If he had to attend one more reception, luncheon, dinner, soiree, or fete Zayn was going to lose his shit.

It was three days since he returned to the Manor, and barely a moment was spent out from under the hawk eyes of the Matron.

His sisters did their best, but Eudora was unmoved by schemes to redirect her attention. She was determined to keep Zayn chained here as long as she could.

Tonight's affair was a meeting with leaders of nearby steads. The Patrons of Viceroy and Peele, along with the Matrons from Vander, Guerra, and Kymber were in attendance with their children and a few senior Senators from their respective Enclaves.

Zayn had no idea why Eudora wanted him there. He had no hand in running Windemere and no interest in it. She made sure he was excluded from such things, and he set his interests elsewhere long ago.

Although from Selene's run down of the guest list, Zayn had the chilling suspicion Eudora was again looking to marry them both off quickly.

Tugging at the ruffled cuffs of his shirt, Zayn stood impatiently while the Steward announced him. Returning nods of greeting from several people he didn't know, he sought out a quiet corner to avoid them all.

"Lords, here you are," Selene breathed, sidling up to him.

They huddled together near one of the tall windows. Zayn gazed longingly at her, then tore his eyes away to look out over the wall, wondering what Vael was doing with himself today.

He missed him terribly. The ache of loneliness was not new. Zayn knew it well. Despite Selene's soothing presence, he couldn't be with her as much as he wanted to with Eudora's attention focused on him.

It was the depth and strength of the loneliness that surprised him. He missed Vael as badly as he missed Selene when he was away from the Manor.

"If she introduces me to one more fine young man, I'm going to puke all over his fine young boots," Selene muttered, snapping her fan open and working it in agitation.

"Just try meeting dozens of lovely young ladies," Zayn muttered, narrowing his eyes on a spurt of possessiveness he knew he had no right to feel. "All barely covered bosoms, not nearly as fine as yours, and empty smiles, stars."

"Zay go," Selene urged. "Just go. It's not as if she locks your door. You want out, get out. At least one of us should escape."

Zayn thought about it, and the idea had merit.

He could walk right out if he wanted to -and he did want to, there was no question of that- and he truly did not have to come back. Other than his sisters, there was nothing here for him. And they wanted him to be free of Eudora as much as he did.

The last few days showed him Eudora's control over him was in general due to his own compliance. If he chose to do as he pleased, he certainly could. He already proved her bullying was nearly all talk. At seventeen, Zayn was only a year away from his majority. And then, he would have complete control over his inheritance and his life.

Perhaps that was why Eudora was so keen to marry him off now. He couldn't let her do it to Selene, though. She was too spirited, too sharp to be chained to a man who only wanted her for the title and prestige the union would bring him.

And Selene's softly rounded figure in their bed.

The idea of any of the leering men he'd seen at the Manor pawing at her made him physically ill.

Perhaps Eudora believed Zayn's financial dependence on her kept him tethered. With his inheritance from his father, he could live quite comfortably and never need a thing from Eudora.

"I'm doing it," he said quietly.

"Good," Selene smiled. "Don't say anything, just go. And good luck to you, Zay. Be happy and be free."

"You deserve the same, Mini," he insisted. "Del and Letty have a purpose here, but Eudora has little use for us. Come with me."

"Don't tease," she hissed, tapping his shoulder with her fan. "I've no skills worth mentioning. What on earth would I do to support myself?"

"Help me rent the flats," he said. "Vael won't always be there, and a charming and lovely woman with knowledge of hosting would be good for business.

"We could put a tavern in one of the buildings, hold events, and the like. And there's a garden out back that needs work. I know nothing of such things. Come and help me, Mini, please. I can't leave you here. Out there, perhaps...maybe we can both be free."

Her blue eyes gleamed as she smiled. "My, you've given it some thought."

"I have. I know that when I escape from her, it leaves you to bear the brunt, and I'd never do that to you. No matter how much I want out, I can't leave you here. Say you'll come."

"Not now," Selene sighed, clearly torn. "Once we both have our majority I will. Till then she can tear it all apart if she claims regency."

