When we arrived at the cabin, he tenderly set me down. Not knowing how he would react, I looked up and kissed him. No sooner than I did, he made me regret it. Pulling away, he pushed me back, shock clearly written all over his face. As quickly as the shock registered, his face became a stone mask. I found out two things. First off, I became convinced he didn't love me back. Second off, I found out it was possible to catch him off guard after trying for six weeks.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, ALIS?! YOU KNOW NEITHER OF US ARE TO DO THAT! YOU'RE HIS, NOT MINE! DO YOU EVER THINK BEFORE ACTING?" I knew I'd crossed the line, but I'd waited to do it for six weeks. With the way he'd looked at me over the course of six weeks though, rage was certainly not what I'd expected from him. I didn't know how to respond to him.

Between the hurt and anger rising up in me, I decided to lash back out with anger. "BY JOVE, TRISTON! AFTER ALL I'VE CONFIDED IN YOU, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT I'M AN ACT FIRST THINK LATER KIND OF GAL! I KNOW YOU HEARD MY PLEAS TO ZMEY, FREAK, I'VE TOLD THEM TO YOU! HOW DARE YOU SAY I'M ZMEY'S? I'M MY OWN DAMN WOMAN! YOU'RE AN IDIOT TO HAVE NOT REALIZED THAT IT'S YOU I LOVE, NOT HIM!" Through my blinding tears, I saw a brief hint of shock on his face. Score two for me. Speechless, he stormed out to do whatever he does when he's not "guarding" me. My bet would be he was getting drunk with the other servants and guards.

About ten minutes later, a rapid knock sounded at the door. Wiping the tears from my face, I let Zmey into the cabin. His rage from earlier had been replaced with an indecisive look. "I've retracted my requests. You can't see your mother anymore. She died last night, and I just got the news from an inside source." Saying this, he all but ran out of the cabin, leaving me by myself. I'd have thought after his earlier declarations of love, he would have at least attempted to comfort me. Failing to hold my tears back again, a cry of pure anguish ripped through me to my very soul.

After sobbing for what felt like an eternity, I realized I wasn't alone. I also realized it was colder than a northern winter in the cabin. Unsure of what to do, I ignored the person standing in the cabin and kept crying until I could cry no more. I think it had been about five hours, but all I know is it felt like an eternity. I think I fell asleep crying, because the last thing I remembered was crying into my pillow then I woke up later to Triston sitting at the foot of my bed tenderly watching me.

Later that evening, Zmey came to take me to dinner. Completely oblivious to my grief, he insisted I go with him. He went from gentle to raging when I refused to go. His rage quickly turned to fury when Triston intervened. I swear both looked ready to succer-punch eacjother, if not murder eachother.

In a voice so cold it sent chills down my spine, Triston addressed Zmey. "Master, the woman is grievin'. She lost her mother, who you refused to let her see. She has no family inside this place. Surely, you've lost somebody close to you before? Never mind, don't answer that. I'll warrant you ain't lost anybody cause you ain't ever had anybody to lose." With a look of pure fury and rage, Zmey advanced towards me. Quicker than lightning, Triston stepped protectively in front of me. "Get out of my damn way, boy." Shaking his head, Triston responded cooly, "I wont. I swore by the Goddesses Alisdelisgi and A not to let anybody hurt her, which includes you."

Apparently, Zmey had a knack for knocking people out. Before Triston knew it, he'd been knocked out. Sinking to the floor, I hung onto his hand and trued willing him awake. Spirit healing was definitely not my strongest power. I thought his eyes fluttered, but I never got the chance to find out.

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A/N The next chapter contains extremely graphic and abusive scenes. I am in no way condoning any of it, as I've been through both in my life, but it's a real thing.

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Teaser: "He's gonna pay for what he's done!" Who is talking? What's gonna happen?