One week later

The quiet place echoed with his almost silent steps. He looked into the kitchen and found Oric putting food scraps away. The cook was quietly whistling to himself and he left the door. Walking down the hall, he stopped outside the parlor and found it silent. A scowl began to capture his face and he headed to the doors.

Pulling one open, he stepped outside and shut the castle door. Walking through the courtyard, he scanned the bright blue sky and heard the late morning waves from the beach. Silently he stepped along the gravel path and found William sitting outside reading a book. He stopped walking and one eyebrow went up. The boy felt his stare and quickly looked up.

He jumped up and shut the book. Johnathan could see the guilty look in his eye and waved it aside.

"When did you start reading?"

The boy carefully met his brown stare and said "Eve gave it to me."

He bit back the groan and the boy said "Solomon is ready for you."

Walking into the stable, he found most of the horses resting. Carina was missing again and Solomon was watching from the far side of his stall. Silently he unlocked the door and the stallion approached. He ran his hand over the stallion's face and walked him out of the stable. William handed him the tack and he saddled the chestnut stallion.

Swinging up into the saddle, he adjusted the reins and took off down the gravel path. Solomon stretched his legs with ease and they galloped through the hills. Reaching the overlook, he stopped the stallion and heard the laughter and music coming from the valley. He swept his eyes over the bright banners and felt something inside tighten.

Solomon stepped from the edge and they moved down to the gate. The soldiers nodded as he dismounted and tied the stallion next to Carina. The mare snorted as he walked by and he met her gaze.

"That one is getting to be a regular."

He looked at the two men and they chuckled as he walked into town. The music was louder and he found people in clumps around the pier. The town seemed alive for the first time in years and he bit back a growl. Silently he followed the crowd to the outer regions and saw the sun gleaming off the new building. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the new orphanage and found children running around everywhere.

They were laughing and enjoying the afternoon. People were sitting on blankets enjoying afternoon breaks or working on the outside of the building. He saw a shaded canopy down the path and caught sight of the local merchants. Quietly he made his way toward them and heard them laughing. The butcher caught sight of him and nodded.

"Come to see the nearly finished place?"

He stopped walking and looked back at the building. All the windows were replaced and were painted on the inside. The roof had been replaced and trim was being applied to the edges of the building.

"If you're looking for the mastermind behind all of this, good luck getting time with her."

He looked over his shoulder and found the group smiling. His eyes narrowed and they just laughed.

The librarian stepped forward and said "We may appear to be about done, but that woman hasn't stopped since she started."

He glanced back at the building and let out a silent breath. A blur of tan caught his eye and he saw a full grown Tanner trotting along side some of the children. They were heading down to the beach carrying some old boards and laughing as they went. He spotted Trevor and Kara leading the group and quietly began following. As he followed, he found the other adults rising and joining in on the walk.

They began talking louder and he heard someone strumming over the hill. The children raced over the hill and the adults didn't linger much behind. When he reached the top of the hill, he found the beach filled with people stretching out on blankets and sitting by fires. One of the street kids was playing his guitar and the children were dancing. He saw Tanner curl up by an old log and lay his head down.

A horse nickered behind him and he looked back toward the orphanage. A man jumped to the ground and the horse gave a call. The man removed some items from his saddle bag and the door opened. His pulse jumped when he saw the woman finally. She had her hair pulled back and her black sleeves rolled up past her elbows.

The man handed her a rolled up piece of paper and she slowly unrolled it. A strand of her golden hair fell in her face and she flicked it behind her ear. She read over the paper and slowly looked up at the man. He saw a frown capture her face and the man scratched his head.

"Sorry Miss."

Her blue eyes almost flashed and she handed him the paper.

"Get it done."

The man sighed and nodded. He climbed back into the saddle and took off down the road. She wrapped a hand around her neck and took a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, she walked back into the orphanage and he followed. Closing the door behind him, he saw her disappear upstairs and quietly climbed the steps.

He walked down the brightly lit hall and studied the pictures on the walls. Crossing an open room, he stopped and looked inside. The woman was standing behind a desk and flipping through some file. He saw her lift up a piece of paper and leaned back against the desk. She studied the paper and pinned it on the wall next to several other documents.

He watched her stand looking at the photos of the children and leaned against the doorway. She ran her hand along her neck and slowly grew still. Her pulse continued racing and she felt the power spreading quickly through her. Carefully she looked over her shoulder and met his brown gaze. He met her blue gaze and watched her take a deep breath.

She looked worn out but was still radiating in the sunlight. He skimmed the room's layout and slowly looked back at her.

