The castle was quiet and the atmosphere was relaxing. He stood in the parlor looking out the window at the sea and heard the door open in the hall. "Did you enjoy your ride, my Lady?" "Very much. I hope I can join Eve again and soon." Leon laughed and said "I assure you that will be possible. That young woman seems to be more at bay in the open than in this large place." Grace laughed and said "I noticed that too. Now, how long do I have before dinner?" "I think Oric will be ready in about an hour. I believe your brother will be back by then." Grace sighed and said "I really hate those pointless trips into the valley but he will not listen to me." Leon chuckled and footsteps moved up the stairwell to the second floor. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A knock came from the parlor door and he found Leon in the doorway. "Yes?" The older man smiled and said "I was wondering if you were going to stay in here all day." "I heard the conversation." "Good. Then I hope you are ready for another round with that cousin of yours." His scowl returned and he looked out the window. Leon studied the young man and fought back a sigh. There didn't seem like any chances of him changing but he couldn't blame the young man. He had a personal war with Christopher, even if the latter didn't know it yet. Wheels approaching the courtyard pulled his eyes away from the man and he walked to the door. Opening the giant door, he found Christopher swinging to the ground with a big smile on his face. The young man tipped the wagon driver and the man turned the wagon away. Christopher began whistling and approached the butler. "Evening Leon." "Evening." The man rubbed his chin and asked "What's this about a young woman staying here with my cousin?" Leon studied the man and sighed "She is a guest." "Why haven't I met her yet?" "You've been gone." Christopher chuckled and said "Don't keep the details from me, Leon. Now, where is this woman?" Leon sighed and glanced toward the distant stable. "I imagine she's busy." Christopher smirked and said "Thank you." He spun around and headed off toward the stable. Whistling to himself, he crossed the gravel path and found the stable boy sitting outside sharpening a blade. William dropped the tools and stood up when the man drew closer. "Good evening, my Lord." Christopher ignored the welcome and looked inside the stable. He didn't see anyone else and looked down at the boy. "Where is the young woman?" William looked up at him and said "She went out riding again. Shall I call her in for you?" He smiled and said "Oh no. I'll find her myself." Turning away, he missed the disgusted look William sent him and walked toward the hills. Knowing how pleasant they were when he use to go riding, he followed the old path to them. Slowly he made out a black form and stopped walking. The form lifted its head and he found the devil's mare watching him. She snorted and looked down at something. He watched a tan puppy stand up and then was lifted off the ground. Slowly he saw the blonde woman and felt his smile deepen. Her hair was pulled back and radiated in the sunlight. He watched the puppy swat at her and she lowered him to the ground. She slid her hand over the black mare's face and took a deep breath. Quietly he drew closer and watched her look out toward the distant see. As he approached, the mare looked back at him and snorted again. The woman looked in his direction and he offered a charming smile. She flashed a brief smirk and caught the saddle horn. He watched her pull herself up gracefully and settle on the mare's back. Carina stepped away from him and she grabbed the reins. The mare stared at Christopher and shook her head. "Easy girl." Slowly Carina settled down and watched the man come to a stop in front of her. "I was just informed that my cousin was housing some woman and thought I should introduce myself." "You're Christopher, Grace's brother." He smirked and asked "Met my sister?" She nodded and glanced down at Tanner. The puppy was staring at the man from beside Carina's leg and his hackles were up. She looked back at the man and felt the uneasy vibe he gave herself. "Do you have a name?" "Eve." He smiled another charming smile and she watched him come around to her leg. He looked up at her with brown eyes that almost matched his cousin's and she tried to push the uneasiness aside. "I believe dinner will be ready soon." His eyes never faltered and he said "Yes. I suppose it will be." "Do you need a lift back?" "Will this animal allow it?" Carina snorted and stepped away from him. She rested her hand on the mare's neck and tried to calm her. Carina tossed her head and he caught her bridle. "I am really surprised my cousin allowed you on her. She is as we call her the devil's mare." He looked at Carina and the mare's ears went back. She shook her head, trying to get free but he held her prisoner. "Please let her go." "I'm just showing her that she doesn't have the power." "You're making her uneasy." He offered her a confident smile and said "I can handle her." Eve watched him move his hand over the black neck and