"She left with Erik sometime this morning."

Magnus stiffened. "I thought she hated Erik."

"Exactly. It's suspicious, don't you think?"

"Well, maybe she didn't have a choice," Magnus retorted, refusing to believe what he was insinuating.

"Magnus..."

"What?"

"She's never told you that she loves you."

"She doesn't have to," Magnus shot back. "I know."

"But Magnus, can't you see that something isn't right? That there's something she's not telling you?"

"I'm sending her away anyway, so why does it matter?" Magnus snapped, his voice harsher than usual. "I get it, you don't trust anyone who gets close to me."

Sylvan shook his head. "She's different, but not in the way that you want. Your father murdered her friend in front of her, and she tried to hide that from you."

"It's a painful memory for both of us. She didn't deny it once the truth came out."

"But she has no good reason to want to serve here. Why would she ever come close to either of you again after what happened?"

Magnus gritted his teeth, his unease building with each of Sylvan's words. Mina wouldn't hurt him—he believed that with his whole heart despite the seeds of doubt Sylvan was trying to sow—but that didn't mean she hadn't originally planned to. But did that matter anymore? Could it be something they could just ignore and leave in the past? Could something like that remain buried and unsaid, or would it eventually rot its way to the surface?

They heard a crash and the shatter of glass echo in the hall. Sylvan immediately rushed to the door, hand poised on his sword. Magnus followed a few feet behind, his face contorted in surprise and confusion. Sylvan eased the door open and peeked out.

"Now, look at what you've done!" Samira hissed, standing over the mess of broken dishes, ruined food, and spilled wine. "You'll regret that."

Mina knelt on the ground, her face hidden by her hair.

"Pardon us," Samira said sweetly when she noticed Sylvan watching them. "This fool knocked the tray out of my hands."

"It's alright," Magnus assured, his gaze focusing on Mina who still hadn't said a word. "I'm sure it was an accident."

Samira scoffed but disguised it as an exasperated sigh. "A thousand apologies, Your Highness. I'll go fetch you another plate."

Magnus shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm not hungry."

"Would you at least like some tea?"

He glanced at Mina who still hadn't looked up. "No, thank you, Samira. That'll be all for tonight."

Samira bowed. Mina stood once everything was gathered back on the tray. Her eyes met Magnus's for the briefest moment.

"Mina, would you stay, please? I'd like to speak to you."

Nodding, Mina passed the tray over to Samira and wiped her hands off on her apron.

"I'll see you in the room later tonight," Samira called, a slight edge to her voice.

Mina didn't respond, disappearing behind the door with Magnus and Sylvan. The air was tense with all the words unsaid. Magnus slipped his hand into Mina's led her into his bedroom. As always, Sylvan stayed behind in the sitting room, the suspicion not gone from his eyes. He said nothing, but Magnus could feel his judgment like a blade pressed to his spine.

As soon as the door was shut, Mina finally lifted her eyes to look at Magnus.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."

His eyes flickered. "I was worried you were already leaving today."

She shook her head. "I couldn't without seeing you one more time."

He stepped closer, holding both of her hands in his. "If only we had more time."

Mina's heart wrenched. "Magnus..." Her voice caught. "We could never be together. You're the crown prince, and I'm just a poor maid. You're going to have to marry a princess and you'll have to forget about me eventually."

He shook his head. "I'll be king one day, and there will nothing stopping me. Maybe you could come back then when it's safer."

"Maybe," she whispered, but her voice betrayed her.

Magnus reached up to touch her cheek. "You're trembling."

She nodded. The more she tried to stop it, the worse it got until she was hanging onto him weakly. He gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. Her body melted into his and she clung to him, not crying, but her breaths heavy and ragged.

"I love you like no other," he murmured into her hair. "And nothing will ever change that."

He pulled back slightly to get a better look at her face, falling into those dark eyes that had entranced him over and over again. As he leaned in closer, he felt her breath hitch and her eyes fluttered shut.

Their lips met and she felt as if all the air had escaped her lungs. It was like the first kiss they had, soft and fleeting, but she could tell he was holding back, even more than before. Standing on her toes, she reached for him again, her hand threading through his hair.

She kissed him like she couldn't breathe without him, her body pressed tightly against his. His hand lightly traced the curve of his waist, but he could still feel her trembling. He pulled back slightly, his breath warm against her cheek.

"Mina? Are you alright?"

She held him tighter. "I want you. I want no one but you."

He pressed his forehead against hers. "I want you, but not like this. Not just for a night."

She kept her eyes shut, holding him with all her strength. "Then hold me like this for as long as it lasts."

And he did. When they laid down in bed together, he kept her close and she let him, clinging to the warmth and safety of his skin. She gently traced his scars through his shirt, and he let her, feeling her tenderness soak through.

She could feel his heart thrumming under her fingertips, so strong and so close. Just the thought of it being replaced by still silence made her shiver. He had to live. She had to make sure of that, no matter what it would cost her.

Maybe she could spill his wine, make it look like an accident. She thought back to the mess she had made in the hall earlier. She had seen the empty glass vial in the kitchen and panicked. Maybe it was poisoned, maybe it wasn't, but she had thwarted Samira once and she could do it again. She couldn't save all the nobles, but only he mattered to her anyway.

She kissed his chest over his heart then traced his pulse to his neck. His breath shuddered, and he pulled her closer. No, she wouldn't let him be taken from her too. She'd hold on and she'd never let go.

~*~*~*~

Sylvan leaned on the doorway, his gaze steady and unyielding.

"She didn't make you drop that tray by accident."

Samira paused, her hands still on the bowl she was drying. "No. I'm sure that was obvious to anyone with a brain."

Sylvan stepped closer. "Why?"

His question hung in the air, tense and loaded, like lightning before a thunderclap.

Samira locked eyes with him. "Perhaps...she was having second thoughts about something she previously planned." Her voice was like honey, smooth with sticky sweetness. "You've noticed she's been acting strange, haven't you?"

"From the moment she arrived," Sylvan murmured, his jaw tensing.

"But I'm sure His Highness has been disregarding your concerns, otherwise she wouldn't still be here."

Sylvan nodded. "I just need proof. Something he can't deny."

A ghost of a smile pulled at Samira's lips. "I saw something on her arm that she tried to cover up. Maybe that's a clue?"

Sylvan raised an eyebrow. "I'll look into it." He bowed his head. "Thank you. If you're right, you have my utmost gratitude."

Samira smiled. "Have a good night. Tomorrow will be quite the celebration, for sure."