"This the office?"

She came around the desk and leaned back against it. He stepped into the room and approached the nearest wall. Skimming the photos, he glanced back at the woman and found her staring out the window.

"You're doing a good job."

She closed her eyes briefly and then turned them back to him. The pull hit instantly and filled the hole growing inside him.

"I'm surprised you didn't stop me."

He walked over to the window and asked "Why isn't this one painted?"

She smirked and said "Kara wanted to wait."

He looked back at her and asked "Kara?"

She nodded and said "The children are in charge of the decorations."

"The photos?"

"The faces of all the children that put their hearts into this project."

He watched her slowly stand and saw her carefully catch her side. She didn't hide it but he knew not to ask.

"Are you coming down to the final bonfire?"

"Am I allowed down there?"

She laughed and caught his hand. The jolt left him rooted to the floor until she pulled him along. He stared at her as he was directed down the hall and then down the steps. They stopped at the door and she released his hand. He opened the door and she stepped out into the sunset.

She waited for him to close the door and they headed toward the beach. They stopped at the top of the hill and found everyone sitting around a giant bonfire now and enjoying music. He saw a slow smile capture her face and felt his palm still itching from her touch.

"They're going to be partying until the children are too tired."

He looked back at the crowd and said "I doubt they would want me down there."

"Why?"

"You know why."

She smirked and caught his hand again. The contact ran up his arm and she met his gaze.

"You're the man of the hour. Come on."

He tried to stop her but she tugged him down the hill. As they drew closer to the herd of people, he felt the eyes slowly rest on him and felt his mask tighten. He wanted to leave and just let this continue without him. So far everyone appeared to be having a good time and he wasn't needed for any of this. He glanced over at Eve and felt her slowly release his hand.

She turned her blue eyes on him and flashed a brief smile. The woman was teasing him and for the first time he didn't know how to respond. Clapping began to push through the fog in his head and he looked back at the people. They stood up and continued clapping as they approached him. He was greeted with smiles on every face and it left him feeling hesitant.

Trevor pushed his way through the crowd and caught his hand. The boy freed him from the crowd and drug him over to the fire pit. He was pulled down onto the ground and the children surrounded him. A girl came up to him and hugged him. He felt his body freeze up with all the contact and was soon swarmed by thank yous.

Slowly everyone returned to the fire and took their seats. The children went back to their games and he listened to the easy conversations. He couldn't remember the last time the townspeople celebrated like this. He glanced around at everyone and found the blonde woman walking down the beach with Tanner. He excused himself carefully and quietly followed the woman.

"You'll pay for that."

She stopped walking and slowly looked back at him. She couldn't hold back the smirk and he stopped next to her.

"I hope you enjoyed it."

"I never thought you would freeze like that."

The laugh couldn't be contained any longer and it slipped from her. He rolled his eyes and she slowly stopped.

"Laugh it out. You will pay."

"I can only wait."

He caught her eyes on him and saw her smile begin to falter. She rested her hand on her side and he glanced down the beach. No one was watching them and he caught her hand. She felt him pulling her out of sight and kept quiet. He stopped when they were out of hearing range and the ocean hid their conversation.

"How bad is it?"

She looked back at him and said "I'm fine."

His eyes never wavered with their intensity and she slowly let out a sigh.

"It never stopped hurting."

He glanced past them and said "Let me look."

Her blue eyes stared back at him and she shook her head.

"I said I'm fine."

He could hear the lie and shook his head. If she was able to keep from holding her side he would be able to believe her.

"Eve."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly she looked back at him and he rolled the shirt up. Her tan skin looked back at him and his pulse continued to race. When he pushed the shirt above her ribs he found the bruise still clinging. He carefully lowered her shirt and she looked away.

"Why didn't you rest?"

She looked back at him and said "I took breaks."

"Eve."

"Those children needed my help. I couldn't stop everything and let my body heal when some child is in more pain than me."

Her eyes were burning with the sunset and he could feel the power choking him. She looked determined and powerful.

"Can you rest now?"

She smirked and asked "Worried?"

He looked away and she laughed. The man was still hard to read but she had learned enough about him to get some of his actions. He looked back at her and she took a deep breath.

"I'll try to take a break once the school is finished."

He wanted to roll his eyes but knew it would just be pointless. The woman was beyond stubborn but now it was something he admired. Her blue eyes glowed in the dimming light and he felt the ocean breeze picking up. She glanced back toward the party and he caught her hand. The connection flashed through both of them and she looked back at him.