up," she said in a barely audible voice.

  "It's no trouble," Reed said, still unable to look her in the eye. "Sorry, I couldn't just leave it like this."

  "Thank you." Iris made him turn and face her. Reed studied the bloody streaks on her face, and anger rose in his heart once more. "In a way, he was right, but thank you anyway."

  "Even if he was right, it doesn’t mean... Why did he get so furious, Iris?"

  "That’s between us, but usually, he doesn't even need a reason. Maró has harbored rage inside him for many years, and the closer his grand revenge gets, the harder it is for him to contain that fury. He has waited too long."

  "That's not an answer."

  "I know, and I don't have another one. He’s always treated my mother and me this way. I think Maró felt relief when she passed away. I’m the only one left as a reminder of his failure".

  Reed’s mind drifted back to what he had tried so hard to forget. He remembered the kreyghar who had been his father. Reed relished the moment the bastard died. If he had a chance, he’d kill him again, even if it didn't make life any easier. Everything that had happened to Reed since he got involved with Maró stirred up unpleasant feelings, forcing him to relive memories he loathed to remember.

  "Who was he before he gathered the Order?"

  "I don't know," Iris shrugged. "He never told me. I only know that he is from a very wealthy family and has many connections."

  "Fine, forget it," Reed waved a hand. "What about the castle? Has he changed his mind?"

  "We can leave soon. I'm already preparing. Listen," Iris faltered, glanced briefly at the door, and continued in a lowered voice, "I wanted to tell you..."

  "Not to trust Maró?" Reed cut in with a smirk. "I never did, but thank you anyway."

  Iris smiled awkwardly, dimples appearing on her cheeks, but there was anxiety in her eyes. It was as if she wanted to say something else but simply couldn't bring herself to do it, so she just stared at the floor. When their eyes met, Reed realized it was better not to ask. After everything he had seen, he began to understand what a single extra word might cost her. It wasn't that he particularly cared about Iris, but he didn't want to be the cause of her suffering either.

  Reed gave a silent nod and headed for the exit. The situation with Iris worsened his already strained relationship with Maró, but Reed could handle some animosity. It didn't affect his plans in any way. The only thing worth considering was the need to take Meredith and run if Maró won.