She looked up, her head tilting slightly. She spoke politely. "Yes, my lady?" *** He frowned.. "Yes?"
She gave her a small smile. “Wren, I don’t think it will be necessary for you to watch over Charles anymore,” she said smoothly. “We’re bringing in our own guard for him.” *** “You’ve fallen for a Gypsy?” he said, his voice low and harsh. “One of them?”
She frowned, pausing slightly. "But I'm the guard that was hired for him.." *** He looked panicked for a moment, but calmed. "What are you talking about?"
“Yes, and now you have been replaced,” she replied sweetly. “You’re done. You may leave.” *** “Don’t act dumb; the blonde! The one who dances outside your window! You’re a fool, Ezekiel.”
She looked stricken, but gave her a tense bow. "Very well." After that she left, seeming quite uncertain. *** He glared. "I have not fallen for her."
That evening, Charlie knocked on her door. He was shivering in the cold, his breath making fog in the air, but he seemed focused and intense, waiting anxiously for her to open the door. * * * "Haven't you?" he replied sharply. "My own son is breaking the law for a Gypsy who is ambivalent about him. These people, it's what they do, Ezekiel. They make you love them and then ruin you. Your lips were not the only ones she was kissing last night. You were not the only person she danced with. You're wealthy and you could change things for her. It's the only reason she's associating with you."
She opened the door, looking a little surprised to see him. She didn't say anything for a moment but pulled him in from the cold. Her house was quite plain, aside from the area in the corner that held her weapons and armor on a rack with a few scratches in the wooden wall from practice. *** He looked stricken, faltering slightly. "I.. I'm sorry. I didn't see it like that.."
He turned to look at her, shivering. “You’re leaving me?” *** He sighed irritably. “We’ll take care of this, Ezekiel. She will be disposed of. But you can’t be so gullible. They’ll tear you to shreds.”
She took his hands firmly, a serious look on her face. "I don't want to Charlie. Catalina says I'm being replaced. I don't have a choice in the matter unless you can convince her otherwise." *** He shook his head slowly. "No, I want to talk to her first."
He looked down at her, his eyes wide before he held her head in his hands, leaning down and kissing her deeply. *** His father frowned. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Charlie,” he said slowly. “She’ll mess with you. That’s what they do.”
She froze, kissing him back tentatively. *** He shook his head slowly. "Don't worry. I won't let her mess with me again."
He pulled away slightly, looking down at her, his dark blue eyes soft. “You’re not going to leave me,” he said quietly. *** He squinted before sighing. “Fine. We’re tracking her down now. She’ll be gone soon.”
Her eyes were wide as she watched him. "I.. You have to do something about Catarina, Charlie." *** He shook his head. "I know how to find her. Just trust me."
He frowned, looking dismayed. “I don’t want to be with her,” he said, dropping his hands. “You know I don’t.” *** His father frowned, raising an eyebrow. “Fine. But a guard will follow you to ensure that she doesn’t get away.”
“But I can’t not marry her,” he told her. “This is for my country.” *** He frowned but relented. “Fine. But... Ezekiel, she will be arrested.”
He gave her a small, sad smile before pulling away. "I should let you sleep. I'm sorry for popping in so suddenly." * * * That evening, Clara climbed the balcony to see him, pulling herself over, that small smile on her lips. "Hey, you."