"I've thought about that, too," Zayn replied, glancing around before he leaned close to speak into her ear. "I'm sure my pop would've been clever enough to fix it so she couldn't take it from me, but I must make certain. I'll send you word once I know for sure, and then you can come."

"Are you going now then?" She bit her lips, tears pooling in her eyes.

"I don't see why not. Now or later, I'm doing it. Not just for me, though. For both of us."

"Then go!" She hugged him close, stroking his hair. "Once you're off Manor grounds, you're free."

***

Finn Reeves blinked in surprise when the young man slipped into his office. He wore a dark hooded cloak and scarf over his face.

"Mr. Reeves, I'm so glad I caught you."

"Come in, sit, please," He gestured to a chair and the young man came forward after locking the door behind him.

"I wonder, do you know just how my father -Carmyne, I mean- set the terms of the property in my name?"

"I can get that for you, one moment." He rose and went to his locked file cabinet.

Zayn nodded, pulling the hood and scarf down and taking off his gloves. A small pack was on his back, and he sat it on the floor at his feet.

"I'm not returning to the Manor," he said quietly. "I need to know if Eudora can claim regency before my majority," he explained.

"Carmyne is too clever for that, surely," Reeves murmured, looking through his files to find the deeds.

"I'm hoping so."

"Here we are," he pulled the one he needed and returned to the desk. "I have the deeds and living will just here." He handed the file over.

He waited as Zayn looked over the papers within and smiled. "Bless my pop, I knew it," he breathed.

"Oh?"

"It's all listed under Z. Nicodemus," light green eyes danced.

"I don't understand."

"Eudora can only claim anything under Windemere as regency. She has no power over my inheritance at all, and never will."

"Clever Carmyne," Reeves smiled. "I knew he'd look after you."

"There are more deeds here," Zayn frowned. "What is this compound?"

"It's a property about half a day out of the Stead," Reeves said.

"I'll look at that later. What is this deposit box at Bank of Stead Viceroy?"

"Carmyne kept valuables and such at other steads," Reeves explained. "I believe he has a few scattered around the territory."

"Well, you hold on to these for now, if you would. I'll collect them when I have some secure place for them," Zayn closed the folder and handed it back. "Have you heard from Vael about the contractors?"

"Yes, milord. He said he would speak on it when he saw you again."

"Is he at the flat, then?"

"He mentioned staying on the rig until you returned," Reeves sighed. "He said the flat was too big without you."

Zayn smiled and pulled his gloves back on. Perhaps the Roamer missed him as much as he was missed.

"I'll seek him out, then. Thank you, Mr. Reeves. I'll speak with you again soon, and oh," he flipped his hood up and shouldered his pack as he stood, "do you think a tavern would do well there?"

Reeves blinked. "Oh, certainly, milord. So long as it didn't compete too hard with Betsy's, I'd say."

Zayn frowned, lifting his scarf. "Perhaps I'll speak with her about it. Thank you again."

Reeves nodded as the young man hurried out.

At last, he sighed, the boy was making a break for it. Carmyne would be thrilled.

***

For the third night in a row, Vael settled into his bunk on the Battle rig. He simply couldn't bear to be at the flat alone.

It was too empty without Zayn. He filled the space with his energy and curiosity. Vael accepted that he was addicted to those sharp, pale green eyes perfectly paired with auburn waves.

And freckles. He didn't know anyone else with freckles and Vael was obsessed with Zayn's. He was burning to know just how many Zayn had and where.

His bunk was much narrower than the bed and not as soft. It would do, of course, but it didn't equal the comfortable lodgings. He hoped that didn't mean he was growing resentful.

He loved Roaming. Loved being part of the crew. He'd never want to give it up.

But a break from it was nice, he found.

Very nice, if he had someone to share the time with.

When he was with Zayn, time flew instead of dragging along like a rig on flat tires overloaded with cargo. Normally, Vael avoided the packed streets of the Steads. He preferred the confines of the rigs, where everyone had a place, and everything had its space.

