I wander up the stairs, defeated, and thankfully not being escorted by anyone. That did not go as I expected. Here I was hoping I would be going back to my family, leaving this mess behind me. But now I'm walking to what will be my room for an undetermined amount of time. I refuse to allow it to be awhile, though. Whatever it might take, I'm going to escape this place. Suddenly a figure appears from around the corner. Pausing, I watch them approach, head down as they stare into a book, oblivious to each step they take before them. A girl, close to my age no doubt.

I walk into the dining hall for breakfast the next morning with my head held high. Taius is alone, sitting at the table, having not touched a single piece of food on the table. What I can see of the breakfast, looks foreign, with fruits and citrus found only in the warmer climates such as the Golden Province, cut and displayed in a way that has my stomach yearning for a taste. His eyes find me, more olive green this morning rather than the shadowy forest colour like what I stared into last night during my bath. My blood chills at the intensity of his gaze, the sensuous way it sweeps across

I knock on the door, my breath hitched in my throat. The note is crumpled in my hand, but I brought it nonetheless. I'm here less out of necessity, and more out of curiosity. Vaia summoned me to her quarters with a quickly written note, containing nothing but a few words. I'm frightened she's here to pummel me over the head for being in her brothers company, or rip the clothes from my body and claim them as hers. As much as Vaia is not my favourite person in this place, she does have a beautiful quarter all to herself, that I find myself envying. From rich wooden floors sweeping up to pale wallpaper, the place is furnished neatly with a few rugs, furniture and most impressively, hand-built, carved bookshelves laden with an endless supply of books.

Jessa. I'm writing to let you know I'm safe. I have no doubt me leaving abruptly in the night troubled you, but know everything is okay. I have a job now, a better one. You'll never believe it, but I'm working for a King. I wish you and Fran could get a job too. I miss you two. Anyways, I hope you're doing well, and if you wish to write back, then send it to this address. Akara.

Where Marek is being held isn't exactly pleasant. Shadows guide me down a hallway bathed in smooth concrete, the dim lights above me doing little to ease my anxiousness. Despite it being a holding cell at the edge of Taius's property, it was easy to access. The Guards simply watched me, as I ran, distraught to the entrance, as if they knew their was little point in stopping me. The Nobles had quickly retired to their rooms after the incident. Taius couldn't stop me, as I ran out to where Marek is being held.&n