Mina awoke to the sound of knocking. For a moment, she forgot where she was, flinching at the feeling of soft sheets against her bare legs and the weight against her hand. She sat up in a panic before her eyes fell on the man laying beside her, his fair skin and loose brown curls catching the warm morning light. Magnus had shifted to lay on his stomach sometime during the night but otherwise had kept his distance from her. He looked peaceful, his features more youthful and unguarded while he slept.

Memories from the night before came flooding in as her gaze shifted to his tunic on her body and the scattered clothes on the floor. She touched her lips, her neck, her shoulder, all the places she let him kiss, and she hadn't pulled away. She glanced back at him, studying the faint bruises along his jaw and the silvery scar lines along his hand and arm where his sleeve had slid up. He wanted her to stay. She wanted to stay. But she knew that those terrible marks would only multiply as long as she was there.

Another knock came, louder this time. Magnus stirred. Mina slipped her hand from his and slid off the bed, hurriedly gathering up her clothes and dressing to appear at least half-decent. Pulling open the door, she found Sylvan and Sophie waiting there. Their expressions were enough to make her blush bright red without either of them having to say a word.

"Good morning," Sophie greeted. "Jia sent me to check on you."

"I'm...alright, sorry, I didn't mean..."

"Is Magnus awake? He's going to be late for his first meeting," Sylvan cut in.

Mina shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "I'll go tell him."

"Jia wants you to see her as soon as you're free," Sophie added.

"Got it," Mina replied quickly before shutting the door to get away from their questioning gazes.

"Everything alright?" Magnus asked, his voice husky with sleep.

She glanced back at him, seeing him sitting up in bed. "Yes, Sylvan just wanted to let you know that you need to get ready for a meeting soon."

Magnus sighed. "Straight back into it, I guess."

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and pulled himself to his feet, but the strain in his movements were obvious. Without a word, she rushed into his bathroom, preparing his bath how he liked it, warm and with cedar and vanilla scents. Climbing up on the countertops, she covered up the mirrors like she had seen him do countless times.

"It's ready," she called after a few minutes, stepping back out from behind the curtain. "I'll have your clothes ready when you're done."

He pressed a kiss to her cheek as he passed. "Thank you, dearest."

Every kiss burned hotter now. She tore her eyes away from the curtain and moved to his wardrobe, picking out the softest, lightest clothes she could find. She paused there for a moment, pressing the silk to her nose and taking in his familiar scent that had engulfed her through the night. Nothing about that night was planned but everything happened so naturally. She felt more like herself than she had in years with him and only him. She buried her face in his shirt. It was all still a beautiful fragile lie that would shatter like every other good thing in her life.

The water stung against Magnus's still tender wounds, but his head was too full of thoughts to notice.

She had touched and kissed him all over, and she didn't flinch at what she saw. She didn't look at him like he was broken or weak, but she overwhelmed him with such tenderness and care that chipped away at the icy self loathing encasing his skin. He still couldn't face the mirror, he doubted he ever could after what happened, but maybe he could face her, and maybe that could be enough.

He had dreamt of her again that night, and for the first time ever, he had reached her. His hand locked securely with hers, and he didn't let go. He never wanted to let go. Still, he felt the pain return to his chest. His father had tortured him with more than just the blade and the burns; he had forced Magnus to listen and picture just exactly what he planned to do with Mina if he ever dared to defy him again. Magnus had suffered alone for so long, but he would do it for a hundred more years if it meant he could keep Mina safe, even if she couldn't be with him.

He sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. She had to leave him. He'd hurt her just this once and then never again.

As soon as he was dressed, he refilled the tub for her and uncovered the mirrors. He stepped out from behind the curtain, seeing her sitting by the window, fingers twisted into her hair as usual.

"Your turn."

She glanced over, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "What?"

"I ran one for you too."

Her mouth fell open. "Oh...you didn't have to."

"No, I did. Hurry, before it gets cold."

