Sephora took a deep breath. Reminding herself she was doing this for her people, that they needed information on Vince's plans. If Ravyn had come up with nothing through spying, then Sephora had to get it through other means. This was necessary. She could do this, she wouldn't allow herself to be intimidated or afraid - she wouldn't be afraid.So Sephora squared her shoulders, well aware she was still in her gold and silver evening dress. Perhaps that could also work in her favor, she told herself. Before her, Vince's grin widened, and so Sephora took a step forward.The Lady of light walked up the the Lord of darkness, with her shoulders back and her head held high. And watched the Lord give a low bow, before straightening and offering her a large, tanned hand. Sephora took his hand without hesitation, marveling at how someone who lived in shadows and darkness, could be so tanned - maybe he could let her father in on a few pointers of how he did it. But Sephora quickly shut out the t

"Leave that to me." Sephora smiled, and began to head for the door, Vince quietly followed. And just because he would trust her more, and it was the truth, she turned to him and said, "I believe in your dream, too, Vince. I had to leave my family behind. They probably think I'm dead, and my brother who is only 5 - has had to live in fear all his life. If there is a way to change the veil-stones, I will do anything I can to help."Vince gave a sad smile, and nodded, "Thank you."He pushed the door open for her, and lead her down the dark corridors once again, until they came to an archway - filled with swirling black mist and shadows. A portal. They stopped before it and Vince picked up Sephora's hand, to gently kiss the back of it."Until, we meet again." Vince dropped her hand, and gave Sephora a smooth bow.She smiled and offered him a curtsy, "Good evening, my Lord."And with that, the Lady of light turned her back on the Lord of darkness, and stepped into the portal.Sephora arriv

Ravyn noticed Sephora eyeing out the piano, and smiled a little. Sephora witnessed that smile, and humbled herself enough to admit,"I used to play the piano with my mother." She told the Shadow. Instantly wishing her mother were here to play with her now. Sephora quickly pushed the feeling away - it was too painful.But there was understanding in the Shadow's eyes, and the smile disappeared, "I'm sorry."Sephora frowned, "What for?""That you were taken from your family." Ravyn's face was so full of anguish and sorrow. That Sephora felt like she'd been punched in the stomach for ever disliking the female. And the way she'd said it -"You know what that feels like?" Sephora's question was tentative, as though trying not to upset the Shadow further.Ravyn shook her head, tears already swelling in the depths of those blue eyes. "My mother died giving birth to me." She whispered. Sephora was stunned into silence. "I have no idea what she looked like, except that she had blue eyes like mi

She began stressing as she made her way up the steps toward his study. She didn't know what to say, whether she should apologize, to say that she understood why he'd avoided her, to forgive him for hurting her - she had no idea what to do.All those words she'd built up and arguments she'd constructed in her head, had been completely washed away by what she'd been told about last night. Ambrose hadn't wanted to hurt her, he was trying to spare her from his actions, just as he'd always done - he didn't want to force her into anything. Sephora's heart pained at the thought, at the fact that he had that much respect and care for her. He had no idea how much she loved him because of that.Sephora reached the door to his study, the obsidian door, cold beneath her clammy fingers. Was she really that nervous? She quickly brushed her hands down her pale blue chiffon and gold dress, the same shade of blue Ambrose had worn last night. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself, before gently easi

After playing the piano, until her fingers were stiff and bruised, and her heart and soul had finally returned from the clouds to re-inhabit her body, Sephora trudged up to bed and collapsed onto the silken covers. Exhaustion dragging her to sleep, after her late night visit with Vince during the ungodly hours of the morning.She woke up a few hours later, to glance at her bedside desk, her clock telling her that it was almost time for dinner. Sephora groaned and rolled onto her back, staring at the cream ceiling of her four-poster bed, reluctant at wanting to get up anytime soon.She was still silently stressing about when to tell Ambrose what she'd been up to. After she'd quite deliberately gone behind his back, and did exactly what he'd told her not to do - which was play into Vince's hand, to get information. And although it made her a hypocrite, for not being honest with him, and it made her untrustworthy for disobeying him - she'd got the information they so desperately needed,