Much different than from the night before, Maize did not wake from a nightmare and was the first one in the garden waiting for Laris instead of the other way around. For some time she sat alone in the same alcove, reconsidering what she was doing there in the first place. She changed her position from all three benches before she began pacing around the box of rose bushes.

Losing track of how much time had passed, she was beginning to think Laris wasn't going to show when the crunch of boots on gravel had her hand hovering over the knife strapped to her thigh beneath her dress.

He had bathed and changed into clean clothes, but much like her Laris looked as if he still hadn't slept since the day before.

Relaxing some, she actually gave him a welcoming smile when she noticed something in between his hands. "What's that?"

"This?" He held it up for her to see. "A gift, actually. Though somewhat self-serving, if I may be so bold."

Maize furrowed her brows as he handed her the black-sating wrapped parcel. It was heavier than expected, and Maize placed it on her wrap as she began to pull the material away. Laris in turn took a seat on the bench next to her, watching her expectantly.

Beneath the dark material was a blue leather-bound tome detailed with gold-plated filigree. There was no title but the cover work alone was art in and of itself. But it also meant she needed to look inside to determine what it was...

"The Spectre's Vow," she whispered.

"I know you said you didn't enjoy it when you were younger, but consider this my thanks for assisting me yesterday. And now that you have it, perhaps I can convince you to work on lines with me again."

She smiled up at him. "Self-serving indeed."

"May I?" he asked, holding out his hands.

She passed him the book.

He flipped through the pages with purpose and stopped about halfway through, placing the open book back on her lap.

On the left page was handwriting, which she assumed to be Laris' by the look of the inscription. To Maizelyn, it said in the margin, and then a line of the play's text was underlined, signed with kindest regards in the opposite margin.

"We need to search inside the aftermath of the patrimony to uncover the secrets we've been seeking our entire existence."

"My favorite line of the entire performance," Laris informed her. "There were certain parts my mother ensured I knew by heart growing up- this was one of them."

She slowly closed the book, meeting his gaze. "Laris this... thank you. You didn't have to get me this."

"I know. But like I said, self-serving. And I rarely have the opportunity to say thank you to those who help me."

Maize worried at the inside of her cheek and set the book aside on the bench next to her. She turned to face Laris before she spoke, her attention fully on the blue gaze of the prince sitting so close next to her.

"I have something to ask of you, then. If I may be so bold."

"By all means."

"There is someone who will be on the Hunt tomorrow... who I fear may harm someone dear to me. And I don't necessarily mean physically though I wouldn't count out such an option."

"If this is Lawson Forge, I assure you he will not harm anyone. I specifically asked that he join us on the Hunt to keep him away from you after that display in the library."

Maize wasn't expecting that. "I... no, not Forge, but thank you for doing that." She cleared her throat as her cheeks reddened under his scrutiny. "It is the husband of the Lady I saw you speaking with at the Ball. Caden of Alynthi."

"Lady Findara's husband?"

Maize nodded. She knew she was treading dangerous waters and getting herself- and the prince- involved where neither of them belongs, but Cade threatened Ress, and she was not going to stand for it, regardless of how Ress may feel.

"My footman, Restor, has been tasked with attending the Hunt with some of the other castle's servants. Caden has a history with him, and I don't trust him to not repeat his past actions. I only ask that someone keep out an eye while I cannot be there."

"If you prefer, I could ask him to remain behind- either of them-"

"No," she said quickly. Ress couldn't stay behind as much as she wished he would. She'd have loved to have him by her side as she broke into Forge's personal chambers, but Ress would know she didn't feel as though he could handle himself, which he could. And they both knew that he was right, and she needed the herbs. If he didn't go with them to the Hunt and at least make it look like he was with them for the time, he'd never be able to discover the information they needed to get the herbs.

"Just... please... keep an eye out for him. For both of them. If anything happened to Restor-"

"He's more than a footman to you then?"

There was something in his voice that made Maize pause, and something in his gaze that stopped her heart. "Ress and I... we've been all each other have had for a long time. Coming here is challenging that. But... it's not entirely like that either."

"Like what?"

She swallowed. "We're partners, however you want to read into it. But we're also not... exclusive"

He perked a brow.

"I know. It's... unconventional. But it works. For us."

"Maizelyn, you don't need to justify it to me. Unless there is something you're asking of me?"