Now, he longed to walk the market, to browse, to wander aimlessly with Zayn beside him.

"Vael."

He sat up, ears pricked and straining to listen. Did he trick himself into hearing things?

"Vael are you here?"

"Zayn?"

He got up and moved over to the door, pushing it open.

"Oh good!" His friend grinned up at him, though his light green eyes remained shadowed in sadness. "I was hoping you weren't sleeping yet."

"You're back," Vael hurried down the steps to stand in front of the Steader that filled his thoughts. "Why are you all cloaked?"

"Never mind. Do you want to stay here, or come to the flat?"

"I'll come. Come in while I get my pack."

He stepped back so Zayn could climb up first. Vael shut the door behind him and went to his bunk.

"I'm so glad to see you," he said, stuffing his pack. He kept having to adjust things because he couldn't keep his eyes off Zayn. He just wasn't certain the Steader was really there, just when he was yearning so badly to see him.

"I was starting to wonder if the Matron would ever let you go."

"Oh, she didn't," Zayn sighed, "but it's not up to her anymore. I'm done with the Manor, for good. I hope Selene will be joining me soon."

"My," Vael chuckled. "You've got stories to tell, I'll say."

"A few, yeah. My pop left me with more than just this building. I've got a compound nearby and deposit boxes all over. I'll investigate those later. What did you think of the contractors?"

"I like none of them, but one. Come on." 

Vael shouldered his pack and led Zayn back out to the depot. He locked up and checked out with the Keymaster before linking an arm through Zayn's to stroll out of the depot.

"The one I like is Miss Ada," Vael continued, savoring Zayn being so close. "She was excited about your ideas. All the rest thought they'd do better, change things, do what's been done already, and didn't even wanna hear what you wanted. So, I suggest going with her if you want things done your way."

"Then I'll talk to her soon." Zayn lifted his face to the stars gleaming over them. "It's good to be out of there but I can't wait to get Mini out."

"Mini?"

"Selene," he laughed. "She's the shortest little thing."

"I look forward to meeting her," Vael smiled. "I missed you fierce."

Even in the dim moonlight, Zayn's blush was so adorable Vael had to chuckle quietly. 

"Me too," he murmured shyly. "So much. I knew I would, but it was like...pain. Like a part of me was ripped away. Like I miss Mini."

"Yeah sure," Vael nodded. "Empty."

"Never again," Zayn vowed. "Eudora has no hold over me. I won't let her control me anymore."

"Good for you," Vael grinned. "Hold fast, 'cuz I doubt she'll just take it."

"I went to Reeves to make sure. Nothing is listed under Windemere, so she can't claim regency."

"I got chocolate from Betsy and cinnamon rolls. We can warm them up for a snack."

"Sounds good," Zayn sighed. "Let's go home."

***

Zayn frowned when Titus Larimore passed their table at Betsy's the next morning, snarling at Vael.

"What did you do to him?"

Vael laughed, sipping his hot chocolate. "I bought his supper last night."

Puzzled, Zayn turned in his chair to catch the murderous glare Titus leveled on the younger Roamer.

Turning back, he shook his head. "Grateful, he's not."

"Nah, too proud by more'n half."

"Did he not have the funds?"

Vael shrugged. "Don't know, or care."

"There's a story there, I'm sure."

Vael winked and finished off his cinnamon roll. "Yeah sure."

"So, spill!" Zayn playfully kicked him under the table.

Laughing, Vael moved his chair closer to Zayn's so he could lower his voice. He had to breathe in his scent -spices, with a woody undertone- and look away so he could focus.

"So, for Roamers, to pay for someone's food, when they aren't in your party is almost as great an insult as refusing to look at 'em. It means you don't see 'em as real Roamers, just posers wanting to live the life without doin' the real work."

"Why would you do such a thing?" Zayn was torn between laughing and scolding.

"He was talkin' shit about Kestryl," Vael growled, dark eyes simmering, "and again, he pissed me off. I wanted to show him that my Clan is so successful that a fresh, young Copilot, could afford to pay for his crew's meals and mine."

