And then he woke up with a start, panting heavily as he sat up and looked around. The hormones that had plagued him after transforming were gone, leaving him feeling very, very sober. It took Endymion a moment to recognize Asajj’s chambers, but as soon as he did that strange heat flooded his stomach and his breathing became quick and ragged.  

The lord groaned, running his and through his hair as he slipped out of the bed and stumbled to the closed curtains of the huge French doors. How long had he slept? He moved the curtains aside and gasped, his heart stopping in his chest at the sight that greeted him. In the golden light of the setting sun, Asajj sat on the railing of the balcony, perched precariously as she tied a small scroll to the leg of a large hawk. She smiled that sweet smile and said something to the bird that sent it flying away. Asajj watched it disappear, staring after it for a moment before she turned to hop down and caught the incredulous stare of lord Endymion.  

She looked so enchanting, with the light of the dying sun illuminating her with its fiery glow, and her hair coming loose from its braid. How a woman could be so beautiful, Endymion could not say, but his heart beat rapidly in his chest as he opened the glass double doors, and his mouth became dry as he approached her.  

“You look much more...lucid, Eddy,” Asajj grinned with a raised eyebrow, “Did you enjoy your nap?” 

Endymion stopped a few feet from her, letting her know that he had indeed gone back to his normal and respectful self. 

He cleared his throat and his cheeks flushed, “Y-yes, I slept well. Thank you.” 

Asajj shrugged with that same smile that made the lord’s heart pick up its already insane speed and his stomach began to warm.  

“I must admit, you look much more at peace when you sleep,” the witch looked away her light brown skin coloring slightly as she blushed, “N-not that I watched you sleep. I-I meant- umm- well, you just appeared less stressed.” 

It took all of Endymion’s will power not to laugh at her embarrassed state; but she was just so cute- 

NO! HE MUSN’T THINK OF HER AS CUTE! 

But as Endymion stared down at Asajj, he swallowed hard and reached out an absent hand to touch her blushing cheek. She flinched and her eyes went wide as she looked up at him, making his breath hitch when the light in her eyes burned with the same feeling that filled his gut; wanting. 

-------------- 

I had been with all types of people before; a short fling with a witch from one of the Crimson Marshes, a night spent with a human boy who had wandered to close to our marsh, a few experimental late nights with Maysie (we had learned very quickly that we only loved each other as platonic companions), and Elf here, a Syli’ti there. But they all had one thing in common. They had only wanted some good sex and nothing more.  

Endymion stared down at me like he was drowning, and I was sweet air. His touch was feather soft, not searching and greedy as many of my partners had been, and I could feel the restraint in his touch. He was a withdrawn and sensitive man, this I had learn over the past few days spent with him. Eddy probably wanted genuine connection with someone who would reciprocate his feelings of desire and... love.  

And that was something I couldn’t give him.  

Before he had woken from his slumber, I had written a note for Maysie: 

Dearest May,  

I will return to you soon. I am safe.  

Wait for me by the edge of the forest. 

Love, Asajj. 

It had been a short and sweet letter, written to soothe my best friend’s soul and reassure her that I was very much alive.  

I had summoned a beautiful hawk to carry my note to the marsh, my magic burrowing harmlessly in the bird’s mind so that it may stay its course for my marsh and deliver the note with haste.  

Endymion’s feelings would never be returned because I was not meant to be a part of his life. The roof incident, him saving my life, my trial, coming to Paristol; none of them should have ever happened. And no matter how much I wanted to hold him and hum to him and love him until we both faded, it could never be so. 

Because I was a cursed witch.  

And he was a lord. 

“Endymion-” 

“Lady Asajj? Are you in there?” 

We both turned to stare at the door to the room as the sweet call of Princess Ophia penetrated the charged air between us. I winced at the dejected look on Endymion’s face, but I hurried to open my door anyway. The princess grinned up at me, her eyes shining with mirth as she took my hands in hers. 

“Mama wants to have a party! Would you be interested in escorting me?”  

The cold feeling in my gut was relieved as I chuckled and gently squeezed the princess’s hands.  

“I would love to, Princess Ophia,” I glanced back at Endymion, but his back was to me, his face angled up at the golden evening sky, “When will this party be held?” 

“Two days from tonight! I’m so excited to attend; I’m too young for the socials that mama holds with the ambassadors of Roma and their children...” 

Ophia giggled and pulled me out of my room, guiding me through the halls of the palace as she chatted.  

We arrived at the mahogany double doors of a massive study with the princess still talking away in her beautifully breathless tone and me a little too tired to remember my manners in the presence of the king. 

“Lady Asajj,” Gavril’s voice was almost as strained as his smile, “I’m glad to see that you’re...” 

“I am untouched and well,” I finished for him, noticing with my keen eye the way his shoulders relaxed, and his dimples almost deepened.  

I offered the two royals a shallow bow before making my way to an armchair across from where the queen was perched delicately, stroking the head of a beautiful rust colored dog. The canine barely looked at me as the queen grinned and greeted me and her daughter with a wide-eyed smile. 

“My dears, I shall have the whole affair planned and done with by the time the sun sets tomorrow,” Yosafine addressed me with a glint in her eye as she continued, "Lady Asajj, for whatever reason, when I asked my son, he claimed that you would be preoccupied tomorrow.” 

I glanced at Gavril, my eyebrows raised in question, but he just shook his head and looked away, the gesture saying more than enough; we can discuss it privately. 

“No matter,” I cleared my throat and smiled politely at Lady Yosafine, “If you need my assistance, I would be more than happy to help. I’ll be leaving by the end of this week, and I was hoping to take this short chance to get closer with you, your highness.” 

The queen’s grin slowly slipped until a frown replaced it, both of her children mimicking her grimace.  

“What? I had not been informed about this!” Gavril rushed to sit next to his mother on the luxurious love seat, his brows furrowed in frustration, “I-I thought you would stay longer, Lady Asajj, explore the capitol more!” 

I swallowed and tried my best not to let my voice waver, “Your majesties, I never intended on taking this little trip to Paristol. It was a lovely...coincidence that Lord Endymion and I ran into each other. 

“I will be returning home after this week; I’m sure that’ll give me enough time to grow even fonder of the capitol and all it has to offer.” 

One glance at the royals and I knew that they would miss me as much as I would miss them; even in the short time that I had known them, Gavril, Ophia, and Yosafine had welcomed me into their home and treated me, not just as a guest, but as a friend.  

“L-lady Asajj...” Ophia clung to my side like she was afraid I would evaporate into thin air, “Will you visit again soon?” 

“Of course, Princess,” I stroked her golden hair with a gentle touch, “I may even rent out a room in one of the inns so that I may stay longer next time!” 

Queen Yosafine clicked her tongue and reached across the space between us, “Of course not, Darling! I insist you stay with us when you next come to Paristol, as you have these past few days.” 

Gavril was silent the whole time, his eyes glazed and distant and his mouth pressed into a thin line. My gaze was trained on him as he blinked slowly and cleared his throat.  

“Asajj, may I speak you alone for a moment?” 

We excused ourselves and made our way to the hall, facing each other outside of the study doors.  

“Why did you not tell me sooner? W-was it something I said? The incident this morning? Was that it?” 

“No, Gavril,” I sighed and looked away, absently fixing my braid, “This trip was not planned and I have business to take care of back home.” 

The King inhaled deeply and ran his fingers through his own hair, “L-lady Asajj...” He opened his mouth, but his words died on his togue as he shook his head and took my hands in his, “You promise to visit soon?” 

I smiled and nodded, “Of course, your highness.”