Talks started to spread across the castle that maybe Adaline was playing a double game with Stefan and the Darkling. It took everything in Freya and Irina's power to shun the spread of any rumour. They weren't going to tolerate anything against Adaline. That morning had proved their love for her to be true.

Adaline was facing a tough time with all the stares and whispers that spread around whenever she walked through the castle. She could scare them with her powers if she wanted to but all she had to do was summon a sphere in her hand. The eyes would revert to minding their own business.

Stefan walked into his sister's room after she told him that they had some unfinished business to talk about. He knew that she did not like Adaline for whatever reason, but he was the reason that the castle was safe. He was glad that he was able to get Adaline to calm down. He had never thought that she would have a breakdown with her powers because she always seemed so confident about herself.

"Stay away from her." Maria started the conversation by coming directly to the point.

"Maria."

She scoffed. "You really don't see the reality, do you?" Her brother was completely in her trance. She knew that Adaline had done nothing wrong but Maria had to keep her family safe, no matter the cost.

"Well, you've always told me that I have a bit of a long sight." He tried to crack a joke but his sister was very serious, and he had never seen her like that. "Why?"

"While you were holding Adaline, the Darkling was looking at the two of you. While the entire eyes were on both of you, I was looking out for trouble. He may have looked like he was surrounded by shadows but I could feel his stare on you."

Stefan realised what she was trying to imply. It seemed improbable really. He couldn't see why the Darkling would be what his sister was stating. "That's none of my business."

"But it is! He can hurt anyone that he wants. It's exactly like you said. Father trusts the Darkling more than anything. He has the upper hand here."

He did not like hearing that, especially not when it came to Adaline. "Did he hurt you?" Everyone was scared of the Darkling and though the royals preferred to keep their distance, he knew that there was a reason for Maria to be talking to him about this at that point in time.

"No. I stay away from him."

"I can take care of myself."

Maria couldn't respond to that. "Do you care for her just because she looks like Bella?" She hit his feelings with a guillotine.

"Bella has nothing to do with this." His jaw clenched but he got the words out.

"Doesn't she?" She asked. "Don't you see her eyes in Adaline's? Her spirit?"

"Don't."

"You care for her because she reminds you of someone that you love." She tried to talk to him calmly, knowing that that would prick more. "But you have to stay away from her. The Darkling gets what he wants. And he has eyes for her."

"Maria, this has nothing to do with you. What I feel for Adaline is not what I felt for Bella. She is not Bella. If the Darkling has eyes for her, I will fight him for her."

Meanwhile, the lovebirds Maxwell and Irina took a walk outside. They were learning everything that they could about each other and were glad to be with each other. Every moment was precious.

"Oh, I completely forgot!" Maxwell started. "I have to give Adaline a very important letter. I'll be back in ten minutes."

"Do you have to go now?"

He cupped her face. "I'm afraid so. After her episode today, I think she'll need this."

"Give it to her soon then. She's miserable. With everything that is going on, she doesn't want to leave her room. I wish I could help her but now that you can, hurry." She kissed him quickly before he headed towards the castle.

Maxwell managed to bang against the one person who wanted fresh air. "Prince Stefan! I'm so sorry, I was in a hurry and I didn't see you."

"Don't worry about it." Stefan couldn't listen to the nonsense that his sister was unwilling to let go. He saw the Head of the Guards hold an ivory envelope in his hand but it did not have the Darkling's seal. "What is that?"

"Oh." Maxwell looked at it. "It's a letter for Adaline."

"Did she ask you to contact her family?"

"Yes." Something told him that the Prince was aware about it.

"How do you think the Darkling will react?" Maxwell was his personal guard after all.

"I don't know what's going on between him and her, and it is none of my business either." Maxwell was known to be open about his feelings when it came to serious things. "But she needs this. I know she does."

Stefan wanted to meet her and that seemed like the best opportunity. But how could he? Every instinct in his body wanted to be with her. He had never felt this way before but whatever it was, he liked Adaline more than a friend.

"Oh come on, old friend." Stefan smiled, dropping his act of being the professional upper hand and hugging his best friend.

Maxwell and Stefan had been inseparable and they had grown together in the palace grounds. Maxwell's family was being paid a good sum for his services. Stefan made sure of that. They were always together but after he left Ravka, he only kept in touch through letters.

"Were you heading somewhere?" Maxwell asked.

"Fresh air. Long day." He inhaled sharply.

"Sorry I interrupted you then. I'll let you get your fresh air."

Stefan smiled. "Please give her that letter and tell her that I had some part in it?"

Maxwell laughed. "Are you still thinking about the dance?"

Stefan and Maxwell stood next to each other during the night of the ball. They were talking about battle strategies just to spite some of the guests that had arrived but when the music for a waltz started to play, they stood gobsmacked when the Darkling was on the dance floor.

"Adaline." Stefan whispered, not meaning to.

Maxwell wasn't sure if he had heard his friend right. "What?"

"Nothing." He tried to shrug it off but his anger was quite clear to his friend.

"Why don't you dance like that?" He tried to pull his leg. "You like her." He noticed it and made sure that nobody else did.

"I hate him, Maxwell. Oh, I hate him so much!"

"You should ask her out for a dance rather than releasing steam out of your ear here." He noted that the last two words rolled out of his tongue.

"I will. Oh, I will!"

Maxwell could see that Stefan liked Adaline and was glad that he could stop Stefan from taking a walk outside. He needed to have a word with him but that evening wasn't the right time for it. 

"Alright." Stefan clapped his arm. "Go and give her the letter." 

"I'll let you get your fresh air." He said, before climbing up the stairs to the dormitories. But halfway up there, he was stopped by Stefan.

"Maxwell? I need your help."