"Oh," Zayn smiled, laying a hand on Vael's on the table. "I get that. It's like me wanting to make my own way, just so the Matron can see I don't need her."

Zayn's light touch on his gloved flesh riveted his attention. Vael worked very hard to focus on Zayn's words, his eyes, not that innocent touch.

"You can, Zayn. You will, I know it."

Zayn nodded, briefly touching his forehead to Vael's before sitting back. "Have you heard from Quyn?"

"Pop and Holis are back today."

"Will they have Quorum?"

"Tomorrow. Today they'll look over the new cockpit spec and we'll see if anything needs tweakin'."

"Are they allowing Steaders to watch?"

"Don't see why anyone would. They're literally just lookin' at it. We won't test it rolling 'til just before we hit the trails. You hear from the Matron, yet?"

Zayn's chuckle was infectious, and Vael smiled.

"She sent the Captain this morning. I thanked him for coming and offered him a place as Captain of my Guard."

Vael laughed, shaking his head. "You'd hire him away?"

"Well, we'd need security, so yeah, why not?"

"Will he bring friends?"

"I did mention that he could."

"Brilliance!"

"Mini should be coming to see me today," Zayn sighed. "She's terribly excited to meet you."

"You've not spun fancy tales of the wild Roamer, have you?"

Zayn arched a dark auburn brow. "I may have mentioned your accelerated rise to Pilot," he sniffed imperiously. "What of it?"

Vael shook his head. "Copilot. I'd simply hate to disappoint."

"Perish the thought," Zayn winked and Vael laughed.

"This sister is the one nearest your age?"

"Yes, Selene is just a few months older than me. Colette is twenty and Adelia is twenty-two."

"Adelia is old enough to claim Matron, if she's of a mind to," Vael pointed out.

"She'd need the full support of Enclave to depose Eudora. I doubt Del could swing it now. Eudora has them all locked up in some way or another."

"Enough to chase your pop away, and deny him rights to you, at least."

"Yeah, enough for that. I've almost finished all the tablets."

"Then Reeves has another box for you, I reckon."

"I want to meet my pop, but he says that will happen when the time is right."

"Patience," Vael cautioned. "He's managed to stay out of Eudora's hands this long. Don't bring him to ruin for your own sake."

Zayn nodded. "I just want so badly to see him, to talk to him. I want to thank him for looking out for me all this time, and me never even knowing he was alive and wanted me."

"And loved you," Vael added. "All this time, he did all of it for love of his son."

Vael wiped his mouth and sat back in his chair. Zayn glanced up in time to see Titus stepping up to their table with a sneer.

"Ya pop done hidin' out in the wilds yet?"

"I couldn't say," Vael answered. "He don't run his schedule by me."

"When he gets back, tell 'im I wanna word."

"I'm sure he'll hear," Vael smiled, "seein' how you bark your intentions at any who'll stand still long enough."

A tick started at the corner of Titus's eye. "You mouthin' off again, boy?"

"Hardly," Vael sat forward. "Just statin' fact. Pop an' Holis are due back today. If I see 'em first, I'll pass it on."

"See ya do," Titus growled and turned his dark eyes on Zayn.

The Steader saw a gold gleam deep in the man's gaze and frowned. "Feeling well, Boss Larimore?"

"Never ya mind," Titus muttered. "Matron's lowered her standards some, to 'llow you to wander the Stead on ya own."

"Matron Windemere allows me nothing," Zayn replied with a smile. "Which is why I am so very happy." He stood from the table, holding Titus' eyes. "Good day, Boss Larimore."

Vael nodded and stood pushing his chair in to follow Zayn. He kept an eye on Titus as they passed him, and a slow smile lifted his lips.

"What did you see?"

"Looks like Titus is havin' some trouble with the dog in him," Zayn murmured. "But then, we all do on occasion."

"What?"

"Keep walkin'. I'll explain."

Zayn kept silent despite his whirling thoughts. Vael didn't speak again until they reached the flat.