Lavinia squealed at the memory of the kiss. It was still fresh in her head, every movement, the softness of Max’s lips on hers. The way his hand had snaked to her waist and held her tightly. After they had kissed, they hadn’t done anything else. Max only muttered a quick goodnight and left. She had to wait for her heart’s galloping to ease before she could even leave the balcony. So by the time she had slept, the sun's first rays had appeared across the sky. 

Now, in the afternoon, she was still reliving it, almost forgetting about the earlier incident. Her cheek still tingled from the healed cuts. She didn’t know who that lady was, nor did she care. From now on, she would have to be careful around everyone. 

Neala had informed her that Silas and Elijah both had come to talk to her. She would have to go see them, or rather she would call them over to her rooms instead. Dragging herself out of the comfort of her bed, she sent messages to both of them. Telling them to choose amongst themselves as to who would come first. 

It was Elijah who came first. She greeted him in her antechamber. It was especially for guests who she didn’t want to take to her private room. 

“Are you well, Lavinia?” Elijah asked. He was very jovial, despite the circumstances. 

“It was nothing.” She assured him. “Honestly I was expecting better.” 

He didn’t look convinced by her casual attitude. “Tarquin has heightened the guards around you now.”

“He has?” Lavinia just smiled. They really knew that she was defenseless against any attackers. “I should really learn how to defend myself.” 

“Your magic?” Elijah looked at her. 

“It’s unpredictable. One moment I can control it and the next moment it disappears.” She said. 

“You need the training to learn how to control it properly then,” Elijah replied. “You should talk to Tarquin about it.”

“I will.”

—--

Silas had invited Lavinia to his gardens, where no one would dare come. She was escorted by a squadron of guards. The guards and Neala, her maidservant, stood back against the pillars as she walked towards him. 

She wore a black cloak over a blue gown, her hands gloved. She met his eyes. “Silas.”

“Lavinia.” He cleared his throat. “You are well?” He cursed his own awkwardness. 

“Yes, it was nothing.” She pulled her hood off. 

He snuck a glimpse at her cheek. The three white lines were barely visible. “Good.”

“Don’t tell me you called me here for this bit of conversation.” She crossed her arms. 

“No, Max asked me to ask you if you want to visit the city today. He is shy and he is in love with you and I can not pretend I have the energy to play messenger between you both.” Silas told her bluntly. Max had all but begged him and he agreed to do this as his brother, but he was not close with Lavinia. They did not have anything to talk about and they did not like each other yet. 

Lavinia coughed as she giggled. “You could have just said so. You didn’t have to call me here, next time just send a letter.” She let out a soft laugh. “ Is it alright though? Does Tarquin know?”

“Yes, Fantasy he knows,” Silas replied exasperatedly. “Max begged him on his knees so he could take you around Jonis. Please go get ready quickly or he might cry.”

She looked at him, amused. “Of course, of course.”

—

Max convinced himself that he had to share a horse with Lavinia for reasons purely related to safety. Neither of them talked of the kiss, yet he had seen her blush and he had blushed himself. He owed Silas and Tarquin so much. His hands rested on her waist. She didn’t react when he put his hands there, but she leaned into his touch slowly. Max resisted the urge to bury his nose in her hair. 

Her expression was wondrous, staring at the city and its colorful districts. Silas and Val rode a little behind them. Both of them knew why Max had planned this trip. He had begged Silas to come with him, and Val too. He was terrified, but he needed the fresh air. 

Everyone stared at them, clearly wondering who this woman was. It must have been a shock since they weren’t known for their romantic entanglements. It was a rare sight indeed. People followed them all the way through the city, even though they tried to hide. 

Lavinia looked around in wonderment, pointing out little details he had never noticed. The arch of the main castle gates was apparently a lighter hue than the more darker and aged arches inside the castle. “It’s exactly how I imagined it.” 

“Really?” He followed her line of sight. 

“That building there has a different style of shingles to the ones beside it. It stands out just slightly, doesn’t it? I wonder why.” 

“You know I’ve never noticed these. Now that’s gonna bother me every time I pass through Starlight Road.” Max replied. 

“What’s Starlight Road?” She asked, turning back to look at him. 

“It’s just one of the districts. A lot of things are named Starlight here. I’m surprised you didn’t know that bit.” He teased her. 

She pouted, “I just pointed things out to you.”