felt the tremors against her legs. He stopped next to her leg again and grabbed her boot. "Just making sure you're safely secured, Princess." Her blue eyes narrowed and she felt something menacing spreading through her skin. He looked up at her and she saw the distant shadow in his gaze. He slid his hand up over her boot and the dark feeling began chilling her body. Carina reared up and knocked him back as her vision grew blurry. He went to catch the mare's bridle but Tanner lunged for his leg and bit into his ankle. "Ahh!" Shaking the dreary trance off, she turned Carina away from the man and Tanner released his ankle. The black mare bolted off across the meadow and they raced back to the stable. When she saw William outside the stable, she forced Carina to slow down and the mare came to a brisk stop in front of the boy. "Are you okay? What happened?" She caught the saddle horn and slid to the ground. Weakness slid up her leg but she forced herself to stay upward. "She got spooked." He ran his hand along Carina's face and said "I can see to her. You're needed back at the castle." "Who sent for me?" "I did." The dark voice slid around her and she looked at the stable entrance. Seeing those brown eyes again sent the dreary feeling away and she took a deep breath. "Does Oric need me?" He studied her guarded face and nodded. She looked up at Carina and the mare nudged her face. "Go with William. I'll see you tomorrow." The mare stayed in place and nudged her face again. She offered Carina a smile and William managed to move her into the stable. Tanner stood by her leg and she felt him nudge her boot. "You too." He looked up at her and she knelt down. He climbed onto her leg and she scratched his ear. The puppy looked up at her and she kissed his head. "Go on." Quietly he disappeared into the stable and she stood up. She met the man's brown gaze and turned away. They walked along the gravel path and he shot a glance at her. Something was different and he had read the worry in the animals. She met his gaze and looked away. As they entered the courtyard they came across Christopher. He was rubbing his ankle and stood up when he saw them. "What happened to you?" The man looked at Eve and said "That one had her dog attack me." He looked back at Eve and she stared back at Christopher. The normal calm look was replaced with a hard mask and he glanced back at his cousin. "You spooked Carina. He was only making sure you left us alone." Christopher snorted and said "Next time I hope you're more civil." She bit back a retort and looked back at the Lord. "I'm going to see what Oric needs." Her crisp tone was startling and he watched her move past his cousin. The door shut behind her and she took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she scolded herself for letting her personal feelings get in the way. Quietly she walked down the hall and made her way into the kitchen. When she stepped into the room, she found Oric arranging the food on platters and waited. He looked up at her and said "You look winded." She pulled hair from her face and said "Just got in from a ride." His eyes remained on her and he said "The maids filled your bath. Go relax. When I'm ready for your help, I'll send someone for you." She stared back at him and he turned his back on her. Closing her eyes, she left the kitchen and walked through the dining hall. She passed Abigail as she entered the hall and offered her a smile. The woman smiled back and she made her way up the stairwell. Abigail watched her disappear and her smile faltered. She was about to go after the woman when the door opened and she watched the two men enter. Christopher was limping and his cousin seemed oblivious to it. "See that his leg gets checked and wrapped." "What happened?" Christopher frowned and said "Eve." "What?" "Her blasted dog bit me!" She wanted to laugh at the remark. Eve had a way of calming animals and for Tanner to attack him meant something was wrong. "Very well. If you go up to your room, I'll send someone up right away." The man mumbled under his breath and made his way up the stairs. She waited until he was gone and looked back at Johnathan. "What really happened?" "He told you." He went to walk around her but she stepped in his way. "I just saw Eve go upstairs as well and she seemed different." "Christopher startled Carina and the mare almost kicked the man. Tanner bit him so they could get away. That's all I know." The woman frowned and said "I'm going to see if Oric needs any help. I think he sent Eve upstairs to catch her breath. Do me a favor and go check on her." His brown eyes narrowed and she said "You know she isn't going to want to see anyone but for you she has to make an exception." His scowl deepened and he asked "Is there another reason?" The woman smiled and said "I heard about the incident this morning." He let a growl free and the woman laughed. She left him in the hall and he took a deep breath. No one was going to let him forget about that mistake. Frowning, he climbed the stairs and made his way to the West Wing. "When did I become the messenger in my own home?"