One month later...

The sunset rested painted over the ocean and the mist blew against her face. She closed her eyes and listened to the quiet music. The waves swept along the beach and she slowly slid her boots off. Rolling up her pant legs, she stood up and rolled the cuffs of her sleeves up to her elbows. She stood up and waded out into the cool water.

The water rested comfortably against her skin and she stood savoring the distant sun. The air was beginning to grow cool and she opened her eyes. The sky was burning with reds and pinks from the sunset and she felt a small smile capturing her face. Scanning the horizon, she saw the distant clouds rolling in and threatening to destroy the moment. Her smile disappeared and she walked back onto the beach.

Silently she slid her pants back down and pulled on her boots. She brushed the sand off her legs and headed down the beach. The wind began to sweep along her skin and she walked around the castle. She entered the stables and found the horses eating their dinner. William was perched on his usual crate and she found him sharpening a blade again.

"Remind me to never make you mad."

He smiled and looked up. The knife rested next to him and he looked over at Carina.

"She wants to go riding but with the storm, I haven't let her out."

She nodded and said "I'll take care of it."

"Is that okay?"

Her blue eyes turned stern and he held his next comment. She walked past him and headed to the back stalls. Solomon watched her from his stall and she approached her black mare. The horse looked at her and nudged her face. She ran her fingers along the soft face and smirked.

Quietly she unlocked the door and guided the mare from her stall. William reluctantly brought her the tack and she saddled Carina. The mare swished her tail and waited as her bridle was slid on and adjusted. Grabbing the reins, Eve guided her outside and stopped. She grabbed the saddle horn and swung up into the saddle.

"Just be careful."

"Aren't I always?"

He tried laughing and she urged the mare on. They took off trotting down the gravel path and she wrapped the reins around her hand. Moving freely across the hillside, she closed her eyes as the wind blew and savored the freedom. The mare came to a stop on the hill overlooking the town below and she opened her eyes. She could hear the people closing shop for the evening and felt the mare move beneath her.

Holding her still, Eve studied the town and glanced over her shoulder. Her escape had been safe so far. She pushed the mare down the hill and they slowed as they reached the gate. Carina snorted as she swung to the ground and tied the reins to a post.

"Where is your escort?"

"How are you feeling Eve?"

Holding her tongue, she flashed a fake smile and slid past the guards. Quietly she entered the town and walked toward the center. The shops were shutting down and she could hear people ushering their families inside. Coming up to the pier, she leaned her arms against the rail and took a deep breath. Whispering came from her right and she slowly looked over her shoulder.

She found girls watching her with some resentment on their faces and ignored them. She turned her focus back to the ocean and tried to pick up the evening songs. Something tugged on her pants and she looked down. A young orphan girl looked up at her like Kara and she knelt down.

"Aren't you suppose to be indoors?"

The girl smiled and took her hand. Feeling the tiny pull, she picked up the child and watched her point off in the distant. Quietly she followed the little one's directions and was guided into the older part of the town. She heard children laughing as she approached the rundown orphanage and felt the girl begin squirming. Slowly she rested the child on her feet and saw her look up at her.

The girl then turn around and ran to the broken door. The place was a complete wreck. The roof had collapsed in parts and windows were broken. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly she approached the door and pushed it aside enough to let her in.

The girl was waiting for her and she took the small extended hand. She was led deeper into the old building and found herself surrounded by dozens of orphans. They were covered in grit and dirt. The clothes were worn out and hardly any of them had shoes. She remembered how Trevor and Kara first looked and fought back the tears.

The two siblings were enjoying the life provided at the castle and here were their friends longing for the same attention. She took a deep breath and looked down at her guide.

"Will you help us too?"

She knelt down in front of the girl and nodded. The girl smiled again and she ran her hand through the dirty hair.

"I will be right back."

The girl clung to her hand and she walked back outside. Closing the door behind her, she picked up the child and carried her back into town. Silently she approached the doctor's home and knocked. His wife answered the door and looked at the child.

"Is she ill?"

Eve stared silently at the woman and heard "Let her in dear."

The woman stepped aside and she entered into a comfy common room. The doctor was sitting at his desk writing in his medical journal and looked up as she entered.

"I see you found where the children have been staying."

She glanced at the woman hovering at the door and the woman came and took the child.

"I'll get her cleaned up and find some decent clothes."

Eve watched the two disappear and slowly looked back at the doctor. He met her stern look and closed his book.

"You want to help them."

She walked to the window and said "I have no choice."

"Did you find them?"

She shook her head and said "The girl found me at the pier."

He chuckled and said "I have to ask. Where is your escort?"

A frown captured her face and she ignored his comment. He smirked and leaned back in his seat.

"It will take a lot of work and you need the man's permission before you take on this project."

"Why?"

He watched her slowly look away from the window and met her blue stare.

"If you don't he will rip my head off."

"He informed you, didn't he?"

The doctor nodded and said "I have to obey his orders."

She let out a sigh and said "I'll talk to him, but I need to do something tonight."

The doctor stood up and handed her a thick folder. She flipped through it and slowly looked up at him.

"These are all the children staying in there. I imagine you will know how to help them, but all you can do tonight is take that girl back and then return home. Come back tomorrow when you have the okay and then I will help you anyway you can."

She closed the folder and nodded. The doctor smiled and led her back into the hall. They found the girl waiting quietly with his wife and she took the child in her arms. The girl waved goodbye and she took her back to the orphanage. As she walked through the run down building, she felt the eyes rest on her and lowered the child to the floor.

"I will be back tomorrow. I promise."

"Can you brink Trevor and Kara?"

She nodded and kissed the child's forehead. The girl giggled and she left the orphanage. She secured the door behind her and walked back to the town gate. The guards held their comments and she slid into the saddle. Carina snorted as she guided her back home.

The rain threatened to break when she reached the stable and settled the mare in for the night. William watched her hang up the tack and leave. She crossed the gravel path to the main entrance and entered the castle. Warm food reached her and she walked into the parlor. The room was barely lit but she found the man sitting in the corner chair reading something.

She closed the door behind her and felt him lift his gaze. Her nerve was starting to crack when she met his brown gaze and she took a moment to steel herself against him.

"You went riding."

She held her tongue and waited. The man had been holding to his word about her having an escort whenever she went somewhere. His eyes remained hard and impassive. He put the book down and slowly stood up. She felt the room grow smaller as he stood and stared silently back at her.

"I want to go back to town tomorrow."

He walked over to the window and said "There's no point in asking now."

She bit back a groan and said "I'm not asking."

His brown eyes lingered out the window and she took a deep breath.

"I have something I have to do in town."

"What is it?"

"Something that should've been done before I got here."

He looked back at her and said "The weather will not be good tomorrow."

She shook her head and sighed "I'm not surprised."

His eyebrow went up and she said "Goodnight."

He watched her open the door and step into the hall. She closed it behind her and leaned back against it. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she crossed the hall and climbed the stairs. He watched her disappear up the stairs and silently followed. She stopped outside Trevor's room and watched him finish up his homework.

A smile captured her face as she leaned against the door frame and watched the boy. Kara came out of her room and smiled. She looked over at the girl and took her in her arms. The girl laughed and she carried her into the room. He leaned against the wall and heard the child's laughter fill the castle.