He gave her a suggestive smile that made more than her cheeks flushed. "I.... Oh gods, no, not like that, I-"

But his laughter cut through the seriousness of their conversation. "It's quite alright. I can't expect every courtier of mine to want to join me in my bed."

"Have any?"

"Not yet."

"There's still time."

"Indeed, there is."

Something passed between them, an unseen spark igniting. Maize hadn't realized how close their bodies drew to one another as they continued their conversation. How their knees touched and the tips of their fingers just touching where their hands rested on the bench.

She was warm despite the cold evening air. So warm that the consideration of shedding her clothes was a welcome release.

"I've certainly never met anyone like you before," he whispered, the warmth of his breath brushing against her lips.

"I'm not like anyone else," she breathed.

"I'll honor your request," he said softly, licking his lips as his attention dropped to hers. "If you'll do me the honor of a favor."

A million thoughts flooded Maize's surprisingly quiet mind, and none of them seemed to be requests she'd immediately turn away.

"Sit with me during the Grand Tournament next week. It would honor me to have someone such as you at my side."

Not what she was expecting. She hoped the disappointment wasn't evident in the torchlit shadows. "And it will anger your father, most likely."

"And Lawson Forge as well."

"Then I accept your invitation."

"And I, therefore, will honor your request, and protect your Restor with my life."

"Let's not get too dramatic."

"One can never tell on a Hunt."

"Speaking of, shouldn't you be attempting to sleep before you need to depart in the morning?

"Are you so eager to get rid of me, Lady Maizelyn?"

"On the contrary, I'd prefer you never leave."

Her admission fell like a shroud over them. Time stopped, and the world silenced. Neither moved, each other's attention wholly on the other. Had he stopped breathing? She certainly felt as though she had. Her heart certainly had.

It only skipped back to beating when Laris softly asked, "May I make one more request of you?"

"You may," she said, just as quiet.

"Will you allow me to kiss you?"

Maize licked her lips, unable to answer. All she could do was nod her head.

Laris didn't hesitate. He brought a hand up to cup her cheek, fingers tangling in the hair there as he lowered his mouth to meet hers. He didn't need to guide her to him- she was already closing the distance.

Their lips met with a tentative brush at first, as if neither was certain the other wanted to move forward with their endeavor but wanted to proceed just the same. He then kissed her deeply, her other arm wrapping around her to pull her close against him. She didn't hesitate, not as she braced a hand against his chest while she wrapped an arm around her neck to keep him where he was.

The kiss was deep and explorative, his tongue only begging entry once her lips parted in a contented sigh. She let the taste of him soothe her and allowed the warmth of him carry her away.

She lost time in that kiss, opening her eyes only when he gently pulled away. His blue gaze was glazed and his breathing deep. Her heart felt beating against her rib, begging for release. She didn't loosen her grip on him out of fear she'd melt away, but his touch on her cheek was soft.

"I do have an early morning, and as much as I would love to invite you back to my room, it wouldn't be fair for you."

"What wouldn't?"

"I plan on treating you like the Lady you are, and not a two-piece whore. I'll not have you sent from my quarters before the break of dawn so save anyone embarrassment. No, I'll want to invite you back proper, and allow you to remain as long as you want. As long as you'll allow me to have you."

"So instead, you're teasing me with a kiss?"

"With the promise of more once I return from the Hunt."

"I've heard it's rude to make a lady wait."

"I'll promise to make it up to her," he assured her with a smile. He finally released her and she allowed him to stand, holding out a hand to her once he did. "And tonight, I insist you allow me to walk you back to your room."

"With the possibility of me asking you to stay?" she mused as she stood, taking the offered hand.

"If only I could be so lucky, but again, you are a Lady, and I am a humble Prince, and I would never dare force myself into your private quarters."

"At least until after the Hunt."

"After the Hunt, anything goes."

She gave him a genuine smile as he led her back into the castle, and their conversation quieted so as not to draw any attention to themselves should anyone awake be roaming the halls late at night.

As promised, Laris was ever the prince as he brought her back to her room, and she refrained from inviting him inside, though what would have happened if he said yes, she was still uncertain. But the kiss he gave her before he departed, it was identical to the one they shared in the gardens and had he not stopped when he did she would have begged him to stay.

"After the Hunt," he whispered against her lips, a proclamation and a promise.

"Anything goes," she whispered, and he smiled against her lips, leaving her with one final kiss before releasing her to slip into her room.

She leaned against the door as soon as it shut tight behind her, listening to Laris' footsteps fade as he walked down the hallway.

And she was royally fucked.