"Did you like my gift?" Ida smiled. She was beautiful, ethereal. Light golden hair and eyes the shade of lilac that appeared only on the most delicate of seashells.

Wait. Her eyes glowed gold.

Cybelline recalled earlier that night when a woman with glowing eyes had called out Lord Killian's hiding spot.

Killian's eyes flickered with recognition, and almost immediately, disinterest. "No."

Ida almost lost her power and fell into the lake. She pointed her sword at them, "You..." She took a deep breath, "Fine. Aunt told me that it's not ladylike to strip men of their clothes and throw them into the pond. So I won't do it to you." She grinned, "After all, I got all the revenge I needed.

"And it was even more fun watching you run away from what you've feared more than death." She continued, "Women."

PFFFFFTTTT, Cybelline clapped a hand over her mouth as she tried to laugh quietly. Killian, to her suprise, did not seem to care what Ida said. His eyes slid to the castle began to row again.

Lady Ida looked to Cybelline with a smile "You are?"

Cybelline bobbed, "My lady. I'm a page of the palace, sent to serve Lord Killian today. I'm from the country."

She smiled at Cybelline, "Don't be offended by that block of ice. He's been like that since we were children."

"Are you trying to marry him, my lady?" Cybelline asked, hopeful.

Ida laughed, "Him? Gods no. Who wants to marry a thing like that?" She floated alongside as Cybelline rowed across the river, "My aunt would love to see a marriage between us, thank the gods he refused." She looked at Killian who was now getting off the boat, "He's never been interested in anyone."

She sighed, "Maybe I was wrong to do it, but I just wanted a little excitement in my life. It' s so boring in the palace."

Cybelline tried not to fantasize kicking this girl into the water. Because of Ida's meddling, she was now stuck to a lord who she could not get rid of.

Ida did not notice Cybelline's dark expression, instead she continued to float as Cybelline rowed, telling her this and that. Cybelline rowed as fast as she could, but Ida didn't even seem to notice the speed change. Cybelline sighed, magic was indeed useful.

"What took you so long?" Killian asked, his eyes not leaving Cybelline's face, "Let's go." He grabbed at her wrist.

Cybelline took a step back and avoided his hand, "I can walk myself, my lord." Killian frowned, displeased. He turned and walked quickly towards the three tall towers that made up of the mages' wing.

Lady Ida looked between Killian and Cybelline and then back again, suddenly her eyes lit up. "He likes you."

Cybelline blinked rapidly, "Lady?"

Ida smiled, "Lord Killian doesn't like to be touched, not even by his own people. I heard he even refuses to have palace maids dress him. But he's treating you like a friend."

Cybelline trotted behind her irritated general, "I think it's because he needs my help."

"How are you going to help me when you're behind me? Come here." His cool voice sounded in front of them. Cybelline smiled apologetically and bowed to Lady Ida. She ran to catch up to Killian

Ida watched, open mouthed. True, it was in his usual, curt fashion, but it was not once, but twice Killian had actively asked the same person to join him.

Most people felt honored if he even glanced at them. Who was this page? Curiosity got the better of her, and Ida, who had only came to gloat and leave afterwards, decided to stay and see what happened.

"She's the one they wanted you to marry?" Cybelline asked in a low voice. Killian glanced down and nodded. Cybelline grinned, "I think you two would make a lovely couple. I like her."

"You do?" Killian stared at her coldly, "After this is over, I'll betroth her to you."

Cybelline almost tripped.

Three guards stood in attendance, they bowed deeply when they saw Lord Killian and Lady Ida, who walked into the Mages Towers without another glance.

Cybelline had cased this place pretty well as the things she wanted was here. She looked at the tower in the middle, that was the magical store rooms. It was the most secure place in the entire country, and she needed time to break into it. Time she did not have, when she was glued to this man's side.

Sudden she heard a sound, her eyes lit up as she walked, almost as if accidentally, towards it.

A large hand grabbed her by the back of the collar, preventing her to walk another step. Killian looked down at Cybelline and frowned, "There's people up front."

Damn it. Couldn't this man just leave her in peace?

They hid behind a wall, listening intently. Lady Ida directly poked her head over and watched.

A woman was sobbing in front of a tall figure in the open courtyard, "But...but...I admire you, my lord. I want to be your wife. I'm not scared!" Her red face and her tears indicative of a love confession gone wrong.

"I'm sorry, but I can not acquiesce. To be my wife, is to suffer." The man replied with quiet grace. He was dressed in a silvery tunic, edged in a translucent white material, but it was overshadowed in color by his hair and the quiet beauty of his appearance. His eyes were covered by a thick black cloth, etched in silver. Pure, impartial, and unreachable.

He looked young, around sixteen or seventeen years old.

The girl cried harder, "But my lord, I am willing to take the risk!" She reached out a hand trying to offer him her handkerchief. The man looked into the distance, his eyes empty of light. The girl blushed deeper, reached for his hand.

Light flashed and the handkerchief was torn into a thousand strands of thread. The girl cried as a deep gash appeared on her hand.

"Shoo. He's mine." A voice colder even than Killian sounded. Cybelline looked up, and her mouth fell open.

Ida stood on the wall, her sword pointing at the woman. Around her, daggers made of wind was now flying around her body. Ida leapt down gracefully and rushed towards the two, she skidded to a halt in front of the man, her arms outstretched, facing the weeping girl.

"Out." She glared at the girl, "Before I send you to the Darklands."

In shock, the girl forgot to cry, "Lady Ida!" She gulped, her legs losing strength and she fell to the floor. Ida's eyes flashed dangerously and her hand twitched.

A large hand covered hers, "Ida. You shouldn't be here." Ida looked up. His face was close, his silvery hair brushed against her neck, sending goosebumps along its path.

Lady Ida, whose skin was thicker than a city wall, blushed. She turned to face him, hers inches from his.

"But who would protect you if I didn't?" Ida said, her face still bright red. And then her eyes flashed, "Why didn't you tell me you were here? I thought you were still in Novoria. I was going to sneak out to see you. How are your eyes?" She tried reached out to touch the cloth, but his hand tightened over hers.

"Ida." The voice sighed, "Stop it." He said it with a tenderness that had not been there when he talked to the other girl.

The girl on the ground, seeing the two, wailed, and ran away.

Cybelline peeked out and blanched when she saw the man Ida was talking to. This night was just getting better and better.

Killian noted her expression and without a word, pulled her from behind the wall to meet the two people.

Ida, upon hearing the sound of boots on gravel, jumped away from the blindfolded man.

"Your Majesty." Killian nodded to the other man in front of him. The man smiled gently, "Why so formal, cousin? Kieran is fine."

Killian nodded, "We haven't seen each other in a while, cousin. What brings you to this side of the world?" Kieran shook his head, "My affliction."

He looked to Killian's side and his eyes widened at the sight of Cybelline, "You..."

Cybelline sighed, she shot a warning glance to the newcomer, "Y-your majesty." She bowed low, as if awed to be in the presence of royalty.

Kieran recognized her immediately. But why was that waif he met on the road now a palace page?

He looked over at Killian, his cousin who never missed a thing, was now watching them with eagle-eyed interest.