The door opened quietly and Abigail looked up from her seat. Grace offered a gentle smile and closed the door.

"Any sign of him?"

"No one has seen him since this morning."

The woman frowned and looked over at the bed. She saw eyes flutter and stood up. Grace followed her to the bed and she placed her hand on the woman's forehead. Slowly eyes opened and she looked down into eyes of the ocean.

"Grace, get me a damp cloth."

The young woman hurried over to a bowl resting on a table in the corner and wrung out a cloth. She carried it back to Abigail and handed it over slowly. The woman took it and gently ran it over the soft face.

"How are you feeling dear?"

The blue eyes looked up at her and she pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"You shouldn't move just yet."

She stopped Abigail from pushing her down and looked around the room. Grace picked up a stack of clothes and handed them to her.

"We had these mended while you were resting."

She looked at her old clothes and then up at the two women.

"Thank you."

Her soft voice surprised them and Abigail asked "Do you remember what happened?"

"It's a little blurry."

Grace took her hand and said "Just tell us what you do remember."

She took a deep breath and said "I was trapped below the water and then I was crawling out of the sea. I'm afraid that's it."

Abigail ran her fingers through the soft locks of gold and said "Don't strain yourself. Maybe some warm food would help."

"Thank you but I'm not hungry just yet."

The woman nodded and said "Grace, would you mind staying with her while I go send word to the doctor."

"Of course."

Abigail smiled down at their patient and left the room. Grace sat down on the bed beside her and watched her run soft hands over the clothes.

"What is your name?"

She looked up at the brunette and said "Eve."

"Beautiful name."

"Yours is beautiful as well."

Grace laughed and asked "Would you like me to help you get changed?"

She shook her head and said "I can do it."

"I'll give you some privacy. Just call me if you need help. I'll be right outside the door."

Eve nodded and watched the young woman slip out of the room. When the door closed, she pushed the bedding off and slid her legs off the bed. Gravity threatened to pull her off balance but she took a deep breath and forced her legs to equalize. Standing up slowly, her head spun but she managed to stay up.

A knock came from the door and she heard "Eve, would you like a bath before you change?"

She sat down on the bed and watched the door open. Grace smiled and walked over to a side room. She opened the door and a large tub stood looking back at them. Two young maids entered the room and she pulled the clothes closer to her as she watched them fill the tub. One maid applied soap to the water and the other finished filling the tub.

The girls smiled back at her and she watched them disappear from her room.

"Do you need any help?"

She looked back at Grace and said "I think I can manage, but thank you."

The woman smiled and quietly left the room. Hearing the door shut for the second time, she rose to her feet and left her clothes on the bed. Quietly she made her way across the room and looked at the tub. The water was full with white suds and a soft smile brushed her lips. She looked down at the shirt covering her body and slowly managed to unfasten the two buttons at the top of her shirt.

The material slid down her body and pooled at her feet. She slid her hand into the tub and felt the warm water slide over her hand. Climbing into the tub, she slid down into the warm water and rested her head on the back of the tub. Closing her eyes, she took a moment to catch her breath and process what was happening.

"She really did it."

Slowly she found some shampoos and dipped her head under the water. Bringing her head up, she washed her hair out and picked up a sponge. It slid over her lathered skin and she scrubbed her body clean. She had only heard tales of these baths but it felt wonderful. She let out a sigh and put the sponge down before sliding down below the water.

"Eve?"

She brought her head up slowly and found Grace looking around the bedroom. Slowly she was spotted and the woman smiled as she approached.

She handed her a towel and said "I thought you might appreciate one of these to dry off with."

Slowly she took the towel and said "Thank you."

The woman's smile brightened and she watched the brunette leave. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back on the tub and ran her hands along her legs. If this was one of the few pleasures she was going to experience she was going to treasure them. Quietly she picked up the towel and stood up. She wrapped the warm fabric around her and carefully stepped out of the tub.

Walking back into her room, she checked the door and slid the towel off. She slowly dressed in the clothes she had no idea how she came to have but liked the feel on her skin. Slipping the shirt over her head and down her stomach, she picked up her towel and dried her hair. Walking over to a large cherry dresser she found a brush waiting for her. Quietly she picked up the brush and ran it through her damp hair.

She looked in the mirror above the dresser and watched her hair slowly fall down her back. Running her fingers through her hair, she walked over to the bed and sat down. Boots waited for her and she slowly slid them on. The leather feeling was new and she stood up. She took a few steps and found the new sensation a pleasant one.

She looked around the room and walked over to the large window on the south wall. Seeing a beautiful courtyard down below, she placed her hands on the window ledge and felt the sun rest on her face. The door opened behind her with a knock and she looked over her shoulder. Grace stood in the doorway with a stunned look on her face and she slowly left the window.

"You look amazing, Eve."

She offered a smile and said "I feel better."

The woman laughed and the sound was pleasant on her ears. Quietly the woman approached and wrapped an arm around hers.

"I have been informed that you will be eating downstairs when you are ready and until then I am to show you around the place."

"Thank you."

Grace smiled and said "I am more than glad to help you out. It gets lonely being the only young woman living here."

Quietly she was led out of the room and into a large open hall.

"Right now you are in the West Wing of the castle. I imagine my dear cousin will be wanting to see you for himself before he decides what to do with you."

She listened to the woman and took in all the details of the place. Tapestries hung on the walls but barely any sunlight came through. Curtains were drawn over giant windows and it looked almost abandoned. They stopped at the top of a giant stairwell and Grace looked back at her.