She rose to her feet. "Thank you."

He nodded. "I'll have someone stop by to bring you clean clothes. Anything else you need?"

She shook her head, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. Noticing how her eyes lingered on him, his cheeks flushed a little red.

"What?"

Taking his hand, she kissed it and pressed it against her cheek, not saying a word.

"Why are you so good to me?" she murmured, her voice seeming on the verge of breaking.

"It's what you deserve."

Her eyes fell away out of shame. "But what if I don't deserve it?"

"Don't say that. You deserve the world and more."

She shook her head. "I'm no one."

"Not to me," he whispered, stroking her cheek tenderly. "To me, you are everything."

She stared back up at him intently, a storm raging in her heart. He deserved the truth. He deserved the world, not her. But she didn't say anything; she couldn't.

Knowing he had to go, he pressed a soft kiss on her cheek before parting from her. She watched as he left, her heart fluttering yet feeling empty and hollow at the same time. As soon as she heard the door close and lock, she buried her face in her hands and sank to her knees, tears running down her face.

Sophie found her there, still hunched in the same place, the bathwater cold and forgotten. Mina turned away, trying to hide her red and puffy eyes, but she was too late.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Sophie asked, kneeling by Mina's side. "Did he hurt you?"

Mina shook her head. "You know he wouldn't."

"Then why..."

Mina rubbed her eyes, trying desperately to hold whatever was left of herself together. "I need to go."

Sophie frowned. "Leave this room or..."

"No. Leave this castle. Leave him."

"So...he did do something."

"No, not what you're thinking," Mina assured.

Sophie's gaze drifted to the unmade bed, the sheets hanging off and the pillows rumbled. "First time?"

"Sophie."

She raised her hands. "Sorry, sorry, I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong. Jia's worried about you too, especially when you didn't come back to the room last night."

Mina sighed, pulling herself to her feet. "He's not the one you should be worried about." Her voice grew softer. "You know how he was imprisoned for a few days?"

When Sophie didn't answer, she continued. "It was because of me. The king is using me to hurt him."

Sophie's face fell. "Oh..."

Mina fought back against the resurfacing tears. "I wanted to believe you when you said I could belong here, and I still want it. But now you know why it's impossible"

Sophie stood up, pulling Mina's hands into her own. "I understand, and I wish things didn't have to be this way." She smiled sadly. "But whatever happens, don't ever forget all of us who love you. Maybe we'll be able to meet again in kinder times."

Mina's heart swelled and she pulled Sophie into a tight hug. Sophie was caught off guard by the gesture, not expecting it from someone who was always so cold and closed off, but she gladly welcomed it. Maybe Mina's time here, no matter how brief, had changed her for the better.

"I'll go talk to Jia," Mina sighed after a few moments. "I don't need her worrying about me too."

Sophie nodded. "Alright. But don't you dare leave without saying a proper goodbye."

Mina didn't respond, unable to make a promise she didn't know if she could keep.

Jia's initial reaction was similar to Sophie's, concerned about Magnus's intentions and treatment of Mina. Mina assured her that Magnus had only ever cared for her. The more she said it out loud, the more she believed it and the more it ached.

"Let me give you some money," Jia offered. "It's not much, but—"

Mina shook her head. "I can't accept that. You've already done so much for me and all the other girls here."

Jia's hands trembled, forcing her to set down the shawl she was embroidering. "Then take this. It's only getting colder now, and you'll need it."

Mina nodded. "Thank you."

Jia sighed, brushing some greying hairs away from her face. "If only I could keep you safe too. Promise me you'll be careful, please. I already hate the thought of you being alone out there."

"Don't worry about me. I've survived this long, haven't I?"

Tears sprung to Jia's eyes. "You've endured far more than anyone should ever have to." She held her hands out and Mina took them, kneeling by her side. Jia leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Don't let the world take anything more from you. It's already taken enough."

Mina held on tighter. "I'll try."