"Feel up to this?"

She nodded and the woman walked with her down the steps. The feeling was almost too powerful and she was grateful for the woman holding onto her. She never thought walking on land would be so strenuous on her legs but she was quickly learning everything seemed more difficult but rewarding at the same time. When they stepped onto the main floor, she was greeted by an elder man with a bow.

"It is good to see you up and looking good."

She smiled and Grace said "This is Leon. He is the butler of this giant place. Leon, this is Eve."

The man took her hand and kissed the top of her hand.

"It is an honor to meet you Miss Eve."

"Please, call me Eve."

He smiled a smile that resembled her father and she felt the pain spring through her chest. She hid it behind a mask of a smile and Grace led her away from Leon. They stopped outside an open room and she was allowed to step inside.

"This is my cousin's parlor. He tends to conduct all his meetings here as well as entertain his guests."

She studied the old look and arrangement of the room and noticed a family portrait hanging above a small fireplace. Grace joined her and looked up at the old picture.

"That is the last portrait painted of my cousin's family. It was completed the morning before their voyage."

She heard the sorrow in the woman's voice and looked at her. She remembered that night all too well and looked back at the portrait. The boy was the same boy she kept from drowning that night. His eyes held a light of happiness in them and she looked up at the man standing behind the boy. He was a splitting image of the man she saw getting off the ship but his eyes were warm like the little boy's.

Her eyes shifted to the woman the man was holding around the waist and her smile was beautiful. Her eyes sparkled and her hand rested on a young girl's shoulder. All these faces she didn't recognize and the pain she felt seemed to deepen.

"Are you all right, Eve?"

She looked back at Grace and said "Yes, I'm sorry. I got caught up in the portrait."

Grace laughed and said "Everyone does. It reminds us of what we all lost ten years ago but it's a bittersweet memory."

She let the woman pull her out of the parlor and away from the portrait. They moved down the hall and walked into a giant eating room. Curtains were pulled back and the sunlight shown brightly throughout the place. The door opened to the south and she saw the older woman walk into the room.

"Ah, there you two are. How is the tour going?"

Grace smiled and said "I think we're doing just fine."

Abigail smiled and said "I never introduced myself. My name is Abigail. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, but I do run this mammoth of a place all by myself."

The woman took her hand and shook it. She smiled at her strength.

"I'm Eve."

"That is a beautiful name. I haven't heard anyone with that name in a long time."

She felt the woman take her from Grace's side and asked "Are you feeling a bit hungry now?"

"I think I might be able to eat something small."

The woman laughed and looked back at Grace.

"Oric is going to have to work with this one."

Grace nodded and asked "Do you want me to bring the food out here?"

"I think we best introduce her to the old oaf first."

Eva watched the two laugh again and was led into the kitchen. The place was enormous and very cozy. She heard someone chopping something and located a tall broad man with his back to them.

"Oric, how is that food coming?"

"Do not rush me woman."

Abigail winked at Eve and said "You are getting slow in your old age."

His knife slammed into the cutting board and he spun around. The words he was ready to throw at her died on his tongue. He stared at Eve and she felt some embarrassment start to settle in.

"Well stop staring and get this woman want she wants to eat."

He caught himself and said "You look a lot better than the last time I saw you."

Eve glanced at Abigail and the woman explained "He helped me bring you in here when we found you last night."

She looked back at the large man and said "Thank you for your help."

He laughed and came around the counter. His arm caught her shoulder and he guided her over to a stool by the counter.

"Have a seat right here and I will whip up whatever you want."

"Oric, guests don't eat in the kitchen."

She smiled back at Abigail and said "It's quite all right."

The cook chuckled and said "I like this one already!"

Abigail shook her head and said "Fine. If you need anything, one of us will be glad to help you."

She nodded and watched Abigail escort Grace out of the kitchen. The pressure in between her shoulder blades disappeared once those two left and she turned back to Oric.

"What can I get you?"

She looked over at the food he was working on and asked "What are you making?"

He smirked and said "Just creating a new dish in case the Lord ever decides to throw a feast."

"Do you need someone to try it?"

His smile lit up the room and he laughed harder. The sound was deep and similar to Alexander's laugh. She held the pain back and let the man catch his breath.

He wiped his eyes and said "If you stick around here for a while this place will surely be full of laughter again."

She smiled and he asked "Do you know anything about cooking?"

"A little."

"Good. I love a person with some sense of taste."

He walked over to the counter and put some of the food on a plate. She watched him walk over to a cooler and he looked back at her.

"Do you prefer wine or juice?"

"Whatever you would recommend."

He laughed again and pulled out a large bottle of wine. Quietly she watched the man fill a glass half full of white wine and carry it over to the counter. He set it in front of her and then placed the food next to the glass.

"Let me know what you think."

He handed her a fork and she looked down at the food. It looked delicious and she thought she saw some crab mixed in with the stuffing. Taking a small bite on her fork, she put the food in her mouth and chewed it slowly. She found Oric watching her with a worried look on his face and she put her fork down. He handed her a napkin and she wiped her mouth off.

"Well?"

She smiled and said "It's delicious."

The man's eyes widened and he let out a big holler. She laughed as he threw his arm around her and gave her a big hug.

"Thank you so much! Stick around Eve, I could use your taste."

She smiled again and he slowly released her. She watched him go back to the counter and took a sip of the wine. The liquid slid over her tongue and she closed her eyes. It was new and she took another sip. She put her glass down and let the new tastes mingle in her mouth.